29″ wheels are fast. There’s no doubt about it. They’ve been proven at every level of the sport, from XC to World Cup Downhill and while we still stand by our previous recommendation of choosing 650b if you value playfulness, we’re all about 29″ for speed. While I have more fun airing out my 27.5 rig, I call my 29er my “cheater bike.”
When they’re done well, 29″ wheels shred. Although I’ve been running 29″ hardtails for years, it took some time to come to love dual suspension wagon wheelers. They do take a bit more to get up the mountains. Big wheels, high speeds and big rubber mean the bikes weight more and weights in the 30lb.+ range are common on most models in this category. You could certainly build one lighter, but not only would it cost you, but you’re likely to be replacing battered equipment regularly. There is also the issue of additional wheel flex when you’re making these things turn; carbon rims start making a lot more sense when it comes to the big hoops… and there goes the budget.
But is this the time to actually buy? If you’re looking to invest in a rig you can ride for a few seasons, maybe not. 29ers are currently going through an interesting transition, as manufacturers experiment with changing up steering offsets on forks. We could be on the verge of another industry shift, making this an either good or bad time to buy a new high end 29er — assuming you were hoping to get more than one season of use before feeling it necessary to upgrade to the new standard. Either way, with the new fork offsets, choosing a model with a longer front center should help future-proof your ride, but at the same time, be prepared for your bike to be slightly dated quickly.
Here are a few of the models we have been watching extremely closely. We’re hoping to log some real saddle time on as many of these as we can in the next year, and fully expect to be adding at least one to our quivers.
Kona Process 153 29
Kona was one of the first brands to make a 29er that didn’t handle like a boat, thanks to the use of short chainstays. One of the more obvious design features of their all mountain bikes is a low stand over height with ample room for a longer travel dropper post. However, until their 2018 model year redesign, they couldn’t accommodate a water bottle in the front triangle, which for us has been a deal breaker. The new line refresh has us at full alert.
Like a number of bike makers in the PNW, Kona bikes are known for durability and featuring a bit more heft to facilitate that. This year they’ve also introduce models with carbon iterations to help bring them down to a more race-ready competitive weight as well. It’s also their first year offering the Process in a 6″ travel 29″ alloy enduro-shredy iteration with a carbon model on the way.
- HA: 66º
- Seat Angle: 76º
- Reach (size medium): 430mm
- Top Tube (EFF): 583mm
- Chain stay: 425
- Travel: 160/155mm
Process 153 AL 29 models starts at $3599 for a complete bike.
Evil Wreckoning
The Wreckoning has quite the reputation here in the pacific northwest thanks to its performance under Evil rider and pilot Luke Strobel, who regularly takes it to the podium in local DH events. When a bike can win a DH race and still be ridden on a 20 mile trail ride with a few small changes in parts, it speaks volumes to its capacity and versatility. Evil bikes are known for their short chainstays which make these bikes super fun, defying expectations of how a 29″ bike should ride.
Geo Highlights size Medium
- HA: 66.1º (65.5º low setting option)
- Seat Angle: 74.8º (73.9º low setting)
- Reach (size medium): 432mm
- Top Tube (EFF): 624mm
- Chain stay: 430mm
- Travel: 160/155mm
Frame price: $2899. Completes starting at $5299.
Norco Range 29″
Norco offers the Range series as their enduro specific trail bike, with models available in both 29″ and 27.5″ wheel options. Designed for years of use, the Range series takes design cues from the Aurum DH model with geometry build for speed. The steep seat tube angle should make going back up again quite reasonable.
The downside to the range: the size medium is spec’d with a 125mm drop seat post. We’d like to see 170mm dropper posts on any bike we add to our stable; for us this is a step in the wrong direction. The same goes for chain stays – I’d rather focus on fun over speed and the 425mm chain stay of the size small would be preferable to the 430mm rear center found in the size medium. That said, 430mm is pretty damn respectable.
Geo Highlights size Medium
- HA: 65º
- Seat Angle: 75º
- Reach: 430mm
- Top Tube (EFF): 597mm
- Chain stay: 430mm
- Travel: 160/155mm
The Range models start at $2799 for the alloy A3, but our pick for performance and value would be the carbon C2 at $5999.
Trek Slash 9.8
The Trek Slash seems on the pricey side considering the use of house brand parts, but having ridden many of the Bontrager offerings, we can say they perform more than up to the needs of riders.
Like the Norco, the Slash comes with a dropper post that simply doesn’t make sense. Most riders will need to budget enough to swap it out. Seeing as how Trek hasn’t made enough of these models to keep up with the demand, (the Trek has received high marks from all reviewers) it may not actually matter. Unlike the models in the Pacific Northwest, the Slash is optimized for competition, with a lighter frame weight than others listed.
Geometry highlights (17.5″)
- HA: 65.6º
- Seat Angle: 74.1º
- Reach: 431mm
- Top Tube (EFF): 605mm
- Chainstay: 433
- Travel: 160/150mm
Specialized Enduro
We’re always torn on the subject of Specialized. The bikes feature amazing engineering and certainly are some of the best available, but the brand gives us mixed emotions. They’re one of the biggest bike companies and work at least two seasons ahead on models which means they’re a bit slow to respond to industry trends though, and that means their newest model is already out of date the moment it drops. (sad face) The Olhlins suspension could be the greatest thing since sliced bread or.. not. One of our team rides a top level 650b carbon enduro and has had non-stop issues with his rear shock. (not an Olhlins) He’s also had issues sourcing a replacement rear rim for the Roval wheels after coming up short on a drop, and is being forced to purchase a complete wheel.
That said, the SWAT door in the down tube is as cool as hell and these bikes ride awesome. Any roundup of 6″ travel enduro rigs would be remiss to not include the bike that pioneered the category. Plus, I spent some time on the 650b Stumpjumper and had a blast.
