Vs ... 2016 Spez Camber Comp vs 2016 Giant Trance Adv 2

[Lifer]

I'm sitting in more or less the same boat as the similar topic debating the Camber Comp with the 2015 Fuel Ex but considering the 2016 Camber Comp or the 2016 Giant Trance Adv 2.

 

I'm new to proper MTB as been overseas in flat, road country but not new to endurance & multi sports. I'm looking for something I can use for XC & stage racing (erm riding, say top 10 - 20% of field) but as I live in STB it would be a shame to have very limited trail ability, hence the 120+travel. My ultimate goal is not to ride super technical trail but at least have a machine that is comfortable on smaller drops/ hops & single track but used for mixed rides & potentially adventure racing. I'm also not looking to upgrade the complete rig too often with 5 - 10 events a yr and moderate training (tend to do more trail running - but balance may change if the ride inspires it)

 

The Giant has a dropper post already on board as well as the same Carbon frame as Giant's top trance adv. but I think a lessor fork in the RockShox Sektor Gold RL vs the Camber's RockShox Revelation RC3?  Components otherwise seem slightly better on the Giant. Price indication is about R4k - R5k more for the Giant. (I can't justify more than R40k).

 

The "but" - the Trance Adv is 27.5" and fitted with 140mm travel, so I'm thinking more trail and less XC versus the Camber which I think looks like more XC than trail (? I think based on ltd experience?). I think I'm looking for more XC than trail based on current expectations...

 

The carbon frame is probably the main draw for the Giant. Mainly for frame life with potential parts upgrades in future. I'm just not sure if I'll sacrifice too much XC (speed/ roll) for trail handling that I will probably not use by going Trance adv 27.5"?

 

Yes, they say test and choose the one you like, but finding a test bike isn't as easy as said... never ridden a 27.5" to know if it'd make a diff to me...

 

Any advice from those more in the know would be appreciated.

[Odinson]

On forks alone, I'd say go for the Camber. The Sektor is the likeable, but less talented brother of the Revelation.

 

Spec sheets and pricing aside, these are two very different bikes. The Trance is a bit of a wild child (some even consider it a bit of a giant killer), whereas the Camber still has the heart of an XC racer.

 

Ride both, if you can, but based on your post, I'd say go for the Camber.

[Lifer]

Appreciate the feedback Odinson. 

[DanielJhb]

In my opinion there's no point splurging on a carbon frame when the rest of the spec is sub par. For your price range rather go with a good alu frame and higher level parts, especially if - as you said - you do not intend upgrading anytime soon. Good wheelset is more nb than a carbon frame, if I was you I would look at the giant anthem + or alu trance or similar for around 30k and add a giant dropper for 2k and good wheelset and maybe carbon bars with the balance of 8k. 140mm travel for stage races is a bit excessive and the trance climbs well but is definitely not a cross country bike with the 67deg head angle and is more of a sit and grind type of bike. I reckon 120mm is your sweetspot. Most bike companies are now moving towards different wheel sizes for different model sizes (i.e 29er for L or Xl and 27.5 for M and S) so maybe let your height be determining factor on that front.

[justanotherbiker]

Great topic - subscribed.

 

@Lifer any more progress on your decision yet?

[Lifer]

Well I managed to get a Camper Comp Carbon (large) to test and took it out on a variety of trails/ dirt roads. I'm 1.8m & a pretty mediocre technical skill level.

 

Observations:

• Loved the roll of the 29" - the usual things: where previously had to pick lines carefully on the 26" or even bail, now just looked ahead to next obstacle on trail & smashed it on the downhill jeep tracks. Also def held momentum better taking me over short rises I used to have to peddle up on 26".
• Made good use of the dropper post (not on the Alu Comp) on the tech stuff so will look to fit one.
• 1x11 on the carbon was cool, fine for climbing some pretty steep stuff but did run out of heavy gears on descending & tar bit home though not a train smash. Recon would keep the 2x on the Comp due to cost but like the simplicity for future.
• Lost confidence on the tighter corners & dropping into sharp corners but pretty sure that is skill & technique related. Though would love to test the trance adv 2 on similar trails to compare. Unfort I haven't been able to source a test bike (and in fact LBS can no longer source the bike @ previously mentioned price so now its off the list).

So was pretty happy with the Camber (based on the carbon model I tested though) and think it would suit the riding I would like to do although difficult to say without riding a trance adv or similar 27.5" trail spec, especially on the technical stuff. For now I recon I'd benefit most from more technical training & prob a skills course to improve confidence & ability on the technical stuff although the trail spec would help a bit now and more later probably.

