Analysis Paralysis: Which "Enduro" Bike

[miker27]

I would think that regression at the end stroke of the alchemy could be pretty easily tuned out with that x2 mounted, though I don’t know how many additional volume spacers I could shove in there. I owned an sb5 and rather liked it, which was part of the appeal of the alchemy. The sine linkage seems similar enough to the current yeti switch infinity vs the regular old yeti “switch.” I thought cool shocks were all the rage for their linear rates, oh well, I’ve never been hip.

Canfield was a contender but I am also big into water bottle cages. Weird hill to die on but I’m fortunate enough to live close enough to trails to sneak out for lunch rides or otherwise quick trips and I sure enjoy not wearing a pack

[Tailwind]

I think if brand new bikes are on closeout it’s often because they’re priced accordingly. The alchemy’s are cheap because they were not selling at retail… so is it really a good deal? That being said I do kinda like spots and they’re always on sale.

I’d buy a used bike if money is at all a concern. You could easily snag a Rail 29’er for less than $4000 or fill in the blank with another bike… then you also skip sales tax.

[miker27]

I think if brand new bikes are on closeout it’s often because they’re priced accordingly. The alchemy’s are cheap because they were not selling at retail… so is it really a good deal? That being said I do kinda like spots and they’re always on sale.

I’d buy a used bike if money is at all a concern. You could easily snag a Rail 29’er for less than $4000 or fill in the blank with another bike… then you also skip sales tax.

100%. The nukeproofs are 40% off on what I gather to be a lack of funding following poor performance from all of CRC/Wiggle. With a good bit of EWS success I’d think the bikes are fine. Alchemy might be a different story. A handful of good reviews for those guys recently so I’m not sure why they’re not selling.

Used has normally been my jam, but even on a “budget” this is a big purchase and if I can snag a warranty, even on components, for marginally more it’s tempting

[Andeh]

I would think that regression at the end stroke of the alchemy could be pretty easily tuned out with that x2 mounted, though I don’t know how many additional volume spacers I could shove in there. I owned an sb5 and rather liked it, which was part of the appeal of the alchemy. The sine linkage seems similar enough to the current yeti switch infinity vs the regular old yeti “switch.” I thought cool shocks were all the rage for their linear rates, oh well, I’ve never been hip.

Canfield was a contender but I am also big into water bottle cages. Weird hill to die on but I’m fortunate enough to live close enough to trails to sneak out for lunch rides or otherwise quick trips and I sure enjoy not wearing a pack

Current Yetis are all linear-progressive. Those sine curves are annoying as fuck to try and dial in spring rate. I've had 2 bikes with setups like that. The initial regressive part means you can have a massive variation in shock pressure/spring rate to get the same sag, because it wants to fall into that hammock. But then it feels quite different at the end - either super easy to bottom out or super hard. A lot of people ran coils on bikes like that because the firmer midstroke of a coil helped deal with the initial regression, so they pedaled less shitty, but it was still very easy to bottom out frequently, due to the final regression.

If you're dead set on buying one of those 2 clearance brands, I'd take the Nukeproof. At least those have a sensible design.

[smartyiak]

Smokkan can def. speak better than me, but: how about Propain?

Go BIG (Tyee) or more reasonable (Hugene). Not "cheap"...but also not as expensive as lots of others.

https://www.propain-bikes.com/us/bikes/

[miker27]

I wouldn’t strictly say dead set but there seems to be some significant value in picking up either brand now. Shipping from CRC is brutal but still, a mega or giga elite for a bit over $4k seems like a good value even if warranty support on nukeproof bits is a gamble. In my size I’d have to go mullet on the mega, based on stock. I was trying to avoid a mullet if for no other reason than it seems like a fad and I don’t want to pack multiple spare tires in the van.
https://www.wiggle.com/us/p/nukeproo...carbon-bike-gx

[toast2266]

Smokkan can def. speak better than me, but: how about Propain?

Go BIG (Tyee) or more reasonable (Hugene). Not "cheap"...but also not as expensive as lots of others.

https://www.propain-bikes.com/us/bikes/

I liked my hugene, but it's definitely not a big enough bike to serve as the bigger brother of a Spur. I replaced my spur with a hugene because I wanted *a bit* more bike than the Spur, which the hugene was.

Haven't ridden one, but tyee seems like it'd compliment a Spur nicely. Or spindrift if you want to get even radder.

Edit to add: commencal meta is another DTC that'd be worth considering. $4k gets you an SLX build on the V5.