The latest iteration of the Enduro is also 27.5+ compatible.
Geo Highlights size Medium
- HA: 66º
- Seat Angle: 73.6º
- Reach: 415mm
- Top Tube (EFF): 559mm
- Chain stay: 433mm
- Travel: 160/160mm
- Wheelbase: 1168.7mm
Whyte S-150 S
We’ve been keeping tabs on what this UK brand has been up to for the last few seasons, but with the introduction of the new S-150 S they really have captured our attention. This 150mm travel rig features some of the most progressive stats out there with its long reach, short chainstays and their use of a fork with reduced offset that supposedly improves steering geometry. Personally I’ve had issues with corning on bikes with a long reach and the reduced offset claims to address weight distribution while loading the front wheel in turns; either way, I’m looking forward to trying one.
The Whyte S-150 is available in both carbon and alloy models that range from $3500 – $6500 with listed weights ranging from 29.1lbs – 32lbs. In addition, a downside to Whyte relatively new to the US market will be limited availability. This could also effect warranty situations.
Geo Highlights size Medium
- HA: 65.6º
- Seat Angle: 74.7º
- Reach: 458mm
- Top Tube (EFF): 620mm
- Chain stay: 435mm
- Wheelbase 1211.6
- 29 & 27.5+ compatible
- Travel: 160/155mm
Orbea Rallon
Honestly, we’re not that familiar with the Orbea line, and I had to search online to see if they were even sold here in the US. After scanning a few posts and looking over the numbers the Orbea has gotten our attention.
Geo Highlights size Medium
- HA: 65.5-65º
- Seat Angle: 76º
- Reach: 430mm
- Top Tube (EFF): 583mm
- Chainstay 435
- Travel: 160/150mm
Transition Sentinal
While I was writing this post the new Transition isn’t even at listed on the Transition site yet. Like the Kona, it’s only going to be available in an alloy frame for some time, so those looking to go uber light are out of luck, but with its progressive frame geometries, it is definitely one to watch.
Geo Highlights size Medium
- HA: 64º
- Seat Angle: 76.8º
- Reach: 450mm
- Top Tube (EFF): 583mm
- Chain stay: 435mm
- Travel: 160/150mm
- Wheelbase: 1218mm
BMC Trailfox
Half of the time I can’t remember if the Speedfox or Trailfox is the longer travel model, but having ridden one on some of our favorite trails, the Trailfox is happiest at high speeds. (though the same should be said for all the bikes in this category) At 67º the HA is one of the steepest on the list.
Geo Highlights size Medium
- HA: 67º
- Seat Angle: 74º
- Reach: 435mm
- Top Tube (EFF): 611mm
- Chain stay: 435mm
- Travel: 160/150mm
- Wheelbase: 1173mm
Santa Cruz Hightower LT
The Hightower from Santa Cruz was already a popular bike, especially with the top riders with Santa Cruz. Greg Minnaar was so sold on the 29″ wheel that he modified his Hightower with a dual crown fork before requesting a 29″ v10 DH bike. Their top enduro racers wanted more travel out of the stock 135mm bike so longer links were developed. A new chainstay was also needed to get the performance and travel desired, resulting in the LT model.
The downside? Reusing the Hightower front triangle sped up the product development process, but though the LT made the list, you’re best off waiting for the full redesign with a new front triangle that’s bound to drop with a properly steep seat tube angle. Or buying one used, as these will no doubt hit the secondary market as soon as the updated front triangle drops. In addition, the 438mm chainstay is great for monster trucking through the chunder but will be a beast to negotiate switchbacks on, which we’ve already witnessed first hand. Sizing on these is reminiscent of SC from a few seasons ago as well; I’m typically a medium but would want something in the middle of a medium and large.
Geo Highlights size Medium
- HA: 66.4º
- Seat Angle: 73.7º
- Reach: 423mm
- Top Tube (EFF): 611mm
- Chain stay: 438mm
- Travel: 160/150mm
- Wheelbase: 1173mm
Maybe?
Riding without a backpack takes the experience to another level and having changed to waist packs, being able to tote a water bottle is a major consideration. Not having a space to tote a water bottle is a deal breaker for us. These models normally wouldn’t make our personal lists but are definitely worth taking a look at.
Marin Wolfridge
Marin doesn’t even classify the Wolfridge as an enduro bike, instead stating it is an undefinable do it all machine with enduro travel and suspension kinematics that pedals in a way that defies its classifications. It doesn’t fit a water bottle in the frame. It looks hella weird. But after hopping on one for a minute at Sea Otter this spring, it got my attention. And if you follow Marin US enduro rider you already know how hard he shreds this machine.
Hopefully next year they figure out how to accommodate a water bottle somewhere.
Geo Highlights size Medium
- HA: 66.4º
- Seat Angle: 73.5º
- Reach: 435mm
- Top Tube (EFF): 595mm
- Chain stay: 435mm
- Travel: 160/150mm
- Wheelbase: 1174.7mm
Yeti SB5.5
Everyone we know that has a Yeti raves about it. They’re beautiful bikes. We’re very attached to our water bottles, but the Yeti has us trying to figure how to to pull off the cage on the downtube to make it work. At 140mm of rear travel it doesn’t quite fit our 6/6″ travel round up, and we prefer short chainstays, but it’s been proven on the Enduro Circuit, so there’s that.
Geo Highlights size Medium
- HA: 66.5º
- Seat Angle: 73.6º
- Reach: 421mm
- Top Tube (EFF): 601mm
- Chain stay: 437mm
- Travel: 160/140mm
- Wheelbase: 1168.7mm
Are there any bikes missing from this list we should be checking out? Drop a line below.