My Ultimate Enduro Mountain Bike Comparison

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Huge thanks to Endura! The essentials of the winter time Endura kit I use daily here in the PNW is as follows- and anything purchased from the links in this description will help support my channel: jenson.sjv.io/EnduraWaterproofSocksJKW jenson.sjv.io/EnduraMT500SprayTrouserJKW jenson.sjv.io/EnduraSingletrackFleeceJKW jenson.sjv.io/EnduraWindproofGloveJKW

[@carlosmedrano3549]

i have a the rocky mountain altitude was wondering what number setting you are running 1 through 9

[@andresdavila4500]

Love it! ‘It changed from how we all wanted to ride to something so gnarly it’s beyond most of us’ completely agree, it is the normal evolution curve I guess, trail riding might now be the original ‘enduro’

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Yeah- tho in a lot of amazing places, a full on enduro sled is still a great rig! My fave enduro bikes are more "all arounders" than the gnarliest ones, tho.

[@andresdavila4500]

@@JeffKendallWeed completely agree!! I ride a Status 140 which has the from end of almost a downhill bike paired with a super short chainstay and ‘only’ 140 of travel, the most fun bike I had! I call it an all rounder… 😬

[@gregorykulinski2186]

It was most of the time beyond for most of Us , just we didn't know We can.... giving more time.

[@AORNova]

@@JeffKendallWeed Also interesting to see that visually on the Rallon, Firebird and RMA the riding looked way more natural and relaxed compared to the other more race-oriented rigs. I (along with probably others) would probably prefer... not clenching my cheeks and closing my eyes blasting at mach chicken, and the more conservative-geo'ed bikes really show their worth. Maybe longer-slacker-lower isn't all it's hyped to be... Commencal's new Meta would be a good bike to have to test the theory!

[@SprSonik13]

it is not evolution, it is marketing! Since the big bike market is fairly saturated, now they will push agile/fun bikes that rely more on the rider than the tech. In 45+ years riding bikes on trails, other than the extremes the trails most people ride are literally the same. And smaller bikes are so much more engaging on most trails, while still more than capable of hitting light park days and black trails.

[@justprayaboutit]

Thanks for the consistent high quality content, Jeff! You never miss

[@piotrekh7606]

I need to admit that despite English is not my first language and sometimes is hard for me to follow you Jeff I would watch you every movie mostly because of your unique riding style. Every time it is makes me to grab my bike even in mid of freezing winter and go for a ride just to skill up mine wheelies. You are my true inspiration.

[@CANNABISfreedomNOtaxes]

What is your native language?

[@piotrekh7606]

My native language is Polish.

[@DB-sd3cw]

Insane d riding

[@pgson8929]

Cheers. This is one of your best videos yet. You explained the differences and character changes between the bikes very well. Not many comparison videos are this good.

[@158158cow]

So much style in your riding - the footage was mesmerizing! Interesting how bikes in this category are converging. All of the geo is gravitating towards a sweet spot, leaving: build specs, pricing, and warranties to create the real winners.

[@paulhusby8344]

Nuanced, articulate and useful to viewers, as usual. Well done, and thanks. Caution about trying this at home :). I do miss the Pacific Northwest, and the bicycle culture found there.

[@BCursed2012]

Phenomenal review as always, Jeff. I upgraded recently from the V2S Ripmo to the SB160. I love the added stability at speed and pure capability of the Yeti, but I notice the weight and the extra work it takes to get it into the air. In my local UC Santa Cruz trails both bikes are well suited and i like the Ripmo on the climbs but the SB160 on the decent.

[@pho_bowler]

You make me want to buy the Rocky Mountain Altitude! Great video 👍🏽

[@bullseye0112]

Great Summary of all these bikes ..concise and informative!! Thanks for taking the time to do this video, you are an asset to the MTB community.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thank you!

[@freezer4230]

Great video, thanks Jeff! Loving my Firebird- fast and playful descending, super efficient climbing. With the short rear end and awesome kinematics, it's as much a long travel trail bike as an enduro bike.

[@davidcrawford9421]

Jeff, I have been watching and learning from your videos and thanks to you and JensonUSA where your name is highly regarded I have a Rocky Mountain Altitude A30 arriving any day now (at a 45% discount) I especially enjoyed the video where you did 10 runs up and down the same trail to compare all of the ride 9 adjustable settings. An excellent and very thorough analysis that I will refer to while testing for my ideal set up. I'll keep watching ! Thank you again , David

[@JVEDH]

I watched all 24 minutes of this. Great content. Thank you!

