I wrote this paper back in September of 2023, but never got around to publishing it. I did this analysis with the assistance of Chat GPT 3.5 model to build the graphs and analysis based on the 2022 Enduro World Series. I plan on updating the paper this year with more recent information.

Date: 9/15/23

Source: Pink Bike Magazine, What Geometry Numbers Pro Enduro Racers Prefer, 12/8/2022 https://www.pinkbike.com/news/what-geometry-numbers-pro-enduro-racers-prefer.html

Objective:

Analyze correlations of the 2022 Enduro World Series Riders’ bike setups using data from Pink Bike Magazine.

Executive Summary:       

In a study analyzing the bike setup preferences of Enduro World Series Riders, data from Pink Bike Magazine revealed that while there’s a moderate correlation between riders’ height and wingspan with their preferred reach, other bike setup choices appear to be influenced by individual preferences, riding styles, and track demands. The general trend indicates that top racers lean towards moderately progressive geometry, striking a balance between stability and agility in their bike setups.

Findings:

Fundamental Question: Using this data from Pink Bike Magazine can I do an analysis on correlations of Enduro World Series Riders bike setups?

Using ChatGPT Code Interpreter and data analytics tools I was able to quickly chart and analyze all the riders from the December 2022 article. I also used AI to look for correlations between Enduro World Series Riders Height and Wingspan to their bike setups.

Bike Setup Preferences

• Average head angle: 64.3 degrees.
• Average stem length: 40mm.
• Predominant fork travel: 170mm or 180mm.
• Shock preference: Even split between air and coil shocks.
• Average preferred reach: 458mm.
• Average chainstay length: 434.5mm.
• Predominant brake rotor size: 200mm.

Rider Height and Wingspan Correlations

• Only the “Preferred Reach” showed a moderate correlation to rider height (+0.44) and wingspan (+0.54).
• No other bike geometry variables had a strong correlation with height or wingspan.
• The individual preferences of riders, their riding styles, and the specific demands of the tracks they race on play a significant role in bike setup.

Trends in Bike Setup Preferences

Based on the responses from the top enduro racers, here are a few key takeaways about their preferred bike setups:

• Head angle: The average preferred head angle is 64.3 degrees, with a range of 64 to 65 degrees. This indicates most racers prefer relatively conservative, not super slack, head angles.

• Stem length: The average preferred stem length is 40mm, with a range of 30-50mm. Shorter stems around 35-40mm seem to be the most common.

• Fork travel: 170mm or 180mm forks are used by all the racers surveyed. Most prefer 36mm stanchion forks, finding them stiff enough, while only a few opt for the beefier 38mm forks.

• Shock: Preferences are split fairly evenly between air and coil shocks. No strong consensus emerged on this.

• Reach: The average preferred reach is around 458mm. Reach preferences only moderalty correlate with rider height, as some shorter riders opted for longer reaches while some taller riders went shorter. The reach numbers skewed shorter than many modern “long and slack” bikes.

• Chainstay length: The average preferred chainstay length is 434.5mm, with most racers stating they prefer relatively short chainstays of 430-435mm.

• Brake rotors: 200mm rotors seem to be the most common size front and rear. Only a couple racers opted for larger 220mm rotors.

• Tire Inserts: Yes, 69% of riders prefer tire inserts

Visualizations and analyses for the provided bike geometries:

From these visualizations, we can infer that professional riders have specific preferences that lean towards stability and durability over optimizing for an easier climb.

Rider Height and Wingspan Correlations

Only Reach had a moderate correlation to rider height (+0.44) and rider wingspan (+0.54). No variables had a very strong correlation and while there was a moderate correlation to reach there were still short riders that preferred a longer reach and vice versa.

A Pearson Correlation Index was used to look for correlation between rider height and wingspan and bike variables. A 1.0 indicates a perfect correlation, a -1.0 would be an inverse correlation and a 0 indicates no correlation at all. Anything between a ± 0.2 to ± 0.4 would indicate a weak correlation while anything above ± 0.4 would be a strong correlation.

• Looking at any Rider size Correlations, Both height and wingspan show the most pronounced correlation with the preferred reach, suggesting that the dimensions of the rider’s body play a role in their bike reach preference.
• The overall takeaway seems to be that top racers prefer moderately progressive geometry that balances stability and maneuverability, rather than the very long, slack bikes that have become common lately. Their bike setups skew towards the agile end of the spectrum.

