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2025 Canadian Guide: Top 5 Enduro Full-Suspension Framesets With Shock Included — Plug-and-Play Picks for Confident Builds

Published on Monday, August 25, 2025

This category highlights enduro full-suspension framesets sold complete with a matched rear shock so builders get correct kinematics and a simplified setup from day one. For Canadian riders—who face aggressive descents, mixed conditions, and a strong culture of home builds—these frames remove the guesswork of sourcing and tuning a separate shock, shorten build time, and help preserve the intended suspension curve and warranty alignment. Consumers increasingly prefer matched-shock framesets because they deliver predictable performance across variable trail conditions, reduce the need for extensive shock tuning, and lower the risk of compatibility issues that can compromise ride feel or durability.

Quick Menu

1. Best Premium Carbon Enduro Frameset

2. Best Aggressive Trail-to-Enduro Frameset

3. Best Value High-Travel Frameset

4. Best Canadian Tuned Trail-Enduro Frameset

5. Best Aggressive Enduro Platform

1
BEST PREMIUM CARBON ENDURO FRAMESET

Santa Cruz Megatower CC Frameset

Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz Megatower CC frameset combines a premium CC carbon layup with long-travel enduro geometry and an included rear shock to deliver exceptional high-speed stability and refined pedaling for technical climbs. It stands out as best-in-class for riders seeking a balanced, composure-first platform with strong resale value and durability, though it typically commands a higher price than more value-oriented alternatives such as Forbidden or Norco.

4.6
★★★★☆

  • High-speed stability

  • Climbs like a goat

  • High-speed stability

  • Climbs like a goat

Review Summary

91.2%

"Long-term users praise the Megatower CC for its confident descending, efficient pedaling platform and high-quality carbon construction; common complaints are the premium price and it can feel a bit heavy compared with lighter trail frames."

  • VPP traction magic

  • CC-level carbon layup for high stiffness-to-weight

  • VPP traction magic

  • CC-level carbon layup for high stiffness-to-weight

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

The Santa Cruz Megatower CC frameset combines a premium CC carbon layup with long-travel enduro geometry and an included rear shock to deliver exceptional high-speed stability and refined pedaling for technical climbs. It stands out as best-in-class for riders seeking a balanced, composure-first platform with strong resale value and durability, though it typically commands a higher price than more value-oriented alternatives such as Forbidden or Norco.

  • High-speed stability

  • Climbs like a goat

  • VPP traction magic

  • CC-level carbon layup for high stiffness-to-weight

  • ~160mm rear travel with aggressive enduro geometry

  • High-speed stability

  • Climbs like a goat

  • VPP traction magic

  • CC-level carbon layup for high stiffness-to-weight

  • ~160mm rear travel with aggressive enduro geometry

Order Now

$4,000-5,000 CAD

2
BEST AGGRESSIVE TRAIL-TO-ENDURO FRAMESET

Yeti SB160 T-Series Frameset

Yeti

The Yeti SB160 T-Series frameset pairs Yeti’s race-focused kinematics with a tuned shock included, yielding a lively, traction-focused chassis that excels on demanding, high-speed terrain. It is the market leader for riders prioritizing a lighter, more responsive feel and racetrack capability compared with the Megatower’s raw stability, but that extra performance comes at a premium aimed at racers and experienced riders.

4.7
★★★★☆

  • Planted descents

  • Corner-rocket grin

  • Planted descents

  • Corner-rocket grin

Review Summary

92.5%

"Owners report the SB160 T-Series as exceptionally capable and balanced—fast on steep tech and efficient on climbs—with rave reviews for build quality but frequent notes about its high cost and limited availability."

  • Switch-tuned pop

  • T‑Series carbon optimized for high-speed stability and strength

  • Switch-tuned pop

  • T‑Series carbon optimized for high-speed stability and strength

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

The Yeti SB160 T-Series frameset pairs Yeti’s race-focused kinematics with a tuned shock included, yielding a lively, traction-focused chassis that excels on demanding, high-speed terrain. It is the market leader for riders prioritizing a lighter, more responsive feel and racetrack capability compared with the Megatower’s raw stability, but that extra performance comes at a premium aimed at racers and experienced riders.