[@Felix-mr1vs]

Super informative and unpopular but very relevant considerations too (like company outlook, etc.). Loved that video man!

[@kaneda4102]

Love to see Jeff’s take on the Commencal Meta

[@Eric.V.]

Pinkbike better take some notes. Your bike reviews are next level bro😎👍

[@DB-sd3cw]

Your*

[@rip.tear.]

Cant wait to watch this when I get back, watched your conclusion already and I love the way you summed everything up!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks Rip!!!

[@TAZMON20]

Fabulously informative, so much information packed into a punchy video giving each option enough airtime for everyone to gain an impression, I'm glad I pulled the trigger in the Yeti SB160, great work, thank you.

[@clc1117]

The firebird is the best looking bike in my option. The muted green frame with the orange fork looks great. It’s sounds like it would be an awesome bike to ride as well! My aluminum Hightower still has a few more years left in her, but I’ll be looking at pivot for my next bike.

[@2wheelfish]

The video we've all been waiting for, nice job. Great review and really concise for the amount of information you provided.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

THANK YOU Dean! I've never done this format before, so trying to keep it fun to watch was gonna be tough... Hopefully it was enjoyable!

[@usurpedliberty9096]

I definitely agree about the change in enduro leading to bikes we don’t need. I picked up a Yeti SB150 last year because it was on mega sale with the new SB160. Living near Moab it was kind of funny how much bike it was. I swapped the 38 for a 36 and the float x2 for a float x and it’s probably my favorite bike I’ve owned. The 38 and X2 were nice for my North Shore trip but way too much for back home.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Nice move setting the SB150 up a little smaller! That has gotta be a fun rig!

[@MrSatchelpack]

The 38 is only a half pound heaver than the 36, so I feel like the weight difference is negligible given the additional stiffness. So unless you wanted to avoid the infamous 38 creakiness, the change seems unnecessary.

[@usurpedliberty9096]

@@MrSatchelpack it’s more about ride feel less about weight. The 38 feels dead larger seals more friction half a pound less lots of benefits. If you’ve only been riding those big forks I’d recommend trying a 36 again you’ll be surprised what you lost. Also had a 36 laying around so the cost of an air shaft to swap so not a big deal. I also live in an area where you climb your way downhill so picking up a half a pound less each time I have to make a dynamic up move is appreciated.

[@mrvwbug4423]

@@MrSatchelpack Is there a fix for the 38 creaking? Because the one on my Altitude gets downright musical the second the trails get even a little wet.

[@MrSatchelpack]

@@mrvwbug4423 If it's truly the fork the creaking is from the connection between the stanchion and the crown of the crown and the steer tube. They should have been installed with Loctite Retaining compound to fill any voids. I suggest getting a version of a retaining compound that is runny enough to seep in between the seams. The only real way is to press everything out, apply rc, and press back in. If I'm not mistaken the crown section that accepts the steer tube is shorter on the fox 38 than the 36. They probably did this to save weight.

[@lazylearner967]

I've had a Rallon as my second bike since mid 22' What I can't believe is how well it pedals! It pedals so well! Very poppy and playful too. It is firm and serves alright as a shuttle bike but the reason I got it was for the efficiency of the pedals. But I am usually pedaling it. I have 1500 miles on it and I really like it for my use. The Mega Tower was my other consideration but with how much I pedal in Utah the Rallon is incredible. I have a soft spot in my soul for Pivot but just can't do the super boost while I have high end wheel sets to use with them. My old XC racer was the Pivot 429 from over a decade. Pivot makes great stuff but I can't do the super boost at this point. The Mach 4 will probably replace my Element at some point (as long as they don't super boost that!)

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Yeah the Rallon is a great all arounder! Sounds like you'd agree with my take? Pivot does make some great stuff, too! Thanks for the note!

[@lazylearner967]

@@JeffKendallWeed yes I agree your experience. I use the Rallon as a trail bike too as well as the jump park that requires one to earn their turns. I probably would have picked up the Pivot if they didn’t have super boost. The Mega Tower came out at the same time but I wanted a bike that pedals really well. BTW I am a NICA coach and I took the Rallon for most of my practice rides with the team. The Rallon taint’ slow going uphill or down!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Cheers!!!! @@lazylearner967

[@caseyschooley8117]

No idea why I love review videos so much, but I do. Great video! Love to see a similar video on trail bikes you've ridden.

[@HsiawenHull]

Awesome breakdown per usual Jeff!

