Which bike

[Fox3]

Hi Hubland,

 

I recently demoed 3 bikes. Threw one out same day due to not being my cup of tea.

 

No I have the option of 2 bikes. Nothing else really concerns me except the travel. 

 

Bike A is 130mm front and 130mm rear.

Bike B is 140mm front and 135mm rear.

(Coming of 110mm front and rear)

 

Is that enough of a difference to be significant? Is Bike A enough? Does it have enough travel to take on trails? To be considered sufficient for enduros?

 

There is a significant difference between the price of the bikes, but they are both specced really well. I have a good relationship with the Bike B shop. But it really looks like I might be able to develop a solid relationship with Bike A's shop as well. That is basically the only other thing?

 

What say thee Hubbers? I can give more info if required .

 

Cheers

[Iwan Kemp]

Travel a bike not maketh. 

 

Bike B could be more trail orientated than Bike A that could be Enduro focused. You need to look at angles and spec as well to know which direction to go.

 

For instance look at a Evil The Following. A 120mm travel bike (max 130mm front) that can slay most, if not all but pure DH trails, on SA soil. 

 

In short, most modern 130 of 140mm bikes should be good for our Enduros.

[Fox3]

Travel a bike not maketh. 

 

Bike B could be more trail orientated than Bike A that could be Enduro focused. You need to look at angles and spec as well to know which direction to go.

 

For instance look at a Evil The Following. A 120mm travel bike (max 130mm front) that can slay most, if not all but pure DH trails, on SA soil. 

 

In short, most modern 130 of 140mm bikes should be good for our Enduros.

Thanks Iwan, solid advice. Would it be best if I give links for both bikes? I am really trying to throw out brand related bias.

 

Here are some angles but I think it may be a giveaway as to which brands they are:

 

Sorry that didn't work...pic attached

 

Need more specs? Shock, fork, brakes, drivetrain etc are all good on both...I can provide that though. I don't see much of a difference between head angle...both made me smile like a little kid. The rest of the measurements are gibberish to me, I am learning though...

[Christofison]

Thanks Iwan, solid advice. Would it be best if I give links for both bikes? I am really trying to throw out brand related bias.

 

Here are some angles but I think it may be a giveaway as to which brands they are:

 

Sorry that didn't work...pic attached

 

Need more specs? Shock, fork, brakes, drivetrain etc are all good on both...I can provide that though. I don't see much of a difference between head angle...both made me smile like a little kid. The rest of the measurements are gibberish to me, I am learning though...

We already knew from the first post that it was a Trek Fuel EX vs a Santacruz Hightower.

[Iwan Kemp]

Are those for the same size bike? Large vs Large? Looking at the wheelbase probably not, but if so...

 

- Bike A has a much shorter reach so make sure of the sizing

- Bike B has shorter heattube which may help with stack and weight distribution on the bike. Stack is also quite a bit lower

- Seat tube and heat tube angles are more or less the same so good there

 

Other than reach and wheelbase they look fairly evenly matched. 5mm travel won't make much difference either way. Go with the one that makes you want to ride most. 

 

Looking at the numbers should Bike B perhaps be referred to as Bike S?   

[Fox3]

We already knew from the first post that it was a Trek Fuel EX vs a Santacruz Hightower.

Haha 50% isn't at all bad...but you know I rode the Trek because I was quite outspoken about it on the 2018 Trek Fuel 8 thread...

[Christofison]

Haha 50% isn't at all bad...but you know I rode the Trek because I was quite outspoken about it on the 2018 Trek Fuel 8 thread...

Ah. But the Stump jumper is supposed to have a 150mm fork, haha.

[Fox3]

Are those for the same size bike? Large vs Large? Looking at the wheelbase probably not, but if so...

 

- Bike A has a much shorter reach so make sure of the sizing

- Bike B has shorter heattube which may help with stack and weight distribution on the bike. Stack is also quite a bit lower

- Seat tube and heat tube angles are more or less the same so good there

 

Other than reach and wheelbase they look fairly evenly matched. 5mm travel won't make much difference either way. Go with the one that makes you want to ride most. 

 

Looking at the numbers should Bike B perhaps be referred to as Bike S?   

