On-Paper Bike Comparison - Direct-to-Consumer Enduro Bikes

Intense just announced that they're offering their bikes for direct purchase online, so we figured we'd look at what's available.

YT Capra, Intense Tracer, Canyon Strive and Commencal Meta AM V4.2

Notes About the Comparisons

• All information taken from manufacturer websites and based on current public offerings (keep in mind, it's the end of 2017 and we generally see new bikes release between now and the spring).
• Pricing below is listed in U.S. dollars at the original MSRP. There may be sales or discounts on current stock which are not reflected here.
  
• Availability of bikes is not considered.
  
• Prices are based on purchase in the U.S. and may not include taxes or shipping. Pricing and warranty periods may vary among countries.
• Items like tools, pumps and accessories included with the bike purchase differ among brands and are not factored in below.
• Intense includes a limited service plan valid at their authorized local dealers for any bike purchased.

High-End Bike Comparison

2017 YT Capra CF Pro Race / 2018 Intense Tracer Elite / 2017 Canyon Strive CF 9.0 Team / 2018 Commencal Meta AM V4.2 World Cup

This second comparison is the highest-priced 160mm-travel builds for YT, Canyon, and Commencal. Intense offers Factory builds at $7,999 with nicer spec, but we chose the Elite build to reflect a price point comparable to YT and Canyon. Commencal's highest-price aluminum offering is included despite the drastically lower price compared to the carbon models of YT, Intense, and Canyon.

Vital's Observations

Mountain bikes available in the $5,000-$6,000 range these days are mind-blowing. The materials, suspension performance, and capabilities of these machines should keep the majority of riders happy on the trails for years. If you're wanting to challenge talented riders on the race course, these bikes can hang, too.

• YT crushes the price and delivers on a fully race-ready carbon Capra. 170mm of travel and top-of-the-line FOX suspension are stand-out elements of the Capra CF Pro Race. While some riders may be less familiar with the e*thirteen cassette on a SRAM drivetrain, we know the 9-46t cassette works and is a worthy alternative for those wanting big gearing range in an 11-speed set-up. Though not as widely known, e*thirteen's TRS tires are excellent. SRAM's GUIDE Ultimate brakes are a luxury as well. Again, note the non-Boost axle spacing if that's a concern for you. The reach is on the shorter end of the modern enduro bike. Considering the frame has been around for three years now and is sold out, we wonder what the future has in store.

• Intense keeps it classy a buck under $6k with their most recent version of the famed Tracer. This is the same Tracer that used to cost $7,999 before Intense went Rider-Direct. Geometry is on point, the JS-Tuned suspension improves on their old design, and the carbon frame is refined as always. The Tracer also rocks e*thirteen's excellent TRS tires. We'd look past house-brand parts on a $3,000 bike, but at $5,999 the Intense-labeled cockpit (even if the bars are carbon) makes us do a double-take. The FOX Performance series shock and lower-end SRAM GUIDE RS brakes do as well, but the FOX Transfer dropper is a proven performer. Considering how much fun our tester had on the more expensive Factory model, we know the bike is ready for the trail.

• Canyon's Strive an interesting frame design with their on-the-fly Shape Shifter design that allows you to reduce travel and steepen things up for climbs. It also has a relatively long reach and the shortest chainstays of the bunch. Proven under their EWS riders, this Strive has a race-ready build. The suspension components are high-end RockShox offerings, SRAM's X01 Eagle drivetrain will spin you smoothly up the hill, and Mavic wheels and tires round out the build. They may not be the most common tires, but Sam Hill (not a Canyon rider) won the EWS overall on them this year which says plenty. This bike also features the only threaded bottom bracket of the bunch. Knowing how well it rides, the team colorway may be the toughest thing to overcome about the Canyon.

• Commencal doesn't even offer a bike approaching the $6,000 range, so we chose their most expensive Meta AM V4.2 for the comparison. It is the only aluminum bike in the comparison and is definitely the heaviest. The low $4,299 price leaves you enough cash to take that riding vacation you dreamed of. The geometry, SRAM X01 Eagle, RockShox suspension (including a Metric Super Deluxe), and great tires make this build competitive. Commencal's clever decision to spec GUIDE RE brakes means you'll get CODE calipers paired with GUIDE levers for plenty of stopping power. Shorter travel dropper posts on some sizes and house-brand cockpit parts are the low-lights of the build, but with the money you've saved swapping the bars out is an easy after-thought. Shaving significant weight will be tough with the stout alloy frame, but our testers found that this bike is made to charge and carries its weight well.
  

As new bikes are unveiled we'll update this page with the latest models.