specialized Epic Marathon vs Scott Spark Ulitmate

[GLuvsMtb]

If you had to choose any of the following bikes, which one would it be?

 

I know that there are much more on the market, but lets try to narrow it down to these 2 for the discussion (to compare against others, start your own topic please )

The Scott comes in about 400g lighter (10.4kg, give or take a few grams) and sports SRAM XX and Shimano XTR brakes. The Specialized is specced more modestly with XO and Magura MT6. The Scott wheelset is 28h and the Specialized is 32h (probably a better wheelset). Price on both is similar.

Scott has their CTD remote system that operates from the handlebar with the flick of a switch and Specialized relies on their Brain system to manage the suspension.

Which one of the two (only these two) would you pick and why?

Edited December 20, 2012 by MorewoodMad

[Brett MTBer]

Specialized are on average 10% more expensive than any other brand of the same spec, using the same materials with the same labour, why? The specialised has been spouting the virtues of their 'brain' for almost a decade yet every incarnation gives more adjustment to the rider and offers a more 'active' ride, in other words try using your own brain. Scott all the way, unless you're a sheep.

[Paul Ruinaard]

Bicycling did a test on this a couple of months ago which may be useful. They tested both bikes (or their predecessors but not much has changed).. I have a Specialized. The reason I prefer Specialized is wrt the the suspension set up. Set it up once and forget it. Leave it to the suspension designers. No twiddling knobs on every change of surface. I like that.

 

Specialized is more expensive though. Scott is a great package.

[GLuvsMtb]

I'm not fond of the Nude2. Does anyone know why KE and DG changed to Fox rear suspension from the standard spec? Also think the Roval wheels are better than the DT Swiss wheels. That said, Scott does spec the rest of the bike quite well. I've also heard good and bad stories wrt warrantee replacement on both frames, so I guess it boils down to where you buy, opposed to what you buy on that front.

[Jaco-fiets]

Scott is better bang for buck and just as much world class as specialized. I would love to have the top of the line S works but anything lower than that i would go for the Scott

[GLuvsMtb]

If I go for the Scott, I'd probably get a Fox CTD for the rear, negating the fancy remote system. I would also fit Gripshifts as I have been riding gripshift for 5 years now and cannot see myself going back.

 

If I get the Specialized, I would replace the XO spec with XX over time (as stuff breaks).

 

I like the look and feel of the Magura's have also heard good things about the XTR's.