[@octodadmtbmartyrichards2862]

Sick riding bro! I like adjustable enduro bikes Eg stumpy evo and new Marin alpine trail. Also love the new Merida 160 as a more trail / enduro bike

[@Dragonfly0987]

Would love it if Jeff did a Freeride instead of Enduro round up. Perhaps semantics, but i think Freeride encompasses more how most people want to ride. Most folks do not ever race. The bikes could be seen as somewhat different as well. Would like to see you (Jeff) review the Propain spindrift and Rocky Mt Slayer amongst other in that category.

[@mattleonard5268]

Enduro bikes are so close to freeride bikes it’s pretty much the same

[@s4-mtb678]

Thanks, this is what Pinkbike should do. You're the man.

[@PhilJoe82]

Damn thx a lot for this ridiculously valueable video. I really would like to see Jeff ride some German Brands such as Nicolai (Saturn 16 or 14), YT Capra or Jeffsy (I mean come on ... Even the name fits you) or even something such as Liteville (the new 303) or the Propain Tyee or Spindrift. I guess it would be hell of a ride and you have so much fun on it.

[@mariov5181]

Thanks for the awesome reviews of not only bikes but gear. I was looking for a warm top layer, and the Endura Singletrack fleece is what I was looking, so I picked one up. 👍

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks Mario!! I wear that thing a ton- often in the rain. It’s not waterproof at all, but if it’s not a torrential downpour, it breathes way better than any jacket. If you sweat in it, it’s not a big deal at all. Huge fan of those singletrack fleece jerseys!

[@santiagosalcedo7653]

Wow!!! So much beauty... Pivot firebird was the cherry on top for me. Smooth ride 👌

[@Dream-season]

Excellent video as always!!

[@JamesLG4]

Great video Jeff. If I had to replace my Steezl it would be that Pivot Firebird with a coil shock.

[@bensbikes]

Another great video Jeff. I just upgraded my Ripmo to a Spire in addition to a Spur. The Spur/Spire combo is great, a shorter playful bike for longer rides and mellower trails, and a big smashy bike for DH-oriented rides. The Spire is confidence-inspiring (ha) on all the local steep, gnarly stuff. It wants to go fast. I have noticed that it doesn't corner as well as a shorter wheelbase bike would, but I guess that's the trade-off for being so stable over chunk. I'm loving it so far!

[@LoamerMTB]

Have the same setup and I haven’t ridden my Spur in almost a year. The Spire is just so fun! Need to get out on it again soon tho. It’s a great little bike.

[@mtbboy1993]

5:03 a warm drink in a thermos is a good idea, I should get that or insulated bladder and hose, I've not tried this yet. I see Hydrapak has a bah to insulate the bladder, Hydrapak Hydrasleeve. I should buy that. I see a review says it works in - 20c. So that should do well. I get less thirsty in the winter but still get thirsty.

[@shaneridesmtb]

Fantastic round up video! I can only imagine how many pages of script that was. Thanks Jeff and crew

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Only 8 pages single spaced 😂

[@ultimatist]

Man, I wish you would've discussed and placed the stumpjumper Evo. Probably the best "Enduro bike" for most people on most trails.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Stump jumper Evo will go in an upcoming trail bike comparison. Generally bikes over 170 mm of travel end up in the enduro and bikes 150 down to about 130 are trail bikes.

[@ultimatist]

@@JeffKendallWeed I hear you, but a bunch of state and national enduro racers are opting for Stevo's over Enduros for racing. Matter of fact, I hear it's more plush than a Rallon for rough trails. Either way, looking forward to the trail comparo.

[@mattleonard5268]

I don’t think the stumpjumper evo is an enduro bike but it’s an aggressive trail/all mountain bike.

[@bimmerfan729]

Solid run down! I hope to see one of these going over some short travel rippers in the future!

[@jaybartlett2561]

Love my Firebird, definitely playful and easy to climb for a bike that has 170/165 travel. I went with a small size frame as I’m 5’6”. Which makes it easier to manage.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Ah at 5'6" the small would be a GREAT fit! I was on the bubble between small and medium, but risked it and went medium, and it turned out fine. It's a big bike though, so the smaller size certainly has PLENTY of legs to it!

[@jaybartlett2561]

@@JeffKendallWeed yeah I cant' imagine needing something bigger...i do notice that the Trail 429 in Small seems a bit more cramped and could see myself liking a Medium with that. On my firebird I did ditch the 150mm dropper for a 175mm which was a nice improvement.

[@skate50mph]

Howdy Neighbor (Trail 4) Port Gamble@ 0830!! Rad to see you rip it out here. Next time you visit PG?

