2020 Specialized Enduro: Everything you need to know
The Specialized Enduro has been around fo a long time. During that time it has gone through some significant changes. It started of as a burly version of a cross country bike, but it has now evolved in to a big wheeled gravity focussed machine.
The 2020 Specialized Enduro is a continuation of this evolution and resembles the Specilaized Demo downhill bike. There are a lot of manufacturers that are taking inspiration from their downhill bikes and putting their characteristics in to enduro, trail and even cross country bikes. This is because riders are taking on more technical terrain, especially when it comes to descending.
Overview
The Specialized Enduro has speed at the top of its list of capabilities. This is why it has 29″ wheels, in order to ride over rocks, roots and bumps more easily. Specialized engineers wanted to make the Enduro lightweight, so all versions have a carbon fibre frame. This frame has a built in storage system in the downtube, so you can stash your mid ride snacks. Another cool feature is the multi tool that hides in the head tube.
Suspension
The 2020 Specialized Enduro has a completely new suspension layout. In essence, it uses a similar system to the Demo downhill bike, all be it with less travel.
The shock has been moved lower in the frame and the main pivot has been relocated. This helps the bike maintain speed on tough terrain. It also reduces the amount of bob while pedalling and makes the travel more progressive. Even though it is along travel bike with 170mm front and back, it is meant to be able to be pedalled to the top of the hill or taken on day long technical rides.
The 2020 Specialized Enduro uses either Fox Float X2 or RockShox Super Deluxe shocks. The forks are either RockShox Lyric Select or FOX FLOAT DPX2.
Geometry
Specialized use their “S: sizing system. This is so riders can choose their new bike using the reach measurement rather than the seat tube length. The reach measurements range from 437mm on an S2 all the way up to 511mm for the S5.
As with most modern mountain bikes, the chainstay length has grown, adding extra stability to the bike’s handling.
You can adjust the geometry with two flip chips. The low setting makes it more slack, putting the head angle at 63.9 degrees and the high setting putting it at 64.3 degrees.
Frame Details
Along with all the other changes to the 2020 Specialized Enduro, the rear end is now 12% stiffer than before. This makes it more responsive. Specialized didn’t feel the need to stiffen up the front end, therefore it remains the same as the previous version.
The look of the bike is kept super clean with internal cable routing. This also protects your cables in the event of a crash.
The chainstay is protected with a thick rubber material and there is nicely placed guard to protect your shock.
Riding Characteristics
As I said earlier, the 2020 specialized Enduro is made to go fast. It is as close to a downhill bike as you can get without sacrificing pedalling ability. This makes it a very versatile bike, that will make you feel at home railing berms in the bike park to pedalling across alpine terrain, taking in big climbs and techy descents.
The long travel means it won’t be as poppy as a short travel trail bike. But, it will be super capable on technical terrain. This is because the the suspension design and components smooth out the bumps, allowing you to go super fast.
The new suspension design also reduces the bobbing effect you get when pedalling. This makes it more efficient on this big rides. Additionally, this has the added bonus of maximising traction, which is difficult to achieve.
The upright seating position should be comfortable for most riders, especially when pedalling.
The low centre of gravity will help the 2020 Specialized Enduro corner very well. This is because it is easier to push in to tight corners maintaining grip.
Who is it for?
The 2020 Specialized Enuro is for those that ride technical terrain. Bike parks and techy enduro rides will bring the best out in it. However, if you ride mellow trails, this bike is going to be overkill. It would still be fun, but a bike like this needs to be pushed for it to be rewarding.
Alternatives
Nukeproof Mega
There is a wider range of options with the Nukeproof Mega. This means that there is likely a bike that will suit you that is much cheaper. I have one of these!
Santa Cruz Megatower
The Santa Cruz Megatower uses lessons learned in developing their V10 downhill bike. This is a great alternative to the 2020 Specialized Enduro.
