10 Hottest Enduro Bikes from the Sea Otter Classic

Want a bike thats speedy and nimble going downhill but also light and efficient at pedaling uphill? Then lucky for you, we’ve rounded up 10 of the hottest and newest enduro bikes from the Sea Otter Classic. The Diamondback Mission Pro 27.5 is brand spanking new for 2015. The Mission Pro 27.5 comes with 160mm Fox 34 Float …

Want a bike thats speedy and nimble going downhill but also light and efficient at pedaling uphill? Then lucky for you, we’ve rounded up 10 of the hottest and newest enduro bikes from the Sea Otter Classic.

diamondback_mission275_enduro2The Diamondback Mission Pro 27.5 is brand spanking new for 2015. The Mission Pro 27.5 comes with 160mm Fox 34 Float CTD fork, Fox Float X rear shock, SRAM X01 11-speed drivetrain, Shimano XT brakes, and Easton Haven wheelset. MSRP $6,500

felt_compulsion_enduro1

Felt has completely redesigned their all-mountain bikes of the Compulsion series and made them enduro-worthy for 2015. The Felt Compulstion 10 uses thier proprietary Equilink efficient suspension design, 160mm RockShox Pike RC fork, RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 rear shock, SRAM X01 11-speed drivetrain, and WTB KOM wheels. MSRP $5,499 (available early 2015)

trek_slash_enduro1

The Trek Slash bikes feature adjustable geometry and a sweet component package for enduro trail riding. Trek’s exclusive Mino link lets you tune the slack between 65.5° HTA/High BB (+10 mm) and 65° HTA/Low BB. The Slash 8 is set up with 160mm Fox Evolution 34 Talas fork, Fox Evolution Float CTD rear shock, 2×10 Shimano SLX/XT drivetrain with Race Face Ride crank, RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post, and Bontrager wheels/tire combo. MSRP $4,499.99

giant_trance_advanced

Giant’s top-of-the-line enduro trail bike is the Trance Advanced 27.5 0. This bike features a 140mm RockShox Revelation RLT3 fork, RockShox Monarch RT3 rear shock, SRAM XX1 1×11 drivetrain, and Avid X0 Trail brakes. MSRP $7,725

gt_sanction_frame
GT has brought back the Sanction, new and improved with input from the Athertons. The new Sanction is as enduro as it gets, with aggressive frame geometry (66° head tube angle) and long front center design. While the Sanction pedals uphill well, it definitely has more gravity bias since the geometry places the rider in a more forward position. Full component specs still TBD. MSRP $1,999 (Frame only, available Sept/Oct 2014)
cannondale_jekyll

Cannondale has also made some improvements on the Jekyll, their enduro line of bikes, and the Jekyll Carbon Team is rockin’ with new technology. Cannondale’s signature Lefty fork has been lightened up with carbon, stiffened with an oversized inverted dual-crown design, and dampening has been optimized for a super-smooth ride to earn its SuperMax name. For rear suspension, the Jekyll uses Fox Dyad technology which with a remote-operated switch gives you two shocks in one–climb in Elevate mode if you want air-shock behavior, and switching to Flow mode changes the suspension to that of a coil-spring downhill shock.  MSRP $7,580

norco_range_enduro

The Norco Range Carbon 7.1 is fit for enduro racing and all-mountain exploring.  The Range Carbon 7.1 comes with 160mm RockShox Pike Solo Air fork, RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 rear shock, SRAM X01 drivetrain with SRAM X1 crank, and downhill confidence. MSRP $5,675

santa_cruz_nomad

The new Santa Cruz Nomad has been redesigned this year with more aggressive geometry – 65° head tube angle, longer reach in the cockpit, and steep 74.2° seat tube angle. The Nomad is complete with a full-carbon frame, 165mm VPP suspension, RockShox Pike RCT3 Solo Air fork, SRAM X01 components, and flashy colors because, well, how else would anyone recognize you when you’re flying down the trail? MSRP $6,599

scott_genius_700_tuned

The new Scott Genius 700 Tuned with its HMX carbon fiber frame is the lightest bike in the Genius Enduro series. Built with Scott’s exclusive Twinloc lever system to easily control both rear shock travel and front suspension lockout,150mm Fox 32 Float fork, Fox Nude rear shock, SRAM XX1 group, and Syncros TR1.0 carbon wheelset this bike is race-ready. MSRP $9,499.99

intense_tracer_enduro2

Intense has always made nice (expensive) bikes and the Tracer T275 carbon is no exception. The Tracer T275 is built with 160mm RockShox Pike RCT3 Solo Air fork, RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 rear shock, SRAM X01 drivetrain, Shimano XT brakes and Stans ZTR Flow rims. MSRP $9,999

It’s gonna be tough picking out a new bike with all these enduro options–carbon or aluminum, one-by or two-by chainring setup, adjustable travel, business black or neon, slack or more slack, expensive or really expensive? Which will you choose?