Top ENDURO Stories Of 2019
Wow, it only seems like yesterday that we were making (and breaking) our New Year’s resolutions, and now 2019 is almost over! As we already charge away from the merriment, tight-belts and over-indulgence of the Christmas holiday, there’s still time for one last look back on the highlights of 2019.
And what a year it was! We enjoyed exciting new technologies, new bikes, epic face-off battles and next-level group tests. If we had to choose one highlight, then, of course, it would be the release of the new SRAM AXS technology, taking mountain bikes into a new wireless age.
For four of our editors, Christmas came early this year. Christoph, Andi, Felix and Trev were given the opportunity to build their dream bikes, with a ‘money-no-object’ specification. The four machines they created were as different as the riders themselves, from an affordable sleeper to a bling-tastic high-technology race-bike. Of course, even the best bike will feel terrible if it is not set up correctly, so we created the definitive guide to MTB suspension systems, and how to set up your bike’s suspension to suit your riding style.
Traditionally, this is the month for family time. However, what happens if you race at the pointy end of the EWS, how do you balance your priorities? We dropped in on the ‘people’s champion’ Joe Barnes to find out how his life has changed since he has become a father. Family also became a more significant consideration for some of our team members too. Taking his first steps into fatherhood, UK based Editor Trev asked himself the difficult question “what’s the best bike you can buy”? The answer was more complicated than he thought. Speaking of new additions, we also welcomed our new editor Rufus, perhaps most notable for the fact that Rufus is a dog. It’s a great business relationship for us, he provides interesting insight from his life at the back of the pack as a trail dog and we pay him in biscuits.
As we move into a new year, credit cards start to feel itchy as thoughts turn to new bikes. We took a trip to check out Specialized’s new Enduro. As a ground-up redesign, it’s sure to be on everyone’s wish-list this christmas. 2019 was also the year that the industry went ‘long-n-slack’ crazy, even the most conservative of brands added significant length to their bikes wheelbases. However, maverick brands Nicolai and Pole still lead the charge. We challenged the Nicolai Saturn 14 and Pole Stamina 140 to a showdown to find out which radical machine was top gun. Maybe you feel that 2020 is the year to get competitive? If so, you need to check. out our ‘tongue-in-cheek’ guide to your first enduro race, we tell you how not to look like a noob, even if you still finish at the bottom of the table.
Looking back, it’s clear that a lot happened in 2019! We hope you enjoyed reading our content over the year and would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your support. We hope you have a bike-filled Christmas holiday and look forward to bringing you more exciting content in 2020.
Here are our top ENDURO stories of 2019:
Editors’ Choice – The Dream Builds of the ENDURO Editors
We’re all different. We drive different cars, we like different music and we fall for different people. Why then, do we all ride the same bikes? If you want your bike to be as unique as you, you need to go custom.
Full article: Editors’ Choice – The Dream Builds of the ENDURO Editors
Joe Barnes – Father, EWS racer and Top Chief
How does the birth of a child impact the life of an elite EWS rider racing at the highest level? How do they find the balance between family life and training? And is it even possible for them to walk the fine line between risk and reward, knowing that they have a family to look after at home? We spoke to Joe Barnes to find out.
Full article: Joe Barnes – Father, EWS racer and Top Chief
A trail dog’s reflections from the back of the pack
I think I was always a trail dog. I can’t remember the first time I followed my human down a trail, but it must have been a long time ago as I remember the wheels were really small, not big like today. My name is Rufus and I’m a seven-year-old wheel chaser.
Full article: A trail dog’s reflections from the back of the pack
How your bike’s suspension design affects its performance on the trail
In Part I of Underneath the Voodoo, we discussed the fundamental properties of bike suspension. In Part II, we apply this knowledge to understand popular suspension designs and examine how they affect the performance of our bikes on the trail.
Full article: How your bike’s suspension design affects its performance on the trail
SRAM AXS – 13 good reasons why electronic components on bikes are the future
Electronic bike components — for many riders that’s still a big NO GO! We too were sceptical of SRAM’s new Eagle AXS rear-derailleur and RockShox Reverb AXS dropper. But after testing, we found 13 good reasons to change our minds and now we can’t wait to stick these gems of wireless innovation onto our own bikes. Here’s why.
Full article: SRAM AXS – 13 good reasons why electronic components on bikes are the future
Setup Guide – How to adjust your mountain bike suspension for optimal performance
Is your spring rate leaving you deflated? Do you feel like you cannot rebound fast enough? It’s time to take an hour or two to set up your mountain bike’s suspension with our essential suspension setup guide.
Full article: Setup Guide – How to adjust your mountain bike suspension for optimal performance
POLE STAMINA 140 vs. NICOLAI SATURN 14 in Review – Let’s get radical!
‘Long low, slack’ is the new black and the mountain biking industry’s favourite new marketing slogan. While pretty much every modern trail bike at least somewhat follows this trend, NICOLAI and Pole take it a step further, implementing the most radical geometries currently available on the market. Does it make any sense to take this approach with trail bikes, or does it kill all the fun? We took these two extreme geometry trail bikes out on to the trail to find out how they handle and see which one would come out on top in our head-to-head test!
Full article: POLE STAMINA 140 vs. NICOLAI SATURN 14 in Review – Let’s get radical!
First Ride Review: All-new Specialized Enduro 29
The brand new 2020 Specialized Enduro 29 has little in common with its predecessor. It’s a brutal machine made for one thing: maximum downhill speed. We flew to the US to put the new Enduro through its paces.
Full article: First Ride Review: All-new Specialized Enduro 29
Crossing The Line – What’s the best bike in the world?
What makes a perfect bike? Every year a new king is crowned only to be dethroned when the next model year arrives. Our bikes are still evolving, that is indisputable, but are we evolving too?
Full article: Crossing The Line – What’s the best bike in the world?
The essential guide for your first enduro race
Are you taking the leap this year and riding your first enduro race? Maybe you’re not fit enough to ride like a pro, but you can certainly ride like a Bro. Ladies and Gentleman, this feature will guide you to maximum racing fun!
Full article: The essential guide for your first enduro race
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