trek mtb enduro bike

Top 8 Best Enduro Bikes | The best enduro mountain bikes ridden & reviewed

There is no doubt about it. We have entered an exciting age in the world of enduro bikes. The sport is growing exponentially with self-perpetuating momentum. Technology available on bikes is more refined and capable than ever, which is leading to a boom in the expanse and quality of trails exploding all over the world, which fuels riders to go out and push these bikes to new limits, and opening the gates to new shredders entering the sport for the first time. Enduro racing has also become gnarlier and more competitive than ever, driving bike brands to go back to the drawing boards, constantly chasing better. And this, you guessed it, feeds back into greater bikes and accessibility to the sport. And so the cycle continues.

We here at Flow are, let’s be honest, giant nerds when it comes to this stuff. We live and breathe these machines and the places they can take us, and are absolutely buzzing to be a part of the industry at a time such as this. And with the demands required of modern-day enduro bikes and their riders, we find this is a particularly concentrated segment of innovation, with exciting new tech pouring in at an astonishing rate that we believe is truly making improvements in leaps and bounds to the bikes we ride, and the fun we can have on them.

We’ve tested a boatload of these ultra-capable machines, and as an outlet for all of this excitement, we have compiled the following list of enduro bikes available now that we think are pushing the sport in the right direction. While every bike in this list can descend with the best of them while still climbing to the beginning of the next trail or stage, each of them possesses unique design features and ride characteristics that set them apart from the competition, and one another.

It’s also worth noting that you don’t necessarily need an ‘enduro bike’ to race enduros. Even some of the world’s best are choosing slightly shorter options —  Canyon CLLCTV’s Dimitri Torodo has been racing a Spectral at World Cups while Charlie Murry from the Specialized Enduro Team has been riding a Stumpjumper EVO .

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, and there are some popular bikes — like the Specialized Enduro — that aren’t here. The reason for that is that we haven’t tested one, and therefore can’t comment on its performance and how it compares to others in this category. Sure, we could make some assumptions based on what other folks have said, but that’s not how we run this show.

So without further ado, here are eight of the best enduro bikes we’ve ridden and reviewed.

• Looking for something a bit more svelte? Check out our pick of the top XC bikes
• Keen for some help on the climbs to maximise your adventures? Check out our pick of the top e-MTBs

The best enduro bikes ridden & reviewed

Giant Reign

Highs: Race-ready geometry and spec, fantastic composure in the rough stuff, mullet compatibility via a 3-position flip-chip, well-placed frame armour. Lows: Frame storage hatch impractically small, the stiff 35mm bars transfer a bit of chatter up front.

Overhauled, stretched out and beefed up in all the right places, the all-new Giant Reign has entered 2023 with its best tyre forward — proving its race-winning potential already at the opening round of the Enduro World Cup in some seriously rowdy Aussie conditions.

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Compared to its previous iteration, the Reign’s travel has been stretched out to 170mm up front and 160mm on the rear, activated via the fabled Maestro platform to deliver an awesomely plush, confidence-inspiring ride. The head angle has been slackened, chainstays stretched and reach increased, boosting the Reign’s enduro capabilities through the roof. Although this bike was never made for XC courses, power transfer is surprisingly efficient when stomping on the pedals, and its 15.04kg weight isn’t too hefty when compared to similar bikes in the category. Even with a climb switch on the rear shock, we predominantly left the bike in the fully open mode, serving up plenty of traction on loose and techy climbs. This bike really comes into its own however the moment you bring gravity into the equation.

With flip chips allowing for high, mid and low positions, the Reign allows riders to dial in the bike’s geometry for riding style, trail type or wheel configuration. With the flip-chip set to the low position, the 63.5° head angle rewards those that like to attack the descents. On the flip side, the high setting raises the BB to provide greater clearance for technical climbs, which are aided by the nice and steep seat tube angle of nearly 78°. We did however find that in this high-BB setting, the bike felt quite tall and awkward to handle. This setting does also allow the party animals out there to drop in a 27.5in rear wheel to go full-mullet if desired. All models also come with an adjustable long-stroke dropper post, which is a great feature by our books. The burly frame protection is well placed and provides not only great protection, but a nice and quiet ride regardless of how teeth-chattering the trail is.

The all-new Reign is as attractive as enduro bikes come these days, both in its curvy, understated aesthetic (we think), and its four competitively priced, well spec’d models. The Reign SX model has also made a comeback, with this model sitting even further in the gnar-zone, and features a dual crown fork and coil shock for those that have no interest in pedalling up, and full interest in sending big. You can see all of the specs, prices and details of the full lineup in our first-look article.

To dive deeper into just why we think this bike deserves its place on the list of the latest and greatest, check out our full 2023 Giant Reign review .

Merida One-Sixty

Highs: Modern enduro geometry, super playful suspension characteristics, mullet compatibility, 230mm dropper post, wide offering of models to suit most riders. Lows: Cramped in-frame storage, issues with dropper post on test bike, headset cable routing

Gracing our eyeballs since its launch in late-2022 is the completely redesigned Merida One-Sixty. The aim of the game was to deliver one of the most playful, capable and versatile enduro bikes on the market. And gee-whiz, has Merida delivered.

From the very moment it was released, the One-Sixty struck us as an entirely different bike when placed next to its predecessor. And upon our first five minutes on the trail, we were able to confidently confirm that it too feels like an entirely new bike. The One-Sixty is right on the money with modern enduro bike geometry, employing a playful mix of longer, lower and slacker to result in a rig that is just as comfortable on backcountry epics as it is the enduro race stages — a statement few current bikes out there can boast.

The One-Sixty offers a few interesting changes between sizes. Firstly, sizes up to the medium come stocked with a 27.5in rear wheel and the large and XL options as full 29ers. The suspension receives a size-specific tune and making the leverage ratio more progressive the further up the sizing chart you move, providing greater support for heavier riders. When rocking the mullet configuration, the frame offers 171mm of rear travel, while opting for the 29er will reduce it to 160mm. This ample rear squish paired with a 170mm fork —or 180mm if you want to go big — makes this bike feel just at home on full-blown downhill laps as it does on undulating adventure rides. The head angle sits at a relaxed 64° whereas the very steep 79° seat angle still provides a comfortable climbing position.

Merida has now done away with the rearmost pivot on the bike, instead opting for a Flexstay rear triangle that the brand claims to boost stiffness, drops weight and creates a unique, lively ride characteristic. We can confirm that this bike is particularly playful, popping off jumps and blasting through chunky terrain with an energetic feel. The excellent seat angle on the One-Sixty places you in a comfortable position to tackle the climbs, however the lively suspension kinematic does feel a little over-zealous when you’re cranking hard out of the saddle.

The bike feels incredibly agile on those particularly curvy trails when the smaller rear wheel is dropped in — a fact that is far less apparent when running the 29er option. The tradeoff here is the increase in high-speed stability and composure on technical climbs. The great thing is, any new One-Sixty model in any size will be able to take either setup with the flip of a 2-position chip in the rear linkage.

The One-Sixty is available in 5 different models spanning both alloy and carbon chassis, each boasting a solid assortment of tiered spec options. Ranging from value-focused fit-outs to the stuff our wallets have nightmares about, we are genuinely impressed at Merida’s offering of a race-ready enduro bike the entire way through the lineup. Every model benefits from the same geometry, mullet options, primo Maxxis rubber and 230mm adjustable dropper post. Nice one, Merida!

Whether you’re looking to enter the gnarly end of the sport or you’re up for a blingy new upgrade to your fleet, check out the Merida One-Sixty review  to fill yourself in on the rest of the tech, the niggling issues we encountered, alongside a side-by-side comparison to one of the most popular enduro rigs on the market.

Canyon Strive

Highs: One of the most race-aligned production bikes available, versatile personality thanks to the Shapeshifter, incredibly stable at speed through any kind of terrain. Lows: Race-focused geo makes it less appropriate for everyday riders, and length makes the bike tougher to handle on tighter trails.

The Canyon Strive. Perhaps one of the most aggressive and well-known enduro sleds received a remake for 2022, incorporating feedback from racers like 2021 EWS Champion Jack Moir — before he changed teams of course. The result is something wildly aggressive, a veritable weapon beneath the right rider.

But what has changed from the previous model? To cope with the increasingly bonkers nature of modern enduro stages and the breakneck speeds they are raced at, the latest Strive CFR has been given a drastic update, taking it from one of the most conservative to one of the most aggressive, race-focused bikes out there. Travel has been bumped up from 150 to 160mm, which is paired to a 170mm fork. As previously, the bike still features Canyon’s trademark Shapeshifter system in order to radicalise the geometry to the extent it has.

For those unfamiliar, the Shapeshifter is a handlebar remote-activated system with two options – Pedal or Shred. This lever activates a gas spring in the rear shock, altering the bike’s geometry, travel and suspension kinematics on the fly. This allows the rider to shorten travel to a much rampier 140mm, raise BB height by 15mm and steepen the head angle by 1.5°.

Whether you’re stomping on the pedals in flat sections or conserving energy on the climbs, the Shapeshifter can lead to significant benefits in a race setting. With such powers being brought to your fingertips, this granted the Canyon team the freedom to make this bike seriously aggressive when in Shred mode. Sporting a mega-slack 63° head angle (the same as Canyon’s DH bike, the Sender), this bike feels right at home on the enduro circuit’s steepest trails. To further add to the Strive’s race alignment, reach has been stretched out to a very long 480mm on a medium — a figure that would not be uncommon on many competing brands’ large frames. So you’re able to actually reach the bars at all, a nice’n’steep 76.5° seat angle puts riders in a reasonably comfortable pedalling position, while a nifty reach adjust headset allows further dial-ability of your cockpit.

There are currently just three models available in the Strive, including an extra-pimped out special edition Troy Lee Designs model for those chasing the same look and spec list as the Canyon team riders.

There is so much more to this weapon than we were able to cover here, so make sure you take a look over the 2022 Canyon Strive Review to fill in on the specifics.

Cannondale Jekyll

Highs: Unique design delivers excellent stability and handling, scaled rear centre between sizes, double-take factor. Lows: Could use a longer dropper post, shock cavity captures trail crud.

While we’ve now had a bit of time to process the new Jekyll since its greatly hyped release in mid-2021, we still can’t help but let out a little sheeesh every time we see one. Cannondale caused quite a stir with their addition to the growing family of high-pivot enduro sleds , taking a truly innovative approach to their offering geared towards the rowdy end of the sport.

Just one look at this bike tells you that it is something different. The unique frame delivers 165mm of well-balanced, progressive squish via a redesigned four-bar linkage, driving a rear shock that sits tucked exceptionally low in its downtube hollow. A 170mm fork up front completes the equation, making this a ride created to deal with some seriously gnarly terrain. The real eye-catching feature of this bike is its mid-high pivot design, implemented to provide a more rearward axle path that makes it feel as though the suspension doesn’t just soak up those square edge hits, but instead moves with the terrain.

An idler pulley then helps to minimise chain growth and pedal-kick as the suspension moves through its travel. You’ll find a similarly situated pivot placement on the GT Force, and a much higher pivot design on the Norco Range, among a few other long-travel bikes on the market. The Jekyll is 29in specific, with no adjustable geometry or flip chips to be found. This renders the bike incapable of rocking the mullet hairstyle, just in case you were wondering.

But when the going gets tough, how do these space-age aesthetics and fancy features translate into on-trail performance? The Jekyll’s well-balanced geometry, supple suspension and thoughtfully selected components make for an incredibly stable bike at high speed, while also not feeling as long and cumbersome as some of the other enduro-specific rides out there today.

The bike is reasonably hefty, with our large-size test bike weighing in at 16.14kg, however much of this weight sits low in the frame, adding to its feeling of unmovable stability and rail-like cornering. The highly active suspension can be felt on steep climbs, and the climb switch on the shock is made difficult to reach due to the shock’s tucked-away placement. A 77.5° seat angle does however position the rider comfortably for stints in the saddle. When it comes down to it though, it is the descending prowess of the Jekyll that really shines. A 64° head angle and tall riser bar give this bike a fun yet sure-footed feeling at any speed. We do however wish that Cannondale stocked this bike with a longer dropper, with the 150mm dropper post limiting manoeuvrability.

There are two Jekyll models available, both with the same carbon frame and high-pivot design, offering a mid-level and a high-end fit-out. Both models are great value, however we imagine that many folks wanting to race this bike may have a few initial upgrades that they might make before it reaches that A-list spec that we all dream of. Another cool thing? Each size of the Jekyll comes with slightly altered pivot placements, scaling the rear centre, retaining a balanced position and optimising suspension kinematics for different sized riders.

Overall, we’re mighty impressed with this striking enduro whip, performing exceptionally well throughout our testing period regardless of what we threw at it. To dive further into the Jekyll’s nooks, crannies and hollows, take a read of our full review here .

Highs: Incredibly capable descender, adjustable dropouts, immediately comfortable geometry. Lows: Hefty, sluggish on the climbs, fairly noisy.

Having played things rather conservatively in years gone by, GT has made a statement with the release of the Force for 2022. An undeniable shred-sled, the Force is a high-pivot monster with an insatiable appetite for sketchy terrain. But is it perfect? Read on to find out.

The GT Force is an exclusively 29in enduro beast with a set of credentials that immediately tell you exactly what this bike is about. At 16.24kg for a size medium with a carbon mainframe and alloy rear triangle, the bike is no featherweight fighter. It rocks 170mm up front paired with 160mm at the rear, with the mid-high pivot, four bar suspension layout tracing a slightly rearward axle path over the traditional up-and-down movement, albeit moving only about 10mm backwards as it plunges through its travel. This does however help the bike to not only deal with chunky terrain, but also accelerate through it as you hurtle your way down just about anything in front of you. The idler pulley then helps to deal with chain growth and pedal kickback, a similar design to what you’ll find on the Cannondale Jekyll and the Norco Range.

The 63.5° head angle, towering stack height and out-of-the-box riser bars means this bike will excel on anything pointing downwards, be it enduro stages or downhill bike park laps. A very steep seat angle of 78° balances such aggressive numbers nicely, making it quite a comfortable bike to climb on, too. However, the aforementioned weight of the bike will still have you working hard for those trailheads. The rear dropouts on the Force feature a flip chip that allows riders to extend or shorten the length of the bike, dialling in its character to suit the rider style or terrain, be it tight and jibby, or freight-train-without-brakes kinda riding.

