Forbidden Dreadnought XT
The Dreadnought XT earns a top slot for its race-first chassis: low-slung, aggressive geometry and a tuned linkage that prioritizes descending precision and composure at speed. It trades a boutique, precision-engineered feel and typically higher price for sharper handling and lighter, race-ready performance compared with more all-around frames on this list. Versus the Rocky Mountain and Devinci offerings it leans more downhill-focused, while versus Norco and We Are One it presents a more hand-built, premium option for racers chasing every second.
Laser-like precision
Featherweight power
Laser-like precision
Featherweight power
Review Summary
"Riders praise the Dreadnought XT for its downhill confidence, stout chassis and race-ready geometry. Some users find it comparatively heavy and less efficient on long climbs."
Eats tech sections
Carbon main triangle with alloy linkage for a stiff, impact-resistant chassis.
Eats tech sections
Carbon main triangle with alloy linkage for a stiff, impact-resistant chassis.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Dreadnought XT earns a top slot for its race-first chassis: low-slung, aggressive geometry and a tuned linkage that prioritizes descending precision and composure at speed. It trades a boutique, precision-engineered feel and typically higher price for sharper handling and lighter, race-ready performance compared with more all-around frames on this list. Versus the Rocky Mountain and Devinci offerings it leans more downhill-focused, while versus Norco and We Are One it presents a more hand-built, premium option for racers chasing every second.
Laser-like precision
Featherweight power
Eats tech sections
Carbon main triangle with alloy linkage for a stiff, impact-resistant chassis.
Long-travel race geometry tuned for steep, technical descents and high-speed stability.
Laser-like precision
Featherweight power
Eats tech sections
Carbon main triangle with alloy linkage for a stiff, impact-resistant chassis.
Long-travel race geometry tuned for steep, technical descents and high-speed stability.
$3400-4600 CAD
Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon 90
The Altitude Carbon 90 is a market leader for riders who need a balanced race machine that still climbs efficiently thanks to its tunable geometry and mature carbon construction. Its versatility and dealer support deliver higher resale value and easier factory-level servicing compared with smaller direct-to-rider brands, making it a financially sensible choice for racers who also log long transfer climbs. Compared to the more downhill-biased Forbidden and Norco Range, the Altitude is the more all-day race tool; compared to We Are One and Devinci it benefits from wider parts availability and a proven adjustment ecosystem.
Big-hit stability
Balanced climber
Big-hit stability
Balanced climber
Review Summary
"The Altitude Carbon 90 is lauded for its versatile, race-capable handling and adjustable geometry that climbs well and descends fast. Minor complaints focus on price and occasional finish or spec quibbles."
Corner-hugging confidence
Carbon frameset engineered around fast, low-slung race geometry for confident high-speed handling.
Corner-hugging confidence
Carbon frameset engineered around fast, low-slung race geometry for confident high-speed handling.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Altitude Carbon 90 is a market leader for riders who need a balanced race machine that still climbs efficiently thanks to its tunable geometry and mature carbon construction. Its versatility and dealer support deliver higher resale value and easier factory-level servicing compared with smaller direct-to-rider brands, making it a financially sensible choice for racers who also log long transfer climbs. Compared to the more downhill-biased Forbidden and Norco Range, the Altitude is the more all-day race tool; compared to We Are One and Devinci it benefits from wider parts availability and a proven adjustment ecosystem.
Big-hit stability
Balanced climber
Corner-hugging confidence
Carbon frameset engineered around fast, low-slung race geometry for confident high-speed handling.
Multi-position geometry adjustment (flip-chip/adjustable headset) to fine-tune head/seat angles and BB height.
Big-hit stability
Balanced climber
Corner-hugging confidence
Carbon frameset engineered around fast, low-slung race geometry for confident high-speed handling.
Multi-position geometry adjustment (flip-chip/adjustable headset) to fine-tune head/seat angles and BB height.
$3300-4200 CAD
Norco Range C Frame
The Range C Frame is positioned as a purpose-built enduro racer: burly, confidence-inspiring and tuned for big hits with a straightforward, serviceable suspension layout. Its strongest selling point is value — delivering heavy-duty capability and predictable kinematics at a lower street price than many boutique rivals, which makes it attractive for teams and privateers mindful of build cost. Against the Forbidden and Devinci Spartan it is more downhill-biased and robust, while versus Rocky and We Are One it offers a simpler, built-to-last option that’s easier to maintain on race weekends.
Downhill missile
Climb-friendly geometry
Downhill missile
Climb-friendly geometry
Review Summary
"The Norco Range C frame gets high marks for bombproof descending performance and stable, confidence-inspiring geometry. Users note it can feel heavy and less nimble on tight, technical climbs."
Corner gobbler
Robust carbon layup and beefy pivot hardware built to withstand aggressive enduro race use.
