I can run down single track literally strewn with 5-6 rocks at 20 mph and not miss a beat. the multi-stage compression of the Talus fork allows for the first 2 inche sof travel to be super plush - i barely hold the handlebars and just cadillac through. it's amazing. I've yet to find a hit the bike can't take, and i weigh a staggering 212 pounds. the trails i ride (JPL, Sunset ridge, etc) are fairly technical and around Angeles Crest area - this bike was built for super tough single track. I got this bike after realizing that any ordinary high end XC bike (I have an XC Pro) was just not built to take anything at speed.
Bike Setup: Crank Bros 5050xx pedals and a different seat
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Submitted by
Steve Minniear
a Cross Country Rider
from Elk Grove, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2004
Strengths: standard equipment on the enduro pro is excellent; Fox TALAS fork, shock, XT\XTR components well matched for intended use; frame geometry
Weaknesses: stock seat is brutal on long epic rides; pedal bob noticeable when in "long" travel mode versus stable platform technology available today
Bottom Line:
This should be considered a long-term ride report. I've had my Enduro Pro now for 2 years and have logged 1500-2000 miles on it. I've used it for cross-country, epic rides, light freeriding and downhill. This bike is extremely versatile and works well in almost all conditions.
The bike is relatively light for a medium travel bike and I have no problem riding with my buddies who own hardtails or purpose built cross country bikes. The Fox TALAS fork enables you to dial in the travel and action you want and the rear shock with the "itch" switch can be locked out, set at short travel or long travel. The frame geometry is very good for technical riding due to the suspension, a low standover height, and bulletproof frame.
After 2 years and hundreds of trail miles, I give this bike my highest recommendation. Outside of replacing the chain, I have had absolutely no mechanical problems whatsoever. This is a bike you can ride hard and put away wet ... and it will be ready to go when you are.
Similar Products Used: GT; Specialized Rockhopper; Stumpjumper; Rocky Mountain RMX Pro
Bike Setup: stock with the exception of a longer stem; medium frame
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Submitted by
S. Carver
a Cross Country Rider
from Ogden
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2004
Strengths: Everything but the seat tube.
Weaknesses: Seat tube.
Bottom Line:
I submitted a review a year ago when I first bought the bike. Now one year and 1,000 miles later I am writing this updated. I still love this bike. I have had three problems with it. First, the Talas fork started leaking oil. It was sent back to Fox and rebuilt under warranty. It took about two weeks. Second, I just started to notice a drop in rear shock pressure. It seems to be leaking slowly. Third, over the weekend I noticed the frame is cracked just above the weld on the seat tube. I am 6'2" and 170lbs. Granted my seat is up high because of my long legs but the seat post is still in the seat tube all the way to the bottom. It's the original seat post - no cutting. I am going to return to the local shop and get the frame replaced. The bright white color has grown on me. I wish they had that color. I'm not too hip on the chrome 2004 enduro pro color.
I would still recommend this bike, except I would recommend to Specialized to have an extra gussett at the seat tube. I don't care about a few more oz. I want it to hold.
I ride XC. I don't freeride or hit big jumps. Just the occasional root drop or rock popper on the side of the trail.
Strengths: Suspension so plush, weight good for travel stability,
Weaknesses: Only had bike for test day so far however it was dirty out and this bike is made for California riding it got dirty not enough mud clearance and no place to cary it
Bottom Line:
I normaly ride cross country this converted, me ended up doin trails jumps everything loved it, bit of bob but climbed well for fs bike. Im gona buy one but lack of mud clearance is anoying, aswell it could do with somwhere to cary it hand hole in monocoque would be good as getting over styles etc is a bit hard. It would be great if they made an enduro "englander" with more mud clearance + cary hole on generaly the bee's Knees!
