[Closed] Short list of enduro bikes to consider?

Kona Process 153?

My mate has a Process 134 and for some reason I'm not a fan. Maybe the longer travel one would be better. His process is a few years old now - 2x10 mostly SLX I think with rockshox Revelations.

Kona Process 153!

Orbea Rallon?

Whyte G160 - reports I've read suggest it's pretty hard work uphill / heavy

If you buy the base model without any compression/lockout on the shock, and the more budget components, then to a degree yes.

G-160RS or works with better shock, and lighter build are great bikes. Climb well, descend very well, VFM is great (just over £3k gets you Lyriks, SRAM Eagle, carbon cranks etc.) and the geometry is bang on.

If you want to build yourself and pick and choose the spec, Transition Patrol is certainly a worthy contender though.

Forgot to say my riding will be a mixture of uplift days with some Welsh trail centre riding as well. Maybe Swinley once a year too if I meet a mate from London there. I've got no interest in getting up hills quickly under my own power - it's just surviving the ups to have fun on the downs.

Will have to look up the Orbea - thanks for the suggestion.

Was planning to use as much as possible from my current bike and just swap out the frame and forks - possibly at different times to spread the cost so it doesn't feel as extravagant a purchase! I do like the idea of Eagle and Lyriks though. Wife will go spare if I spend £3k on a bike though so need to be (relatively) sensible.

of those the slash by a mile.

Alloy Trek fuel instead of slash? 29er though and boost although I used a boostinator spacer kit. Just test ridden mine up and down the road, feels like it turns fast

Not a fan of 29ers I have to admit. That also throws out upgrading some bits gradually - I could get pikes now that would fit my current bike and my new bike with decent planning. Not sure oid I could get boost adapters for my current hubs or not - I suspect not as they aren't the blingest things on the world. No idea what Huns I've actually got.

Did you realise the Slash is a 29er? Although I imagine you could run it 27.5 same as the Fuel although I wouldn't

Cotic Rocket

Bird Aeris

Airborne Edit

Banshee Spitfire

Winstanleys have great discounts on kona processes at the minute.

Spesh Enduro. I've a 29er and love it. She's a keeper!

Airdrop Edit. It's a fantastic bike and Ed is a top bloke.

What you got at the moment, and what about it makes you want to change it?

And bikewise, carbon 29er is the answer - recommend what you ride 🙂

Furious has a good list.

I found a Slash 27.5 I'm sure of it - although there is also a 29er version.

Someone else suggested the Banshee spitfire but being really sad I don't like the look of it.

Will look up the Cotic / Airdrop. It's only a small amount more but I liked the idea of 155/160mm of rear travel. Think the Aeris is 145 - but really I know the geometry and how plush the suspension is, is more important than an extra cm of travel.

At the moment I have a Boardman Pro Fs. I'd like something that handles rock gardens better and is a touch more playful on the downs. Maybe a bit more 'bling' as well.

AirDrop edit looks ace and good value. V1 on offer - tempting. V2 with pike package seems really good (although pike RC rather than rct3).

Giant Reign? Only problem with mine was the curved seat tube meaning a couldnt a decent length dropper. Handled everything though.

Assume that Slash you've found is last years as this year is definitely 29er only

Devinci Spartan or Troy for Enduro lite

By all accounts the Aeris 145 rides like it has more travel, and takes 150-160mm forks as will the Rocket and Airdrop.

I'm barely mediocre skilled and I ride the same things you're suggesting, Welsh trail centers, FOD DH, BPW uplift (some blacks) plus natural stuff like Quantocks on a 140/150mm Aeris. The bike is more than capable of that riding, more capable than me.

What I'm saying is don't get too hung up on having 160mm travel. Try a few bikes and see what you like.

My riding buddy has a Patrol - we ride BPW, Antur and a lot of DH stuff, the Transition Patrol is very very good. Is at the top of my list.

So are you buying the complete bike or frame only as I'm unclear. The Whyte's dont come as a frame only option so a full build is the only option. Rode the Whyte 160 at the weekend because my friend was considering getting one so I took one out at the same time. Friend went with a trek remedy in the end as he agreed with me that the front end was just a smidge too long and heavy/dull feeling. I think bikes are a purely personal thing though so don't take my word for it! Uplift days it would be perfect for but the trail centres I think you'll find it a compromise.

