Which full-suspension; Giant Anthem or Specialized Epic Comp?

[camelman]

I own 2 Specialised bike, Stumpy and Epic. The points that really count in the Epic's favour imo is the fact that it takes 2 bottles, yes even on a small frame you can easily put 2 medium bottles in there and those bottle cages are magical, if you use the Specialized bottles. I have never had a bottle come out, not even close and I ride like a maniac.

I am a big guy 95kg and I find that rear end of the epic is a bit of a noodle, same with the Stumpy. When you really put the hammer down it feels like a serpent in the back and when I land smallish jumps with the Stumpy it feels like the wheel goes sideways. As for a the efficiency of the brain and rear suspension, it works, but takes getting used to as it feels like you are bottoming out your tire and the rim getting knocked on a rock. The quality of the Roval wheels is also not the best imo. The are not as stiff or strong as a decent set of wheels with a normal spoke pattern. I have also cracked 2 Epic marathon frames in 2 months, and had a rear the nipples pull out the carbon on the back wheel. All replaced under warranty, but make your call on the quality issues.

 

As for the Giant I can not speak from experience but have ridden a BMC fourstroke with a similar suspension design to the Anthem and it was the stiffest bike ever. The rear end did not budge, no matter how hard I tried and it was super efficient, I would say even more so than the Epic without that clunking feeling travelling through the frame every time the brain opens.

 

The Epic is a race bike, not very versatile at all unless you have the skill set of Nino Schurter whereas the Giant is much more versatile. But in the end you have to ride both and decide for yourself. Horses for courses or different strokes for different folks.

[Jacques Viljoen]

They are both good bikes in there own way, buy the one you like more.

I was in the same boat and got the Giant as it had better components at the time and everyone told me about Giant's good suspension "set and forget". But I did like the Spez more. So I rode the Giant for a month great bike but I could not get over wanting/liking Specialized.... so ended up selling the Giant got a Epic Comp and I never looked back great bike Rear brain system works well and the new SWAT system is great. And it just feel better for me but it could be in my head, but even so I love riding it

[Jacques Viljoen]

I own 2 Specialised bike, Stumpy and Epic. The Epic is a race bike, not very versatile at all unless you have the skill set of Nino Schurter whereas the Giant is much more versatile. But in the end you have to ride both and decide for yourself. Horses for courses or different strokes for different folks.

 

Haha yes Camelman was the one that told me go for Giant ....... than month later got him self Stumpy ...

 

Epic a great bike

[camelman]

Haha yes Camelman was the one that told me go for Giant ....... than month later got him self Stumpy ...

 

Epic a great bike

 

 

Jy moet die naam op daai fatbike verander, Specialized FANBOY . Daai Stumpy sit ek sommer more in die classifieds, maak net die woonstel vol.

[Jacques Viljoen]

Haha....... So jy wil vir my se jy het 2 rame gekraak en Roval Carbon wiel vernietig. Probleem le dalk nie by Specialized nie

 

 

Jy moet die naam op daai fatbike verander, Specialized FANBOY . Daai Stumpy sit ek sommer more in die classifieds, maak net die woonstel vol.

[Brassmonkey]

 

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...

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".

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.

 

Sorry lads, didn't mean to imply the specialized is a boutique bike, which it isn't.

It is mass produced, albeit not in the same scale as the Giants. I was just offering my own personal opinion since I looked at these very two bikes less than 2 months ago, and took them for a test ride. My personal experience with the products was unbiased at the time, and my research showed me that bang4buck these are two decently specced full susers.

Maybe the guys didn't know how the pump worked when they set up the Anthem, but yes, they pumped it to almost 600 psi (540) and and mere 4 step jump and the shock was knock-knocking like a bad joke.

I spent half a day with the boys from Specialized Melrose arch, setting up the brain until it suited my riding style and weight (105kg @185cm). The brain is unfortunately not a "fill'er up with 95" and off you go kinda shock, despite what their manual says. Some tweaking and I went from: watsekakisdithierie?!? to: goodjobolchap! And he week I spent with the epic, then the stumpy showed that for technical trail riding, sharp high speed cornering the epic was most aggressive in the handling department, camber which my wife had at the time was a lovely mix, minus the brain though... With the stumpy coming out second best of all the bikes I tried. Which is why I didn't go for any of them.

