Only three bikes could make the cut – read on to find the winner of MBUK BIKE OF THE YEAR 2022
ENDURO
IT WAS A HARD-FOUGHT BATTLE, WITH ALL THREE BIKES PUTTING UP AN INCREDIBLE FIGHT AS WE RODE LAP AFTER LAP
After weeks of riding, we had to narrow down the field. Thankfully, three bikes stood out from the getgo, their ride characteristics, attention to detail and parts packages all helping them to sneak ahead of the others. Picking a winner was another matter entirely, though. It wasn’t until the penultimate week of testing, on some challenging trails, that one bike edged ahead. It was a hard-fought battle, with all three putting up an incredible fight as we rode lap after lap to eke out every little strength and weakness, and find a true winner that could handle just about anything with confidence and composure.
BIG-HITTERS
Are we now at a point where we’re having our cake and eating it? That’s to say, where enduro bikes descend almost as well as a downhill bike, but can still be pedalled along the trail and up the hill, time and time again? Take a look at our final three bikes and the answer seems to be an unequivocal ‘yes!’. For starters, enduro rigs now have a serious amount of suspension travel on tap. They haven’t quite reached DH bike realms of bounce, but some are getting close. Whyte’s G-180 RS MX pumps out 167mm of rear-wheel travel via its tried-and-trusted four-bar linkage back end, while the Canyon Torque Mullet CF8 employs a similar system to dish out 175mm. Nukeproof’s Giga 297 Carbon Elite, however, trumps both. Using a single-pivot swingarm and linkage-actuated shock, the Giga delivers a massive 180mm of travel. While the Canyon is the only bike here to use a DH-style coil shock to control all that travel, the Whyte and Nukeproof will both accept one if you value plushness over adjustability. Nukeproof have designed in a nifty way for you to tweak the Giga’s leverage, too – either to ensure the bike will work well with a coil shock or just to make it more (or less) progressive.
SPEC
CANYON TORQUE MULLET CF8 £4,555.98 (SHIPPED)
Frame Carbon fibre, 175mm travel
Sizes M*, L, XL
Fork Fox 38 Performance Elite GRIP2, 170mm travel
Shock Fox DHX2 Factory
Drivetrain Shimano Deore XT (1×12)
Wheelset DT Swiss FR 560 wheels, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 29×2.5in (f) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxGrip DD 29×2.4in (r) tyres
Brakes Shimano Deore XT, 203mm rotors
Bar/stem Canyon G5, 780mm/Canyon G5, 40mm
Seatpost/saddle Canyon G5 dropper, 170mm/ fi’zi:k Gravita Alpaca
Weight 15.8kg (medium, without pedals)
The Torque Mullet proves that a coil shock doesn’t have to slow you down on the climbs 
A neat integrated guide keeps the chain in check on the Canyon
MBUK VERDICT
The Canyon Torque Mullet CF 8 offers great geometry, a solid spec and – most importantly – feels seriously capable on just about any type of terrain
CORRESPONDING ANGLES
The Giga isn’t the only bike here with adjustment options, though. The Torque has an oval flip-chip at the base of the shock, which lets you change the head and seat tube angles by 0.5 degrees and the BB height by 8mm. Whyte’s ShapeIt Up link, meanwhile, allows you to alter the G-180’s head angle by 0.6 degrees and BB height by around 10mm. You can also buy their Shape.it link (sold separately) and transform the bike into a full-blown 29er, should you so wish, while maintaining the same geometry.
Speaking of geometry, all three bikes have great, up-todate proportions. It’s the Torque that boasts the lengthiest reach, at 465mm (medium). This is combined with a lazy head angle of 63.2 degrees (‘low’ setting) and the longest front centre here, 810mm. The Canyon’s 78.1-degree seat tube angle is close to that of the other bikes, so all three offer a comfy seated position for climbing. Both the G-180 and the Giga have a reach of 455mm. The Whyte’s head angle measures in at a shade over 63 degrees, while the Nukeproof’s is a touch steeper, at 63.4 degrees. These two bikes have similar front centres, at just over 800mm.
All have BB heights close to 340mm (the G-180’s a touch over, the Torque’s a little under). Effective chainstay length only differs by 5mm – 435mm on the Canyon, 438mm on the Nukeproof, 440mm on the Whyte. None of the brands alters chainstay length depending on frame size. On which note, each of these mixed-wheel-size builds is only available in three sizes – Canyon and Whyte have M, L and XL, while Nukeproof have S, M and L – so check the geometry chart to ensure there’s something suitable for your height.
The final biggie when it comes to these frames is the material they’re made out of. Whyte only offer the G-180 MX in aluminium, which is no bad thing in terms of crashproofing, and helps ensure there’s a solid parts package bolted to it. Canyon’s website shows alloy Torques with 650b or 29in wheels, but at the time of writing, if you’re looking for mixed wheels, there’s no option except lighter but pricier carbon fibre. Nukeproof only offer the Giga in carbon, too, which won’t appeal to all. They claim this allows them to tune frame stiffness and create the intricate tube shaping required for the upper side of the down tube.
