Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon 90
The Altitude Carbon 90 takes a best-in-class spot for enduro riders who want a confidence-inspiring carbon chassis with aggressive geometry that still pedals efficiently uphill. Its tunable setup and long-reach platform make it a versatile race and all-mountain weapon, sitting between the pure-descend bias of the Norco and the big-wheel stability of the Devinci while often undercutting the top-dollar builds from Santa Cruz. For riders focused on raw descending capability without sacrificing climb performance, the Altitude offers a compelling technical and value balance.
Grin-inducing climbs
Planted descents
Grin-inducing climbs
Planted descents
Review Summary
"Users consistently praise the Altitude Carbon 90 for its composed, confidence-inspiring downhill stability, progressive geometry and efficient climbing; long-term owners say it feels race-capable and durable. The most common complaints are its high price and noticeable weight compared with lighter cross-country rigs."
Featherweight charge
Carbon chassis with long-travel geometry designed for fast, stable descents.
Featherweight charge
Carbon chassis with long-travel geometry designed for fast, stable descents.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Altitude Carbon 90 takes a best-in-class spot for enduro riders who want a confidence-inspiring carbon chassis with aggressive geometry that still pedals efficiently uphill. Its tunable setup and long-reach platform make it a versatile race and all-mountain weapon, sitting between the pure-descend bias of the Norco and the big-wheel stability of the Devinci while often undercutting the top-dollar builds from Santa Cruz. For riders focused on raw descending capability without sacrificing climb performance, the Altitude offers a compelling technical and value balance.
Grin-inducing climbs
Planted descents
Featherweight charge
Carbon chassis with long-travel geometry designed for fast, stable descents.
RockShox/SRAM high-end suspension and drivetrain options for precise control.
Grin-inducing climbs
Planted descents
Featherweight charge
Carbon chassis with long-travel geometry designed for fast, stable descents.
RockShox/SRAM high-end suspension and drivetrain options for precise control.
$9,500-11,500 USD
Norco Range C1
The Range C1 is a market leader for riders whose priority is downhill speed and composure, offering a burly, big-travel chassis tuned for aggressive terrain and enduro stages. Compared with the Altitude and Hightower, the Range emphasises descending performance first, with suspension and geometry choices that favor high-speed stability and confidence at the expense of a bit more weight and less climb-focused efficiency. For racers and aggressive gravity riders the Range C1 represents a specialized investment in downhill capability that often outpaces similarly priced competitors on steep tracks.
Gravity-hungry chassis
Corner-carving speed
Gravity-hungry chassis
Corner-carving speed
Review Summary
"Owners love the Norco Range C1 for its raw descending capability, plush suspension and high-speed stability, calling it a true enduro workhorse. Criticisms focus on heavy weight and the cost of top-tier builds, though most buyers say the performance justifies the price."
Burly traction
Aggressive, downhill-optimized geometry built for high-speed stability and steep terrain.
Burly traction
Aggressive, downhill-optimized geometry built for high-speed stability and steep terrain.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Range C1 is a market leader for riders whose priority is downhill speed and composure, offering a burly, big-travel chassis tuned for aggressive terrain and enduro stages. Compared with the Altitude and Hightower, the Range emphasises descending performance first, with suspension and geometry choices that favor high-speed stability and confidence at the expense of a bit more weight and less climb-focused efficiency. For racers and aggressive gravity riders the Range C1 represents a specialized investment in downhill capability that often outpaces similarly priced competitors on steep tracks.
Gravity-hungry chassis
Corner-carving speed
Burly traction
Aggressive, downhill-optimized geometry built for high-speed stability and steep terrain.
Burly frame construction and heavy-duty suspension capable of absorbing big hits.
Gravity-hungry chassis
Corner-carving speed
Burly traction
Aggressive, downhill-optimized geometry built for high-speed stability and steep terrain.
Burly frame construction and heavy-duty suspension capable of absorbing big hits.
$10,000-12,000 USD
Devinci Spartan Carbon 29 GX
The Spartan Carbon 29 GX stands out for delivering the high-speed stability of 29-inch wheels with an aggressive enduro geometry, making it an excellent choice for riders who value smooth tracking and momentum through rough terrain. It competes strongly on technical descents like the Norco but typically offers a slightly better value proposition vs. premium-priced models such as the Santa Cruz Hightower, marrying race-ready hardware with a more accessible price-to-performance ratio. For enduro racers who prefer the roll-over advantage of 29ers, the Spartan is a focused, high-value contender.
29er rollover
Stiff-carbon pop
29er rollover
Stiff-carbon pop
Review Summary
"Riders who spend extended time on the Devinci Spartan Carbon 29 GX praise its confident 29er rollover, steep-descend capabilities and solid build quality, noting it excels on techy, rough trails. Some users note it climbs less efficiently than lighter trail bikes and that spec levels vary, but overall feedback is strongly positive."
High-speed composure
29er carbon platform that balances efficient climbing with confident descending.
