Enduro bike advice

[CharlesV]

I currently have a hardtail XC bike but want to buy a bike more suitable for Enduro.

 

I have narrowed my choices down to either the Trek Fuel EX, Trek Slash (alu) or Specialized Stumpjumper ST (2019).

 

The Trek Fuel EX 8 (2017) and the Trek Fuel EX 7 (2019) cost exactly the same and the major differences as far as I can see are the front forks and drivetrain , Fox Rhythm 34 Float, Shimano Deore XT M8000, 11 speed for the EX 8, vs the Rockshox Reba RL, SRAM NX Eagle , 12 speed for the EX 7.

 

https://www.trekbikes.com/za/en_ZA/bikes/mountain-bikes/trail-mountain-bikes/fuel-ex/fuel-ex-7-29/p/23590/

 

https://www.trekbikes.com/za/en_ZA/bikes/mountain-bikes/trail-mountain-bikes/fuel-ex/fuel-ex-8-29/p/17017/

 

Any thoughts on the choice between the two?

 

Not sure if the Trek Slash Alu frames will be available in South Africa.

 

Any advice or suggestions regarding the bikes will be appreciated

[Odinson]

I currently have a hardtail XC bike but want to buy a bike more suitable for Enduro.

 

I have narrowed my choices down to either the Trek Fuel EX, Trek Slash (alu) or Specialized Stumpjumper ST (2019).

 

The Trek Fuel EX 8 (2017) and the Trek Fuel EX 7 (2019) cost exactly the same and the major differences as far as I can see are the front forks and drivetrain , Fox Rhythm 34 Float, Shimano Deore XT M8000, 11 speed for the EX 8, vs the Rockshox Reba RL, SRAM NX Eagle , 12 speed for the EX 7.

 

https://www.trekbikes.com/za/en_ZA/bikes/mountain-bikes/trail-mountain-bikes/fuel-ex/fuel-ex-7-29/p/23590/

 

https://www.trekbikes.com/za/en_ZA/bikes/mountain-bikes/trail-mountain-bikes/fuel-ex/fuel-ex-8-29/p/17017/

 

Any thoughts on the choice between the two?

 

Not sure if the Trek Slash Alu frames will be available in South Africa.

 

Any advice or suggestions regarding the bikes will be appreciated

 

Between those two, I'd definitely go for the EX7. Very nice bike and solid package. 

[Robbow]

I've got the carbon slash and I'll say this.. It's one hell of an Enduro bike.. But don't be fooled it's a lot of bike to pedal around... But I luv it.

 

A far as I know they are bringing in the 2019 bikes

[DCJ]

If you are looking on something that is a bit more of an all rounder, that can also punch above its weight and handle Enduro, I would take a look at the Canyon Spectral 6.0, or 7.0. Should go for around your budget after import duties etc.

https://www.canyon.com/en-us/mtb/spectral/2018/spectral-al-6-0

[BaGearA]

yus I if you can get the new stumpy why are you even asking 

[Iwan Kemp]

Or (if it's your size)...

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/308337-knolly-warden-carbon/

[Grease_Monkey]

Or (if it's your size)...

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/308337-knolly-warden-carbon/

You're not gonna get much better than this. Edited August 2, 2018 by Grease_Monkey

[Boerklong]

Or (if it's your size)...

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/308337-knolly-warden-carbon/

Buy this

[keithbe]

Test ride! Went with Stumpy with boost hub. 3 inch tyres are winning!!!

[Dirt Tracker]

Looking at that list I'd say the new Stumpy is a great choice. I've ridden the Fuel and it was a bit vanilla. I'd take a Remedy over that. The Slash is an incredible bike, I rode one for a week in Spain on some very steep and rowdy terrain. It's a serious enduro race bike. It's designed for some of the roughest tracks worldwide and, for me, it only started to come into it's own when it got steep, gnarly and fast. The rest of the time it was rideable but was just not what it was designed for. I'm not sure that day to day there is enough to ride here that will do it justice. Would love to see what the alu' version is like. Maybe at Ezel or Klipberg enduro it would be perfect but most of the enduros I have done in the last 2 years you don't need that kind of thing. 

If you were looking at that Knolly or other bikes there is also a really well spec'd Carbon Patrol (fox 36, Hope etc) in the classifieds that is a brilliant bike.