How Much Suspension Do You Need? | Over-Biked Vs Under-biked

150/160 is not really a trail bike. I think they should redo the test with a 140/140 trail bike instead

Spectral isn't really under-biked for that terrain though 🤷‍♂️

I have an enduro bike, which is definitely "over-biked' for my local trails, which are all cross county in nature. However, I'm in my mid 60's, and appreciate the extra comfort. Plus, we do travel 2-3 times a year to ride more challenging trails, and it's nice to have confidence that my bike (and I) will be confident about our capabilities.

I would have liked the video more if it was the baby Canyon Spectral 125, for a bigger contrast.

Not sure if it's a British thing. But, I would certainly put a 150/160 bike into enduro category. A 120 to 140 max would be more of a "trail" bike.

150/160mm is a trail bike now?!

Thank you for the comparison video. I feel like this does help people consider what they really want to use their bike for. Me, I’m 40 and ride a Marin rift zone XR which is 130/140. Before that I exclusively rode around on a hard tail and learned how to let the bike move underneath me quite well. My trail bike has opened up a whole world of playful opportunities!

Fun topic, I definitely enjoy over-biking 👍 Not because I wish I were riding double blacks, but because I enjoy being comfortable lol and, as an average rider, it gives me more confidence on sketchy features when I come across them.

Nice insight as usual Neil. So many variables but I think age and how much your body is hammered plays a part. I've been riding since '92 and had a fair few injuries. I lean on the overbiked side purely for comfort and having a bit more to play with on the rougher stuff as you mention.

I’m over 50 and I need 300mm travel front and rear for my Florida trails lol

I tend to go with over biked as it's easy to adjust the suspension for the trail you're riding that day. Under biked means you probably have multiple bikes for different things and it's not really affordable with current pricing.

I'd probably question whether a less experienced rider (like myself!) would feel a significant difference between a trail and enduro bike. It'd probably be interesting seeing a few new-ish riders out on a range of bikes and seeing their takes on them, as a lot of newer riders probably only have experience of hardtails

Your videos are usually excellent, and the concept here is interesting. However, even Canyon categorizes the Spectral as an enduro bike. There was not nearly enough contrast. For restitution, you should redo the video with the Orbea against a Spectral 125 and a hardtail.

would love to see how a short travel vs long travel version of the same bike compare. The Canyon Spectral comes in 150 and 125 versions.

The thing is, you can also build your trail bike with Enduro parts, but keep it mid travel. Ive seen alot of trail bikes with 150/140 travel-27.5 or even 140/130 29ers running 4 piston brakes big 200mm+ rotors, 35/36 mm stanchions fork, rear shocks with piggybacks, enduro tires. You could definitely build a mid travel Burly bike.

Was good to have a chat with you on the day bud, really interesting look at riding Iv done similar as I had a polygon Siskiu D5 now riding a specialized BIGHIT 1 with tripples I’m definitely over biked now but feels so much more comfortable at DYFi.

I rode my Whyte T-140 down those exact trails; never once did I feel out of my depth, but I would have been happier on an enduro bike

seems the only way to truly compare is to run the same wheels and tires on the trail in Enduro bikes. That way you’re seeing the differences purely from the frame/suspension. I used to run a heavy, aggressive, tire wheel set and a light fast tire wheel set on the same bike, and it completely changed the bike. I went from a fleet of bikes down to one aggressive hard tail and one big trail bike when I realized that wheel entire selection made much more difference than 20 mm of travel and 1/2 degree in the head tube

Fair to say Dyfi isn't a great barometer of under vs over biked. That's the bike park that has developed a reputation for being unrideable by anyone short of a pro (most of its trails are pro lines). My current bike is a RM Altitude, yes it's a proper enduro bike, but manages to be more lively even on blue trails and more comfortable for big pedal days than the Ibis Ripmo I had before it. It's unreal ability to carry speed makes even blue trails fun on it, because you start railing corners and try to send it off every rock and root. The plush ride of the enduro bike is also nice for comfort, especially when you're not in your 20s or 30s anymore.

Awesome skills my friend!