The suspension on the Force does take a bit of noodle-scratching to figure out, with us having to remove fork tokens and stray from recommended suspension pressures before we landed on a set-up that felt balanced. Once we did though, this bike felt phenomenal, tracking the terrain beautifully and making us want to push harder through the sketchy stuff than we usually feel comfortable doing.

With all of these praises, it must also be mentioned that this bike is by no means quiet. Chain angle in the lower gears causes noisy rubbing on the idler pulley chain guide, and cable routing is noisy and causes rubbing at points.

When we reviewed the Force there were three models available, however for 2023 it appears PSI is only bringing the top-end Force Carbon Pro LE into Australia. This build comes in at $7,999 AUD, and features a slick set of running gear from Rockshox and SRAM.

We had a lot to say about this bike, and not all could be said here. Head over to the full review of the GT Force to get the rest of the good stuff!

Norco Range

Highs: Incredibly capable and confidence-inspiring descending, great tyre combo Lows: Lifting the bike above ankle-height, manoeuvrability on tighter trails

After a four-year run with the previous layout, 2022 brought us the hotly anticipated redesigned Norco Range. A high pivot, low-slung monster truck of a bike that doesn’t just excel on rough trails, but devours them.

We’ll start this off by addressing the elephant in the room. This is one big-boned beast. Our Large size Norco Range C2 test bike, with its carbon chassis, 29in hoops, tubeless-setup DoubleDown tyres, coil shock, GX drivetrain with idler pulley and a chainring bash guard for good measure, all came in at a hefty 17.15kg. This figure puts it well beyond most of the enduro field we have ever tested, and even places it amongst some of the lighter e-MTBs out there.

When the terrain points down however, this weight all but goes out the window, making this bike one seriously aggressive high-speed descender. 170mm of super supple travel front and rear, the frame employs a funky Virtual High Pivot design that allows this bike to swallow entire trails whole. The linkage allows the rear wheel to move significantly backwards as the suspension compresses, meaning it can avoid becoming hung up on large square-edge hits, allowing you to track perfectly — and rapidly — across the gnarliest terrain imaginable.

The idler pulley, much like the GT Force and the Cannondale Jekyll, prevents chain growth and reduces pedal kickback while the linkage does its thing. A mega-slack head angle of 63.25° makes the handling feel like a DH bike on the descents, while a conversely steep 77° seat angle means this bike is actually quite comfortable to climb —providing you’re not in a rush to get where you’re going. With the distant reach and the bike growing in length as the suspension compresses, it can be a tough rig to wrangle on tight trails, preferring to hold the wide line around most corners as opposed to cutting in tight. In fact, it’s actually quite difficult to break traction on this beast, meaning you’ll want to pick your line from the start, hold on tight and let this beast of a bike do its thing.

The Range features size-specific geometry with a scaled rear centre length to ensure weight distribution remains optimal regardless of frame or rider size, retaining the same confidence-inspiring handling characteristics across the size curve.

The Range is made up of three models, spanning from mid-level to high-end componentry, all coming ready to race right out of the box.

If you want to find out more about the bike that could double as the boulder that chased Indiana Jones in the first movie, then check out our full 2022 Norco Range review here.

Pivot Firebird

Highs: Super stable yet responsive feeling on rough terrain, still a fun bike on more chilled and longer rides, bling bling Lows: Eye-watering price tag, rattle from gear and dropper cables, under-gunned tyres

After 13 years and four highly successful preceding models, the Pivot Firebird has entered its 5th evolution for the 2022 season. And damn, is this thing a stunner. We assure you that these clean, refined looks are only surface level however, with the Firebird 29 being one seriously mean bike the moment you throw the leg over it.

It wouldn’t be incorrect to label the Firebird 29 as the fighter jet of enduro bikes, being an ultra-premium, high-performance ride worthy of the World’s fastest pilots. Its sleek carbon frame delivers 165mm of travel, which is paired with a 170mm fork and rolling on fancy 29in wheels out of the box. This can be set up to suit just about any rider however, with a 2-position flip-chip enabling a 0.6° head angle alteration and 6mm BB height adjustment, or a mullet conversion if desired. The frame will also handle swapping out to a 180mm fork if you’re that way declined. Head angle in the low position sits at a relaxed 64°, with the seat angle spanning between 76°-77° – a figure that fluctuates based on the frame size. Yep, the rear centre of each frame is scaled to suit the size, ensuring a balanced weight distribution of the rider regardless of the selected frame size.

These geometric figures place the Firebird right within the range of modern enduro bikes, positioning the rider from the get-go to conquer any descent or climb before them. It is the incredibly balanced, super progressive suspension characteristics of this bike that really make it shine through. The DW-link design delivers insane traction and a rearward axle path, meaning obstacles become less of a concern as you charge through them faster than you previously thought possible. The nuance of this bike that helps it stand apart from others in the category however is its lively feeling. Where some other bikes truck through chunky rock sections in a straight line as you barely register their existence, the Firebird retains a delicate feedback beneath you that allows you to manipulate the bike as you please without it ever feeling uncomfortable — a trait being the result of a light, stiff frame, balanced geometry, well-tuned suspension and superb componentry.

The overall weight of our Large test bike came to 14.66kg, an impressive figure for a long-travel enduro bike. This number does factor in the lightweight EXO+ tyre casings however, which we found to be insufficient for the kind of riding this bike is otherwise capable of.

The Pivot Firebird comes in a mind-boggling 15 spec combinations, the “most affordable” of them still a staggering $10999. With this kind of price tag though, you can be sure that you’re not just getting a pretty showbike, but a mean, performance-oriented machine that lives for the top step of the podium. But yes, it does look pretty damn sweet too.

If you need any more convincing on the prowess of this bike, jump over to our full review of the 2022 Pivot Firebird 29 her e.

Highs: Supple yet very lively suspension performance, quiet ride, well armoured Lows: Comparatively slack seat angle, tight access to in-frame storage

The Slash. The very silhouette of this bike is instantly recognisable, there’s a good chance you’ll spot one model or another out on the trails on any given day. The 2021 season saw Trek’s flagship enduro rig undergo a major overhaul, making one of the world’s most popular enduro bikes better than ever before. So, what’s new?

To cope with the rigorous demands and silly speeds of modern enduro racing, the Slash has added 10mm of travel to both ends of the bike, with 170mm up front and 160mm at the rear. Trek, alongside RockShox, have co-designed a proprietary rear shock, especially for the Slash that delivers a supremely responsive and buttery feeling to the suspension regardless of the trail type or conditions. This is largely due to the ultra-tuneable proprietary rear shock found throughout most of the range. The overall package delivers quite a progressive spring rate, meaning we were able to go big on this bike without ever feeling like we were blowing through the travel. Trek’s initial suspension setup guide also proved to be a great baseline that we didn’t need to stray far from at all.

However following RockShox’s major revamp of its boingers and the launch of Flight Attendant , Trek has shifted back into off-the-rack rear shocks.

From the moment we jumped on the Slash, we noticed the welcome changes over the geo of the previous model of Slash. Trek’s Mino Link flip-chip features a low and a high position, with the low position rocking a head angle of 64.1° and a seat tube angle of 75.7°. The high position will lift the BB height by 7mm and steepen the head and seat angles by 0.5°. This seat angle may just be one of the only slight niggles we have with the Slash’s geometry, sitting a little slacker than many other bikes within the category. Once we slid the seat forward on the rails however, this brought things to a much more comfortable climbing position, closer to 78°.

In fact, bike does climb surprisingly well, provided you remain seated. As soon as you stand up to put the power down, that super-active suspension will join the party and gobble up some of that precious energy you’re expending. The total package of our Slash 9.9 X01 came in at a very respectable 14.56kg, making it much more pleasant a bike for those longer days than much of the competition.

Although it can definitely be a plough-machine if that’s how you want to ride, the Slash is surprisingly playful despite having such supple and active suspension. If you want to switch line mid-send through a rock garden, the Slash will happily oblige. Much of this feeling comes down to the short chainstays, making it all too easy to shift weight over the back of the bike to maneuver how you see fit, aided further by the ample mid-stroke support that can give you that needed pop in the rough stuff if you want to get airborne. It possesses traction in spades, yet the playful nature and short stays of the bike allow you to break the rules and square corners off if you feel like it.

The closer you look, the more detail you’ll find on this bike. Trek have revised their Knock Block headset allowing greater range of motion before abruptly stopping, and beneath the bottle cage mounts you’ll find a handy, albeit rather tight downtube storage window. The frame protection is all exceptionally well placed and gave us peace of mind even on those particularly loose, rocky trails.

There are currently 10 models of the Slash available, ranging from entry-level alloy models through to robo-suspension space-bikes from the future.

All in all, we believe that the Slash is one enduro bike that isn’t just defined by its geo chart, instead excelling in areas that pleasantly surprised us once out on the trail, culminating in an exhilarating and incredibly fun ride. And for most of us, isn’t that why we ride in the first place?

There is plenty more to learn about this mega-fun enduro bike, so make sure you take a read over our full review of the 2021 Trek Slash to fill in on the rest. But, Trek has also just revamped its big travel bruiser, and changed the suspension layout to a high-pivot design. We have one coming to Flow HQ, but in the meantime, here’s what you need to know. 

Honourable mentions

While our list here is of the creme de la creme of the category, there are a pair of bikes that we felt also garnered a mention on this list.

Polygon Collosus N9

First up is the Polygon Collosus. This alloy bruiser has a solid build kit and spot-on geometry, and with a competitive price tag, we expect you’ll see a lot of these ripping around your local trails.

With chunky tyres and supple suspension, it hugs the ground like it’s made from velcro and laughs in the face of rough and technical terrain. The IFS suspension platform also gives it fantastic pedal efficiency, but it has 16 pivot bearings that will need to be looked after over the lifespan of the bike.

With that, it’s chonky at 17.88kg, it lacks mullet compatibility and tool storage or accessory mounts.

But priced at $4,999 AUD, it’s half the cost of some of the other bikes on this list and the value-to-capability proposition is through the roof. Read more about the Polygon Gollsus N9 here .

Marin Alpine Trail 7

Coming in below the $4,000 price barrier, the Marin Alpin Trail 7 is a stupendously capable bike for the money. Built around 150mm of rear travel and a 160mm fork, it’s one of those slightly shorter travel, but ready for shreddy steep and technical riding, bikes we mentioned at the top.

With a robust chassis and contemporary geometry paired with smooth and sorted suspension, it’s ready for hard-hitting descending and corner-ripping shenanigans. There’s is plenty of progression built into the rear suspension, so you can access all the travel, but it’s never obvious when you’ve run out.

The Alpine Trail 7 is for riders who prioritise getting down the mountain as fast as possible while being able to jump, jib and manual along the way. This is a bike that rewards and aggressive pilot on more demanding trails.

When things go back up, it’s not the sprightliest climber, and the rear end is active, which is a boon on crumbly surfaces and techy ascents. Thankfully there’s also a climb switch for when it’s time to put the watts down.

It’s not an all-day pedaller, but that’s not what it’s supposed to be, and there are other bikes in Marin’s range designed for that purpose. It’s gimmick-free, simple, well spec’d and a ball of fun to ride.

For more, read our full review of the Marin Alpine Trail 7 .

Wrapping up

Enduro has absolutely exploded, and the bikes are becoming ever more capable and reliable — as is a requisite of the racing format. There was a time not all that long ago, there would be an audible groan at the proposition of going uphill aboard a slacked-out gravity rig, with 160mm+ of rear travel. Now these bikes can tackle terrifyingly steep, nasty and rough gravity trails, and then pedal back up to the top no problem.

Better still, brands are taking these big travel bruisers in a tonne of different directions — high pivot vs non-high pivot, mullet vs no-mullet, etc. — and rethinking every aspect of these bikes all in the pursuit of creating the best enduro platform. With that, this is not an exhaustive list, and there are plenty of bikes we’d love to test, like the Forbidden Dreadnought, Nukeproof Mega and the new Santa Cruz Nomad — we have that last one coming, so stay tuned.

And with that, we’re constantly reviewing bikes, and we’ll be updating this feature as we come across more bikes worthy of this list.

If there’s something you’d like to see, sing out in the comments and let us know.

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The 2021 Trek Slash

Being the fastest has never felt so fun

Overview More Travel Tougher Parts Geo Changes Features Models Geometry FAQs

2021 Trek Slash Overview

What is the Trek Slash?

The new 2021 Trek Slash is the fastest enduro machine you’ve ever laid eyes on. 

It’s designed for all out speed on the toughest enduro courses in the world, and makes for a super fun heavy-terrain trail slayer at the same time.

At a glance, it’s a big wheeled 29er with a super aggressive geometry and massive amounts of travel.

Upon closer inspection, it’s the perfect bike to win your next race and take your capabilities to the next level.

Read on to see for yourself.

What's New For 2021?

Where to begin with this bike? The 2021 Slash is bursting with component upgrades, geometry tweaks, and feature additions.

Check out all the improvements below.

10mm More Travel (At Both Ends)

160mm Rear Travel

At the heart of this design is 160mm of enduro-loving rear travel. With all that finely-tuned suspension between your wheels, you’ll be tearing through rock gardens flying through drops like they aren’t even there.

Plus, 3 of the 5 models come spec’d with a new Super Deluxe Thru Shaft shock for the highest level of racing performance. Smoothing out the trail means you’ll be faster than ever, and that’s what Slash is all about.

The new Trek Slash handles so confidently that you'll be charging descents and cornering like an Olympic bobsled team.

As if that upgrade weren’t enough, Trek went ahead and optimized the frame for a ridiculously capable 170mm fork that’ll power through whatever you point it at.

It’s a serious improvement that brings the Slash to the top of the list of the best enduro bikes, and you’ll be surprised how much smoother you ride the big stuff.

Tougher Components

Beefier Seat Tube

For the 2021 update, Trek opted for a larger 34.9mm seat tube in order to provide enough strength to run longer dropper posts. The thicker dropper is more durable than previous models and moves up and down faster, too.

Having a dropper post you can count on to work flawlessly and stand up to the demands of enduro makes all the difference when you’re out on the course. It’ll be there when you need it until the second you don’t, every time.

