Enduro Bike VS Trail Bike

If you're new to mountain biking, or even if you're not, you might find it hard to distinguish between a trail bike and an enduro bike. At first glance, both styles can look quite similar, but upon closer inspection, you'll notice the differences. By understanding these differences, you'll be able to determine whether you need a trail bike or an enduro bike.

In this guide, we'll help you choose the right bike for your needs so you can make an informed purchase. By the end of this guide, you'll be able to differentiate between an enduro bike and a trail bike confidently.

Mountain Bike History

Mountain biking has experienced a significant growth in popularity over the last decade. This growth has resulted in the emergence of new standards and styles of riding. Some of these styles already existed, but they have been refined to cater to how people ride, rather than just what professional riders require.

The development in the sport has seen the evolution of wheel sizes, with 26" wheels growing into 29" wheels, then reducing to 27.5" wheels, and finally to a mix of 27.5" and 29" wheels. Pressfit bottom brackets and slacker head angles have also become popular, while set tubes have gotten steeper. Suspension has also improved significantly.

Mountain bikes are no longer rigid machines like road bikes but have become dream machines that make off-road riding more fun. These changes have caused enduro bikes to evolve from trail bikes.

Enduro bikes typically have more suspension travel than trail bikes, usually between 140 and 180 mm. In contrast, trail bikes generally have up to 140 mm of travel. It's worth noting that due to their longer travel, enduro bikes are better suited for downhill riding rather than efficient climbing. A quick rule of thumb is that the higher the travel, the more the bike will be oriented toward downhill riding.

Enduro racing involves climbing and descending trails, but riders are only timed on the descents. During transfer stages, which feature climbing, there is a time limit, but it doesn't affect the overall time. As a result, it makes more sense to use a bike that is designed to make downhill sections faster.

Trail bikes are not designed for competition, but rather for having fun on local trails with friends. For this purpose, you'll want a bike that can handle drops while still being easy to climb.

It's worth noting that enduro is now the term used for all-mountain biking, and the two terms are interchangeable. All-mountain bikes are ideal for flying off cliffs and steep slopes. The extra suspension travel on an enduro bike ensures that you can do this while staying safe and not meeting the trail with your face.

Geometry is an important factor that distinguishes trail bikes from enduro bikes. One of the most significant numbers in this regard is the head tube angle. The head tube angle is the angle of the head tube concerning the ground. A 90° angle would be a right angle and thus very steep, while a lower angle would make the head tube angle slacker. The head tube angle significantly affects how a bike performs during riding. A steeper angle makes the bike climb better, while a slacker angle slows down steering and increases the bike's wheelbase, making it more stable while descending. This makes the riding experience more enjoyable.

Looking back on our suspension travel, we can see that adding travel to suspension will also result in a slacker head angle. This means that an enduro bike will have a slacker head angle compared to a trail bike. The slacker angle pushes your front wheel out, which is why the wheelbase is longer.

However, it's important to keep in mind that the slacker angle can make your mountain bike harder to climb. That's why a trail bike will have a steeper head tube angle. The easier it is to climb, the more enjoyable your ride will be.

As we've previously discussed, an enduro bike has a longer wheelbase compared to a trail bike due to various reasons. One of the reasons is the slack head tube angle, while another factor is the longer travel of the fork. The third way to achieve a longer wheelbase is to design a longer frame.

In the past, bike manufacturers used to increase the length of the chainstays to achieve a certain effect. However, nowadays, they tend to lengthen the top tube instead of the chainstays. This approach has several advantages. Firstly, the bike becomes more maneuverable with the rear wheel positioned closer to the seat tube. Secondly, it provides more space for the rider to adjust their body position when going downhill at high speeds.

An enduro bike typically has a higher bottom bracket height compared to a trail bike. The reason behind this is that the longer travel suspension of an enduro bike helps to elevate the height of the bottom bracket. However, it is important to keep in mind that this number is not fixed and can vary based on different factors while riding the bike.

Your weight can affect the height of your bottom bracket. When you sit on the bike, your tires will sag, which can alter this number. The pressure on your tires can also impact your tire sag. Additionally, the suspension sag can also influence the bottom bracket height.

If you enjoy riding on challenging terrain, then an enduro bike may be perfect for you. On the other hand, if you're planning to ride with your friends on trails, then a trail bike may be a better option. The good news is that we have two great options available for you.

Endure Bike

The ICAN P9 is an excellent enduro bike that can help you conquer tough terrains with ease. ICAN is gaining popularity in the road bike world for its high-quality carbon fiber frames, which are affordable. The good news is that the P9 shares the same features and is specifically designed for enduro riding.

Constructed from Toray carbon fiber, the P9 is incredibly lightweight, which is not a common feature in enduro bikes. This means you can ride the bike with ease on transfer stages, saving your energy for the next downhill stage. The P9 has a 160mm RockShox Lyrik and 150mm rear travel through a RockShox Super Deluxe RC3, which ensures that the bike remains stable throughout the ride.

The P9 features a 66° head tube angle, which makes it perfect for downhill rides. The bike loves flowing downhill, and the slacker head angle ensures that it performs well when you pick up speed. However, it is not too slack to make pedaling uphill too difficult. The P9 is precisely what you need if you want to race enduro.

The bike has a rear chainstay length of 452 mm, which makes it easier for you to maneuver and maintain your speed around turns. This feature allows you to throw the bike around and make manual maneuvers more enjoyable and less difficult. Additionally, the length is just enough to keep the bike stable while jumping big doubles or riding downhill at high speeds.

Trail Bike

The ICAN P1 bike is made of Toray carbon fiber and is specifically designed to conquer your local trails. It is a high-end bike that is also reasonably priced, making it accessible to everyone. The bike is equipped with a 130 mm RockShox Yari fork and a 130 mm RockShox Monarch rear shock, which will make your local trails quiver in fear.

Both the P9 and P1 bikes come with carbon fiber wheels, which are one of their best features. These bikes are equipped with Toray AM rims, as stated in document number 1. These wheels are strong enough to withstand the toughest descents and help you conquer slopes with ease. Additionally, they don't require any upgrades right out of the box.

The P1 has a steeper head tube angle of 68.5° compared to the P9. This means that you can have fun riding the P1 downhill without having to go at rocketship speeds. It also helps maintain a good climbing position, preventing the front wheel from lifting and wasting energy on skids or manuals down a hill.

Now that you understand the distinction between an enduro bike and a trail bike, selecting the one that is most appropriate for you should be simple. If you are still unsure, I recommend watching the video to gain a better understanding of the differences between the two types of bikes.