Feature

Pro Bike Check: Curtis Keene’s Specialized S-Works Enduro 29

21.10.2016
by Manne Schmitt

After emerging less than triumphant from last year’s injury-plagued season, Curtis Keene managed to pull off a much more successful 2016 with a 5th place finish in Aspen and 6th in La Thuile on board his new Specialized S-Works Enduro. Down in Finale Ligure at the end of the season, we wanted to check out how his new rig was holding up.

Curtis Keene with his brand new 2017er Specialized S-Works Enduro 29 in size L.
Curtis Keene with his brand new 2017er Specialized S-Works Enduro 29 in size L.
The new Enduro features Specialized’s SWAT system, which gives space in the downtube to stow your essentials while riding. At the front he’s got a RockShox Lyrik with 170 mm of travel, and Curtis rides this with 116 psi.
The new Enduro features Specialized’s SWAT system, which gives space in the downtube to stow your essentials while riding. At the front he’s got a RockShox Lyrik with 170 mm of travel, and Curtis rides this with 116 psi.
Curtis has mounted S-Works DH Carbon bars that are 760 mm wide, and teamed these with a 40 mm stem from TRUVATIV. Braking comes courtesy of Avid CODE calipers with SRAM Guide Ultimate levers and 180 mm disc brake rotors.
Curtis has mounted S-Works DH Carbon bars that are 760 mm wide, and teamed these with a 40 mm stem from TRUVATIV. Braking comes courtesy of Avid CODE calipers with SRAM Guide Ultimate levers and 180 mm disc brake rotors.
Curtis’ Specialized Enduro is kitted out with a RockShox Vivid R2C steel coil spring damper, which distinguishes his rig from the stock build.
Curtis’ Specialized S-Works Enduro is kitted out with a RockShox Vivid R2C steel coil spring damper, which distinguishes his rig from the stock build.
The Specialized S-Works Power carbon saddle has a super short nose, a design that Curtis prefers to prevent numbness.
The Specialized S-Works Power carbon saddle has a super short nose, a design that Curtis prefers to prevent numbness.
SRAM's X01 Eagle dishes up a decent gear range on Curtis’ Enduro.
SRAM’s X01 Eagle dishes up a decent gear range on Curtis’ Enduro.
In Finale, Curtis was ridng a SRAM XX1 Eagle 36-tooth chainring with 170 mm SRAM X01 Eagle cranks. The Crankbrothers Mallet E pedals are the secure point of contact.
In Finale, Curtis was ridng a SRAM XX1 Eagle 36-tooth chainring with 170 mm SRAM X01 Eagle cranks. The Crankbrothers Mallet E pedals are the secure point of contact.
At the rear Curtis was running a prototype of the Purgatory 29 x 2.3, which features a slightly revised profile and thicker casing to increase its puncture resistance. Curtis rides with 1.8 bar at the front and 2.0 bar at the rear.
At the rear Curtis was running a prototype of the Purgatory 29 x 2.3, which features a slightly revised profile and thicker casing to increase its puncture resistance. Curtis rides with 1.8 bar at the front and 2.0 bar at the rear.
The Specialized Enduro from Curtis rolls on Roval Traverse Fattie 29 carbon wheels, kitted out with the tried-and-tested Specialized Butcher 2.3 with the strengthened GRID casing at the front.
The Specialized Enduro from Curtis rolls on Roval Traverse Fattie 29 carbon wheels, kitted out with the tried-and-tested Specialized Butcher 2.3 with the strengthened GRID casing at the front.
Like many pro enduro riders, Curtis has teamed the SRAM Guide brake levers with more powerful calipers from the downhill CODE brakes.
Like many pro enduro riders, Curtis has teamed the SRAM Guide brake levers with more powerful calipers from the downhill CODE brakes.
Keep up with Curtis’ latest movements over on his Instagram and his latest vids can be seen on our website.
Keep up with Curtis’ latest movements over on his Instagram and his latest vids can be seen on our website.

For more bike checks, take a look at our Bike Check Overview Page

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Words & Photos: Manne Schmitt

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About the author

Manne Schmitt

As the proud father of Robin and Max-Philip, Manne has been there from the start and is the wise elder of the editorial team. He won his first cycling race in elementary school at a school sports day. After less successful attempts at football, he found his passion for cycling via endurance racing in 1989! The world of racing still consumes him and no one in the team knows the EWS pros better than Manne. As a former head analyst of a state agency, he knows how to do proper research and finds exclusive news that no one else has. He supports his sons in day-to-day business dealings as the authorised signatory for 41 Publishing – viva la familia!

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