Odinson Posted October 12, 2015 Share Thanks for your feedback - all you guys are epic! I'm going back to the store this morning so will go with lots and lots of questions. It would be great if the Specialized website allowed you to compare different model years of their bikes on their site..... WIsh me luck! If you can, definitely go for the 2016 bikes. Like others said, it's a new product cycle and your frame will be up to date for at least another 2-3 years. I'd go for the 650B option, but the 29ers will be just as good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilton. Posted October 12, 2015 Share Thanks for your feedback - all you guys are epic! I'm going back to the store this morning so will go with lots and lots of questions. It would be great if the Specialized website allowed you to compare different model years of their bikes on their site..... WIsh me luck! Oh, but you can! Check out their bike archive. You have to scroll down to the bottom of the page, and click the link "Bike Archive", which is under "Support". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 12, 2015 Share Insofar as a good starter bike goes, the Camber is (regrettably - just kidding!) a great option. With regard to the 2015 to 2016 option - go 2016 for sure. Better spec, better frame, better suspension design. As Nico points out, a flat out better bike. You do have other options at the same price point, but insofar as a complete package goes, Spaz has come a long way to ensure that they offer a good option at an affordable price point that doesn't get blown out of the water by the likes of the Rocky Mountain Element / Thunderbolt / Instinct (VERY good bikes, but more expensive) or Giant's Anthem SX & Trance (also very good option, but only has travel either side of the Camber) Moral of the story - 2016 Camber. Buy it. It's a great bike, no matter what the "haters" say. BTW - the "hater" mindset is only really as a result of the snob-factor of a large portion of Specialized's target market, and how they "look down" on pretty much anything non-spaz. They're not "bad bikes" - it's more of a BMW / Audi / Merc driver thing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johny Bravo Posted October 12, 2015 Share I see you are all saying 2016 Camber. It is a better bike than the 2015, agreed. But consider the 2015 carbon is R39 999, at the moment, and the 2016 carbon is R55 000. Thats a big difference, a huuuge difference. 2015 Camber was and still is a hugely capable bike. As a noobie would you spend the xtra money, I wouldnt. No ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttley Posted October 12, 2015 Share Insofar as a good starter bike goes, the Camber is (regrettably - just kidding!) a great option. With regard to the 2015 to 2016 option - go 2016 for sure. Better spec, better frame, better suspension design. As Nico points out, a flat out better bike. You do have other options at the same price point, but insofar as a complete package goes, Spaz has come a long way to ensure that they offer a good option at an affordable price point that doesn't get blown out of the water by the likes of the Rocky Mountain Element / Thunderbolt / Instinct (VERY good bikes, but more expensive) or Giant's Anthem SX & Trance (also very good option, but only has travel either side of the Camber) Moral of the story - 2016 Camber. Buy it. It's a great bike, no matter what the "haters" say. BTW - the "hater" mindset is only really as a result of the snob-factor of a large portion of Specialized's target market, and how they "look down" on pretty much anything non-spaz. They're not "bad bikes" - it's more of a BMW / Audi / Merc driver thing... I see you are all saying 2016 Camber. It is a better bike than the 2015, agreed. But consider the 2015 carbon is R39 999, at the moment, and the 2016 carbon is R55 000. Thats a big difference, a huuuge difference. 2015 Camber was and still is a hugely capable bike. As a noobie would you spend the xtra money, I wouldnt. No ways. I'm beginning to sound like a broken record but thanks- I wasn't expecting this amount of feedback and input and this goes for everyone that's helped out. I've phoned around and as Johny mentioned- the 2016 price is in my opinion too much to spend for a first bile- I've already blown my first budget out the water, did the same with the second and here I am... I've paid a deposit on a 2015 Camber Comp Carbon 29- Going to get a demo bike tomorrow to try out again and will then begin eating plain bread for the next 3 months once I get my new bike I'm currently feeling like the kid who's locked out the candy store right now.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 12, 2015 Share I see you are all saying 2016 Camber. It is a better bike than the 2015, agreed. But consider the 2015 carbon is R39 999, at the moment, and the 2016 carbon is R55 000. Thats a big difference, a huuuge difference. 2015 Camber was and still is a hugely capable bike. As a noobie would you spend the xtra money, I wouldnt. No ways.You raise a very good point, Johny. Is it worth R 15k more for the new version? IMO - no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilton. Posted October 12, 2015 Share You raise a very good point, Johny. Is it worth R 15k more for the new version? IMO - no. I think the huge difference in price is less about the changes made for the 2016 model year vs 2015 (which are significant), and more about the fact that they left the price of the 2015 stay pretty much the same for months, despite the crashing Rand. Its just a case that the 2016 model is priced according to R13.75 per $. Prices aside, a 2015 Spec Camber Comp Carbon is awesome from all I've heard Wish I was getting that bike! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 12, 2015 Share I think the huge difference in price is less about the changes made for the 2016 model year vs 2015 (which are significant), and more about the fact that they left the price of the 2015 stay pretty much the same for months, despite the crashing Rand. Its just a case that the 2016 model is priced according to R13.75 per $. Prices aside, a 2015 Spec Camber Comp Carbon is awesome from all I've heard Wish I was getting that bike!Agreed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicoBoshoff Posted October 12, 2015 Share Was advising the 2016 Comp as a candidate. Not comp carbon. So R29k vs R33k was what I worked with (not my fault some of us have plastic on the brains But if you were keen on Carbon, then you did the right thing, since the 2016 pricing beyond the entry levels is, well...let's just leave it at "intimidating". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttley Posted October 12, 2015 Share Was advising the 2016 Comp as a candidate. Not comp carbon. So R29k vs R33k was what I worked with (not my fault some of us have plastic on the brains But if you were keen on Carbon, then you did the right thing, since the 2016 pricing beyond the entry levels is, well...let's just leave it at "intimidating". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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