WHYTE ONLY OFFER THE G-180 MX IN ALUMINIUM, WHICH IS NO BAD THING IN TERMS OF CRASH-PROOFING, AND ENSURES A SOLID PARTS PACKAGE
CASH CONVERTERS
None of these enduro bikes comes cheap, but what does all that cash get you? Let’s look at the suspension first. Whyte’s G-180 RS MX comes with a RockShox ZEB Select+ fork and Super Deluxe Select+ air shock. Technically speaking, Whyte should have named the G-180 MX the ‘G-190’, as their bikes’ names are derived from their fork travel, and the ZEB specced here boasts a massive 190mm of bounce. There’s scope to tune the air spring (pressure and volume) of both units, as well as the lowspeed compression damping (the fork has an incremental dial while the shock has a handy lever that firms it up for climbing) and rebound speed.
Both the Giga and the Torque use Fox’s 38 Performance Elite fork. Like the ZEB Select+, the 38 has broad, stiff 38mm upper tubes (stanchions), but its GRIP2 damper offers more adjustment than the RockShox fork’s Charger 2.1 RC cartridge. If you like twiddling dials, there’s both high-and low-speed compression and rebound damping to play with. While that sounds appealing, our main tester found himself having to run both Fox forks with the adjusters fully open.
Maxxis’s Assegai is a great front tyre, so it was good to see it specced on all our top-three bikes 
SRAM’s Code Rs are decent brakes, but the rear stoppers on all three bikes could’ve done with a re-bleed 
MBUK VERDICT
A formidable machine when the going gets rough, the Whyte G-180 RS MX packs a serious punch when it comes to spec, confidence and fun on the trail
SPEC WHYTE G-180 RS MX
£4,199
Frame 6061 aluminium alloy, 167mm travel
Sizes M*, L, XL
Fork RockShox ZEB Select+, 190mm travel
Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ RT
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle with Truvativ Descendant 7K cranks (1×12)
Wheelset Race Face AR 30 rims on alloy hubs, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 29×2.5in (f) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxGrip DD 29×2.4in (r) tyres
Brakes SRAM Code R, 220mm/ 200mm rotors
Bar/stem Whyte 35, 800mm/Whyte Enduro 35, 35mm
Seatpost/saddle BikeYoke DIVINE dropper, 160mm/Whyte
Weight 15.9kg (medium, without pedals)
The Canyon and Giga use Fox rear shocks, too. The Giga gets an air-sprung Float X2 while the Torque comes with a DHX2 coil. Both feature the same low-speed compression lever to firm them up. The Torque’s shock offers more control over its damping, as it’s the top-end Factory version, with high-and low-speed compression and rebound adjustment. However, it takes longer to set up, as you have to find the right spring for your weight and riding style (Canyon do provide additional springs, which helps), rather than just adjusting the air pressure.
Last year, all three bikes touted 12-speed SRAM Eagle drivetrains. This year, only the Whyte does – GX Eagle, which works really well. The Canyon, the middle-priced bike, gets the Shimano XT treatment, while the Giga, the priciest of the three, comes with Shimano’s cheaper SLX drivetrain. That’s nothing to complain about, though, as both feel similar and neither skipped a beat during testing. As for brakes, Canyon and Nukeproof have gone for Shimano XT and SLX, respectively, while Whyte spec SRAM Code Rs. As long as the Shimano stoppers have been bled well (we had to re-bleed both rear brakes), they’re seriously impressive. The same can be said for the Codes, although, again, the rear bleed wasn’t great from the get-go. What of the all-important tyres? All three bikes sport close-toidentical rubber, which is hard to find fault with. Up front, all use a Maxxis Assegai in the 3C MaxxGrip compound and 2.5in width. While the Whyte and Canyon use the EXO+ casing, Nukeproof have opted for the heavier DoubleDown carcass. At the rear, all three use the same tyre –a Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra in a 2.4in width and with the DD casing, which adds peace of mind.
EDGING AHEAD
You can pore over spec sheets and geometry charts all you want, but when all’s said and done, it’s how a bike behaves on the trail that really matters. While it’s the downhill performance that most people focus on when it comes to enduro bikes, they still need to climb well enough, too. Of the three here, the Torque feels the sprightliest uphill. It doesn’t hurt that it’s marginally lighter than the G-180 and Giga, but really it’s the steep seat tube angle coupled with the bob-free back end that make things feel decently efficient. The Whyte isn’t too bad either. We found we could simply let it work away, finding traction, while we sat and pedalled. The Nukeproof was the only bike of the three on which we found ourselves consistently reaching for the shock lever to firm up the rear end on steeper pitches, where it would otherwise hunker down into its travel. On more gradual gradients, though, it’ll cruise up just fine.
Unleash this trio on mellower jump trails and each one brings something slightly different to the party. The G-180 feels planted yet playful in equal measures. You can jump on it and instantly push as hard as you feel comfortable to. The Giga also feels incredibly well-balanced and natural to ride, but not quite as nimble as the Torque when it comes to chucking it about. That’s not to say you can’t, but you do need to muscle it around a little more. All feel well-supported, but the Canyon encourages you to pop that bit higher and pump that bit harder.
