Regardless of the bike name, enduro or all-mountain bikes are made for riders who prioritize descending.
A notable characteristic of these bikes are that they have long reach and travel, short chain stays, and relatively predictable head and seat tube angles. But don’t worry; we’ll get into every specifics if you are seeking more of it.
What is an Enduro bike?
An enduro bike is designed to get riders to the summit so they can fly back down. Typically, enduro bike rear suspensions is between 140mm and 160mm of travel, with 140mm of travel being the minimum. Typically, the front fork measures 160mm to 170mm. Although enduro bikes may not have the best climbing performance, efficiency, or enjoyment, if you’re only in it for the descent, it doesn’t matter.
Enduro Or Trail Biking – What’s The Difference? How Do They Work?
There are two types of biking, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages. You can make an informed decision based on these differences
Trail biking
This type of biking uses unpaved trails. Recreational activities are conducted at any time of the day or night as long as they are leisurely taken. The speed of enduro biking is much faster than trail bicycling, so you might prefer it if you’re looking to go fast.
Enduro Biking
Mountain bikers usually perform stunts over difficult terrain at high speeds while riding this bike. Even though this type of bike riding can be dangerous, it allows riders to make the most of steep terrain and inclines.
Few of the additional differences between Enduro & Trail biking
Compared to trail bikes, enduro bikes has more suspension travel.
On an average trail bike with 27.5″ wheels, the front suspension travel is 142mm, while the rear suspension travel is 135mm. Compared with an average 27.5′′ enduro bike with 166mm up front and 161mm out back, that’s a significant difference. There is an average of 24mm more travel in the forks and 25mm more in the rear shocks on a 27.5″ enduro bike.
Bicycles with slacker head tube angles are used in enduro racing.
Designers choose the head tube angle depending on the suspension travel figure and the bike’s intended use.
The wheelbase is increased by slack head tube angles that enable the front wheel to be pushed further towards the handlebars.
In addition to increased descending confidence, a slacker head tube angle can also enhance stability. A slack head tube angle also has a drawback; climbing is challenging and turning is tough with a slack head tube angle.
A trail bike has a longer wheelbase than an enduro bike.
Enduro and trail bikes differ significantly on their wheelbase. The 29-inch enduro bikes on an average is 43mm longer than 27.5-inch trail bikes, and 27.5-inch enduro bikes are 40mm longer than 27.5-inch trail bikes. In terms of length, that’s a difference of more than 1.5 inches, which significantly impacts the handling.
Essential components you need to check before buying one
Carbon frames are not inherently faster than aluminium frames and vice versa, so consider aesthetic, price, weight, and impact when choosing the Enduro bikes.
Frame
Average measurement: 65- degrees
Seat angle: 74- degrees
Chain stay: 432mm
Bracket height: 342mm
For confidence in steep terrain, a slack head angle is common. A steep seat tube angle allows the bike to climb and keeps the rider’s weight. The bottom bracket height highly influence the bike’s centre of gravity and cornering performance, and the chain stays play an essential role in a cyclist’s agility and cornering abilities.
Suspension
It may seem that 140mm of travel is least capable for enduro riders, but any bike with 140mm to 180mm of travel is fine for this discipline.
The suspension travel on most downhill bikes ranges from 180 mm to 200 mm. Your style of riding determines how much suspension travel you need.
Depending on the linkage and suspension platform, bike suspensions and linkages can either move linearly, in which case, they move at a constant speed throughout their travel, or progressively, i.e., they are flexible at the top stroke, supportive at the mid-stroke, and harder to compress at the end.
Over the last few years, coil shocks have also gained popularity on enduro bikes. Air shocks and external elements such as humidity and heat affects the suspension feel for many riders.
Pedals
There is often a disagreement among mountain bikers regarding pedals, and the choice between flats or clip less pedals often depends upon their level of experience. The newer the rider, they are more likely to prefer flat pedals because they are less committed to clipping.
In contrast, experienced riders recommends flat pedals for better learning bunny-hopping and bike handling techniques before transitioning to clip less.
Both options have benefits, but the decision will depend on the rider’s comfort level. It is common to find clipless pedals used by enduro racers. There is a debate over climbing advantages, but it is nice to know your feet won’t move on high-speed, chunky trails.
Brakes
Most likely, the group set on any mountain bike will determine the bike’s price point, so it is essential to consider it when buying one. It is then up to the buyer to decide which build is best for their budget.
It is acceptable for most riders to use an affordable drivetrain and brake set. If you plan on competing in an enduro race, you will feel more at ease and more efficient if you invest in a pricier group set.
Enduro bikes can be purchased according to your budget and needs, just like other mountain bikes. Buying a build with high-grade suspension and drivetrain makes more sense if you’re into racing.
Which Bike Is Best For Trails Or Enduro? Getting Started With Mountain Biking
The choice of a mountain bike can be a significant one for enthusiast rider. When choosing a bike, you must consider several factors, including your riding style and experience. Depending on the terrain and the space you need for storage, you will find the ideal mountain bike. The material of the frame is an essential factor to consider when shopping online for bikes. Enduro bikes require a durable material, but aluminium is not stable enough. The steel frame is more durable but more expensive and heavier than the aluminium frame. In addition to being lightweight and having excellent strength-to-weight ratios, carbon fibre frames are usually quite costly and hard to find.
Trail Bikes And Enduro Bikes – What Are The Best?
The best trail and enduro bikes have a wide range of features that can enhance your riding experience, from cross-country racing to free ride. If you consider buying a bike, you may wonder which one is the best. The needs of different people may differ. When selecting a product you should take this into account. Identify the kind of riding you mostly prefer and the sort of terrain you like exploring with others before you begin researching what type of bike you should purchase.
Your First Mountain Bike: What To Consider?
When shopping for your first mountain bike, consider these if you are new to mountain biking. There are more uses for mountain bikes than just riding trails. Commuting to work, traveling on leisure trips, or urban commuting can all be done on these bikes. It is a good idea to start with a mountain bike if you intend to buy other types of bicycles in the future. Their higher cost per unit price makes them ideal for more experienced riders, though they have a higher cost per unit than road bikes.
Conclusion
Beginners may find it challenging to choose the right mountain bike due to the variety and option available in the market. Most people prefer dirt bikes instead of mountain bikes because mountain bikes are difficult to clean and maintain. So when selecting a bike for yourself make sure to understand your usage point, and price and after sales cost. A bike depends on what you need, not what is ‘right’!
FAQ
What is the best use for Enduro bikes?
Many components of cross-country racing and downhill mountain biking makes enduro one of the most famous mountain bike. Finding a mountain bike with a powerful pedal stroke, boundary-pushing geometry, and a smooth suspension system is imperative.
Does an Enduro bike allow you to climb?
Climbing is easily accomplished on enduro bikes because of the steep seat angle. Pedaling a rider’s weight centered over the bottom bracket is more efficient. For the same reason, XC bikes have vertical seat angles. Enduro bikes have relatively slack head angles compared to trail or XC bikes.
Is Enduro bike same as all mountain bikes?
Mostly people wonder what’s the difference between different types of bikes, which kind is better for different mountain biking experiences. Enduro bikes are now known as all-mountain bikes because they are used in enduro races.
Can Enduro bikes be used for trail riding?
Enduro bikes are better suited to heading down a trail since they are mostly known for the extended travel than being efficient climbers. However, climbing and descending trails are both parts of enduro racing.
