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Posted

G'day Folks,

 

This has been breaking my brain the last few days..

 

It's time for a (serious) upgrade, and I can't decide between the race-pace, harder-on-the-arse Epic, or the "I don't climb so well but you should see me on the downhill" Stumpy.. I have ridden the Epic 29er, but have only heard claims about the Stumpy. Anyone care to share some thoughts? I mostly ride Gauteng, Groenkloof-ish rockies and marathon races and am quite good on the technicals, also bit of a bigger bloke @90kgs. (Scared of hurting the big wheels)

 

Any opinions/advice/comments welcome..

Posted (edited)

Hi there!

 

You can't really compare the two, man... they are so different... almost like comparing an M5 to an X5... or A7 to Q7...

 

In my opinion, way too many south aftican's ride Epics, we should actually see more people go for the Stumpy....

 

But it's the spez effect, as soon as you can afford it you have to get the EPIC!!!!! :eek: because it's the #1 yuppy bike...

 

For someone @ 90kg's, who likes to get a bit technical and have a lot of FUN, then the SJ FSR is the best option between the two.

 

(Of course this opens a whole new can of worms because as soon as you decide that's the type of bike you want, then i'll start asking why not rather consider Santa Cruz, Yeti, Pivot, etc etc)

 

But if you want a Spez, then the SJ FSR is awesome... you'll love it.

 

As a last note... I think way more people will make the mistake and say "darn, I should have rather gotten the SJ FSR" as opposed to someone buying the SJ and saying" dammit.... I wish i took the Epic..."

Edited by TheV
Posted

@TheV Thanks, i guess the 'can of worms' will be my next thread then.. There's always the camber to look at as well, if I understand correctly it's pretty much a cross between the two.. Saving me that 'it's not a racing bike' ego bruise but still having some actual suspension to use.. anyone have a camber/care to share?

 

@hellocolour Nah, considering both in 29ers, I've seen what happens when 26ers get angry.. :ph34r:

Posted

In the original post you said "race-pace, harder-on-the-arse Epic, or the "I don't climb so well but you should see me on the downhill" Stumpy"...

 

you mean the other way round right? cause the epic which is dual susp won't be hard on the ass, but the stumpy Hardtail will be?

Posted
  On 6/10/2012 at 6:30 AM, ratherberidin said:

I'm going for the Stumpy FSR or Epic, both full sussers..

 

oh ok. didn't know the stumpy 29er come in full susp these days...bit out of the loop with spez and their bikes.

Posted

Stumpy FSR has been out for some time. Mate of mine has the Stumpy FSR 29er. He seems to think that he should've gone for the Epic since he rides mostly with his missus - she hates single track or technically challenging rides. She is on a carbon Epic 29er FSR. That said, I have a Niner RIP 9 and prefer the geometry and setup of the Stumpy to the Epic since it suits my riding style better. I prefer technical single track and longer travel bikes with a more relaxed geometry to the race orientated bikes. I weigh about 90 or so. That being said you cant go wrong with either one of the two.

Posted (edited)

You can test ride both at groenkloof today.I tested the epic yesterday .Nimble as a hardtail but very plush . Stand or sit it feels like i have been riding this bike for months.The brain realy works like they say. .This is a combo bike like no other .I have never felt so confidant on a bike . My other bike is an anthem 29,very much the same as the stumpy with regard to geometry .I would buy an epic yesterday .$$$$$$$???? and the regular servicing are limiting factors

Edited by arendoog
Posted (edited)
  On 6/9/2012 at 9:22 PM, ratherberidin said:

@TheV Thanks, i guess the 'can of worms' will be my next thread then.. There's always the camber to look at as well, if I understand correctly it's pretty much a cross between the two.. Saving me that 'it's not a racing bike' ego bruise but still having some actual suspension to use.. anyone have a camber/care to share?

 

@hellocolour Nah, considering both in 29ers, I've seen what happens when 26ers get angry.. :ph34r:

 

Now you are just getting silly and being stupid by bringing the Camber into the discussion, really!?!?!

 

1. Do you want a full suspension race bike, one which you are going to ride at your speed/distance limits, and be competitive as you can be. With training plans and goals. = Epic 29er

 

2. Do you want an all-day, every day, fun and capable bike which you can take out on any day or any "event" (not race) and have loads of fun, building your technical skills and riding the crap out of it, but for fun = STUMPY FSR

 

Make up you mind and take it from there.

Edited by TheV
Posted
  On 6/10/2012 at 7:19 AM, arendoog said:

You can test ride both at groenkloof today.I tested the epic yesterday .Nimble as a hardtail but very plush . Stand or sit it feels like i have been riding this bike for months.The brain realy works like they say. .This is a combo bike like no other .I have never felt so confidant on a bike . My other bike is an anthem 29,very much the same as the stumpy with regard to geometry .I would buy an epic yesterday .$$$$$$$???? and the regular servicing are limiting factors

 

You have no clue what you are talking about, if you buy an Epic you will just be wasting your time and money.

 

Saying that the Epic gives you the most confidence you have ever had on a bike is just the placebo/marketing effect of the Spez brand. The Epic is not supposed to make you confident technically, the Epic is built to make you fast and efficient. Face+Palm :cursing: :eek:

 

If you said the Epic increased your times and you went faster than usual then yes, it would have made some sense. You contradict yourself so badly - Nimble, HT, Plush, Brain = Confidence???? The Epic is supposed to give you performance...

 

Oh man, some people just cannot be helped.

Posted
  On 6/10/2012 at 10:16 AM, ratherberidin said:

V gettin serious eh? Ya i guess its as simple as you summed it up up there, its just a clash between exactly that, fast or fun.. Haha.. Ill sleep on it, for the next month.. Thanx!

 

Just get one of these, and you'll never be sorry:

post-25478-0-49810600-1339323653.jpg

Posted
  On 6/9/2012 at 8:46 PM, TheV said:

Hi there!

 

You can't really compare the two, man... they are so different... almost like comparing an M5 to an X5... or A7 to Q7...

 

In my opinion, way too many south aftican's ride Epics, we should actually see more people go for the Stumpy....

 

But it's the spez effect, as soon as you can afford it you have to get the EPIC!!!!! :eek: because it's the #1 yuppy bike...

 

For someone @ 90kg's, who likes to get a bit technical and have a lot of FUN, then the SJ FSR is the best option between the two.

 

(Of course this opens a whole new can of worms because as soon as you decide that's the type of bike you want, then i'll start asking why not rather consider Santa Cruz, Yeti, Pivot, etc etc)

 

But if you want a Spez, then the SJ FSR is awesome... you'll love it.

 

As a last note... I think way more people will make the mistake and say "darn, I should have rather gotten the SJ FSR" as opposed to someone buying the SJ and saying" dammit.... I wish i took the Epic..."

 

Couldn't be put any better. Spot on advice.

Posted
  On 6/10/2012 at 10:33 AM, TheV said:

 

 

Thanks G-Unit! :thumbup:

 

To the OP, are you absolutely sold on a Spaz? In between the 2 fits a SC Tallboy. I recently sold my Stumpy and got a TB. It's incredibly fast, but plush as well. Obviously, I had to sell one of my kids to afford it, but hey, you can't make an omellete without breaking any eggs...

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