On flat-out fast trails peppered with rocks and roots, it’s the Whyte and Nukeproof that shine the brightest. While the Canyon feels rock-solid and operates almost silently, it seems to patter over, rather than swallow up and absorb, the bigger, high-frequency hits, transferring more feedback through your feet and hands. Even though the Giga sports the same fork as the Torque (both of which would benefit from a tune-up), it has a little extra travel to play with and the overall ride feel is easier on the body. In a similar vein, the monster 190mm ZEB on the front of the G-180 does a great job of protecting your hands and arms from the bumpy onslaught, and feels more forgiving through the middle part of its travel than both Fox 38s.
At the rear, the Giga and Whyte are both supple enough to eke out traction where necessary, and neither lacks support when being loaded through the turns. Through fast undulations or high-load corners, though, it’s the Giga that manages to feel like it’s better balanced and more stable. Don’t get us wrong – neither the Whyte nor the Nukeproof makes it feel like the bumps are simply melting away beneath you, but both isolate the rider better from the impacts than the Canyon.
ON FLAT-OUT FAST TRAILS PEPPERED WITH ROCKS AND ROOTS, IT’S THE WHYTE AND NUKEPROOF THAT SHINE THE BRIGHTEST
SPEC
NUKEPROOF GIGA 297 CARBON ELITE £4,599.99
Frame Carbon fibre, 180mm travel
Sizes S, M*, L
Fork Fox 38 Performance Elite GRIP2, 180mm travel
Shock Fox Float X2 Performance Elite
Drivetrain Shimano SLX (1×12)
Wheelset Nukeproof Horizon V2 29 wheels, Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxTerra DD 29×2.5in (f) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxGrip DD 29×2.4in (r) tyres
Brakes Shimano SLX, 203mm rotors
Bar/stem Nukeproof Horizon V2, 780mm/Nukeproof Horizon, 45mm
Seatpost/saddle Brand-X Ascend dropper, 150mm/Nukeproof
Weight 16kg (medium, without pedals)
The Giga’s swingarm suspension is simpler than the linkage rear ends here, but doesn’t hold it back 
MBUK VERDICT
The Nukeproof Giga 297 Carbon Elite’s balance, geometry and electrifying corner-carving speed really help it stand out from the crowd
Leaving the high-speed, teeth-rattling chatter of the bike park and heading to steeper natural terrain, a winner started to emerge. There’s no getting away from just how fun the Torque is to ride and how easy it is to place its wheels exactly where you want them. The G-180 is a serious piece of kit, too, which lets you up the pace even more. Its well-proportioned geometry positions you nicely between the wheels and instils confidence when tackling the steepest sections of loose trail, where traction and stability count for a lot. However, it’s here that the Giga properly edges ahead. Its balance, composure and weight distribution make it feel incredible through the turns. Bank it over into a sketchy corner – even when you think you’re coming in too hot and clearly pushing your luck – and somehow the Nukeproof just keeps holding its line, spitting you out the other side with even more speed.
Yes, the Whyte’s suspension works impressively well and feels great, but we’d argue that the Giga’s is even better. The travel is delivered in a well-measured manner, with a sensitive initial touch – which ensures the back wheel tracks the terrain yet still feels supportive when needed – that gives way to a smooth ramp-up as you start to thump through meatier impacts. With all that weight so far south in the frame, the Nukeproof just manages to claw ahead of its rivals in terms of geometry, weight distribution and balance. Sure, the fork could do with a service, but that aside, the Giga’s poise and prowess on the toughest trails raise it above the competition.
WINNER ENDURO
NUKEPROOF GIGA 297 ELITE
Both Whyte and Canyon have won this category in the past so we suspected it’d be these two battling it out for the top spot. We knew the Nukeproof was good, too, but it wasn’t until we got stuck into our back-to-back testing that we realised just how good. That’s not taking anything away from the Torque or G-180, as they’re great bikes. The Canyon is a stealthy operator and seriously fun to throw around, but not quite as comfortable at speed as the Whyte or Nukeproof.
As for the G-180, with its great spec and solid frame it’s a bike that’s easy to ride fast. In fact, it was a close call between it and the Nukeproof. In the end, it was on steep natural trails that the Giga’s corner-carving, grip-seeking prowess shone through. It may not feel the fastest on the ups, but the swagger this machine exudes when the going gets tough elevates confidence when you need it most, and the grin it puts across your face as you rail turns at speed can’t be ignored.
THE SWAGGER THIS MACHINE EXUDES WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH ELEVATES CONFIDENCE WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST
RUNNERS UP
WHYTE G-180 RS MX
A formidable machine when the going gets rough, the Whyte packs a serious punch when it comes to spec, confidence and fun on the trail
CANYON TORQUE MULLET CF8
The Canyon offers great geometry, a solid spec and – most importantly – feels seriously capable on just about any type of terrain