Correlation with Rider Height:

1. Preferred Reach: A moderate positive correlation (0.44) suggests that as rider height increases, they tend to prefer bikes with a longer reach.
2. Head Angle: Very weak negative correlation (-0.11) indicates almost no linear relationship between height and head angle preference.
3. Stem Length: Weak positive correlation (0.26) suggests that taller riders might have a slight preference for longer stems.
4. Fork Size: Weak positive correlation (0.29) indicates that taller riders might slightly prefer larger fork sizes.
5. Chainstay Length: Weak positive correlation (0.24) suggests that taller riders might have a slight preference for longer chainstays.
6. Brake Rotor Size: Very weak correlation (0.16) implies a minimal linear relationship between height and brake rotor size preference.

Correlation with Rider Wingspan

1. Preferred Reach: A moderate positive correlation (0.54) suggests that riders with a larger wingspan tend to prefer bikes with a longer reach.
2. Head Angle: Very weak negative correlation (-0.08) indicates almost no linear relationship between wingspan and head angle preference.
3. Stem Length: Weak positive correlation (0.31) suggests that riders with a longer wingspan might have a slight preference for longer stems.
4. Fork Size: Weak positive correlation (0.30) indicates that riders with a longer wingspan might slightly prefer larger fork sizes.
5. Chainstay Length: Weak positive correlation (0.34) suggests that riders with a longer wingspan might have a slight preference for longer chainstays.
6. Brake Rotor Size: Very weak correlation (0.21) implies a minimal linear relationship between wingspan and brake rotor size preference.

Key Takeaways:

• Both height and wingspan show the most pronounced correlation with the preferred reach, suggesting that the dimensions of the rider’s body play a role in their bike reach preference.
• Other correlations are weak, which means while there might be trends, they are not particularly strong. The individual preferences of riders, their riding styles, and the specific demands of the tracks they race on also play a significant role.

Conclusion

While there’s a moderate correlation between the riders’ height and wingspan with their preferred reach, other bike setup preferences are influenced by a combination of personal preference, riding style, and track demands. The overall trend indicates that top racers prefer moderately progressive geometry, balancing stability with agility.

Appendix

Raw Data Table

Name	Height (cm)	Wingspan (cm)	Preferred Reach (mm)	Head Angle (degrees)	Stem Length (mm)	Fork (mm)	Shock Type	Chainstay Length (mm)	Brake Rotor Size (mm)	Tire Inserts
Matt Walker	182	185.0	473.0	64.6	50.0	38	Coil	430.0	200	Yes
Alex Rudeau	176	NaN	NaN	64.5	30.0	38	Air	432.0	213	Yes
Raphaela Richter	164	167.0	450.0	64.5	37.5	38	Air	435.0	200	Yes
Jesse Melamed	168	NaN	NaN	64.0	40.0	38	NaN	437.5	203	Yes
Rae Morrison	170	172.0	450.0	64.75	42.0	36	Air	440.0	203	No
Charlie Murray	182	183.0	464.0	64.3	50.0	38	Air	434.0	220	Yes
Martin Maes	183	180.0	472.5	64.25	47.5	36	Air	NaN	180	No
Eddie Masters	181	181.0	470.0	64.5	50.0	38	Coil	435.0	200	Yes
Noga Korem	157	NaN	NaN	NaN	35.0	36	Air	NaN	200	No
Slawomir Lukasik	185	183.0	470.0	64.0	35.0	36	Coil	435.0	220	Yes
Richie Rude	180	NaN	460.0	64.0	45.0	38	Air	NaN	203	Yes
Morgane Charre	163	NaN	442.5	64.25	40.0	38	Air	430.0	200	Yes
Mélanie Pugin	159	NaN	430.0	65.0	30.0	36	Coil	NaN	200	Yes
Ella Conolly	165	171.0	450.0	64.0	35.0	38	Coil	430.0	210	No
Andréane Lanthier Nadeau	170	167.5	450.0	64.0	40.0	36	Coil	441.0	203	Yes
Jack Moir	186	NaN	470.0	64.0	40.0	38	Air	435.0	220	No