Alu Bronson?
In terms of ruling things out don't discount carbon or 29,in the right bike both are awesome. I've seen way more alu fail in an unpredictable way than carbon and many more good carbon repairs that alu.
The current crop of bike are all fairly awesome, best to get one that fits properly first.

Banshee spitfire

Orbea rallon

Frame and fork separately was my plan. Maybe that knocks the Whyte on the head. If the Slashcwill only be 29er this year / going forward then that's out the window too.

So favourites could be so far:

Transition Patrol
AirDrop Edit
Bird Aeris 145

And look at a Giant Reign.

mark90 - Member
Furious has a good list.

Mondraker Dune. Love mine.

Will swapping parts across from the Boardman actually work well? The brakes may not get on well with uplift days on a bigger bike and the wheels are unlikely to be tough enough, stiff enough or wide enough. And then there's all the different standards for headsets, bottom brackets, seat tube sizes, etc.

I love my Banshee Spitfire but right now it's hard to see past the Bird Aeris 145 as a top choice if you're on a budget. Don't worry about having a bit less than 160mm travel at the back - my 150F/140R Spitfire is at its best in the deep rough. Quality of suspension trumps quantity and angles matter possibly more!

Commencal Meta
Canyon Strive or Spectral
Liteville (maybe not the cheapest)
Giant Reign
YT Capra AL

Ignore everyone and make sure you get to sit on / have a ride and pick what feels best rather than buy blind. Everyone's body is so different in leg, arm, upper body length and joint position. The latest long slack bla bla on trend may feel rubbish if you don't have the same body frame as the reviewer. I saw a bad review from a lanky reviewer for a Norco Range complaining about all the things that I was looking for. Tracked one down for a ride and it suits my frame perfectly for enduro despite not being bang on trend in terms of geom. That said - the Devinci's mentioned in this thread do look awesome 🙂

[I]Will swapping parts across from the Boardman actually work well? The brakes may not get on well with uplift days on a bigger bike and the wheels are unlikely to be tough enough, stiff enough or wide enough. And then there's all the different standards for headsets, bottom brackets, seat tube sizes, etc.[/I]

+1

Exactly my thoughts once you said what you're riding.

Demo a load and then buy what works best for rides you do, sell the Boardman - or keep for just riding.

In terms of bits from the Boardman the wheels probably aren't the strongest - but even hitting rock gardens at a fair pace at BPW and quite a few drops they are still straight. That said I haven't really got onto jumping doubles yet which is next on my list of things to crack.

Brake wise I've got Sram Guide RS which should be man enough being decent 4 pots. Running sintered pads and 160mm discs I've never faded them.

Boardman has a dropper, full new 1x10, 780mm handlebar and shorter 50mm stem and done reasonable flat pedals. Also ditched the Nobby Nics some time ago.

All that's left of the original bike is forks (extended to 150mm from 130mm), frame, wheels and brakes I think.

When I wanted to transfer the parts from my old Cotic Soul onto a Bird Zero AM it worked out cheapest to buy the whole bike and then remove and sell all the new parts I didn't need (wheels, drivetrain, brakes).

Have a look at Bikescene. They have some Stumpjumper frames on at a bargain price. Non boost and 150mm travel. Will take a 160mm fork with no problems. Quite capable as an all day bike and throwing down the trails in the Alps

I got a Vitus Sommet pro frame & built it up, very similar geometry etc to the Patrol. After all the Nukeproof was a bit of a Covert copy.

Ignore everyone and make sure you get to sit on / have a ride and pick what feels best rather than buy blind.

Or ignore that and buy blind 😆 . I have on practically every bike i've owned. Latest being a Rocket Max 29 (also perfect for your needs as a complete bike).

As you can see from the many suggestions, there are oodles of bikes that more than capable for the riding you do/aspire to as the market is swamped with great bikes. Frame swapping will likely be an utter pain and not something i'd do personally as my mountain bike 'standards' knowledge is limited. But if that's your thing i can't help with frame choice i'm afraid as i've not ridden any on your list but will say if your current wheels/brakes etc are ok now, they'll be ok after. You admit you aren't finding the limits of 140mm brakes so i conclude you aren't really giving your bike too hard a time. Wheels, if looked after, will be fine too.

Maybe get some new forks first and stick them on your current bike and see how you get on? Bigger rotors too if needed. Burly it up gradually, while saving for and deciding which new frame.

Not thought about Vitus - will have a look. If it could be like a Patrol but cheaper that would work - £1800 for a Patrol frame is a lot of money. The airdrop edit is around £1600 for frame with shock and a Pike thrown in which sounds nice.

