[Closed] Specialized Enduro 29er - have we hated this yet?

Bike looks great but that saddle is exceptionally high.

Paint job makes it look like a 2 stage dropper post.

I don't like the cables under the BB, either.

otherwise it looks ok 🙂

Not going anywhere fast (apart from up walls) with that chainring set up.

10t sprocket and big wheels will help though

I like it.

Looks fun, but I'd guess I'd be over the back with a high seat and those short stays

I think that applies to many of their bikes

Not going anywhere fast

Erm....down hills?

Dear Santa...

32 front + 10 rear with 29er wheels will still be a fair pelt. Similar to a 26er a couple of clicks off hardest gear.

Really like it 🙂 Completely incapable of doing any riding that would justify it though.

I can't help thinking the Enduro should perhaps stay as a 26er...

Specialized's Monster lob-on for all things 29" might just see them ruin a few of their own classics I reckon.

There's nothing wrong with 29ers but IMO 26" wheels better suit the whole "Plod up, Razz it down" thing that the Enduro was intended for...

I rather like that. Doesnt look out of proportion, Im guessing its a larger sized frame. Nice slutty red too.
Why the hate for under the BB cables? They worked perfectly on every bike I've had in the last 23 years!

I like that.

it's the two big loops of outer that bother me, not the actual under the BB thing.

I like it.

IMO 26" wheels better suit the whole "Plod up, Razz it down" thing that the Enduro was intended for...

heh - you've read the article and watched the video then.

Not a particularly well written article was it? Good one for bullshit bingo though.

normally I don't like the look of 29ers (visually I mean) but that one looks good, in proportion, nice colour scheme too 🙂

"I can't help thinking the Enduro should perhaps stay as a 26er..."

completely agree - at least give us the option!

Nope, I like it.
Not into "enduro" type bikes me, preferring light/fast/flippy/trippy bikes. So for me to like it, I think I may take a closer look in one of those ye oldie shoppie things.
Only other bike that tickled me was the Tall Boy.

Looks good to me... Seems kinda long but it's really hard to judge. Never been a bad Enduro though has there?

onehundredthidiot - Member

Not going anywhere fast (apart from up walls) with that chainring set up.

What size is it? 32x11 on a 26er is perfectly workable so at a guess that's 30 or 28, plus the ability to have a small rear, and big wheel- looks sensible enough to me.

I like that! If there was ever any chance of me challenging for a podium on an enduro race then that looks an excellent device for shaving off the seconds. As it is I'll continue enjoying feeling faster but going slower on a hardtail 26er... 😉

a 29er epic is a good idea.
a 29er stumpy is acceptable.
a 29er enduro is a step to far.

the yanks will lap it up though.

*Facepalm*

That from personal experience b45her?

gwinny on a 29er demo8 next... 😯

The haterz have moved on to hating fatbikes now.

It's their way of trying to stand out from the crowd. 😡

Want!

Not sure what I want more though, my left kidney or that............

Gwin on the pedally south african DH course on the enduro... 😀

Looks perfect, always had a soft spot for enduros.

430 chainstay is very impressive for a big travel 29er.

430 chainstay is very impressive for a big travel 29er.

Adantage of an FSR linkage, the chainstay gets longer through the travel, so as long as the tyre can clear the seatube/BB you can make it as short as you like.

Axle does move forward at the beginning of the travel though.

Certainly one of the best looking 29ers I've seen. Bigger travel frame seems more in proportion with the larger wheels.

Like

Baldy phrased that, I meant compared to say a Kona with the main pivot in the same place the horisontal distance between the axle and the BB doesn't decreace by as much (which makes getting the seatpost out the way easier).

650b is the rage

Is it?

That's Specialized rider Curtis Keene's bike - he's a tall old fella, hence the seat being so high and the bike appearing so damn big. It's a big wheeled, big travel bike.

Running XX1 with a 32t chainring and the 10-40 cassette. Saw this bike in the flesh at SuperEnduro (where the pic was taken), and it looks less odd in real life. Out there, the big wheels and long travel for a 29er definitely make sense I reckon.

Obviously works very well as Curtis podiumed......

Obviously works very well as Curtis podiumed......

Hahahaha true!! But he was the first yank to do it, so I thought it only fair to give him credit..... 😉

I hate it! Not because it's a bad bike, it's very great and was top of my 'next bike' list, but the big S are no longer doing a 26" version in XL. I'm having to rethink my list as I don't want big wheels. Curse you.

It looks good, as far as 29'ers go, but I cannot really see the point of a enduro 29'er.

Spesh have dropped the ball in the last year or so.

That's a 32T sprocket? Big bike!