 

So question is where to compromise; a bit of rolling speed on XC style stuff or a bit of comfort/confidence on trail. Can most likely get more confidence on trail from training than by bike choice at this point. Since I no longer have a sourced Trance Adv 2 in price range I'll likely go with the Camber Comp & improve skill level as well as pay attention to my limits to hold back on tech trails (have previously landed in ICU thanks to not knowing the limits of a bike & my skill...). I am however awaiting a quote on a custom build Santa Cruz frame from another LBS so will wait on that but if price/specs out then likely the Camber Comp will be it.

[L.T.G]

I don't think you can go wrong with the Camber.

Can't comment on the Giant, but after being a on a camber for the last 18 months, I still fall in love with the bike during every ride.

I rode a 2014 Comp Carbon for the better part of that time and a 2016 for the last 2 months.

The '14 was amazing... but the '16 is the business! It's so awesome!

Climbs like a mountain goat on coke and descends like it's on a soaped slide... just flies!

Also I never quite got dropper posts.. till I had one, makes a huge difference.

[Lifer]

I got hold of a 2015 Trek Fuel Ex8 to test and was pretty surprised by the experience. The test bike was in a medium whereas the Camber I tested was a large frame. At 1.8m large seemed the fit however either the Trek was a way better ride or the frame size made a huge difference. I was almost set on the Spez now going to have to do a bit more thinking.

 

Key differences (note large 2016 Camber Comp Carbon Spez vs medium 2015 Trek Fuel Ex8):

• Far more confident on tech stuff on the trek, was riding stuff I felt I was out of control on on the Spez, particularly steep drop offs and tight corners. 
• trek didn't have a dropper and I didn't feel like I needed one at all, simply popped butt off of the back.
• Trek seemed to be more sluggish on the uphill (Spez was the higher specked Carbon Comp)
• Wheels felt smaller on the Trek (but both 29") - i.e. felt could handle better (head further forward due to frame size) but larger Spez felt like a cruizer down hill (non-technical)
• Think I may still have been quicker on the Spez even though getting off on tech stuff but route was not identical as decided to take more technical trails on the Trek due to higher confidence.
• Trek was comfy at the start but after 2 hrs frame started to feel cramped.
• Traction seemed better on the Spez tyres

Next step, find out if this was all  just the frame size talking... If so then prefer the fork on the Spez but will check price. Just wandering if comfort on the frame will change as skill increases i.e. a smaller frame feels better now like a bmx would feel on tech stuff but if skill higher then L would work better?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

What size stem was on the Spez? 

 

A longer framed bike with a shorter stem would handle better at speed than the shorter framed bike with longer stem. Would also explain why you felt a bit stretched out on the Spaz, and why it felt a bit more unwieldy. You should NOT be on a Medium, in my opinion. 

 

Large all the way. And yes, you'll experience the cramped feeling if you're on there for too long. 

 

For what it's worth, I'm exactly the same height as you and I'm riding a Large Giant Reign. Going down to a 35mm stem when I can get hold of one. 

[KarlvN]

Lifer, any indication of the price point for the Spez? I am also looking at either the Camber Comp, Giant Trance or Trek Fuel Ex8 myself as well. All have their pro's and cons, except I am unsure of the wheel size of the Trance, as I am 1.89m tall, and I sense the 27.5" might be a tad on the small size for a giant such as myself. Also, the wide Roval rims on the Spez are a huge attraction to me pre-upgrade.

[Lifer]

Lifer, any indication of the price point for the Spez? I am also looking at either the Camber Comp, Giant Trance or Trek Fuel Ex8 myself as well. All have their pro's and cons, except I am unsure of the wheel size of the Trance, as I am 1.89m tall, and I sense the 27.5" might be a tad on the small size for a giant such as myself. Also, the wide Roval rims on the Spez are a huge attraction to me pre-upgrade.

So far I haven't discussed price with LBS, the marked price is R34k if I am not mistaken. 2016 Trek they said would be way more hence looking at the 2015 stock.

 

After the control I had on the Trek this weekend I doubt I will consider 27.5 as handling was perfect on the 29'. I got the feeling a correctly set-up/ sized 29' would be perfect. 

 

I enjoyed the Spez wheels more than the 2015 Trek's.

[Lifer]

What size stem was on the Spez? 

 

A longer framed bike with a shorter stem would handle better at speed than the shorter framed bike with longer stem. Would also explain why you felt a bit stretched out on the Spaz, and why it felt a bit more unwieldy. You should NOT be on a Medium, in my opinion. 

 

Large all the way. And yes, you'll experience the cramped feeling if you're on there for too long. 

 

For what it's worth, I'm exactly the same height as you and I'm riding a Large Giant Reign. Going down to a 35mm stem when I can get hold of one. 

Not sure what size stem was on the Carbon Camber, std length listed is 100mm so most likely that one? thanks for the tip, will look into a shorter set-up.