[smartyiak]

I liked my hugene, but it's definitely not a big enough bike to serve as the bigger brother of a Spur. I replaced my spur with a hugene because I wanted *a bit* more bike than the Spur, which the hugene was.

Haven't ridden one, but tyee seems like it'd compliment a Spur nicely. Or spindrift if you want to get even radder.

Edit to add: commencal meta is another DTC that'd be worth considering. $4k gets you an SLX build on the V5.

Not to get too far afield, but have you ever ridden a Kona HeiHei CR/DL (also 120/120)? I love mine...favorite bike I've ever owned. But also "bigger brother." I figured 150/140 is a significant step up (w/o getting too crazy)...but is that not the case? Or is it just Propains are more on the pedally end of the spectrum and don't seem as big and burly as some others?

[smmokan]

Propains are definitely more pedally/poppy than other bikes (IME, at least)... although I will say the 150/140 Hugene is one of the more capable trail bikes I've ridden.

The Tyee is an awesome value and would be great for the Front Range, given the climbing we have to do. It's not super plush like other 160/160 bikes, but it's more than capable of handling big stuff.

[toast2266]

Not to get too far afield, but have you ever ridden a Kona HeiHei CR/DL (also 120/120)? I love mine...favorite bike I've ever owned. But also "bigger brother." I figured 150/140 is a significant step up (w/o getting too crazy)...but is that not the case? Or is it just Propains are more on the pedally end of the spectrum and don't seem as big and burly as some others?

I haven't, at least not the current version. The hugene is definitely on the pedally end of the 140mm bike spectrum. I guess it kinda depends how the bikes are set up - if the short travel rig is set up very xc-ish, and the 140mm bike is set up as a mini enduro sled, then I guess it could work. But it still doesn't make sense to me; I see the 140mm segment as "one bike quiver" kind of things. If you're building a two bike quiver and both bikes are intended to be pedaled, then I'd want something both bigger and smaller than 140. But of course, that's all personal preference and somewhat location specific.

[SJG]

"Enduro bike". Are you trying to go fast, or have fun and be comfortable? 2 very different bikes.

[miker27]

"Enduro bike". Are you trying to go fast, or have fun and be comfortable? 2 very different bikes.

Ha, fair question. I came up riding trials, doing the occasional DH race on a hardtail, comfort isn’t the priority. Clearly no one is sending me free bikes but I’ll get a KOM every once in a blue moon, used to do OK at racing, generally don’t suck at bikes. I feel like fast and fun should not be mutually exclusive for a rider with some years under his/her belt? Or maybe a couch is the fastest.

Propain makes a very pretty bike. I’ve certainly spent some time on their configurator. I was hoping to make the choice easier by limiting to sales bikes in budget but perhaps I abandon this

[Roxtar]

I just built up an Evil Wreckoning for a client who LOVES it. More of a poppy fun bike than pure enduro sled but, with 160mm of travel, it has the chops to do either.

[toast2266]

Status 160 frameset on sale for $750 at specialized.com. All sizes available.

[grinch]

Hard to beat that deal. It seems like a no compromise frame option as well. Amazing that spesh offered something that good at that price

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[Meconium]

100%. The nukeproofs are 40%.......... Used has normally been my jam, but even on a “budget” this is a big purchase and if I can snag a warranty, even on components, for marginally more it’s tempting

Nukeproof did have US warehouse and some distribution. You could try to find bike in the US to save on shipping. CRC has all the frame parts discounted, possibly buy some service parts from them.
Shock and fork warranty is a plus vs used. If the frame doesn't have a reputation for problems and you are not a bike barker, I'd go for it if you are not a bike flipper. If the frame explodes, you could probably buy a used or NOS Status for $400 that someone bought but did not get around to building. Some of my best purchases have been from companies that have gone under. Guess I did get screwed on a Naxo binding back in the day, that dumb.

[mjp]

Huge sale at pedal pushers this weekend in golden
Stoped by today all bike 25% to 50% off
There were good deals there

[Meconium]

Looks like they have nukeproof, Scott and RM at 50%. Anyone see any vertical hitch racks or rigid 29er fork at +40%?

[sf]

Canyon Spectral should check a lot of the boxes. I currently have a Spectral 125, and that with more squish sound like a bigger bike, but not "too endurobro"

Lot's of sale on CRC/Wiggle etc currently. Vitus Escarpe and Sommet have gotten pretty good reviews

[volklpowdermaniac]

Status 160 frameset on sale for $750 at specialized.com. All sizes available.

Man almost want to say fuck it and snag an s2 to try vs s3, here the s2 is the most balanced of all the sizes. What a time