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Specialized unveils new Enduro with 4 different tire sizes, new Ohlins 29/Plus fork

Enduro Photos DT: Jackson Hole
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Enduro Photos_Bike
Photo c. Sterling Lorence

In what might have been one of this year’s worst kept secrets, Specialized has been working on a new Enduro. At this point, that isn’t to be taken lightly. Specialized is going on more than a decade of Enduro trail dominance and the bike has gained quite a few fans along the way.

Quite a bit has changed since the early days of the Enduro. There are multiple wheel sizes, different axle standards, and across the board bikes are being pushed to new limits. As a result, for 2017 there’s still two Enduros, but now there’s  four different tire options…

2016 Specialized Enduro Launch

2016 Specialized Enduro Launch
Photos c. Harookz

97717-03_END-FSR_SW-CARBON-29-6FATTIE_NRDCRED-HYP-BLK 97717-01_END-FSR_SW-CARBON-650B_NRDCRED-HYP-BLK

If you guessed that there would be a plus option for the new Enduro, you’re right. Split into two different frames, the new bike will be offered in 29″/27+ and 650b. Even though the 650b frame won’t fit the current crop of Plus tires, it will fit the new 27.5 x 2.6″ tires on offer from Specialized. In an interesting move, the 29/27+ bike will only be sold complete as a 29″ build, but the 650b bike will be sold with both 27.5 x 2.3″ and 27.5 x 2.6″ tire options, both with 30mm inner width rims. Given the more aggressive nature of the Enduro, it seems that Specialized feels the 2.6″ rubber is a better fit than 2.8″. However, Specialized claims if you want a true Plus build, you can swap a pair of Plus wheels and tires right into the 29″ frame which will fit up to 27.5 x 3.0″ tires and 29 x 2.5″.

Specialized Enduro 2017 Geoemtry 27 29 +

Other than the tire sizes, the other differences between the two frames include geometry and suspension travel with the 29/6Fattie seeing 165mm rear/160mm front, and the 27.5″ bumping it up to 170mm of travel front and rear. The geometry on both frames has been designed to offer slack head tube angles, short chainstays, and low bottom brackets, which all vary slightly depending on the wheel and tire selection.

Enduro Photos_Bike
Photos c. Lorence

Rumors were floating around that Specialized had abandoned their X-wing frame design, but instead they have updated it to work with the increased travel. S-Works and Pro models will use full Fact 11 carbon frames while the Elite Carbon uses a Fact 9 carbon front triangle with M5 aluminum rear, and the Comp moves to full M5 Alloy which loses the SWAT Box storage.

Enduro Photos_Bike Enduro Photos_Bike

The carbon frames all get the added storage capabilities of the SWAT Box system which allows you to stash gear, tools, food, or whatever else can fit in your downtube. The door doubles as a water bottle cage and the system helps keep the weight of your flat kit nice and low.

Enduro Photos_Bike Enduro Photos_Bike

Enduro Photos_Bike Enduro Photos_Bike

Enduro Photos_Bike Enduro Photos_Bike

The Enduro still relies on Specialized FSR suspension, but it has been given a number of upgrades for increased durability. All of the bearings are now the same size and are double filled. All cable routing is internal, and the rear cable routing has been tweaked so it now runs over the BB rather than looping under it. As you would expect, to fit the new tire sizes, all frames are Boost 148 x 12 rear and Boost 110 front. And yes, that is a 73mm threaded bottom bracket.

2016 Specialized Enduro Launch
Photos c. Harookz

2016 Specialized Enduro Launch 2016 Specialized Enduro Launch

While all of the frames feature RX Tuned rear shocks with Autosag, the S-Works and Pro models get the Ohlins rear treatment with the STX22 RX All Mountain Tuned Autosag shock. The S-Works 29/6Fattie takes it a step further with the new Ohlins RXF 36 fork which features a twin tube damper, 3 chamber air spring, and Boost 110 x 15 spacing. The fork is listed as 29/27+ compatible so we assume it will fit 27 x 3.0″ tires like the frame.

Regardless of the model, if you buy a new Enduro you’ll be getting 1x gearing, 780mm handlebars, a Command Post IRcc, SRAM Guide brakes, 30mm internal rims, and GRID casing tires. Just don’t try to mount a front derailleur, because the Enduro is 1x only.

2016 Specialized Enduro Launch 2016 Specialized Enduro Launch

2016 Specialized Enduro Launch

In addition to more burly plus tires now in the form of the Butcher and Slaughter in 27.5 x 2.8″, the tires will also be offered in 27.5 x 2.6″. Is this the Goldilocks tire for those on the fence with Plus?

77717-00_END-FSR_SW-CARBON-29-6FATTIE-FRM_GRPH-CARB-BLK 77717-01_END-FSR_SW-CARBON-29-6FATTIE-FRM_NRDCRED-HYP-BLK 77717-04_END_SW-FSR-CARBON-LTD-29-6FATTIE-FRM_JAW

Frames will be offered in both the 29/6Fattie option and the 650b. The black and orange/yellow frames will be the stock colors, while the wild JAW color on the end will be offered as a limited edition. All three feature the Ohlins STX rear shock, chain guides, and the limited edition frame adds a Command Post IRcc. Pricing for the S-works frame will run $3,500.

