Video: Enduro. Past, Present & Future with Tracy Moseley

Mar 18, 2013 at 14:05
by Film This Tyler  
Enduro. Past, Present and Future with Tracy Moseley

by EyesdownFilms
Views: 16,724    Faves: 40    Comments: 1


2013 is going to be an exciting year for the sport of mountain biking. For many people enduro racing seems to be the latest craze, and as a new discipline it is just about to emerge on the world scene, but for the French, they have been racing enduros for the last 10 years. In France, the idea of riding all day in the mountains with your mates and racing down the downhill sections is something they have been doing for years. The French races started by Fred Glo having an amazing vibe and great ethos. There is no practice allowed on the courses before the race, so everyone rides blind and has to read the trail as they race. A true test of a rider's natural ability and skill. As the sport has been adopted around the world, the rules have been changed slightly to suit each country, their beliefs, and mostly to the needs of insurance in the wonderfully litigious society we live in. In most places, practice must now be available to all riders before racing starts.

Photos to go with the enduro edit. www.EyesdownFilms.tv

Here in the UK we are just about to start our 3rd Gravity Enduro Series at Afan Forest Park, Wales on March 24th. It’s been great to see the sport develop and gain interest in the UK and we have some great racing with a mix of trail centre based races and some more natural locations. There is a definite emphasis on pedalling in the UK races, but we have some amazing trails and places to ride that even with short stages, ranging from 2min – 8mins we still have some gruelling race days.

On the world stage the World Enduro Series is due to make its debut in Italy in May. This series consists of 7 rounds across Europe and North America and with the variety of racing across the globe I am really excited to race a slightly different format at each event. I think it will be a great test of a riders ability to win the series. With a mix of XC racers, downhillers and seasoned enduro racers all gunning for that first World Series victory I really think its going to be an exciting year ahead for our sport.

Video & Photos : Eyesdown
Words: Tracy Moseley

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Beatfux – Floating
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51 Comments
  • 27 4
 I don't know about you guys but my opinion is divided with all this enduro hype we get these days. Sure in france it looks like they do this kind of riding since a long time but in a sense, isn't it just what we call "all-mountain" riding ? (Taking aside the official racing style). Isn't it just about riding uphill, then shredding the sh!t out the mountain after ? I don't know but.. just because you have a shorter stem / wider bar means your all mountain bike magically became an enduro bike ? I must admit I'm a little bit annoyed when I go on manufacturer's websites and they categorize "all-mountain" and "enduro" in two separate sections of their product page. I'm confused between the racing events and the marketing hype. If someone can put his opinion on the subject I'll be glad to read it !
  • 3 2
 i thought the only true enduro bike was originally the specialized enduro (duh) with the 7 inches of travel. not sure whats happened since then
  • 5 0
 Gravity Gran Fondo
  • 15 0
 I think there is a significant difference in the all mountain bikes and enduro bikes. Stronger components/frames, a little more travel and slacker geometry. They are more like DH bikes that you can pedal to the top as opposed to bikes that are very capable climbers. A lot of "all mountain" bikes are almost like XC bikes uphill but they cant compete with the all outenduro bikes on the descents. Enduro bikes are for racing really. You are only timed going down so of course you want the bike to be more gravity focused. Compare a YT industries wicked Pro to a Wicked 150 for instance. I would say the 150 would be a very capable bike and climbs better and but wouldnt be as capable on the really gnarly enduro trails. The pro would be a harder slog up the hill but it will definitely be faster down it.

But in a sense you are right, a lot of people will be able to shred very hard on the "all mountain" bikes. I would say if you have one you definitely dont need the other. Anyway, its another niche for manufacturers to sell bikes in.
  • 30 2
 Easy. Just don't think about it too much. It'll be OK, I promise.
  • 4 0
 Yeah, It's just that they have a different way to categorize bikes in europe. An All-mountain bikes is more what we call a trail bike, with 140-150mm of travel max. Enduro bikes typicaly have 160-170mm of travel and slacker geometry, with burly parts, larger stanchions and wide bars. The climbs are not timed in enduro races, so you basically want a bike that can climb but will allow you to maximise downhill performance.
  • 2 0
 Interesting. I've raced enduro, but only in Oregon. Here, the bikes are quite varied but many of the fast racers are on shorter travel bikes (5-6") with slack head tubes, with light builds, 1x10 drive trains with chain guides and wide bar/short stem combos. Diff in Canada?
  • 3 0
 Spesh enduro has 160mm now, had less in the past. never had 7 inches, except maybe the fork if you got the Lyrik solo air, but not the frame. AM bikes usually have lighter parts that don't have the reputation for taking a sever beating. Also, if you look at the difference between 5" and 6" travel bikes these days, with a few exceptions, there is a lot more difference than just an inch. 6" travel bikes tend to be slacker and come fit with wider bars. They tend to have a bit longer wheel base for stability at speed.
In the end, if you are an xc man who needs more travel AM will likely be your thing and an enduro will probably feel sluggish to you. If you are a DH guy taking a run at the local trails an enduro bike will feel lively and tough where an AM bike would feel jittery and flimsy.
  • 3 0
 I feel like the "all mountain" category of bike has been divided into "trail" and "enduro" bikes. Trail bikes these days are much more capable and longer travel (with 140-150mm average travel) than just a few years ago, while many "all mountain" bikes are growing longer legs (165-170mm seems to be the average) and becoming more DH oriented as trail bikes take up the niche that they previously held. I think the new all mountain bikes (such as the 2013 Specialized Enduro w/ 165mm travel) are what a lot of people would also describe as "enduro" bikes.
I don't know if anybody else has noticed this, just my observations.
  • 2 1
 " Forest-Gnome" what you just said sounds to me like a mountain biking... "riding uphill, then shredding the sh!t out the mountain after?"yeah definitely isWink
  • 2 0
 Good points you guys! I am certain that in less than 5 years there will be something like "trail racing". Let's be honest, it's no middleground between XC and DH in that Euro Enduro format, it's mini DH. They were first to steal the name, good for them. Top racers will have no problems both in gravitised Europe and on trails like those here in North West. However some average Joes will be dissappointed to come to extreme push bike champs just as Matt Wragg writes that some people bring 6" bikes to a race only to find out they're out for a 12h fireroad rally. Many, if not majority of AM riders, come from XC background, and they want to know how good or bad they are in cranking it up.

