Momsen Race vs Momsen Trail

[DieselnDust]

Hi Chris,

 

Apparently the Giant frame geometry differs from the rest, and they are larger.

 

I had a fitment done, the saddle cannot be moved more forward, the reach is still a bit of a stretch.

 

I had myself measured at Lynnwood Cyclery today, and a XL Spez is my size. However, I had myself measured last week at Cyclelab Megastore Lynnwood, and according to them a Large Scott Spark is my size, but a XL will also work. But on Giant I MUST beon a Large... I am confused.

 

My Giant Anthem is such a nice bike, and I love it on tar and open dirt roads, it is just in single-track that I struggle with the handling.

 

I ride off-road motorcycles, so being off-road does not scare/bother me.

 

 

in what way do you struggle with the handling?

The Giant Anthem 29er is about 15mm longer than competitor products in the same size so you would want to consider sizing down unless you're comfortable with a 50mm stem and 780mm wide bars on their bikes. I wasn't, I wanted a shorter bike and two bottle cages.

[+ Ryperd +]

Seems like a Large frame across various brands is the current verdict.

 

When I ride single track with lots of turns, I tend to steer wider of the turn, thus doing bundu bashing. Not fun. Prefer to stay in the track.

 

I did shorten the stem, maybe narrower handlebars would help? The Giant hs ox wagon horns for bars.

[DieselnDust]

Seems like a Large frame across various brands is the current verdict.

 

When I ride single track with lots of turns, I tend to steer wider of the turn, thus doing bundu bashing. Not fun. Prefer to stay in the track.

 

I did shorten the stem, maybe narrower handlebars would help? The Giant hs ox wagon horns for bars.

 

 

I am assuming that this with the current 2017/18/19 model Giant Anthem Pro/Advanced/AL?

 

If yes then I'm not surprised. It has a long front end so you have to compensate by moving your saddle forward.

If you opt for a Knee over pedal spindle bike set up then you will always have your weight rearward biased on the Giant unless you at the upper end of the size curve for the frame size.

It comes alive on the descents but its  a lot of work and not any faster than a Scott Spark or Cannondale Scalpel that have shorter front centres.

 

Narrower bars won't help that understeer. You need more weight on the front wheel

[+ Ryperd +]

I am assuming that this with the current 2017/18/19 model Giant Anthem Pro/Advanced/AL?

Narrower bars won't help that understeer. You need more weight on the front wheel

It is a 2014 model.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

[DieselnDust]

It is a 2014 model.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

 

 

ah then its just because its a long bike anyway. Long chain stays, steeper head angle. a Narrower bar can help. But it was not the fastest handling 29er bike around. You really have to muscle it around, be conscious of your actions. Great for sharpening your skills though.

[SURFER]

JIP .... sizes differ widely between brands ....

 

 

To confuse matters further ... sizes differ INSIDE brands !!!  I have a friend that owns a couple of Giants .... Two different models, both the same frame size, are actually very different in size !!  To the point where he is selling the one which is "too small", while the other model fits him perfectly.

 

 

 

at least you DO understand.     Whatever brand and model you buy, just please make sure THAT frame is the correct size for YOU    

 

 

And YES, for what you are describing .... search further and make sure you get a "dual bottle" frame     This certainly is a "limitation" of the Spark 940 ..... though a large bottle (and the water tables) gets me there 

 

How do one know when the frame size is correct?.  I am intrested in the Giant Anthem 1

[DieselnDust]

best to get fit by the shop selling you one. In medium they do have a longer reach than some equivalent competitor models. (437mm vs 424mm for my scalpel, 432 for the Spark)

In size large they run a little shorter than the Scott Spark. (460mm vs 454mm)

[SURFER]

best to get fit by the shop selling you one. In medium they do have a longer reach than some equivalent competitor models. (437mm vs 424mm for my scalpel, 432 for the Spark)

In size large they run a little shorter than the Scott Spark. (460mm vs 454mm)

 

Thanks

 

Which bike shops in Cape Town area is agents for Scott.  Also looking at the Scott Spark

[piotter]

Thanks

 

