Specialized S-works 29er vs. Cannondale Scalpel 29er

[LazyTrailRider]

Hie hie... you are opening up a big can of stinky worms with that comment boet. And I would change my Morewood and Intense bikes for a Specialized for which reason?

 

Specialized = BMW. Typical consumer: Mid-40s toppie who used to play golf but was converted to MTB because he saw the Cape Epic on TV and one of his suppliers sponsored him an entry for the next year, all he had to pay for was hourly massages, unnecessary servicing and pom pom girls. Wears a buff under his helmet, has 20 spacers on his headset stack and a bottle cage on his seatpost.

 

Morewood = Porsche. Typical consumer: Smart guy/girl who knows that their equipment is meant to be used to its maximum potential, and isn't afraid to push it there from time to time (or even more often). Specs cleverly, no XX/XTR unless it really makes sense, doesn't care much for carbon, and quietly sniggers at 29er hype.

 

Intense = Ferrari. Typical consumer: True enthusiast who is interested in one thing only. Performance. Started dreaming of actually owning an Intense the first time they saw Shaun Palmer ride his M1 in Chainsmoke. Appreciates hand-crafted beauty welded to AC/DC tunes, and loves the fact that the guy who designed their ride was interested not in selling the most bikes, but in going @#$^%#ing fast.

 

That's how I see it.

[kosmonooit]

Lefties need TLC and regular servicing, and although the concept seems to freak some people out they really work great. Downside is getting spares or tools for DIY - No Go locally and it you can find a dealer that is prepared to get spares for you the prices are hectic. Also major servicing is not for the mechanically unskilled or faint-hearted, it can get tricky, and you need a few specialist tools, but there are independent specialists around who can sort them out. I get in parts & tools from USA and Germany. Service Manuals are impossible to find, but there are places like the Cannondale forum on mtbr.com where can find some guidance and help. Swapping front wheel out needs a bit of Allen Key work.

 

Scalpel 29'er is going to take a while to get here, and no doubt going to come at a pricey premium. They have a pivot now on the Scalpel 29'er, and have done away with the flexible Carbon chain stays (but still on the 26" model). I ride a 20004 vintage Scalpel 2000 and generally hammer it full taps on downhills like at Sabie, Gaint's Castle etc and ride with confidence, but its not designed for jumps and big drops (RTM).