LHAP

Thank you all for your input! I've made a final decision and here she is...

Thanks @117! Appreciate your input.

Hey guys! I'm in the market for a new full-sus MTB. I'm having trouble deciding between the following options: - 2021 Scott Spark RC 900 World Cup (https://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Bikes,3/Scott/Spark-RC-900-World-Cup,31472) - R 120,000.00 - 2022 Cannondale Scalpel Carbon Ltd (https://www.cannondale.com/en-za/bikes/mountain/cross-country/scalpel/scalpel-carbon-ltd) - R 110,000.00 - 2022 Specialized Epic Evo Expert (https://www.specialized.com/za/en/epic-evo-expert/p/199656?color=319953-199656) - R 125,000.00 I've owned a 2013 Scott Spark 910 and a 2017 Cannondale Scalpel Carbon 2 and were happy with both bikes. Bear in mind that, although I'm an XC kind of guy, I enjoy technical trails very, very much! I see myself as an XC guy, with an element of Enduro and I race the local XC series on a yearly basis. The 2021 Scott Spark RC 900 World Cup is slightly lighter than the 2022 Cannondale Scalpel Carbon Ltd, has a 110mm fork and 180mm front rotor. The 2022 Cannondale Scalpel Carbon Ltd is cheaper, has a slightly slacker head tube angle and can accommodate 2 water bottles. The 2022 Specialized Epic Evo Expert has 120mm travel front and rear, a slack head tube angle and 4-piston brakes. However, I fear that it might not be "racy" enough for me... The different wheelsets on these bike don't concern me too much, since I'll be fitting my South Industries Enduro wheelset to race XC with (I've broken all other wheelsets I've tried, including a set of Stan's ZTR Arch EX). I'll be using the stock wheelset on the bike I choose for gravel griding. Any advice is greatly appreciated!! MTB Comparison (October 2022).pdf

I'm looking at R10 000 - 15 000 (with an absolute max of R20 000).

Those are awesome

Some awesome advice there, nick_the_wheelbuilder. Thanks!

Some good advice there, hellocolour. Thanks. You're absolutely right that the wheels will have to withstand a great deal of beating from rocks, etc! People tend to think that the whole of Namibia is covered in sand, but here in Windhoek we've got some really gnarly trails! Check it out: https://www.farmwindhoek.com/

Thanks droo, Will certainly investigate CSixx and South Industries. Apart from suspension servicing, do you guys at Stoke do custom wheel builds as well?

Thanks for the feedback, rudi-h. I'll seriously consider the ENVEs

Will have a look at those, thanks V18!

Thanks Mitch 16, That's music to my ears! I've never owned any carbon wheels, so have no experience with them. The fact that you've also broken a couple of alloy rims, but haven't had any issues with carbon versions suggests that I shouldn't have any issues either.

Attached is a pic of my rig.

Thanks for the reply, lechatnoir. I love ENVEs, but that would probably be more than I can afford. I'm contemplating doing a custom build with some South Industries carbon hoops. Would that be cheaper than ENVEs? And will it be strong enough? (Bear in mind I've broken four rims in the seven years I've been mountain biking, which includes a set of Stans Arch EX's...) The big questions here are: Will a carbon rim hold up taking into account my riding style? and Are carbon rims "softer" than alloy ones or just as strong/stronger?

Had a 2013 Scott Spark 910. Good bike, but not the ideal geometry for me. The Cannondale has a slacker head angle, which makes a big difference.

Hey guys! I ride a 2017 Cannondale Scalpel-Si Carbon 4 and I'm very happy with the bike's handling, etc. HOWEVER, it's overall weight is an issue and I find that I'm not climbing as well as I did before :-) I'm quote hard on rims, since I probably don't ride with the necessary finesse... I replaced the OEM Stan's Rapid rims with Spank Oozy Trail 295 hoops and these are holding up very well! I'de like to keep these as my training wheels and for rocky trails, but would like to have an additional "racing" wheelset. This set should be much lighter, but still strong, to be able to cope with my far-less-than-perfect riding style... Any suggestions/ideas for such a wheelset or custom build? (Take into account that the bike has a Lefty fork.) Thanks! Louis