{"id":37216,"date":"2022-06-02T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-02T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=271300"},"modified":"2022-06-02T18:02:23","modified_gmt":"2022-06-02T16:02:23","slug":"beginners-guide-to-enduro-racing-everything-you-need-to-know-to-get-started","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/beginners-guide-to-enduro-racing-everything-you-need-to-know-to-get-started\/","title":{"rendered":"Beginner\u2019s guide to enduro racing | Everything you need to know to get started"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Alex Evans\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 02 June 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Since its inception in the early 2010s, enduro racing has quickly become one of the most popular mountain bike disciplines, representing the type of riding a lot of mountain bikers were already doing.<\/p>\n

Enduro offers technical but accessible racing for riders who want to avoid the full-blooded tracks of downhill racing, or the lycra-clad whippets of cross-country racing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But what exactly is enduro racing? Read on to find out what enduro is all about, why you might want to give it a go and what you need to get started.<\/p>\n

What is enduro racing?<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s a clue in the name \u2013 it\u2019s gravity racing but with an endurance element. In the early days, \u2018enduro\u2019 races were long-distance cross-country races, but those now tend to be known as marathon races.<\/p>\n

Modern enduro events are very different. Enduro races are made up of multiple downhill stages, which are timed to generate the event\u2019s result, while the uphills are \u2018liaisons\u2019.<\/p>\n

Here, riders have to reach the start of the next stage within a time limit but, providing a rider meets that time limit, the actual time doesn\u2019t contribute to the final result. Got it?<\/p>\n

Enduro races tend to last one or two days with riders normally completing up to six timed downhill stages per day. The cumulative times of all their stage results are added together to create their overall time, which ultimately decides a rider\u2019s finishing position in the field.<\/p>\n

Whether riders pedal to the top of each downhill stage or jump on a form of uplift transport (vans, buses, chairlifts or cable cars) depends heavily on where the event is organised and the amount of elevation change the day\u2019s riding (or a particular stage transition) has.<\/p>\n

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Drag your heels on the climbs and it won\u2019t matter how rapid you are on the downhills.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy McCandlish<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The best-known and biggest enduro event is the Enduro World Series. The EWS visits some of the world\u2019s best riding spots for each of its rounds. Each round has a winner and there\u2019s also a series winner at the end of the year.<\/p>\n

Many smaller, local enduro events also exist, and some of these have EWS qualifier status, which means if you place high enough, you could enter an EWS event.<\/p>\n

If you fancy a slice of the Enduro World Series action but can\u2019t or don\u2019t want to qualify, there are also EWS 100 and EWS 80 events, which allow non-qualifying riders to race in a separate event but on 100 per cent or 80 per cent of the course.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s so good about enduro racing?<\/h2>\n
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The finish line is in sight \u2013 time for the banter to begin.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy McCandlish<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Downhill racing requires extreme technical skill (and bravery) and expensive kit, while cross-country racing is largely about fitness (although XC race courses are becoming increasingly more technical, with cross-country bikes becoming more capable as a result<\/a>).<\/p>\n

However, anyone with a decent trail bike<\/a> or downcountry bike<\/a>, some technical riding experience and enough stamina to ride their local singletrack for a couple of hours can have a bash at enduro.<\/p>\n

You might also find yourself already riding enduro without knowing it. After all, enduro isn\u2019t only about racing, it\u2019s a style of riding in itself.<\/p>\n

Do you pedal efficiently but relatively slowly to the top of descents, where you then ride as hard and as fast as you can downhill, expending the most energy? If so, you\u2019re already an enduro rider!<\/p>\n

Enduro racing is also arguably better value for money than downhill racing. You get a lot more riding for your entrance fee than at a downhill race, because you ride multiple stages rather than just one track. This also means a mishap or mechanical won\u2019t necessarily put you out of the running because it\u2019s the overall time that counts, rather than individual stages.<\/p>\n

The other big thing going for enduro races is the friendly atmosphere. While the top riders are definitely in it to win it, further down the field it\u2019s more about having a go and enjoying a bit of finish-line banter.<\/p>\n

The same, of course, could be said for almost any event \u2013 mountain bikers are generally a friendly bunch.<\/p>\n

What type of bike do I need for enduro racing?<\/h2>\n
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The Nukeproof Giga 297 came out tops in our 2022 Enduro Bike of the Year test.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Behr \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

To race enduro competitively, you\u2019ll want a full-suspension bike with at least 140mm of suspension travel<\/a>, and up to 170-180mm of travel.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s nothing in the rules to stop you using a hardtail mountain bike<\/a> or lightweight cross-country bike<\/a> but you\u2019ll find it hard work on the descents. At the other end of the spectrum, longer-travel freeride and downhill bikes<\/a> are a drag on the climbs.<\/p>\n

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Enduro bikes are designed to thrive downhill, while still offering enough to ride uphill comfortably.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Behr \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

It\u2019s a good idea to fit a chain device and clutch-equipped rear derailleur<\/a> so your chain doesn\u2019t get bucked off on the rocky sections. Big-volume downhill-style mountain bike tyres<\/a> are decent additions, too \u2013 they increase puncture resistance and add comfort.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, a short stem<\/a> and wide handlebar<\/a> will improve control, and a dropper post<\/a> will make it easier to throw the bike around when things get sketchy.<\/p>\n

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Most enduro bikes have around 140mm to 170mm of travel, although the Nukeproof Giga has up to 180mm.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The growing profile of enduro racing, and the popularity of enduro as a style of riding, means that a lot of mountain bike brands now offer enduro bikes designed and specced specifically for the demands of the discipline.<\/p>\n

Want to know more? We\u2019ve got a full buyer\u2019s guide to the best enduro bikes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Do I need any specialist riding gear for enduro racing?<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
We\u2019d recommend goggles for enduro riding.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Full-face helmets are a good idea for rockier tracks but standard mountain bike helmets<\/a> are often fine for tamer, more pedal-friendly venues. That said, some race series organisers mandate the use of full-face lids, so be sure to check the rules carefully.<\/p>\n

Some brands offer convertible enduro-specific helmets, designed to offer the protection of a full-face helmet and the ventilation of an open-face lid in one package. We\u2019ve got a guide to the best enduro helmets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Some race organisers mandate the use of full-face helmets.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kike Abelleira \/ Orbea<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Otherwise, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves and eye protection \u2013 many riders opt for goggles \u2013 are essential. A hydration pack<\/a> with basic spares is a good idea too, particularly if you\u2019ll be out for a long time and away from the event HQ or car park.<\/p>\n

If you need to kit up, we\u2019ve got these buyer\u2019s guides to help you make the right picks:<\/p>\n