We wouldn’t expect anything other than a pretty jaw-dropping bike from Specialized’s marketing manager Sebastian. Since checking out his previous steed, a Specialized Stumpjumper Hardtail, it isn’t just his beard that’s welcomed some extra millimetres but also the travel on his bike. Let’s take a look at his newest creation, a Specialized Enduro Expert EVO.
According to Specialized, the Enduro EVO has been conceived to bridge the gravity between freeride and downhill. A veritable bike park bike, it’s one to push up the climbs or opt for the lift. However, it’s a different story for Sebastian’s bike: at 13.7 kg, this lightweight bike with a plush 180 mm of travel isn’t averse to climbing, and shreds downhill like nobody’s business. But its low weight isn’t the only distinguishing feature on his Enduro Expert.
The suspension on the Specialized Enduro EVO
With a plush 180 mm travel, Sebastian’s bike relies on RockShox Lyrik forks and an Öhlins steel spring rear shock. Thanks to the rear’s low-speed compression damping adjuster there’s no bob at the rear.
Fat travel, fat tires
Sebastian’s bike has one major show-stopping change: the tires. For the front he’s gone for a chunky 2.8″ Specialized Butcher with its sturdy grid tread providing masses of traction, and the less aggressive Slaughter (with a width of 2.6″) for comfort and minimal rolling resistance at the rear. As neither frame nor forks feature the new Boost standard, there is barely any tire clearance to speak of.
Given the burly tires and steel spring rear shock, Sebastian had to wrack his brains to keep the weight low and he’s kitted his medium-sized frame out with the tidiest (and most wallet-damaging) parts around: S-WORKS bars, Roval carbon wheels, SRAM Guide Ultimate brakes. As a rider of 178 cm, he’s chosen a medium frame.
Our riding impression of the pimped-up Specialized Enduro Expert EVO
At the Trail Days event in Latsch we got our grubby mitts on Sebastian’s bike for a ride and we were stoked at how well it can climb thanks to its lightweight set-up. However, it’s only truly in its element once you point it downhill. After just a few turns on the descent, we were more than convinced by its ability to shred. Offering huge amounts in reserve, it screams for you to get loose on the trail and let go of the brakes. And you’ve got to get with the programme to really benefit from the Enduro, which responds with agility and playfulness when you serve it fast and bumpy!
We were really curious to see how the new plus-size tires fared on such a bike and they didn’t disappoint. The tried-and-tested Butcher/Slaughter combination in the plus-size version with the grip tread carcass deliver seemingly invincible grip. And as the casing is so sturdy, there’s a plusher and more planted feel than you tend to get from regular plus-size tires. So instead of feeling like balloons, they’re much more reminiscent of some burly downhill tires. If you’re going to collect bike parks shuttle runs and descents then this is a combination worth testing. Over the next few days we’ll be out riding a different combination so we’ll report back on the comparison.
In our new series “Industry Bike Checks” we take a close look at the personal bike builds of industry insiders and show you how they run their bikes. If you enjoy the format, check out our bike check overview page.
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Words: Christoph Bayer, Moritz Dittmar Photos: Christoph Bayer