Submitted by
Forrest Arakawa
a Downhiller
from Pleasant Hill
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2003
Strengths: Lightweight Low Bottom Bracket Height Cornering Smooth Travel Great Head Angle for Trail Riding Easy to Maintain Stiff
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
This is a killer Trail bike. If your into riding all types of trail conditions then you will love this bike. It has a low center of gravity that allows the Enduro it's ability to coner so well... It works great on anything from moderate DH,4X and DS courses. My bike weighs in at 25lbs. Most of my riding is DH but this bike makes me want to ride all mountain and more XC. It allows you the versatility to do anything... Dirt jumps, DH, DS, 4X, XC racing and all mountain riding are all within the limits of the Enduro. Keep in mind you can build this bike up as a FreeRide all mountain rig or an XC race rig. If your looking for 1 bike that can do everything than this is the bike for you...
Similar Products Used: Ellsworth, Santa Cruz, Turner
Bike Setup: S-Works Enduro Frame, Fox Talas RL, Fox AVA Shock, WTB Laserdisc Lite Wheelset, King Headset, TruVativ Cranks, Easton Monkeylite DH Bar, Hayes HFX Mag Plus, WTB Weirwolf Tires, WTB Rocket V Ti Saddle, Shimano 959, Slalom System 2 MRP...
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Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento, CA
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2003
Strengths: The stock componetry on this bike is very good; the Fox TALAS fork and shock is excellent along with the XTR discs and rear derailleur. This bike offers very good value for the money back and is an excellent trail bike. Other strengths include a low standover height and good geometry for both cross country and technical riding.
Weaknesses: The stock seat is hard, but functional. It works for me, but is a little harsh if your doing long sit-down rides. I typically don't, but I spend a lot more time out of the saddle. The front end is a little light on this bike for a person of my size (5'10") and I put on a longer stem to better weight the front end on steep climbs. I have a medium frame and this modification largely eliminates the tendency to wheelie without compromising the handling. This bike also bobs considerable on steep climbs unless you lock out the suspension. It is not a problem for undulating terrain, but very noticeable in the first few gears on the big ring. Fortunately, you can lock the rear shock and front shock while riding.
Bottom Line:
If you enjoy aggressive trail riding singletrack, downhills or technical sections, you will love this bike. The suspension is highly tuneable and soaks up most of the trail nasties while being able to drop off of +- 3 foot jumps and ledges. The itch switch combined with the lock-out makes climbing bearable. This bike will ride like a good hardtail when locked out, rail cross country singletrack in short travel mode, or join the downhill gang when in long travel mode (within reason...).
The trade off for the versatility this bike offers is that if you are purely riding cross country, there are better bikes out there with stable platform technology that don't force you to lock-out when climbing. The good news is that the Enduro's for 04 will have this technology and make this bike a no brainer!
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher Sugar 2; Specialized Rockhopper; Santa Cruz Heckler (demoed)
Bike Setup: stock with the exception of a longer steering stem .. approximately 3/4 inch.
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Submitted by
Mike Allen
a Cross Country Rider
from Cote d'Azur, S. France
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2003
Strengths: Light weight for a trail bike. Componentry excellent value. Fox suspension front and rear give the bike a great ride over rocky and loose terrain.
Weaknesses: Saddle way too hard. Will the lower pivot stand up to water and grit?
Bottom Line:
I ride mostly on rocky and loose doubletrack and singletrack in the coastal mountains around SE France. I spent quite a while researching and trialling a number of top end trail bikes before buying the Enduro Pro. Firstly, I would say that for value for money this bike is hard to beat. The frame and particularily the Fox suspension setup is ideally suited to my style of riding and the type of terrain I ride. I'm still experimenting, but the ability to wind the forks down to 80mm for the climbs, then open them up to 125mm for the fast and hard descents is fantastic. The rear shock just seems to keep the rear tyre glued all the time, up and down the hills. All round a confidence-inspiring ride. Be sure to try one of these if you're looking for a go anywhere trail bike,
Bike Setup: Standard '03 Pro except saddle and grips.