Well whatever, that is a step forward anyways, to clarify things for those who want to race, and racing is a unique way to earn skills and riding experience.
  • 5 1
 At the beginning of the 90ies, we rode up the hill to race down on singletrails- back then, we called in Mountainbiking. At the end of the 90ies, they called it freeriding. Right now, they call it Enduro. For us nothing has changed except for the fact that you can do the same riding as back then on more capable bikes... Smile
Oh, about stealing names, I remember Cannondale protecting the word "Freeride" for their bikes, Rocky Mountain called their team the infamous "Froriders"... just another name for the same game Wink

I don't care about the name of my kind of riding, it will be Mountainbiking for me Wink
  • 3 0
 All mountain is a riding category, like XC or DH. Enduro is a racing format. Marketers have just latched on to the enduro name and are using it to make their products seen new or special. The enduro bikes we're bombarded with are all mountain bikes, just with a burlier parts spec then most of us actually need on a trail ride.
  • 1 0
 We've even seen (recently) the launch of an "enduro helmet" which will be forbiden on most races simply cause it will be considered as an XC helmet.
  • 2 0
 Enduro is quite simply a spin with your mates thats timed on the DH bits. Shouldn't be perceived to be more complicated than that in my opinion. Ride whatever bike your comfortable with. Just happens that manufacturers are making bikes that can pedal up but come down a hill like a cat on fire. Which makes it the most fun form of racing I've tried!
  • 1 0
 Not sure you need as much as an Enduro or All Mountain bike to ride Afan fast if it's like any other trail centres in the UK. Looks pretty smooth to me. Though I would ride it on mine as it's all I've got that is suitable (which I need for other locations)

Looks like she's on the Remedy in the vid!
  • 1 0
 I manage everything in Afan on a 140mm fine, don't feel asif more travel is needed. However the route does stray from the marked 'forest park' into some more demanding descents where I do see people with the 160/1700mm riding. Just depends how you can ride I guess!!
  • 5 0
 I love watching videos like these, keep em coming Thanks PB.
  • 1 0
 Kind of confused between all mountain and enduro. Enduro is just the racing format of all mountain I thought, but some companies have both all mountain and enduro bikes, which seems kind of strange. When I think all mountain, I think 140mm to 165mm. So could you ride an enduro trail that might be slightly tamer than normal on a 140mm bike? Just curious, still excited about it becoming more popular
  • 2 0
 As somebody sais, uphills are not timed on enduro races. So An enduro bike can be a little more optimized for the downhill parts than an all-mountain equivalent. Similarly, if you are not racing, you may not ride at the same pace on the downhill section than during a race (especially on open trails where you may meet some hikers...). At least that's how I ride, I push it a little more on a race, and that's why I race. It's a little spicier.
  • 2 1
 if the uphills aren't timed why don't you just use a big bike? seeing the first comment I'm glad I'm not the only one who realizes that this is the kind of riding that most mountain bikers do but just don't have a name for it...pedal or hike up and then bomb down the hill, with the emphasis on having fun and going fast on the way down and the climb is just an inconvenience on the way to the next downhill...this is nothing new...pretty good riding in the video tho.
  • 7 0
 The descents are too pedally for a DH rig to be effective. They aren't the kind of runs you can bomb. They tend to be the kind of trail that you can roll down without a chain for the most part, but you will go a lot faster if you pedal. The DH rigs always come in dead last at the enduro races.

