For an updated list of the best enduro mountain bikes, check out the Top 10 Best Enduro Bikes of 2019.
Exactly how you refer to this category of bikes isn’t the point. Be it “long-travel trail bikes,” “enduro bikes,” or “all-mountain bikes,” essentially, it’s all the same thing. The rigs on this list are some of the most aggressive, yet also some of the most versatile, mountain bikes on the market today.
Today’s créme de la créme of the enduro bike market are capable of climbing for hours thanks to weights around (or below) 30 pounds, suspension that can be quickly locked out, and drivetrains with massive ranges. Yet when you turn them downhill, these long-travel, uber-plush rigs are more than capable of tackling even the gnarliest downhill runs, as the top enduro racers have proven.
Simply put, these are some of the best mountain bikes in existence.
Period.
Canondale Jekyll Carbon
Shop for Canondale Jekyll Carbon
$6,070-$7,990 for complete builds.
The Jekyll is the pride and joy of the Cannondale Overmountain Team, which has a truly world-class enduro race roster: Jerome Clementz, Jason Moeschler, Marco Osborne, and Mark Weir. Jerome Clementz has scored many race wins aboard the Jekyll.
The Jekyll has a carbon frame and offers up 160mm of front travel and 160mm of rear travel that can be switched down to 95mm for the climbs, thanks to a DYAD pull shock and handlebar-mounted lever. It also sports a 67-degree head tube angle, 440mm chainstays, and 27.5” wheels.
The top-tier Carbon 1 model is spec’ed with a Cannondale Lefty SuperMax Carbon 2.0 for front suspension duties. While a normal fork can be used on the Jekyll, the Lefty really sets the component spec and visual appeal of this bike apart from the crowd. Additionally, the Jekyll comes loaded with a Fox DYAD RT2 Dual Travel/Dual Geometry shock, a SRAM XX1 1×11 drivetrain, SRAM Guide RSC brakes, a RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post, and Mavic CrossMax SL wheels.
The Jekyll is also available in more affordable aluminum models.
For more information on how the Lefty SuperMax and the Fox DYAD rear shock perform, check out my review of the Jekyll’s smaller brother, the Trigger.
Canyon Strive CF
$3,312 frame-only, $4,085-$5,742 for complete builds.
The Canyon Factory Enduro Team races aboard this beaut’ of a bike, with Fabien Barrel having notched numerous wins on the Strive when he was on the team. While Canyon still has not arrived in the US, they’re coming soon.
Canyon is known for selling high-quality mountain bikes at an affordable price, directly to consumers, but with a $3,312 price tag for the carbon frameset and a $4,085 price tag for the most affordable fully-built carbon bike, it seems like going the frameset route would be a poor purchasing decision.
Regardless, the Strive comes with a carbon fiber frame, 170mm of front travel, 163/135mm of rear travel (adjustable, thanks to Shapeshifter technology), a 66-67.5-degree headtube angle (also adjustable with the Shapeshifter handlebar lever), 423mm chainstays, and 27.5″ wheels.
The top-tier 9.0 SL build comes spec’ed with a Cane Creek DB Inline rear shock, Fox Factory 36 Float fork, Shimano XTR 2×11 drivetrain, Shimano XTR Trail brakes, a RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post, and a Mavic Crossmax XL wheelset. Total weight is claimed to be 28.6lbs (13kg).
The Strive is also available in more affordable aluminum models.
Giant Reign Advanced
$3,250 frame-only, $5,200-$8,300 for complete builds.
The Giant Reign Advanced is the enduro bike of choice for the Giant Factory Off-Road Team, with Yoann Barelli, Josh Carlson, and Marcelo Gutierrez notching wins aboard this renowned rig.
The Reign Advanced sports a carbon fiber frame, 160mm of suspension, 65-degree headtube angle, 434mm chainstays, and 27.5″ wheels.
While Giant is known to produce some affordably-priced bikes compared to their large competitors, the Reign Advanced 27.5 0 is the pinnacle of their lineup. It comes spec’ed with a RockShox Pike RCT3 Dual Position fork (160mm and 130mm travel settings), RockShox Monarch Plus DebonAir RC3 rear shock, SRAM XX1 11-speed drivetrain, SRAM Guide Ultimate brakes, a RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post, and a DT Swiss XM 1501 Spline wheelset.
The Reign is also available in more affordable aluminum models.
For more information on the Reign, be sure to read Aaron’s review of the Advanced 27.5 1 model.
Ibis Mojo HD3
$2,899 frame-only, $6,200 for an X01 build, can be ordered from Ibis with almost any build.