Full-Length Downtube Protector

Trails and enduro courses sure aren’t getting much tamer, are they? The Slash is built for the most epic mountain biking there is, and that means it needs to be tough enough to withstand rock strikes, crashes, and whatever else the trail might throw at you.

Trek designed a longer, better-protecting downtube guard on each 2021 Slash model to take on the gnarliest trails in the world. Plus, now your frame is even more protected when it’s time to throw it in the back of the shuttle (ie your buddy’s pickup truck). Win-win.

Thicker Stanchions On Some Models

If you really want to push the boundaries of Slash’s killer enduro capabilities, you’ll love that the 9.9 and 9.8 models are spec’d with a brand new RockShox ZEB fork with 38mm stanchions.

Extra stiffness and durability provide next level performance that’s fit for World Cup racing.

Geometry Changes

Slackened head tube.

For the 2021 model year, Trek slackened the head tube angle by 0.6°, which helps make the Slash more stable and predictable at speed. 

The head angle is 64.6° with the Mino Link set to High, and 64.1° when set to Low.

Longer Reach

Since the Slash is designed to take on the most challenging terrain out there, Trek made sure that riders have enough room in the cockpit to provide the most stability and maneuverability possible.

The 2021 lineup has 20-30mm more reach than the previous models.

Steeper Seat Tube

Downhill capability isn’t the only area of the new Slash that received some updates. 

Trek steepened the seat tube angle by almost 2°, helping this bike retain an efficient pedaling stance for transfers and climbs. That’ll come in handy when you’re out on a grueling all-day shred mission.

The seat tube angle is 76.1° with the Mino Link set to High, and 75.6° when set to Low.

Thoughtful Features

Downtube Storage

One of the coolest features of the new Slash is the internal storage compartment on the downtube, which is perfect for storing multi tools, energy bars, or whatever else you need to take with you. 

It’s quiet and secure so you’ll forget it’s there until you’re ready to open it.

Threaded Bottom Bracket

Trek moved to a BSA 73mm threaded bottom bracket for the 2021 Slash, which increases durability and makes servicing your bike a whole lot easier.

Knock Block 2.0

Knock Block is Trek’s solution to frame and component damage caused by the handlebars spinning too far. Think of cables being pulled out or dents in your frame.

Knock Block 2.0 provides the same level of protection but has an even bigger turning radius so you’ll always have enough maneuverability to make tight turns up steep switchbacks.

The new Slash design has clearance between the fork crown and the downtube, so if you really love those terrifying bar spins, just remove the Knock Block limiter and you’re good to turn freely.

Check Out The Models

Slash 9.9 X01 Features

• Frame : OCLV Mountain Carbon
• Shock : NEW RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate
• Fork : RockShox ZEB Ultimate
• Drivetrain : SRAM X01 Eagle, 12 speed
• Wheelset : NEW Bontrager Line Elite 30 OCLV Mountain Carbon
• Colors : (1) Lithium grey

Slash 9.9 X01

There’s no enduro bike faster than the 2021 Trek Slash 9.9. Every component, material, and design choice was made to win races on the toughest courses in the world. The Slash 9.9’s mouth-watering specs include the absolute best RockShox suspension and SRAM drivetrain, along with the lightest, strongest OCLV carbon frame and wheelset you can buy. This bike is a weapon, so ride responsibly, all the way to 1st place.

Slash 9.8 XT Features

• Fork : RockShox ZEB Select+
• Drivetrain : Shimano XT M8100, 12 speed
• Colors : (1) Lithium Grey

Slash 9.8 XT

The Slash 9.8 XT is Trek’s most capable enduro racing bike with a Shimano drivetrain. Paired with elite-level RockShox suspension and Bontrager’s ridiculously fast and all-new OCLV carbon wheelset, this is the bike to take your abilities to a whole new level of racing-winning dominance.

Slash 9.7 Features

• Shock : Fox Performance DPX2
• Fork : Fox Rhythm 36
• Drivetrain : SRAM NX Eagle, 12 speed
• Wheelset : Bontrager Line Comp 30
• Colors : (2) Factory Orange or Black Olive

The Slash 9.7 combines a super-premium OVCL carbon frame with FOX suspension and a SRAM drivetrain for riders who want that extra boost in race-winning performance. It’s the most capable model you can buy with the Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheelset, and it’ll give you a whole new concept of speed.

Slash 8 Features

• Frame : Alpha Platinum Aluminum
• Fork : RockShox Lyrik Select+
• Drivetrain : SRAM GX Eagle, 12 speed
• Colors : (2) Teal/Navy or Lithium Grey

The Slash 8 is the most affordable complete bike with the brand new RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate rear shock. If you prioritize high-performance components but don’t need to splurge on a carbon fiber frame, this model is the way to go.

Slash 7 Features

• Shock : RockShox Deluxe Select+
• Fork : RockShox Yari RC
• Colors : (2) Radioactive Red or Teal/Navy

The Trek Slash 7 is the most affordable complete bike in the new lineup. It’s a high-performance enduro racing bike with all the capability you need to crush the competition and take on bigger terrain. RockShox suspension and a SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain will have you feeling like there’s no course you can’t dominate.

Slash C Frameset Features

• Stem : Bontrager Line Pro, 35mm length
• Weight : 7 lbs - Medium
• Colors : (1) Lithium Grey/Carbon Red Smoke

(Link Coming Soon)

Slash C Frameset

If you want to create your own diabolically-fast Slash build, you can’t do better than starting with the 2021 Slash Carbon Frameset. In addition to Trek’s highest-end OCLV Mountain carbon fiber, you’ll get the new RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock, Knock Block 2.0, internal frame storage, full downtube guard, and a threaded bottom bracket.

Slash AL Frameset Features

• Stem : Bontrager Line, 50mm length
• Weight : 9.5 lbs - Medium
• Colors : (1) Teal/Navy

Slash AL Frameset

The 2021 Slash AL Frameset is the perfect way to start a race-winning enduro build at an affordable price point. For this model, Trek’s pairs its highest-quality aluminum with the new RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock and all the same frame features as the carbon model to provide riders with a deadly trail weapon without the premium price tag of a carbon frame.

2021 Trek Slash Sizing & Geometry Chart

Here is Trek's sizing chart for mountain bikes. 

You'll notice some overlap to account for those who might be the same height but have different arm and leg lengths. We'll be happy to assist you with sizing if you need.

FAQs for the 2021 Trek Slash

What’s the biggest tire I can fit on this bike? 29 x 2.6”

Can I run 27.5” wheels? No, the Slash is only compatible with 29-inch wheels

What is the max rotor size for the rear brake? 220mm max, comes with 180mm direct post mount

What are the sizes of the front and rear hubs? Front: 110x15mm, Rear: 148x12mm

How much dropper post insertion in each frame? S: 205mm M: 230mm ML: 245mm L: 260mm XL: 310mm

Can I use cranks with 30mm spindles? Yes

What size chainrings can I use? Slash can accommodate 28-34t chainrings

Do I need to add tubeless tape and valves? The 2021 Slash comes with tubeless tape and valves installed, just add the included sealant and inflate.

Does the Slash come in the High or Low Mino Link setting? Low

Can I run a 2x drivetrain? No

Does the new Slash come with ISCG mounts?    Yes

Can I increase the rear travel by installing a shock with a longer stroke?    No, the Slash can’t accommodate a longer stroke as it will damage the seat tube and seat stays at full travel.

What aftermarket shocks fit the Slash frame?    - MY21 Fox X2 Coil  - MY21 Fox X2 Air  - RockShox Super Deluxe Coil  - Fox DPX2  - MRP Hazard  - Most inline shocks (no reservoir/piggyback)

Note: You can’t use the standard RockShox Super Deluxe air shock because there isn’t enough clearance for the lockout lever at the end of the travel. The new Super Deluxe Thru Shaft uses a new body that provides enough clearance.

FIRST LOOK - The All-New High-Pivot Trek Slash 2

Redesigned from the ground up, trek's enduro model now features a high-pivot suspension design with an idler pulley, more travel, and loads of adjustability..

The sixth generation Slash focuses on enduro racers, park riders, and all-mountain rippers who want to ride aggressive terrain with the ability to pedal back to the top. The bike sees many changes from its predecessor, most notably a high-pivot suspension design that increases rear wheel travel up to 170mm. The Slash now rolls on mixed wheels in the stock configuration with full 29-inch compatibility on sizes Medium-XL. Size small frames feature 27.5-inch wheels front and rear only with a curved top tube for lower standover height. All frame sizes have size-specific chainstay lengths and seat tube angles to maintain a consistent fit across all sizes.

• All-new frame with high-pivot suspension
• Updated, slacker geometry with optional angle adjust headset cups
• Increased rear travel from 160mm to 170mm
• Leverage rate adjust chip
• Stock mixed-wheel builds on all sizes except size small (27.5” front and rear)
• Updated frame protection with Integrated Carbon Amor and a noise-reducing chainstay guard
• Room for longer dropper posts
• ISCG 05, 3-bolt tabs
• 2.5-inch maximum tire width
• BSA 73mm, threaded bottom bracket
• 200mm post mount rear, 220mm max rotor size
• MSRP: $4,399 - $11,499 USD

Still centered around Trek's ABP (Active Braking Pivot), the high pivot suspension design includes a large upper idler pulley and a new lower idler pulley. Similar to what would typically be found on a chain guide for chain retention, this lower idler pulley helps mitigate chain growth. Trek claims this prevents the suspension from fighting the derailleur clutch and allows for smoother drivetrain performance by preventing the derailleur cage from being pulled throughout the travel of the rear wheel. 

While aggressive descents are where the Slash is meant to shine, Trek wanted to ensure the bike still pedals well. All frame sizes utilize a 77-degree effective seat tube angle to put riders in a relaxed and upright position. By strategically placing the 19t upper idler pulley, Trek increased anti-squat values exponentially over the previous generation Slash to create the best pedaling platform possible from the new design. 

Regarding frame protection, the chainstay protector has a unique cupped shape to prevent any side-to-side movement and, from a side profile, creates the illusion that the chain is sitting directly on top of the chainstay. Downtube protection is handled by replaceable, dual-density guards that bolt into place. Beneath that, Trek has gone a step further and utilized a layer of thermoplastic beneath the paint to help prevent permanent frame damage from rock strikes to the downtube. All frames feature an integrated rear fender that mimics those on suspension forks, downtube storage with a larger opening for easier access, and an updated latch that is now easier to reach beneath a bottle cage. 

In terms of adjustability, the new Slash incorporates an angle-adjust headset to allow for +/- 1 degree of head tube angle adjustment independent of bottom bracket height. This also means the infamous KnockBlock headset is no longer used and allows full rotation of the steer tube. Bolt-on lower shock mounts allow for either 27.5" or 29" rear wheels to keep geometry in check and feature a flip chip to adjust the progressivity of the leverage ratio, similar to what is found on the Session. Max allowable fork travel is 190mm up front with no dual crown compatibility from Trek officially. 

The Slash is available as an aluminum or carbon frameset and in seven different build kit options for complete bikes. Top-of-the-line kits are spec'd at the 9.9 level with either SRAM XX and X0 T-Type options or full Shimano XTR, all with RockShox Ultimate level suspension. Build kits for 9.8 models are available with a GX AXS T-Type option or Shimano XT and RockShox Select+ level suspension. Aluminum Slash options include the Slash 9 spec'd with SRAM GX AXS (non-T-Type), a RockShox Zeb, and Vivid Select+, and the Slash 8 with Shimano XT drivetrain, a Fox Performance 38 fork, and Float X shock. 

For more information, please visit trekbikes.com

View key specs, compare bikes, and rate the new Trek Slash in the Vital MTB Product Guide.

Stay tuned for our full review and comparison in our upcoming Enduro Bike Test Sessions!

• How does the adjustable headset work?

You can swap out your headset cups to get a full degree of head angle adjustment. The bikes come with neutral/zero-degree cups; consult the service manual to find part numbers to order the angle-adjust headset cups. The upper cup is a drop-in part, but the lower cup needs to be pressed in with a standard shop headset press. The cups have notches and laser-engraved guides to help you install them straight. For more detailed installation instructions, watch the Slash Service Tips video on Trek U.

• That oversized lower idler pulley is sick. Can I use it on the high pivot Session?

Yes! Consult the Slash service manual for part numbers.

• What is the maximum fork axle-to-crown and travel?

Carbon and Alloy: 190mm max travel (all sizes), 587mm A2C (size S), 606mm A2C (size M-XL)

• Is it compatible with dual crown forks?

They will fit, but we haven’t tested them, so we cannot recommend a dual crown fork on Slash at this time. However, you can put a 190mm single-crown fork on there, and that’s pretty close, and has a better turning radius.

• How much dropper post-insertion does the frame have?

Carbon frame max insertion (mm): S (290), M (305), ML (325), L (340), XL (370)

Alloy frame max insertion (mm): S (295), M (305), ML (325), L (340), XL (370) 

• Which aftermarket shocks are compatible?

We know that the following shocks will fit. Other shocks may fit but should be checked for frame clearance at full suspension compression.

• RockShox Super Deluxe coil RockShox Super Deluxe AXS RockShox Next Gen Air (Vivid 2) Fox Live Valve NEO
• Fox X2 (MY21+)  
• What size hardware is needed for aftermarket shocks?

Slash takes a 230mm x 65mm shock with an industry standard 54mm x 10mm upper and 20mm x 8mm lower standard pin mount.

• What is the maximum chainring size? Minimum chainring size?

Min: 28T, Max: 34T round, 32T oval

• What is the chain line?
• Does the new high-pivot layout require a longer chain?

Most sizes require a 126-link chain, which is a standard un-cut chain. XL requires 128 links.

View replies to: FIRST LOOK - The All-New High-Pivot Trek Slash

Most Popular

New 2024 Trek Slash 9.9 XO AXS first ride review – A new evolutionary stage of high pivot bikes?

The new 2024 Trek Slash is right on trend: high pivot rear suspension, mullet wheel set-up, generous amounts of travel and plenty of adjustment options. Furthermore, it combines both familiar and newly developed features that are meant to simplify your riding experience. After six weeks of testing on both sides of the pond, we were able to gather countless impressions, both good and not so good.

