Enduro SL: Worth the wait?

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(UPDATED WITH BIKE STATUS)
Lee
I am still waiting on an enduro sl. Specialized is pissing me off, they just will not give me a direct answere to when my bike is coming or what the hold up is. If they would just say it will be Feb. or March that would be fine, but it is always next month. I am very frustrated and wondering is the bike that great or should i just get a Heckler? You are the only person known to have one what is your oppinion?
Thanks
Jim

— — —

Hey Jim,

I’m sorry about the hassle. Building your own suspension is really tough! I’m at Brandon Sloan’s (product manager for Enduros) house right now, but he just took off to test Rock Shox in Santa Barbara; otherwise I’d ask him what the deal is.

I really like my Enduro SL (currently with FOX suspension). Saturday I rode an SL with the latest Specialized fork and shock, and it was great. Compared with mine, it’s much more quick and efficient — XC style. But I assure you I wrung it out pretty hard, and it rocked. 🙂

A single-pivot Heckler and an FSR Enduro aren’t comparable. If you decide to pull the plug, go for the VPP Nomad. That’s an excellent bike, and a fair substitute if you lose your patience.

Don’t know what else to tell ya,

— Lee

This just in …

A few days ago I said, “Enduro SL Experts will be in this week, with the higher-end models following afterward. The bikes are built, and they’re on their way.”

It turns out that was too simplistic a statement. Specialized is doing everything it can to get the bikes delivered — and to make sure they’re perfect. That last part is the trick.

Apparently there are a zillion variables and dependencies. First this then that, but only if the other thing too. Sorry about the vagueness. Hang in there, and — I have say this — if you’re really Jonesing, a Nomad, 575 or 6-Pack will do the trick.

12 replies
  4. Martyn says:

    I’m in the same boat, just waiting, hang on in there mate, I had considered loads of other bikes too, but realised that I would regret it as soon as I saw one on the trail.

  5. leelikesbikes says:

    Turns out creating an entirely new bike and suspension is pretty tough. Specialized won’t release the SL until it’s dialed. That’s the good/bad news …

  6. Martyn says:

    Hey Lee,

    How do you find the clearance on the front fork brace? As I’m from the wettest muddiest part of Wales UK then I hope it will be sufficient?
    PS that book of yours rocks, It’s taken me up quite a few notches in the last month, in fact my riding buddies want to know the secret. So I’ve told them to buy the book…

  7. leelikesbikes says:

    Hi Martyn,

    I’ve only ridden the Specialized fork once, in perfect conditions, so the brace was fine. But it does seem to have very little clearance.

    – If your mud is wet and sheds easily, you’ll probably be fine.

    – If your mud is sticky, you’ll oughtta run a smal tire. ~2.0″

    – If your mud is sticky, riding might damage the trail. IMBA would ask you to take the day off.

    Thanks for spreading the word!

    — Lee

  8. Martyn says:

    Luckily my trails are in forestry used all year by heavy machines so no long term damage, I think its fairly non-sticky. Years ago I had the infamous small stumpjumper hardtail with that u brake under the seat stays. That was a nightmare with mud collection.

  9. Martyn says:

    Hey Lee

    Have seen the pictures of the fork and I wont have a problem with the clearance. What doi you know of the resolution pro’s?

  11. tom dauben says:

    Hi Lee,

    Just stumbled across your site looking for Spech enduro reviews in google.

    Got to say great writing, nice to see a rider producing a quality site with unbiased opinions finally.

    I’ve recently decided to make the move from hardtail to full sus, and have agreed a deal on a 2006 enduro elite frame through pinkbike.com. Thought this would be a good choice as i’m used to dirt jump hardtails, something strong with not too much travel to get me started, i’m looking at moving to all mountain as i’ve kind of grown out of just doing dirt so want an all round bike. What do you think?

    Interested to hear your comments on the enduro sl, if i get on with the elite i think i’ll be purchasing an sl next year some time.

    Keep up the good work.

    Tom Dauben (UK).

  12. leelikesbikes says:

    yeah, rock that Enduro.

    The SL is great too. More XC-oriented, but capable in all conditions. Both great bikes; the SL costs more …

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