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Submitted by
Brooks Carter
a Cross Country Rider
from Moab, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2003
Strengths: Weight - only 27.8 (many xc bike are heavier) Adjustability Stability and control Can handle just about anything
Weaknesses: For a bike that is designed for epic rides (and this thing eats up Methuselah rides and spits'em out) what WERE they thinking when they put that Specialized Pro BG saddle (02 version) on it? About two hours into a good ride, your butt is busted!! Also, my Hayes Mag discs let me down in the worst places. I had zero brakes - I'm talking free spinning wheel with the brake lever pulled full on - while riding Snowbird resort and high up in the La Sal Mountains (problem always seems to kick in at 9-10,000' in elevation). Hays keeps telling the dealer about better ways to bleed the things, but I don't know . . . .
Bottom Line:
This is one fine machine! I have a hard time wipin' the grin off my face everytime I ride (and that's almost everyday). I loved my stumpjumper, but this thing just has sooooo much more stability, control, and plushness that I quit riding the little bike.
Also hat's off to Specialized for backin' up their product. My 02 frame cracked at the weld where the shock attaches (known and corrected defect) and when my LBS (great bunch of guys!) called Specialized, they immediately sent a new 03 frame free of charge.
When hittin' lightweight jumps (2-4 feet) and bombing down tres ugly trails, this bike rocks. On 4 footers, I've hit the ground out of position in a rock garden and the suspension sucks it up and saves my butt. That's what I'm talkin' about. Blowin' down single track lined with baby heads used to give my xc bikes the jitters (not to mention me!), but on the enduro, it's like somebody took a laser and flattened out the rocks - smoooooooth. I've heard some guys rag on the Psylo or the suspension in general, but at 140 lbs., this setup is workin' for me. The seals blew on the Psylo on Porcupine after about 8 months of hard riding, but Rock Shox fixed them for me and they have been fine for the last 7 months. I set the Fox rebound a lot slower to keep it from launching me over the handle bars.
What about climbing? The head angle (I use the 69 degree position) combined with my 45 degree stem can make the front wheel a little floppy on REALLY STEEP single track switch backs. Not a problem. Simply adjust the Psylo down to 80 mm, flip the itch switch to 100 mm and lean forward (the point of the saddle in the derriere) - the thing climbs like a mountain goat! I can "no-dab" the steepest loose trails I could climb on the Stumpjumper with the Enduro. I love riding slickrock. On the 45 degree and steeper rock faces, just put your belly on the handlebars and the sucker sticks like glue. On the technical ledgy climbs, the rear suspension gobbles up the problems and keeps my rubber on the trail where I need it.
Descending? Try Moonlight Meadow or the ugly section of Squaw Springs (near the cabin) up on the La Sals. When I first got the bike and spotted those wicked drops & demolition fields, my heart would be in my throat. Now I know to just park my butt over the back tire and let it roll!! Crazy fun!
I shopped hard for this bike and yes, it's expensive but darn well worth it. A custom made frame with the exact same linkage and performance was $700 - $1500 more. What's the point? This is not a big huckin' machine (which I'm now shoppin' for), but if want a bike that does it all VERY WELL check this one out! I'm still grinin'.
Bike Setup: Stock except for: Time Z Control pedals - totally awesome pedal! It is unaffected by mud, wet sand, or anthing else I have thrown at it, and it's a great platform for jumpin' and bumpin'. 45 degree Dimension stem (well hey, I'm 56 and back comfort is important)
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Submitted by
bill
a Cross Country Rider
from san francisco
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2003
Strengths: adjustability, value
Weaknesses: the paintjob (no big deal)
Bottom Line:
This is my first full suspension bike, and I absolutely love it. I demo'ed a few boutique-built bikes but found the performance difference minimal and the cost difference maximal. You would be hard pressed to find a better component package at this price.
