What other bikes could you compare to the Specialized "Camber"?

[SiriS]

I'm also interested in the Camber as a nice "do everything" option. Will be an upgrade from a hardtail. Looking at getting the Carbon Comp model.

 

Doing mostly 1-2 hour climb and single track riding around Cape Town (Durbanville specifically), some one day events and then hopefully the occasional multistage like W2W and Sani2C. Camber seems to sit nicely in between Epic (race, XC) and Stumpjumper (trail).

[Bizkit031]

Camber is ok but does not beat a Santa Cruz,and it definitely does not handle as well as the Pyga when the going gets rough. It's slap bang in the middle of the Epic and the Stumpy so I think it has a bit of a identity crisis.I almost bought one but another brand of bike swayed me.

[Johny Bravo]

Everyone has their own preference when it comes to handling etc etc. Camber gives the Santa Cruz and Pyga a massive beating in the price department. Try buying a complete Pyga or Talboy for R38 000.

[GoLefty!!]

camber is just too heavy. It handles well because of its weight.

 

Others to look at are the aforementioned tall boy, Pyga 110 29, Cannondale Rush (very cost effective and excellent handling option), Rocky Mountain Instinct, Giant trance SX 27.5 , Pyga 120650

 

I'd pick any of the aforementioned before opting for the heft of the Spec just to say I ride a Spec. Not going to happen

[Johny Bravo]

We know Lefty, We all know you would rather push a wheelbarrow down single track before riding a Spez.

[nonky]

I'm also interested in the Camber as a nice "do everything" option. Will be an upgrade from a hardtail. Looking at getting the Carbon Comp model.

 

Doing mostly 1-2 hour climb and single track riding around Cape Town (Durbanville specifically), some one day events and then hopefully the occasional multistage like W2W and Sani2C. Camber seems to sit nicely in between Epic (race, XC) and Stumpjumper (trail).

 

Buy one - you wont be sorry.

 

I just completed the Sani2C Race on a Camber (2014) and absolutely loved it.

[flyguysa]

I bought a Camber Expert a few weeks ago, it's an awesome trail bike. For the riding I do, I wanted the extra travel over the Epic, I wanted a carbon duallie and as far as price, the Camber won hands down. It took a bit of getting used to after riding a hardtail, I can say it's well-balanced, yes it's a bit of a dog on district road climbs compared to my hardtail, but on technical climbs, it's the business. Flat, non-technical sections, it's more than willing to dish out the hurt to the hardtails. Singletrack and descents are so much more fun. My Camber weighs 11.5kgs without the dropper post.

 

On day 3 of Sani2C through the sugar cane I was riding above 40km/h, not once did the rear wheel get sketchy on the loose stuff, my partner, on a hardtail, was moaning about how loose his rear wheel was getting at that speed.

 

I did consider the Scalpel, that would have been 8k more, the Tallboy would have cost me over 10k more at the same spec. The Pyga, if only there was a carbon offering (I own a Pyga Zero10, Pyga's geometry is excellent).

 

I think it's a great bike, you do have to go for at least the Carbon Comp, otherwise, weight and spec-wise the Epic is a better buy. Chat to Specialized, get a demo bike and try it, I swore I would never ride a Spez, well I'm glad I didn't stick to my word.

[Johny Bravo]

I bought a Camber Expert a few weeks ago, it's an awesome trail bike. For the riding I do, I wanted the extra travel over the Epic, I wanted a carbon duallie and as far as price, the Camber won hands down. It took a bit of getting used to after riding a hardtail, I can say it's well-balanced, yes it's a bit of a dog on district road climbs compared to my hardtail, but on technical climbs, it's the business. Flat, non-technical sections, it's more than willing to dish out the hurt to the hardtails. Singletrack and descents are so much more fun. My Camber weighs 11.5kgs without the dropper post.

 

On day 3 of Sani2C through the sugar cane I was riding above 40km/h, not once did the rear wheel get sketchy on the loose stuff, my partner, on a hardtail, was moaning about how loose his rear wheel was getting at that speed.

 

I did consider the Scalpel, that would have been 8k more, the Tallboy would have cost me over 10k more at the same spec. The Pyga, if only there was a carbon offering (I own a Pyga Zero10, Pyga's geometry is excellent).

 

I think it's a great bike, you do have to go for at least the Carbon Comp, otherwise, weight and spec-wise the Epic is a better buy. Chat to Specialized, get a demo bike and try it, I swore I would never ride a Spez, well I'm glad I didn't stick to my word.

Very well said. I think you summed it up perfectly. I owned a Camber for 18 months, loved it. Now I have a Spez Epic and love that aswell.

[SiriS]

I bought a Camber Expert a few weeks ago, it's an awesome trail bike. For the riding I do, I wanted the extra travel over the Epic, I wanted a carbon duallie and as far as price, the Camber won hands down. It took a bit of getting used to after riding a hardtail, I can say it's well-balanced, yes it's a bit of a dog on district road climbs compared to my hardtail, but on technical climbs, it's the business. Flat, non-technical sections, it's more than willing to dish out the hurt to the hardtails. Singletrack and descents are so much more fun. My Camber weighs 11.5kgs without the dropper post.

