MTB Talk: Am I no longer "enduro" if I get a trail bike?

Currently race on a 2015 Pivot Mach 6 Carbon. It's been a great bike but her frame is getting tired and frankly I am getting tired of lugging around a 160mm bike (Losing time on climbs). The extra cushion is great but there is nothing I ride that I can't ride on a 130/140mm rig (just more selective on lines). Should I switch it up for a 140mm trail bike?

Here's my ethos; 6" bike is comfortable but not necessary. Less travel is faster and more playful.

If so, what are your thoughts?

 

I’ve always prescribed to the thought I’d rather have more travel then not enough. If you don’t ride anything demanding then a 130-140mm bike would be perfect. But it really depends on your trails. I think the Pivot would be the perfect all around bike and considering new bikes are getting slacker and longer it may not be a bigger difference then you think. But new bikes are always more fun and get you out more. So if your not using the 160 do it.

 

As rider we have becomes spoiled on these super bikes. I really like the Pivot 5.5. 140 rear, 160 front

 

I saw a test on that bike. Looks really cool. Tough to classify it. I think my Stumpjumper 650b is 150mm f/r. And I kinda view that bike as a do-it-all bike rather than a purpose-built racer or long travel bike like the Enduro. I guess it just depends on the rider and terrain of the area.

 

The lines are beyond blurred, that's for sure. The sweet spot is definitely 140 - 170mm IMO. Just have to decide what side of the scale you want to be on; playful or huck norris

 

I've had 4 nomads now... i know its a little over the top but i get a deal on them. the most recent (2018) is unreal, climbs better than the previous years and descends better than the previous years as well. it all depends on what you plan on riding. If you are doing Enduro races and the stages aren't too pedally in your area then fuck it who cares about the climb time. plus if you ride bike park once and a while it is nice to have a bike that can handle those days as well. Personally i find bikes that are 150-170 are pretty darn good these days. even at pedaling up hills, and i hate going up. (but so worth the down)

 

Ive got a Bronson with a 160 fork on it. Thing is sweet for super D and mild downhill races here in Utah. Honestly though, every time I ride Gooseberry Mesa and other more XC type trails, I find myself wishing I had my old Stumpjumper since it wasn't so slacked out. I think you just need to be honest with yourself and look at what you ride / plan to. If you ride mostly "all mountain" trails then get a trail bike, but if you find yourself wandering to the bikepark every now and then...

You could also go for option 2: Get a sweet ~140mm trail bike, and when you want to go for the big stuff, you can find DH bikes for dirt cheap on Craigslist / KSL (or at least in Utah you can...)

 

hahaha you are right. anytime i ride goose berry or similar trails down south i find myself wishing for a smaller ride. but then you go ride stuff in Virgin and again you are stoked to have a larger bike.

 

When Gooseberry and Grafton are on the same road...

 

haha I totally forgot about the grafton DH sometimes i wish i had the cash for two weapons... *that trail is dope

 

You're so right. Optimally I would have a slack hardtail, 140mm trail bike, and a DH bike. But we all know how that goes. I've got my road bike, DJ, and Pivot. Smallest herd I've had in a while honestly.

And I think I've decided to ride this bike one more season. I can't find anything decent for $2k anyways (Pivot approximate value)

I'm picking it up today from it's annual tune-up, I can't believe how much money I spent on these dumb things.

 

the money is dumb... but it brings miles of smiles!

 

Just look at what Josh Bryceland does on a Santa Cruz 5010 or Hightower 135 and tell me you need more travel...

That being said I have a 2013 Nomad and appreciate ever mm of travel on the very steep technical trails we have where I live.

Edit: it is time for a new bike for me though...

 

SC Bronson
Specialized Fatbike
Devinci Wilson (26 ain't dead!)

I think I got all the bases covered, but I am tempted to find a good 29er hardtail XC machine...

 

That Wilson is money!

Anyway OP, If you can't keep all of your bikes try a 140 rig and makes some shock adjustments to tighten it up. Not sure what kind of trails you typically ride but I know Tennessee has all kinds of options. I have an Intense Tracer 29er (140mm) that I ride most XC stuff and a couple of DH bikes for the mountains here in Utah. That's just my set up at the moment. It's always fun to try something new. If I don't like it....I just sell it and try something else.

 

Its an all alloy 40lb wrecking ball. Heavy AF... and I have only gotten to ride it once since I bought it in November. Great time for buying bikes, bad time for riding bikes

 

My buddy bought a new carbon yt capri (or whatever it is called).
It is very nice, but my 26” stump jump evo climbs better. Obviously his decends better but it is no match for a DH bike. To me it seems like a $6000 CAD stuck inbetween bike.
Bought my Tr450 and SJevo used and was still $1500 cheaper than his one bike.
I feel i should repeat how nice his YT is, just not my cup of tea.

 

LOL. It's a DH bike and at 40 lbs that not bad. Just what we need around Utah.

 

Coming from my 28 pound bronson, I'm spoiled...

 

Have you ridden a shorter travel bike on the same trails as your current bike for a direct comparison?



I have a SC 5010, 130 rear 140 front and I am pretty satisfied with it. Honestly though, if I could do it over again I would have chosen a Bronson... would just be nice to have a little more forgiveness when I make the wrong move (which is often).