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

[WrightJnr]

Might just be easier to stick with the hardtail!! :-)

[SimpleDom]

Pyga.

[Guest notmyname]

Pyga.

a green one.

[@Rabubi]

What is Melrose Arch selling the Epic Comp for?

 

R39000

[@Rabubi]

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: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozgr0f8vs4I 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...

 

I love the Camber, but they can't find a Large frame for me. Concept Cyclery is selling the Camber Carbon for R30 000 (it was R40 000). So it really breaks my balls that they don't have my size.

[@Rabubi]

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.

 

I take you point about it being my decision, but I like my decision to be informed by those who have experience with the two bikes. The lbs only let's you take a spin around the shop, which will hardly suffice. Obviously I will take everything with a pintch of salt, but it's still interesting to hear what people hve to say. At the end of the day nobody can fault the Giant - it's almost the 'safe' bet. But who doesn't want to own a Spez? Oh, and then I saw the Santa Cruz Tallboy Carbon and almost gooied in my pants. But i'm not going to open another can of worms in this thread.... :-) Thanks for you advice

[@Rabubi]

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!

 

What have you upgraded on the bike?

[StevieL]

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?

 

According to Sean from Tread Magazine...

 

 

@Mr_TREAD. @AbsaCapeEpic full-suspension frame bias:

2007: 69%

2008: 74%

2009: 77%

2010: 80%

2011: 77%(29er arrival)

2012: 69%

2013: 75%

 

@Mr_TREAD. @AbsaCapeEpic ave bike value:

'07 R28000

'08 R30658

'09 R34975

'10 R35898

'11 R36982

'12 R38831

'13 R42243

R1=US$10 (approx)

 

@Mr_TREAD. @AbsaCapeEpic bike brand stats 2013:

Specialized 23%

SCOTT 11%

Giant 11%

Cannondale 7%

TREK 7%

Merida 5%

Santa Cruz 5%

KTM 3%

 

@Mr_TREAD. @AbsaCapeEpic wheel size:

2011 - 26: 78% | 29: 22%

2012 - 26: 36% | 29: 64%

2013 - 26: 17% | 29: 82% | 27.5: 1%

2014: ?

[outoftowner]

So to settle the debate. Scalpel for the win.It rides so good, because it looks so good!

[Spez247]

The only issue I have with my 2012 Epic, is that you can't change the settings on the rear, on the fly. I don't know if you can on the Giant (from Lockout to Fully Open). Having said that, I don't think I will ever be without an Epic in my tiny stable block. In my opinion, if you are looking for 1 bike to do everything pretty well, the epic is hard to beat. Its setup, forget & ride.

[Mr Awesome]

What have you upgraded on the bike?

First of all I WANTED a Spez. I would have sold the Giant after a couple of months - ONLY because it wasn't the Bike I wanted. And I got a very good deal on the Expert for R10 000 more. But I bought the Comp because I knew if I bought the Expert or Marathon, then where would I go after a couple of years... The ONLY upgrade I would recommend would be the Crank to X0 Carbon. It weighed 12,45 with pedals and two bottle cages. I then also upgraded the brakes to XT, carbon handle bar and seat post. Not to save weight or increase performance, though. ONLY bought these to pimp my ride! Wheels are heavy but NO long walks home. Now that I am lighter I will look to buy a good pair of racing wheels. But these "upgrades" are expensive if you total them up but a lot cheaper than buying a new bike every other year... I would also like to mention that my friend did a 8h40 Trans Bns and podium at 360 earlier this year on a Giant Anthem Advance. This is not ONLY a safe bet - it's fast and a great bike in the single track. Best advice I can give you? You now know that there are a couple of bikes that you can buy without any worries. Think 12 months from now - which one would you be MOST unhappy about NOT buying...and buy that one - otherwise you will be going through this ALL over again by the end of 2015! Please let me know what you decided and enjoy the ride!]

[GrantRH]

+1

 

I never wanted to look back and think: that bike was a good deal at the time, but I really like the specialised and wish I had bought it.

 

No regrets.

[@Rabubi]

First of all I WANTED a Spez. I would have sold the Giant after a couple of months - ONLY because it wasn't the Bike I wanted. And I got a very good deal on the Expert for R10 000 more. But I bought the Comp because I knew if I bought the Expert or Marathon, then where would I go after a couple of years... The ONLY upgrade I would recommend would be the Crank to X0 Carbon. It weighed 12,45 with pedals and two bottle cages. I then also upgraded the brakes to XT, carbon handle bar and seat post. Not to save weight or increase performance, though. ONLY bought these to pimp my ride! Wheels are heavy but NO long walks home. Now that I am lighter I will look to buy a good pair of racing wheels. But these "upgrades" are expensive if you total them up but a lot cheaper than buying a new bike every other year... I would also like to mention that my friend did a 8h40 Trans Bns and podium at 360 earlier this year on a Giant Anthem Advance. This is not ONLY a safe bet - it's fast and a great bike in the single track. Best advice I can give you? You now know that there are a couple of bikes that you can buy without any worries. Think 12 months from now - which one would you be MOST unhappy about NOT buying...and buy that one - otherwise you will be going through this ALL over again by the end of 2015! Please let me know what you decided and enjoy the ride!]

 

Hey thanks for the advice. I went for the bike that tightened my nuts - the Specialized. And on the maiden voyage it impressed the hell out of me. I was a little worried that the Formula C1 brakes would let me down, but they've got some good stopping power. But then again, i've only been out once. I'm VERY tempted to take advantage of the XT Brakes that are on special now. The bike shop also advised to to get more robust tyres - apparently the Fast Tracks are prone to shredding. CWC also has specials on the Crossmark - heavy but bullet proof. But I reckon I'll just ride it until i need to upgrade. At the end of the day, I get excited about the thought of taking my Epic out for a spin.

[Jacques Viljoen]

Congratulations you will not be sorry. Depending on your skills level the Specialized Ground Control front tire does offer a lot more grip. I would go Ground Control front and later go back to Fastrak when you know bike better

[Johny Bravo]

Congratulations you will not be sorry. Depending on your skills level the Specialized Ground Control front tire does offer a lot more grip. I would go Ground Control front and later go back to Fastrak when you know bike better

Very good advice there Jacques. I have Ground control 2.3 front and 2.1 rear on my Spez Epic. Just could not get comfy with the Fast track tyres. Those ground controlls are flippen good.

[Bizkit031]

 

 

Hey thanks for the advice. I went for the bike that tightened my nuts - the Specialized. And on the maiden voyage it impressed the hell out of me. I was a little worried that the Formula C1 brakes would let me down, but they've got some good stopping power. But then again, i've only been out once. I'm VERY tempted to take advantage of the XT Brakes that are on special now. The bike shop also advised to to get more robust tyres - apparently the Fast Tracks are prone to shredding. CWC also has specials on the Crossmark - heavy but bullet proof. But I reckon I'll just ride it until i need to upgrade. At the end of the day, I get excited about the thought of taking my Epic out for a spin.

I did the Karkloof Enduro with a Ground control front and fast track rear and had no issues,been riding like that for months now with no problems.