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.

Sebastian proudly presents his newest charger: a lightweight Specialized Enduro Expert Evo at 13.7 kg including pedals.
Sebastian proudly presents his newest charger: a lightweight Specialized Enduro Expert EVO at 13.7 kg including pedals.
Sebastian’s Specialized Enduro Evo is a party on wheels.
Sebastian’s Specialized Enduro Evo is a party on wheels.

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.

Guzzler: the Öhlins steel spring rear shock ardently soaks up rough ground.
Guzzler: the Öhlins steel spring rear shock ardently soaks up rough ground.
Up front the RockShox Lyrik irons the trail flat.
Up front the RockShox Lyrik irons the trail flat.

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.

Grip monster: the Specialized Butcher with their strengthened carcass, 2.8
Grip monster: the Specialized Butcher with their strengthened carcass, 2.8″ width and aggressive tread.
Sebastian is still experimenting when it comes to tire pressure, but right now he’s riding 1.3 bar at the front and 1.4 bar at the rear.
Sebastian is still experimenting when it comes to tire pressure, but right now he’s riding 1.3 bar at the front and 1.4 bar at the rear.
Low mid-tread and massive shoulder lugs: a combination destined to be fun!
Low mid-tread and massive shoulder lugs: a combination destined to be fun!
From the ground up these tires are a totally new piece of kit on the bike!
From the ground up these tires are a totally new piece of kit on the bike!

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.

The overall weight is kept low thanks to sublime parts like the S-WORKS carbon bars with a rise of 20 mm.
The overall weight is kept low thanks to sublime parts like the S-WORKS carbon bars with a rise of 20 mm.
SRAM Guide Ultimate brakes serve up amazing braking power.
SRAM Guide Ultimate brakes serve up amazing braking power.
Superb and stiff, these carbon wheels are quick to accelerate and know how to hold their line.
Superb and stiff, these carbon wheels are quick to accelerate and know how to hold their line.
The small chainring means you won’t be caught off guard for surprise climbs.
The small chainring means you won’t be caught off guard for surprise climbs.

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