Minimal-assist bikes: The perfect enduro bikes?

Are minimal-assist bikes the perfect enduro bikes? EMTB tester Christian Schleker would immediately agree. He tested the two lightweight enduro bikes Specialised Kenevo SL Expert (9499 Euro) and Rotwild R.E375 Pro (8999 Euro) in issue EMTB 3/2021 against each other.

In terms of handling, both bikes come incredibly close to an enduro bike without a motor and can even turn the disadvantage on the scales downhill into an advantage in terms of smoothness. And thanks to the motor, you can at least go uphill with a slight tailwind. Compared to the motorless Enduro, this means more descents in the same amount of time.

But wouldn't a classic E-Enduro offer even more of everything? More speed uphill, an even richer riding experience downhill? Perhaps. But for most enduro riders, with or without an E, handling is at the top of the priority list - ahead of engine performance, smoothness and reach. And in the handling category, minimal-assist bikes are hard to beat.

Despite small batteries: full range height?

But even for handling freaks, at least a longer tour with the battery should be possible. Here, in terms of reach height, our test reveals something astonishing. In terms of pure altitude metres, both bikes outperform even the competition with full-size batteries and motors, despite their small batteries. The bikes managed around 2000 metres in altitude in our practical test - and are therefore well above the reach altitude values of classic E-MTBs.

However, the values are hardly comparable. While we tested classic E-MTBs in full throttle mode for the most comparable conditions possible, we limited the minimal-assist bikes to the low support typical of minimal-assist bikes, which is even lower than the Eco mode of classic E-MTBs. Specialized and Rotwild therefore only climb the 2000 metres in altitude at low speed, which means that the rider also does a large part of the work.

Conversely, this means that if you wanted to, you could also crawl up the test lap on a classic E-Enduro with a large battery in Eco mode and probably eat up even more metres in altitude than the minimal-assist bikes are capable of.

Minimal-Assist: Perfect for Enduro?

Whether minimal-assist bikes are the perfect enduro bikes is therefore not only a question of perspective but also of the rider's willingness to pedal hard. If you prioritise playful handling, like to pedal in a sporty manner and want the motor assistance for a possible increase in downhill performance, bikes like the Specialized Kenevo SL and the Rotwild R.E375 are definitely an alternative to a bike without a motor. Unfortunately, they also come at a significantly higher price.

However, fans of classic E-MTBs who don't mind the sluggish handling can get even more power and smoother running with a normal E-Enduro, often at a much more attractive price compared to the exclusive minimal-assist bikes.