The best enduro bike of 2024

Bike park party laps, wild races, epic backcountry expeditions and fast-paced post work rides. Modern enduro bikes are designed to do it all, but where is development heading, what actually works, and what should you look out for when buying a new bike? We put 14 of the most exciting enduro bikes through the wringer to find out.

Table of content: What is in this test

1. What makes a good enduro bike?
2. Our test field
3. How and where did we test the enduro bikes?
4. The ENDURO test crew
5. Our comparison test in numbers
6. Our test criteria
7. The tops and flops in our enduro bike group test
8. Which is the best enduro bike?

Enduro bikes are awesome. And it’s not just us at ENDURO that get excited about them. According to our latest reader survey, 23,000 of you told us that enduro bikes are still at the top of your lists, whether that’s because you own one already, want to buy one, or simply because it’s your favourite format! When you get your enduro bike out of the garage, you know that it’s time to turn up the heat on the trail! Shuttle runs, bike park laps, Alpine traverses and fast paced post-work rides on your favourite home trails. None of this is a problem for modern enduro bikes, because they’re built to rip, to open the gas for a few more seconds, inspiring huge amounts of confidence in the process with their robust spec and generous suspension reserves.

It was time for us to chuck a bunch of bikes in the back of our van and head south, to a cool location with gnarly trails and laid-back vibes, where we can put the most exciting enduro bruisers of the year through the wringer. A lot has happened since our last enduro comparison test, with new technologies, suspension concepts and features popping up like mushrooms on the market. But how different are modern enduro bikes, and what does the development curve look like?

What makes a good enduro bike?

Of course, basic key data like suspension travel and geometry say a lot about the intentions of a bike. However, the right spec and – above all – a coherent overall concept are crucial to creating a good enduro bike and unlocking its full potential. But how is it different from a trail bike? That’s an easy one to explain: as our latest trail bike comparison test showed, modern trail bikes are uncompromising all-rounders, delivering a solid performance both uphill and downhill, with a huge fun factor and the ability to cover big distances. Enduro bikes go the extra mile, especially downhill, giving you the confidence to let loose and push harder, even at a high cruising speed and in rough terrain. Of course, this calls for some compromises uphill, but this doesn’t mean that they can’t be strong climbers, or that they’re unsuitable for long days in the saddle. The best enduro bikes in this group test deliver a tremendous performance both in the bike park and on epic backcountry expeditions, keeping up easily with both downhill and trail rigs. Plus, they can take a good beating with their robust spec.

If you’re still not sure what type of bike suits your requirements best, you should take a look at our interactive buyer’s guide right away. Not only does it provide specific recommendations for your next bike, but also helpful information about your area of interest.

For this group test, we were looking for the perfect enduro all-rounder, one that can deliver maximum riding fun in a wide range of scenarios, from rough trails to narrow singletracks and steep tech. Whether you’re in the high mountains or on your beloved home trails, on Finale’s legendary NATO Base or Whistler’s A-Line, the best enduro bike of 2024 must be capable of handling all types of trails, and getting your endorphins flowing in the process! As usual, we left our stopwatch at the office and focused on the good times rather than the fastest ones!

Which enduro bikes are featured in this test?

Given the mind-boggling variety of bike models to choose from, it can be hard to pick a bike that suits your specific needs and preferences. The same goes for us when it comes to putting together a test field. Our top priorities are your purchasing preferences, something which we find out each year through our huge reader survey. By the way: it’s that time of the year again, and of course we look forward to your feedback, which helps us shape not only our editorial work, but the entire bike industry. So, what are you waiting for?

Accordingly, our test field with 14 contestants consists mostly of enduro bikes from your favourite brands, and also includes a few insider tips from our editorial team, along with a couple of exciting new bikes, which you might not even have heard of until now.