Which bike shops in Cape Town area is agents for Scott.  Also looking at the Scott Spark

 

CWC if I'm not mistaken... Between Titan and Scott I don't think you can find any other brands in their store  

[DieselnDust]

Thanks

 

Which bike shops in Cape Town area is agents for Scott.  Also looking at the Scott Spark

 

Bridge Cycles

Crown Cycles

Olympic Cycles

Cyclelab / CWC

 

Are a few I know of

[ChrisF]

Thanks

 

Which bike shops in Cape Town area is agents for Scott.  Also looking at the Scott Spark

 

Bike Addict - Malmesbury (typically the best price)

Geko Cycles - Brackenfell

CWC - Bellville

Olympic cycles have a few Scott's as well

 

 

I live between the latter two .... bought my Scott in Worcester, at King Cycles, simply because I was in town on the day.  Failing which I was going to buy from Bike Addict.

[Traveler]

How do one know when the frame size is correct?. I am intrested in the Giant Anthem 1

Ideally you want to feel comfortable on the bike after (during) a ride, depending on fitness it is not a bad idea to put in a 20-25min ride at 90% of threshold. It works like running shoes, you need to analyze when your muscles are fatigued. If someone wants to do your bikefit when you are relaxed, you better know you are going to be uncomfortable when you get tired.

 

There are a couple of tricks to determine basic frame fit because the wrong frame size cannot be remedied by a professional fitter. You typically do not want to go and extend the bars by 50mm, or do a longer stem by another 40mm. By these extremes you start to play around with the handling character of the bike. Also, if you need a setback post, the bike is too small.

 

Have the saddle mounted centrally on the rails, and saddle height adjusted so that your most extended leg has an approx 12Deg bend at the knee.

 

When sitting on the bike with roughly a 12Degree bend in the most extended leg (feet parallel to the ground), extend your arms in front of you chest, keeping a very relaxed position without stretching your arms at all. Now start to lean (bend) forward into your riding position, and then you ideally want the grips to meet the middle of hour palms. You’ll immediately recognize a frame with insufficient reach or too much. You should at any time (when safe) lift yourself into a seated position without having to assist by pushing with your hands back into the upright position.

[+ Ryperd +]

Awesome replies here. Thx Hubbers.

[+ Ryperd +]

Curveball - a friend has a 2014 Bianchi Methanol 29.0 FS that he wants to sell. The bike has about 3000km on.

 

Comparing this Bianchi to new Momsen/Scott Spark/Merdida/ etc...

 

I’m budgeting R45k for new. Can get the Bianchi for less than R35k.

 

Opinion?

 

Buy new and have warranty, back-up, or 2nd hand with better frame/components for less than new...

 

I’m 1.88m and weigh 110kg and north of 45 years. So no racing snake setup for me. [emoji56]

[piotter]

Curveball - a friend has a 2014 Bianchi Methanol 29.0 FS that he wants to sell. The bike has about 3000km on.

 

Comparing this Bianchi to new Momsen/Scott Spark/Merdida/ etc...

 

I’m budgeting R45k for new. Can get the Bianchi for less than R35k.

 

Opinion?

 

Buy new and have warranty, back-up, or 2nd hand with better frame/components for less than new...

 

I’m 1.88m and weigh 110kg and north of 45 years. So no racing snake setup for me. [emoji56]

 

Word of warning, what were better components in 2014 are likely not better now. Technology trickles down so the mid range of today was the top range a few years ago.

[Me rida my bicycle]

Curveball - a friend has a 2014 Bianchi Methanol 29.0 FS that he wants to sell. The bike has about 3000km on.

Comparing this Bianchi to new Momsen/Scott Spark/Merdida/ etc...

I’m budgeting R45k for new. Can get the Bianchi for less than R35k.

Opinion?

Buy new and have warranty, back-up, or 2nd hand with better frame/components for less than new...

I’m 1.88m and weigh 110kg and north of 45 years. So no racing snake setup for me. [emoji56]

the frame design and technology has changed a lot since 2014 with the 2020 models out already that is a 6 year old design at best.