[@AZMTB]

Quality vid as usual, Jeff! All awesome bikes. I'm gonna be that guy, though, and say "why didn't you review" the Megatower? Seems to be just about the only one missing. See you in Sedona...???

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Ah I wish I could! Santa Cruz wasn’t in the Jenson fold until 2023… then they didn’t have any bikes for me 😂 so I bought a discounted Bronson! The Nomad/mega/high were beyond my budget to buy.

[@alexm.3744]

Incredible super cool riding skill and style!!!! And a phenomenal video with absolut dream bikes, thx for this. I choose the Firebird last season and love it 🙃

[@VelkePivo]

My pick is the Evil Insurgent. Incredible bike.

[@mattleonard5268]

I test rode an ibis “mojo hd” demo bike when it originally came out (circa 2012) and was very impressed by it on my local trails and I feel like it was one of the original true enduro bikes.

[@vrwgq3q]

The conclusion is that nobody really makes a bad bike. Heck even a specialized status 160 has enough capability everywhere. Thanks Jeff, if its anyone's subjective option I take most stock of in these comparisons, its yours. but if I were to choose one, its prolly still Specialized Enduro with Ohlins.

[@mrvwbug4423]

Your takes on the Altitude and Firebird are pretty much in line with my thoughts on riding them. The Firebird is hands down the best pedaling bike I've ever ridden, but I had to size down to a medium where I ride a large on most bikes, Pivots be huge. But I can't think of a better bike for charging through pedally tech, on the downs it feels like a burlier Ripmo all the way down to the vague cornering feel. I was between the Firebird and Altitude to replace my Ripmo and ended up getting an Altitude at a deep discount. The Altitude on the ups is a hair less efficient than the DW link bikes, but the traction is incredible. On the downs it's a bike that just keeps pushing you to go faster, it corners extremely well, is plush through chunk and takes big hits like a boss. The biggest adjustment between the Ripmo and the Altitude was the Altitude naturally wants to go much faster even down slower tech and big hits that were "brace for impact" on the Ripmo are buttery smooth on the Altitude.

[@topspot4834]

You have good taste in bikes. I rode the Mach 6 and Firebird, I'm 5'7 so I went with the Mach 6, which is pretty much just a smaller version of the Firebird. I spent a lot more money than I initially planned on, but unlike a lot of brands (looking at you Yeti) I felt like I was getting what I was paying for. Amazing bike, perfect for the bike park ... If I had to get a new bike today I'd still get my Mach 6, but the HD6 and probably Nomad and Altitude would be on the short list. I favor both Pivot and Ibis though because the DW Link is insane.

[@shahnguffy4790]

Giving up my Pivot for Altitude! Gotta have traction on the corners!!

[@NicholasJohnson14]

Where are those jump trails! That looks so epic!

[@COMOMTB]

Great talking points and summary of the bikes. As a “consumer” of your content I’d ask you to think about how the audience is going to use and ride these bikes vs. how you ride them. While we all can appreciate your skill in jumping and riding a long manual, that is not how (or why) most people ride an enduro bike. Got pretty tired of watching you pop all over the place but was interested still in the bikes. These are designed to smash roots, rocks and drops and would be good to get more details and action on these types of trails.

[@RennDeWitt]

Illuminating, loved it, thank you!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks!

[@AlexAutoYYC]

I wish you included the SC Megatower and Norco Range

[@micheandmikey]

Great comparison Jeff, thank you. It's 2024....as a fellow Ripmo rider (and I absolutely love my Ripmo) I feel like it's due for an overhaul....possibly an HD6 forward DW pivot location but full 29er that doesn't need to be so slack. Maybe I'm dreaming....(I will have to go for a pedal with our mutual friend and try to pry it out of him) 🤣🤣 That's it for me...heading up to work on some trail. Cheers!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Howdy Mike! I'll see ya out there, I'll be riding before lunch!

[@mrvwbug4423]

IMHO Ripmo V3 should be 150/160 full 29er, HD6 style back end the clevis needs to go away, work on the progression curve to get rid of the Ripmo's tendency to bottom out easily. "Brace for impact" on the Ripmo makes it a tough bike to be confident with on big hits even if the geo absolutely supports being sendy. With the HD6 now being the race sled Ibis really should work on getting the Ripmo to be more poppy and playful, it's not an easy bike to get into the air.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

@@mrvwbug4423I’d love to see a mechanical adjustment to suspension progression like Rocky Mtn does… no DW bike does this AFAIK. I always do volume reducers, those help a lot. The cascade link helps too!!