Yeah Bike B should be Bike S...not bad guys. Those measurements are for a 19.5 Trek...that would be a large right? Problem here is I smiled riding both. Big time. But one is way better priced, and I wouldn't mind having some extra cash lying around, and one is also newer. With the extra cash I might be able to build up a SS or AM hardtail over time. Also upgrade if need be. I just don't want to get to the point where I want more. This bike needs to last a while.

 

https://www.trekbikes.com/za/en_ZA/bikes/mountain-bikes/trail-mountain-bikes/fuel-ex/fuel-ex-9-8-29/p/2145690-2018/

 

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/s-works-stumpjumper-fsr-29/p/106980

[Fox3]

Ah. But the Stump jumper is supposed to have a 150mm fork, haha.

2016 model...I know that should say something...

[Christofison]

Are those for the same size bike? Large vs Large? Looking at the wheelbase probably not, but if so...

 

- Bike A has a much shorter reach so make sure of the sizing

- Bike B has shorter heattube which may help with stack and weight distribution on the bike. Stack is also quite a bit lower

- Seat tube and heat tube angles are more or less the same so good there

 

Other than reach and wheelbase they look fairly evenly matched. 5mm travel won't make much difference either way. Go with the one that makes you want to ride most. [emoji106]

 

Looking at the numbers should Bike B perhaps be referred to as Bike S?

Are we reading the same chart here? Bike B actually has 30mm shorter reach and Bike A has 32mm less stack.

 

That stumpy looks super fancy but it is the older one with slightly outdated geo and non-boost.

[rvdm1]

Not much in it. Best way to decide, flip a coin. Heads is bike A, tails is bike B.

[ChrisF]

As a TREK owner you know where my hart-vote goes ....     

 

 

not knowing which brands .... normally a test ride is the decider ..... both putting a smile on your face complicates things a bit .....

 

best wishes with your decision .... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ENJOY the TREK  

[Pikey]

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/170268-trail-enduro-29rs-choice/page-4

 

I posted an avg Joe’s view here on one of the bikes you are looking at. And recently bought the trek 9:8 but I have not ridden it as I am selling. But from just sitting on it ,it feels very stumpy like in its seating position. As for the travel as as per Iwan quoted .

 

The reason behind me selling the trek before riding it is coz I have bought a evil following mb,which only has 120 mm travel but am hoping it has a more raucous nature than all of the bikes mentioned above.

 

I think the trek & stumpy will feel pretty similar and most of us wouldn’t be able to tell the difference in the amount of travel the 2 bikes have. So I would buy the one that does it for you or the one that is the best deal and doesn’t need upgrades.

 

Both bikes will make you smile like a little kid am pretty sure.

[Christofison]

Hi Hubland,

 

I recently demoed 3 bikes. Threw one out same day due to not being my cup of tea.

 

No I have the option of 2 bikes. Nothing else really concerns me except the travel. 

 

Bike A is 130mm front and 130mm rear.

Bike B is 140mm front and 135mm rear.

(Coming of 110mm front and rear)

 

Is that enough of a difference to be significant? Is Bike A enough? Does it have enough travel to take on trails? To be considered sufficient for enduros?

 

There is a significant difference between the price of the bikes, but they are both specced really well. I have a good relationship with the Bike B shop. But it really looks like I might be able to develop a solid relationship with Bike A's shop as well. That is basically the only other thing?

 

What say thee Hubbers? I can give more info if required .

 

Cheers

For interests sake, what was the third bike that wasn't your cup of tea?

[Fox3]

For interests sake, what was the third bike that wasn't your cup of tea?

Giant Trance. I didn't enjoy the ride. I wasn't comfortable at all. To be fair though the handlebars were like 730mm the stem was quite long (100mm if I remember correctly). Also 650b, I don't like the small wheels. So the whole setup was an issue. This is strictly personal opinion though

 

To be honest, I like both the bikes. Each has their advantage. Price is coming into play though.

 

I would look at an Evil the Following as well just don't know where to find a demo, the whole build will make for an expensive purchase and I like the backup of the Treks and Specialized companies.

[Fox3]

Any opinions on climbing proficiency of each?