Out of all the Field Tests we’ve done over the years, this crop of bikes has to be one of the most interesting. We were able to bring in eight enduro machines that fly in the face of the notion that all modern mountain bikes look and ride the same.
Rear travel amounts ranged from 158mm to 180mm, and carbon, aluminum, and steel frames were all represented. The enduro category is a broad one, and this test illustrates just how many ways there are to design bikes that can descend just about anything, and still pedal reasonably well. How much effort that pedaling takes does vary, and we made sure to take all the bikes on some techy climbs to see how they fared away from the convenience of a chair lift.
The exact definition of an enduro bike in 2023 is a tough thing to pin down, but we put together the below video to help explain what we’re looking for when testing bikes in this category.
The Bikes
The aluminum Nicolai Nucleon has looks that garnered all sorts of questions from other riders, thanks to its high pivot suspension layout and unique Lal drivetrain. All those pulley wheels make it look like it was designed by Rube Goldberg, and it certainly stands out from the crowd. Well, most crowds – we also managed to get in a Unno Burn and Pole Onni, two more bikes with looks that set them apart.
The Ibis HD6 ended up being referred to as ‘the palate cleanser’, a refreshingly easy bike to ride compared to some of the others with, umm, ‘different’ ride characteristics. The Nukeproof Giga falls into a similar category, with plenty of travel but nicely neutral handling.
The last time we rode the aluminum Commencal Meta SX it had a link-driven single pivot suspension layout, but this time it’s back with a new dual link design and revised geometry. The Trek Slash also made another appearance, returning with a new high pivot frame design, more travel, and mixed wheels.
And don’t forget about the Chromag Lowdown – it may look simple, but that steel and aluminum machine left an impression on all the testers.
Testing took place in Whistler, BC, where we took advantage of perfect fall conditions to rack up lap after lap in the Creekside zone, and on the endless pedal-accessed trails away from the lifts. Control tires were provided by Maxxis, and all the bikes were set up with an Assegai front and DHR II rear tire with Double Down casings.
Who Tested the Bikes?
Height: 6’3″ / 191cm
Weight: 180 lbs / 81.8 kg
Notes: Tech editor, the king of customization.
Height: 5’11” / 180cm
Weight: 160 lbs / 72.6 kg
Notes: Managing tech editor, serial cereal eater
Height: 6′ / 183 cm
Weight: 172lb / 78 kg
Notes: Tech editor, full-time Branston pickle enthusiast