But rather the Jekkyl 1.

So before signing of my last bit of advice: try the trigger. And the jekkyl. Because I was sold on the anthem, and the specialized was just that bit better for me personally... Until I Mrs. Jekkyl.

[Johny Bravo]

I own 2 Specialised bike, Stumpy and Epic. The points that really count in the Epic's favour imo is the fact that it takes 2 bottles, yes even on a small frame you can easily put 2 medium bottles in there and those bottle cages are magical, if you use the Specialized bottles. I have never had a bottle come out, not even close and I ride like a maniac.

I am a big guy 95kg and I find that rear end of the epic is a bit of a noodle, same with the Stumpy. When you really put the hammer down it feels like a serpent in the back and when I land smallish jumps with the Stumpy it feels like the wheel goes sideways. As for a the efficiency of the brain and rear suspension, it works, but takes getting used to as it feels like you are bottoming out your tire and the rim getting knocked on a rock. The quality of the Roval wheels is also not the best imo. The are not as stiff or strong as a decent set of wheels with a normal spoke pattern. I have also cracked 2 Epic marathon frames in 2 months, and had a rear the nipples pull out the carbon on the back wheel. All replaced under warranty, but make your call on the quality issues.

 

As for the Giant I can not speak from experience but have ridden a BMC fourstroke with a similar suspension design to the Anthem and it was the stiffest bike ever. The rear end did not budge, no matter how hard I tried and it was super efficient, I would say even more so than the Epic without that clunking feeling travelling through the frame every time the brain opens.

 

The Epic is a race bike, not very versatile at all unless you have the skill set of Nino Schurter whereas the Giant is much more versatile. But in the end you have to ride both and decide for yourself. Horses for courses or different strokes for different folks.

I think you are talking such bs

[Bat]

And this is why you don't come to the Hub for advise. The uneducated will always try and in force their narrow minded believes on others. Do yourself a favor and as Shotgarland suggested, approach both dealers for a test bike. I did and I walked away with the Epic. Also look at the stats which brand kept on increasing year after year in the Cape Epic, and which one lost market share faster than any other bike brand. These are actual usage and not public opinion.

[GrantRH]

On second thoughts, buy the Anthem... less competition for me.

[Kranky]

And this is why you don't come to the Hub for advise. The uneducated will always try and in force their narrow minded believes on others. Do yourself a favor and as Shotgarland suggested, approach both dealers for a test bike. I did and I walked away with the Epic. Also look at the stats which brand kept on increasing year after year in the Cape Epic, and which one lost market share faster than any other bike brand. These are actual usage and not public opinion.

 

This makes no sense, at least you prove your opening line to be true. (Well, not all of it, the testing both bikes is very sound advice).

 

First problem, is actual usage at the Cape Epic not just the manifestation of public opinion? Or are you trying to say that riders that rode brand X now ride brand Y therefore they have made an informed decision on which they prefer? Even if this were a good measure, it requires largely the same entrants each year to be a useful.

 

Also, there is no reason to consider the average Cape Epic rider to have any more authority on bikes than non-Epic riders. Unless you're maybe talking about PowerBalance, their market share must have tumbled amongst these most expert of bike riders

 

My 2 cents on the topic. OP, both brands will make a very good bike, try and pick the one that feels best for the type of riding you do. Because at the end of the day, it is your opinion on which is best that will dictate how much fun you have on your bike, not ours.

[Sniffie]

Sorry lads, didn't mean to imply the specialized is a boutique bike, which it isn't.

It is mass produced, albeit not in the same scale as the Giants. I was just offering my own personal opinion since I looked at these very two bikes less than 2 months ago, and took them for a test ride. My personal experience with the products was unbiased at the time, and my research showed me that bang4buck these are two decently specced full susers.

Maybe the guys didn't know how the pump worked when they set up the Anthem, but yes, they pumped it to almost 600 psi (540) and and mere 4 step jump and the shock was knock-knocking like a bad joke.

