Dreams Come True: Seven Incredible Bike Builds

“I can’t, I’m not allowed, I shouldn’t…” – seriously, this is old news. The change is too risky, the route too hard, the political correctness too correct. For issue #18 we threw all those concerns overboard and got hold of the absolute sickest bikes money can (not) buy. We at ENDURO are convinced: Dreams can come true!

Seven Dream Bikes that Definitely Aren’t on General Sale

Do you still remember the bike that you dreamt of as a child? Now, fast-forward and imagine that you have the opportunity not only to ride that incredible bike, but six other equally as magnificent, and equally as exclusive steeds. It almost sounds too good to be true, right? However, that is in fact how we have spent the run-up to the launch of this issue. In celebration of our symbolic coming-of-age Issue #018, we decided that dreams had to become reality. And what about yours?

Reason is a terrible thing; it’s not only extremely boring, but it can also use its invisible meddling hand in shops, forcing you to imprison your wallet in your pocket. But if we’d been half as reasonable over the last few years (like our parents wanted), then we’d only have had half the fun – and probably half the success! Achieving dreams doesn’t come easy; you have to fight, take risks and work hard – sometimes spending a little bit more money than reason would dictate. We saw the impending celebration of Issue #018 as our last chance to go all out before adulthood (and its accompanying sense of financial maturity) sets in.

Reason was thrown out of the window by every single company that received the chance to take part in this special group test. “Tease out the maximum level of performance from a well-known model,” read the task. The price? Who cares – this wasn’t supposed to be a penny-pinching party.

Certain companies proclaimed to be so convinced by their off-the-peg bikes that they decided not to undertake a single alteration – shame! But the trails would be the real testing ground, and tried-and-true parts weren’t necessarily a disadvantage. Naturally, the bling-bling isn’t as in your face without carbon wheels or titanium bolts, but there are so many modern bikes that feature such a good set-up out of the box that tuning can be unnecessary. Wouldn’t you expect that for prices that soar above € 6,000 anyway?

But what use are the sickest bikes without the sickest trails to match? We decided to keep it local this time, not bothering to load up a dented and dirty white van to trundle down to one of Europe’s best riding spots. For this sort of dream test, our best friends joined us we piled into some bad-ass cars (to match the bikes) to drive a little closer to our home turf, the Black Forest.

No more than half an hour from our HQ in Leonberg, you’ll find trails that really offer everything you heart desires, from steep and techy, to flat and flowing, with berms and jumps galore. In one moment you’ll find yourself racing in Colorado on the dry, dusty, sun-drenched sections, before dipping into Canada’s deep backcountry. Then you can dive into a chilly mountain stream before enjoying a taste of romantic mountain living in a beer garden with a wood stove and delicious post-ride snacks.

Enduro is what you make of it!

As wildly diverse as the many trails in the world, it’s a similar story when it comes to the motley crew of dream bikes, with everything from the ultra-lightweight Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SL cross-country bike to the Mondraker Dune Carbon XR, whose long and aggressive geometry gives downhill bikes a run for their money. When it came to this test, our editorial team weren’t craving a certain terrain-specific bike, but rather clamouring for exclusivity and that must-have factor. These highly sought-after bikes should, however, be perfectly suited to their intended terrain and use, while featuring outstanding manufacturing and a distinctive, breath-taking design. Before you get too heated – rest assured, we aren’t comparing apples and pears, as even we can see that the parameters are just too varied.

The dream bike becomes a nightmare?

So often the case in life, some dreams are better when they remain just as that: a dream. The risk of disappointment if the high expectations aren’t met is similar to ending up on a date with a stunning girl whose personality is as dry as the expensive white wine that she is drinking in search of said personality. Such scenarios arose in our office too, as certain test riders had to face up to facts: the geometry of their supposed dream bike was more akin to a nightmare! Not necessarily a criticism of the bike, as we’re all aware of just how personal our tastes are when it comes to riding positions and frame heights. That stunning girl will probably find her ideal partner soon, one whose character is more in line with hers… as the saying goes, there are plenty more fish in the sea.

In this sense, it was the two primed racing machines from Mondraker and Trek – whose ability to clock the fastest times in their own disciplines were second to none, but whose nature really demands a rider ready to take hold of the reins – that asked the most of our test riders.

With the equally impressive Bold Linkin Trail and the Canyon Spectral CF, we were far more at ease. Each bike had duly been pimped up by its manufacturer and optimized for use on the trails. GHOST decided to keep the additional RIOT link pulley on its brand new PathRIOT with 150 mm rear travel. However, they combined the rear with a coilover shock, which should take its downhill performance to another level. This is a development that we’re certain other companies will latch onto fairly soon. The same goes for the growing group of plus-size bikes, like the SCOTT Genius LT 700 Tunes Plus, whose teeth-gnawing traction and incredible performance kept us in awe whatever the terrain.

Tops:

Flops:

It wasn’t so many years ago that we used to press our faces against bike shop windows, dreaming wistfully of riding bikes just like these – even if it was just a few metres! Now these dreams have become a reality, and it’s one we’re conscious of. But over the years, we’ve also learned that expensive frames and stylish parts aren’t everything; it’s about fun and friendship, two factors that we never fail to combine once we start pedalling down the trail.

Check out the reviews of all dream bikes here: Bold Linkin Trail Race Day 29 Custom | Canyon Spectral CF Custom | Ghost PathRiot LC 10 | Focus SAM C Team | Mondraker Dune Carbon XR | Scott Genius LT 700 Tuned Plus | Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SL

Words & Photos: Christoph Bayer

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