This bike has greatly improved my descending and technical climbing. The itch switch rear and Talas front shock adjust to almost any conditons from buff to insane. The XTR disc brakes are light, beautiful, and provide extreme confidence on the downhills. The only time I miss my hardtail is on rides with lots of pavement, which I try to avoid.
Strengths: Best Components for the price!!! Love FSR design
Bottom Line:
This is an all around great bike , especially for 2200.00 out the door. It does everything well. I am sure there are better bikes out there. I know people love the "cult" bikes, but those frames cost as much as my bike did. Also, through all of the Specialized bikes I have owned I have never had any problems with them, knock on wood. Oh yha, make sure you have the shop flip the link for maximum BB height. Anyway, I went ahead and broke the bike up for comments:
Brakes: I love the XTR hydro disk, light and look cool.
Fork: Talas RLC is the best thing I have ever ridden. Buy this if you have a lot of money.
Wheelset: Like the hubs and rims are strong and light.
Shifters: XTR pilots, when first looking at this bike I was against them. However, since they came on the bike I though I would give them a try. It took about five minutes to get used to them and I love them. These things are excellent and I hope they become popular and are put on more bikes.
Seat: I like Specialized body geometry seats, most dont's -enough said
Tires: I really liked the tires at first, good traction and rolling resistance, however, I think they have weak sidewalls. I ride loose gravel, sand, rocks so I have not found a tire that is great at all of these. But give them a shot.
Gripes: I have a few gripes. I think the BB is kind of low even w/the link flipped. I do ride lots and lots of rocks so I guess this just comes with the terrain. It is s great climber except for steep, loose, technical stuff, but then what is?
Overall: I really like this bike and I think I will have it for a long time. The components are second to none and the bike handles well and is very adjustable to suit your needs. I have definitely gained a lot more confidence on this bike and I do stuff that I would not have though possible before. I definitely push this bike to the limits, atleast mine, and hammer it as hard as I can. I am surprised I have not broken the frame with the speeds/drops that I have done on it. Anyway, if you want one get one, you won't be sorry. If you have a billion dollars and dont like the corporate companies get a "cult" bike.
Strengths: adjustable head tube angle, plush and supple FSR 5" suspension, TALAS - best fork out there.
Weaknesses: saddle
Bottom Line:
specialized's FSR suspension is the smoothest out there. yes, it bobs ... but who cares? i'm tired of weight weenies and anti-bob freaks. the enduro is the best all mountain bike i've ridden. once i got used to the slack head tube position, i fell in love with it. the bike may not climb quite as well in 69.5, but oh the descent! this bike isnt the fastest xc bike out there, but it gives me a lot more confidence in tech downhills, drops, and the occasional teeter-totter. basically, the enduro isnt the perfect bike for any one thing, but it does everything really well. the fox TALAS is incredible. i ditched the new xtr shifters for tried and true rapidfires - if it aint broke, dont fix it. thats it. flaming turds on all porches.
Similar Products Used: kona dawg, klein palomino, specialized epic, gary fisher sugar
Bike Setup: xt rapidfire and brake levers, thompson post, lp bar, rock ring
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Submitted by
Chuck
a Cross Country Rider
from Brookfield, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2003
Strengths: Great all-around cross country bike.
Weaknesses: It's a compromise between a XC racer and a freeride bike. Perfect for most, but not optimal for XC.
Bottom Line:
Great suspension...plush but works well for the occasional race or just out for a ride. Suspension is highly adjustable with Fox Talus Fork and Float RLC rear shock. Bobbing is there, but is minimal with proper setup and the rebound and compression rates are adjustable and the lockout can be easily reached while seated, although I rarely use it.
I rode this at the Chequamegon 40 this year and managed to finish in about the same time as on my hardtail. It's my opinion that the suspension really saved my legs and back, allowing me to ride better. And it's sturdy with adjustable travel of 100 to 135mm...very versatile!
