@Rabubi Posted July 3, 2014 Share Anyone out there with experience on any of these bikes? I'm moving from a hard tail to full suspention. This is prety much what my shortlist has come down to. Giant Anthem Advanced 29er 1 2014http://www.giant-bic....1/14825/66150/ Specialized Epic Comp Carbon 29er 2014http://www.specializ...-comp-carbon-29 The Giant seems better component wise. The Specialized is, well, it's a Specialized - with a mini brain on the rear shock (not sure how much difference that makes). Any views and opinions welcome. Also open to suggestion on other bikes. High five! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimpleDom Posted July 3, 2014 Share Giant. Bullet proof warranty, exceptional build quality, great price, no fancy shock that costs more than a car installment to service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brassmonkey Posted July 3, 2014 Share Ok so I have ridden both, on trail, but here is the main difference: The Giant is an awesome bike. And at first glance, and indeed on paper it may seem like the better buy. But the specialized is more than a bike, it has that refinement thatt mass-produced bikes just don't seem to have. The geometry is just that little bit better, the frame that bit stiffer, and after 50km's in the saddle, you will know which one is better. And to save you a 100 km testride, it is the epic. Chances are that if you are like me, gravity-handicapped, the epic will be better. The giant doesn't handle weights over 85kg's too well. I pumped the shock double its max, and still managed to bottom the shock out, in the parking lot. On the trail it was just a nightmare.The brain does work. And very well. It's like having lockout, and it is automatic. And adjustable. Climbing is a pleasure with the epic. Probably the best climber out there. My advice: contact a Specialized store like the one in Melrose Arch, and take their epic elite for the weekend.Bruces will let you do the same if they have one anthem in stock. But if it was me I'd opt for the stumpy. Way more fun. And it comes with the brain too. And can handle just about anything you can manage to throw at it. And some. No climb too steep. No jump too high. And the specialized's come with dt swiss hubs and roval rims (esentially dt swiss) which is a better built wheel than most. Frame, suspension and wheels in that order is what defines a bike. Bits come and go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger Dassie Posted July 3, 2014 Share imho ... Both bikes have good build quality and design. The Giant's 'Maestro' design is a bit over engineered, though it works efficiently.The Specialized's Brain function is a love or hate affair, but you can work around this if need be. Also depends on what kind of riding you enjoy? More towards racing and events or more trails and just general riding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@Rabubi Posted July 3, 2014 Share Ok so I have ridden both, on trail, but here is the main difference: The Giant is an awesome bike. And at first glance, and indeed on paper it may seem like the better buy. But the specialized is more than a bike, it has that refinement thatt mass-produced bikes just don't seem to have. The geometry is just that little bit better, the frame that bit stiffer, and after 50km's in the saddle, you will know which one is better. And to save you a 100 km testride, it is the epic. Chances are that if you are like me, gravity-handicapped, the epic will be better. The giant doesn't handle weights over 85kg's too well. I pumped the shock double its max, and still managed to bottom the shock out, in the parking lot. On the trail it was just a nightmare.The brain does work. And very well. It's like having lockout, and it is automatic. And adjustable. Climbing is a pleasure with the epic. Probably the best climber out there. My advice: contact a Specialized store like the one in Melrose Arch, and take their epic elite for the weekend.Bruces will let you do the same if they have one anthem in stock. But if it was me I'd opt for the stumpy. Way more fun. And it comes with the brain too. And can handle just about anything you can manage to throw at it. And some. No climb too steep. No jump too high. And the specialized's come with dt swiss hubs and roval rims (esentially dt swiss) which is a better built wheel than most. Frame, suspension and wheels in that order is what defines a bike. Bits come and go. Thanks for your detailed reply. Much appreciated. It so happens that Specialized Melrose Arch is running a special on the Epic Comp now (new models coming in soon) which makes it evenly priced with the Anthem. I'll chat to them and see if I can take the bike for a weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@Rabubi Posted July 3, 2014 Share imho ... Both bikes have good build quality and design.The Giant's 'Maestro' design is a bit over engineered, though it works efficiently.The Specialized's Brain function is a love or hate affair, but you can work around this if need be. Also depends on what kind of riding you enjoy? More towards racing and events or more trails and just general riding. I've been doing more marathon XC racing this year. This is how I realised that my body doesn't agree with a hard tail. I'm working towards stage races. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrantRH Posted July 3, 2014 Share I've been doing more marathon XC racing this year. This is how I realised that my body doesn't agree with a hard tail. I'm working towards stage races. As far as I am concerned, Epic hands down. Have the Elite and for marathons and stage races you can't touch it. Yes, you need to have the brain serviced by Specialized once a year for R500, but let's be honest, you spend more than that on a single tire. I have heard rave reviews about the Camber as well. Outside of the speshy stable, the only other bike I would consider is the Momsen Vipa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterF Posted July 3, 2014 Share What is Melrose Arch selling the Epic Comp for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tjokkits Posted July 4, 2014 Share Goto complete cyclist in bryanston they also often have test bikes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muggins Posted July 4, 2014 Share Picked up my Advanced anthem on Wednesday this week. Did my first race with it Wednesday night. All I can say is brilliant ride. The ride position is comfortable. As for the suspension that is just brilliant. The brakes are sharp and precise. Put simply you point her and she will go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianDJ Posted July 4, 2014 