The Slash has been an integral part of Trek’s portfolio for over 10 years, and is now entering its 6th generation. The most significant innovation is the new rear suspension, which relies on a high pivot design and generates a very generous amount of travel, bringing the Slash in line with the latest generation of enduro bikes. Up until now, Trek have only used the high pivot system on their downhill bike, the Session, which nevertheless allowed them to gather lots of practical experience with the system and use their World Cup riders’ feedback to develop the new enduro rig. The new Slash generates 170 mm of travel both front and rear, and rolls out of the factory sporting a mullet. An interchangeable shock mount, however, allows you to convert it to a full 29er. As usual, Trek are releasing both an alloy and a carbon version of the new Slash, both of which are available in several different spec variants. We’ve already put the new Trek Slash 9.9 XO AXS 2024 through the wringer over a 6 month period, dipping its tires both into Canadian and European soil to gather some exciting insights.

The detail solutions of the new 2024 Trek Slash

The predecessor of the 2024 Trek Slash already came with a practical storage compartment integrated into the down tube, which Trek has updated for the latest Slash iteration. The opening is much bigger, making it easier to reach all the trail essentials you store inside it. Moreover, the edges of the compartment are still framed with a plastic liner, preventing you from cutting your fingers or damaging the contents when you pull them out of the compartment. The alloy frame has a storage compartment too and all models come standard with a small pouch for all your trail essentials, which can be easily pulled out of the frame using the bright red Cordura tab. The closure system relies on a simple lever that disappears under the bottle cage when engaged, and is easy to operate even while wearing gloves. The cables of the new Slash are routed internally and only reappear briefly at the transition from the main frame and swingarm. The cable ports are in a rather unusual position, sitting prominently on the front of the head tube – this look takes some getting used to! In combination with a wireless drivetrain, Trek close the cable ports with small rubber plugs.

There’s an additional tool mount underneath the top tube, which allows you to carry a spare inner tube or a tool strap, for example. In typical Trek fashion, the new Session comes standard with an integrated Bontrager BITS mini tool in the steerer tube, which includes all of the basic tools required for essential trailside repairs. That said, removing the tool from the steerer tube requires strong fingers and, as usual, the lever of the closing mechanism rattles on the trail. Trek also hide a 6 mm Allen key in the rear thru-axle.

For model year 2024, Trek provided the Slash with several protective features, all of which are meant to preserve the bike’s value. Amongst them is the generously sized integrated mudguard, which is bolted directly to the seat stay and is meant to protect the seat tube from stray rocks. Unfortunately, this has to be removed if you want to swap the 27.5” rear wheel for a bigger 29″ rear wheel. Furthermore, the down tube comes standard with a pair of dual-density TPU plates, which allow you to replace the inner section if it gets damaged. In addition, the frame comes with an additional protective layer under the final finish. Trek also redeveloped the chainstay protector from the ground up, raising both the inner and outer edges to prevent chain slap more effectively – and this really works, ensuring a quiet ride on the trail.

The high-pivot rear suspension of the new 2024 Trek Slash

While the new 2024 Trek Slash 2024 still relies on the same linkage-driven single pivot rear suspension, it combines it with a high pivot point design. This positions the main pivot point well above the chainring, allowing the rear wheel to swing up and backwards during an impact. This rearward axle path can help to make the suspension feel smoother over square-edged hits, ironing out roots and rocks more efficiently. However, the system also has its drawbacks: as the axle moves rearwards through the travel, the distance between the cassette and chainring grows, resulting in wheelbase and chainstay growth. This pulls the chain backwards, manifesting in high levels of pedal kickback and resulting in an imbalanced weight distribution of the rider on the bike throughout the travel. To counteract this, a chain idler pulley is fitted on the seat tube, which helps minimise pedal kickback and also gives high-pivot bikes their characteristic look. This also allows the engineers to fine tune the bike’s anti-squat and anti-rise levels independently simply by moving the position of the idler pulley. The unusually big 19T idler pulley is meant to mitigate the negative effect that the high pivot system has on pedalling efficiency, because the bigger pulley has a wider radius. Furthermore, Trek use a small chain guide to prevent the chain from falling off the idler.

The new 2024 Slash also features an additional pulley below the chainstay, which isn’t that common with high pivot bikes. This special pulley also includes an MRP bash guard and can be retrofitted to other high pivot bikes. Its job is to prevent the chain from stretching under the chainstay and thus to stop it from pulling on the rear derailleur. That said, even with the biggest XL frame, the chain runs at a sharp angle in the lowest gears, as the distance between the rear derailleur cage and the idler pulley is very small. While this didn’t cause us any problems on the trail, we’re not sure how good this is, both for pedalling efficiency and the chain’s service life. Speaking of the chain, with all frame sizes up to L, you’ll get away with a conventional 126-link chain. The new Slash in XL, however, requires 128 links, meaning that you need two chains.

The new 2024 Slash still relies on Trek’s proprietary Active Breaking Pivot or ABP technology, which can be found on most of their full suspension bikes and is designed to keep the rear suspension active even under heavy braking, helping to maintain traction.

The spec of our test bike – The Trek 2024 Slash 9.9 XO AXS

Our Trek Slash test bike comes equipped with Rockshox Ultimate suspension consisting of a 170 mm ZEB Charger 3.0 fork with independently adjustable low- and high-speed compression damping, and a brand- new Vivid Ultimate air shock , which offers externally adjustable compression and rebound settings as well as a climb switch. Unlike the Super Deluxe, the new Vivid relies on a high-volume air chamber and Rockshox’s new proprietary Touchdown damper. Unlike the rest of the Trek range, the Slash doesn’t use a Thru Shaft damper, which comes standard with most of their full-suspension bikes and is developed specifically for Trek.

As the name extension suggests, the 2024 Trek Slash 9.9 XO AXS employs a new electronic SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission drivetrain. The rear derailleur mounts directly to the thru-axle and worked flawlessly throughout our test. SRAM also supply the wireless, electronic Reverb AXS dropper post, but this only offers a meagre 170 mm of travel, which is far too little for a modern enduro bike. However, there isn’t a longer-travel version of the Reverb AXS dropper, so we recommend swapping the standard dropper for a cable-operated model if needed. Given the seat tube’s generous insertion depth, you could even push a 240 mm OneUp Components V2 dropper post all the way into the frame of a Slash in size L. Needless to say, the brand-new drivetrain is complemented with SRAM’s four-piston Code Stealth Silver brakes, which, just like the old RSC model, feature tool-free lever reach and bite point adjustments as well as SRAM’s proprietary SwingLink lever for optimal modulation. Compared to the Stealth Ultimate flagship model, the Silver variant only forgoes the carbon levers, tipping the scales at just 8 g more. Due to the new design, the brake lines run parallel and close to the handlebars, which ensures a cleaner look but can cause the cables to rattle – this can be easily fixed with a couple of additional clamps or zip ties ;) The brakes are paired with 200 mm rotors front and rear, which suit the Slash’s character and field of application rather well! For more oomph, you can can upgrade to 220 mm rotors both front and rear, because both the frame and fork are approved for it.

For the rest of the spec, Trek rely on their in-house component brand Bontrager, including a Bontrager Line Pro 30 carbon wheelset, which didn’t survive the testing sessions unscathed, with several spokes snapping after just 3 weeks of deployment. In addition, the rims are paired with flimsy, puncture-prone tires, which force you to run higher air pressure to avoid burping and snake bites. We recommend upgrading the standard Bontrager SE6 and SE5 tires for more robust tires before you start riding. In this test, we swapped to tires with a tougher DH casing after just a few laps. For the cockpit, Trek rely on an 820 mm Bontrager RSL one-piece handlebar/stem unit, which might look fancy but doesn’t allow for fine tuning except for the stem height, which can be changed using spacers. On top of that, the handlebars are very stiff and get even stiffer if you shorten them, like we did! With such a potent enduro bike, an adjustable cockpit makes more sense because it allows you to adapt the front end ergonomics to your anatomy. With the standard spec, our 2024 Trek Slash 9.9 XO AXS test bike in size L tips the scales at 15.7 kg.

Trek Slash 9.9 X0 AXS 2024

Specifications.

Fork RockShox ZEB Ultimate 170 mm Rear Shock RockShox Vivid Ultimate 170 mm Seatpost RockShox Reverb AXS 170 mm Brakes SRAM CODE Silver 200/200 mm Drivetrain SRAM Eagle Transmission X0 1x12 Stem Bontrager RSL 35 mm Handlebar Bontrager RSL 820 mm Wheelset Bontrager Line Pro 30 29"/27.5" Tires Bontrager SE6 Team Issue/ Bontrager SE5 Team Issue 2.5"/2.4"

Technical Data

Size S M M/L L XL

Specific Features

storage compartment Flip Chip Toolmount

More spec variants of the 2024 Trek Slash

As already mentioned, the new 2024 Trek Slash is available both with an alloy and carbon frame. That said, none of the alloy versions comes with a high-end spec, meaning that you have to order the frame kit if you want to combine an aluminium frame with top-tier suspension, for example. Prices for complete builds range between € 4,499 and € 12,499, and the bikes should be already available from all official Trek dealers. The American manufacturer also lets you test ride their bikes in one of their “Test-a-Trek Centres”. Starting today, you can test the new Slash in Lenzerheide, Saalbach and Sölden.

The alloy version of the new Slash is available in two spec variants. The entry-level Slash 8 XT model comes equipped with a FOX 36 Rhythm fork and a hybrid Shimano XT/SLX drivetrain. Shimano also supply the four-piston Deore M6100 brakes. The Slash 9 GX relies on higher quality RockShox Select+ suspension and SRAM’s new electronic GX Transmission drivetrain, with matching SRAM Code Bronze four-piston brakes. The Slash 9.8 GX combines the same identical spec with a carbon frame.

The flagship Slash 9.9 XX model comes equipped with electronic RockShox Flight Attendant suspension, electronic SRAM XX Transmission drivetrain and wireless RockShox Reverb seatpost. The rest of the spec consists exclusively of top-tier components and plenty of carbon bling. However, all the fancy components come at a price – an eye watering € 12,499! However, Trek have released a total of 5 carbon variants, offering a suitable option for all sorts of wallets.

The geometry of the new 2024 Trek Slash

The new Trek Slash 2024 will be available in 5 sizes, S to XL, and there’s also an intermediate size called M/L. All models in size S feature a curved top tube and 27.5″ wheels front and rear. From size M onwards, the new Slash rolls on a mixed wheel setup with a 29″ wheel at the front and smaller 27.5″ wheel at the rear. However, from size M upwards you can also use a 29″ rear wheel using a different shock mount, but this has to be bought separately and isn’t included in the frameset. The optional shock mount comes with a flip chip that allows you to change the progression of the rear suspension from 20% to 25%, which is intended for coil shock conversions.

Trek deliver the new Slash with three different headset cups, which allow you to change the head angle by up to 1.5°. Of course, by altering the head angle you’ll also change the reach, bottom bracket height and stack height. The new Slash comes standard in the neutral setting. When swapping the cups, however, the lower one has to be installed with a bearing press, meaning that you can’t just quickly swap cups on the trailside. In the neutral setting, the Slash has a 63.3° head angle, which can be changed to either 62.6° or 64.1°. In addition, Trek forgo their usual Knock Block with the new Slash, which means that you don’t have a steering stop limiter.

The position of the bottom bracket allows engineers to achieve different chainstay lengths by using the same rear end, whereby sizes M/L and L share the same values. Simply put, all frame sizes share the same identical swingarm but rely on a slightly different bottom bracket position to allow for the size-specific effective chainstay length. The advantage of this system is that you can easily replace the rear end in case of damage.In size L, the Slash combines 488 mm reach with a short 435 mm seat tube, which offers a generous insertion depth for long-travel dropper posts. The seat tube is short across all sizes, ensuring sufficient freedom of movement on the trail.

The geometry of the new 2024 Trek Slash in the neutral setting

The new 2024 Trek Slash 9.9 XO AXS on the trail

For this review, we were able to ride the new Trek Slash 9.9 XO AXS 2024 in both size L and XL. We tested the bike over the course of several weeks, putting it through the wringer on the legendary trails of Whistler, Squamish and Della Creek, both on bike park trails and natural trails – and also managed to squeeze in a few laps with freeride legend Andrew Shandro. We also rode the new Slash (in size L) on our home trails around Stuttgart and on some techy Alpine gnar in Switzerland. Testing the new Slash in different frame sizes and countless locations gave us the opportunity to gather plenty of impressions.

Needless to say, an aggressive enduro bike won’t earn you any uphill KOMs, and yet the new 2024 Trek Slash 2024 gets you to the trailhead without too much effort. The rear suspension only bobs slightly and generates plenty of traction on technical climbs, meaning that you can easily make your way to the top of the mountain without reaching for the Vivid’s climb switch. On steeper climbs, the front wheel remains planted on the ground, ensuring excellent steering precision. While on the first test laps the bike was totally quiet, with the idler pulley working discreetly in the background, this changed after a few days, with an increasingly loud rattling noise accompanying us on every climb.

When gravity takes over, the first thing you’ll notice is the high front end and deeply integrated riding position. This inspires huge amounts of confidence, even on the gruellingly steep Canadian trails. The Slash makes you feel at ease from the get-go, encouraging you to keep your fingers off the brakes after just a few corners. If you do brake – which is inevitable from time to time – the rear suspension generates tons of traction without stiffening up excessively if you hit a large bump while decelerating. The wheelbase of the Slash grows noticeably less than with other high pivot bikes, remaining agile and playful even when fully compressed. Overall, the rear suspension provides plenty of support, allowing you to pop off ledges and kickers while at the same time offering enough reserves to cope with botched landings.

The new Slash has direct handling and reacts to steering input quickly and precisely. During this test, we swapped the original wheels and handlebars for alloy models, which helped mitigate the very direct ride feeling, ensuring more forgiving handling in slippery conditions. Even in open corners, the Trek sticks to the chosen line with great composure and doesn’t require you to actively weight the front wheel – and that’s despite the high front end! As a result, you’re always in a central riding position, which conveys huge amounts of confidence in all situations. Overall, the Trek makes you feel as if you had more travel on tap and at the same time is just as agile and playful as bikes with less travel. Trek also seem to have successfully addressed the typical drawbacks of high pivot bikes, like the sluggish handling and unbalanced suspension performance, which can result from the growing wheelbase.