The Ibis Mojo HD3 is the latest rendition in a long line of Mojos, and a favorite of the Ibis Cycles Enduro Race Team, including Anne Caro Chausson. Anita Gehrig just recently scored a win at the 2016 Trans-Provence aboard the HD3.
The Mojo HD3 can now run both regular 27.5” tires and 27.5+ tires. According to Ibis, 2.3”, 2.5”, and 2.8” tires will fit on the HD3 (if you have the plus-size, Boost-spaced rear swingarm). This carbon-framed bike offers 150mm of rear wheel travel, 160mm of front travel, a 66.6-degree head tube angle, and 429mm chainstays.
As noted above, the Mojo HD3 can be built with almost any parts spec that you desire, which greatly impacts the price. As such, this bike can easily be turned into a world-class enduro machine!
For more information on the Ibis Mojo HD3, be sure to read Michael Paul’s review, here.
Intense Tracer 275C
$3,200 frame-only, $6,000-$10,000 for complete builds.
The enduro bike choice of the Intense Factory Racing Team. “Intense’s heritage is world cup racing,” said founder Jeff Steber. Renowned racer Brian Lopes has added wins to his lengthy resume aboard the Tracer.
The Tracer 275C offers a carbon frame with adjustable travel (160mm or 140mm), thanks to two different shock bolting positions. This adjustment in shock mounting also effectively changes the geometry, steepening the standard 66.5-degree head tube angle. Rounding out the specs are 432mm chainstays and 27.5” wheels.
The Factory Build is the top tier of the Tracer line, with a Fox Factory 36 Float fork, Fox Factory Float X rear shock with EVOL can, a SRAM XX1 11-speed drivetrain, Shimano XTR brakes, RockShox Reverb Stealth seatpost, and DT Swiss XMC 1200 spline wheels.
For more information on the Tracer 275C, be sure to read my review of the Pro build, here.
The Tracer 275 is also available in more affordable aluminum models.
Pivot Mach 6 Carbon
$2,999 frame-only, $4,699-$9,799 for complete builds.
The Mach 6 is the preferred bike of the Pivot / Reynolds Enduro team, which includes Brice Shirbach, Adam Snyder, and Mason Bond. The Mach 6 has scored several North American Enduro Tour wins beneath former team members.
With a name that alludes to excessive amounts of speed, the Mach 6 offers 155mm of rear suspension travel in its carbon frame, and 160mm of travel up front. A 66-degree head tube angle and 430.5mm chainstays round out the standard specs. In addition to a clean design and beautiful engineering, Pivot is well-known for their support for smaller riders; the Mach 6 is available in sizes XS to XL.
The top-tier build kit features a Fox 36 Factory fork, Fox Float X rear shock, as well as a Shimano XTR Di2 2×11 drivetrain. The Mach 6 frame offers a compartment in the down tube for housing the Di2 battery securely, and conveniently out of sight. Other key parts include XTR M9020 Trail brakes, a KS Lev Integra seatpost, and DT Swiss XMC 1200 carbon wheels.
For more information on the Mach 6, be sure to check out Michael’s review of the XX1 build.
The Mach 6 is also available in more affordable aluminum models.
Santa Cruz Nomad Carbon
Shop for Santa Cruz Nomad Carbon
$2,999-$3,249 frame-only, $5,199-$10,389 for complete builds.
Santa Cruz’s pro enduro team now races aboard the Bronson and the Hightower, with many wins to their name aboard the Bronson. In essence, all three of these models are great enduro bikes, but we think the Nomad is more than deserving of some love on this list.
The full-carbon Nomad offers 165mm of rear travel and is compatible with 160mm-180mm forks, although all of the stock offerings are 160s. While the Nomad is only available in carbon, there are two different levels of carbon offered: the top-tier CC, and the more affordable C. This 27.5”-wheeled bike offers a 65-degree head tube angle (with the stock 160mm fork), and 433mm-long chainstays.
The top-tier Nomad CC XX1 build comes spec’ed with a (you guessed it) SRAM XX1 11-speed drivetrain, RockShox Pike RCT3 fork (optional: Fox 36 Float RC2 Factory), RockShox Monarch Plus rear shock (optional: RockShox Vivid Air R2C), SRAM Guide Ultimate brakes, a RockShox Reverb Stealth seatpost, and Easton ARC 27 wheels. You can upgrade to ENVE M70/30 carbon rims for an extra $2,000 to fully achieve a maxed-out build.
For more information on the Nomad, be sure to read Corey’s review, here.
