Some cycle for fun, some for health, and others for the thrill. And then there’s the fully kitted-out bunch that rides up and down mountains, deserts, and rocks, reaping all the known benefits of cycling and beyond.
Mountain biking is a rewarding sport that involves riding a specially designed bike over rough off-road terrains.
There are several disciplines in mountain biking, including cross-country, trail riding, downhill, freeride, and all mountain, commonly known as enduro.
It originated sometime in the early 2000s and is one of the most popular forms of mountain biking.
If you own an MTB, you may have already rode Enduro without knowing it.
What Is Enduro Racing?
This discipline involves riding a bicycle over rough terrain designed to test your endurance and technical skill.
Borrowing its name and format from the namesake motorsport, the races typically include several downhill stages, which are timed to generate the final result.
Some climbing is usually required, which may or may not be timed.
In professional race events, the climbing sections are known as liaison stages, which you may need to complete within a certain time limit.
Unlike downhill racing, here you can ride up the hill with your mates, which makes the race a rather sociable event.
As for the timed stages, every man for himself, i.e., you compete individually.
If you love going fast downhill but enjoy taking your time uphill, enduro racing might be the proper discipline for you. After all, the sport is based on the riding most cyclists already do.
Globally renowned brands like Genesis, Giant, Ridley, and Transition have a great selection of enduro bikes in their lineups.
If you’re buying a new cycle, you may wonder what makes a bicycle an enduro, so let’s jump straight to it.
What to Ride?
An all-around discipline requires an all-mountain setup. When shopping for such a bike, you must look for full-suspension, long-travel (140mm – 180mm) MTBs.
These bicycles are designed to go downhill as fast as possible without sacrificing the ability for efficient climbs.
You may wonder whether you can use an enduro bike for downhill and vice-versa. You could try it either way but may be disadvantaged in certain situations.
For instance, downhill bikes are heavier in weight due to their heavy-duty suspension, tires, and braking systems, and it can be a drag riding one uphill.
These bicycles can handle steep descents, but when it comes to gnarly terrains, techy stuff, and big jumps, it’s where the downhill setup truly shines.
If you want to explore different parts of the bike park, you can get more versatility from an Enduro MTB.
Apart from being easier to maneuver, all-mountain bikes are a beginner-friendly option. So, if you’re dabbing your toes in the off-road waters, consider getting this MTB.
Before hitting your favorite local or online bike shop, it’s good to have some basic know-how to help you make an informed choice.
Apart from the technical stuff, your choice will greatly depend on the price, so it’s wise to find a vendor that offers flexible payment or finance options.
You don’t want to find yourself a few hundred short and sacrifice key performance features; more of that in a second.
Bike Frame Material
The bike frame material greatly affects the bike’s weight, durability, and impact resistance.
Generally speaking, you can select between carbon fiber and aluminum frames. Carbon fiber is prized for its ultralight weight and strength but is usually more expensive.
Conversely, aluminum is heavier but boasts higher impact resistance at a more affordable price.
Geometry
Geometry-wise, slack head and steep seat tube angles will give you confidence and the ability to tackle both climbs and descents in off-road terrains.
Short chain stays and low bottom brackets are essential for the rider’s center of gravity, cornering, and agility.
Suspension
As long-travel bikes, enduro bikes have more suspension, ranging between 140mm to 180mm of travel.
This allows the rider to quickly navigate tough, technical terrain while keeping both tires on the ground.
As a result of the extra suspension, you can enjoy a more forgiving enduro run and maintain better bike control.
Brakes
The brakes on these bikes withstand heavy use, especially on those rough downhills. To ensure reliable stopping power, you need to consider the riding you will be doing.
For steeper descends, it’s best to opt for large brake rotors to help spread the heat and provide dependable power for longer periods.
Seat Post
Although not essential, a dropper seat post can be useful during the varied stages.
A dropper seat post allows you to adjust the saddle height on the fly and keep it out of the way so you can easily change your body position.
What to Wear?
What you wear and carry will depend on the type of event, but you’ll need a quality, certified helmet to protect your noggin in the event of a crash.
Choose a lightweight and breathable model that provides multi-impact protection to balance comfort and safety perfectly.
Wearing specialty cycling glasses is also important for protecting your eyes from bugs and debris.
As for your outfit, choose pieces that provide advanced moisture-wicking action, breathability, and freedom of movement.
Wearing a skinsuit isn’t an adequate choice here since it won’t offer enough protection from the branches, rocks, and debris on the trail.
To further enhance your defense against the rigors of the off-road, you should consider including pads and gloves in your ensemble.
Closing Thoughts
You don’t have to be a pro to hit the trail since enduro is an approachable discipline suitable for amateur riders.
Young, old, male or female, virtually anyone with some level of skill and physical fitness can enjoy the course, provided they have the right gear.