Who should take a closer look at the new 2024 Trek Slash?

The new Trek Slash is aimed at trail rippers, enduro racers, park rats and anyone who likes to get rowdy on gnarly trails. Provided you perform a few basic upgrades, like more robust tires and a tuneable cockpit, the new Slash offers a pretty sweet overall package – we’re pretty chuffed with it ourselves. Even on slower, narrower trails, it’s refreshingly nimble, while the excellent suspension allows you to generate speed by pumping through flow trails, which isn’t always a given with high pivot bikes. In our humble opinion, the Trek Slash 2024 is the next evolutionary stage of high pivot bikes, bringing all the advantages of a high pivot suspension design while at the same time eliminating most of its drawbacks.

Our conclusions about the new 2024 Trek Slash

The new Trek Slash 2024 offers agile, balanced handling and combines it with all the positive traits of a high pivot suspension design, ensuring excellent composure and a plush ride. If you like to open the taps on gnarly enduro trails, we recommend upgrading a few components. This will allow you to boost the Slash’s trail performance enormously with relatively little effort and at a reasonable price. The new Slash slaps a huge smile on your face, whether you’re going for a quick post-work ride on your home trails, racing enduro in the Alps or lapping park tracks – and also makes a great companion for the occasional flowing trail.

• Integrated, confidence inspiring riding position
• Combines excellent composure and agility
• Potent suspension provides plenty of pop and reserves
• Practical features like the integrated storage compartment and mini-tool

• Spec has some blemishes
• Idler pulley grinds lightly when pedalling uphill

For more info, visit Trek’s website.

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of ENDURO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality mountain bike journalism. Click here to learn more .

Words: Peter Walker Photos: Sterling Lorence, Peter Walker

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About the author.

Peter Walker

As editor-in-chief, Peter is as much a man of action as he is of words. This expert, screw-driver-flexing two wheeled-whizz has many envy-inducing characteristics, including a background in motocross, several EWS race plates to his name, and more than 150 recorded days at Whistler Bike Park. However complex the bike and however steep the trail, he’s probably already nailed it, twice. Oh, and he can do it all on skinny tyres too. When it comes to guiding consumers, Peter cut his teeth at Vancouver’s oldest bike shop and now puts pen to paper on the daily translating this know-how into our editorial plan. When not tearing up Stuttgart’s local trails while testing bikes, he loves nothing more than loading up his self-renovated VW T5 and hitting the road. The fact that he’s a trained paramedic gives his colleagues reassurance out on the trails. So far we haven’t had to call him by his alias ‘Sani Peter’, so here’s hoping he keeps it right side up for the rest of his time here!

Jack of all trails, master of fun

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Best enduro mountain bike 2024 – we test the top options for racing or just burly trail blasting

The best enduro MTBs are fast, light and comfortable enough to ride all-day, here are our expert picks

1. Best overall

2. best long travel, 3. best shorter travel, 4. best confidence-inspiring, 5. best steel-framed, 6. best suspension, 7. best for downhill, 8. best race pedigree, 9. best value, 10. best versatility.

• How to choose
• How we test

1. Best overall 2. Best long travel 3. Best shorter travel 4. Best confidence-inspiring 5. Best steel-framed 6. Best suspension 7. Best for downhill 8. Best race pedigree 9. Best value 10. Best versatility How to choose How we test

Enduro is a popular mountain bike discipline as it combines all the best elements of cross-country racing and downhill mountain biking . The best enduro mountain bikes blend an efficient pedaling stroke with boundary-pushing geometry and suspension performance. Enduro races consist of a number of timed (mostly downhill) sections combined with transition sections in between, so bikes need to able to be ridden up hills as well as down. As such, mountain bike engineers and component designers have supplied an entirely new class of bikes and gear to cater to enduro racing's unique demands and produced some of the best mountain bikes in terms of versatility and capability.

Enduro mountain biking has its origins in the French Alps, it was here that riders formulated an all-day racing format that prioritized descending. When the Enduro World Series (EWS) started in 2013, racing was dominated by 27.5-wheeled bikes with 150mm of travel. There's now a selection of wheel sizes – 29-inch or mixed wheel 'mullet' bikes with a 29-inch wheel up front and 27.5 to the rear. While suspension travel is usually 160 to 170mm. It almost goes without saying, but enduro bikes can have electric motors. For more on them, see our best e-MTB guide .

As bikes need to be efficient on the ups and as fast as possible on the downhills, this means there is a lot to consider when picking the best enduro mountain bike, but our experts have rated and reviewed the best options around. Our best pick overall is the "ragingly fast and precise" Trek Slash 9.9 X01, and best long travel bike is the Santa Cruz Nomad C XT RSV, which our tester found "a total riot on the rowdiest trails". 

If you are unsure what to look for when shopping for a new enduro bike, jump to the bottom of this article to find out how to choose the best bike for you.

Best enduro mountain bikes

Why trust BikePerfect Our cycling experts have decades of testing experience. We'll always share our unbiased opinions on bikes and gear. Find out more about how we test.

Trek Slash 9.9 X01

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

As with a lot of Trek bikes, the Slash 9.9 has been designed with racing in mind. With Trek's RE:aktiv with Thru Shaft technology for better suspension control and well-balanced ride characteristics, the Slash is a platform that can be worked hard to gain every little advantage on the trail. 

Trek has brought the updated Slash back in line with the current crop of enduro bikes. Depending on where you have the Mino Link chipset, the head angle is now 64.1 degrees or 64.6 degrees and the effective seat angle is 75.6 degrees or 76.1 degrees. Reach has been extended significantly on all sizes with the large size now stretching to 486 or 491mm with a 450mm seat tube. Travel also goes up by 10mm to 160mm at the rear with a 170mm fork. 

Trek has finished the Slash with some nice details, the Trek OCLV Mountain Carbon frame features clean Control Freak internal routing and Knock Block which stops the bars from spinning all the way around and causing extra damage in a crash.

In our tests, we found it one of the most speed-hungry, high-velocity bikes we’ve ever ridden. It’s tough and seismically assured enough to hit up the bike park but loaded with the practical details and pedaling efficiency to make it a big day happy, no limits trail bike too. Our reviewer, Guy found it to be a "ragingly fast and precise enduro race bike with all-day efficiency and a ton of practical details for those who can afford and appreciate it". Check our full Trek Slash 9.9 X01 review for more. 

Santa Cruz Nomad C XT RSV

Santa Cruz has an impeccable pedigree in gravity racing and popularized the long-travel 29er with its original Tallboy LTC back in 2012. A radical reconfiguration of Santa Cruz’s VPP suspension system appears on most of the Californian brand's latest trail bike models, including the 170mm Nomad.

Rolling on 27.5-inch wheels, the Nomad isn't necessarily a pure enduro race bike as long-travel 29ers have dominated that space. However, the bike is essentially a single-crown downhill bike that can make easy work of any rough and steep trail. That's combined with an ability to pedal back up the mountain without hiking or shuttling. 

The bike we tested used Shimano XT gearing and braking along with Santa Cruz's Reserve 30mm rims. All of that suspension travel was taken care of with a Fox 38 fork and a RockShox rear shock. 

Guy Kesteven, our test pilot did wonder if this 170mm monstrosity would be too much bike for his local trails, but it turned out that the Nomad has an incredible ride quality that doesn't get bogged down despite the big travel nature of this bike. 

He summed up this agile yet rapid bike as, "undeniably pricey but an outstanding mix of long travel suspension, surprisingly playful pop, practical detailing and lifetime-warrantied frame and wheels, making the latest Nomad a total riot on the rowdiest trails". Read his full Santa Cruz Nomad review to find out more. 

Pivot Switchblade XTR

There’s no escaping the top-end price of the Switchblade. Hit the trail though and that immediately all seems forgivable. Its ability to turn every section of trail into an ultra high definition pop, rip and power through playground is as good – if not better – than any other bike we’ve ridden. 

While it doesn’t feel like it has more rear travel than 142mm, the quality of flat-out flow and tight power response is exceptional. The seemingly unbalanced front (160mm) and rear (142mm) travel actually syncs superbly and while they aren’t the most radical numbers, the geometry is perfectly poised for the vast majority of real-world riding. It’s also one of the few bikes where you can still swap to plus-sized wheels if that’s your thing, but for most, it’ll be the delicious detailing and visceral, dynamic speed of the Switchblade that makes it something very special.  

Pivot offers the Switchblade in a number of build options to cater to Shimano or SRAM preferences and budget limitations although even the 'budget' XT build requires some significant finances.

In summing up the Switchblade in his full review, our tech ed Guy Kesteven said: "A brilliantly vivid yet smoothly controlled, high-velocity technical trail bike for the few who can afford it, but not without some potentially irritating aspects."

Read his full review for an in-depth opinion on why we think the shorter-travel Pivot Switchblade Team XTR makes a great enduro bike.

Merida One-Sixty 8000

Merida’s radically redesigned One-Sixty offering takes a blend of downhill MTB, XC and triathlon, and delivers a balanced, easily rideable and flat-out fast, fun enduro steed.

Merida twists the norm right from the start. Rather than the usual XSmall to XLarge sizing, the One-Sixty rephrases that to XShort to XLong. That covers a massive reach range from 415mm to 525mm, but also includes deliberately short seat tubes and head tubes, so shorter riders who want a long bike won’t get jacked up too high.

To stop the monster reach feeling too barge-like, the chainstay length on the Long and Extra Long bikes is 438mm. Extra Small, Small and Mid-bikes come with a 27.5-inch rear wheel as standard and a seatstay flip-chip that brings the back end to 434mm. While the 64-degree head angle is par for the enduro course these days, the steep 79-degree effective seat angle is the kind of radical move you generally only find from small ‘edgy’ brands, not one of the world’s largest bike manufacturers.

The bike also comes with a five-year warranty that even covers 'Cat 5' Bike Park, DH and Enduro Racing use.

In his review, our technical editor, Guy Kesteven, said, "Merida’s latest One-Sixty consistently put me in the right position on the bike and the trail. Perhaps most importantly, it put me in the right frame of mind to enjoy its easy speed without feeling robbed of the fun or interaction of quick sprints or playful pops at every opportunity. While some riders might miss extensive geometry adjust options, the bike felt great as it came, and the ability to add a coil shock, turn it into a mullet wheeled setup or even a mid-travel trail bike adds bigger picture versatility."

Check out our full Merida One-Sixty 8000 review for more info. Merida has used much of the same thinking in these bikes in its latest generation of e-enduro bikes. For more on them, see our eOne-Sixty 675 first ride review .

Cotic RocketMax

If you want total hard-edged precision, or lightweight, long-travel trail agility then the RocketMax isn't for you. The radical geometry with its need to take the longer way round tighter sections won't suit everyone either and it's the first bike too long to pass the 'fits straight in the back of Guy's van test'. The steel tube aesthetics with their transverse pipe section terminals won't float the boat of fat carbon fans either.

However, as Guy Kesteven says in his full review: "If you want a bike that delivers all the damping and shock shrugging advantages of steel, while retaining a warm sense of spring but never twanging too far offline then it's fantastic." The geometry and key componentry have been carefully curated to take the unshakeably grounded and gripped feel from tire knob to bar tip.

The result is an enduro tank that stays utterly calm and confident well beyond our test team's normal panic points and takes up a position as one of the fastest gravity bikes we've ridden – regardless of material or origin. Additionally, it pedals well enough to hide a lot of its weight and stays enjoyably engaging on less taxing trails.

Read our full review of the Cotic RocketMax for more details on this steel shred sled.

Yeti SB160 T1

Yeti’s first long travel 29er enduro mountain bike – the SB150 – established itself as the bike to beat both on and off the track as soon as it was launched. That was over four years ago though, so while it’s still competitive, we’re not surprised to see a new SB160 heading up a triad of new turquoise chargers.

Yeti is clearly following an ‘if it ain’t broke, just tweak it a bit rather than changing it completely' policy with the SB160. Front travel stays at 170mm thanks to a Fox 38 fork with an extra 10mm travel at the rear. Reach lengths creep out slightly and the head angle slackens by half a degree to 64 degrees. Seat angles steepen slightly (the SB150 was already a forward seat pioneer). Bigger sizes get a more vertical seat angle and longer back ends (by 2mm a size) to keep things proportionate and Yeti has added an XXL option to the range.

There are a lot of subtle but significant frame changes though. The downtube is reshaped for extra fork clearance, the seat tube has been reprofiled to take long stroke droppers (up to 200mm on L-XXL). It uses a threaded BB, SRAM’s UDH gear hanger and you get a dual density rubber belly protector, wave form upper and under chainstay protection as well as fully plumbed and secured internal cable routing. Thankfully the cabling hasn't been fed through the headset either. There’s still room for a full size bottle under the big Fox Float X2 rear shock and tire clearance is increased as well.

Yeti’s signature ‘Switch Infinity’ inflection suspension engine has been re-engineered. The lower pivot still floats on two short vertical (extra slippery) Kashima coated shafts in the belly of the bike. The collet axle Enduro Max bearings now ‘float’ for perfect alignment and are linked for increased stiffness, while black oxide coated bearings with new alloy dust caps apparently add durability too.

Specialized S-Works Enduro

Modeled from Specialized's Demo downhill bike series, the Enduro sees many of the lessons learned in suspension performance get passed across and shaped into an enduro format. Sporting 170mm of terrain-consuming suspension, the S-Works Enduro is designed to handle the roughest tracks and, for most riders, the Enduro will happily turn its hand to some downhill racing as well. A flip-chip in the shock mount changes the characteristics from a chirpy enduro bike into a gravity-hungry machine if you intend on riding laps of a bike park or an uplift day. All these descending capabilities don't mean it's a poor climber though; as the Enduro might not be a whippet back up the hill, the suspension is well controlled to eliminate pedal-induced bob and keep the rear wheel planted for traction.

Geometry is unsurprisingly at the extreme end of long, slack and low to keep everything tracking true when you're off the brakes and using the full 170mm of suspension. Specialized has done away with the traditional small, medium and large sizing, instead opting for a sizing scheme based on reach. This gives more flexibility on sizing, so if you normally ride a medium you can opt for the S3 for a more nimble ride or an S4 for increased stability.

