Trek Fuel EX 8 2015 or Specialized Camber (Alu) Comp 2016

[splat]

Yes, another one of these threads.

 

My stolen bike is/was a Giant Anthem X 29, but I am looking for a bit more travel (about 120mm F&R).

I am no XC racing whippet, and actually ride more road than MTB. W2W & Joberg2C are events that I might ride, but otherwise its Table Mountain or Tokai for me.

The two bikes listed above are top of the pile at the moment.

 

Both are 29'ers with 120mm travel, so those boxes are ticked.

They are both alu frames, so that's equal.

The Spez is 2016, so it up to date with modern standards

The Trek is 2015, but not outdated (except for Boost)

Neither has a dropper seatpost -  that will come in a few months

I will probably upgrade the drivetrain (1x11) and brakes on the Spez. There probably isn't budget for that on the Trek.

The Spez has nice wide rims & chunky tyres. The Trek, not as much.

 

What else to consider?

 

The Spez is about R33k and the Trek about R30k.

I am waiting to see what insurance will pay out. Hopefully close to R35k.

And that will influence my decision in the end.

 

Trek specs: http://archive.trekbikes.com/us/en/2015/Trek/fuel_ex_8_29#/us/en/2015/Trek/fuel_ex_8_29/details

 

Spaz specs: http://www.specialized.com/za/en/bikes/mountain/camber/camber-comp-29

 

Edits:

Prices updated

Trek colour changed

links to specs added

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

If the specs were equal, I'd get the trek purely for the better suspension design. But the wider rims and ability to put a dropper on the Spaz, and the fact that despite an inferior suspension design, it's still a REALLY good bike, plus the Trek has a 2015 FOX fork... 

 

I'd go Spaz. 

 

I say it's an inferior suspension design because you need the lockout on the climbs, and Trek's full floater & ABP design is amongst the best there is. 

 

But it's not SO inferior as to make it a bad bike. With the lockout on, it'll still climb like a billy-goat. Trek will just climb better with the lockout off. 

[Odinson]

I'd go for the Camber, for the following reasons:

 

1. RS Revelation fork;
2. Wide rims;
3. It's not baby blue; and 
4. I'm biased towards the Camber.

What are the prices you've been quoted?

[Iwan Kemp]

I'd go for the Camber, for the following reasons:

 

1. RS Revelation fork;
2. Wide rims;
3. It's not baby blue; and 
4. I'm biased towards the Camber.

What are the prices you've been quoted?

 

All of this (but not the question as you've answered that already!  ). But I'm also with Myles re suspension design. Trek has a nice wide tuning range and ABP works. No good if the bike is let down by the fork, though.

 

So to answer your question of Trek or Spez: Yes.

[splat]

I'd go for the Camber, for the following reasons:

1. RS Revelation fork;
2. Wide rims;
3. It's not baby blue; and 
4. I'm biased towards the Camber.

What are the prices you've been quoted?

The Spez is about R35k and the Trek about R38k

 

Revised pricing

Spez: about R33k

Trek: about R30k

[Odinson]

The Spez is about R35k and the Trek about R38k

 

Not much of a price difference.

 

I'd definitely go for the one with the forks and those tyres.

 

Maybe ask the bike shop if you can get the wheels converted to Perma Tubes, to sweeten the deal.

[nonky]

I have a spez 2016 camber comp carbon and it's an awesome bike...I would go spez, in my highly biased opinion

[Odinson]

If the specs were equal, I'd get the trek purely for the better suspension design. But the wider rims and ability to put a dropper on the Spaz, and the fact that despite an inferior suspension design, it's still a REALLY good bike, plus the Trek has a 2015 FOX fork... 

 

I'd go Spaz. 

 

I say it's an inferior suspension design because you need the lockout on the climbs, and Trek's full floater & ABP design is amongst the best there is. 

 

But it's not SO inferior as to make it a bad bike. With the lockout on, it'll still climb like a billy-goat. Trek will just climb better with the lockout off. 

 

That's quite the sweeping statement. I have a good mind to report you to Spez' legal dept.

 

The primary benefit of Trek's ABP is that it remains active under braking and Full Floater allows for better tunability.

 

FSR, on the other hand, is a very active suspension, so technical climbing is helped out by the rear wheel tracking the ground well.

 

You'll be hard pressed to have an average rider be able to tell you the difference between a FSR and ABP/FF system based on feel alone. 

[dirtypot]

The Spaz looks nice.

The Trek looks nice.

 

Flip a coin.

 

For me, I don't really like the rocker arm on the Trek, but that's a relatively minor point.  Both are great bikes.  I agree with Myles about the rear suspension though.  They are completely different and you'd have to be a total noob not to notice it.

[splat]

Not much of a price difference.

 

I'd definitely go for the one with the forks and those tyres.

 

Maybe ask the bike shop if you can get the wheels converted to Perma Tubes, to sweeten the deal.

Price difference is even less (R3k), but stock and availability may be an issue.

 

The Spez is tubeless ready. Just sealant to be added.

Trek is also tubeless ready. Not sure if it needs strips as well as sealant.

 

I also need to compare dropper seatpost compatibility. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Price difference is even less (R3k), but stock and availability may be an issue.

 

The Spez is tubeless ready. Just sealant to be added.

Trek is also tubeless ready. Not sure if it needs strips as well as sealant.

 

I also need to compare dropper seatpost compatibility.

With the trek, out the box I'd suggest a wheel upgrade and a change to the 2016 fox damper. Spaz is sorted out the box and cheaper.

 

Both can accept droppers. Just not sure of stealth ability on either frame. I think the camber is stealth compatible cos it shares the frame with the stumpy, which takes the command post.

[Odinson]

My final 2c.

 

Get the bike that you will be happy with "out of the box". Don't drop almost R40k and then have to spend more cash on a new fork damper, wheelset, etc.

 

You're guaranteed to want to do some upgrades at some point, as that is the curse of cycling, but you preferably don't want to do it immediately.

[Sidewinder.]

2016 fuel ex is where it's at! If you have another bike to ride in the interim, save and get that instead!

[rock]

we need a third option, not feeling either of those two

[rickus grobled]

I love giant and since you had a giant, why not go for the giant trance? It'll be the best value for money...

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I love giant and since you had a giant, why not go for the giant trance? It'll be the best value for money...

He's looking for less travel than the trance.