#!markdown
I really enjoyed my time on a couple of different Enduro 29s last year. I like
big wheels, but most long travel 29ers have correspondingly long rear ends.
Specialized did some magic with the front derailleur mount and was able to get
a 430mm rear end on the Enduro 29. It pedals like it has less than 155mm in
the rear even with the shock open, but descends fast and snappy and sits
nicely in its travel.
Compared to the 26″ Enduro it does have that 29er feel. Bigger wheels, more
rotational inertia, a slightly steeper head angle, but almost the same travel.
Not quite as "flickable" for riders who don't manhandle their bikes in the
air. I personally find it just fine and as my comment would indicate, I'd
choose it over a 26″ wheel – someone around here has to be a 29er evangelist
and that's me.
The wheels are heavy. This is one way to make a 29er feel dead (or not
flickable), especially with the heavier tires needed to match the long travel
capabilities. I put a set of 1450 gram XC wheels on the Enduro and it brought
the bike from feeling All Mountain to Enduro Race, if that makes sense. ENVE
or Haven 29 would be a great choice; the XC wheels were on the light side for
the platform.
March 11, 2014, 2:38 p.m. - morgman
#!markdown I really enjoyed my time on a couple of different Enduro 29s last year. I like big wheels, but most long travel 29ers have correspondingly long rear ends. Specialized did some magic with the front derailleur mount and was able to get a 430mm rear end on the Enduro 29. It pedals like it has less than 155mm in the rear even with the shock open, but descends fast and snappy and sits nicely in its travel. Compared to the 26″ Enduro it does have that 29er feel. Bigger wheels, more rotational inertia, a slightly steeper head angle, but almost the same travel. Not quite as "flickable" for riders who don't manhandle their bikes in the air. I personally find it just fine and as my comment would indicate, I'd choose it over a 26″ wheel – someone around here has to be a 29er evangelist and that's me. The wheels are heavy. This is one way to make a 29er feel dead (or not flickable), especially with the heavier tires needed to match the long travel capabilities. I put a set of 1450 gram XC wheels on the Enduro and it brought the bike from feeling All Mountain to Enduro Race, if that makes sense. ENVE or Haven 29 would be a great choice; the XC wheels were on the light side for the platform.