After the success of the first edition of Ask ENDURO, we decided to bring you a second edition for our latest exciting group test! Once again, we took to Instagram to gather questions from our readers.
Our latest group test is all about speed! Yes, we’re talking about enduro race bikes. With the 2020 race season pretty much cancelled, we decided to put on a race of our own to find the fastest enduro bike of the year. We headed to Canazei, Italy, with ten of the hottest race bikes in tow – many were actual EWS team bikes that had been sitting idle due to the lack of races. If you haven’t already checked out the group test, we recommend you do so! You can find it in our latest issue or on our website!
We asked two of our editors to answer your questions. Before we start, let’s introduce Finlay and Christoph:
Some would say that Finlay is gifted with the bravery (stupidity, haha) of the young, and as such he is always the fastest into any corner, though not always out. Sideways as much as forwards, Finlay can be relied upon to put the bike’s durability, brakes and tires to the ultimate test. Finlay values playful handling, supportive suspension and an affordable price point.
Christoph Bayer needs no introduction. With knowledge gained from riding more bikes than anyone else on the test team, he is a walking bike wikipedia. Christoph lives to ride the best trails and looks for the complete package, engaging handling, wise component choices and a geometry that works for riders of all levels.
And now, let’s dive straight into your queries!
@enduronr1: Which is better for enduro races: the Canyon Strive CF7.0 or the YT Capra Base AL?
CB: In our test, the Canyon was the faster bike. I also think the Strive CF7.0 will outperform the Capra Base AL in terms of speed and you can mount a bottle in the mainframe. The only crucial upgrade I see on the Canyon is the brakes, which should get changed right away.
@lukesimmons6: What is a great trail bike for 3,000–5,000 CAD (approx. € 2,000–3,200)?
FA: There are many great trail bikes in that price range! We particularly like the YT IZZO Comp, or, if you’re willing to spend a bit more, the Trek Fuel EX 8 XT. We reviewed nine trail bikes within your budget in our latest affordable trail bike group test!
@olly.lamont: Do you test any bikes that you think are properly bad?
FA: These days, almost all the bikes we get sent to review are pretty good. What it really comes down to is separating the best from the rest and exploring the details of each bike’s spec, geometry and design. Our goal during each test is always to determine who the bike is made for and thus give the best buying advice. Of course, if a bike is flawed we will make this clear in our transparent reviews.
@thevids: Do you think the new Trek Slash in size ML would podium in the race bike group test?
CB: Hmm, tough one. To be honest, I don’t know. It would be faster for sure. We have an ML Slash here for our next big group test so stay tuned for our review!
@talonesh: What’s the best aluminium enduro bike?
FA: Here at ENDURO, we are big fans of the RAAW Madonna V2 FOX Factory build. In fact, it has taken home our coveted Best Buy award and put down a solid performance in the race bike test too. It‘s worth mentioning that it is a big bike and has a need for speed. If you’re looking for alternatives, check out the Commencal Meta AM or the Ibis Ripmo AF.
@merryry: Your findings on geo in the race bike group test were very interesting. How do they translate for trail riders who value fun as much as speed?
CB: The perfect geometry is always a big compromise. On a trail bike even more than on an enduro bike. For example, you want the right reach for going downhill and a nice steep seat angle for going up, but if you combine both, you might end up with a too upright riding position. However, if you slacken the seat angle and increase the reach to compensate, you might sit too far over the back on steep climbs or the bike may end up too sluggish. We compared 15 interesting bikes earlier this year in our trail bike group test. The Ibis Ripmo and Ripmo2 are great all-rounders. In the end, it’s the combination of a lot of different factors that make a great bike and particularly the suspension kinematics that have a huge influence on the handling too.
@domi.balz: How tall are you? I’m running a Large SB150 and I’m 181 cm.
FA: Our tester riders for this group test are between 180-185 cm tall.
@shane_curnyn: Propane Spindrift vs Specialized Enduro?
CB: That really depends on what you are looking for. The Specialized Enduro is an awesome bike for full-gas bike park and shuttle days. It has awesome rear suspension which tracks the ground amazingly and filters out all the bumps. It is more stable than the Spindrift but it would be wrong to say that it is more sluggish. The Spindrift on the other hand is a bit more agile and more direct in its handling. The rear suspension has even more pop but due to the higher anti-squat, it’s not that supple on the trail and doesn’t offer as much traction over fast hits.