 

On day 3 of Sani2C through the sugar cane I was riding above 40km/h, not once did the rear wheel get sketchy on the loose stuff, my partner, on a hardtail, was moaning about how loose his rear wheel was getting at that speed.

 

I did consider the Scalpel, that would have been 8k more, the Tallboy would have cost me over 10k more at the same spec. The Pyga, if only there was a carbon offering (I own a Pyga Zero10, Pyga's geometry is excellent).

 

I think it's a great bike, you do have to go for at least the Carbon Comp, otherwise, weight and spec-wise the Epic is a better buy. Chat to Specialized, get a demo bike and try it, I swore I would never ride a Spez, well I'm glad I didn't stick to my word.

 

Great info, txs. Deciding between Camber and Epic, leaning towards former.

[SiriS]

Very well said. I think you summed it up perfectly. I owned a Camber for 18 months, loved it. Now I have a Spez Epic and love that aswell.

 

Why the change and how do they compare?

[Johny Bravo]

Why the change and how do they compare?

That is such a tough question. When I started, I was 95kg, big bodybuilder, so the Camber made more sense to me. It served me extremely well, but as usual in life, I wanted better. I wanted to upgrade my Camber, rims, groupset etc etc, but realized its cheaper to buy a new bike than to upgrade. I really really wanted the Camber s works, but even after contacting Spez South Africa, they were sold out everywhere.

 

Being much smaller and lighter now, 85kg, I decided to try the Epic, with the stock 2.0 fast track tyres it was absolutely horrible, twitchy and actually quite scary. I then rode a 2014 with 2.3 Ground control trail tyres, brain suspension front and rear, and fell in love.

 

Bought the Marathon version, it is the model one step below s works. Carbon rims, and pretty much everything carbon. Also fitted with 2.3 trail orientated tyres. Its 10.8kg with pedals, extremely light and fast. the camber def is more comfortable on longer rides 3hours+. The epic climbs a little better, not much, Camber descends better, not much. Biggest difference for me is, on flat district roads the Epic pedals really well, and will pull away from the Camber quite easily.

 

They are very close, the epic just feels a little faster. But not by much at all.

[Godzilla]

That is such a tough question. When I started, I was 95kg, big bodybuilder, so the Camber made more sense to me. It served me extremely well, but as usual in life, I wanted better. I wanted to upgrade my Camber, rims, groupset etc etc, but realized its cheaper to buy a new bike than to upgrade. I really really wanted the Camber s works, but even after contacting Spez South Africa, they were sold out everywhere.

 

Being much smaller and lighter now, 85kg, I decided to try the Epic, with the stock 2.0 fast track tyres it was absolutely horrible, twitchy and actually quite scary. I then rode a 2014 with 2.3 Ground control trail tyres, brain suspension front and rear, and fell in love.

 

Bought the Marathon version, it is the model one step below s works. Carbon rims, and pretty much everything carbon. Also fitted with 2.3 trail orientated tyres. Its 10.8kg with pedals, extremely light and fast. the camber def is more comfortable on longer rides 3hours+. The epic climbs a little better, not much, Camber descends better, not much. Biggest difference for me is, on flat district roads the Epic pedals really well, and will pull away from the Camber quite easily.

 

They are very close, the epic just feels a little faster. But not by much at all.

Hi JB-what size is your frame ? M or L ?

Thanks

[Johny Bravo]

Hi JB-what size is your frame ? M or L ?

Thanks

?. Medium

[SiriS]

That is such a tough question. When I started, I was 95kg, big bodybuilder, so the Camber made more sense to me. It served me extremely well, but as usual in life, I wanted better. I wanted to upgrade my Camber, rims, groupset etc etc, but realized its cheaper to buy a new bike than to upgrade. I really really wanted the Camber s works, but even after contacting Spez South Africa, they were sold out everywhere.

 

Being much smaller and lighter now, 85kg, I decided to try the Epic, with the stock 2.0 fast track tyres it was absolutely horrible, twitchy and actually quite scary. I then rode a 2014 with 2.3 Ground control trail tyres, brain suspension front and rear, and fell in love.

 

Bought the Marathon version, it is the model one step below s works. Carbon rims, and pretty much everything carbon. Also fitted with 2.3 trail orientated tyres. Its 10.8kg with pedals, extremely light and fast. the camber def is more comfortable on longer rides 3hours+. The epic climbs a little better, not much, Camber descends better, not much. Biggest difference for me is, on flat district roads the Epic pedals really well, and will pull away from the Camber quite easily.

 

They are very close, the epic just feels a little faster. But not by much at all.

 

Thanks JB. Going for a few test rides...but suspect the Camber might be the one.

[Gideondv]

Also own the camber expert... Also had to "decide" between the Scalpel, tallboy, Pyga, Epic... Value for many the Camber won hands down.. Carbon wheels, crank, dropper post, full XO, etc. SUPER HAPPY with my bike!! It really climbs better than my Hardtail.. About the weight of the comp carbon..Try lose some weight yourself & then upgrade the wheels etc. when you have some cash.

 

Ps. Buy the Camber!

[Gideondv]

Oh and I would like someone to spec out a Pyga 110 for R38000 that is not "heavy"..