rotorbug Posted April 23, 2015 Posted April 23, 2015 I am working for 3 months in the UK in the F1 industry after a health issue that stopped my flying career temporarily. I sold my Momsen Vipa before I left SA and bought a new 2014 Specialised Camber Expert Evo here in the UK. I got the bike for £3200-00 compared to the 2015 new price of £4500-00. I upgraded the brakes to Shimano XT to bring it up to 2015 spec as the FORMULA brakes didn't get the best write ups. I have since fitted my own Easton Carbon low riser bar and Renthal stem. The EVO version has a slacker head angle, a new rear suspension linkage, 10mm extra travel, wider ROVAL rims, 2.3" wide Specialised tyres and a shorter stem. The SWAT system is included. The bike came fitted with 4 tokens in the Pike fork despite the manual saying it should have 3. I removed one token to create a more linear action from the Pike fork. I am light and don't ride that aggressively to warrant an extra token. The bike is a dream to ride off road with the super stiff Pike just going where you point it. As a versatile trail/downhill/XC bike, this bike is hard to beat. Only thing I will do is dump the riser post as I can't get on with it. The Specialized tyres will go to reduce the rolling mass. They are very good for downhill junkies. I am staying close to the Chiltern Hills and Wendover Woods, and can get two hours of trail cycling in after work as the sun sets around 8:45pm at the moment. I could not get on with the Momsen VIPA. The Fox Float fork had more flex in it than a wiring loom, the bike did not inspire any confidence off road and I found the bike uncomfortable to ride. I realise this is a personal thing but for average joe, I feel you can ride far quicker off road on a more versatile comfortable bike.
niterider Posted April 24, 2015 Posted April 24, 2015 Dump the dropper post?! Whaaaat?!!! Why don't you get on with it? And what is that thing hanging under your saddle?
Odinson Posted April 24, 2015 Posted April 24, 2015 I have a 2014 Camber 29 and that EVO is one of my dream bikes. The EVO is one of those bikes that can do a bit of everything! Happy riding! P.S. You made the right decision in dumping the Momsen.
WrightJnr Posted April 24, 2015 Posted April 24, 2015 Unbelievable how this bike rides. I just love mine!!
rotorbug Posted May 9, 2015 Author Posted May 9, 2015 I swopped out the 2.3” Specialized tyres for 2.2” Schwalbe Racing Ralphs (Snakebite wall) which I have always used. What a difference! Bike feels far more nippy, rolls quicker, changes direction quicker and just feels far more fun to ride. It also saves about 200 grams in rolling mass. The Specialised tyres would be better suited to rocky downhill and trail riding. A work colleague bought the Specialised tyres so that took the dent out of the swop.
rotorbug Posted July 18, 2015 Author Posted July 18, 2015 ImageUploadedByTapatalk1429855710.876794.jpg Unbelievable how this bike rides. I just love mine!!What rims did you fit to your bike? The stock Roval Traverse rims are heavy and I am looking at shaving some weight off. It should give the bike more snap off the start line.
WrightJnr Posted July 18, 2015 Posted July 18, 2015 They the rims off my Epic. Not the best to be honest. I'm really keen for some ZTR Flows with Hope hubs. Nice and wide.
Ham Posted July 18, 2015 Posted July 18, 2015 Enjoy, I have the Camber Expert and love it in the more tech stuff.
rotorbug Posted July 21, 2015 Author Posted July 21, 2015 Got back yesterday from a 3 month work contract in the UK. Assembled my Specialized Camber Expert EVO this morning and did a quick ride around local area on familiar turf. It makes my previous bike, the Momsen VIPA, look silly in almost every situation I throw at it. VIPA quicker on long hills but does not install any confidence when the riding gets more aggressive. The flimsy FOX Float 32 fork is a big culprit. Lighter wheels on my Camber will close that gap on the uphills and out of corners. I think a lot of buyers have been caught with all the marketing hype re the VIPA. It might be quicker for a handful of riders who are fit enough to tolerate the harsh ride. Just wish that Specialised would bring out the Aluminium version of the EVO Camber in SA to make the EVO option more affordable for SA riders. EVO version only available in UK/Europe as far as I know. I used the EVOC bike bag and protected the frame with foam pipe lagging. I also put cardboard around bike and around wheels as added protection. No damage to the bike so a thumbs up for the EVOC bike bag.
GrantRH Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 What rims did you fit to your bike? The stock Roval Traverse rims are heavy and I am looking at shaving some weight off. It should give the bike more snap off the start line.Take a look at the American Classic Wide Lightning. I put some on and very happy with them. Super wide and surprisingly light but tough. Also good value!
Spoke101 Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 Got back yesterday from a 3 month work contract in the UK. Assembled my Specialized Camber Expert EVO this morning and did a quick ride around local area on familiar turf. It makes my previous bike, the Momsen VIPA, look silly in almost every situation I throw at it. VIPA quicker on long hills but does not install any confidence when the riding gets more aggressive. The flimsy FOX Float 32 fork is a big culprit. Lighter wheels on my Camber will close that gap on the uphills and out of corners. I think a lot of buyers have been caught with all the marketing hype re the VIPA. It might be quicker for a handful of riders who are fit enough to tolerate the harsh ride. Just wish that Specialised would bring out the Aluminium version of the EVO Camber in SA to make the EVO option more affordable for SA riders. EVO version only available in UK/Europe as far as I know. I used the EVOC bike bag and protected the frame with foam pipe lagging. I also put cardboard around bike and around wheels as added protection. No damage to the bike so a thumbs up for the EVOC bike bag. All the 2016 Cambers are "essentially" Evo models and have rims widths 29mm internal on the Alu and 30mm on the Carbon hoops.
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