Best Enduro Bikes: Whyte G180 RS MX, Canyon Torque CF-8, and Nukeproof Giga 297 Compared

Introduction

Enduro bikes have evolved to offer a remarkable blend of downhill capability and climbing efficiency. The three models in this comparison, the Whyte G180 RS MX, Canyon Torque CF-8, and Nukeproof Giga 297, represent the current state of that balance. Each bike brings a generous amount of suspension travel, modern geometry, and components that are ready for aggressive trail riding.

We spent time on all three to understand how they perform on climbs, jump lines, and steep natural terrain. This guide breaks down their key specifications and ride characteristics to help you decide which one might suit your riding style.

Whyte G180 RS MX

Whyte’s G180 RS MX is an aluminium-framed enduro bike that delivers 167mm of rear wheel travel through a tried-and-trusted four-bar linkage. Up front, it uses a RockShox Zeb Select Plus fork with 190mm of travel, which is more than the rear. The Super Deluxe Select Plus rear shock includes a lever to firm up the suspension for climbing.

Whyte G180 RS MX Suspension and Travel

The RockShox Zeb Select Plus fork offers 190mm of travel and features broad 38mm upper tubes. It provides scope to tune the air spring, low-speed compression, and rebound damping. The Super Deluxe Select Plus rear shock pairs with the four-bar linkage and includes a handy lever to firm up the shock for climbing. The bike’s Shape.It link allows you to alter the head angle by 0.6 degrees and the bottom bracket height by 12mm. You can also buy the Shape.It link to transform a G1 NT RS MX into a full G180 29er while maintaining the same geometry.

The G180’s suspension is designed to be forgiving through the mid-stroke, and the 190mm fork does an excellent job of protecting your hands and arms from bumpy onslaught. The rear suspension feels supple enough to find traction while still offering support when loaded through turns.

Whyte G180 RS MX Climbing and Trail Performance

On climbs, the G180 is not bad at all. At no point did we feel the need to flick the shock’s lever to firm up the rear end; instead, we let it work away finding traction while seated and pedalling. The geometry helps position the rider nicely between the wheels, and the bike feels planted yet playful on mellower jump trails. You can push as hard as you feel comfortable. When it comes to flat-out fast trails peppered with rocks and roots, the G180 shines brightly. The well-proportioned geometry oozes confidence on steep sections of loose trail where traction and stability count.

Canyon Torque CF-8

The Canyon Torque CF-8 is a carbon-framed enduro bike with 175mm of rear wheel travel, managed by a four-bar suspension system similar to the Whyte. It is the only bike in this trio to use a coil shock, specifically a Fox DHX2. Up front, a Fox 38 Performance Elite fork with the Grip 2 damper provides more adjustment than the RockShox Zeb, including high and low speed compression and rebound damping.

Canyon Torque CF-8 Suspension and Travel

The Fox 38 Performance Elite fork uses broad, stiff 38mm upper tubes and the Grip 2 damper, which offers a wide range of adjustment. The coil-sprung Fox DHX2 rear shock features a low-speed compression lever to firm it up for climbing. Setting up a bike with a coil shock takes more time than an air-sprung shock, but it can offer a very planted feel. The Torque also offers adjustment via a flip chip at the base of the shock, allowing you to switch between high and low settings.

Canyon Torque CF-8 Climbing and Trail Performance

When it comes to going uphill, the Torque feels the sprightliest of the three. It may be marginally lighter than the Whyte and Nukeproof, but the steep seat angle coupled with a bob-free back end helps it feel decently efficient against gravity. On mellower jump trails, the Torque feels rock solid and operates almost silently. It encourages you to pop that bit higher and pump that bit harder. However, on flat-out fast trails with rocks and roots, it seems to patter over rather than swallow up bigger high-frequency hits, meaning there is a little more feedback coming through your feet and hands.

The Torque is incredibly fun to ride and easy to place exactly where you need it. Its geometry includes the longest reach measurement at 465mm, a lazy 63.2-degree head angle in the low setting, and the longest front center at 810mm. The 78.1-degree seat tube angle is close to the others.

