The year is 2024 and you are in the market for a 130-140mm 29er do it all bike? In my opinion, that is the sweet spot travel wise for a bike that pedals well and descends confidently. What are your options? I feel like I am going to have to do two of these lists this year as most brands not included on this have current 130-145mm bikes set to be released later this year. But later this year is not now so with that being said here are my TOP 5 bikes in this travel category you should check out! And if you need any bike buying advice or have any questions, feel free to reach out here:
1.Pivot Switchblade: This bike is hands down one of the best bikes I have ever ridden and I can not recommend it enough. Pedals extremely well, descends like a precise monster, and has a suspension design that seemingly defies physics. This is currently the best bike in its travel category in my opinion.
2. Revel Rascal 29: I haven’t ridden this bike but if I was in the market to buy a bike tomorrow it would be on my list for sure of bikes to consider. CBF suspension is tried and tested with the suspension wizard minds of the Canfield brothers behind it. The bike itself also has a very “I will be the most fun” geometry layout, and I could see myself falling in love with this bike.
3. Rocky Mountain Instinct 29: This is a bike that might just be the most aggressive in this travel category, especially considering the headangle comes down to 63.5 degrees. However this is also what seemingly makes this bike so appealing to me on paper. The level of adjustability it has, backed by how much I already love the Rocky Mountain Slayer, a 180mm freeride bike I'm currently testing. I mean if they can get a 180mm bike to pedal the way it does, what on earth are they going to be able to do with 140mm?
In the market for an Ibis, Pivot, Yeti, Enve, or Rocky Mountain? Hit up N+1 Bikes and tell them "Mo and Hannah" sent you and they will take care of you! https://n1bikes.com
4. Ari Bikes Delano Peak: This is probably going to be the shortest travel feeling bike in this category, coming in at about 135mm of efficient suspension. However, having spent a considerable amount of time on this platform when they were Fezzari, I can say this bike has a stiffness and aggressive nature feel to it that allows you to push it past what you think a 135mm travel bike can take. On top of that they go with a slightly shorter reach which gives the bike a very “jump me off every root you can find” feel to it and I remember some of my most playful sessions being on this bike! It’s also the most affordable option on this list as well!
5. Yeti SB140: I have said it a million times now. I hate this bike, it's not for me. However with that being said, this bike is hands down one of the fastest bikes in this travel category and after speaking to so many SB140 owners I can tell that some people love this bike with all of their hearts and I can appreciate that. So I will include it on this list.
There you go, that is my top 5 list of enduro bikes for 2024. List most likely will change soon!
Let me know if you have any bike buying questions at all here: https://www.awesomemtb.com/contact
-Mo Awesome