Specialized Enduro Carbon
Shop for Specialized Enduro Carbon
$3,500 frame-only, $6,000-$8,900 for complete builds.
Specialized’s enduro team includes world-renowned riders Jared Graves, Troy Brosnan, Hannah Barnes, and Curtis Keene. With a bike model named “Enduro,” you can guess which bike they choose–and they have the race wins to prove its worth!
The carbon Enduro is available in both 29” and 27.5” wheel sizes. The 29” model comes with 155mm of rear travel, 160mm of front travel, a 67.5-degree head tube angle, and a 430mm chainstay length. The 27.5” model (what Specialized still refers to as “650b”) offers 165mm of rear travel, 160mm of front travel, a 65.5-degree head tube angle, and 422mm-long chainstays.
The top-tier S-Works Enduro build is spec’ed with a RockShox Pike RCT3 fork, an Ohlins single tube rear shock, SRAM XX1 11-speed drivetrain, SRAM Guide RS Carbon brakes, a Specialized Comand Post IRcc dropper, and Roval Traverse SL wheels. The only difference between the specs in the two different models is the different size rims.
The Enduro is also available in more affordable aluminum models.
Yeti SB6c
$3,500 frame-only, $5,699-$9,499
The Yeti SB6c is the choice of sponsored Yeti enduro racers Richie Rude, Cody Kelley, and Chris Heath. Jared Graves scored several wins aboard the SB6c when he was on the Yeti team, as well as Richie Rude, who won the 2015 EWS World Championships.
The full-carbon SB6c frame offers 152mm of rear travel and is normally paired with 160mm of front travel. It sports a 65.5-degree headtube angle, 442mm chainstays, and 27.5” wheels. The standard version of this bike is the SB6c, but Yeti has just released a more affordable model of frame, dubbed the SB6 Enduro. The SB6 Enduro is also a carbon frame, but with a cheaper (and heavier) carbon layup, starting at $4,699 for a complete bike. This distinction is similar to that of the C and CC carbon in the Santa Cruz Nomad.
The top-tier SB6c X01 build offers a SRAM X01 1×11 drivetrain, Fox 36 Factory fork, Fox Float X Factory DPS rear shock, SRAM Guide RSC brakes, a Race Face Turbine dropper post, and DT Swiss 350 W wheels. For a fully blinged-out build, upgrade to ENVE M70/30 carbon rims for an extra $2,400.
For more information on the Yeti SB6c, be sure to read my review, here.
YT Industries Capra CF
$4,699-$5,999 for complete builds.
When YT Industries’ sponsored riders—including world DH champion Aaron Gwin, Andreu Lacondeguy, Cam Zink, Yannick Granieri, and enduro racer Bryan Regnier—reach for an enduro bike, it’s the Capra that they look to.
The full-carbon Capra ships direct-to-consumer with 160mm of travel front-and-back, a 65.2-degree head tube angle, 430mm-long chainstays, and 27.5” wheels.
The top-tier CF Pro Race build is spec’ed with a Fox 36 Float Factory fork, a Fox Float X2 Factory shock, a SRAM X01 1×11 drivetrain, SRAM Guide Ultimate brakes, RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post, and DT Swiss XMC 1200 Spline wheels. Total claimed weight is 28.2lbs.
The Capra is also available in more affordable aluminum models.
Your Turn: Didn’t spot your favorite enduro rig on this list? Let us know in the comments section below!
Rene, every time I get on a Turner I am impress. Maybe it’s just the fit for me or something, but their all mountain enduro type bikes over the years have always been super stable DH and yet great on on really steep ups (no wandering). The bikes just always seem planted both DH and up. We have one Turner in the family, and we’re glad we do. I don’t think we will ever sell it. I haven’t tried the 2015 or 2016 models of the RFX yet, but every model before that (RFX and its precursors)I have just been impressive.
Quite surprised that Scott genius
Trek C9:1, Cube frittz, Niner & Evil bikes never got a mention. But hey they’re not all the flavour of the month are they.
If in the market for a new toy I’d want longevity of the machine. So good thing they weren’t mentioned then. Cos all the above won’t last
“Cos all the above won’t last”
Well, that’s simply not true.
As for the other bikes you mentioned, they were all considered on this list, along with about ten others. There are tons of great enduro bikes out on the market today, but these 10… these 10 are certifiably awesome.
Kevin (on Facebook), I don’t know what it is, but the Remedy has never felt right to me. Funny how bikes are different for each person. It seems you really have to go out an ride a bike before you really know if it is the bike for you.
So Greg, how did you come up with your list??? Maybe best reviews online??? I’m guessing you haven’t ridden all these. If you have, I’m thoroughly jealous. =) Of the ones you have ridden, which ones did you like the most?