Share Ok so I have ridden both, on trail, but here is the main difference: The Giant is an awesome bike. And at first glance, and indeed on paper it may seem like the better buy. But the specialized is more than a bike, it has that refinement thatt mass-produced bikes just don't seem to have. The geometry is just that little bit better, the frame that bit stiffer, and after 50km's in the saddle, you will know which one is better. And to save you a 100 km testride, it is the epic. Chances are that if you are like me, gravity-handicapped, the epic will be better. The giant doesn't handle weights over 85kg's too well. I pumped the shock double its max, and still managed to bottom the shock out, in the parking lot. On the trail it was just a nightmare.The brain does work. And very well. It's like having lockout, and it is automatic. And adjustable. Climbing is a pleasure with the epic. Probably the best climber out there. My advice: contact a Specialized store like the one in Melrose Arch, and take their epic elite for the weekend.Bruces will let you do the same if they have one anthem in stock. But if it was me I'd opt for the stumpy. Way more fun. And it comes with the brain too. And can handle just about anything you can manage to throw at it. And some. No climb too steep. No jump too high. And the specialized's come with dt swiss hubs and roval rims (esentially dt swiss) which is a better built wheel than most. Frame, suspension and wheels in that order is what defines a bike. Bits come and go.Specialized = not mass produced??? made by Merida, it is as mass produced as they come.. The Giant PXCR 1 wheels are also DT Swiss just rebranded. The brain is Horrific imo, so each to his own. Nothing what you have said above makes any sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LazyTrailRider Posted July 4, 2014 Share it has that refinement thatt mass-produced bikes just don't seem to have. Sorry to break it to you, but all big S bikes are also mass-produced... That doesn't mean it's better or worse, but neither of these bikes is "boutique". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonami Posted July 4, 2014 Share Giant is a better buy over the Spec, you'll pay more just to ride the name, Giant has as long a history as Spec, its bullet proof, its the underdog, just when you think you've had enough, it'll surprise you. If your look at the specs on paper, Giant gives you XT shifters, Spec gives you SLX, score one for Giant. The Spec fork, Rockshox Reba SL is a good fork, as is the Fox on the Giant, yet the cost to service the Rock shox is almost half the service cost on the Fox, score 1 for the Spec. Giant gives you an XT crankset, Spec gives you a SRAM Custom, I'm a SRAM fan, but you can't fault XT quality in build or weight, score 2 for the GiANT. I'm with the Spec on giving you a SRAM chain, Giant gives you a KMC, score 2 for the Spec. Spec's mix of SRAM and Shimano is probably the quest for ultimate performance, whereas Giant is staying with Shimano and Fox on this brand and next year will probably jump to SRAM and Rockshox as they tend to swop every year. My opinion, take the Giant, slightly better bang for your buck, but dump the Shimano chain and put a good SRAM 10 speed on, the SRAM chains, are very hard wearing and will doubtless outlast that KMC chain. Seems someone else had a similar problem... http://forums.mtbr.com/29er-bikes/giant-anthem-x-29er-1-vs-specialized-epic-comp-alloy-831618.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worriesnot Posted July 4, 2014 Share Ok so I have ridden both, on trail, but here is the main difference: The Giant is an awesome bike. And at first glance, and indeed on paper it may seem like the better buy. But the specialized is more than a bike, it has that refinement thatt mass-produced bikes just don't seem to have. The geometry is just that little bit better, the frame that bit stiffer, and after 50km's in the saddle, you will know which one is better. And to save you a 100 km testride, it is the epic. Chances are that if you are like me, gravity-handicapped, the epic will be better. The giant doesn't handle weights over 85kg's too well. I pumped the shock double its max, and still managed to bottom the shock out, in the parking lot. On the trail it was just a nightmare.The brain does work. And very well. It's like having lockout, and it is automatic. And adjustable. Climbing is a pleasure with the epic. Probably the best climber out there. My advice: contact a Specialized store like the one in Melrose Arch, and take their epic elite for the weekend.Bruces will let you do the same if they have one anthem in stock. But if it was me I'd opt for the stumpy. Way more fun. And it comes with the brain too. And can handle just about anything you can manage to throw at it. And some. No climb too steep. No jump too high. And the specialized's come with dt swiss hubs and roval rims (esentially dt swiss) which is a better built wheel than most. Frame, suspension and wheels in that order is what defines a bike. Bits come and go.I'm not going to beg to differ - I just flat out disagree.How did you pressurise a shock to double it's max? That means 600psi... and you still manage to bottom it out!? In the parking lot!? If you manage to do that then you should clearly not be looking at a 100mm travel bike.Second: not good for people over 85kg? I am 6'2" and 110kg - Anthem handles me quite well actually and the rear shock is not near maximum - sure I don't so DH kind of riding but some heavy trail and the occasional jump is very normal.Martin H and Canerat adequately addressed the other points of disagreement... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonky Posted July 4, 2014 Share I would recommend that you take the Spez Camber 2014 out for a spin too, as it is widely regarded as the best all-round bike Spez makes. The Camber was upgraded for 2014 and is thus the most "modern" bike in the Spez range, AFAIK. It does NOT have the brain rear sus, only the normal Fox CTD. I am biased because I own one - go check out this review: However, a mate just bought the epic you're interested in and he LOVES it - it also helps that it is probably the most beautiful bike on the trail... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoLefty!! Posted July 4, 2014 Share and with Specialised moving their production to Giant for 2015 I know where I'd rather spend the money on a 2014 model...BTW without the BRAIN the Spez suspension system is the worst at pedal induced BOB. The GIANT is much more refined in this area Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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