That's about how my current E8000 bike is. Fairly easy to forget but the noise is apparent.

I wonder if a high idler frame design would a solution? Mmm that sounds pretty fun.

Okay thanks, that does give a bit of real world experience. Sounds like efficiency is up some. I realize it's hard to tell because rider weight and fitness makes a big difference. For reference on my '20 Commencal Meta Power (E8000) I can get 4500' of vert if I use a good amount of eco and some trail mode. I'd call myself quite fit but am 45 (175lbs).

The Brose motors seem to have much greater efficiency. I know riders who are heavier than me by a good 20 lbs but are able to get 7-8000' vert rides in on a charge. That's a 700wh battery, so 10% more than the new EP8.

The Bullit is dope though and I'd love to ride one, not buying until I know how bad the motor rattle is with the clutch disengaging all the time while descending. My current bike does that and it indeed becomes tiresome.

Since it's noted the battery life is better, can you talk about how much climbing in vertical feet you are able to get out of a full charge? Let's say on exclusively trail mode.

At least with the E8000 system and the 504wh battery, range and efficiency is disappointing.

Great review as always Brandon! They will be missed.

Would you mind comparing to the Pivot Switchblade. Two bikes that are pretty similar on paper. What I'm really looking for is something for those all day missions with lots of CO climbing but that will be fun on the way down and something where I don't have to dial things back too much because I'm on my "trail" bike.

The Expert seems like a great deal and some key upgrades could get it quite light for the category and not be too expensive.

Nice! Thanks for doing that and thanks for measuring at 3 different heights!

Good to hear regarding the SA. I would definitely consider a Slash which is why I'm more curious.

All that text and nothing about the seat angle? Steep seat angles for enduro bikes are game changing because hanging off the back of the bike of a steep climb is energy sucking and makes the bike handle like crap going uphill. Was that 76 or 75.6 SA actual or not? I think all reviews should have angles verified just like Vital did in the short travel 29er shootout.

I'm not surprised the Slash worked well going downhill, it's a good suspension design with years or refinement. Enduro bikes are just so much more than that now.

Good job on calling out the GX cassette. I can't stand when companies do that. Personally I'd rather have the X01 cassette than a X01 derailleur or shifter. It's unsprung weight and the GX is much heavier than the X01 and does not wear as well.

Props to Trek for adding in frame storage and integrated tools. I wish every bike had those features. I've bought Specialized in the past simply for those reasons.

One could do that on 5-6 battery charges assuming 700wh battery.