Long-term Review: Alutech Fanes Enduro 3.0 Pinion
With 170mm of rear travel and 180mm at the front, the Alutech Fanes Enduro 3.0 Pinion was the most “loaded” bike within our long-term test – on top of that, the built-in gearbox with 18 gears made it an extraordinarily unique candidate.
Therefore, we did not go easy on it: dozens of visits to the bike park, eight races altogether, hundreds of kilometers on local trails as well as tours through the Alps, all filling the Fanes’ logbook. Throughout the season, the nice and sporty geometry as well as the potent chassis provided loads of riding fun. The majority of the high-quality equipment proved to be robust and up to the job. Only the Sun Ringle Charger Pro wheels revealed a few weaknesses and were quite annoying due to the regular rupture of the nipples – we bid adieu to fifteen of them in total.
The Pinion drivetrain functioned reliably across long distances, but presented some teething troubles throughout the test period: a broken spring at the chain tensioner was replaced by a stronger version, and the supplied cranks were replaced by more resilient ones (specced as standard now) after some cracks showed near the spider. Nevertheless, the overall componentry is quite futuristic – especially as the manufacturer is constantly developing and improving the product.
Anyone looking for a pure racing bike will surely find a more suitable bike than the Alutech because of its considerable weight (16.5 kg ready to ride) and the disturbingly large turning circles of the Pinion steering, which can be quite annoying at races. But for those looking for an easy-to-service enduro bike with many reserves and modern geometry (which does not make any compromises in the bike park) should check out the Alutech Fanes Enduro 3.0 Pinion.
You can read an in-depth feature about the long-term test and our conclusions in the previous ENDURO issue! As usual it’s free & only digital for iPad, Android-Tablets and Online-Viewer: Issue #007
Text: Aaron Steinke | Fotos: Fabian Rapp
Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more.
