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Enduros; pro/con & compairable bikes

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Dom87SS

Chimp
Oct 31, 2008
7
0
ok so i rode a enduro pro a few months ago and liked how it felt. and i want to get into a FS bike. so i am determined to get one this winter. right now i have a lead on two a 08 enduro expert, and a 06 enduro elite. the elite is for sure if i buy it, meaning its just for sale, as for the expert is on a auction style site. i want the expert more and hope i can get it but wont know for a week or so till the auction is up. but if it falls through i will most likely end up the the elite. that is unless i find another pro or expert out there for the right price. ive read through the reviews and seems most people likethe bikes minus the softer rear shock and low pedals.

im looking for more opinions on what you have if you have or have ridden the enduro. especially if you have or had a elite or expert. i just want to make the right decision on getting a new bike and obviously dont want to waste the money on something i wont enjoy.

also what is a comparable bike to the endro that i might want to look at. im looking to spend around 1500 or so for the bike to give you a price range. and obviously a few years old and used isnt much of a problem for me, but the newer the better.
 
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davep

Turbo Monkey
Jan 7, 2005
3,276
0
seattle
For the 08, the spec brand suspension has certianly had some issues with both ride quality and durability. I also dont think you will get ahold of the bike for any where near $1500. Good news is that the shock size is semi standard (unlike many Spec frames) so if needed you could upgrade/swap it out.


The 06 has good parts and no Spec brand suspension...BUT....the rear shock is a special size that you cannot get aftermarket. Many of this vintage had underbuilt chainstays that liked to break if you ride hard (IIRC they changed them around 06 but you would have to check).

Both bikes have good geo (IMO) and ride well. Spec has great warranty coverage for the original owner.....but secondary owners (you) wont be covered at all (unless you can 'work the system' somehow) as is the norm for most bike mfg. Turner would be the one mfg that I know will cover secondare owners (they also have an impecable reputation for customer service....and at the very least will give you $500 trade in for a frame, no matter the age or condition).

Lots and lots of other bikes to look at that are similar, depending on how pick you are (exact bb height, ect)....check the links above.
 
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dermx

Chimp
Dec 11, 2008
2
0
northeast
I've ridden the new enduros and personally i think they are very XC oriented than previously designs. I believe they come in at 28 lbs now...with 6 inches. Good on paper, but it did not feel like a 6 inch bike when i rode. Not sure if thats a good or bad thing but it wasn't very confidence inspiring. Look at morewood, santa cruz, turner, yeti, trek...the usual suspects. All the MFG's are putting out good trail bikes. Also check out the MTBR forums, they have an "all mountain" section that seems to get many "what bike" threads.
 
YETI187

YETI187

Chimp
Nov 28, 2003
88
0
i'm a MAsshole!!!
I've got an 07 enduro pro. Main drawback is they didn't design the frame to accomadate the dhx air that's on it. This means that they preset the boost valve pressure to what they consider a good average pressure. I'm much larger than the average rider so this thing doesn't exactly pedal all that great because of suspension bob. Sure FSR is suppose to help with bob... but mine still bobs so take take the marketing hype for what it's worth. I'm gonna look into getting adjustability back in mine this winter or getting fox to put more pressure in it. I use the bike for technical trail riding around new england and the low BB is not enjoyable for this. Night riding in particular was really tough at first because of smashing pedals on stuff. I've gotten somewhat used to the BB height now though.

OEM parts I don't like:
-07 xt brakes. lack power and modulation. Looking to upgrade to juicies or elixirs.
-stylo cranks. Poor BB design and ripped the left crank arm off while hammering up a hill (and yes they were secured on there tight). Still gotta contact sram about that and see what they'll do. Currently replaced with some hones.
 
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Dom87SS

Chimp
Oct 31, 2008
7
0
thanks guys these are some pretty worthy notes to take into consideration.

yeti187 is there a way you could measure the BB height from the ground so ican get a better visual as to where about it sits compared to my other bikes.
 
