I had exactly the same conundrum. I arrived at my decision as follows: 1. What is the goal I want to achieve with my bike? - for me it was to enjoy and improve my multi-stage races. Here the Epic wins hands down because of the brain and the easier ride it provides over long periods in the saddle. 2. What type of riding am I most likely to do? - at the moment it is most likely to be trail riding of not more than 2 hours. Here the Camber is a better option. However, as my training time increases and the rides start exceeding 3 hours, the Epic starts taking the lead again. 3. Is the difference between the Epic and the Camber that big on shorter trail rides to give up to comforts of the Epic for longer rides and multi-stage races? - IMHO no. The Camber was slightly nippier, until I started getting used to the Epic. Once I got used to the Epic and a 29er, I am easily beating times in tight technician sections were, theoretically, I should have been better on my 26er or the Camber. It then became a very easy decision for me.... Epic all the way! What was a tougher decision was deciding between the Expert or the Comp Carbon (at that stage I didn't know the Elite was available). The Comp Carbon comes with mostly XT groupset. BUT, it doesn't have the front brain or carbon wheels. I was also unsure about the brakes on the Comp Carbon, and the SLX shifters were a step back from my current XT shifters. The Expert has the XTR rear derallieur and carbon wheels. I then discovered the Elite version. It has an X0 (XTR equivalent) RD, X9 (XT equivalent) shifters, and the same brakes at on the Expert. It also has the front brain which was a big seller for me. The only thing it didn't have was the carbon wheels, which I can always upgrade in time. So I jumped at the Epic Elite and have loved every second in the saddle. If fact, instead of replying to this thread I should be getting ready for my next ride... first ride at the Hero Trail at Heia. Feel like a kid on Christmas every time I take my elite on a new trail!