[@micheandmikey]

@@mrvwbug4423 I have 5600+ miles on my V2. I have both an Float X2 and a DPX2 I swap back and forth. The DPX2 makes the bike super playful! I have absolutely zero complaints with my V2. However saying that, exactly what you said I fully agree with for the next generation (3).

[@forest7424]

This is so valuable for looking at and purchasing bikes. Most of us will never have the opportunity or will be able to feel and articulate the differences in the bikes. Thank you! Would be interested in your trying out the Fezzari La Sal Peak. Great value proposition but what does someone as experienced as you think?

[@aweldum]

I knew the altitude was going to win our overall from your impressions. I ended up going firebird over 160 due to release timing and options cost of availability. I'm also not fooling anyone to believing in worth of the 160 (coming from a 5.5, that was tough to swallow). I love the firebird for what it's worth and race 10 times a year. The rest of the time on trail is silly between my 5.5 and my firebird

[@offdaystv]

I love your channel! Helps figure out what I like

[@SudoChuckwalla]

another fun video! living in the bay area these big bikes don't really suit my desire for one bike to ride everything, so i'll be continuing to put heavy tires on my trail bike and holding on when it gets rough.

[@coralmansion]

Another great video, i still can't get over how little views you guys get for the amount of quality. I wonder if you are planning on doing this sort of round-up again with this year? If so me and im sure many others would love to see your take on the chromag lowdown or possibly the darco!

[@CarbageRacing]

I know it’s old at this point but have you ever ridden or tested the specialized Enduro? I searched and didn’t see anything. As usual awesome content keep it up. Thanks 👍

[@AORNova]

Good overall review! Fantastic depth of info and coverage of practically everything we could ask for. Really agree too with the analysis between the racier bikes to the more well-rounded ones. Current trend of slacker and longer are indeed, like you mentioned, giving us bikes that probably won't suit 90% of the stuff we have at home.... and hence I settled on a Pivot Shadowcat. A light, efficient, nimble and compliant all-rounded trail bike that I know I wouldn't be taking to the downhill but, who does that every day of the week? :)

[@evanblackwell3920]

Super interesting perspective on the HD6. I got one recently, and I have to say, my perspective is almost exactly the opposite. Coming off two big, slack, high pivot bikes (Norco Range and Forbidden Dreadnought) the HD6 feels almost like a trail bike with a big fork. I am loving how much easier it is to climb and how much life it has on more mellow terrain. For me (about your height, but very short legs) the handling is sensational. The steeper/shorter geometry (compared to my recent enduro bikes) and smaller rear wheel makes cornering feel really intuitive. As you mention, I also initially felt like the front end was longer than the reach numbers suggested, but once I got the fork set up to my preference (100 PSI, 2 volume spacers, ~190lbs rider), the sensation went away. While the bike does feel a bit more nervous than my previous bikes on the gnarliest of terrain, I am hoping that it'll be a faster overall package when race season rolls around! As you mention, I think a lot of time in races is made up outside of the gnarly sections, and for me, the Ibis feels (comparatively) super efficient there. Overall, super interesting to see how much one's perspective shifts based on what they're comparing a bike to!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks Evan! How tall are you, and which size are you on? I'm somewhat shorter in torso, so I can usually get away with big seat posts... But the HD6 had a lot of bike out front. If it were taller, I'd run it with a 170 fork, but it's pretty low.

[@evanblackwell3920]

Hey Jeff! I am 5 foot 9 and also on the S2 size. For reference, I have a very long torso and very short legs for my height (still got a 185 post in the bike though). I found the 180 fork a bit curious initially, as it wasn't bottoming out but it was sitting low in its travel making the front end feel long and low. Once I bumped the pressure up, it felt like the bars came closer to me and I didn't feel like I was "reaching" to weight the front. I noticed the Ibis recommended pressures are about 20PSI different than the Fox ones, so once I went closer to Fox's pressures the handling improved a lot. Not sure how you set the bike up, but it might be worth a shot if you haven't tried it :)@@JeffKendallWeed

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks for the feedback! I'll try adding some more volume reducers and pressure to that fork. Thanks! @@evanblackwell3920

[@evanblackwell3920]

Great! Curious to see how that works for you!@@JeffKendallWeed

[@Cg-fh5re]

Thanks for the video. Would be so pleased to see you testing the Orbea with coil. Seems to help the simple kinematics a lot. Orbea sucks with numbers , as you say. They even do not state In which setting they claim their reach number … still I bought because so “cheap” in Europe compared to American brands . Bought my for 3k eur =Dollar at bike Shop vs 4500 a similar altitude would have cost

[@testtesttesttesttest884]

Would be rad to compare to the specialized enduro, the original genre killer

[@johnfranklin6707]

Love your videos! Wish I could see your opinion on a nomad vs these maybe it’s in another video

[@majordanggle]

“I ride just below professional level” proceeds to send through the gnarliest trail! 😂

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Well, I am careful to be honest about my riding abilities... I am no pro freerider, I don't have any desire to send truly big stuff, nor do any tricks. And I am certainly not pro racer speed.

