Our Favourite Enduro Bikes: Round Table Discussion | 2022 Enduro Field Test

TL;DR

A group of riders discuss their favorite and least favorite bikes from a selection of seven enduro bikes, as well as the best value option.

Transcript

stay tuned for our freestyle rap video coming soon all right time to get started with the enduro bike round table all three of us have been riding these seven bikes a ton in the rain in the mud and there's like a little bit of sun maybe one day over the last couple weeks so now let's get into some favorites some league favorites some highs and lows... Read More

Key Insights

• 😃 The DV8 Claymore is a favorite among the riders, providing a balanced riding experience for both casual and race-paced riding.
• 🤩 The Mega Tower is another top pick, with its aggressive geometry and playful nature, especially with its 29-inch rear wheel.
• ♂️ The Contra stands out for its uniqueness and stability at high speeds, making it a great option for downhill trails and bike park riding.
• 🙌 All the bikes in the test performed well, with no standout worst performer.
• 😕 The Intense was the hardest to ride due to its high energy and heavy feel, but it is still a good bike overall.
• 😬 Grips on the Intense and Common Slaw received negative feedback for their uncomfortable design.
• 💸 The Ferzari and Common Slaw offer good value for the money, with solid builds and high-end components at more affordable prices.
• 💪 Suspension was a highlight for most bikes, with the TRP brakes and EXT shock receiving praise as well.
• 😔 Some components like the hydraulic dropper post on the Santa Cruz and the KS Lev dropper post had issues and didn't perform as well as expected.

Questions & Answers

Q: What were the overall favorite and least favorite bikes according to the riders?

The overall favorite bikes were the DV8 Claymore and Mega Tower. The least favorite bikes were the Intense and Fesari.

Q: Which bikes were recommended for racing and why?

The DV8 Claymore and Intense were mentioned as good race bikes due to their racy feel and performance capabilities.

Q: Which bikes were favored for bike park use?

The Commonsol and Mega Tower were highlighted as good options for stability at high speeds, while the Patrol was considered a fun bike for playful riding.

Q: What were some notable frame highlights discussed?

The frame storage solutions and cable routing on the bikes were praised, particularly the DV8 Claymore's hidden cable routing and the concept of frame storage.

Q: Which components did the riders have issues with?

Grips and dropper posts were the components that received criticism. The intense grips were uncomfortable due to a weird lump, and the hydraulic dropper post on the Santa Cruz was squishy and not reliable.

Q: Which bikes were considered the best value options?

The Commentsol and Fesari were mentioned as offering good value for the price, with carbon wheels, high-quality suspension, and other top-end components at a reasonable cost.

Q: How does the Specialized Enduro compare to the newer bikes in the test?

The Specialized Enduro is still considered a relevant and capable bike, although newer bikes have caught up in terms of geometry and features. The next generation of the Enduro is expected to introduce some improvements and maintain its position in the market.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Riders discuss their overall favorite bikes, with the DV8 Claymore and Mega Tower being popular choices.

• The Intense and Fesari were mentioned as being less favorite due to their high energy and lack of ride comfort.

• The group talks about their preferred race bikes, with the DV8 Claymore and Intense being highlighted for their racy feel.

• When it comes to bike park use, the Commonslaw and Mega Tower were praised for their stability at high speeds, while the Patrol was considered a fun option for playful riding.

• The round table also discusses frame highlights, such as frame storage and cable routing solutions, as well as least favorite components like grips and dropper posts.

• The best value bikes in the selection were the Commentsol and Fesari, both offering good specs for the price.

• The Specialized Enduro is mentioned as still holding up well compared to the newer bikes in the test.