Also, how about this for a tough question. These bikes are getting sooooo good. How would you like to see the enduro bikes improve generally across the board?
Hey Floyd,
It was tough to arrive at this list. We’ve incorporated numerous factors including input from the full-time staff, reviews conducted for Singletracks, and survey data from past surveys. Also, I’ve actually ridden most of these bikes myself, or similar bikes in the respective brand’s lineup.
We did also take enduro race wins into consideration, although they weren’t the only factor that played into our decision-making.
Ones I liked the most? Ibis Mojo HD3, Yeti SB6c, and Intense Tracer 275C.
As for how I’d like to see enduro bikes improve? That’s a tough question! I think I would most like to see more and more on-the-fly adjustability. I’m a big fan of dialing down fork travel to get more xc geometry for climbing, and more adjustability for active suspension and dialed-down travel lengths. Stand outs for adjustability on this current list include the Canyon Strive and Cannondale Jekyll… I would love to see more and more of this!
WOW …. …. UTTERLY jealous. =) Keep livin’ the life. You’ve got a great “gig” going. The HD3 and SB6c don’t surprise me. I can’t wait to test ride those … … but can’t do that in Outer Mongolia. LOL. Hopefully over Christmas this year. I’ve never ridden a Tracer but have had my eye on them over the years. How are they distributed? By who? I’ve seen some Intense bikes sold on PricePoint in the past. And yes, I really like the adjustability on the trail too. I have a 160mm fork on my latest bike, an Ibis Mojo HD, the adjustability of the fork really transforms the bike into a goat on the steep climbs. These enduro bikes are so designed for DH that the adjustability of the front fork or geometry seems a great asset to the performance uphill.
Opps, that last comment was meant to be a reply to Greg’s.
Totally agree on the adjustability of the fork!!
As for Intense, I’m not up on where you can get them online, but generally-speaking they’re sold via a standard dealer model. However, they tend to have a very regional hold on California and the West Coast, and are rarer and rarer the further you go east.
Thanks Greg. Great to know. I visit a couple of stores next time I’m in CA. I get some time in San Diego periodically with work.
BTW: Evo and JensonUSA sell Intense bikes…
Have you ever heard of evo never seen a mention of them on here! The also sell Devinci..
All the bikes on this list are great bikes, fun article. I did my research and went with the Slash 9 and was surprised not to see it on your list. If you like, I can make personal insults about you and your family since we disagree. I did not get the opportunity to ride all bikes on your list, like you did, but fell in love with the Slash after only a couple of rides.
I love the Yeti, love the Intense, love the Ibis, love every one I’ve ridden.
As much as I love them, not a one is even in the same league with the Foes Mixer Enduro for me. The mixed wheel size creates a whole different level of performance.
How many enduro bikes win legitimate downhill races?
The Foes mixer Idea seems cool and good and all that but really not a huge fan of the mix! I think that you should go one wheel size or the other!
I’ll piggy back on that. I’ve tried mixing wheel and tire size and it just isn’t right. The balance and everything is too off, but hey some people (not saying you, making a joke here) are off and we’re attracted to that. To each his own. I run a Yeti SB66 everywhere, so there’s mine.
Take care,
-GT
The top ten are the top ten bikes that are readily available everywhere, sponsor a team, and send around test bikes. These bikes are no doubt great but there are others that are available that are better. It’s too bad enduro/all mountain has race associated with it as that just takes away from the purpose of enjoying the uphills and downhills. No one really enjoys racing, they do it to prove something, earn a living, satisfy their competitive urge, and claim their status place. A bike that gets or needs to be overhauled every run or race is not really a good bike. I’ve biked from NM to CA and CO to the middle of Baja MX mostly offroad….now that’s enduro… when you arrive home with the same components, bearings, and saddle you left on…the same bike that you raced on along the journey. No RMB Pipeline or Orbea Rallon, all those aficionados are busy riding hard on real hills, mountains and trails where racing will never be.
Did I miss Kona Process?? Must have.
Come on Greg, if Mr Paul was helping with this list the GG Megatrail would be on the list.
Pivot firebird??
Oh man, agreed Anthony. We have a 2012 Pivot Firebird in the family. It is like a runaway freight train on the downhills. Unbelievable. And yet, it handles techy steep uphills. The 2012 is a bit heavy for longer rides.
No Rocky Mountain Slayer? 170 travel in the front 165 in the back but rides almost like a regular xs full suspension bike on the climbs and like a downhill bike on the descents. Slayer is a legend.