97717-00_END-FSR_SW-CARBON-650B_GRPH-CARB-BLK 97717-03_END-FSR_SW-CARBON-29-6FATTIE_NRDCRED-HYP-BLK

Every model is available in both a 29/6Fattie and two 650b versions with 2.3 or 2.6″ tires. The $8,500 S-Works sees a full carbon frame for both models, and SRAM XX1 Eagle 1×12 plus Roval Traverse hoolkess carbon rims for a truly high end build.

93617-10_END-FSR_PRO-CARBON-650B_SILTNT-WHT 93617-13_END-FSR_PRO-CARBON-29-6FATTIE_RKTRED-BBYBLU-BLK

Dropping down to $6,500, the Pro build still features SRAM Eagle 1×12, only this time it’s X01. The wheels also transition to aluminum with Roval Traverse alloy hoops. As mentioned above, the Pro keeps the full Fact 11 carbon frame as well.

93617-40_END-FSR_ELITE-CARBON-650B_BLK-CHAR 93617-43_END-FSR_ELITE-CARBON-29-6FATTIE_BLK-MRNBLU-RKTRED

At $4,400, the Elite loses the carbon rear end with an M5 aluminum swingarm plus a Fact 9 carbon front triangle. At this point you drop down to SRAM GX 1×11, though the build still looks to be a solid value at this price.

93617-50_END_FSR_COMP-650B_USA_BLK-CHAR_002 93617-53_END-FSR_COMP-29-6FATTIE_MXGRN-MONGRN-HYP

Last but not lease, the $3,000 Enduro Comp. The full aluminum frame lacks SWAT Box storage, but otherwise features all of the same details and a SRAM GX/NX 1×11 drivetrain.

Check out Specialized.com for full build kits. Select models available now, with the full line becoming available very soon.

specialized.com

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21 Comments
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xc-fr
xc-fr
7 years ago

1 x 29er pro for me please 🙂

Marko
Marko
7 years ago

omg, best enduro bike out there by far..

Jeb
Jeb
7 years ago

Every FSR bike I’ve ever ridden felt the same, supper plush, great for going downhill but man they sucked climbing, like terrible. I like climbing technical stuff and they’ll always be on the losing end against a good multi-link system in this regard.

bearCol
bearCol
7 years ago
Reply to  Jeb

Just get a shock with separate low and high speed compression and you can make 4 bar climb like mini link. You just have to get the blow off right or you lose traction.

silverlining
silverlining
7 years ago

Aaaaand old enduro ebay flood begins in 3,2,1…..

David
David
7 years ago

Standard bottom bracket!

ERIK
ERIK
7 years ago

finally have the reach/stack right…. my next bike…

transgerald
transgerald
7 years ago

(deleted)

JNH
JNH
7 years ago
Reply to  transgerald

For once Spesh have brought a gimmick free, proprietary parts free, nice looking bike that addresses the shortcomings of it’s predecessor. It’s even got a threaded bb for crying out loud, I think we’re all in too much shock to be mean about it.

traildog
traildog
7 years ago
Reply to  JNH

sort of, there’s still the pointless proprietary rear shock mount as far as i can tell.

Ripnshread
Ripnshread
7 years ago

I’m soo confused by the myriad of tire sizes. Why is 650b back? The freely admit they are the only one that makes a compatible tire. How does that make sense? A whole bike built around a tire?

hllclmbr
hllclmbr
7 years ago
Reply to  Ripnshread

650b = 27.5″

bearCol
bearCol
7 years ago
Reply to  hllclmbr

650b= 26.9″ 27.5 doesn’t actually exist but one day I’m sure it will. 650z?

racingsnake
racingsnake
7 years ago

Embargo for Epic HT isn’t up yet?

Mitch
Mitch
7 years ago
Reply to  racingsnake

@racingsnake You haven’t been on their website lately, have you?

32/20
32/20
7 years ago

@JNH: +1!
Close comments, we have a winner!
: )

Bazz
Bazz
7 years ago
Reply to  32/20

Its got a seat post shim. Rumor is there is a new, longer Command Post coming soon. Might be a larger diameter?

Flatbiller
Flatbiller
7 years ago

Why does the Command Post OD look way smaller than the seat tube ID it’s going in to?

Alfredo
Alfredo
7 years ago

Specialized with 650B wheels and threaded bottom bracket. Specialized is and option again for me.

Jesse
Jesse
7 years ago

Its about time one of the big boys makes the move back to threaded BBs. Its about time! Quite honestly i have avoided press fit bikes and now spez is an option!

MissedThePoint
MissedThePoint
7 years ago

27.5×2.6 = 28.25″, the new tweener size

Looking forward to actual weights of these

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