YETI187

YETI187

Chimp
Nov 28, 2003
88
0
i'm a MAsshole!!!
appears to be about 14.25. That is with the steeper angles/ high BB shock shuttle, the 36 cranked to full travel, minion dhf 2.3 in the back and highroller 2.3 up front
 
Leethal

Leethal

Turbo Monkey
Oct 27, 2001
1,240
0
Avondale (Phoenix)
davep said:
The 06 has good parts and no Spec brand suspension...BUT....the rear shock is a special size that you cannot get aftermarket. QUOTE]


Actually the shock is a very common size for coil shocks.. The 06 and 07 versions were very well built and is truly a do everything bike.
Click to expand...
 
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davep

Turbo Monkey
Jan 7, 2005
3,276
0
seattle
Leethal said:
davep said:
The 06 has good parts and no Spec brand suspension...BUT....the rear shock is a special size that you cannot get aftermarket. QUOTE]


Actually the shock is a very common size for coil shocks.. The 06 and 07 versions were very well built and is truly a do everything bike.
Click to expand...
You can get a DHX air or coil in 8.875 X 2.5 you are correct...but both are limmited in how they will fit in the frame due to the length of the resevoir (that is why it comes with a one-off shock w/o the schrader valve or ability to adjust pressures). You need to turn the B/O adjuster in and are limmited to the slack shuttle (and make sure you have a newer DHX that has the shorter air valve).

Vivid does not come in that size....Manitou does not, Romic are essentially OOB as is progressive....

Essentially that leaves either Avalanche, CCDB, or Bos(not sure the res will fit)......$700 shock on a $1500 second hand bike with no warranty does not make a lot of sense IMO.

edit for clarity, and to explain the by 'fitting' I mean that you can simply buy the part and throw it on w/o having to worry about a bunch of 'ifs'. There are always ways around this kind of thing, but based on the orig post (his first F/S bike!!!) I think the limitation in shock fitting/stroke changes/length changes/shuttle changes, etc could be/are an issue.
Click to expand...
 
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Nagaredama

Nagaredama

Turbo Monkey
Nov 15, 2004
1,596
2
Manhattan Beach, CA USA
davep said:
Leethal said:
You can get a DHX air or coil in 8.875 X 2.5 you are correct...but neither will fit in the frame due to the length of the resevoir (that is why it comes with a one-off shock w/o the schrader valve or ability to adjust pressures).
Click to expand...
This statement isn't 100% correct.

The older style DHXs with the long schrader valve will not fit. Newer ones with the air valve flush to the reservoir will.

The reservior may hit the frame on small and medimum frames. On larges and XLs it isn't an issue.

Turning any 8.75" x 2.75" shock into 8.75" x 2.5" is easy and cheap....
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=253577&highlight=moto+roco





Stroke only needs to be limited 1/8" not 1/4". Yes, I know this for a fact. My friend a 8.75 x 2.75 (limited to 2.625) ROCO on his large 05 S-Works Enduro.

I am running a 8.5 x 2.5 RP23 on mine with the steep shuttle. Same geo as the 8.75 + slack shuttle.

05-07 non-SL Enduro are awesome frames.
Click to expand...
 
Teamsuzukirm19z

Teamsuzukirm19z

Monkey
Oct 8, 2003
202
0
It is true that they don't come in exactly that size but the 8.5x2.5 vivid works fine same travel just slightly slacker. If you put the steep shuttle in it would give it the same as the slack with the stock shock. Here is mine with the vivid. No mods needed if there was a fox shock on previously all you will have to do is push the lower bushing out.






To the original poster.... These bikes are great it is my favorite bike I have owned and I have owned many many bikes. I actually don't like the new ones. (enduro SL) or whatever they call it, this bike is more versatile IMO.

davep said:
Leethal said:
You can get a DHX air or coil in 8.875 X 2.5 you are correct...but neither will fit in the frame due to the length of the resevoir (that is why it comes with a one-off shock w/o the schrader valve or ability to adjust pressures).