@mrtz_msl: Which bike in the group test was the most fun to ride?
CB: That depends on the trail on which you ride the bike and your personal preference. My favourites were the Canyon Strive CFR and the Lapierre Spicy.
@a_dude_on_a_bike: Once in a lifetime trip – where would you go (without flying)?
FA: That’s a tough question! If I were allowed to fly, I would say New Zealand or British Columbia (which Christoph explored last year!). Otherwise, I would take a road trip to Portugal for dusty trails, waves and sun!
CB: That depends on the season. In summer I would do a road trip to the Alps, spend a week in Switzerland and head over to France after that. In spring and fall, I would do a road trip to Italy and check out all the great spots in Tuscany and Liguria.
@_daniel.trail: Could you review some enduro bikes between € 4,000–5,000?
FA: That’s an interesting mid-range price point! However, you will likely find an amazing bike for a lot cheaper! Check out our latest affordable group test, where we find the best enduro under € 3500!
@_ski.mon_: Can you review the Forbidden Druid?
FA: We already have! It’s an exciting bike and you can find the review here!
@moritzzlohber: 27.5” or 29” for all-round enduro use?
FA: If you are taller than 165 cm, we definitely recommend 29” wheels for enduro use! You will benefit from more control, stability and grip. Just make sure your tire pressure is dialled!
@sg_1088: Can you publish all the times from the group test? It would be interesting to see them!
CB: Unfortunately we can’t. As we said in the feature, the track conditions changed and for some of the slower bikes, the data isn’t entirely comparable. That’s why we decided to only publish reliable times with significant gaps.
@bikecheckmx: What a great test! Was there a bike that was a tester’s favourite?
CB: Thank you! It turns out the fastest bikes were also the clear favourites of our team. In the end, we would probably go for the Canyon Strive CFR or the Lapierre Spicy. This is without considering the uphill performance. If we would choose the one bike for all-year-round use, it would be super tough. Maybe the Trek Slash, RAAW, Nukeproof or Commencal. It really depends on the trails we would be riding – and our budget :)
@ager_martin: Did the test track have lots of tight corners? Which trail in Canazei did you use?
CB: Yes there were some tight sections and it wasn’t a particularly high-speed trail. We tested on a combination of the two trails called 9,90 and Electric Line.
@simonnewell: Is the Privateer 141 the perfect UK bike? For local trails and local races?
FA: It is certainly a great choice for an aggressive all-rounder! We were impressed by its capable geometry, direct handling and supportive suspension. If you are looking for top performance at a fair price, the Privateer 141 is hard to beat. Check out our review for more details!
@willy_sauerlich: Did the results of the race bike group test change your view on the long and slack trend?
CB: I think bikes just have to have the right size and the right balance. A lot of riders only look for a slack head angle or long reach, but in the end, single numbers don’t show the big picture. It was super interesting to see how stable shorter bikes can be if they come with heavier tires and really good suspension. Personally, I wouldn’t go for a smaller or larger bike, it just has to have the right size for my body, the trails I ride and my riding style. I think there is definitely a point where bikes get too long and slack. They may be great in certain situations, but not versatile enough for the bigger picture.
@wilhermo: What is the difference between a good race bike and a good all-rounder? Can one bike be good at both?
FA: A good race bike has one primary job: to be as fast as possible on a variety of tracks. Depending on the bike, this may mean sacrificing low-speed riding fun and potentially some comfort. However, the top bikes of our race bike group test proved that they were fast on all types of enduro trails, making them solid all-round candidates!
@samhasabee: When is the enduro fork test coming out?
FA: Keep your eyes peeled! It will be released in the coming weeks!
@angusblythe: No questions… Love the magazine though!
FA: Big ups Angus! Thank you for the positive feedback!
@Sullynotaro: I just wanna thank you guys for all the hard work you put into your bike reviews. I’ve learned a lot!
FA: We’re stoked we could help out! Thanks for the kind words!
Thank you to everyone who sent in a question for our editors. We hope we were able to answer them for you! Be sure to check out our Instagram page and give us a follow to make sure you don’t miss the chance to ask a question next time!
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Words: Finlay Anderson, Christoph Bayer Photos: ENDURO Team