Bike	Price	Travel	Weight in kg
Bold Unplugged Ultimate (Click for review)	€ 8,999	170/160 mm	15.5
Canyon Strive CFR LTD (Click for review)	€ 6,999	170/160 mm	16.1
GIANT Reign Advanced 1 V2 (Click for review)	€ 6,999	170/160 mm	15.1
Ibis HD6 GX AXS (Click for review)	€ 8,898	180/165 mm	15.2
Norco Sight C1 (Click for review)	€ 8,499	160/150 mm	16.2
Orbea WILD M-LTD (Click for review)	€ 12,030	170/160 mm	22.3
Propain Tyee 6 CF MIX (Click for review)	€ 6,214	170/160 mm	16
RAAW Madonna V3 (Click for review)	€ 6,500	170/160 mm	16.7
Rocky Mountain Altitude C70 (Click for review)	€ 8,400	170/160 mm	16.5
Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS RSV (Click for review)	€ 8,299	170/165 mm	15.4
SCOTT Ransom 900 RC (Click for review)	€ 9,999	170/160 mm	15.7
Trek Slash 9.8 XT (Click for review)	€ 7,899	170/170 mm	16.1
Yeti SB160 T3 (Click for review)	€ 10,890	170/160 mm	15.6
YT CAPRA CORE 4 (Click for review)	€ 4,499	170/160 mm	17

Prices for the bikes in this test field range between € 4,499 and € 12,030, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the cheapest contestant doesn’t have a great spec, or doesn’t stand a chance against its pricier competitors. Of course, there are also the test winners from our previous group test, which are back to defend their hard-earned titles, and we’ve also included a few exotic birds, exciting new technologies and possible trendsetters with high pivot rear suspension. Since we’re looking for the best enduro bike of 2024, many manufacturers gave it their best shot, sending us their most expensive flagship models. However, pricey doesn’t necessarily mean better, and in some cases we talked manufacturers into sending us a cheaper spec variant, because, in our opinion, it delivers the same or even better trail performance.

As the defending champion, the YETI SB160 T3 couldn’t miss our 2024 group test. The same goes for the Canyon Strive CFR LTD, which secured the coveted Best Buy Tip in the last group test. However, both bikes come with a slightly different spec compared to last year, using the new SRAM Transmission groupsets. And there’s another freshly crowned test winner, the Orbea WILD M-LTD, which came out on top of the competition in the “best eMTB of 2024” comparison test of our sister magazine E-MOUNTAINBIKE. With its outstanding trail performance, robust spec and suitable geometry, it’s the only e-mountainbike that truly deserves to compete in a test field of modern enduro bikes. But how did the only electric (and most expensive) competitor fare against the competition in our 2024 enduro group test?

At the other end of the scale, the YT Capra Core 4 is the cheapest bike in the test field, retailing at just € 4,499. Despite its attractive price, it features an overall high-quality spec, including top-tier suspension and an electronic Transmission drivetrain – very promising! The Propain Tyee 6 CF MIX also impresses with a consistent spec and sensible price point, allowing you to customise your bike down to the smallest detail using Propain’s extensive online configurator, and get it sent directly to your door. But does the concept work?

The Bold Unplugged Ultimate and SCOTT Ransom 900 RC are confusingly similar, which comes as no surprise given that both bikes rely on a distinctive design with a fully encased shock. However, the two enduro bikes are completely different on the inside – after all, it’s what’s inside that counts, isn’t it?

As one of the biggest bike manufacturers in the world, Giant really live up to their name. However, the new Giant Reign Advanced 1 V2 is a rare sight on the trails, which is something we want to change! The Taiwanese brand’s enduro bruiser not only impresses with a solid spec at a reasonable price, but also surprised us on the trail, but more on that later!

Although classified by Norco as a trail bike, the Sight C1 also delivers a tremendous performance at high speeds with its high pivot suspension, successfully bridging the gap between two categories. But can it keep up with its powerful competitors in our enduro comparison test? While we’re here, the Norco isn’t the only contestant with high pivot suspension. The Trek Slash 9.8 XT relies on a very elaborate high pivot layout too, which impressed us back in our first ride review, albeit with a few minor issues.

There’s no denying the fact that the Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS RSV is one of your favourite enduro bikes, so it couldn’t miss our 2024 group test. With its unmistakable frame silhouette and VPP rear suspension, the Megatower is distinctly recognisable as a Santa Cruz, but does it make sense to use the same suspension layout across your entire MTB range? Just down the road from Santa Cruz’s headquarters is another legendary bike brand, Ibis Cycles, which entered this group test with their new Ibis HD6 GX AXS. Like most of Ibis’ bikes, the HD6 relies on a DW-Link suspension design, but stands out from the rest of their mtb portfolio with a very unique look. Since this was our editors’ insider tip, the expectations were incredibly high for this bike, which is something of a rare sight on Europe’s trails.

