How to choose an Enduro bike

Having enjoyed phenomenal success in recent years, notably thanks to the success of the EWS circuit, Enduro allows you to combine the adrenaline of DH with the freedom and escapism offered by All Mountain. This versatility does not make choosing an Enduro bike easy. Here is some guidance to help you make your choice.

What is Enduro?

The sporting counterpart of All Mountain, with a more committed approach and/or in competition, Enduro will delight thrill-seekers wishing to push their limits while being capable of completing the liaison stages on their bike, even at the cost of sacrificing a little efficiency, particularly during the climbing phases.

Less exclusive than DH, Enduro has enjoyed huge success, both in the media and among riders — notably thanks to the EWS (Enduro World Series) circuit bringing together the world's best riders — and has in just a few years become a discipline in its own right with dedicated bikes and specific components.

WHICH FRAME FOR MY RIDING STYLE?

As with Cross-Country, the choice of material for an Enduro frame will depend on your approach to the discipline and, of course, your budget. For a leisure-oriented approach, comfort and robustness should be prioritised (i.e. an aluminium frame), whereas for a seasoned competitor, the main criteria to consider will be lightness and responsiveness, which will logically lead to the choice of a carbon model. But again, it is all a matter of taste and budget, as some brands have chosen to offer only aluminium, even on very high-end models. Many brands have also opted for an intermediate solution with a carbon front triangle for liveliness and an aluminium rear triangle for robustness.


In terms of kinematics, the vast majority of Enduro frames are full-suspension MTBs with the shock absorber mounted either vertically or horizontally depending on the kinematics specific to each brand. In terms of geometry, these MTBs are characterised by a longer top tube, shorter chainstays providing greater control and responsiveness, and a dynamic head angle.


Regarding the MTB wheel format, all solutions are possible here, even though 27.5" is fairly common thanks to its excellent possible compromise between responsiveness and ease of handling. Driven by certain professional riders, 29" is today the most widely used format thanks to new geometries and the Boost standard. It is all a matter of taste, as well as rider height, with 29 inches potentially being advantageous for riders over 1.70 m.

WHAT EQUIPMENT?

In addition to a fork/shock absorber combination capable of absorbing the harshest impacts (with average travel of 180 mm), your bike will necessarily be equipped with a dropper seatpost to gain in comfort and performance. The brakes are obviously to be considered here with the greatest attention, with rotors of at least 180 mm in diameter and ideally vented to avoid overheating, four-piston callipers (at least at the front) for maximum bite and metallic pads that better withstand high temperatures, thus ensuring effective braking throughout the descent.

Finally, the choice of MTB tyres will greatly determine the quality of your riding. Whatever the terrain (wet, dry, rocky), opt for a wide tyre (at least 2.40" in section), with thick knobs particularly on the sides to ensure maximum grip under braking and in corners, and a relatively soft compound (especially at the front) to stick to the terrain and effectively absorb impacts.