Componentry on the S-Works model is unsurprisingly top end with SRAM AXS shifting and braking being combined with Fox suspension. For those not wanting to outlay a five-figure sum, Specialized offers Comp, Elite and Expert builds too.

Nukeproof Mega 290 RS

If a frame’s racing lineage is your unit of analysis, this is the world’s best enduro bike. Ridden by enduro world champion and former downhill phenomenon, Australian Sam Hill, the Mega has seen a significant overhaul for its current fourth generation.

The sizing and geometry has been tweaked to keep up with modern enduro design philosophies. Slackening the head angle, steepening the seat tube and speccing a short offset fork has improved the handling. Geometry numbers find a sweet spot at 64-degree head angle and 78-degree seat angle with a 475mm reach on a large frame.

The Mega 290 has 160mm of rear suspension travel that has also been updated for better small bump performance and a reputation for bombproof reliability. The old suspension design prioritized big-hit absorption capability at the cost of isolating pedal input, however, the new kinematics have been designed to address this.

Further updates include a new carbon rear triangle, refined cable routing, shorter seat tubes and the ability to fit a 750ml bottle in the main triangle to not only make the bike lighter but also easier to live with.

Giant Reign 29

The Taiwanese brand has produced a potential giant-killing bike with its 29-wheeled Reign. An evolution of the existing Reign platform, the latest model combines a hugely competent 146mm of rear suspension travel with a 170mm fork. 

Other significant upgrades that the progression to bigger wheels have brought to Giant’s Reign include a trunnion mount rear shock and the choice between 42- or 44mm fork offsets, offering riders with appropriate skills a much quicker steering option. 

Geometry numbers feature a meaningfully longer frame than Giant’s 27.5-inch Reign, with the new 29er stretched to 494mm of reach on a large frame. This will help with the high speeds and rough nature of modern enduro tracks. It will also improve ride quality for zipping around your local trails and making it Reign. 

Canyon Strive CF 7

Looking at Strive CFR's geometry chart alone would probably have most enduro riders writing Canyon's enduro race bike off as too conservative. The 65.2-degree head angle, 74.4-degree seat angle and a shortish reach of 434mm for a medium look dated when compared to some of the super long and slack rigs that are available.

The Strive shines on technical tight terrain where agility from the direct handling and low bottom bracket allows the bike to be slammed through corners. Pedaling sections are a breeze too with responsive acceleration and handlebar-mounted Shapeshifter tech which allows the rider to not only change the travel on the fly but also the geometry and kinematics for ultimate pedaling performance.

That said, the Strive is an all-out race bike, designed to be fast and efficient over a full day racing, so some riders may be better served with the shorter travel but more progressive Canyon Spectral or the hard-hitting longer travel Torque . In the right hands though, the Strive is a dominating enduro race bike.

How to choose the best enduro mountain bikes

How much should i spend on an enduro mountain bike.

The sky is really the limit when it comes to the very best enduro bikes. Some of them are very similar to the models raced by the pros and come with a very hefty price tag as you'd expect. Fortunately, there are cheaper options around though, Giant's Reign being just one great value bike.

For a proper enduro capable-bike, you'll need to spend three to four thousand US dollars or UK pounds. The more cash you throw at the bike, the better the spec, more sophisticated the frame construction and, typically, the lower the weight.

What's the best frame material for enduro mountain biking?

While frame material is important, it doesn't necessarily make as much of a difference with enduro bikes as in other cycling disciplines. Carbon allows frames to be built lighter and stiffer, however there has been a noticeable resurgence of aluminum frames which are just as capable. The advantage of aluminum is that it's a lot cheaper to produce which leaves more money for better components such as suspension, wheels, brakes or tires where performance enhancements will be more pronounced.

What is the best enduro suspension?

Rear suspension design and geometry are the most important features worth considering when evaluating an enduro bike. With special stages that can run for far longer than expected (up to three miles), the issue of shock fade, due to overheating, is a real concern for enduro riders. Therefore, a frame that offers sufficient shock clearance to run a high-volume air shock (with a piggyback reservoir) or coil shock, is vital. While air and coil shocks have their own characteristics, top-end frames are generally built with suspension systems that are designed to work with a specific style of shock. Some frames can be enhanced by retrofitting a different shock but the possible effects should be researched first in case your upgrades don't complement the suspension kinematics.

What geometry is best for enduro?

The enduro category, with its requirements for all-day riding endurance and extreme terrain taming ability on descents, has revolutionized mountain bike geometry. Longer bikes with increasingly extreme angles are the defining trend, optimizing the theory that an elongated wheelbase is inherently more stable. 

As geometry is based on many other factors such as reach, bottom bracket drop and fork offset, what might be right for you and your trails will likely be different for others. Generally, a head angle slacker than 66-degrees and a seat tube steeper than 74-degrees shows a bike's intent for descending, although most enduro bikes will push well beyond these figures.

Many bikes also feature flip-chips for their suspension rocker arms or mounting hardware, which allow for small geometry adjustments – and those might make all the difference for your riding. 

What is the best wheel size for an enduro mountain bike?

Originally, 27.5-inch (or 650b) wheels were the default option, striking a balance between the old standard 26-inch and the fast but more cumbersome 29er cross country bikes. Much has changed and as geometry has continued to evolve 29er wheels have become equally popular and have proved very successful on the enduro racing circuit.

While some will argue that the performance benefits of each are significant, unless you are racing, the difference is likely to be much less noticeable thanks to advances in geometry and better components. Due to a 29er's larger diameter, they roll better over rougher terrain as well as generally maintaining better momentum. A 27.5-inch wheel on the other hand allows a shorter chainstay length for improved cornering on tight terrain. It can also be argued that 27.5-inch wheels are lighter and stronger due to their smaller size.

27.5-inch enduro bikes are rare now, but lots of brands now offer bikes in a 'best of both' mullet wheeled option with a 29in wheel up front and 27.5in at the rear.

How we test enduro mountain bikes

All the enduro bikes tested here have been ridden in a wide range of conditions, from bone dry dusty tracks to hammering down rain-soaked trails where grip is at a premium. We also test the bikes over a range of trail conditions, from uplift DH and enduro venues to pedaling steep natural runs. We ensure to test the bikes over a number of months to see how they fare over time and you'll often find us switching bikes mid-ride to make comparisons between different models.

Meet the tester

Guy's been testing and writing about mountain bikes since the early nineties and we're betting than he's tested more MTBs than anyone else in the UK. He's no stranger to enduro racing either and has raced in a multitude of different events.

Guy has been working on Bike Perfect since we launched in 2019. Hatched in Yorkshire he's been hardened by riding round it in all weathers since he was a kid. He spent a few years working in bike shops and warehouses before starting writing and testing for bike mags in 1996. Since then he’s written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear. To make sure he rarely sleeps and to fund his custom tandem habit, he’s also penned a handful of bike-related books and talks to a GoPro for YouTube, too.

Current rides: Cervelo ZFS-5, Forbidden Druid V2, Specialized Chisel, custom Nicolai enduro tandem, Landescape/Swallow custom gravel tandem

Height: 180cm

Weight: 69kg

• Richard Owen Editor, Bike Perfect

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The best enduro mountain bikes of 2024 | 25 top-rated enduro MTBs

The big-hitting rigs you need to look out for in 2024

Ian Linton / Immediate Media

Looking for the best enduro bike? You’re in the right place; here we list the best enduro bikes on the market in 2024, as tested by our experienced, independent test team.

Enduro racing is currently at the forefront of mountain biking, with the demands of epic days on the pedals competing with long, technical descents that challenge downhill courses for their difficulty.

As such, the latest breed of enduro bikes have to be able to spin up hills as well as throw themselves down steep chutes, through rock gardens and over huge gaps.

Not all enduro bikes are born the same, though, and some will be better suited to long days in the mountains, with pedalling characteristics to boot, while others are basically downhill bikes in disguise – flat-out down the gnarliest of tracks, but possibly more of a slog back up the other side.

We’ve put together a buyer's guide at the bottom of this article to help you choose the best enduro bike for you.

The best enduro mountain bikes of 2024, as rated by our expert testers

Norco shore 2.

• Price: £3,399/$5,199 as tested
• Pros: Dialled geometry; fast handling
• Cons: Weight might be a problem for some

Although its weight may be an issue for some, the Shore is one of the best-riding, confidence-inspiring, long-travel mountain bikes on the market and all for a reasonable asking price. Offering 180mm of rear-wheel travel, the Shore is a high-pivot enduro mountain bike with a Horst-link suspension design.

Built around an aluminium frame, the Shore features an excellent and progressive geometry with a generous 480mm reach, 63-degree head tube angle and 445mm chainstays on our size large.

Norco is one of the only brands to vary chainstay lengths across its range. Considering its weight, the Shore climbs well despite the MaxxGrip compound on the Maxxis DoubleDown casing tyres, which we swapped to a MaxxTerra.

The Shore is a very comfortable bike to ride over rough terrain and is also incredibly predictable. Thanks to the ideal geometry, you can weight the front wheel confidently and it feels super-composed, both at speed and in technical sections.

• Read our full Norco Shore 2 review

Canyon Strive CFR

• Price: £5,999/$7,299/€6,299 as tested
• Pros: Chassis provides stability at high speeds; race bike feel with high-performance potential
• Cons: Suspension can feel harsh at low speeds

The Strive CFR is Canyon's race bike offering 170mm of travel and 29in wheels.

The Strive is well-specced compared to its contemporaries, with a Shimano XTR drivetrain and brakes paired with a Race Face Next RS crankset.

The Shapeshifter system allows for better on-the-fly adjustment to the bike's geometry and presents a marked improvement on the previous model.

• Read our full Canyon Strive CFR review

Cotic RocketMAX Gen4 Mullet Silver

• Price: £4,949 as tested
• Pros: Stable and confident through turns; carries speed well
• Cons: Not as forgiving as other bikes

Cotic's RocketMAX shines when pointed downhill, carrying speed well, and is able to rail corners with ease. The bike can be run as a 29in or in as a mullet, which we tested.

The bike's composure is hard to fault, although we did find it to be a little noisy and less smooth than others, with chain slap being a distraction on bumpy trails.

Cotic offers a host of customisable spec, with our test bike featuring a RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork and a Cane Creek Double Barrel Kitsuma coil shock.

• Read our full Cotic RocketMAX Gen4 Mullet Silver review

Devinci Spartan HP GX

• Price: $6,149/€6,249 as tested
• Pros: Impressive suspension; really well-specced for the asking price
• Cons: Steeper head tube angle would aid in climbing

The Spartan HP is a bump-munching, race-ready, high-pivot enduro machine and the entry model we tested has a solid spec for the price. The suspension platform is impressively supple, with a 170mm fork at the front and 160mm at the back.

The frame is fully carbon fibre (including rocker link) and our test bike was specced with a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain and Code R brakes. The Spartan is sure-footed on tight and twisty trails, and it’s at home when ridden aggressively with intent. When pushed very hard, the Spartan can punish its rear wheel, though. We'd prefer a steeper seat tube angle for climbing.

• Read our full Devinici Spartan HP GX 12s review

Merida One-Sixty 6000

• Price: £4,600 as tested
• Pros: Impressive geometry; well-considered parts
• Cons: Seatpost scores easily

Merida's One-Sixty 6000 is our 2023 Enduro Mountain Bike of the Year , pipping the competition with its exciting and capable ride feel.

The bike offers well-balanced suspension that enables you to smash through technical sections, with the RockShox ZEB Select fork and Super Deluxe Select working well to iron out the trail.

A well thought-out spec, featuring a Shimano XT shifter connected to an SLX derailleur, makes for crisp shifting, while keeping the price point to a minimum.

The bike is seriously capable, lapping up gnarly trails while maintaining a fun, flickable character.

• Read our full Merida One-Sixty 6000 review

Norco Range C1

• Price: £8,999/$8,249/€9,999 as tested
• Pros: Excellent suspension with impressive descending performance
• Cons: Pedal bob when climbing

The Range C1 is a hard-charging gravity monster, with smooth suspension that's helped by a well-considered geometry.

While the Range C1 is designed for hard-hitting gravity-fed descents, it also performs well on mellower trails considering its bulk.

The geometry isn't the most aggressive out there, which makes for a comfortable climbing position for long days in the saddle, although the suspension provides some pedal bob.

Norco has given the Range C1 a spec list that is all but impossible to upgrade, which is quite the task considering its asking price.

• Read our full Norco Range C1 review

Nukeproof Mega 297 Carbon Elite

• Price: £4,900 as tested
• Pros: Good comfort and confidence-inspiring
• Cons: Brakes aren't the punchiest

Nukeproof's Mega 297 Carbon Elite keeps things exciting when you want them to be, with the geometry striking the right balance between speed and nimbleness.

The suspension is well balanced, with the Mega 297 Carbon Elite using a Fox 38 Performance Elite and an X2 Performance rear shock , which swallow up bumps with relative ease.

The bike feels well within its comfort zone on most trails and passes this reassurance on to the rider, boosting confidence.

• Read our full Nukeproof Mega 297 Carbon Elite review

Propain Spindrift Al MX Performance

• Price: £5,013/$5,253/€5,013 as tested
• Pros: Pedals well for its long travel; alloy frame just as capable as carbon rivals
• Cons: Upgraded shock may need a retune

Propain's Spindrift Al MX Performance is a freeride-focused long-travel bike aimed at bike parks and gnarly downhill trails.

On the hills, we found ourselves reconsidering the stereotypes of long-travel bikes, with the Spindrift proving to be an efficient climber despite its 180mm of front and rear travel.

While it wasn't XC quick, a good seating position and supportive platform made it rival most enduro bikes up the hills.

When pointed down the trail, the bike felt happy to charge through the roughest stuff and gobble up hard hits with ease. However, we found the shock struggled with high-frequency pumps due to a medium compression and rebound tune.

This didn't reduce confidence in the bike, but would be something we'd change if we were riding more natural trails.

• Read our full Propain Spindrift Al MX Performance review

YT Capra 29 Core 4

• Price: £5,199/$5,299/€5,299/AU$9,999 as tested
• Pros: Fast from the get-go; lively and comfortable character
• Cons: Bottom bracket feels too high

YT's Capra 29 Core 4 offers great value for money, with a Fox Factory 38 fork and an X2 Factory shock used to absorb rough trails.