I spent half a day with the boys from Specialized Melrose arch, setting up the brain until it suited my riding style and weight (105kg @185cm). The brain is unfortunately not a "fill'er up with 95" and off you go kinda shock, despite what their manual says. Some tweaking and I went from: watsekakisdithierie?!? to: goodjobolchap! And he week I spent with the epic, then the stumpy showed that for technical trail riding, sharp high speed cornering the epic was most aggressive in the handling department, camber which my wife had at the time was a lovely mix, minus the brain though... With the stumpy coming out second best of all the bikes I tried. Which is why I didn't go for any of them.

But rather the Jekkyl 1.

So before signing of my last bit of advice: try the trigger. And the jekkyl. Because I was sold on the anthem, and the specialized was just that bit better for me personally... Until I Mrs. Jekkyl.

Perhaps you should try a different bike shop?? If it says clearly on the fox float: WARNING 300 PSI MAX. Why try to pump it to 600? If the float on my Anthem is pumped to 250 PSI it is as good as a hardtail. (And I weigh 87 kg)

[Bat]

 

 

This makes no sense, at least you prove your opening line to be true. (Well, not all of it, the testing both bikes is very sound advice).

 

First problem, is actual usage at the Cape Epic not just the manifestation of public opinion? Or are you trying to say that riders that rode brand X now ride brand Y therefore they have made an informed decision on which they prefer? Even if this were a good measure, it requires largely the same entrants each year to be a useful.

 

Also, there is no reason to consider the average Cape Epic rider to have any more authority on bikes than non-Epic riders. Unless you're maybe talking about PowerBalance, their market share must have tumbled amongst these most expert of bike riders

 

My 2 cents on the topic. OP, both brands will make a very good bike, try and pick the one that feels best for the type of riding you do. Because at the end of the day, it is your opinion on which is best that will dictate how much fun you have on your bike, not ours.

 

Nick, your remarks are valid. We assume the majority of Cape Epic riders have a little bit more experience and have done their homework on what they believe will be the right tools to accomplish their intended adventure in the most economical way. Let's hope they don't follow public opinion and buy what wins on the Sunday and that they rather them selfs have tested various brands and came to constructive decision.

 

So I agree with your thoughts, but as you also stated, OP should test the two and from there make his own decision. And I think which ever it will be he will have endless fun and enjoyment.

[Mr Awesome]

I went through exactly the same in 2013 - went from HT to Dual. Peddle bob was a major concern as I did not want to bounce the moment I stood out the saddle. After much research and talking to more than 20 bike shops I ended up with the same two bikes. IOn paper the Giant is a far better option - NO question. No upgrades needed. Great after sales. (Carbon does not bend when you run out of talent on a downhill) only problem is....you do not ride a bike on PAPER... It all comes down to the way you like to ride a bike. The Camber is for the rider who likes to RIDE (and maybe race his buddies a couple of times a year) The Giant is race ready - change the wheels and it will be super light for the price. Buy the Epic Comp if you are prepared to make a couple of upgrades over time but are a true racing snake in the making. I bought the Epic and it took me a year of hard work to loose weight and work on my technical skill to only now understand why this bike cost SO MUCH! Poorly spec't, heavy wheels and expensive to service.. But man, if you are prepared to ride on the edge of your ability (and sometimes above it), then this is the bike for you. This thing comes alive under you. The first time I hit the sweet spot it felt like I was riding on a living animal. That one moment motivated me to go out time and again to try and become good enough to not hold the bike back. Sounds romantic? Just remember that this Cinderella don't come cheap! Be prepared to upgrade the Cranks out of the box! See you on the trails!

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

About the cape epic, last year I remember the equipment stats were published after the race highlighting the stats on brands, groupsets, ht vs dual, wheel sizes etc. Is that available?

[wepat]

I just bought a 2014 Camber Comp Carbon with ZTR Crest Hope Hubs and XT brakes as mentioned this bike it built to ride.If you are going to race which is about 1% of all riders then Epic otherwise for 40K the Camber is value for money and will hammer any other bike out there both in stage races and trail riding. BTW I also have a Anthem 2013 X1 which I just gave to wifey a good bike but not quite in the same league as the Spez

[RichieT]

Basically this is the great Microsoft Apple debate.... both good... buy the one you fancy! IMHO I would go for the Anthem....