Giant Reign
The Giant Reign offers both 27.5″ and 29″ wheeled options. This is worth checking out if you don’t want to spend all of your money.
2020 Specialized Enduro Models
2020 Specialized Enduro Comp
Specifications
| Frame | FACT 11m carbon chassis and rear-end, 29 S3 Enduro Race Geometry, SWAT™ Door integration, threaded BB, internal cable routing, 12x148mm dropouts, sealed cartridge bearing pivots, replaceable derailleur hanger, 170mm of travel |
|---|---|
| Rear Shock | Rock Shox Super Deluxe Select, 205×60, Trunnion |
| Fork | RockShox Lyrik Select, DebonAir, Charger RC damper with rebound adjust, and low-speed compression to lockout, tapered steerer, 42mm offset, 15mm Maxle® Stealth thru-axle, 15x110mm Boost™, 170mm of travel |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Number of Gears | 12 |
| Shifters | SRAM NX Eagle, trigger, 12-speed |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB, threaded BB |
| Cassette | SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed, 11-50t |
| Chain | SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Pedals | Supplied |
| Brakeset | SRAM Code R, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, 200/180mm |
| Handlebars | Specialized, 7050 alloy, 6-degree upsweep, 8-degree backsweep, 27mm rise, 800mm width |
| Stem | Specialized Trail, forged alloy, 4-bolt, 5mm rise, 40mm |
| Grips | Specialized Sip grip, half-waffle, S/M: regular thickness, L/XL: XL thickness |
| Rims | Roval Traverse 29, hookless alloy, 30mm inner width, tubeless ready |
| Front Hub | Specialized, sealed cartridge bearings, 15x110mm thru-axle, 24 |
| Rear Hub | Specialized, sealed cartridge bearings, 12x148mm thru-axle, 28h |
| Front Tyre | Butcher, GRID TRAIL casing, GRIPTON® compound, 2Bliss Ready, 29×2.6″ |
| Rear Tyre | Butcher, GRID TRAIL casing, GRIPTON® compound, 2Bliss Ready, 29×2.3″ |
| Saddle | Bridge 155 S2, Bridge 143 S3/S4/S5, Hollow cr-mo rails |
| Seatpost | X-Fusion Manic, infinite adjustable, two-bolt head, bottom mount cable routing, remote SRL LE lever, S2/S3 150mm, S4/S5 170mm of travel |
2020 Specialized Enduro Elite
Specifications
| Frame | The new Enduro features a full-carbon frameset, boasting 170mm of suspension travel in an all-new design that increases your control and speed over the roughest sections of trail, yet also boasts exceptional pedaling efficiency. |
|---|---|
| Rear Shock | Rock Shox Super Deluxe Select, 205×60, Trunnion |
| Fork | RockShox Lyrik Select Plus, DebonAir, rebound adjust, low-speed compression adjust, tapered steerer, 42mm offset, 15mm Maxle® Stealth thru-axle, 15x110mm Boost™, 170mm of travel |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Number of Gears | 12 |
| Shifters | SRAM NX Eagle, trigger, 12-speed |
| Chain set | SRAM Descendant, Boost™, DUB, 170mm Steel, 30T |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB, threaded BB |
| Cassette | SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed, 10-50t |
| Chain | SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Pedals | Supplied |
| Brakeset | SRAM Code R, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, 200/180mm |
| Handlebars | Specialized, 7050 alloy, 6-degree upsweep, 8-degree backsweep, 27mm rise, 800mm width |
| Stem | Specialized Trail, forged alloy, 4-bolt, 5mm rise, 40mm |
| Grips | Specialized Sip grip, half-waffle, S/M: regular thickness, L/XL: XL thickness |
| Rims | Roval Traverse 29, hookless alloy, 30mm inner width, 2Bliss Ready |
| Front Hub | Roval Traverse, sealed cartridge bearings, 15mm thru-axle, 110mm spacing, 28h |