  • Planted descents

  • Corner-rocket grin

  • Switch-tuned pop

  • T‑Series carbon optimized for high-speed stability and strength

  • ~160mm rear travel tuned for fast, technical descents

  • Planted descents

  • Corner-rocket grin

  • Switch-tuned pop

  • T‑Series carbon optimized for high-speed stability and strength

  • ~160mm rear travel tuned for fast, technical descents

Order Now

$4,500-5,500 CAD

3
BEST VALUE HIGH-TRAVEL FRAMESET

Forbidden Dreadnought XT Frameset

Forbidden
🏠 Local Product

The Forbidden Dreadnought XT frameset delivers aggressive geometry and big-hit capability with an included shock at a notably more accessible price point, making it the best value choice for enduro riders who want modern performance without the highest MSRP. Technically it favors raw descending aggression over the polished balance of Yeti or Santa Cruz, giving buyers superior performance-per-dollar versus the boutique incumbents.

4.5
★★★★☆

  • Massive composure

  • Gnar-plowing power

  • Massive composure

  • Gnar-plowing power

Review Summary

88%

"Riders applaud the Dreadnought XT for its raw downhill capability, tunable suspension character and unique ride feel; drawbacks mentioned include noticeable weight, boutique support channels and a premium price tag."

  • Mullet-ready mayhem

  • High-pivot layout providing superior traction and rollover at speed

  • Mullet-ready mayhem

  • High-pivot layout providing superior traction and rollover at speed

Recreational Enjoyment

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Skill Development & Mastery

The Forbidden Dreadnought XT frameset delivers aggressive geometry and big-hit capability with an included shock at a notably more accessible price point, making it the best value choice for enduro riders who want modern performance without the highest MSRP. Technically it favors raw descending aggression over the polished balance of Yeti or Santa Cruz, giving buyers superior performance-per-dollar versus the boutique incumbents.

  • Massive composure

  • Gnar-plowing power

  • Mullet-ready mayhem

  • High-pivot layout providing superior traction and rollover at speed

  • ~170mm rear travel and durable carbon construction

  • Massive composure

  • Gnar-plowing power

  • Mullet-ready mayhem

  • High-pivot layout providing superior traction and rollover at speed

  • ~170mm rear travel and durable carbon construction

Order Now

$3,000-4,000 CAD

4
BEST CANADIAN TUNED TRAIL-ENDURO FRAMESET

Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon 90 Frameset

Rocky Mountain
🏠 Local Product

The Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon 90 frameset stands out for its adjustable geometry system and a tuned shock included, offering a versatile enduro platform that can be dialed between nimble climbing and confident descents. That adaptability sets it apart from single-minded designs like the Dreadnought, and its competitive North American pricing and parts support make it a practical technical choice for riders who value tuning range.

4.4
★★★★☆

  • Ride-9 adjustable

  • Efficient uphill

  • Ride-9 adjustable

  • Efficient uphill

Review Summary

87.4%

"Reviewers like the Altitude Carbon 90 for its adjustable geometry, stable high-speed performance and solid construction, while some users find it heavier than competitors and slightly less refined in small-behavior details."

  • Burly descents

  • DW‑Link suspension with Ride‑9 geometry adjustment for fine tuning

  • Burly descents

  • DW‑Link suspension with Ride‑9 geometry adjustment for fine tuning

Time-Saving Convenience

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

The Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon 90 frameset stands out for its adjustable geometry system and a tuned shock included, offering a versatile enduro platform that can be dialed between nimble climbing and confident descents. That adaptability sets it apart from single-minded designs like the Dreadnought, and its competitive North American pricing and parts support make it a practical technical choice for riders who value tuning range.

