/// 2013 Specialized Enduro COMP 29er

[Jesterarts]

This thread is a bit deja vu, but after selling my trusty 2012 Lapierre DH720, I was on the hunt for a new rig.

Criteria:
- Under 2.5K
- X Large frame
- Good condition
- No older than 2012
- AM Suitable
- 27.5 or bigger wheels

I spotted a Enduro COMP 29er on ebay just outside my budget, and after a quick negotiation it was mine.

I am 99% sure it's a 2013, since that's what it says on the frame and it came with the FOX forks, however the frame colour scheme looks to be 2014. So I'm a bit fuzzy on that.

I found this article: 2013 Specialized Enduro Comp 29 SE - NSMB.com , which suggests is a 2013 Specialized Enduro COMP 29 SE, but aside from that one article I see no more references to a 'SE'

Either way, the previous owner looked after it well, and it's mostly stock aside from the pedals and seat post:

Frame: 2013 Enduro COMP 29er
Rear Shock: FOX Float CTD Evolution w/ AUTOSAG, Climb, Trail, Descend settings and reb adj., 215.9mm x 57.2mm
Fork: 2013 FOX 34 Float CTD Evolution with 150mm travel
Headset: 1-1/8 and 1-1/2" threadless, Campy style upper with 1-1/2" lower, cartridge bearings
Stem: Specialized XC Trail, 6061 alloy, 4-bolt, 6-degree rise, 31.8mm1
Rear Mech: SRAM X9 Type 2, 10-speed, mid cage
Front Mech: SRAM X7, 10-speed, S3 direct mount for DMD, bottom pull
Shifters: SRAM X7, 10-speed, trigger, w/MatchMaker clamp
Front Brake: Avid Elixir 5 SL, hydraulic disc, alloy backed organic pads, HS-1 rotor, 200mm
Rear Brake: Avid Elixir 5 SL, hydraulic disc, alloy backed organic pads, HS-1 rotor, 180mm
Rims: Alex Roval 26, alloy disc, 28mm wide, 32h
Tyres: Specialized 'Butcher Control' on the front and 'Purgatory Control' on the back
Seatpost: Reverb Stealth
Pedals: Specialized Bennies

Pictures:

For the time, this will be an awesome machine for Lysterfield and with time I will see what else I can get upto.

On the forseeable 'to do list' are the following;

1. Brakes upgrade. The Elixir 5 just ain't gonna cut it.
2. Depending how things go, stiffer rims.

Aside from that, I am going to clear wrap it asap and going to see about the spaghetti cabling... its...err... 'creative' at the moment.

And best of all, the bike matches my shoes now.

 

[Sandman]

Looks awesome. Those shoes are far too clean, you need to get em out more.

 

[Drawnnite]

did someone say Hope e4 brakes?

looks good Jest

 

[Jesterarts]

Looks awesome. Those shoes are far too clean, you need to get em out more.

Picture of the shoes is when I just got them. They've had some use since.

did someone say Hope e4 brakes?

looks good Jest

Hope e4 is probably way overkill for this bike. But some Zee's or something would do the job.

I mean, I haven't actually ridden the thing in anger yet, so once I do that I will know what's needed, but I can't see the Avids doing the job I need them to.

 

[Jesterarts]

Owning the top...

 

[Jesterarts]

Took the bike out for a quick ride around the estate after dinner today.

Wow... just wow.

I've had DH bikes for so long I've forgotten what it feels like to have a bike that pedals.

I even rode UP a hill!!

The only thing that caught me out is because it's so tall and I am sitting a good foot higher than the Lapierre when the seat is extended, I pedalled through a corner twice and the pedal clipped the ground.

Very excited about the bike. Too bad this weekend is so damn hot as I am not going to Lysty in the weather. But really looking forward to riding in anger in the near future.

 

[Jesterarts]

Another few pictures.

One of them, to put the bike in perspective of my size. The bike is an XL 29er and it still looks small...

 

[WAGONBEAST57]

I own one of these, has the pike on the front though. Best bike ive ever owned by far and will convert even the biggest haters of 29ers.

 

[Jesterarts]

Yeah, for me it was more out of necessity than anything else.

But so far everyone seems to say they are a great rig.

 

[Jesterarts]

Took the bike out for a quick lap of Aneurysm at Lysterfield just now.

Wow, certainly a different beast to what I am used to.

It packs on speed so easy, you really need to push it in to corners to get it to do what it's told and... I was able to ride both UP and DOWN hills.

Here is a quick list of cons and pro's comparing it to what I am used to, being 26 inch DH bikes.

PRO'S
- Picks up speed very easily
- Dropped post is the greatest thing ever
- The stock specialised flat pedals are on par for grip to my old saints. Quality of construction not so much but they hold my shoe well
- Felt good and stable over the few features I did take on Aneurysm
- Pedalling UP a hill is a completely new experience for me and I was very surprised about how excited I got for not stopping once on any of the up hill sections
- The CTD system on the fork and shock is great.

CON'S
- The bike felt bit more squirmy on loose terrain like gravel
- The fork felt quite jittery over rough terrain. Probably need to play around with the pressure and rebound a bit
- The brakes (Avid Elixer 5) are completely inadequate for the bike.
- The front wanted to wash out on me more than what I am used to. This is probably just something that I will address through a change of riding style
- The seat is terrible. This will need to be addressed with something more comfortable

On the brakes, seriously, I may as well have been using the force to try and stop. This is a concern given how quickly and easily the bike picks up speed.

I do need to adjust the reach a bit as they are set too far out, but there is no way I would be confident with those brakes and single finder braking. Need two fingers. Period.

All in all, very happy with the purchase. It felt very at home at Lysterfield and based on how it felt, Cressy and Red Hill should easily be within it's capability.