Camber Carbon Comp 29 or Enduro Comp 29

[KarlvN]

Okay,

 

A lot has been said lately about all the trail bikes available on the market nowadays, and I have just about read every thread on this forum related to this topic.

 

Here is my question in this matter.

 

I am about to pull the trigger on a dedicated trail bike. I have decided on the Specialized Camber or Enduro. My reasons are as follows:

 

1. I am a big boy (1.90m , 112 kilos or thereabouts )

2. I tend to be "hard" on my toys

3. I like hitting the odd jump, rock garden etc.

4. I prefer trails like Bloemendaaler, Red Phoenix at Jonkers, Cobra at Hoogekraal over you garden variety soft trail such as Bloemendal, Meerendal etc.

5. The out of the box wheel sets of the Spez bikes are not bad. Rovals with 29mm inner diameter as opposed the usual 21mm found on just about every bike out there.

6. My budget is set a heart stopping 50k

7. I am unsure if 650B might be a bit cramped for me, hence 29er

 

So, in a nutshell, what are the opinions re the Enduro vs Camber? I am not exactly a marathon rider, but do every now and then like to put in a big slog of say between 65 and 85 km's.

 

Enduro R48999.00 according to the website

 

https://www.specialized.com/za/en/bikes/mountain/trail/enduro-comp-29/106624

 

 

Camber R53999.00 according to the website

 

https://www.specialized.com/za/en/bikes/mountain/trail/camber-comp-carbon-29/106275

 

Cheers,

 

Karl

[Nick]

Have you considered a Stumpjumper? Middle of the two.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Yo Karl - firstly, wheelsize has nothing to do with height. Forget that bit of nonsense right now. It won't do you any good. From the reviews, the 650 Enduro tends to be more playful than the 29er, whereas the 29er is a point and shoot "gimme what you got" type of ride.

 

Secondly - I'd also throw the Stumpjumper into the mix, if you're set on Specialized. If not, consider the Reign and / or Trance as well. Great bikes, those.

 

For your intended purposes, I'd go more towards the Stumpjumper / Enduro side than the Camber. Reason being - if you're a big lad (and you are) and you like hitting rock gardens, jumps and so on, then the camber may be a little bit too "trail centric" for your purposes. It's not really designed to take big hits and carry on trucking, though it can if you really need it to. 

 

The stumpy and Enduro, on the other hand, are built to take on the rough stuff yet still be able to pedal on all-day efforts with a few changes (more pressure in the fork & shock for one) and will be better suited to the gnarl. 

 

So - my gut feel would be the Enduro, or the Stumpjumper. When considering the latter part of your requirements, I'd say the Stumpy would take the edge from the Enduro. It can still smash heavy trails with ease, and it has almost the same head angle as the Enduro, but its slightly lower travel will suit longer efforts in the saddle better than the Enduro would. 

 

But if it's between the Camber and Enduro - definitely the Enduro. 

[nonky]

2016 Camber is the perfect "quiver" bike - it can do (almost) everything.

 

120mm front and rear; 29mm rims; dropper; 1x11; SWAT box - only the crappy "waffle" grips need to be replaced.

 

 

 

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/mountain-bikes/full-suspension/product/review-specialized-camber-comp-carbon-29-50284/

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

2016 Camber is the perfect "quiver" bike - it can do (almost) everything.

 

120mm front and rear; 29mm rims; dropper; 1x11; SWAT box - only the crappy "waffle" grips need to be replaced.

 

 

 

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/mountain-bikes/full-suspension/product/review-specialized-camber-comp-carbon-29-50284/

Gotta disagree with you there, especially if you're a tad "big boned" and like to hit big stuff. Yes, it can do it on a Camber, if you're good on a bike, but it's not its primary focus. A bike like the Stumpy would be a far better bike to serve as a "quiver-killer" given the pure range of its focus. Yes, it has the same front triangle as the Camber, but still. Slightly more relaxed head angle, more license for stupidity, can still do a multi-day-event with ease... 

[Julian]

Agree with what they've said, definitely consider the stumpy. The camber is for a good balance between xc and trail riding. Although I think if anyone is going to spend that money on a bike you should at least ride it first, if you go down to the specialized stellenbosch shop (judging by the places you said you like to ride) and ask if you can test ride your options they do have all your options in the shop I'm sure they will be happy to help then you can get a feel of which you would like best.

[Stevief]

Dont forget that to get to the top of those trails you mentioned you need a bike that can climb.  So taking that into account the Camber could be the best bet for going up and down.  

Also i ride a Camber Carbon and it hammers pretty much anything those trails you mentioned have got.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Dont forget that to get to the top of those trails you mentioned you need a bike that can climb.  So taking that into account the Camber could be the best bet for going up and down.  

Also i ride a Camber Carbon and it hammers pretty much anything those trails you mentioned have got.

Both the stumpy and the enduro can climb very well. It's mostly up to the person on the saddle these days. You may be faster on the camber on the way up, but not by much. 

[KarlvN]

Yo Karl - firstly, wheelsize has nothing to do with height. Forget that bit of nonsense right now. It won't do you any good. From the reviews, the 650 Enduro tends to be more playful than the 29er, whereas the 29er is a point and shoot "gimme what you got" type of ride.

 

Secondly - I'd also throw the Stumpjumper into the mix, if you're set on Specialized. If not, consider the Reign and / or Trance as well. Great bikes, those.