With its externally-routed cables, plain alloy frame and massive frame bearings, the new RAAW Madonna V3 follows a unique concept. It’s also by far the most adjustable bike in this group test, allowing for countless geometry and kinematics adjustments. Will everyone find their perfect setup? The Rocky Mountain Altitude C70 is new on the market too, and brings in a breath of fresh air to the Canadian brand’s portfolio with its new extravagant look, offering countless customisation options with its deeply-integrated shock and proven RIDE-4 system.

The location of our 2024 enduro group test

The small Italian village of San Romolo is well-known amongst downhill and enduro pros, and it’s also a popular test location, because this place rocks – literally! Sandy trails with fast straights, endless rock gardens and nasty roots, all topped off with a generous dollop of berms. This place pushes both the rider and bike right to the limits (and sometimes past them), making it clear right away which bikes will end up on the podium, and which ones will end up in the skip. It’s the ideal place to get to know a modern enduro bike. Lying just above the bigger town of San Remo, just an hour’s drive from Finale, San Romolo might no longer be considered an insider tip, but it’s a lot quieter than the rest of Liguria’s popular mountain biking destinations, which is mainly down to the rugged nature of its trails – awesome!

Head a little further inland and you’ll find another idyllic village, Molini di Triora, which is gaining increasing popularity in the international mountain biking scene. Here, alongside the unique, idyllic vibe, you’ll find plenty of Alpine-style trails, with real hero dirt and a character that perfectly complements the rough stuff of San Romolo. In other words, the optimal conditions to put the 14 enduro bikes of this comparison test through the wringer.

Of course, we didn’t miss out on la dolce vita, treating ourselves to amazing coffee, Spritz Aperol and a few too many pizzas – after all, we had to recover between countless test runs. While our 14 enduro bikes are the stars of the show, there’s a 15th ride that deserves a mention – our main shuttling machine was a Land Rover, kindly provided by our friends at Enduro Rides.

The ENDURO test crew

Our big 2024 enduro comparison test in numbers

Our test criteria

A good enduro bruiser must be ready for all kinds of adventures, without doubting, without complaining and, above all, without letting you down. Shuttle laps, epic bike park sessions, Alpine traverses and fast-paced post-work laps on your favourite home trails. Of course, both the capability and character of a bike depend on countless factors that must be considered collectively, based on their combined interactions: What is a bike capable of and where are its limits? What type of rider, terrain and application is it best suited for, and who should look for a different type of bike altogether? These are the key questions that lie at the heart of all our reviews. To work out what makes a bike tick and thus provide you with the best possible purchase advice, we don’t use a rigid scoring system, but rather examine and evaluate the countless factors that define its character, as well as the individual features that set it apart from the competition.

Enduro bikes are the very epitome of compromise, as they have to combine allegedly contradictory handling characteristics: The best enduro bike of 2024 should be agile, direct and fun, but at the same time offer composure and huge reserves at high speeds. Climbing performance has an impact on the overall rating too, albeit to a lesser extent. Needless to say, the build quality, spec, styling and frame features also play a crucial role – because if you’re going to do something, you might as well do it right! However, all the above criteria should serve one purpose, which is the ultimate criterion in our tests: riding fun! Worshippers of scientific evidence might be frowning while reading this, asking themselves if fun can even be measured. We say yes, and to explain why, we’ve broken down each of the criteria – just keep reading!

The handling of an enduro bike

Trying to work out the handling of a bike based on isolated geometry values isn’t just wrong, but also risky. Despite some near-identical geometry, handling differs enormously, with the suspension, the relationship between measurements (i.e. reach to stack ratio) and the setup playing a major role. A good enduro bike positions its rider centrally, it’s intuitive and easy to manoeuvre, and it can forgive small riding mistakes. Regardless of whether you’re a beginner or just very tired after a long day in the saddle, intuitive and predictable handling is a god-send. However, some bikes are the exact opposite, requiring a great deal of concentration and excellent riding skills, forcing you to actively shift your weight around the bike to generate traction. If you’re not 100% in control, the tiniest mistake can quickly lead to a crash. If you can adjust the cockpit ergonomics and geometry of a bike with flip chips and other similar systems, without sacrificing its balance, you’ll have a versatile enduro bike that allows you to play around with its character.

Composure vs agility

No two riding qualities are quite as antithetical! However, the best enduro bikes manage to combine them. Composure isn’t just about ploughing through a rock garden at Mach 10, but also about having sufficient reserves to swallow big hits and make you feel safe in the process – which is what makes us ride fast in the first place! Agility is the term we use to describe a bike’s ability to move and change direction quickly and efficiently, while remaining in control.

