ENDURO BIKES
Intense Carbine Pro $6,790
Intense is a bike brand with a strong race pedigree. The name may not be familiar to many Canadians, but the Californiabased company is hoping to change that through its distribution partnership with mec. The 29"-wheeled Carbine Pro is Intense’s top-level offering for the enduro market. Riders get 160 mm of front travel via a Rockshox Lyrik rct3 Solo Air and 155 mm of rear travel from a Rockshox Super Deluxe rc3 shock. Other parts include sram x01 and GX Eagle components, sram Guide RS brakeset, Truvativ Descendant Carbon cranks with 32-tooth ring and a 150-mm Fox Transfer dropper post. mec includes a premium service package with each Carbine sold. ( mec.ca)
Cannondale Jekyll 1 $10,500
Cannondale is working to extend its XC and DH racing pedigree into the enduro scene with its all-new Jekyll line of bikes. Proprietary technology includes the Asymmetric Integration offset drivetrain, which the company says allows for shorter, 420-mm chainstays, more tire clearance and increased stiffness over other Boost rear ends; relocated pivots to allow room for a water bottle; the ability to upgrade to Di2 electronic shifting; and the Hustle and Flow adjustable Fox rear shock. Component spec on the 165-mm-travel Jekyll 1 is excellent: a Fox Factory Float 36 fork, sram xx1/x01 Eagle drivetrain with sram Guide RSC brakes, a Truvativ Descendant carbon crankset and Cannondale’s Hollowgram 30 carbon wheels. ( cannondale.com)
Santa Cruz Nomad $7,849
The Nomad has been a Santa Cruz staple for more than a decade. The fourth iteration of the bike sees the move to a lower-link mounted shock configuration, which translates into better small bump compliance, a solid mid-stroke and generally more progression throughout the shock stroke. A flip-chip allows riders to slacken the head-tube angle by a further 0.4 degrees and drop the bottom bracket by 5 mm. The 27.5" bike sports 170 mm of travel, and is available in aluminum, regular carbon (C) and lightweight carbon (CC). The C frame with higher-end Rockshox Lyrik/shimano Xt/sram Code rsc brakes build kit will set you back $7,849. ( santacruzbicycles.com) —stuartkernaghan