Help me keep up with my wife (upgrading)

[pigsteyn]

Dear hubbers,

 

I have a bit of a dilemma that I hope some of you can help with.

 

Picture this: 

My wife is on an old 2011 26er Stumpy that the previous owner never serviced and not the right size for her, so it rides like crap. I'm on a 2008 Scott Aspect FX-15, which is a tank and rides almost as bad as her Stumpy.

 

Then, thanks to a very lucky break we upgraded her to an S-Works Epic (26er running 27.5 wheels), and needless to say, I am in deep trouble now. No more chilling, checking out the scenery on our weekend rides. Now I have to peddle my ass off just to try and keep up with her - and she's the one enjoying the scenery.

 

I have to upgrade and I have to do it FAST!

Bitcoin sold, Outbonus paid and thanks to a generous Christmas bonus I finally have enough to look at a real purchase.

Due to where I stay there is 3 options: Giant, Specialized... or buy something over the internet (which I'm not too keen on). And yes, I really really WANT to get a new bike.

 

90% of our riding is done on dirt road and jeep-track. Long rides up to 4 hours with loads of climbing.

We'll do the odd "race" without actually racing. Karoo2Coast kind of stuff. Nothing too technical. But, this all can change in the next 5 years.

 

Budget = R40k - this is the absolute max

A comfortable ride is a very high requirement - and I need to keep up with the carbon S-Works if, let's say, fitness levels are the same and dropping a few kilos is not currently possible ;P

 

My available options seem to be the following:

Giant Anthem 2 29er 2018 - about 38ish after discount

Spec Camber 29 - 26k

Spec Camber Comp 29 - 36k

Spec Epic Comp - 40k

Spec Epic HT Comp Carbon - 40k

 

What would you guys suggest based on the kind of stuff I ride.

PS: I have brand new XT M8000 set of the following. This can all go on the new bike in order to upgrade any worst components.

 

11 speed cassette and chain

Rear deraileur

Read Shifter

Front and rear brakes

Wolftooth oval 32 chainring

 

If anyone read this far... thanks!

 

[Flemish Lion]

According to the latest Pinarello advert you should opt for an electric mtbike

[coppi]

You will get a lot fitter by keeping up 

Giant Anthem all the way.............

[Allrounder]

Buy the giant, and when you upgrade again get a Santa Cruz. 

[Jewbacca]

Camber... It really is the quiver killer, especially if you start doing some trail riding.

[Mtree]

Out of interest, why don't you consider a Momsen? The Momsen Vipa 2 (2017), Momsen is based in Port-Elizabeth.

[pigsteyn]

Out of interest, why don't you consider a Momsen? The Momsen Vipa 2 (2017), Momsen is based in Port-Elizabeth.

 

I did drool over it a bit... but a bit more than what I have to spend

Won't it be total overkill for what I want to do with it?

[slickjay007]

I give Giant a thumbs up

[SuperDooperSnooper]

Giant or Spez Camber Comp. Latter will probably be more comfortable and versatile. That said, you'll probably get more bang for buck with the Anthem.

Unless you think you will change into a proper racing snake, the Epic is more a show&tell option.

[Letum911]

I would go with the Giant if I was in your position and looking to buy.

 

But out of interest why don't you consider building seeing that you already have that much of the groupset?

 

Frame: R10k

Wheels: R7k

Fork: R10k

Lyne Crank, Cockpit & Dropper: R5k.

 

Leaves you with a nice amount of change for a seat and some beer to enjoy whilst you're drooling over the beauty you have created.

[pigsteyn]

I would go with the Giant if I was in your position and looking to buy.

 

But out of interest why don't you consider building seeing that you already have that much of the groupset?

 

Frame: R10k

Wheels: R7k

Fork: R10k

Lyne Crank, Cockpit & Dropper: R5k.

 

Leaves you with a nice amount of change for a seat and some beer to enjoy whilst you're drooling over the beauty you have created.

 

Hmmm.... never thought of that.

What frame would you suggest for that price?

[linuxlg]

I owned the Camber, Loved it very much.

[RobertWhitehead]

Hmmm.... never thought of that.

What frame would you suggest for that price?

 

I second Letum hey, you can get away a lot cheaper than buying a complete bike. 

 

I absolutely love Trek and Cannondale and that's what I would go for rather than Spez hey. The maintenance on a Spez is quite expensive and you already have quite a big stash of parts. 

 

PS. Why did you sell you BTC? Granted you could get insane gains by rather investing in Alt Coins but either or, it's worth hanging in there with the investment until after the fork in December

 

Cheers

[Bigjim]

Lots of used Pyga's in the classifieds also - those or a Camber would be my choice

[Mr lee]

I feel your pain with keeping up    

 

My wife's first bike was a 27.5 and mine was a 29r. Due to the smaller wheel size I obviously got a little further per peddle stroke but when we upgraded to full sussers last year and she went up to a 29r she was right on my back side 

 

It's now changed around again cause I have gotten fitter and stronger over the past year 

 

You will get there 

[Letum911]

Hmmm.... never thought of that.

What frame would you suggest for that price?

 

Depends on whether you want Hardtail or Dual sus. There's a Pyga One Ten (medium I believe) in the classifieds. 

 

From my experience if you want a dual sus for your use I'll go Pyga, Giant or Cannondale.

 

Hardtail: At the moment there's an awesome Lynskey in the classifieds!! Alternatively if you shop around a bit you have endless options. My personal choice would be a Momsen STR steel frame, but I'm biased

 

 

*To add: On a frame I would suggest you shop secondhand. The warranties normally don't carry over but you can get a lot more ito bang for your buck than going new!!