High-speed composure
29er carbon platform that balances efficient climbing with confident descending.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Spartan Carbon 29 GX stands out for delivering the high-speed stability of 29-inch wheels with an aggressive enduro geometry, making it an excellent choice for riders who value smooth tracking and momentum through rough terrain. It competes strongly on technical descents like the Norco but typically offers a slightly better value proposition vs. premium-priced models such as the Santa Cruz Hightower, marrying race-ready hardware with a more accessible price-to-performance ratio. For enduro racers who prefer the roll-over advantage of 29ers, the Spartan is a focused, high-value contender.
29er rollover
Stiff-carbon pop
High-speed composure
29er carbon platform that balances efficient climbing with confident descending.
Responsive suspension tuning for traction and mid-stroke support on technical climbs.
29er rollover
Stiff-carbon pop
High-speed composure
29er carbon platform that balances efficient climbing with confident descending.
Responsive suspension tuning for traction and mid-stroke support on technical climbs.
$8,500-10,500 USD
Santa Cruz Hightower 3 CC X01
The Hightower 3 CC X01 is the premium pick for riders seeking a refined, light‑feeling carbon platform that still handles demanding singletrack and technical enduro stages with composure. Its polished VPP suspension and high-end componentry give it an edge in climb-to-descend versatility compared with heavier, pure-descend bikes like the Norco Range, though it typically carries a higher purchase price and strong resale value. For riders wanting a luxurious, do-it-all enduro bike that remains highly capable off the top, the Hightower is a top-tier but costlier option.
Every-trail agility
Plush bump-eating
Every-trail agility
Plush bump-eating
Review Summary
"The Santa Cruz Hightower 3 CC X01 is frequently described as a versatile high-end do-it-all bike with excellent balance between climbing efficiency and playful descending; long-term owners highlight superb build quality and resale value. Drawbacks mentioned are premium price and that it’s not as slack/aggressive as pure enduro race bikes."
All-mountain smile
CC carbon frame with a proven suspension layout that suits both trail and enduro duties.
All-mountain smile
CC carbon frame with a proven suspension layout that suits both trail and enduro duties.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Hightower 3 CC X01 is the premium pick for riders seeking a refined, light‑feeling carbon platform that still handles demanding singletrack and technical enduro stages with composure. Its polished VPP suspension and high-end componentry give it an edge in climb-to-descend versatility compared with heavier, pure-descend bikes like the Norco Range, though it typically carries a higher purchase price and strong resale value. For riders wanting a luxurious, do-it-all enduro bike that remains highly capable off the top, the Hightower is a top-tier but costlier option.
Every-trail agility
Plush bump-eating
All-mountain smile
CC carbon frame with a proven suspension layout that suits both trail and enduro duties.
Refined geometry offering a stable descending platform without sacrificing pedaling efficiency.
Every-trail agility
Plush bump-eating
All-mountain smile
CC carbon frame with a proven suspension layout that suits both trail and enduro duties.
Refined geometry offering a stable descending platform without sacrificing pedaling efficiency.
$10,500-12,500 USD
Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp
The Stumpjumper EVO Comp is the value-oriented, aggressive trail/enduro option that brings modern slack geometry and user-friendly adjustability to riders who want enduro capability without paying top-tier carbon prices. Compared with the lighter Santa Cruz or the race-biased Norco, the EVO Comp typically offers broader dealer availability and a more accessible entry price while still delivering the contemporary geometry and parts spec needed for enduro riding. It’s a smart choice for riders seeking performance and practicality — a balanced, cost-conscious enduro performer.
Playful geometry
Snappy handling
Playful geometry
Snappy handling
Review Summary
"The Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp is praised by repeated users for its lively handling, adaptable geometry and strong all-mountain performance, offering great trail manners for varied terrain. Common complaints are that the Comp-level spec is midway between value and high-end components and that it carries a bit more weight than pure enduro race bikes."
Pedal-friendly pep
EVO-tuned geometry delivering aggressive trail handling at a more accessible price point.
Pedal-friendly pep
EVO-tuned geometry delivering aggressive trail handling at a more accessible price point.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Stumpjumper EVO Comp is the value-oriented, aggressive trail/enduro option that brings modern slack geometry and user-friendly adjustability to riders who want enduro capability without paying top-tier carbon prices. Compared with the lighter Santa Cruz or the race-biased Norco, the EVO Comp typically offers broader dealer availability and a more accessible entry price while still delivering the contemporary geometry and parts spec needed for enduro riding. It’s a smart choice for riders seeking performance and practicality — a balanced, cost-conscious enduro performer.
Playful geometry
Snappy handling
Pedal-friendly pep
EVO-tuned geometry delivering aggressive trail handling at a more accessible price point.
Reliable mid-level components and capable suspension that perform well on demanding trails.
Playful geometry
Snappy handling
Pedal-friendly pep
EVO-tuned geometry delivering aggressive trail handling at a more accessible price point.
Reliable mid-level components and capable suspension that perform well on demanding trails.
$6,000-7,500 USD