Posted by: Ouch
Posted by: ReductiMat
Buy the one you like the looks of most.
If you’re spending $4000+, your rationalization of the purchase will trump any of the marginal differences brought forth thus far in the discussion.
No kidding.
Sarcasm? Or you stating there's a marginal different between an "all-mountain" bike vs a "Enduro"? $4000+ is a the cheap end for the price of bikes!!
I think I'll buy the bike I like riding the most, then decide on which model.
Nope, 100% serious.
I can't think of one bike company who builds shit bikes. After sale support is another matter entirely. That said, the probability you will require that is directly related to the ratio of uphill to downhill you do.
If you haven't ridden in over a decade, I contend it doesn't matter in the slightest what you buy if you're spending $4k+. All-mountain/Enduro, 650b/29'er/30.5'er, etc. I will concede that more travel is always more nicer.
What will matter is if you like the looks of it and it feels 'right'. Every other difference is just picking nits relative to how good things are these days, especially if you aren't being paid to ride this particular bike.