Funnily enough, we couldn't complain about a lack of acceptances when recruiting test riders for the enduros. "Enduro test? Of course I have time. When do we start?" was the unanimous response. While putting together a test team is usually a slow process, this time we had the enduro team booked within five minutes. Of course, everyone prefers to test high-end enduro bikes rather than hardtails for 999 euros. Nevertheless, this category is obviously more popular than comparable marathon or race bikes, even among the more endurance-orientated group of testers. No question: enduro bikes offer the broadest spectrum of riding fun, as long as no-one sets the stopwatch. Because it's clear that a downhill bike is faster downhill and a marathon bike is faster uphill. Plenty of suspension travel, short geometry and robust components for downhill fun on the one hand. On the other hand, sensible lightweight construction, an efficient riding position and suspension that doesn't bob uphill. In order to reconcile these contradictory characteristics, manufacturers have put all their expertise into enduro bikes.