 

For your intended purposes, I'd go more towards the Stumpjumper / Enduro side than the Camber. Reason being - if you're a big lad (and you are) and you like hitting rock gardens, jumps and so on, then the camber may be a little bit too "trail centric" for your purposes. It's not really designed to take big hits and carry on trucking, though it can if you really need it to. 

 

The stumpy and Enduro, on the other hand, are built to take on the rough stuff yet still be able to pedal on all-day efforts with a few changes (more pressure in the fork & shock for one) and will be better suited to the gnarl. 

 

So - my gut feel would be the Enduro, or the Stumpjumper. When considering the latter part of your requirements, I'd say the Stumpy would take the edge from the Enduro. It can still smash heavy trails with ease, and it has almost the same head angle as the Enduro, but its slightly lower travel will suit longer efforts in the saddle better than the Enduro would. 

 

But if it's between the Camber and Enduro - definitely the Enduro. 

 

 

Hey Myles,

 

Thanks for the honest opinion, it really helps. Spending so much cash on a bike is a serious affair, and I sure cannot do it often enough to justify buying any old bike just to replace it in the short run if it's not a perfect fit.

 

That said, I agree with regards to the Stumpy. I have done my homework on mostly the Camber and Enduro, and always felt the Stumpy was too close to the Camber for consideration. Clearly I was looking at the wrong bike.

 

As mentioned, I am "BIG BONED" - (ahem), and I want something that will survive the big-ish knocks that I will be exposing it too. In saying that I wont be klapping any gap-jumps any time soon, although the odd table top has not escaped my attention. My current hardtail is begging me to let it be...

 

I am not per say stuck on Specialized, I have just felt that they offer a better option to a hard rider such as myself. Somehow when I look at a Trance, which is sexy as heck, I feel like in order to get it "Karl-proof" is going to cost a pretty penny, hence the Spesh. They come somewhat "Karl-proof" from the showroom floor.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

In that case: stumpy, reign or enduro. Large or extra large, leaning towards xl with short stem.

 

Agreed on the trance unless it has the fox 34 or pike. Stock 32 just isn't for us bulky people

[Mawbs]

i would def go Enduro for one reason it Has a Pike upfront the other 2 have revelation 

[KarlvN]

i would def go Enduro for one reason it Has a Pike upfront the other 2 have revelation 

 

That is the main attraction for now...

 

that, and the price.

[KarlvN]

In that case: stumpy, reign or enduro. Large or extra large, leaning towards xl with short stem.

 

Agreed on the trance unless it has the fox 34 or pike. Stock 32 just isn't for us bulky people

 

The Enduro has some sexiness about it, although the Stumpy is not far behind in the looks department. I am a bit concerned with the 1x11 groupset on the Enduro though, as I am not the world's fastest climber, and need as much assistance as I can get. (hauling all these big bones up a hill has many drawbacks...)

 

For instance, would the 1x groupsets leave me hiking the climbs such as Jonkers / Welvanpas, or should I then lean more towards 2x options?

[edgarblount]

Stumpy Carbon + Versus Jellybean socks!! Boom.

 

[Ratty]

Try and ride them at a Test day.  They are all very different to ride and you might just find that the one that makes sense to your head, doesn't make sense to your heart.

 

I rode the Camber, Stumpy 29er and Stumpy 650b Fattie at Helderberg.

 

Loved the Camber and if it was my only bike, this is the one I could get.  But for just a trail bike, I thought my position was too much like an XC bike.

 

I didn't like the Stumpy 29er for some reason, but this was the one my mates all raved about and when going there I thought it would be the one I buy. 

 

The Stumpy 650b Fattie is awesome and I fell in love with it.  You get so much extra grip with the bigger tyres and its a really fun bike to ride.

 

 

R50k is a big investment and you need to be sure you are buying the right bike for you.

[Paul Ruinaard]

Have you considered a Stumpjumper? Middle of the two.

I have owned an Enduro and also have a mate with a Stumpy and the current set up i have is an S Works Epic with wider tyres and rims and a longer fork (130mm) for various reasons - like wanting a cAmber but just not having enough cash to spot for one.

 

I am lusting after a camber.

 

And I am your weight and height. And ride like you

 

So I know your thinking.

 

Myles comments very valid wrt the Enduro - its a large All Mountain Frame with lots of travel and as such a big hit bike - not designed for longer XC epics and such - you can't build it without about 150mm on the front and get away without pedal strikes (i tried). So its a marvellous bike but is Enduro/AM. 

 

If you want to be able to do the occasional longer ride and have something that bridges the gap the Stumpy 29er is the biscuit.

 

The Camber i think would be too small.

 

If I had the choice there's no doubt i would get the Stumpy - its more versatile and can run with the XC machines on longer rides as the platform is pretty stable to pedal whereas the Enduro has longer legs and travel activation is so much plusher so it will bob a lot on climbs.

 

And being a big lad you need the help on the uphills.

 

And I have analysed this decision and fantasized about the build as well.

 

As  big guy unless you are very fit get 2 x up front at least and a bash guard if not. 

 

What I would do is build some two wheelsets. Big wheels and lightweight wheels. Depending on what i am riding I would have a heavier set with big 2.3 tyres on the AM rides and a lighter set for the XC type rides.

 

Problem solved.

 

One bike - 2 uses.