Standing order mountain bike test: This is the current endurance test fleet of the BIKE editorial team
Jan Timmermann
· 17.05.2024
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Our long-term testers have more than permission to take their bikes really hard. They have the job to do so. Grace period? No such thing. After all, the long-term guests have to prove whether they can withstand the ravages of time in races, road trips and everyday biking. We present the current permanent test fleet of the BIKE editorial team.
Topics in this article
No thing is made to last forever. Not even a mountain bike. Many moving parts and off-road use sooner or later lead to defects. Repairs and spare parts can be very expensive. Modern mountain bikes - luxury goods with an expiry date.
In the endurance test, selected frequent riders therefore put thousands of kilometres and tens of thousands of metres of altitude on the sometimes very expensive material. The final laboratory check is only favourable if the manufacturers seal the bearings particularly well and use durable wear parts.
However, the riding behaviour of the endurance test candidates is at least as important as the material aspect. If a bike accompanies its rider through thick and thin for months, every little weakness and every detail relevant to everyday life becomes apparent. We present the latest additions to what is probably the most elaborate test format at BIKE.
Arc8 Evolve FS XTR: Superlight racing file in endurance test
The bike
- Weight 9.93 kg
- Price 8999 Euro
- Suspension travel 120 / 110 mm
- Fork Fox 34 Float Factory SC
- Shock Fox Float DPS Factory
- Shimano XTR gears
- Shimano XTR brakes
- Telescopic support/lift Bike Yoke Divine SL / 120 mm
- Wheels Newmen SL X.30 Carbon
- Wolfpack Speed ToGuard TLR 29 x 2.4" tyres
Who tests it?
- Name: Max Fehr
- Age: 29
- Weight: 60 kg
- Height: 175 cm
- Endurance test area: fast laps on trails - preferably against others and the stopwatch
So far, the Arc8 has met my expectations exactly. Thanks to its slack head angle and the short handlebar/stem combination, it shines on fast descents. With the good response behaviour of the suspension, the bike feels secure on the trail. In tight corners, you have to slow down a little due to the long wheelbase. Nevertheless, you can clearly feel that the stiff, light and powerful Evolve FS is also capable of racing. I have already tried it out at the Bike Marathon Riva. - Max Fehr, BIKE test rider
Vitus Escarpe 290 CRX: Test-winning all-mountain in a long-term test
The bike
- Weight: 14.30 kg
- Price: 5199 Euro
- Suspension travel: 150 / 150 mm
- Fork: Fox 36 Float Factory Grip2
- Shock: Fox Float DPS Evol Factory
- Gear system: Sram GX Eagle AXS T-Type
- Brakes: Hayes Dominion A4
- Telescopic support/stroke: Brand X Ascend / 150 mm
- Wheels: Nukeproof Horizon V2
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai 3C Maxxterra Exo 29 x 2.5" / Dissector Exo+ 29 x 2.4"
Who tests it?
- Name: Max Fuchs
- Age: 23
- Weight: 71 kg
- Height: 173 cm
- Permanent test area of use: After-work rides in the Munich area, road trips to trail parks such as in Eberbach or Rychleby (Czech Republic)
The Vitus mail-order company offers a rock-solid basis at a fair price: carbon frame, wireless shifting, powerful brakes, top suspension components. Thanks to a successful riding position on the trail, the Escarpe have already won one of our comparative tests. In any case, the integration into the bike is excellent. Without an elaborate rear triangle design and with a rather moderate geometry, the bike has few rough edges at first glance. The all-mountain competition is extremely strong and I'm curious to see if the Brit can inspire me in the long run. - Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor
Canyon Neuron CF 9 SL: All-round trail bike under constant fire
The bike
- Weight: 12.84 kg
- Price: 4999 Euro
- Suspension travel: 140 / 130 mm
- Fork: Fox 34 Float Factory
- Shock: Fox Float DPS Factory
- Gear system: Sram GX Eagle AXS T-Type
- Brakes: Sram Code RSC
- dropper post/stroke: Canyon G5 / 170 mm
- Wheels: DT Swiss XMC 1501
- Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Evo Addix Speedgrip Super Ground / Wicked Will 29 x 2.4"
Who tests it?
- Name: Franz Fischer
- Age 51
- Weight 75 kg
- Size 170 cm
- Endurance test area of use: Extensive trail tours in the Alps, Dolomites, Tuscany, Zugspitze region, Lake Caldonazzo
In terms of price-performance is the equal of my Dauertest Canyon. I only changed the grips and saddle. The Ergon parts were too hard for me personally. I rarely use the Neuron for after-work rides. But on numerous holidays, a lot of alpine terrain. The geometry makes the bike a great all-rounder. However, it tends to oversteer, especially on the front wheel. After a flat tyre on the very first ride, I immediately switched to tubeless. - Franz Fischer, BIKE test rider
Scor 4060 ST GX: Swiss All Mountain as a freeride endurance runner
The bike
- Weight: 14.16 kg
- Price: 6499 Euro
- Suspension travel: 150 / 140 mm
- Fork: Rockshox Lyrik Ultimate
- Shock: Rockshox SuperDeluxe Ultimate
- Gear system: Sram GX Eagle
- Brakes: Sram Code RSC
- dropper post/stroke: Bike Yoke Divine / 160 mm
- Wheels: DT Swiss XM 1700
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai 3C Maxxterra Exo 29 x 2.5" / Dissector Exo+ 29 x 2.4"
Who tests it?
- Name: Dimitri Lehner
- Age: 55
- Weight: 75 kg
- Height: 178 cm
- Permanent test area of use: Alpine tours in the Bavarian foothills, home trails on the Isar and Würm rivers, occasional bike park use
Despite initial scepticism because of the hip colour, I quickly fell in love with the Scor. As befits an all-mountain bike, the Swiss bike has an extremely wide range of uses. I ride the 4060 almost every day. Its good acceleration is worth its weight in gold on trail laps. When it gets down to business in the bike park, the suspension is really fun. On alpine tours, the rollover behaviour of the large wheels is impressive. After many winter kilometres, the Scor is now creaking. I'm curious to see how this develops in further continuous use. - Dimitri Lehner, FREERIDE Editor-in-Chief
Specialized Epic 8 Expert: Marathon fully in endurance test
The bike
- Weight: 11.42 kg
- Price: 7500 Euro >> available here
- Suspension travel: 120 / 120 mm
- Fork: Rockshox SID Select +
- Shock: Rockshox SIDluxe Select+
- Gear system: Sram GX Eagle AXS T-Type
- Brakes: Sram Level Stealth Bronze 4-piston
- dropper post/stroke: X-Fusion Manic / 170 mm
- Wheels: Roval Control Carbon
- Tyres: Specialized Fast Trak Control T7 / Renegade T5 29 x 2.35"
Who tests it?
- Name: Jan Timmermann
- Age: 31
- Weight: 81 kg
- Size: 190 cm
- Endurance test area of use: Extensive tours with a high proportion of trails south of Munich. One-day and multi-day marathon races in the Odenwald and the Alps.
At the moment, the Specialized racers are racking up plenty of World Cup points on the Epic. I have already been able to convince myself of the superiority of the new carbon chassis. With its long, flat geometry, the Epic is the bad boy of race bikes. The down tube storage compartment is a useful detail for everyday use. Whether the concept also works without electronic miracle chassis and whether the Specialized can also do marathons, a start at the BIKE Transalp should clarify, among other things. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
Jan Timmermann
Editor