Vivid does not come in that size....Manitou does not, Romic are essentially OOB as is progressive....

Essentially that leaves either Avalanche, CCDB, or Bos(not sure the res will fit)......$700 shock on a $1500 second hand bike with no warranty does not make a lot of sense IMO.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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Dom87SS

Chimp
Oct 31, 2008
7
0
again thank you guys for the input. im now considering a few treks and giants. but still favor this bike


as for teamsuki...whatever your name is. thank you for the info. your bike is very close to what i rode, and want. so i will still be looking adn digging for info. i dont need the bike right now, but want it soon.
 
Teamsuzukirm19z

Teamsuzukirm19z

Monkey
Oct 8, 2003
202
0
Yea its great I can do full on DH with it, (I could race it but not in Pro class) or I can ride XC with it, of course it isn't as easy to pedal up as a 28lb xc bike but its great because once you get up you can rip down. As it sits in that photo it is 34.25 which inst bad for what it is plus those wheels are like 2400grams.
 
DirtyMike

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
davep said:
Leethal said:
You can get a DHX air or coil in 8.875 X 2.5 you are correct...but both are limmited in how they will fit in the frame due to the length of the resevoir (that is why it comes with a one-off shock w/o the schrader valve or ability to adjust pressures). You need to turn the B/O adjuster in and are limmited to the slack shuttle (and make sure you have a newer DHX that has the shorter air valve).

Vivid does not come in that size....Manitou does not, Romic are essentially OOB as is progressive....

Essentially that leaves either Avalanche, CCDB, or Bos(not sure the res will fit)......$700 shock on a $1500 second hand bike with no warranty does not make a lot of sense IMO.

edit for clarity, and to explain the by 'fitting' I mean that you can simply buy the part and throw it on w/o having to worry about a bunch of 'ifs'. There are always ways around this kind of thing, but based on the orig post (his first F/S bike!!!) I think the limitation in shock fitting/stroke changes/length changes/shuttle changes, etc could be/are an issue.
Click to expand...

The part about the Romic is only true untill your "First" rebuild and Roger interegates you about your rider weight, bike, size, and riding style and replaces your valve with one that is tuned for you. Huge difference when you get it back.

As far as the fifth, costs alot more, but you can always send it to Avy.

And actuall right now, with the 8.75x 2.75 5ths on sale for 25 bucks at SC, its not a bad option for the shock on that bike, with a quick travel limiter added in, its an easy setup.
Click to expand...
 
Teamsuzukirm19z

Teamsuzukirm19z

Monkey
Oct 8, 2003
202
0
Im pretty sure the 8.75x2.75 5th does not fit. Im not sure if it is a resi clearance problem or the spring retainer hits the links but It doesnt fit accorinding to other posts.

Not only are the vivids a great performing shock but they are a really great option for the enduro because it isnt that they lack an air valve adjustment like the foxs come with for the enduros they simply do not have them. If you bought a fox or anything else with an airvalve you would have to take to shock off the front mount and push it forward to fill the camber.

DirtyMike said:
davep said:
The part about the Romic is only true untill your "First" rebuild and Roger interegates you about your rider weight, bike, size, and riding style and replaces your valve with one that is tuned for you. Huge difference when you get it back.

As far as the fifth, costs alot more, but you can always send it to Avy.

And actuall right now, with the 8.75x 2.75 5ths on sale for 25 bucks at SC, its not a bad option for the shock on that bike, with a quick travel limiter added in, its an easy setup.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
4130biker

4130biker

PM me about Tantrum Cycles!
May 24, 2007
3,884
449
I have had my 8.75 x 2.75 dhx 5.0 on my enduro without a problem. Works fine. Yes, the boost valve will have to be filled with the shock at least partially taken off, but as far as clearance issues, there are none.
 
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