In what might have been one of this year’s worst kept secrets, Specialized has been working on a new Enduro. At this point, that isn’t to be taken lightly. Specialized is going on more than a decade of Enduro trail dominance and the bike has gained quite a few fans along the way.
Quite a bit has changed since the early days of the Enduro. There are multiple wheel sizes, different axle standards, and across the board bikes are being pushed to new limits. As a result, for 2017 there’s still two Enduros, but now there’s four different tire options…
If you guessed that there would be a plus option for the new Enduro, you’re right. Split into two different frames, the new bike will be offered in 29″/27+ and 650b. Even though the 650b frame won’t fit the current crop of Plus tires, it will fit the new 27.5 x 2.6″ tires on offer from Specialized. In an interesting move, the 29/27+ bike will only be sold complete as a 29″ build, but the 650b bike will be sold with both 27.5 x 2.3″ and 27.5 x 2.6″ tire options, both with 30mm inner width rims. Given the more aggressive nature of the Enduro, it seems that Specialized feels the 2.6″ rubber is a better fit than 2.8″. However, Specialized claims if you want a true Plus build, you can swap a pair of Plus wheels and tires right into the 29″ frame which will fit up to 27.5 x 3.0″ tires and 29 x 2.5″.
Other than the tire sizes, the other differences between the two frames include geometry and suspension travel with the 29/6Fattie seeing 165mm rear/160mm front, and the 27.5″ bumping it up to 170mm of travel front and rear. The geometry on both frames has been designed to offer slack head tube angles, short chainstays, and low bottom brackets, which all vary slightly depending on the wheel and tire selection.
Rumors were floating around that Specialized had abandoned their X-wing frame design, but instead they have updated it to work with the increased travel. S-Works and Pro models will use full Fact 11 carbon frames while the Elite Carbon uses a Fact 9 carbon front triangle with M5 aluminum rear, and the Comp moves to full M5 Alloy which loses the SWAT Box storage.
The carbon frames all get the added storage capabilities of the SWAT Box system which allows you to stash gear, tools, food, or whatever else can fit in your downtube. The door doubles as a water bottle cage and the system helps keep the weight of your flat kit nice and low.
The Enduro still relies on Specialized FSR suspension, but it has been given a number of upgrades for increased durability. All of the bearings are now the same size and are double filled. All cable routing is internal, and the rear cable routing has been tweaked so it now runs over the BB rather than looping under it. As you would expect, to fit the new tire sizes, all frames are Boost 148 x 12 rear and Boost 110 front. And yes, that is a 73mm threaded bottom bracket.
While all of the frames feature RX Tuned rear shocks with Autosag, the S-Works and Pro models get the Ohlins rear treatment with the STX22 RX All Mountain Tuned Autosag shock. The S-Works 29/6Fattie takes it a step further with the new Ohlins RXF 36 fork which features a twin tube damper, 3 chamber air spring, and Boost 110 x 15 spacing. The fork is listed as 29/27+ compatible so we assume it will fit 27 x 3.0″ tires like the frame.
Regardless of the model, if you buy a new Enduro you’ll be getting 1x gearing, 780mm handlebars, a Command Post IRcc, SRAM Guide brakes, 30mm internal rims, and GRID casing tires. Just don’t try to mount a front derailleur, because the Enduro is 1x only.
In addition to more burly plus tires now in the form of the Butcher and Slaughter in 27.5 x 2.8″, the tires will also be offered in 27.5 x 2.6″. Is this the Goldilocks tire for those on the fence with Plus?
Frames will be offered in both the 29/6Fattie option and the 650b. The black and orange/yellow frames will be the stock colors, while the wild JAW color on the end will be offered as a limited edition. All three feature the Ohlins STX rear shock, chain guides, and the limited edition frame adds a Command Post IRcc. Pricing for the S-works frame will run $3,500.
Every model is available in both a 29/6Fattie and two 650b versions with 2.3 or 2.6″ tires. The $8,500 S-Works sees a full carbon frame for both models, and SRAM XX1 Eagle 1×12 plus Roval Traverse hoolkess carbon rims for a truly high end build.
Dropping down to $6,500, the Pro build still features SRAM Eagle 1×12, only this time it’s X01. The wheels also transition to aluminum with Roval Traverse alloy hoops. As mentioned above, the Pro keeps the full Fact 11 carbon frame as well.
At $4,400, the Elite loses the carbon rear end with an M5 aluminum swingarm plus a Fact 9 carbon front triangle. At this point you drop down to SRAM GX 1×11, though the build still looks to be a solid value at this price.
Last but not lease, the $3,000 Enduro Comp. The full aluminum frame lacks SWAT Box storage, but otherwise features all of the same details and a SRAM GX/NX 1×11 drivetrain.
Check out Specialized.com for full build kits. Select models available now, with the full line becoming available very soon.
