New MTB for riding Partner

[slickjay007]

Hi All,

 

So my riding partner is in the market for a new MTB and over a couple of beers lately we have come up with 2 options,

 

Specialized Epic Comp

 

https://www.specialized.com/za/en/mens-epic-comp/p/128860?color=240111-128860

 

Giant Anthem "29" 2

 

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/za/anthem-29er-2-2018

 

Both bikes are in the R40K price range and have pretty much everything needed to do the odd stage race and more importantly, be a good weekend warrior.

 

We want to ask the hub what the best option would be to go for with regards to:

 

1) Backup Service

2) Bang for your buck

3) Fun Factor

 

We would also like some feedback as to any other options in the same price range that people have bought and love?

 

PS: We looking at "new" for now.

 

[MTBJD]

Have you looked at the Trek Fuel EX 5? (for 2018) - 30k

 

Or the 2017: https://www.trekbikes.com/za/en_ZA/bikes/mountain-bikes/trail-mountain-bikes/fuel-ex/fuel-ex-8-29/p/2140600-2017/?colorCode=black

 

if its your size

 

i read in another thread to look at 'This Way Out' facebook page on very good Trek Deals on the 2017 models - If memory serves right they offered the EX5 2017 model for 23/24k

 

A friend of mine just bought the EX8 and loves it!

[rodger winter]

Giant will take a lot of beating. Excellent back up and warranty on the frame.

[Dieter ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

If it's weekend warrior first and foremost, myself and the hivemind here will steer you towards the following:

 

Camber

Spark

Fuel EX 

 

Something with a dropper, something slacker. 

[Hello Ruan]

Fun factor, trusty steed:

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/za/trance-2-ge-2018

But both bikes you listed are pretty much the same thing, I just think it comes down to personal preference at this price point.
 

[xamnam]

ralleigh topeko sl from Makro - cant go wrong

[PeterF]

The Epic has a more racey geometry and the Brain suspension which can be quite expensive to maintain.  You can't go wrong with the Anthem.

[Schnavel]

Don't buy new...

[Milosh]

The new Epic is slacker than it has being historically so closer to camber weekend warrior than it has being 

 

Concept stores will allow you a extended demo for a few days , which was decider for me.

 

Also - Scott has dual lock out vs Specialized brain , which may be worth researching to see which suits you personally 

 

Edit - I see you wrote Giant  now - my bad , maybe add Scott to list 

[porqui]

Don't buy new...

 

If you can afford new - buy new

 

Warranty is for the new buyer only and does not carry over to the next.

[Headshot]

Anthem tends to be reviewed as a more capable do-it-all bike than the Epic. Don't think you can go wrong with either though. Specialized service is pretty good and I had a very positive warranty experience with them.

[Grease_Monkey]

Don't buy new...

Well someone has to... otherwise there will be no 2nd hand bike market. Personally I won't buy anything carbon second hand - learnt my lesson the hard way.

[Grease_Monkey]

Hi All,

 

So my riding partner is in the market for a new MTB and over a couple of beers lately we have come up with 2 options,

 

Specialized Epic Comp

 

https://www.specialized.com/za/en/mens-epic-comp/p/128860?color=240111-128860

 

Giant Anthem "29" 2

 

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/za/anthem-29er-2-2018

 

Both bikes are in the R40K price range and have pretty much everything needed to do the odd stage race and more importantly, be a good weekend warrior.

 

We want to ask the hub what the best option would be to go for with regards to:

 

1) Backup Service

2) Bang for your buck

3) Fun Factor

 

We would also like some feedback as to any other options in the same price range that people have bought and love?

 

PS: We looking at "new" for now.

Between those 2 options I'd pick the Epic. The new one is simply brilliant - slacker than the older model, more stable, and efficient as they get. As other mentioned the brain suspension is more expensive to maintain, but in an XC bike I think well worth it. I would put a dropper on there though - it just adds to the fun factor (and the Epic holds 2 water bottles amd SWAT box in main triangle so no need to put a cage or saddle bag on the seatpost).

 

For a weekend warrior I would reccommend the Camber, Spark, or Fuel EX over this though. They are still flipen efficient, but more slack, and stable, and can handle tech a bit better - especially if your skills are not the best. All of the abive mentioned are just more fun bikes to ride than a pure bred racing bike like the Epic. And all of them have great backup and support from brands. Bamg for buck you are always going to get less from Specialized than Scott or Trek. The reason I am not reccomending the Giant Trance here is because it is 27.5 - although there is NOTHING wrong with 27.5 wheels, you did mention you wanna do stage races, and 29ers are just better suited to that.

[slickjay007]

Between those 2 options I'd pick the Epic. The new one is simply brilliant - slacker than the older model, more stable, and efficient as they get. As other mentioned the brain suspension is more expensive to maintain, but in an XC bike I think well worth it. I would put a dropper on there though - it just adds to the fun factor (and the Epic holds 2 water bottles amd SWAT box in main triangle so no need to put a cage or saddle bag on the seatpost).

 

For a weekend warrior I would reccommend the Camber, Spark, or Fuel EX over this though. They are still flipen efficient, but more slack, and stable, and can handle tech a bit better - especially if your skills are not the best. All of the abive mentioned are just more fun bikes to ride than a pure bred racing bike like the Epic. And all of them have great backup and support from brands. Bamg for buck you are always going to get less from Specialized than Scott or Trek. The reason I am not reccomending the Giant Trance here is because it is 27.5 - although there is NOTHING wrong with 27.5 wheels, you did mention you wanna do stage races, and 29ers are just better suited to that.

Shot for the advice. The Giant i mentioned is the Anthem 2 "29"

Thanks all for the advice... My partner's mind is leaning towards the Epic but i think a few more beers and a discussion on the other options is required.

[marko35s]

Shot for the advice. The Giant i mentioned is the Anthem 2 "29"

Thanks all for the advice... My partner's mind is leaning towards the Epic but i think a few more beers and a discussion on the other options is required.

Epic would be an odd choice for a weekend warrior imo.

[Grease_Monkey]

Shot for the advice. The Giant i mentioned is the Anthem 2 "29"

 

Thanks all for the advice... My partner's mind is leaning towards the Epic but i think a few more beers and a discussion on the other options is required.

Pleasure man! Ja, the Anthem is definitely in the same class as Epic in terms of being an XC steed. Both have brilliant reviews so he is not gonna go wrong with either... but for a weekend warrior a slightly more trail oriented bike would be the better option.

 

Post some pics of the new steed once he has decided, always fun shopping for a new bike!