[@majordanggle]

@@JeffKendallWeed it was a compliment

[@actually_a_moth]

answering the question on the thumbnail, i would have previously chosen the spire, as i rode one on silver mountain in kellog ID, as a rental bike, found that it was a perfect fit, and have been trying to get a leg over one again ever since, but im not sure which i'd choose now, i live 2 hours south of you in seattle area, and dont have much park terrain or any terrain that would call for the monster truck that is the spire. i may switch ideals to something smaller and more geared towards something like Duthie Hill bike park. something like a norco sight. unless of course you could hook me up... ;)

[@JeffKendallWeed]

hahahaha yeah the Spire is rad, but down south the terrain is better suited to a ~sentinel, Ripmo, Switchblade, newest Occam, Hightower, Stumpjumper, etc.

[@JEMTB90]

Just built up a new Megatower... Looking forward to seeing how it handles. Coming off a Mondraker Superfoxy.

[@olivermiddleditch2335]

spire all dayy for me, got one with a mullet setup running a cascade link and 180/180. bit of a meme huck bike but will hunker down and get serious still

[@JoeIsCrazyWillman]

I'd love to hear how the Pivot Mach 6 compares in ride characteristics compared to the Firebird and Switchblade. A coil rear mullet is what I'm considering here in the next couple years to retire my 150/135 budget brand trail bike (since I have a 130/120 down country bike for the smaller easier stuff)

[@DionEconomopoulos-mi5bg]

Transition all the way

[@topspot4834]

I'm the same height as Jeff (albeit a *much* lesser rider) and had the same experience riding the Firebird. I was looking for more of a playfull bike I could take to the bike park, so I ended up with a Mach 6 ... For shorter riders who aren't looking to break any speed records, it's perfect for the bike park, especially if you prefer full 27.5 or mullet setup. If I had to choose another bike, I'd consider the HD6, Nomad, Revel Rail and the Altitude if I had a local dealer.

[@RadarRS1]

Would love to see a video on the Raaw Madonna!

[@travelthenarrowtrail8660]

Totally agree with your assessment on Niner. The company that bought them out (United Wheels) also owns Huffy and other big box brands. To close them up and move it to Ohio speaks volumes. The focus is "Consolidation" in business terms and if that means selling in Dicks/Sams/or costco, so be it. (profits) They don't care that perception breeds reality, closing up CO offices. Might be why LBS dealers arent really pushing the brand.

[@rrolleman4879]

Would be a shame. I have never had so much fun on a bike as I have had on my WFO.

[@travelthenarrowtrail8660]

@@rrolleman4879 Agree, when small brands get bought out and corporate, things get worse.

[@mattfarrar5472]

I'm using a Megatower 2 as my 1 bike - I can't compare it to any other enduros though but it does everything very well.

[@Acill]

I went through a faze of switching platforms for enduro all through 2021 - my current 2023 Intense Tracer Custom. Its fox factory with sram AXS Transmission. Previous was the WFO, and before that a Ripmo. I dont think the Tracer gets the love it deserves on the review sites. They are an amazing brand and it feels amazing. Its one of the best enduro bikes I have ever been on.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Great feedback, thanks Acill! I really like the Tazer, one of my favorite eMTBs thus far. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmfXmmmabNaWp9Usi=axVK_zq0XesBdwmZ

[@rrolleman4879]

How did you run your WFO (and what terrain do you ride)?

[@Coors1974]

The gen 5 slash is a great daily driver ..and it slays at the races also..might be the last great trail bike..you should try one..

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Perhaps- I NEVER see Trek bikes around here, not sure how I'd get one!

[@Coors1974]

Haha ..treks not cool enough for Bellingham..but there's a trek store on Chestnut.. shouldnt be that hard to do some demos.. would love to see what u think about the fuel..

[@Mike_Rogge]

@@Coors1974 That store is the only place to get trek in Bellingham and when they first bought out Kulshan Cycles they hired a rather rude set of employees, I don't know anyone who actually goes there. From my experience riding treks they are not fast enough to justify how boring they are in terms of ride feel.