I'm not normally into 29ers, but that looks cool.
As far as 29er enduro bikes go, I'm sure something like this or that Five LT would be great for annihilating the Megavalanche for instance, but I'm far from convinced it'd work as a UK enduro bike - steep, twisty Innerleithen stuff for example would almost certainly be better on a sorted 26er. I'd be happy to be proved wrong but I just can't see it.

b45her - Member
a 29er epic is a good idea.
a 29er stumpy is acceptable.
a 29er enduro is a step to far.
the yanks will lap it up though.
POSTED 4 HOURS AGO # REPORT-POST

I agree mate. If find it crazy how they are throwing everything at 29er and not bothering with 650b surly that would be better suited for the enduro?!?

 

Its f*cking rad

talking to mate tonight who rides a 26" Enduro, he actually said he'd buy that 29er Enduro which I thought I'd never hear from him

myself?

riding a 29'er Stumpy, no complaints from me, loving that bike and going faster than any 26" bike I have owned in 26 years of riding the 26" wheel size!

a 29er epic is a good idea.
a 29er stumpy is acceptable.
a 29er enduro is a step to far.

the yanks will lap it up though.

That was really my thinking too.

Not really sure why those of us who aren't utterly sold on a 29er Enduro and dare to question the need for this product are "Haters" I'm just not convinced that this really fits with what I understood the Enduro to be for, nowt wrong with a little healthy scepticism sometimes...

29ers have clear benefits but then so do 26ers. Specialized now seem pretty keen to kill off the smaller wheel size like it's some sort of unwanted Ginger stepchild, you have to wonder if they maybe have become a bit cultist about the whole thing. Not unlike some of the "trailblazers" who found 29" enlightenment long before corporate cycling happened upon it...

the 29er stumpy evo is (whisper it) rad.

I'll consider one of these upstart wheel thingies either when I can use my current very nice wheels in them or when all my current very nice wheels are broken and I need to replace both bikes. Until then 1 wheel size is fine for me. Oh they also have to go through a few more years of design evolution and work out what works best in a trail bike and which flavour of tyre size people will support properly and in an ongoing way.

Ugly as ****.

speak of the devil
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/First-Look-Specialized-S---Works-Enduro-29-S-E.html

I no like!
I know not why other than it is a purely visual thing!

now that takes on a lot of bikes in the ugly stakes, I hope there is a good final touches department out there

Looks like I have chosen the right time to change brand allegiance. Dont really like this year's 26" Enduro. This one is a bit like one of those Corgi cars that was made in a slightly different, larger scale to the others.

Not really sure why those of us who aren't utterly sold on a 29er Enduro and dare to question the need for this product are "Haters" I'm just not convinced that this really fits with what I understood the Enduro to be for, nowt wrong with a little healthy scepticism sometimes...

I just find it most amusing that most (if not all) of those naysayers of such things make the call without riding the bike. I know many of the 29er early adopters did themselves no favours with the evangelism, but the critics are mostly doing it on a hunch or the looks. Ride a bike before damning it out of hand.

Why should we need to ride it to know that 29ers aren't for us? The downsides of them are too great - slower to accelerate, slower to brake, slower to turn, heavier, flexier wheels - all for the benefit of a bit of extra rolling ability and to hold a bit more speed.

I'll go with my hunch that the bike isn't for me.

I kmow it's probably not cool at the moment to knock 29ers seeing as everyone seems to think they're going to take over the world, but I just don't like the look of big wheels. I love the Enduro and I just think the 26er looks so much more in proportion. Sorry.

That's not a 29er!

I think it's a 26er but with a small frame.

I just find it most amusing that most (if not all) of those naysayers of such things make the call without riding the bike. Ride a bike before damning it out of hand.

I'd bet that it rides really well and have no problems with 29" wheels at all. However, my bikes are 26" and if I have a 'technical issue' it's easy to borrow parts to get me out. I don't fancy trying to shoehorn a 26 inch tyre onto a 29 inch rim. If I only had one bike, it could be a bigg'un.

Why the persistence that enduro should be dominated by 26" wheels because that's more enduro 🙄 Ever considered that some people might like 29" wheels for all occasions, even when the course is tight and twisty? If you like small wheels buy them, if you prefer big wheels buy those. Also find it laughable that people refer to the UK Enduro scene as examples for where these bikes apparently won't work. Do you really think global bike brands design bikes to sell across the world based on a tiny group of people that race at Innerleithen once a year 🙄 😀

Why the persistence that enduro should be dominated by 26" wheels because that's more enduro Ever considered that some people might like 29" wheels for all occasions, even when the course is tight and twisty? If you like small wheels buy them, if you prefer big wheels buy those. Also find it laughable that people refer to the UK Enduro scene as examples for where these bikes apparently won't work. Do you really think global bike brands design bikes to sell across the world based on a tiny group of people that race at Innerleithen once a year

^^ This. Our Enduro race scene is tiny compared to Europe or indeed the US. Yes we have some super twisty stuff, but so do the foreigners too, linked up by bl**dy fast sections where it's all about carrying maximum speed if you want to do well.

Given the choice between one of these and a Jones or one of those fat bike things, it would be this every day - but that's because I like going flat out, not mile munching, which seems very much the demographic preference on STW these days..... 😉

All I know is having seen Curtis on this bike in Italy, he didn't look like he had any problems with "heavy" wheels or flex.......