The frame has been around since 2021 and offers a playful ride on various types of trail, though we found the bottom bracket a little high.

The Capra 29 is incredibly well rounded, and while some bikes may perform better on downhills, the versatile nature of the Capra makes for an easy-going, confidence-inspiring ride.

• Read our full YT Capra 29 Core 4 review

Bird Aeris 9 Shimano 12-speed

• Price: £4,333 as tested
• Pros: Good value for money with custom build options; well-balanced geometry
• Cons: Not the most responsive ride

Bird's Aeris 9 Shimano 12-speed offers a competitive build for the money, with a RockShox ZEB Ultimate RC2 fork and RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock used to gobble up the bumps.

The Aeris 9 offers masses of stability and security through technical sections, providing plenty of rider confidence when you need it most.

We found the bike lacked a little when it came to playfulness, being focused more on heavy hits and carrying speed through rough terrain.

• Read our full Bird Aeris 9 Shimano 12-speed review

Bold Unplugged Ultimate

• Price: £10,999/$10,999/€10,999 as tested
• Pros: Balanced geometry; stellar climbing performance
• Cons: Limited customisation

Bold's Unplugged Ultimate offers high levels of innovation with its neatly integrated rear suspension, one-piece Syncros cockpit and comprehensive in-built toolkit.

The bike features 160mm of rear travel controlled by a Fox Float X Nude Factory hidden in the frame , while the front of the bike is supported by a 170mm Öhlins RFX38 M.2 fork.

We found the ride to be superbly balanced, with precise and playful handling complemented by a calm and capable ability through the gnarliest terrain.

This continues when faced with a hill, because the modern geometry and TracLoc suspension system makes spinning up easier than on its contemporaries.

While its design causes restrictions in spec choice, the Unplugged is without doubt a superbike – and is priced accordingly.

• Read our full Bold Unplugged Ultimate review

Cannondale Jekyll 2

• Price: £4,800/$4,550/€4,999/AU$6,899 as tested
• Pros: Striking looks; composed when it matters
• Cons: Not the best value for money

The Jekyll 2 uses the same carbon frame as the top-end Jekyll 1, just with a lower component spec. It's a striking-looking enduro bike, with its hidden shock designed to lower the centre of gravity and a great paintjob. It's available as a 29er only.

The high-pivot suspension design incorporates Cannondale's Ai asymmetric rear triangle to increase frame clearance. There's an idler wheel in the chainline to help prevent the kickback that can come with high-pivot kinematics.

Spec-wise, there's Shimano Deore, which despite being low-spec for the Jekyll 2's price, worked just fine. Cannondale specs 165mm cranks to reduce pedal strikes. Suspension is provided by a 170mm RockShox Zeb Select fork and a Fox Float DPX2 Performance shock with 165mm of travel. We had issues with wheel build quality though.

We really liked the forward seated position and absence of bob when climbing. Head back down and the Jekyll's balanced handling and geometry make it predictable and easy to guide through turns.

We also rated the Cannondale Jekyll 1 at 4 stars if you fancy a more decked-out spec.

• Read our full Cannondale Jekyll 2 review

Canyon Strive CFR Underdog

• Price: £4,799/$4,999/€4,999/AU$7,399 as tested
• Pros: Shapeshifter helps on the hills; ground-hugging suspension
• Cons: Not the liveliest ride

Canyon's Strive CFR Underdog is the German brand's lowest-tier enduro race bike. It features meaningful geometry adjustment and Shapeshifter technology that can steepen the seat tube angle for climbing.

The Strive CFR Underdog has a calm demeanour on steep terrain and goes a long way to boost rider confidence, though the bike requires more effort than its competition on more sedate trails.

Gearing and brakes come in the form of Shimano XT, while a Fox 38 Performance Elite fork and X2 Performance rear shock are used to eat up the trail.

• Read our full Canyon Strive CFR Underdog review

Canyon Torque Mullet

• Price: £4,499/$5,399/AU$7,299/€4,799 as tested
• Pros : Balanced ride feel from sorted geometry and good spec for its price
• Cons: Not quite as grippy and ride-smoothing as others

The Torque is now available as a 29er, 27.5in bike or this mullet option with a carbon frame and in all sizes except small. It comes with 175mm of travel out back from its Fox DHX2 Factory shock and a Fox 38 Performance Elite GRIP2 fork with 170mm travel.

There's a flip chip built in that changes geometry by 0.5 degrees and bottom bracket height by 8mm.

The Torque isn't quite a full-on enduro bike; we didn't feel it had quite the grip or bump-swallowing ability of the best. The updated Canyon Strive is designed more specifically to fit that mandate.

As usual with Canyon, you get a great spec for the price, with Shimano XT and DT Swiss wheels with Maxxis tyres.

Downhill performance delivered fun by the bucketful, with well-balanced, predictable handling. There's a bit more feedback over bumpy terrain than some of its rivals though.

• Read our full Canyon Torque Mullet review

Deviate Highlander II

• Price: £7,050
• Pros: Impressive suspension with excellent pedal efficiency
• Cons: Head angles could be slacker to meet performance potential

While it only has 145mm of rear-suspension travel, the Highlander II is designed for everything from epic days in the saddle to bike park laps.

The high-pivot suspension soaks up bumps, providing for smooth and calm descending, while remaining composed uphill, resisting pedal bob.

While the geometry is relatively balanced, the relatively steep 65-degree head angle makes it twitchier and harder to manage on steep turns.

• Read our full Deviate Highlander II review

Devinci Chainsaw GX 12S

• Price: £4,999 as tested
• Pros: Impressive downhill performance; robust design
• Cons: Chain guide adds drag

The Chainsaw is designed for bike park laps and steep downhill terrain, featuring a high-pivot suspension design that delivers 170mm of rear travel.

While it's not destined for climbing prowess, the bike will get you up a hill comfortably, though the chain guide at the bottom adds drag. We found removing it made a significant difference.

The Chainsaw proves seriously fast downhill, with the rear end soaking up bumps of all sizes and frequencies, while still remaining engaging on smoother tracks, unless the gradient is too mellow.

The bike suits aggressive riders smashing out big features, and would make a good seasonaire bike.

• Read our full Devinci Chainsaw GX 12S review

Giant Reign 1

• Price: £3,999/€4,499/AU$5,699 as tested
• Pros: Well-considered spec for price; incredibly capable
• Cons: Not the fastest through the rough

Giant's latest Reign now has 160mm of rear travel, bringing it up to date with a lot of the other bikes on this list.

The Reign 1 offers good spec, with quality components such as a Fox 38 Performance Elite fork and a Float X Performance Elite rear shock bolted to a well-refined frame.

The bike comes with meaningful geometry adjust that allows for slack, medium and steep ride settings to cater for the type of riding you do.

Giant's Reign 1 descends quickly, offering racers and riders high levels of confidence in technical sections, though we found the cockpit a little stiff on rough terrain.

• Read our full Giant Reign 1 review

Hope HB.916

• Price: £6,995 as tested
• Pros: Impressive geometry with dependable spec; calm and controlled through the rough stuff
• Cons: Suspension is hard to set up for lighter riders

Hope's new HB.916 enduro bike features a high-pivot linkage delivering 160mm of rear travel. The bike feels well-balanced and happy to plunge into the most technical terrain without dulling any of the fun.

The HB.916 is specced with the British brand's own wheels, brakes and crankset. Our tester didn't take to Hope's carbon bar though, feeling that it was too stiff.

An Öhlins RXF38 M2 fork supports the front of the bike with 170mm of travel, while a TTX2 Air shock controls the rear. We found it took a while to find the right setup for the bike.

• Read our full Hope HB.916 review

Intense Tracer 279 Expert

• Price: £4,999/$5,499/€5,499 as tested
• Pros: Impressive frame details; useful toolkit and internal storage
• Cons: Heavy SRAM NX Eagle cassette

The Tracer 279 Expert is the American brand's mixed wheel-size enduro bike with 170mm of suspension travel front and rear.

Intense has paid attention with the frame, with the fancy carbon adorned with titanium hardware and featuring functional fenders to keep mud away from the rear shock.

The bike uses a full SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain, and a Fox DHX2 Performance Elite coil shock translates into a relatively hefty bike. However, efficient suspension anti-squat and a comfortable pedalling position make winching to the top of a trail bearable.

Downhill, the bike provides plenty of support and impresses with its bump swallowing on square-edge hits, while the mullet wheel size and modern geometry keep the Tracer manoeuvrable through tight and technical trails.

The Tracer doesn't provide the best value for money, but the frame has plenty of performance potential with some upgrades.

• Read our full Intense Tracer 279 Expert review

Propain Tyee AL 29 Performance

• Price: £5,250 (with upgraded brakes and wheels)
• Pros: Fast and agile ride; good climber
• Cons: No size small on the 29in version

Direct-to-consumer brand Propain is renowned for offering great value for money and its enduro Tyee offering is no exception. Available in either 27.5 or 29-inch wheels, as reviewed here, the bike climbs efficiently and the brand's PR010 suspension system, consisting of two counter-rotating links, resisted any bob during testing.

On the descents, it has plenty of pop and playfulness, and its agility means you can switch between lines without a lot of effort.

Our test bike came with a SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain, upgraded Formula Cura brakes and RockShox suspension, the rear a coil shock that Propain says is a no up-charge extra if you don't want to use an air shock.

Although the aluminium frame transmits more feedback than other best enduro bikes, the Tyee is a serious amount of fun to ride and it's a great jack-of-all-trades.

• Read our full Propain Tyee AL 29 Performance review

Orange Alpine Evo LE

• Price: £5,900 as tested
• Pros: Inspired geometry; spot-on spec for the asking price
• Cons: Narrower margin for error than other suspension designs

Orange's single-pivot Alpine Evo LE comes shod with 155mm of rear-wheel travel and a 6061-T6 aluminium frame. Our test bike was equipped with a Shimano XT 12-speed groupset and suspension courtesy of RockShox.

It feels best when worked hard, offering a sharp yet efficient ride. There's a narrower margin for error with the single-pivot design, but once you've mastered a particular jump or trail feature, the Alpine excels, landing with a notable surge in speed.

• Read our full Orange Alpine Evo LE review

Pole Stamina 160 Remastered

• Price: €5,684 as tested
• Pros: Fantastic appearance; exceptionally progressive geometry; incredibly fast
• Cons: The suspension requires careful setting up

The Finnish brand's mid-travel trail-cum-enduro bike features adjustable travel (by swapping out the shock yoke) and is compatible with both 29in wheels and a mullet setup. It's an outrageously fast bike to ride on all terrain types and despite its stand-out geometry, it pedals well on both uphill and flatter terrain.

Its descending performance is remarkably stable and calm, and it can be ridden incredibly quickly over any terrain with composure and calmness. You'll want to pay careful attention to the suspension setup, which can feel quite aggressive, and will require some fettling for it to be optimal.

• Read our full Pole Stamina 160 Remastered review

Santa Cruz Nomad C GX AXS RSV Coil

• Price: £8,999 as tested
• Pros: Confident handling on all terrain; well-designed glovebox
• Cons: Flip chip does little to change the bike's geometry

Santa Cruz's Nomad proves years of small refinements are just as important as unique design features. The mullet set-up makes the Nomad more capable than the previous model when pointed downhill, with the bike making a happy companion through the gnarliest of terrain.

The coil shock gives a supportive platform to push against when pumping down the trail, with the 170mm of rear travel happy to eat up even the biggest impacts.

While the price is steep, the Nomad is ready for whatever you throw at it.

• Read our full Santa Cruz Nomad C GX AXS RSV Coil review

SCOR 4060 LT GX

• Price: €6,899/$7,199 as tested
• Pros: Very efficient to pedal
• Cons: High bottom bracket

SCOR is Swiss brand BMC's enduro division, with this 4060 LT GX featuring 29in wheels and 160mm of rear-wheel travel. The bike is nearer to an aggressive trail bike than it is to a downhill bike, and its low weight and snappy geometry give a feeling of eagerness even at moderate speeds.

The 348mm bottom bracket height doesn't give the most planted feel through turns, though this doesn't take away from the bike's sense of fun. While not suited to the steepest, roughest trails, the 4060 LT GX provides a great all-round ride.

• Read our full SCOR 4060 LT GX review

Vitus Sommet 297 AMP

• Price: £5,500/$5,999/€6,300/AU$8,800 as tested
• Pros: Good spec for the money; fun and playful on every trail
• Cons: Not as confident as other bikes on this list

Vitus' Sommet 297 AMP is seriously fun to ride, with the bike feeling poppy and behaving predictably in the air.

As the brand has become synonymous for, the Sommet 297 features a drool-worthy spec for the price, with a RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork and SRAM GX Eagle AXS electronic groupset.

The bike doesn't offer the same ground-hugging and confident feel as other bikes on this list, though it's likely to put an equally big smile on your face.

• Read our full Vitus Sommet 297 AMP review

What is an enduro bike?

Which came first, enduro racing, or the enduro bike? It's a bit chicken and egg, but the race genre and the bike genre have pushed each other's limits, and driven development of bike tech far beyond the confines of the course tapes.

Enduro bikes sit in the middle ground between downhill bikes and trail bikes . Like a DH bike, they're designed to get down hills as fast as possible, tackling chunky rock gardens, matted root beds, big drops and canyon-like gaps, doing it all with a little less suspension travel .

However, like the best trail mountain bikes , they're also designed to be pedalled back up; so rather than pushing to the top of the track, they can be ridden up thanks to more suitable geometry, wider gear ranges and lighter builds than a DH bike.

As such, they're slightly less capable downhill than a DH bike, but far more capable up, and more capable down but less capable up than a trail bike… got it?!

How much travel does an enduro bike have?

While there's no set definition of travel that defines an enduro bike, the majority have between 150 and 170mm of suspension front and rear. Some 27.5in-wheel enduro bikes may push travel a touch higher and there are a few with a little less at the rear – usually 29in bikes.

Expect to see the burliest single-crown suspension forks a brand has to offer with stanchion diameters varying from 35mm to 38mm. They're built to be stiff, smooth and supportive, with higher-end models sporting plenty of adjustability.

Rear shocks, especially when you're buying bikes from the mid-range up, will have a 'piggyback' design.

