2005 S-Works Enduro: a bad FR/Trail frame?

[sanjuro]

I am trying to convince a friend (who will remain nameless) who is waiting for a Heckler to arrive from Taiwan that if it falls thru, to order a 2005 S-Works Enduro frame, which he can get for about $700.

Even if he gets a DHX Air to replace the 5th Element air shock, I think it is a great all around bike. But it might not be a good FR bike, and he does go pretty big.

Any opinions?

[HenryTheHammer]

Enduros are nuke proof. I have a friend who rode his to hell and back and it is still going strong. Rode the **** out of that thing up at Whistler and it did great. Over the years I think the only thing that went wrong was a proken pivot bolt... I think that was result of poor maintenence though.

[BadDNA]

I beg to differ...the chainstays are notoriously weak on the Enduro. They have replaced the design with a beefier version, but I'd still be careful. An SX Trail might be a better bet if you can find one. For an example of the problem, search through Splat's posts for broken chainstays, three of the people we regularly ride with have broken stays multiple times, some have done both in one shot.

Here's one from February: http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175790&highlight=broken

[MMcG]

Sanjuro PM berkshirerider - he might have a thing or two to add about using it as a full on FR frame.

I think the 2005s (maybe it was 2006s) were prone to chainstay crackage, but I'm not sure how widespread a problem it is, and the Big S is usually always good about warranty issues methinks.

[MMcG]

BadDNA beat me to the punch.

[HenryTheHammer]

Hmmm, had no idea. My buddy was a hack too, wierd. I've seen that poor bike get tossed into the woods more times then I can remember. Maybe rider weight is the issue? My bud only weights like 175#.

[sanjuro]

Thanks. That is something to consider. My friend is not a big dude but he is hitting drops that I shy away from on my VP-Free.

[amydalayna]

Thanks. That is something to consider. My friend is not a big dude but he is hitting drops that I shy away from on my VP-Free.

hence why his current trail bike is about to explode.

I think he should get the 6.6, just because that’s what I would love to be riding right now. But money is an issue.

[sanjuro]

I was trying to keep Mr. Amy's identity secret. Are you his publicist?

[amydalayna]

I was trying to keep Mr. Amy's identity secret. Are you his publicist?

Yes. I’m his public interface. He’s busy being awesome.
I really think he might consider the 2005 Enduro if everything else falls through. It’s just too bad that SC is so pokey with their large frames. Too bad that frame comes w/ a 5th Element though.

[sanjuro]

Not that I want to reveal any pricing, but that 2005 S-Works Enduro retail is cheaper than wholesale for the Heckler.

[OGRipper]

Yes. I’m his public interface. He’s busy being awesome.
I really think he might consider the 2005 Enduro if everything else falls through. It’s just too bad that SC is so pokey with their large frames. Too bad that frame comes w/ a 5th Element though.

Is this going to be a new trail bike for him? Has he been able to check out the new bikes in person, specifically an XL? The large is barely big enough for me and as I recall Ben is a bit taller.

Hmm, maybe that might just be an illusion brought on by his aura of awesomeness...

[Biscuit]

I don't like single pivot's in general, don't like the feel. I would make a hard case for getting the enduro, and rather than switching to a dhx air, switch to a coil dhx (a 5.0 will fit believe it or not.. but by the skin of it's teeth).

Yea, the chainstays have been known to break. I wouldn't say they are swiss cheese, but they get fatigued easily. Besides, it's a specialized. I broke my chainstay and it only cost me $20 because I needed it two-day aired for a race.

If "he" traditionally huck-to-flats, bottoms hard, etc. I'd go with something simpler. But for general tahoe climb up, rip down trails, an enduro would be high on my list.

*edit* I would also look at the giant regn X. Never ridden one, but really like the geo. And the regular reign has been pretty well liked.
MSRP on those is like $1,100. Which is pretty damn competetive even with bro-deals on others.

[amydalayna]

OG... Woops. I meant XL. Good catch. XL frames are not easy to get from SC.

[greenblinker104]

i think the post title is way off. S-works and FR are complete opposites. All the S-works full sus frames uses their patent brain shocks which are made to be very efficient for trail use and lock themselves out automatically but...FR? i dont think a brain application would fit.

[Bicyclist]

The 05 S-works frame rocks. I rode one at Mammoth for a week and mobbed Bullit, Velocity, and pretty much everything on the mountain. All with an XTR XC build.

And Mr. Green Blinker you couldn't be more wrong.

[syadasti]

I have both frames and they both are good bikes. The advantage to the Heckler is the lighter frame weight (I think the Heckler is about 3/4-1 lb lighter with the same shock) and shorter wheelbase (1" shorter in a similar size).

The Enduro has the significantly shorter chainstay (almost 2/3" - much easier to hop up or over things especially with the lower pivot/less chaingrowth in the Enduro suspension), adjustable geometry (comes with 2 shock shuttles), derailluer guard, quad bearing main pivot, and higher rated CS reputation. Both frames get 6" travel from a 2.5" stroke shock, but I think the Enduro is more progressive. An unmentioned disadvantage - you might have to cut your seatpost down, but I still have a full usable seatpost range and I think most people will who are riding the right size frame (or you could get a gravity dropper/maverick speedball/AMP).

As far as durability I think the Heckler and 6.6 would slot below the Enduro unless you were comparing the 6.6 slopestyle to the Enduro other than the chainstay issue.