Nukeproof Giga 297

The Nukeproof Giga 297 is a carbon-framed enduro bike with a massive 180mm of rear wheel travel, delivered through a single-pivot linkage-actuated design. It uses a Fox 38 Performance Elite fork with Grip 2 damper up front, and a Fox Float X2 rear shock. Nukeproof has designed a way to tweak the Giga’s leverage, altering how progressive the 180mm travel is, ensuring the bike works well with a coil shock if you choose to fit one. Only carbon is offered for the Giga.

Nukeproof Giga 297 Suspension and Travel

The Fox Float X2 rear shock features a low-speed compression lever to firm it up. The suspension delivers its travel in a well-measured manner with a sensitive initial touch yet remains supportive when needed, ramping up smoothly through the stroke. With all that weight carried low in the frame, the Giga feels incredibly well balanced and natural to ride. The overall ride feel is easier on the body than the Canyon, and it isolates the rider better from impacts.

The Giga’s geometry includes a head angle of 63.4 degrees, slightly steeper than the Whyte’s just over 63 degrees. Effective chainstay lengths only differ by 5mm across each bike and remain the same regardless of size. Each brand offers three size options for mixed wheel size builds.

Nukeproof Giga 297 Climbing and Trail Performance

The Giga is the only bike of the three where we found ourselves consistently reaching for the shock’s lever on steeper pitches, as under higher loads it would hunker down into its travel a little more. On mellower gradients, though, it cruises up climbs just fine. On mellower jump trails, the Giga feels incredibly well balanced and natural to ride, but it doesn’t feel quite as nimble as the Torque when chucking it around. You can still throw it around, but you need to muscle it a little more. On steep natural terrain, the Giga properly edges ahead. Its balance, composure, and weight distribution make it feel incredible through turns. Bank it over into a sketchy turn even when you think you’re coming in too hot, and somehow the Giga just keeps holding its line, spitting you out the other side with even more speed.

Overall Buying Advice

All three bikes come with similar high-quality components. The Whyte uses a SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain and SRAM Code RS brakes. The Canyon gets Shimano XT shifting and Shimano XT brakes, while the Nukeproof uses Shimano SLX drivetrain and SLX brakes. In testing, both Shimano brake sets performed impressively when bled well. All three bikes use Maxxis tires: an Assegai 3C Max Grip 2.5-inch front tire (with EXO+ casing on Whyte and Canyon, DoubleDown on Nukeproof) and a Minion DHR II 3C Max Terra 2.4-inch rear tire with DoubleDown casing on all three.

Which Enduro Bike Suits Which Rider

The Nukeproof Giga 297 emerged as the winner of this comparison, particularly for its performance on steep natural trails. Its corner-carving grip and confidence-inspiring composure make it a standout when the going gets tough. However, it may not feel the fastest on climbs. The Canyon Torque CF-8 is the most efficient climber and feels playful on jump trails, but it offers a little more feedback through the feet and hands on high-frequency chatter. The Whyte G180 RS MX strikes a strong balance, with a planted yet playful character and a very capable 190mm fork. It is the most affordable of the three, with a price under £4,200, while the Canyon is £4,499 and the Nukeproof is £4,600.

If your priority is steep, natural terrain and you want maximum confidence, the Nukeproof Giga 297 is the clear choice. If you value climbing efficiency and a lively feel on jump lines, the Canyon Torque CF-8 is an excellent option. The Whyte G180 RS MX sits comfortably in the middle, offering a well-rounded package with a slightly lower price.

Conclusion

These three enduro bikes demonstrate how far the category has come. They offer generous travel, modern geometry, and the ability to climb back to the top for another run. The Nukeproof Giga 297 takes the top spot for its outstanding downhill performance, but the Canyon Torque CF-8 and Whyte G180 RS MX are both worthy contenders that excel in different areas. Your choice will depend on the terrain you ride most and your personal preferences.