Specialized S-Works Enduro 2020 Unveiled | First Ride Review

Specialized Enduro unveiled for 2020

Following 20 years of evolution, the latest iteration of the Specialized Enduro arrives as the biggest and baddest one yet.

As EWS stages have become as gnarly and as steep as your average World Cup DH race track, the requirements for a modern enduro bike have changed. These days, to survive a weekend of EWS racing you basically need a downhill bike that you can pedal up.

With this in mind, Specialized’s designers set themselves two relatively simple but challenging goals with the new Enduro. Firstly, they wanted to make it a faster bike when pedalling. Secondly, they wanted to make it faster when plowing really rough, and very technical terrain.

Sounds easy enough right?

Demo-Inspired Design
In order to achieve these two attributes within the same bike, Specialized’s engineers went back to the drawing board to build an all-new Enduro platform from the ground-up.

It’s immediately apparent from first glance that the 2020 Enduro is a completely different beast from the current model. There’s a brand new frame, new geometry and sizing, and an all-new suspension platform.

Drawing upon the latest Demo downhill race bike, the Enduro makes use of a low-slung linkage that drops the shock right down into the belly of the frame. As well as lowering the centre of gravity, Specialized says the new shock placement has allowed it to build a stronger and lighter frame, since it no longer needs the cross-brace like the previous X-Wing frame design. Front-end stiffness stays the same, while the back end is purportedly 12% stiffer than the old bike.

[nl]

Hey look, a reviewer that actually RIDES the bike! Thanks for a decent review.

[mitchwarren]

Your “ABOUT “ has to be the most descriptive about I’ve ever read ! Nice bike but I’m still enduring my old enduro, and keeping it rolling using parts of even older enduros ! When all that’s gone this current bike will be old! Same as me really!

[matthewkantola]

I will keep riding my 2015 Enduro Comp with Fox Factory suspension. Good enough for me!

[bwest]

This is like the first Specialized bike I actually like. And I normally hate Specialized 😧

[bike_somm]

Just want to thank you for you're honesty by not going into detail about how the bike climbs at Northstar Bike park! Unlike (Bike Radar) where they posed for 1 climbing picture on the fire road.. showed it multiple times in the video, and then proceeded to say "they aren't sure if it is that much better of a climber as Specialized claimed". This bothers me because I want a truthful climbing test where a bike tester goes out and ACTUALLY climbs the bike for extended periods of time with sweat and tears to be able to then make an arguable claim as to weather or not the bike "is or isn't" better at climbing. So thank you for that and i hope to see more of what you think in the future! Cheers!

[slayer]

I just got the new stumpjumper and it looks like i am getting read of 5 bikes to get the endero, , so i went from 9 bikes to 3 2mtb. And one road..i will be set.. great video..

[max_]

Take a shot every time he says carbon fibre

[SamsBikes]

thanks mate... your reviews are the best..

[heirilosman]

Hi Will, what is your height? I just ordered an S2 based on comparisons with my other bikes and sizes that I tested before. I prefer a nimble small bike feel. Did not manage to hop on a demo bike for sizing cos I was too excited to order. Now your review making me nervous if I ordered a size too small. Is the S2 close to Small sizing for other bikes? Hope it's not XS. I'm screwed if it is.

[razifraship]

The front is 170mm max. What’s the min front travel you can use if you are planning on building it from frameset?

[mttec]

Would have thought they’d spec this bike with 2.6 tires front and rear. My Stumpy Evo came with 2.6’s.

[dadventuretv]

Review- “so let’s start with the frame. It’s a Santa Cruz Megatower.” Bahahahaha.

[joejoemtb]

Wow that is one rusty chain. Just kidding! Nice review. I currently have a 2017 Enduro, a decent bike. The 2020 model looks much nicer!

[demruffnicetune]

Nice review will, but I have a question on those pedals? Have seen them about and as a person who struggles with my pedal position I’m interested in giving them a go I have gone back to spd, s atm because I’m always adjusting my position tried a lot of flats but I’m not really a fan of clips but am sick of keep looking at my feet while riding, I think these ones may help alleviate my issue
Cheers will and keep shredding 🤘

[mb]

How tall are you mate? Did the s3 have a nice agile feel?

[tataboi]

Nice repaint Santa Cruz Nomad..just kidding😂✌️

[DOLPsc]

I was checking my bank until I heard 29er only.

[alwaystwoam]

Thanks Will! Trying to get some more details on how you felt about the sizing.

Did you feel the S3 was a tad too large or just right and comfortable?

Do you think you would have liked the S2 size more?

Did Specialized recommend for you to ride the S3 at your height?

I guess that was 3 questions. :) Best in depth video so far.

[efrenm]

I would like a 27.5 please
My next bike for sure

[edmaori]

If Spec know that placing the rear shock low in the frame gives a better gravity handling....why do they wait till 2020 to revised the frame designs instead of introducing it way back in 2015