trail riding on a spez camber?

[rudi-h]

Posting again... clearly I've got some serious buying issues!

 

Last time it was about 4 inch vs 5 inch bikes, and after all your comments I was 100% confident that a 140/150mm trail bike with 650B wheels is the way to go. So I forgot about buying for a few months, cause I'll need to save up to at least R60k - R70k to buy a bike like this with carbon frame, proper wheels, proper brakes, dropper post and all those cool stuff.

 

So then I went to the Spez store the other day and I see they do a Camber 29 (110mm with a relaxed head angle) and a Stumpjumper 29 (130mm). Both entry level carbon frames retail for under R45k after I add a dropper post. Also, the Camber is only 12.5 kg's, so it will be a reasonably fast bike for marathon type races aswell.

 

Without riding any of these bikes, it seems like both the stumpy and camber aren't bad options, especially since I don't have to save up any longer!

 

Questions:

1) Are the Roval 29" wheels strong enough to ride jumps and drop-offs without the wheels bending breaking and needing to be re-trued all the time? I weight 89kg and broke 3 Commencal aluminium frames and two maxxix 719 rims in the past few years, so I'm not too easy on the gear...

 

2) Will I have some buyers remorse when I see a Santacruz 5010 650B passing by after I just blown cash on a stumpjumper or camber?

Edited August 22, 2014 by rudi-h

[CAAD4]

1) no idea

2) every time...

[canfan]

I have a Camber but use it mostly for Marathon type riding. Its awesome. Not the greatest climbing bike but goes downhill like nothing else I have ridden before.

[nonky]

I own the 2014 Camber Comp Carbon - it is an AWESOME bike for both trails and marathons (eg Sani). Look, the 29er wheels are not as agile/light as 650b's but that's about the only drawback. check out the reviews for the 2014 camber (exactly the same as the 2015/current model) - they all rate the camber as a brilliant trail machine.

[LazyTrailRider]

I've ridden the 2015 Camber Expert Evo over some pretty gnarly stuff at speed. Granted, the Pike does a lot of work on the Evo model, but the Camber chassis is more than up to local Enduro-style riding. It's a *very* capable bike.

[Skinnyone]

If you are the type of rider that breaks stuff then it doesn't matter what you buy, it will break...

 

The Camber is a very capable bike for 99% of us, (I have the Comp) I prefer the Stumpy and if you are going to be doing drop offs and jumps then rather go the Stumpy route - it is more aimed at that type of riding.

[The MTBer]

The Santa is a130mm travel bike vs the Camber is a 110/120mm travel bike. Both are strong. I saw Curtis Keene on the Camber/Stumpy during the Enduro World Cup and the bike was going top 10's(I can be wrong). On the other hand Santa is making VERY strong Carbon bikes, you can go on youtube and check out what Peat and Ratboy do with those bikes. I think you must take both out for a test drive and decide from there. I am a Santa fan but you must get yourself a bike that you like and feel comfortable on.

Edited August 22, 2014 by The MTBer

[Andrek]

Rudi-H the same questions are mulling through my head but I am between the Camber and the oneten Pyga. Every second opinion differs and although I think the Camber looks better I will have to ride them both to make up my mind

[Johny Bravo]

Camber is just brilliant, but if it has one flaw, the wheels are crap. Unless you buy the expert models that come with the carbon rims. I would go the Evo route, if going camber, 120mm front and rear, and has the Pike shock, which is the best thing ever. You can also buy the Camber Evo in a frame only option, and then spec it from there. Expert carbon frame with dropper post is about R25k, which is good value.

[G e r h a r d Odendaal]

Also ask Lodolouw, he has the S -Works version and enjoys it a lot

[JXV]

I ended up with with a Tallboy LT but the Bronson, Camber, Stumpy and a Pyga were on my shortlist. If you jump and are rough on bikes then 27.5 wheels might suit you better. Go for the longest travel you can get that still pedals nicely......thinking a 5010 or Bronson or maybe a Pyga Pascoe.

 

Stage races/marathons and jumping/drops.....sounds like u actually need 2 bikes.

Edited August 22, 2014 by JXV

[braailegend]

Leave Spez for the posers get a real bike

[Louis for real]

^^^like the above post^^^^..........stop listening to what other people want and do your own thing...

[Louis for real]

oh and if i can suggest a bike- look for a yeti something like the new AS-Rc

[nonky]

Leave Spez for the posers get a real bike

[wepat]

I have the 2014 Camber Comp Carbon changed brakes to XT and Wheelset ZTR Crest with Hope Hubs Camber climbs well for my level of expertise, and nothing touches it on the trails.I am on a medium only thing I may change is get a longer stem its VERY short and add a dropper post for Xmas present to myself.