First Look: 2017 Specialized Enduro 650b and 29

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Introducing the 2017 Specialized Enduro.

With trails this fresh, it's no wonder why Specialized brought us to the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia to sample the goods.

While it may look similar, there's a lot of "new" in this pacesetter. The bike is available in two frame options: 650b/27.5 with 170mm rear travel (pictured) and 29 with 165mm.

The beefed up rear end is now bridgeless like the Stumpjumper FSR, and high-end models use an Öhlins STX22 air shock with a refined but usable adjustment range.

S-Works 29 models get the Öhlins treatment front and rear, featuring a 51mm offset RXF 36 fork. A third air chamber combined with low and high-speed adjusters make it very tunable.

While it maintains the same silhouette, the new Enduro features an updated X-Wing frame design built from the ground up.

Cables now cleanly enter the head tube and follow independently molded tubes through the length of the downtube. Good riddance downtube routing!

SWAT door storage on the downtube lets you bring along just about anything. Seriously.

With tools mounted to the cage and room for a tube, CO2 and more inside, it has never been easier to ditch the pack.

It's longer, lower, slacker, and available in more sizes than before.

Going up! We were treated to three days of great rides on the new rig, including dozens of hot laps at Coast Gravity Park.

If this is Dylan Dunkerton's warm up on the new bike, we can't wait to see what he can do with more time.

Immediate comfort sums it up best. Within just a few runs we were hot on the tail of seasoned pros and felt at home.

The 650b model features 2.6-inch tires, striking a balance between the added float of plus tires and good sidewall support.

GRID casings are used front and rear, with a Butcher up front and semi-slick Slaughter out back. In the right terrain you can sit back, hold on, and absolutely rip! Air up a bit for the berms, though.

Curtis Robinson making it look all too easy.

When they aren't blasting berms, the Coastal Crew appreciates some added stability in the rough bits.

Everyone has a story. And yes, that's a threaded bottom bracket. Later creaks!

With 170mm of travel to play with, the 650b model proved capable of tackling a wide variety of terrain with ease. The big surprise? When it's time to point it uphill, it pedals with a surefooted yet spritely feel.

Up to date. Every model comes with Boost axle spacing, 1x gearing, 200/180mm rotors, 780mm handlebars, and a Command Post IRcc dropper.

What does the loam gnome have in store this time?

Enduro as F#@*!

The world is only beginning to realize the appeal of the Sunshine Coast, the birthplace of the Coastal Crew.

From humble beginnings to full-on endeavors.

"It's ultimate freedom to us."

Cheers, boys!

From all day epics to senders in the park...

The new Enduro is a proper do-it-all shred sled.

Bikes are available now. Visit www.specialized.com for more details.

For well over a decade the Specialized Enduro has been among the pacesetters for the elusive do-it-all mountain bike. Today we're excited to show you the latest version, which sees a ground up redesign and the addition of some long awaited features. Listen in as we chat with Nate Riffle, Dylan Dunkerton, and Curtis Robinson about the things that make it great from the incredible riding destination that is the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.

2017 Specialized Enduro Highlights

Built from the ground up in 650b (27.5) and 29/6Fattie versions
Updated X-Wing design with increased rear travel: 170mm on 650b, 165mm on 29/6Fattie
Multiple tire sizes possible: 650x2.3, 650x2.6 on the 650b frame // 29x2.3, 650x2.8, and 650x3.0 on the 29/6Fattie frame
All rear shocks are Rx All-Mountain tuned with the Öhlins STX22 on S-Works & Pro models
S-Works 29/6Fattie receives the Öhlins RXF 36 fork
FACT carbon chassis built with the downtube SWAT door
SWAT wraps keep tubes, pumps, CO2 cartridges and more in place and rattle-free
Internal routing with molded carbon tubes
All bottom brackets are threaded 73mm BB shells
All FSR linkage bearings are the same size and injected with grease from both sides
All models use Boost 110mm spacing forks and 148mm spacing rear ends
34.9mm seat tube diameter hinting at future developments (currently uses shimmed 30.9mm post)
1X specific framesets
S-Works 29 weighs in at a claimed 29-pounds (13.2kg)

Geometry

The bike sees a number of updates for the new model year, including a major overhaul to the Enduro 29 with a 1.5-degree slacker headtube, steeper seat tube angles, shorter stack heights, longer reach values, and more sizing options across the board.

In Action

Join Enduro World Series shredders Jared Graves and Curtis Keene as they blaze a trail on the new rig:

Build Kits, Pricing and Availability

The new Enduro is available in four build kits (shown above in the 29-inch variety) or as a frame + shock combo (shown in 650b). S-Works and Pro models have full FACT 11m carbon frames, and the Elite Carbon has a carbon front chassis.

Every model comes with 1x gearing, GRID casing tires, 780mm handlebars, Command Post IRcc dropper, SRAM Guide brakes, Autosag, and 30mm internal width Traverse rims. 29/6Fattie models come spec’d with 29-inch wheels.

Comp Alloy: $3,000 USD
Elite Carbon: $4,400 USD
Pro Carbon: $6,500 USD
S-Works Carbon: $8,500 USD
S-Works Frame: $3,500 USD

Select models are available now. Visit www.specialized.com or your local dealer for more details.

Photos by Harookz

Specialized