I have a Patrol and love it - but a good proposition based on value it isn't. I bought it - because I could afford it. If I had a lower budget it just wouldn't have been on the list. I would have gone for a 2015 Enduro Expert, Bird Aeris or an alloy Trek Slash.

Really aspiring to the Patrol at the moment - but it is expensive. It's not I don't have the cash, it's justifying spending so much! Want to keep most of the cash I'm sat on as a 'just in case' something happens on the house or we need something for the baby etc. Will save separately for a while until I've got enough for a frame etc. On the verge of hitting the buy button on a 160mm Pike in the meantime. Only drama is boost or non-boost I think. So annoying the different standards that are floating round in the industry at the moment.

I think I'd like a bike that's similar to a Patrol but a bit cheaper. I do need to swing a leg over some bikes first though and see how they ride!

Buy a specialized enduro 2nd hand. You can pick them up for decent money. Then sell your bike to recoup some of the costs.

The Bird website is a dangerous thing with inspecting kit. If I went with an Aeris I honk I'd have to sell my bike and buy a complete Bird as the standards are so different to my current bike.

Nice thing about the patrol is the standard sizes of everything, no boost, threaded BB,142 rear but like you say it's expensive.

I have a suppressor and it's awesome but I got it when the frames where only 1500. If you check out bike active they had 10% off with a headset fitted.

I do like the idea of more standard things - the Bird has boost and a metric shock -which makes swapping harder, and if that rear shock goes pop coukd it be tricky / take a while to get a replacement?

Any opinions on the Nukeproof Mega 275?

looks a good frame numbers wise. I think what ever frame you get you'll be happy.

have you a list of what you can and can't swap over.

patrol will take a stealth post

I had a similar problem when choosing a new bike.

On the shortlist...NP mega, Transition, Nomad C, Capra etc etc

Went for the Airdrop V2.

I do like the idea of more standard things - the Bird has boost and a metric shock -which makes swapping harder, and if that rear shock goes pop coukd it be tricky / take a while to get a replacement?

I wouldn't worry about that, their service is second to none!

I wouldn't worry about that, their service is second to none!

+1

When I've had to warranty a component on my Bird. Posted the old one on Monday, new replacement arrived wednesday or thursday. No issues with the Bird just the usual big brand products fitted to many bikes.

Really aspiring to the Patrol at the moment - but it is expensive

Airdrop appears very similar to a Patrol. Not ridden a Patrol to see how they actually compare.

If second hand is an option there's a couple of old Aeris for sale on the Bird owners fb group. Can get you details if interested. Though on balance the new Bird bikes are probably better value if budget stretches to a new full build.

I have a process 153 and live in dursley, so not far from bristol. You are welcome to have a go if you fancy

I love it, pedals uphill ok flys down and wants to leave the ground constantly. In a good way!

Thanks for the offer - Kona Process gets good write ups. Only thing is no frame only option as far as I'm aware. If you buy a whole bike I think Kona is often expensive for what you get - Orange seem to be the same.

I work for a bank - so it would seem the right thing to do to make a spreadsheet for comparative purposes! Got to see how frame + fork stacks up compared to full bike and selling my current one. Also to compare different standards on components and what will fit what.

Winstanleys have a process 153 for 2000 at the minute. Reckon you could sell off either your bike or the parts from the kona you don't want an it becomes a very cheap option. Offer stands if you want to test it

A pal had a Process, it was a rather lardy thing.

2 conflicting views there - lardy as in heavy / or hard work pedalling?

Probably not quite ready to buy a new bike yet - will save up for a little while longer before making the jump.

That process does look a great deal for £2k though. I'm not sure what the wheels are like, but the only parts that jump out as really cheap are the brakes. Deore on what would have been a £3k bike?

Coming from a 2011 Pitch Pro, I test rode an Aeris 145 - bought one 😉

It is fairly weighty but then so am I! I figured I would just have to get fitter! Granted the brakes came off for some zee stoppers, they worked fine for a bit though

Just stuck a pair of Deore on my play / commuter hardtail. They stop ok if a bit abruptly. Levers just feel very cheap compared to the guide rs' on my Boardman. Best brakes I've ever used.

Really aspiring to the Patrol at the moment - but it is expensive. It's not I don't have the cash, it's justifying spending so much! Want to keep most of the cash I'm sat on as a 'just in case' something happens on the house or we need something for the baby

I totally understand. I only mentioned the expense as cost was cropping up a lot as a constraint.