Strengths: Pro Tires Hook Up on Climbs and Descents. New XTR shifters are very clever. (My recommeddation for those who took the upshifter levers off, is to put them back on and ride with them for awhile.) I'm tellin ya, Shimano designed them that way for a reason! Fox suspension--Wow. Frame Geometry perfect for me--I have a Medium and I'm 5'9.
Weaknesses: After 200 muddy spring miles and 400 dry summer miles I have found none.
Bottom Line:
One bike does-it-all. Flip the lockout for the big climb and ride it like a rigid--get up out of the saddle and go! Dial in your suspension for different conditions. Once you're used to it you don't even have to look. Reach down and give a click. I just have to say again how good the suspension is on this bike. I'm 5'9 and weigh 158 so don't complain to me about your heavy bike. This one is light enough to ride cross-country all day, race occasionally, and still have fun in the freeride terrain. Bike is not cheap but worth every penny if you are serious about cycling performance. Say hi to me on Tiger Mtn or Snoqualmie Ridge Trails. Peace out and word to your mommy.
Purchased At: Black Diamond Bike & Backcountry, Black Diamond, WA
Similar Products Used: Eddie Mercyx, WR 426F
Bike Setup: Totally Stock 'cept a mud fender for WA State. Bunch of duct tape on my seatpost--cause you never know.
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Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Renton, WA
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2003
Strengths: Frame design & level of components. The XTR discs/shifters are awesome! Didn't take long getting use them. The bike is awesome at climbing, descending and a great overall trail bike.
Weaknesses: none that I've experienced
Bottom Line:
This is a great all mountain trail bike. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a great mix of components on a well designed frame for a great value.
The bike handles incredibly well on the trail. It's solid and efficient. Both front and rear shocks are great at sucking up the big bumps and gliding over the small ones. The bike take descent sized drop off's with ease. Now I don't recommend this as a freeriding bike, but it's a very capable all mountain bike.
The XTR discs provide great stopping power and the integrated XTR shifters are very easy to get use to. I use to think the Rapid Fire shifters were the only way to go, but I think these XTR shifters are awesome! Five
Bike Setup: stock: Fox Float TALAS RLC, Float RL, XTR discs/shifters, XT cranks
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Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Windsor, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2003
Strengths: Stiff frame & fork, all the adjustments for dailing it in and the XTR shifter/brakes turned out to be excellent! Rips the rolling trails and downhills, corners like it's on rails.
Weaknesses: CLIMBING SUCKS!!! Yea, it has a lock-out, but when so many others don't need one, why can't they figure it out for the Enduro??? Pedal hard in any gear and watch the shock sink into it's travel. *Bottom braket height - Spec's say 13.86/13.2, but I clip way more rock than on my '00 Jekyll that's at 12.5". Maybe it ties into that rear shock thing.
Bottom Line:
I consider myself to be pretty good w/suspension and bike set-up, but after all the fiddling, my Jekyll will still easily out do the Enduro on the climbs or flats. And since I spend about 60%+ time climbing, (hey, ya gotta get to the downhills!), I may have to bite the bullet, take it in the shorts and sell this thing.
So if you don't have to climb much, this would be a GREAT bike. If you want to go on the epic's, look elsewhere because you'll be able to use much less effort.
I'm glad the rest are pleased w/your rides. I actually based part of my decision on it. A bit of advise to you considering this bike, go w/your gut decision, it'll be the right one. I didn't and it wasn't. Anyone wanna buy a bike? (So I'm not the best at marketing...)
I gave it 4 flamin turds for value because I think it has some good stuff on it and only two for the overall rating because it requires SOOO much effort to pedal, (Oh yea, I'm 190lbs and am in pretty damn good shape).
Similar Products Used: Jekyll 900SX w/Lefty, Santa Cruz Heckler, Kona Dawg Deluxe
Bike Setup: Stock except trimmed bars down, & put on Geax Blades, cuz S-works tires rolled slow. For this kind of money, I don't want to have to swap out or upgrade parts.