[@307.William]

I feel like the Transition Patrol sits right in there and is a solid choice

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Ah I hadn't considered a Patrol, mostly since I don't love pedaling around on the small back wheel. Maybe I'll try one eventually, but the Sentinel (and Trans AM!) seems more up my alley!

[@307.William]

@@JeffKendallWeed it really kinda sits in there just below the spire and livens up the ride. It’s fast and can be racy but gets a little nervous as the rear end is more spicy than the spire. The geo really leans into doing anything you want with a high level of confidence.

[@mattleonard5268]

As does the sentinel

[@jbs3691]

Great video -- well done! It would have been nice to see the Bronson included in test but I really appreciate the comparisons between ride quality. I find those to be the most helpful!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks! Bronson is NOT an enduro bike. If I do a trail bike video, then I'd be including Bronson, Ripmo, SB140, Occam, Switchblade, etc.

[@DavidFoundCo]

The Megatower*

[@ThisGuyRides]

I concur since I bought the frame partly due to Jeff's review. Oh well, build starts this weekend.

[@jbs3691]

@@JeffKendallWeed Oh yes, of course! Well then, I hope you will do a trail bike video. The info here was awesome.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

@@ThisGuyRidescongrats on the new bike! You’re gonna love it! I tend to have more fun on the trail bikes than the enduro bikes. A lot of jt depends on what trails are on the menu, of course.

[@garyharmon5386]

Great reviews

[@roddas26]

Love the bell on the Yeti. Is that for humans or other animals? p.s.The way you ride is so inspiring.

[@kerthaaron]

Great vid JKW.. would love to see a mid travel shootout or comparison.. Keep up the the good work! Hope to run into you in AZ this winter.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks Aaron! I may do the "trail bike" version of this, but views have not been great, so maybe not? We'll see!

[@GregorBlacksmith]

@@JeffKendallWeedTrail bikes have a bad name. One bike to rule them all, best all mountain/occasional bike park best of = views for months!

[@Jvhowube]

I've had my Altitude for over 2 years now and agree that it's the perfect all-arounder if you live in a steeper or more technical locale (lived in CO and now Jeff's neighbor in Bham). The build quality is great (have heard of potential clear-coat issues but haven't tried to remove my Ride Wrap yet). After Jeff's initial review, I'm surprised he never just bought one! For better or worse, Rocky is completely changing the platform to something that looks more like a VPP this year (should be officially out in a couple months I think) - curious to see if they retain the characteristics that made this ride so dang good. If I have any gripes about this one, it's that nobody needs the Ride9 system. I think they kept it to just 4 on most of the other bikes on the platform, which makes a lot more sense to me. Once dialed in, the suspension on this thing has always felt balanced, plush, jumpy enough. Love it. I've updated many parts on this thing over the years, but feel no need to buy a new bike any time soon. I'm sure I'll see you out on the trails soon Jeff!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks for the note! I really like the 3 positions of geometry adjust with the ride 9, so I might disagree with ya there, but otherwise the Altitude is awesome! I was able to film SO MUCH on that bike that I didn't need to get a keeper!

[@mogulmayhem]

I'm still not sure what enduro is but it looks fun.

[@Tequila628]

Not a bad selection, add Kamenz vhp16, RAAW Madonna V3 (yeah, I know, not out yet), Propain Tyee and Zerode Katipo. Sigh, 3 German brand and a New Zealand one. And you're in the States. Would really loved you reviewing them.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Ah those would be neat! But all are bikes I've never seen here in the PNW!!!

[@lightningshredder5605]

Forbidden Druid

[@redalaska]

I’m an Alaskan currently living in Spokane and I can’t get over the Firebird. That will 99% be my next bike.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

That's a great rig! I've not ridden Beacon before, but certainly want to!

[@redalaska]

@@JeffKendallWeed Beacon is pretty fun! if you're not scared of rock slabs. I've been riding pretty timidly lately, scared of getting another concussion. I have a few friends back home in AK that ride the Firebird on the same trails you rode when you visited and they can't say enough good things about it!

[@leerock75]

Hey Jeff, awesome comparison video. Curious if you have ever ridden any of the propain bikes ? Particularly the tyee. Thanks !

[@rpiian]

Interesting comparison! I have a Process 153 myself. 170 Z1 coil from the start. I've been thinking about setting it to 160. While I do like the bike park every now and then, we do a lot of climbing here and that change would help. Did you ride your 153 at the same terrain as some of these rigs? Or was it more enjoyable on "trail" trails? It seems to handle everything I throw at it despite it not being billed as the "Enduro" bike in Kona's lineup.