| Rear Hub | Roval Traverse, DT Swiss 3-Pawl System, SRAM XD driver body, 12mm thru-axle, 148mm spacing, 28h |
| Front Tyre | Butcher, GRID TRAIL casing, GRIPTON® compound, 2Bliss Ready, 29×2.6″ |
| Rear Tyre | Butcher, GRID TRAIL casing, GRIPTON® compound, 2Bliss Ready, 29×2.3″ |
| Saddle | Bridge 155 S2, Bridge 143 S3/S4/S5, Hollow cr-mo rails |
| Seatpost | X-Fusion Manic, infinite adjustable, two-bolt head, bottom mount cable routing, remote SRL LE lever, S2/S3 150mm, S4/S5 170mm of travel |
| Weight | No weight Information Available |
2020 Specialized Enduro Models
Specifications
| Frame | The new Enduro features a full-carbon frameset, boasting 170mm of suspension travel in an all-new design that increases your control and speed over the roughest sections of trail, yet also boasts exceptional pedaling efficiency. |
|---|---|
| Rear Shock | FOX FLOAT DPX2 Performance, Rx Trail Tune, EVOL Air sleeve, 3-position adjustment, Trunnion mount, 205x60mm |
| Fork | FOX FLOAT Performance 36, Grip Damper, 44 OS, Kabolt 110, 170mm |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM X01 Eagle, 12-speed |
| Number of Gears | 12 |
| Shifters | SRAM X01 Eagle, trigger, 12-speed |
| Chain set | SRAM Descendant, Boost™, DUB, 170mm Steel, 30T |
| Cassette | SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed, 10-50t |
| Chain | SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Pedals | Supplied |
| Brakeset | SRAM Code RSC, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, 200mm |
| Handlebars | Specialized, 7050 alloy, 6-degree upsweep, 8-degree backsweep, 27mm rise, 800mm width |
| Stem | Specialized Trail, forged alloy, 4-bolt, 5mm rise, 40mm |
| Grips | Specialized Sip grip, half-waffle, S/M: regular thickness, L/XL: XL thickness |
| Rims | Roval Traverse Carbon 29, hookless carbon, 30mm inner width, hand-built, 2Bliss Ready |
| Front Hub | Roval Traverse Carbon 29, hookless carbon, 30mm inner width, hand-built, 15x110mm spacing, 2Bliss Ready, 28h |
| Rear Hub | DT Swiss 370, 3-Pawl System, SRAM XD driver body, 12mm thru-axle, 148mm spacing, 28h |
| Front Tyre | Butcher, GRID TRAIL casing, GRIPTON® compound, 2Bliss Ready, 29×2.6″ |
| Rear Tyre | Butcher, GRID TRAIL casing, GRIPTON® compound, 2Bliss Ready, 29×2.3″ |
| Saddle | Bridge 155 S2, Bridge 143 S3/S4/S5, Hollow cr-mo rails |
| Seatpost | X-Fusion Manic, infinite adjustable, two-bolt head, bottom mount cable routing, remote SRL LE lever, S2/S3 150mm, S4/S5 170mm of travel |
What do you think of the 2020 Specialized Enduro?
Is the 2020 Specialized Enduro made for you? Please let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments section below.
All the Enduro cycle you have reviewed here are all immensely awesome but having little specifications that differentiate them from the other and I can say that this is surely one of the best bicycle all around. I like the 2020 Specialized Enduro Elite because of the sleekness and it is also devoid of the inscriptions unlike the other ones. Great one here. Thanks.
Hi Shelley,
It is a great bike and well worth the consideration of anyone that is looking for an enduro bike. Thanks for your comment.
The 2020 Specialized Enduro really looks like a heavy duty bike. I am just imagining the thrills one will have with this bike because of its speed and the ability to traverse tough terrains. How cool that even with the frame, there is still storage functionalities. Thank you for this Highlight.
Hi Carol,
Thanks for your comment. I really like the storage in the frame, it is a clever touch and I’m surprised we don’t see it more on other bikes.