 

According to Spez sizing, yes def shouldn't be on a medium and besides the bmx type control I had on the Trek I also def felt like my knees were cramped. So will look at the feel of the Large. 

[Speeltyd]

Went from Scott Spark to Epic (SWorks 2nd hand), and thought it was a big improvement. Now got a 2016 Camber Comp Carbon and find it an amazing ride. Solid and steady on technical downhill, easy on climbs, comfortable on twisty singletrack - this is just the bike for me. I upgraded to Carbon rims, but mainly because I needed a 32 spoke hub/rim for my PowerTap. Even so, certainly an improvement for me on my previous rides.

[KarlvN]

So far I haven't discussed price with LBS, the marked price is R34k if I am not mistaken. 2016 Trek they said would be way more hence looking at the 2015 stock.

 

After the control I had on the Trek this weekend I doubt I will consider 27.5 as handling was perfect on the 29'. I got the feeling a correctly set-up/ sized 29' would be perfect. 

 

I enjoyed the Spez wheels more than the 2015 Trek's.

 

I was at the LBS looking at the Trek 2 weeks ago, and the sales guy did a body measurement and said I should ride the Large. At first the ride (in the parking area, so not really saying much performance wise) felt a bit cramped, but then he lifted the seat to my height and then the bike felt better. I am still unsure of the wheel size which was for the 27.5 (it also comes in 29er which I did not ride at the time) as I come of a 29er HT, and I am used to sending it on the trails, so to me the only place I really struggle is off-camber switchback climbs on my current bike.

 

Perhaps as Myles mentioned, shortening the stem might help with that?

 

Other than that, I think the Camber is a way sexier option, and it is designed as a good go-between for XC / Trail riding, if there is truly such a thing. The only thing though is the Spez is lower specced than it's rivals in terms of groupset etc. I like the 120mm travel and the wide rims ( as mentioned ) as well as the 200mm brake discs. Those kind of make up (for me at least) for a lower spec group set (SRAM X7 / GX mix vs. Shimano XT on similar priced machines)

 

Any thoughts?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Not sure what size stem was on the Carbon Camber, std length listed is 100mm so most likely that one? thanks for the tip, will look into a shorter set-up.

 

According to Spez sizing, yes def shouldn't be on a medium and besides the bmx type control I had on the Trek I also def felt like my knees were cramped. So will look at the feel of the Large. 

THAT'S HUUUUUGE!!!

 

No wonder you felt stretched out! Seriously, stick a 50/60mm stem on there and it'll be plain sailing. And the Camber deserves short & wide in the cockpit. Seriously does. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

So far I haven't discussed price with LBS, the marked price is R34k if I am not mistaken. 2016 Trek they said would be way more hence looking at the 2015 stock.

 

After the control I had on the Trek this weekend I doubt I will consider 27.5 as handling was perfect on the 29'. I got the feeling a correctly set-up/ sized 29' would be perfect. 

 

I enjoyed the Spez wheels more than the 2015 Trek's.

 

 

I was at the LBS looking at the Trek 2 weeks ago, and the sales guy did a body measurement and said I should ride the Large. At first the ride (in the parking area, so not really saying much performance wise) felt a bit cramped, but then he lifted the seat to my height and then the bike felt better. I am still unsure of the wheel size which was for the 27.5 (it also comes in 29er which I did not ride at the time) as I come of a 29er HT, and I am used to sending it on the trails, so to me the only place I really struggle is off-camber switchback climbs on my current bike.

 

Perhaps as Myles mentioned, shortening the stem might help with that?

 

Other than that, I think the Camber is a way sexier option, and it is designed as a good go-between for XC / Trail riding, if there is truly such a thing. The only thing though is the Spez is lower specced than it's rivals in terms of groupset etc. I like the 120mm travel and the wide rims ( as mentioned ) as well as the 200mm brake discs. Those kind of make up (for me at least) for a lower spec group set (SRAM X7 / GX mix vs. Shimano XT on similar priced machines)

 

Any thoughts?

@ 1.89m tall you should be solidly on an XL frame. No doubt about it. Remember, the body measurement software etc supposes a stem length of roadie proportions, and as a result will try to stick you on a bike that is too small for you, but with a long ass stem to "make it fit"

 

This is NOT road cycling, this is MTB. A shorter stem and wider bar improve handling in ALL conditions but climbing, and the slight negative effect on climbing position can be adjusted with proper technique. 

 

As for the wheelsize - that doesn't matter. What matters is the geometry of the bike itself. A 29er won't be higher off the ground than a 650b just because it has bigger wheels - the BB heights will be about the same, which means your COG will be just about the same, which means the only difference between a 9er and a 650b and a 6er will be the size of the wheels, and the slight difference that makes when it comes to gearing (final drive ratio due to size of the wheel) and roll-over on corrugated trails. 

 

Wheel size and height have boggerall to do with each other...