The suspension of an enduro bike

Suspension performance isn’t determined solely by the quality or characteristics of its components, but also heavily influenced by the shock tune and setup. In other words, taking your bike to the trail is the only way to find out how your suspension performs! The perfect suspension is a fine compromise that combines a high level of traction and responsiveness with sufficient mid-stroke support, lots of pop for playful manoeuvres, and good reserves for botched landings. Bikes like the Ibis HD6 GX AXS and Yeti SB160 T3 gobble up nasty impacts with ease and generate lots of traction, allowing you to focus on the trail ahead. Nonetheless, they don’t absorb the rider’s input like quicksand, allowing you to play with the terrain and pop off features on the trail as well.

How well should an enduro bike climb?

As the name of this group test suggests, we’re looking for an enduro bike, not an XC racer. To shine in this test, a bike has to offer a comfortable and balanced riding position that is suitable for long days in the saddle. A good enduro bike should be easy to pedal, getting you to the trailhead with as little physical effort as possible. This can only be achieved with suspension that works efficiently, but still generates sufficient traction – although with enduro bikes we tend to make our way to the top of the mountain on relaxed fire roads and flowing uphills rather than technical singletrack climbs.

What does the perfect spec of an enduro bike look like?

We all just want to ride our bikes, not spend the entire day fixing shit on the trailside or in the garage. That’s why it’s crucial to choose your spec according to the intended use. However, many bike manufacturers still cheat to keep the weight down and make their bikes look better on paper or on the shop floor! Five bikes in this group test rely on lighter, flimsier tire casings like MAXXIS EXO+. As a result, you’ll have to run higher air pressures to prevent pinch flats and costly breakdowns – and this also comes at the expense of traction and the tire’s damping qualities. Needless to say, combining fragile tires with expensive carbon rims could easily lead to costly and frustrating damage. Given the harsh nature of the rocky trails in San Romolo, this was our biggest problem during this test, which claimed several tires and rims, both alloy and carbon ones.

On the other hand, it’s pretty cool to see that most manufacturers have finally started to spec big brake rotors on their potent enduro rigs. That’s the case with all the bikes in this test, except for the Norco Sight, which relies on a small 180 mm disc at the rear. In fairness, it’s actually classified as a trail bike, therefore bridging the gap between two categories, but it could use the extra braking power. All other enduro bikes in this test rely on bigger 200 mm rotors at the rear, while some even come with a massive 220 mm disc at the front – awesome! All manufacturers in this test spec four-piston brakes, and there’s a clear tendency towards combining long-travel dropper posts and short seat tubes. The average dropper post post travel in this test was 196 mm – excellent! Particularly striking is that 9 out of the 14 bikes rely on SRAM’s electronic Transmission drivetrain, which employs a direct-mount rear derailleur and ensures butter-smooth shifting.

How does weight influence trail performance?

Weight still plays a crucial role for many riders and manufacturers, and it definitely has an influence on the trail performance of a bike. However, both light and heavy bikes have their pros and cons, with weight distribution playing a far greater role than the actual weight.

Riding uphill, a lower system weight saves plenty of energy and contributes to the liveliness of a bike. Once you drop into a trail and the mass starts rolling and maintaining its speed, the perks of a light bike are more marginal. If well positioned, a higher mass adds stability and composure when riding downhill, something which is of great advantage particularly for beginners. During our test, this became particularly evident with our heavier electric candidate. The higher mass is also clearly noticeable on bigger jumps, where heavier bikes inspire more confidence; that is, unless you’re trying to impress the people on the chairlift with slopestyle tricks.. When a bike is too light, it can feel unstable, twitchy, or even fragile, robbing you of confidence and making you feel vulnerable. Are light bikes more nimble? Not necessarily, because suspension performance always trumps weight – and what’s the point in having the lightest bike on the planet if it swallows up your input like a beanbag? As the heaviest bikes in this test, the Orbea WILD M-LTD proves our point rather nicely, because it convinces above all with its excellent, supportive suspension. Despite the extra mass, it’s more agile than some of the analogue bikes in this test, like the Rocky Mountain Altitude C70, which is almost 6 kg lighter. But even the heaviest analogue bike, the YT CAPRA CORE 4, shines with its agile character, outperforming most of the bikes in this group test, despite being significantly heavier. As already mentioned, weight distribution plays a major role too. A low centre of gravity, the amount of rotating mass and uneven weight distribution between the front and rear wheels can bring along all sorts of pros and cons, and must suit the overall package just as well as the geometry, kinematics and spec of the bike.

