Gearboxes are a tricky one. On one hand they keep your gears safe and clean, while centralising the mass of the bike. On the other they are heavier than traditional drivetrains.

In enduro, where every second counts, that added weight could have you blowing out on the climb and losing precious seconds, or even the race, but then, a snapped chain or bent hanger can be chronic.

While we haven’t seen any mainstream movements towards the gearbox, a few smaller brands are releasing experimental bikes that could lead the way. Here are five of the best:

Five Gearbox enduro bikes:

Cavalerie Anakin

With a belt drive gearbox, the Cavalerie Anakin certainly draws some stares on the trail. The Cavalerie brand was devised by the same guys that made its Efiigear box so there’s no doubt the tech will have been implemented well.

There’s a full custom bike builder available on the Cavalerie site, or you can just buy the frame and build it up at your leisure. There’s also the 185mm Squirrel if you’re looking for something a bit more brutish.