vitus sommet

This is a bike that has come into the fiercely competitive ‘enduro’ scene with intentions to rival not only the capability, but to also challenge the ‘direct-sales’ brands on the continent in terms of value. Despite it being the standard model this is by no means an incapable bike. Far from it in fact, with a spec list that hosts a custom tuned Monarch Plus coming as standard, a Manitou Mattoc Pro fork and a stealth dropper post, this is a serious competitor.

We really like its more trail orientated Escarpe too. These are both bikes with up to date geometry, real solid rides that definitely provide a real bang for your buck package. If you’re just getting into enduro, this bike is sure to take you above and beyond, with a spec list that won’t need upgrading straight off the bat and at this price, there is so little to go wrong.

Price: £1799

Vitus

Read the full review here

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yt capra al comp

This bike just keeps showing its face, doesn’t it? It now has close competition but that doesn’t mean that the mountain goat inspired Capra isn’t still on top of the game. The XL came in this year too, first found on the aluminium bike that we have chose too. With a well thought out suspension package, components and very mean looks the Capra is built to win.

Direct sales also means that this bike comes in at a very respectable price, with performance that should cost twice as much. It really turned heads when it first entered the show and so it carries on. Whether carbon or aluminium this is a real trail slayer, ready for runs at the bike park or a full day of racing enduro. A bike that lives up to YT’s ethos of ‘good times’.

Price: £2399

YT

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arbr saker

This is a bike that will certainly turn heads and divide opinions in the looks department. The Saker is a bike that you can’t deny is a true product of research and engineering though. Straight out of Surrey, the ARBR Saker is a bike formed through the collaborative minds of mountain bikers. These mountain bikers however, happen to have 25 years of automotive and aerospace engineering experience behind them. With production being small batch and based in the UK, this is not a cheap bike. Though what you do get is all that exclusivity and a level of quality assurance you can’t achieve with big manufacture abroad.

How does such a bike ride though? This a bike that really does show its cards when driven into the rough, with superb balance to it, this bike has a genuine pace. Even without a lock out switch on the damper, this bike climbs well too. This bike really does show that all the research they put into our bikes nowadays really does pay off, a true product of genius engineering.

Price: £4390 (frame only)

ARBR 

Read the full review here

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specialized s-works enduro 29

Another bike at the forefront of the long-travel 29er pack, the Enduro 29 is a bike birthed through Specialized’s desire to keep pushing what a bike can do. With updates in geometry and a boost in its travel, the Enduro has become one of the biggest hitting 29ers around. It really does destroy the box that you’ll inevitable try to put it in, a real bike that blurs the trail-downhill lines.

The Enduro 29 comes draped in solid components. With Sram’s Eagle drivetrain pulling you up the hills, damping supplied by Ohlins and the Specialized’s SWAT system too, this bike is well prepared for big mountains and bigger days out.

Price: £7400

Specialized

Read the full review here

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Evil insurgent

The shape, the colourway, the integrated chain guide and that streamlined DELTA suspension system. Just look at it, the Evil Insurgent is beautiful. If looks could kill, the Insurgent wouldn’t even need to use them, because this bike has other weapons at its disposal. With its adjustable geometry this bike defines long, low and slack. The two geometry settings being low and extra-low can get the bike down to a 64.8° head angle. Seriously slack.

Despite its low weight, the Insurgent still handles the big stuff with ease and with the right amount of flex this bike has serious character all in a seriously stealthy package. This bike is ready to hack out the big climbs with you, but is all party on the way down.

Price: £2699 (frame only)

Evil

Read the full review here

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trek slash 9.9 race shop limited

Coming in the factory red and decked in wishlist components straight from the EWS, comes the Trek Slash. This is another bike that has turned to 29er wheels in an effort to eek out the highest performance for the highest level of racing. Before you say it, the similarity between it and the the Session is definitely intentional, this is a bike designed to hammer descents just like its beefier sibling.

It is definitely one of the more expensive bikes in this list, but that should not subtract from the fact that this is a true race bike. They really put a lot of research into the Slash, it is super stiff but not harsh and its low setting pulls that head angle down to a very slack 65.1°. It may not give you the skills to land an EWS podium, but it definitely feels at home there.

Price: £6000

Trek

Read the full review here

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mojo/nicolai geometron g16

Everyone seems to be pushing their boundaries in terms of bike geometry, but it appears someone is already there. Mojo Suspension in collaboration with Nicolai bikes have created this, the Geometron G16. This bike defines “long, low and slack” with geometry that even the most up to date enduro bikes can’t keep up with. With 155/175mm of rear wheel travel (depending on rear shock) all custom tuned by Mojo themselves this is a seriously capable bike.

As we well know, a bike pushing these numbers is sure to descend well, but this is a bike that climbs like a goat too, with a steep seat tube and forward centre of gravity giving you traction all the way to the top of those heavy suffer fests. With five sizes available, three being bigger than an XL Mondraker Dune, and a full package of fitting and tuning by Mojo themselves, you will have a bike which is all for you, no sharing.

Price: £2600 (frame and shock)

Nicolai / Mojo

Read the full review here

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Commencal meta am v4.2

A firm favourite here at Dirt, the Meta is a bike steeped in wins over its 12 year life. Now on the fourth generation, the fully aluminium bike is bigger and better than ever. The extra ‘.2’ is the most recent rendition of this classic bike, so what has changed? Well in the words of Max Commencal himself “the only thing that’s changed is everything!”. The travel is upped by 10mm for this year with the bike running 160mm rear and 170mm on the front. The angles and sizes have also been revised with a slacker head angle and longer wheelbase, placing this bike firmly in the ‘enduro’ catergory of bikes.

In testing, to get the reach numbers we wanted meant upsizing leading to issues with seat tube length. Not much of an issue in the grand scheme, but one nonetheless. However, with Commencal as a brand that have embraced the direct sales model, you really get a lot of bang for your buck. This is a bike that keeps showing its face in our Dirt 100, and i’m sure that spree shall continue.

Price: €4,599

Commencal

Read the full review here

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transition patrol carbon 2

Transition produce bikes with fun in mind, this bike is no different. The Patrol is a very versatile bike, with some very capable kit and with a move to carbon for this year it has only got better. At the core of the bike is the GiddyUp suspension system, built to party on the trails whether going up or blasting back down. The mid spec Patrol we tested came laced with components from ANVL and Raceface, solid components that will definitely handle a thrashing.

The bike is roomy too, with the guys at Transition being tall, the sizing is on point. It may not be the longest bike but the low centre of gravity really gives you the confidence to hit the corners full gas. Overall this bike has impressed a lot of people, including us, giving it a well deserved spot in our Dirt 100.

Price: £2999.95 (frameset only)

Transition

Read the full review here

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orange alpine six factory

The hand-built Alpine from Halifax is back and it isn’t just the name that has changed. No, the change from 160 to 6 isn’t the only thing, the new Alpine has emerged updated, lighter and more refined. With revisions to shock placement, chainstay length, a move to ‘Boost’ spacing and more travel up front, the Orange is more capable than ever. This is a bike whose spec list is superb, with components that just feel right straight out of the box is. Plus, with added customisation from Orange, you can really make this bike your own.

Its more climb orientated siblings, the Stage 5 and 6 may climb faster than their beefy cousin, but this is a bike that gets up the hills with one thing on its mind, to get right back down to the bottom as fast as possible. Handling everything from bike park laps to big mountain days out. It is one of our favourites here at Dirt, this is a bike that can handle some serious abuse.

Price: £5500

Orange

Read the full review here

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