What clever solutions should be standard on all enduro bikes?

Clever and useful frame features can, albeit indirectly, boost the fun factor of an enduro bike enormously. For example, additional storage options such as an integrated storage compartment or tool mount on the frame, allow you to leave your backpack or hip pack at home, keeping you cool and comfortable on hot summer days. On the other hand, threaded bottom brackets make it easy to replace knackered bearings, saving you time and saving you an expensive trip to the swear box. All bikes in this group test have bottle cage bosses, eight frames feature a tool mount on the top tube, while six of them come with an integrated storage compartment in the down tube. However, every manufacturer relies on a different position, cover and closure system for their storage compartments. Overall, more and more manufacturers are coming up with well-thought-out locking systems that are easy to operate, even when the bike’s covered in mud or you’re wearing gloves. Some bikes, like the BOLD and SCOTT, have the opening of the compartment at the bottom of the down tube. However, the opening facing the ground resulted in dirt accumulating on the closure system, preventing it from closing properly. On the BOLD in particular, we had to spend a long time cleaning the system before it worked again. Nevertheless, a total of 12 out of the 14 bikes we tested come with an integrated tool mount or storage compartment, showing a clear trend. In this regard, more is always better, and every additional storage option is one less object (or several) you have to carry on your body. This also helps reduce the risk of injuries, because landing on your mini-tool or CO2 cartridge really sucks!

Internal cable routing, frame protection, universal spares and additional plastic covers like mudguards all help to reduce wear, while increasing the fun factor and improving the look of the bike. Generously-sized protectors on chainstays, seat stays and the down tube ensure a quiet ride, and help protect the frame from stray rocks. That being said, some of the bikes in this test give you a loud, unwanted serenade of clunks and rattles on the trail, which can be frustrating, especially when you’ve just spent several months worth of wages on them – unfortunately, that’s the case with the Trek Slash 9.8 XT and Rocky Mountain Altitude C70.

Does the spec of an enduro bike speak for its performance?

Price plays a subordinate role in this group test. It’s not that we don’t care about money, but we’re deeply convinced that the price of a bike should always be commensurate with its performance. That’s why we refuse to calculate value for money based on the spec sheet of a bike, or the amount of bling you get for your dosh. We’re more concerned with how a bike performs on the trail and how it benefits the rider. What’s the point in rocking the hottest components available on the market if they don’t perform well on the trail? Even expensive bikes with a lower-end spec can offer good value for money, provided they deliver when it really matters, in the same way that supposedly cheap bikes with good components can get a bad rating if they don’t deliver on the trail. What really matters is the interaction of all elements, from the suspension through to the geometry all the way to the spec.

The tops and flops from our big 2024 enduro comparison test

Tops:

Flops:

Our Best in Test, Best Buy tip and other recommendations

First up: all of the enduro bikes in this group delivered an impressive performance. If there’s something we’ve complained about, it’s probably quite superficial. Nevertheless, the differences between the bikes are clearly noticeable, even for less experienced riders and beginners. This is because the handling, riding character and overall concept of a bike have to match a rider’s personal needs and preferences. Once again, our search for the best enduro bike of the year was a hard-fought race, but we’ve got a winner, a Best Buy tip and a few other exciting recommendations for you.

To give you a better overview, we will first introduce you to the test field, with a short summary of the highlights and shortcomings of the bikes that didn’t make the podium. We’ll start with BOLD, the pioneers of the enclosed shock design, and their Unplugged Ultimate, which is one of the best climbers in this test thanks to its TracLoc system. Downhill, it’s incredibly nimble, but it falls behind the majority of the test field in fast trail sections, requiring an experienced rider with its direct, demanding handling.

With its Shapeshifter technology, the Canyon Strive CFR LTD also features an effective climbing aid. After securing the coveted Best Buy Tip in our last enduro group test, the Strive had to surrender to the competition this year. However, the Strive remains a strong all-rounder that strikes an excellent balance between composure and agility, delivering a strong performance on the trail, both up and downhill. With the Canyon, you’ll get a potent all-rounder at a fair price, delivered straight to your door.

The Giant Reign Advanced 1 V2 also comes at a very fair price and convinces both on paper and on the trail. With its high-performance spec and intuitive handling, it offers an outstanding compromise between composure and agility, delivering a harmonious overall package and proving a reliable companion for both beginners and experienced riders.