But yeah, this is the kind of riding most of us really do. I think that is why it is so popular. Just look at it this way: Nascar is more popular than formula one. People just relate to it better when it looks like something they can do.
  • 1 0
 makes sense, thanks for the info!
  • 1 0
 i ride at afan regularly and i'm riding this enduro at the weekend, the timed stages are predominantly downhill but they all have flat sections and some small uphill parts a DH rig would not be the way to go as nothing is really steep enough for them to be of any benefit.
  • 4 0
 @ mrgonzon, on some races you may have up to 2000 m positive! Pretty tough to hike it in time pushing a DH rig. Trails are also not as techy as on a DH course (depends on the DH course though) and yes also a bit pedally (seems less pedally on that side of the atlantic). Your DH bike would be too exhausting in the end of the day, and not necessarily more fun, and tht's what matters I think!
  • 1 0
 Having raced quite a few UK enduros over the last couple of years. There is no such thing as an enduro bike. It depends entirely on how full on the trail is. Steve Parr's races involve predominatly trail centres and as such involve quite a bit of peddling and nothing too full on. (with the exception of a deviation to use Innerleithen last year) You don't want a 160 travel bike for trail centres. Hence why you see Tracy on a 150mm Remedy circa 27lbs. But if she was ridding Innerleithen trails which are predominantly DH trails you found her on the Trek Slash circ 32lbs slack with Fox 36s or rather now 34s.

I tend to mix between a blur LTc and a Trek Slash depending on the Trail. Interestingly, on one of the more DH orientated tracks at Innerleithen Joe Barns smoked us all a couple of weeks back on a 150mm depite having the choice of a 160mm. A number of the top finishing lads were on 160 travel bikes. Make of that what you will. There are many reasons why he smoked us. The main one being he's a pro rider for a reason - the bike choice between 150 and 160 was/is somewhat irrelevant!

PS Steve Parr if you are reading this please explain why you insist on using the crappy unreliable timing gear. And WHY O WHY after seeding ridres do you then set the slowest riders off in front of the faster? That just ruins eveyones race!

You would benefit from looking at the No Fuss and Alpine Bikes format. They use timing chips for an instant result at the end of the race. You can also ride around with your mates with no pre-set stage start time = WAY more fun racing your mates.

PS they're races are half the cost of yours.
  • 3 0
 You like my big chopper ;-)
The socks are cool, got to keep my sponsors happy :-)
  • 1 0
 I wish I could afford a second bike to ride some enduro trails. Looks like lots of fun. I also wish I didn't snap my right achille tendon two weeks ago. So I could ride anything this summer!
  • 1 0
 Plenty of old 5-6 travel rigs around for about the cost of a small child. Sell one up and there you go! Here is a big hit to build into an enduro: www.pinkbike.com/photo/8559546
  • 2 0
 I feel you just broke my fibula And had to have surgery
  • 6 0
 Just wondering...how much does a small child cost these days?
  • 1 0
 As you'll see in my bysell I am asking for $500, but I'm negociable.
  • 5 0
 Depends on what part of the world you are at at the time. I tried to trade my son in for an Ellsworth Epiphany fully loaded the other day and the guy nearly laughed me out of the shop, then offered me a second hand hardtail, the cheeky basta@d. My kid is pretty ugly though so I understood where he was coming from a little. But hes worth a little more than a shitty hardtail, to me any way.
  • 2 1
 Uphills suck. An enduro bike caters to this philosophy. It simply get you to the top with both lungs/legs intact so you can destroy the downhill and not fall apart in the process.
  • 3 0
 That looks like alot of fun, Some really good trails!
  • 3 0
 want a pair of those socks!
  • 1 0
 What a sweet trail! Gotta set up the enduro at the shindig this year. I would have last year, but a new baby kind of threw that plan to the sharks. This year. . .
  • 1 0
 I like this idea, but you just know that UCI are going to get involved with thier hateful little clipboards and fuck it up for everybody.
  • 2 0
 Awesome trail and great riding, Tracy. Nice socks, Steve.
  • 1 0
 Yeah, Tracy looked pretty dang fast! Looks like a super fun event! ..and i totally want those socks too!
  • 1 0
 love this guy with axe and spadeSmile lokks like he burried somedy in the woods recentlyWink
  • 1 0
 Is Tracey riding a Remedy in this video?
  • 1 0
 yes..
  • 1 0
 What is the difference between Super D and Enduro then?
  • 4 0
 I'll tell you later this year. A nearby park is doing a super D followed by an enduro. I have no idea what I am getting into!
  • 1 0
 Right on, I look forward to hearing the difference and good luck !
  • 2 0
 super D is a race that starts at the top of the hill and ends at the bottom. usually one run. sometimes a le mans start (mass start run to your bike) but haven't seen that in a while. mostly downhill with some flats and very short uphill sections. generally not as gnarly as a full on downhill course but some tracks use sections of downhill race courses.
  • 1 0
 Is that what all super D are? So it's what we call here DH marathon. Well here it's always mass start... Good fun anyway!
  • 1 0
 Rode there last weekend, some sweet trails all round.
  • 1 0
 Get on your bike and ride.
  • 1 0
 Steve parr got wood







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