This is an additional chamber connected to one end of the shock that allows for additional oil flow through the shock. This, then, allows for better temperature management and more consistency on long descents (you'll be surprised by how warm a shock can get in use).

How the bikes use that suspension travel will vary too. Some bikes have incredibly plush suspension that totally insulates you from the trail, leading to an incredibly planted feel that's fast on steep and rough terrain.

But with all that smoothness comes more pedal-induced movement, so these bikes can often feel sluggish on climbs and flatter tracks – you'll be reaching for a lockout lever much sooner.

However, some bikes will have a more pedal-friendly suspension, which will make the uphills much easier and the flatter tracks more fun. You may lose some of that buttery feeling when you're going flat-out over rocks and roots, though.

Enduro bike geometry – what's that about?

The latest enduro bikes have long, low and slack geometry . This means long front centres (and reach measurements), slack head angles and low bottom brackets. This makes them feel super-confident on steep hillsides because there's less chance of you flipping over the handlebars, and it helps you better manage weight and grip between the tyres.

Longer geometry can make the bikes a little slower to react to inputs, and sometimes you may find you need to re-address your riding technique to get the most agility out of them, but these bikes have descending speed at the forefront of their design.

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Results have arrived, dominate descents: the 10 best enduro bikes.

With progressive geometry, big travel, and efficient suspension, enduro mountain bikes are the ultimate tool for downhillers who like to pedal. These are our top picks for racers and shredders.

Written by: Bruce Lin

Published on: Oct 26, 2022

Posted in: Bikes

Over the last decade, enduro has grown from a grassroots scene in the French Alps to a worldwide phenomenon. Enduro racing is now one of mountain biking’s most popular racing formats because it focuses on the part of the trail that (most) riders love: the descents. 

Enduro has also changed the way modern bikes are designed. To survive the gnarliest trails, enduro bikes have become longer and slacker, with more suspension travel and 29" wheels. These features give any rider the confidence to send it downhill at warp speeds. At the same time, these bikes need to be efficient enough to pedal back uphill and handle all-day epics. If you’re looking for a race-proven enduro bike that can tackle everything from weekly trail rides to bike park trips to the Enduro World Series, these are my top contenders.  

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[product-block handle="2022-yeti-sb150-t2-l"/]

Front travel : 170mm Rear travel : 150mm Wheel size : 29" Frame material : Carbon Head angle : 64.5° Reach : 460.2/480.2mm

Yeti has been a top dog in the enduro racing for years and won multiple championships with its Switch Infinity suspension system. Switch Infinity provides a solid pedaling platform, but it allows the main suspension pivot to switch directions as the bike moves through its travel so there’s still a plush, bottomless feel. The current SB150 is a favorite here in the Colorado enduro scene and it has already scored several EWS wins under two-time Enduro World Series champion Richie Rude. 

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Specialized Enduro 

[product-block handle="2020-specialized-enduro-elite-m-3"/]

Front travel : 170mm Rear travel : 170mm Wheel size : 29" Frame material : Carbon Head angle : 69.3° (low) Reach : 464/487mm (S3/S4)

The Specialized Enduro actually predates modern enduro racing, but I like to think it’s named after the discipline it excels in most. Completely redesigned in 2020, it takes suspension and frame design cues from the World Cup-winning Demo downhill bike, so you know it’s fast. It pushes the limits of travel and geometry with 170mm of travel all around and an ultra-slack 63.9° head angle, essentially creating a mini downhill bike that can be pedaled uphill. 

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Trek Slash 

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Front travel : 170mm Rear travel : 160mm Wheel size : 29" Frame material : Carbon or Alloy Head angle : 64.1° (low) Reach : 456/474mm (M/ML)

The Slash keeps things under control with Trek’s patented ABP (Active Braking Pivot) suspension system. With a pivot at the rear axle, ABP is able to separate braking forces from suspension forces so the suspension always stays active, even when the rear brake is engaged. This helps maintain traction on steep and loose descents, giving riders the confidence to brake later and go faster. 

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Santa Cruz Megatower

[product-block handle="2021-santa-cruz-hightower-c-l"/]

Front travel : 170mm Rear travel : 165mm  Wheel size : 29" Frame material : Carbon  Head angle : 63.5° (low) Reach : 452/472mm (M/L)

Santa Cruz was one of the first to discover the descending power of big 29” wheels with the original Hightower trail bike. Its factory enduro team even opted for the Hightower over the longer-travel Nomad. To satisfy its racers, Santa Cruz began boosting the travel numbers until the Hightower evolved into the 160mm-travel Megatower. It balanced efficiency and plushness with Santa Cruz’s proven low-mount VPP suspension system. In 2022, it was revamped as the Megatower V2 with 5mm more rear travel and a slacker head angle. 

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Canyon Strive CF

[product-block handle="2020-canyon-strive-cf-7-0-m-1"/]

Front travel : 160mm (170mm in 2021) Rear travel : 150mm  Wheel size : 29" Frame material : Carbon  Head angle : 66° Reach : 440/470mm (M/L)

The Canyon Strive CF is the bike of 2021 Enduro World Series champion, Jack Moir. He rode it to five race wins in 2021, beating Richie Rude and his Yeti SB150. It's big party piece is Shapeshifter, a remote geometry/suspension adjuster that reduces rear travel and steepens the head and seat angles for improved climbing performance. For 2022, the Spectral has been completely revamped into the Strive CFR which now has 160mm of travel and a slacker  6 3 °  head angle to be more in line with its competitors (specs above are for the pre-2022 Strive).

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Nukeproof Mega 290

[product-block handle="2019-nukeproof-mega-290-rs-c-xl"/]

Front travel : 170mm Rear travel : 160mm  Wheel size : 29"  Frame material : Carbon or Alloy Head angle : 64° Reach : 455/475mm (M/L)

The Nukeproof Mega is the bike ridden by downhill legend Sam Hill to three consecutive Enduro World Series Championships from 2017-2019. For two years, Hill rode and won on the 27.5" Mega 270, but the 29er version of the Mega was released in 2019, and it became the first 29er to win an EWS title. Though the longer travel Nukeproof Giga has since been released, it doesn't have the Mega's resume of race wins (yet). The 160mm Mega is still a formidable downhill weapon and likely more practical for most riders on their home trails.

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Orbea Rallon

[product-block handle="2021-rallon-m-team-xl-blu-red"/]

Front travel : 170mm Rear travel : 160mm  Wheel size : 29" front, 29"/27.5" rear Frame material : Carbon  Head angle : 64° (low) Reach : 440/470mm (M/L)

The Rallon has been a long-time favorite of bike reviewers and it’s the bike of choice for the PinkBike Academy. The beautiful asymmetrical frame maximizes stiffness and reduces weight, while the progressive rear suspension is happy to play with coil and air shocks . If you seek more maneuverability, the flip-chip allows you to easily run a 27.5" rear wheel for a mullet set-up. With riders like race winner and championship contender Martin Maes on the Rallon, you can expect some big race results soon.  

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Cannondale Jekyll

[product-block handle="2021-cannondale-jekyll-29-xx1-m"/]

Front travel : 170mm Rear travel : 165mm  Wheel size : 29" Frame material : Carbon  Head angle : 64° Reach : 450/475mm (M/L)

The Jekyll made headlines when it was completely redesigned for 2022 with high-pivot suspension. The high-pivot design provides a more rearward axle path, helping the suspension absorb impacts, while an idler pulley compensates for chain growth so there’s no nasty pedal kickback. The result is an ultra-plush-feeling rear end that easily soaks up bumps and keeps the bike in control through the gnarliest terrain. Plus, the Jekyll's enduro pedigree runs deep, having carried Jerome Clementz to many an EWS victory in the early days of that series.

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[product-block handle="2020-ibis-ripmo-l-2"/]

Front travel : 160mm Rear travel : 147mm  Wheel size : 29" Frame material : Carbon or Alloy (Ripmo AF) Head angle : 64.9° Reach : 460/475mm (M/L)

Under fast riders like Robin Wallner and Bex Baraona (now on Yeti), the Ibis Ripmo has been a consistent podium threat. It uses a tried and true DW-Link suspension system, which provides excellent pedaling efficiency for long transfers and all-day rides. Of the bikes listed here, it’s more conservative in terms of travel (147mm), making it perfect for riders seeking a sportier ride or who value the ability to climb quickly. 

Rocky Mountain Altitude

Front travel : 170mm Rear travel : 160mm  Wheel size : 29" or 27.5" Frame material : Carbon or Alloy Head angle : 64.4° (POS 1) Reach : 449/474mm (M/L)

Rocky Mountain has been at the sharp end of enduro racing for years and it's big-hitting Altitude is now the reigning Enduro World Series champion thanks to Canadian ripper, Jesse Melamed. The Altitude uses Rocky Mountain’s Smoothlink suspension with the RIDE-9 flip-chip and a flippable rear dropout. This provides nine geometry settings and two chain stay lengths so geometry geeks can customize the bike to match their trails or riding style. It's also the only bike on this list with a dedicated 27.5" wheel option for small and medium sizes.  

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Final thoughts and honorable mentions

This list is limited to 10, so of course, it misses out on a lot of great bikes. The great thing is that there are so many amazing enduro bikes on the market, we're spoiled for choice. Here's my short list of honorable mentions that I think deserve serious consideration:

• Commencal Meta AM 29 - One of the most successful bikes in the EWS, winning multiple championships with Cécile Ravanel. DTC.
• Specialized Stumpjumper EVO - A shorter-travel alternative to the Enduro. Super adjustable. Mullet compatible. Comes in an alloy version. 
• REEB Sqweeb - Built in a barn ! Aluminum frames. Made in the U.S.A. Customizable geometry and powdercoating.  
• Giant Reign 29 - Made by the world's biggest bike manufacturer and the king of value for performance. 
• Guerrilla Gravity Gnarvana - Modular frame. Made in the U.S.A. with Revved Carbon. 

All of these bikes are extremely fast and capable, and I’d be stoked to ride any of them. Currently, I'm riding a 150mm REEB Sqweeb, but recently, I've developed a hunger for more travel. Because of that, the 170mm of travel on the latest Specialized Enduro is looking really good to me. In fact, I chose the Enduro for my previous Ultimate Enduro Bike Dream Build .

Which would you choose? Or do you think there’s some other enduro bike (Pivot Firebird? Transition Spire? Kona Process?) that belongs on this list instead? Let me know in the comments!

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New arrivals.

Certified Pre-Owned

Specialized S-Works Diverge Gravel Bike - 2021, 52cm

Trek Madone SLR 7 Road Bike - 2021, 52cm

Specialized Tarmac SL7 Comp Road Bike - 2022, 58cm

Cannondale SuperSix EVO Road Bike - 2023, 56cm

Santa Cruz Tallboy C Mountain Bike - 2021, Medium

Argon 18 Gallium Pro Team Astana Edition Road Bike - 2019, Medium

Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp Road E-Bike - 2021, X-Large

Colnago E-64 Ultegra Di2 Road E-Bike - 2022, 55cm

Trek Supercaliber 9.8 GX Mountain Bike - 2022, X-Large

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BMC Roadmachine 01 THREE Road Bike - 2020, 54cm

Cannondale SuperSix EVO SE Gravel Bike - 2023, 56cm

New Trek Marlin+ Is A Versatile E-MTB That Won’t Break The Bank

It follows the ethos of its non-electric sibling, rocking components from shimano and bosch..

Trek is regarded as one of the most respected bicycle brands the world has ever seen. Since its inception in 1976, Trek has pretty much set the standard across all categories of cycling, and even today, continues to be a driver of innovation in the rapidly growing e-bike segment . Recent years have ushered in lots of new electric bicycles, and for 2024, Trek is going back to basics with the Marlin+ electric mountain bike.

The Trek Marlin has long been a staple in Trek’s model range. Regarded as a jack of all trades in the MTB world, the Marlin appeals to both novice and advanced riders thanks to its versatility and approachability. When it comes to the electric MTB world, Trek has some heavy hitters such as the Trek Fuel EXe 9.5 carbon fiber electric enduro bike. With the Marlin+, Trek hopes to lower the barriers to entry in terms of price and performance, all while providing cyclists with a dependable two-wheeler with trusted Trek quality.

The Trek Marlin+ promises reliable tech at an affordable price tag.

The Trek Marlin+’s simple construction is worth more than the sum of its parts. Starting south of $3,000, it’s capable of going pretty much anywhere other fancy electric mountain bikes worth three or four times are capable of going. It certainly serves as the perfect gateway drug for a cyclist looking to get into e-bikes, as it’s packing components from some of the most trusted OEMs in the business. For starters, it’s powered by a mid-drive motor from Bosch, more specifically, the 250-watt Active Line Plus.

In Case You Missed It:

With 50 Nm (about 37 pound-feet) of torque, the Marlin+ isn’t as potent as other e-bikes powered by the more premium Performance Line CX with 85 Nm (63 pound-feet). It does, however, make up for it with an impressive amount of tech for a natural-feeling pedal assist. Trek bakes in an interesting feature called Auto Mode, wherein the motor provides adaptive pedal assistance based on the rider’s pace. This means that riders need not manually adjust the assist level, and simply crank on the pedals harder to let the motor know they want to go faster.

The Marlin+, like the regular Marlin, is all about versatility.

The entire affair is powered by a compact 400-watt-hour battery housed within the bike’s frame. Its slender proportions keep the Marlin’s signature clean hardtail look, making it easy to miss the fact that this is actually an e-bike. Trek claims an estimated ride time of two to four hours, while an optional 250-watt-hour range-extender can increase ride time by up to 50 percent.

Depending on the trim level of your choice, the Trek Marlin+ is fitted with premium component such as hydraulic disc brakes, a front suspension fork with up to 120 millimeters of travel, and a Shimano drivetrain with either a Cues for the Marlin+ 6 or a Deore for the Marlin+ 8. Like the non-electric Marlin, accessibility and affordability lie at the core of the Marlin+, as such, it retails for just $2,699 USD for the Marlin+ 6 and $3,499 USD for the more premium Marlin+ 8. The new e-bikes, as well as the rest of Trek’s electric and non-electric bikes are available online via their official website, or at your local Trek dealer.

The Marlin+ gets an in-frame battery pack that's compact yet capable.

Shimano components ensure dependable performance both on and off-road. 

Sources: Trek Bikes , Clean Technica

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