Corner gobbler
Robust carbon layup and beefy pivot hardware built to withstand aggressive enduro race use.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
The Range C Frame is positioned as a purpose-built enduro racer: burly, confidence-inspiring and tuned for big hits with a straightforward, serviceable suspension layout. Its strongest selling point is value — delivering heavy-duty capability and predictable kinematics at a lower street price than many boutique rivals, which makes it attractive for teams and privateers mindful of build cost. Against the Forbidden and Devinci Spartan it is more downhill-biased and robust, while versus Rocky and We Are One it offers a simpler, built-to-last option that’s easier to maintain on race weekends.
Downhill missile
Climb-friendly geometry
Corner gobbler
Robust carbon layup and beefy pivot hardware built to withstand aggressive enduro race use.
Suspension linkage tuned for traction and efficient pedaling without sacrificing downhill capability.
Downhill missile
Climb-friendly geometry
Corner gobbler
Robust carbon layup and beefy pivot hardware built to withstand aggressive enduro race use.
Suspension linkage tuned for traction and efficient pedaling without sacrificing downhill capability.
$2900-3700 CAD
Devinci Spartan Carbon 29
The Spartan Carbon 29 stands out as the long-wheelbase, big-wheel race frame that prioritizes high-speed stability, traction and composure through rough, fast tracks. Its carbon layup and 29er geometry deliver efficient tracking and momentum retention that can be advantageous on high-speed enduro stages compared with mullet or 27.5-focused frames in this list. Financially it typically undercuts some boutique offerings for a similar spec-to-performance ratio, and compared to the Range and Altitude it trades some low-speed playfulness for superior straight-line confidence.
29er roll-over
Race-bred agility
29er roll-over
Race-bred agility
Review Summary
"Devinci Spartan Carbon 29 is celebrated for high-speed stability and predictable handling on technical descents, with robust construction. Some riders mention its weight and that it rewards an aggressive setup to unlock full capability."
Snappy rear-end
Lightweight carbon chassis optimized for 29" wheels to preserve rollover and momentum on race stages.
Snappy rear-end
Lightweight carbon chassis optimized for 29" wheels to preserve rollover and momentum on race stages.
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
The Spartan Carbon 29 stands out as the long-wheelbase, big-wheel race frame that prioritizes high-speed stability, traction and composure through rough, fast tracks. Its carbon layup and 29er geometry deliver efficient tracking and momentum retention that can be advantageous on high-speed enduro stages compared with mullet or 27.5-focused frames in this list. Financially it typically undercuts some boutique offerings for a similar spec-to-performance ratio, and compared to the Range and Altitude it trades some low-speed playfulness for superior straight-line confidence.
29er roll-over
Race-bred agility
Snappy rear-end
Lightweight carbon chassis optimized for 29" wheels to preserve rollover and momentum on race stages.
Race-focused kinematics that balance pedaling efficiency with predictable descending behavior.
29er roll-over
Race-bred agility
Snappy rear-end
Lightweight carbon chassis optimized for 29" wheels to preserve rollover and momentum on race stages.
Race-focused kinematics that balance pedaling efficiency with predictable descending behavior.
$2700-3500 CAD
We Are One Arrival 170
The Arrival 170 is a race-tuned frameset aimed at offering modern geometry and tunability with a competitive direct-to-rider price, making it a strong cost-per-performance proposition. Its technical strength lies in modular adjustability and a refined carbon construction that lets builders achieve race-caliber setups without the premium dealership markup, though it may not have the broad spare-parts network of larger brands. Compared with the boutique Forbidden and the established Rocky Mountain, We Are One undercuts on price while delivering similar geometry flexibility, and versus Norco it emphasizes lighter weight and configurability.
Bombproof chassis
Slack-yet-snappy
Bombproof chassis
Slack-yet-snappy
Review Summary
"We Are One Arrival 170 is praised for modern, race-ready geometry, clean finishing and strong value for a boutique frameset. Reviewers cite limited availability and the need for careful parts selection, though long-term durability reports are positive."
Built for airtime
Purpose-built 170mm platform offering modern slack geometry for aggressive enduro racing.
Built for airtime
Purpose-built 170mm platform offering modern slack geometry for aggressive enduro racing.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Arrival 170 is a race-tuned frameset aimed at offering modern geometry and tunability with a competitive direct-to-rider price, making it a strong cost-per-performance proposition. Its technical strength lies in modular adjustability and a refined carbon construction that lets builders achieve race-caliber setups without the premium dealership markup, though it may not have the broad spare-parts network of larger brands. Compared with the boutique Forbidden and the established Rocky Mountain, We Are One undercuts on price while delivering similar geometry flexibility, and versus Norco it emphasizes lighter weight and configurability.
Bombproof chassis
Slack-yet-snappy
Built for airtime
Purpose-built 170mm platform offering modern slack geometry for aggressive enduro racing.
Mullet and 29er-friendly design with tunable linkage to adapt to stage-specific setups.
Bombproof chassis
Slack-yet-snappy
Built for airtime
Purpose-built 170mm platform offering modern slack geometry for aggressive enduro racing.
Mullet and 29er-friendly design with tunable linkage to adapt to stage-specific setups.
$3200-4200 CAD