It's a fair point on the transition - think £1800 for frame and shock in its own which is quite expensive. Compared to say the Airdrop which is a few hundred pounds cheaper than that with a Pike thrown in.

Is weight that much of an issue generally? Just looked at some figures and a full carbon patrol (9k build) comes in at 13kg and my process seems to come in around 14.7kg. Granted that heavier but I could loose some of that by taking a shit before I ride! Do people generally worry that much about weight?!

Transition Carbon here Joe, in hindsight I don't need the Carbon and would probably have gone airdrop as same geometry. My times were bout 10% slower than the whyte last weekend so don't discount it!

Which Whyte goyawave? T-130 or g160?

I'm not too worried about Strava times - I just want to be having the most fun possible going downhill and still be able to drag my sorry behind up the hill on non uplift days. Cwmcarn Cafell / Twych probably being the worst hills I've got to get up. Have done Afan once but it's a bit far away for a trip out when I have a baby in fairness (and I didn't enjoy going up the big hill last time - had to get off and push at one point!

I'm definitely looking at alloy frames rather than carbon - not just based on cost (although that's definitely a factor) - but also on crash damage etc. Got a carbon racer and I wouldn't fancy throwing that on the floor. Probably a baseless idea as alloy can get damaged too, but it's just how I feel.

I've owned carbon bikes for the last 10 years. I would say (Touch wood) that they are more durable than alloy equivalents. My old Enduro had multiple crashes and strikes from large flying stones etc. None left a mark let alone a chip or crack. I'm hoping my Patrol Carbon is as durable (Please!!!).

I agree with the Strava thing Joe. I measure my rides in terms of the number of grins! I was interested in times when racing and training XC. Not now.

You're probably right with the carbon thing - it's just me being illogically nervous about them. Although I have a mate who absolutely destroyed the back end of a Cannondale enduro carbon fs. Didn't sound like a huge crash.

I'm never going to be the quickest uphill - as well as lack of talent I've got a lack of time to build fitness up. Downhill I go as quick as I can - but again a lack of talent and practice (and bottle) will hold me back!

Just saw another thread asking about the YT Capra - sounds like that might be a bit too DH orientated for me and it sounds really heavy. I think I prefer the idea of getting a bike from an Lbs or British manufacturer. Transition are sold by a shop at FOD so might try and have a look at a Patrol there.

Keep us posted on what you demo and enjoy. I don't change bikes very often - so it's great of to hear of the choices others make!

Will do. So far ideally I'll try a Patrol, an Aeris 145 and an Airdrop Edit v2. If I can also try a Nukeproof 275 I will. Curious about the Capra, but the support from a direct retailer slightly puts me off and it sounds heavy / a bit too DH orientated.

I have just sold my capra comp 1 for a reign advanced 1, i wouldnt say the capra iis heavy by any means. Id say it maybe slightly has the edge on the reign downhill or i just need more time to get used to the reign. Reign feels a more capable all round bike.

Have you considered a reign? I think they do quite a reasonably prices XT/fox equipped alloy model, the 1.5ltd i believe. Might be continental Europe but easy enough to get one shipped over.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/de/reign-1dot5-ltd

If the Capra is too much what about the Jeffsy 27.5?

The airdrop v1 and v2 have the same geometry and kinematics. There are subtle differences like cable routing, graphics and seat tube length but it test ride terms, I'd say crack on with the test ride.

I forgot to do my blatant sales pitch! I have a brand new box fresh Cannondale Jekyll frame and shockfor sale, wanting £500, it's a 20" /XL size though.

Yes Jeffsy 27.5 might be worth a look - albeit boost rear end (but standard front). Would need a new back wheel if I did frame / fork rather than a while bike.

20" Jekyl would be too big I'm afraid. I'm 5'9 with short arms! Currently on the middle sized Boardman Pro Fs and couldn't go any bigger.

Dropped onto leisure lakes in cheltenham today - some really nice bikes and good staff.

Think the Santa Cruz and Orange options are too expensive. The Whyte g160 looked great and they had a cube stereo 160 which had good spec for the money - although I don't know much about it.

Do YT do frame only? Don't think they do but if you do want a Boost frame you can always used a boostinator spacer kit or similar. I just did the same, the shop I bought the frame from (Evolution in Eastbourne, top lads) re-dished the wheel for gratis