  • Ride-9 adjustable

  • Efficient uphill

  • Burly descents

  • DW‑Link suspension with Ride‑9 geometry adjustment for fine tuning

  • Versatile ~150–160mm travel balance for climbing efficiency and downhill capability

  • Ride-9 adjustable

  • Efficient uphill

  • Burly descents

  • DW‑Link suspension with Ride‑9 geometry adjustment for fine tuning

  • Versatile ~150–160mm travel balance for climbing efficiency and downhill capability

Order Now

$2,500-3,500 CAD

5
BEST AGGRESSIVE ENDURO PLATFORM

Norco Range C Frameset

Norco
🏠 Local Product

The Norco Range C frameset pairs robust enduro capability with an included shock and practical engineering, positioning it as a durable, service-friendly option for heavy-use riders. It appeals to buyers who prioritize broad dealer support, conservative pricing and long-term serviceability over the cutting-edge boutique features found on Yeti or Santa Cruz.

4.3
★★★★☆

  • Balanced confidence

  • Pedal-friendly punch

  • Balanced confidence

  • Pedal-friendly punch

Review Summary

85.7%

"The Norco Range C is celebrated for big-hit stability, downhill confidence and strong value for an enduro frameset; common negatives are its weight, occasional drivetrain/fitment fussiness and the premium build cost for top trims."

  • Long-travel grin

  • Stiff carbon chassis with long, slack enduro geometry for stability

  • Long-travel grin

  • Stiff carbon chassis with long, slack enduro geometry for stability

Recreational Enjoyment

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Skill Development & Mastery

The Norco Range C frameset pairs robust enduro capability with an included shock and practical engineering, positioning it as a durable, service-friendly option for heavy-use riders. It appeals to buyers who prioritize broad dealer support, conservative pricing and long-term serviceability over the cutting-edge boutique features found on Yeti or Santa Cruz.

  • Balanced confidence

  • Pedal-friendly punch

  • Long-travel grin

  • Stiff carbon chassis with long, slack enduro geometry for stability

  • ~170mm rear travel optimized for steep, technical descents

  • Balanced confidence

  • Pedal-friendly punch

  • Long-travel grin

  • Stiff carbon chassis with long, slack enduro geometry for stability

  • ~170mm rear travel optimized for steep, technical descents

Order Now

$3,000-4,000 CAD

Why a Matched Shock Matters: Research and Practical Findings

Mechanical engineering, biomechanics, and industry bench testing all show that frames and shocks designed to work together produce more consistent suspension behavior than ad-hoc pairings. Matched shocks preserve the intended leverage curve, improve mid-stroke support and small-bump sensitivity, and simplify rider setup. Independent test labs and leading bike test publications also report fewer rework issues and a closer correlation between factory leverage ratios and on-trail performance when shock and frame are specified as a system.

Leverage curve stability: Matched shock/frame pairings maintain designed progression rates, reducing the need for aftermarket tuning to achieve the intended support and bottom-out characteristics.

Consistent damping response: Manufacturer-specified shocks are calibrated for pivot locations and kinematics, which helps retain the expected compression and rebound behavior across the travel range.

Reduced setup time: Field testing by bike magazines and workshop data shows builders spend significantly less time dialing sag and damping when the shock is matched to the frame.

Durability and warranty alignment: Using the shock type and mount recommended by the frame maker lowers the chance of clearance or mounting issues and simplifies warranty support.

Rider confidence and performance: Riders experience more predictable handling and can trust performance in technical Canadian terrain—rock gardens, steep chutes, and seasonal mud/ice transitions.

In the Canadian enduro scene, framesets that come with a matched shock are an efficient, confidence-boosting choice for riders who want a ready-to-build platform without the separate shock hunt. This roundup showcases five strong options: Santa Cruz Megatower CC Frameset, Yeti SB160 T-Series Frameset, Forbidden Dreadnought XT Frameset, Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon 90 Frameset, and Norco Range C Frameset. For riders seeking the best all-around combination of proven kinematics, versatility, and support on demanding Canadian trails, the Santa Cruz Megatower CC Frameset stands out as the top pick among these five. We hope you found the guidance you needed — refine or expand your search using the site search to compare specs, local dealers, or build options tailored to your preferred trails and budget.

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