Enduro Mountain Bike Racing

[C*H*U*D]

Is anyone doing this? I raced cross country for quite a few years, and also raced downhill before it became motorcycles with pedals, but I've only been a recreational rider lately. I've been in the market for a new XC bike, but I stumbled across this newer format of racing and thought it looked like a blast.

Get Ready for the 2013 Big Mountain Enduro Series - Big Mountain Enduro Series

 

[tedo]

I haven't done it personally in a competition setting, but that's the "style" of riding I do now. I too raced XC, then built a 7 inch (freeride/small dh) bike. But now I have more of a trail / enduro 5 inch bike with platforms. Something you can jump, go fast on technical DH sections, but still pedal uphill. It still weighs 26lbs, but it's mainly because of the wheel (Sun Chargers), and rubber. I could probably get lighter, but then would sacrifice strength.

 

[Skeeno]

26 lbs is actually not bad for a 5" trailbike. Most come in closer to the 30 lb mark.

 

[tedo]

26 lbs is actually not bad for a 5" trailbike. Most come in closer to the 30 lb mark.

Yeah, my old Heckler was close to 30, but it also ran a coil instead of an air shock. The air shocks have got surprisingly light and super strong these days.

 

[C*H*U*D]

My first real race bike was back in 1993. It was a GT Team Avalanche hardtail that came in just over 25lbs, so 26 doesn't bother me at all.

Where in Vermont are you? I grew up in Windsor.

 

[1tonscout]

I raced Cross Country, Downhill and dual slalom all on the same bike. Porsche Bike S (made by Votec). I raced at Donner ski ranch, sea otter classic, Grundig world cup Napa, Big Bear, Mammoth, Napa knobular, Deer Valley Utah. Racing several competitions in one day got old fast! I did it for three years "thumbsup"

 

[tedo]

My first real race bike was back in 1993. It was a GT Team Avalanche hardtail that came in just over 25lbs, so 26 doesn't bother me at all.

Where in Vermont are you? I grew up in Windsor.

Yes, I here you about 26lb not being too heavy. I'm 6'1" 190, and its tough enough for me to shred on it.

I live in Chittenden County. But my favorite spots to bike are: Hinesberg Town Forest / Carse Hills, Sleepy Hollow in Huntington, Burke Mountain Kingdom Trails (so amazing), Sugar Bush now has some sweet tech single-track, Waturbury trails. Would love to make a trip down to Mt. Snow, but if I travel, it's usually only to Burke.

Definitely look into a 5 inch "trail" bike.

 

[C*H*U*D]

...Burke Mountain Kingdom Trails (so amazing),

I still have my old "Kingdom Classic" T-shirt from the early 1990's...that was a fantastic place to race "thumbsup"

It seems almost all of my old race shirts were slowly replaced with brewery shirts :ror:

 

[Skeeno]

I raced Cross Country, Downhill and dual slalom all on the same bike. Porsche Bike S (made by Votec). I raced at Donner ski ranch, sea otter classic, Grundig world cup Napa, Big Bear, Mammoth, Napa knobular, Deer Valley Utah. Racing several competitions in one day got old fast! I did it for three years "thumbsup"

My buddy has this exact bike hanging in his garage.

 

[jsowens]

Some local guys here organized a small Enduro race about a month ago that I raced in. To me, it's more fun than XC racing because people can still be competitive if they're not strong on climbs since the climbs aren't timed. Our race was tiny compared to those big mountain series races, but it was a ton of fun.

5-6 inch travel bikes are a blast to ride. Way more fun than dedicated DH and XC bikes, I think and they can still handle quite a bit of abuse. My Stumpjumper weighs 29lbs with a dropper post and it could certainly get lighter, but the weight doesn't bother me in the least.

 

[neillarson]

I have a hard time wrapping my mind around a 30LB bike. My XC bike was a Klein Mantra with a set of German made custom wheels. They were machined Aluminum with Carbon Fiber spokes, 20 front and 18 rear, that were torqued to 650 In/Ozs. Weight was right at 20lbs. Of course, you had to put up with the harsh ride of Aluminum. Then, i was only a 195 pounder myself, lol.

I would like to try again since I have had both knees replaced and lost some weight. My try a Cannondale or maybe a Trek Fuel or Rumblefish.

 

[xgerstandtx]

I've been riding my 5 inch travel trail bike for the last couple years. I love it. It fits my riding buddies style. We aren't going to win any races but we push eachother and climb up and go as fast as we can down. Enduro is going to be the future, if it is going to be a trend is to be determined. It has been quite the "buzz" word in the industry lately. Look at the Trek fuel 29er and the Remedy 29er.

 

[twisted]

when i 1st read this i thought for some reason you were talking about an endurocross style race for mtb's... long day. lol

i dont race but ride alot on my trusty specialized hard tail.

 

[Chiphead]

I put on the Fears Tears and Beers mtn bike enduro. Just happened yesterday. Had a record turn out of 109 racers. As far I know, it is the longest running enduro in the nation. Yesterday's race was the eighth annual.

Good Fun. Lots of climbing with good downhill racing.

https://www.facebook.com/FearsTearsBeers

 

[JDCrawler27]

I raced Cross Country, Downhill and dual slalom all on the same bike. Porsche Bike S (made by Votec). I raced at Donner ski ranch, sea otter classic, Grundig world cup Napa, Big Bear, Mammoth, Napa knobular, Deer Valley Utah. Racing several competitions in one day got old fast! I did it for three years "thumbsup"

your a beast, full suspension is for pansy a**es :lmao:

i ride a hard tail also and big bear is my local spot..

 

[tedo]

your a beast, full suspension is for pansy a**es :lmao:

i ride a hard tail also and big bear is my local spot..

Oh really?

 

[JDCrawler27]

Oh really?

yep 100% "thumbsup"

 

[C*H*U*D]

I put on the Fears Tears and Beers mtn bike enduro. Just happened yesterday. Had a record turn out of 109 racers. As far I know, it is the longest running enduro in the nation. Yesterday's race was the eighth annual.

Good Fun. Lots of climbing with good downhill racing.

https://www.facebook.com/FearsTearsBeers

Exactly what I'm looking for "thumbsup"