As a trail bike, the Norco Sight C1 might seem out of place in this test field, but it’s significantly more composed than many of its potent enduro competitors. The combination of progressive geometry and high pivot rear suspension make a significant contribution to this. The extensive Ride Aligned programme also helps you to set up your bike easily.

As the only e-mountainbike in the test, the Orbea WILD M-LTD is not only the most expensive contestant, but also the undisputed king of climbs. Downhill, it impresses above all with its excellent suspension and next-level composure, which is partly due to the extra weight, something that comes at the expense of agility. Orbea’s extensive online configurator allows you to customise both the spec and look of your WILD down to the smallest detail.

Speaking of customisation, the Propain Tyee 6 CF can also be customised using the German manufacturer’s comprehensive online configurator, which explains why our test bike has a downhill-oriented spec. On the trail, it’s as quiet as a mouse, but places you on top of the bike, requiring a vigilant riding style at high speeds. On the other hand, it’s one of the most agile bikes in the entire test field and great fun on flowing trails.

When you drop into the valley in a straight line, the Rocky Mountain Altitude C70 lives up to its name, allowing you to pile up plenty of metres of rough descent in a very short period of time. On narrow, twisting trails, the Rocky Mountain requires plenty of input from the rider and isn’t as intuitive to flick around corners. As a result, the Altitude is a specialist for the rough stuff rather than an all-rounder. However, thanks to the many adjustment options, it can be easily customised to your needs and preferences.

The Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS RSV remains true to its roots, rocking the Californian brand’s sophisticated look and well thought-out frame features, like the super practical glovebox. On the trail, the Megatower impresses with agile, balanced handling and capable suspension. Together with the successful uphill performance, this makes it a strong all-rounder.

With the latest rendition of the Scott Ransom 900 RC, the Swiss bike brand created a well thought-out enduro bruiser with a high level of integration, clever detail solutions and top trail performance. If you want to improve your uphill PRs with the TracLoc system, and you can cope with the demanding, direct handling on the trail, the SCOTT is an agile, albeit not very composed, companion.

With its unmistakable look and high pivot suspension, the Trek Slash 9.8 XT is quite distinctly recognisable. As you’d expect, on the trail it’s incredibly composed and generates plenty of traction. On narrow, slow trails, the Slash requires greater physical effort, while both the loud background noise and compromised spec leave some room for improvement.

As the defending champion, the YETI SB160 T3 set out with very high hopes for this comparison test – and it certainly didn’t disappoint! It strikes an outstanding balance between agility and composure, and proved that it was still one of the best bikes on the trail. It’s super intuitive to ride and has some of the best suspension in the group test. Nevertheless, this year it missed out on the title of best bike, though only by a hair’s breadth.

The YT CAPRA CORE 4 might not be the very best, but it’s certainly ONE OF the best bikes in the entire comparison test. Above all, it impresses with an outstanding balance between agility and composure. It’s also an optimal choice for trail surfers who want to play with the terrain and, thanks to the awesome price, a cheerful, fun bike for both beginners and advanced riders.

The best enduro bike of 2024 – Best in Test

With the Ibis HD6 GX AXS, the Californian manufacturer delivers a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. Although it’s not cheap, and lacks an internal storage compartment, the Ibis HD6 leaves the entire test field behind in a cloud of dust, proving to be a savage yet composed ripping machine. On top of that, it’s refreshingly nimble for such a capable bike – together with the incredible suspension, it feels unstoppable. As a plus, it’s also one of the best bikes on the climbs – a well deserved Best in Test!

The best enduro bike of 2024 – Best Buy Tip

The RAAW Madonna V3 comes with a timeless, elegant look and offers a crazy level of adjustability, allowing you to customise both the geometry and suspension kinematics. Despite being one of the most affordable bikes in this test, and focusing above all on durability and ease of maintenance, it’s still one of the best all-rounders, impressing above all with its strong suspension and harmonious blend of composure and agility. Throw the extremely fair price into the mix, and the RAAW Madonna V3 deserves to roll home with our Best Buy Tip in the bag!

In a future article you can find out more about the biggest surprises, key findings and our outlook on the future of enduro bikes.

Are enduro bikes not enough for you or are you looking for a more chilled bike?

Then you should take a look at the other comparison tests we’ve published recently:

• The best trail bike
• The best downcountry bike
• The best light eMTB
• The best bikepark bike
• North America’s finest bikes

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Words: Peter Walker Photos: Peter Walker