Ride a bike before damning it out of hand.

The downsides of them [29ers]are too great - slower to accelerate, slower to brake, slower to turn, heavier, flexier wheels - all for the benefit of a bit of extra rolling ability and to hold a bit more speed.

if you like them - great. But don't take the 26er option away from everyone else

I love the Enduro and I just think the 26er looks so much more in proportion. Sorry.

my old bike:

[img] [/img]

pig.

ugly.

and climbed terribly with that stupid layback seat-tube.

(i'm only 6'1" - not exactly a giant)

fact fans: apparently i took this photo 17th february 2008, when even cut-gate was warm(ish) and dry.

If you like small wheels buy them, if you prefer big wheels buy those.

Fair enough, but Specialized don't seem to give you that choice.

Do you really think global bike brands design bikes to sell across the world based on a tiny group of people that race at Innerleithen once a year

Obviously the tiny UK scene is of little concern to the likes Spesh, but that doesn't change the fact that a 26er is likely preferable to a comparable 29er on the types of terrain that I like to ride.

to me all this means is I'm not gonna buy a Spesh - their loss

without even trying it?

that's a sensible decision.

my old enduro, for all it's faults, was great. the new one's probably even better.

though in a what has the world come to moment the LBS owner/mate was doing some ordering while I was borrowing his workshop exclaimed "What Minions 2.5" in 29 - why oh why...."

On the Enduro (the bike not the completely undefined style of event that ranges from multiple extremes) it looks like it got rained on and the frame shrank

Fair enough, but Specialized don't seem to give you that choice.

The cynic would say that they're doing it to force everyone to change bikes........or more likely imo they're rationalising their production line. I seem to recall that the Tallboy is by far the best selling model in the SC line up in the US which is going to be any bike company's biggest market. Whether its new product-itis or the fact that a big wheel works better for more riders on the terrain they ride you could argue until the cows come home. However if Spec or anyone else can drop manufacturing costs by 20% but only reduce sales by 10% then its a no brainer in the corporate world. Asking for any corporation to do any different is nuts, they're not charities.

I would like to see some stats for those that like big wheels vs those that don't with the type of riding thrown in. I not only look ridiculous on a 26" bike but they feel awful in comparison for any type of riding. Horses for courses, i'm sure there are disadvantages to any wheel size, i guess it just depends on whether you're prepared to accept those in return for the benefits that the particular size offers to you.

"What Minions 2.5" in 29 - why oh why...."

Maybe to go on a downhill bike... 😉

So is there definitely not going to be a 26er version, and this only comes in M, L or XL? 😕

Looks banging, shame about sram kit and command post. Other than that top draw bike.

Fortunateson09 - Member

I'm sure something like this or that Five LT would be great for annihilating the Megavalanche for instance, but I'm far from convinced it'd work as a UK enduro bike - steep, twisty Innerleithen stuff for example would almost certainly be better on a sorted 26er.

Not convinced tbh, innerleithen's enduro trails aren't that tight and lots of them are stuttery/lumpy and short of grip. Box seems to think a 29er can make a good UK enduro bike...

Biggest innovation -

front mech being designed around the bike rather than vice-versa.

Lots of compromise is made for a frame to accept a front mech, glad someone is starting to do things the right way round.

After all, what is better at the end of the day, a stronger/lighter/stiff frame layout/design or a front mech.

Really need xx1 to have a budget equivalent and drop the front mech forever.

Really need xx1 to have a budget equivalent and drop the front mech forever.

Shimano to make an equivalent 11 speed drive train and stop bikes from coming with dog awful stock sram kit.

I'm sure something like this or that Five LT would be great for annihilating the Megavalanch 8Oe for instance, but I'm far from convinced it'd work as a UK enduro bike - steep, twisty Innerleithen stuff for example would almost certainly be better on a sorted 26er.

I imagine it will make f*ck all difference in reality. The quick guys on both will be quick regardless, the wobblers making the switch will probably wax lyrical about how they have doubled their speed overnight etc.

Decidedly non plussed by this bike as long as you have a choice still, that's the important thing. $9k for something with Sram on it though!!

$9k for something with Sram on it though!!

That is the biggest let down; that the command post and non-internal cable routing.

Hmm I dream of SRAM rather than that cheap shimano crap.

I dream of SRAM

Your aspirations are pathetic 😉

Don't care about 11 speed. I'd go down to 7 if it meant not having to endure SRAM dogshit.

Can people not work on their gears or something?

Ive never had any issues with either sram or shimano.

Can people not work on their gears or something?

Ive never had any issues with either sram or shimano

Same here, any problems were either bad set up (by me) or worn out chains/cassettes.

My SRAM works fine, always has. the new 10 speed stuff is a joy, crisp and direct. It's strange to see the hatred, most people here swap out shimano ASAP there's loads of stripped off new groupsets around.

I find the SLX/XT stuff I have had vague and clunky the levers felt cheap and rubbish.