Make Up Your Mind! – The ENDURO Issue #067 is here!

There are moments on the trail when there’s no time to think twice. Do you commit or do you slam the brakes? Go left around the root or straight over it? Often, it’s exactly these split seconds that determine not only the line you take, but also how we experience mountain biking. And that’s precisely what this issue is about: decisions. Attitude. The constant balancing act between possibilities, opinions and equipment. Making up your mind isn’t about making rash decisions – it’s about consciously engaging with what you truly want.

This becomes particularly clear when it comes to E-MTB racing. For some, it’s the logical evolution of the sport; for others, a controversial topic with plenty of potential for heated debate. The truth? As so often, it lies somewhere between prejudice and full throttle. One thing is certain: racing against the clock, against friends or simply against yourself is a hell of a lot of fun – no matter what you’re riding. That’s exactly why we pitted three of the most exciting systems and bikes against each other: the Avinox M1, the Bosch CX-R and Specialized’s S-Works motor. With timing on both the uphill and downhill, riding mistakes, limit-pushing moments and crashes included. On top of that, we also put the best enduro bike of 2026 up against the three eMTBs to see who really comes out on top on the descents.

That E-MTB racing is far more than a motorised copy of what we already know also becomes clear in our conversation with Sofia Wiedenroth. Listening to her perspective quickly reveals just how superficially many debates are still being conducted. There are plenty of prejudices, but races aren’t won with opinions – they’re won with skill, fitness, precision and the willingness to push yourself to the limit again and again. Sofia speaks openly about how E-racing is perceived, the clichés she has to deal with and why this discipline is far more demanding than many people want to believe.

When it comes to protection, there’s no simple yes-or-no answer either. That’s exactly why we took a closer look at jet helmets. They’re not full-face helmets, but they’re not classic half-shells either – instead, they sit somewhere in between, which is exactly why they’re so polarising. These five models with ear protection balance between an extra layer of safety and inevitable compromises. But does that actually make sense? Or is it just the next hybrid discipline for riders who can’t quite decide? That’s exactly what we explored in our long-term test. What can these helmets really do, where are their limits – and for whom are they the best decision on the trail?

Our visit to Stark Future in Barcelona shows that the most interesting answers often lie outside your own bubble. A manufacturer of electric motocross bikes that has shaken up the market in a remarkably short time – not with bold marketing claims and redundant buzzwords, but with clear system ownership, consistent development and a different perspective on production, software and pricing. What can the bike industry learn from this? Quite a lot, actually. Above all that, great products don’t have to come from a puzzle of outsourced parts or be produced in the Far East – they can also emerge from a well-orchestrated and regional system.

And then there’s Johannes von Klebelsberg. Or rather: the Denim Destroyer. A character who stood out in the downhill circuit without ever fully letting himself be captured by it. Someone who raced in jeans because it felt right – not as a fashion statement, but out of conviction, or maybe simply because he never wanted to follow someone else’s rules. Today he lives a different life, somewhere between memories, the Italian mountains and his hotel. We visited him, rode with him and talked about the past, the present and the future. About moving forward without chasing the same dream forever.

Of course, this issue is also packed with plenty of test content for those who don’t just like to philosophise but want to tinker, ride and try things out. We take a look at drones that follow you on the trail, test trail-building tools that will make you want to head straight into the woods, check out protector vests for the days when things get serious and take a closer look at the new Propain Yuma – so the next generation can hit the trails with a huge grin too.

Maybe that’s the real beauty of our sport: that there’s rarely just one right answer. Not when it comes to bikes, components, protection or style. But there’s always a decision. Your decision.

So: make up your mind and enjoy this issue.

Cheers
Peter

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Words & Photos: Peter Walker