[@MrSupermugen]

I hugely Regret selling my altitude but was on my quest to try as many Frames as i could at the time - After trying all the mainstream and many other bikes in the same catagory, the altitude was definitely the Best all-rounder and the suspension was just so damn good. I wouldve bought anther but after seeing the new one(still technically under embargo) Im holding out to ride it, Its super nice in person. crazy expensive here but IMO they are worth it.

[@AaronA_Aaronson0]

Damn, I am scared now, current Altitude is so much fun, but I am really curious on how the NRW one will compare. Do you have a Release date or Month?

[@barbbrazes869]

love your reviews! excellent humor! wille nelson concert!!!

[@keithbell8960]

Such great videos

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thank you Keith!

[@andyboy198577777]

Jeff is the coffeezilla of mtbing 😂😂😂

[@superawesomefuntimego]

Curious how you'd like something like my 2023 Medium Canyon Spectral CFR Jeff. It has a 475-485mm adjustable reach and a short-ish back end (Canyon says 435, but I measured 442). I've jumped around on a few bikes the last several years (Evil Wreckoning, Propain Tyee, Canyon Spectral, Stumpy, Rallon) and I've never ridden a bike that has given me as much confidence as the Strive. That said, I think I agree with you on more trail oriented (150/160mm) bikes maybe being better suited for most local riding/racing. I had it's little brother the Spectral 29 CF8 for a year and it was such a good bike everywhere. It did require a little more finesse through rough stuff compared to it's bigger brother, but pumped and popped easier and had a lighter feel moving around and pedaling hard, yet felt strong enough to handle abuse. Out of the bikes you have listed, I think I'd want to try the Firebird, it looks like it might be a good time for me.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

I tend to really enjoy the more aggressive trail bikes, so perhaps!

[@toddpillow3074]

Very informative! Where the hell were bikes like this when I was still young? Recently picked up a new Stump Jumper Evo Expert Carbon in size S3 and the bike is a really nice compromise between up and down. I’d guess all the bikes you’ve evaluated here are too much for me. I test rode an SB150 and it was too much and I especially disliked the 38mm Fox fork compared to a similar 36mm Fox fork.

[@EricDavies26]

You should review a Forbidden Druid V2?

[@johnryan2288]

Great vid!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks!

[@petedog9581]

I live in OH. The Niner you described will do okay here. This is xc and trail bike country. They should have relocated to NE Ohio bc it has more mtb friendly terrain and actual mts are about 2 hrs away in PA.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

You think? It's still a BIG bike. I was picturing it doing awesome on all the built up trails in North West Arkansas, for instance. Or the more wide open, high speed deserty stuff.

[@petedog9581]

I have a 2013 Stumpy Elite 29 w new Rock ShoX150/130 suspension. It is plenty capable for this area. Trail bikes are the proper tool for the rolling terrain. Way more time climbing than on the short steep techy downs. A lot of slow tech. My alloy bike is 30# packed. The shorter wheel base on the Niner seems suited to tighter trails, so it could be adequate here if you only had 1 bike, but also hit the bike parks or neighboring states' mnts. Great vid and production.

[@rodolforubio1824]

Great review bro. You are so lucky to try all those machine's;). Regarding the Orbea rallón you says has more trail feedbacks right? Comparing with the sentinel are equals? Or the sentinel on fast it's more stable? I,m ready to pull the trigger of one of this 2 . Cheers man.

[@IslandBoy426]

You can KISS MY GRITS!!! below pro level rider sorry not my impression at all! I would rank you up with the Best PRO level riders around you just moved on from competition. Your style and technique is the one i appreciate the most and try to EMULATE out on the trails. Thanks for sharing your impressions with us on the bikes. I have my own IMPRESSION about PROFESSIONAL riders, you cant dodge it you ARE PRO!!!!!!!!!! DUDE MAN

[@m_invest5336]

One question, have u try the rocky mountain instinct ?

[@archie68x]

❤my Pivot Firebird but had to sell a kidney to buy it and currently here in Australia 🇦🇺 there’s some huge discounts on the Rocky Mountain Altitude of 45% 😱 & could’ve got 2 of them compared to my Pivot 😤

[@CCW230]

I'd go for the Rallon. Though, I might just prefer my 2022 Occam LT for most of my riding.

[@xtr1092]

i picked a fantic and its been great

[@amory716]

Knolly didn't make the cut? Was hoping to see the Chilli/Zeb combo on the list :)