Cape Epic bike choice - Scott Spark 970 (2018) vs Scott Spark 920 (2016) vs Specialized Epic Comp (2017)

[Kokkie2025]

Hi all

With my limited budget I have narrowed down my options to 3 bikes to purchase for the Cape Epic. 

Scott Spark 970 (2018), Scott Spark 920 (2016) and Specialized Epic Comp (2017). 

They all have pro's and con's (Fox/RockShox/Carbon/Alloy/Shimano/Sram/older/newer) and with my limited knowledge I am not sure which one I should go for.  I am aiming to have a the most reliable bike out of the three that will get me to the finish line.  The rest I will make up with blood, sweat and tears :-). Any advice on the three options?  Thanks in advance! 

[ChrisF]

@DieselnDust spoke about bikes and specs in his post race thread....

[HdB]

Personally, between those options I'd lean towards the Specialized Epic since it was designed to carry two waterbottles, which would be nice for the long and/or hot stages.
Hopefully others will have information about reliability etc.

I've entered for my first Attakwas next year, and I'll be using two bottles plus hydration pack, unless the weather looks like it will be very very mild.
For Transbaviaans and the recent Prince George I used the hydration pack for tools and stuff, with the empty bladder available just in case; but the weather for last year and this year's TB, and the Prince George, was pretty mild.

Edited October 16 by HdB

[Stephan]

My advice, buy the one you want and start training with it so that you can adjust it between now and ACE to be comfortable. Any half decent bike can do the Epic, it depends how you ride it. The ones you listed will be fine. You must must must book a good service package. They will check and service your bike every night. Have a spare budget of say R10k ready in case anything fails or needs repair. For example, this year the rain and mud caused havoc with drivetrains and many a chain and rear mech had to be replaced. 

[mrcg]

It's impossible to make a decent recommendation without knowing your "geometry", how it fits with the bikes listed (although they are fairly similar) and the overall condition of the bikes. That said, as mentioned above, you can ride a single speed 26" to the finish line. This is a very personalised journey only you can have the most answers to. To make a decision on the bikes, take an experienced and knowledgeable rider to view or see if you can have them assessed at a reputable mechanic/store.

Good luck with your journey and enjoy the Epic

[CARANXCycleMobile]

If you go for the Specialized, you will have more " friends " to chat with 😅 LOL !

 

Any of those 3 bikes can handle it, just make sure you go in with a properly serviced one....Drivetrain,Wheels,Shocks must be well maintained and fit a pair of new tires(same type the ones you trained with) a week before the race.

* AND take the VISA with like Stephan mentioned

[DieselnDust]

16 hours ago, Kokkie2025 said:

Hi all

With my limited budget I have narrowed down my options to 3 bikes to purchase for the Cape Epic. 

Scott Spark 970 (2018), Scott Spark 920 (2016) and Specialized Epic Comp (2017). 

They all have pro's and con's (Fox/RockShox/Carbon/Alloy/Shimano/Sram/older/newer) and with my limited knowledge I am not sure which one I should go for.  I am aiming to have a the most reliable bike out of the three that will get me to the finish line.  The rest I will make up with blood, sweat and tears :-). Any advice on the three options?  Thanks in advance! 

 

 

are you looking at specific bikes in the classifieds or is this a general bike query?

If specific bikes can you share the links for review. How 2nd hand bikes have been treat and modified weighs heavily on the output called advice

[Kokkie2025]

39 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

 

 

are you looking at specific bikes in the classifieds or is this a general bike query?

If specific bikes can you share the links for review. How 2nd hand bikes have been treat and modified weighs heavily on the output called advice

Hi, there were 3 bikes in the classifieds but as luck would have it they are all taken when I called this morning.  The search continues.  I am looking for dual suspension, size large, budget approx up to R20k in the Western Cape that will get me to the finish line of the Cape Epic.  

Edited October 17 by Kokkie2025

[ChrisF]

There are a couple of bike traders that grab up bikes in this price range .... expect to see these same bikes to be posted again next week, now in the 30k range ....

 

 

Post a WANTED on the classifieds ... there are Hubbers that do prefer seeing the next owner getting a decent deal 

[ChrisF]

https://solomonscycles.co.za/product/titan-cypher-rs-sport-29″-cypher-x6-aluminium-frame-mountain-bike-2024/

[SchalkWCC]

I have Merida ninety six that i am looking to sell, not posted as add yet. 

[Me rida my bicycle]

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/dual-suspension-bikes/853184/silverback-sesta-comp-l

[ChrisF]

@Kokkie2025 if you are buying from out of town, use Bike Hub Pay.

 

short version;

. Your money goes to Bike Hub

. They confirm to the seller that the money is actually paid and ready.

. The seller sends the bike.

. Post delivery you have 2 days (check exact time) to check out the bike and confirm it is as advertised ...

. The money is released and paid over to the seller.

. It the bike is "not as advertised" ... you can cancel the deal amd send it back, your money is returned by Bike Hub.

 

DISCLAIMER - Search for the exact wording, as this was typed from memory

 

In short, this protects the seller from fake payments, just as it protects buyers from fake adds ...

[Kokkie2025]

2 hours ago, ChrisF said:

@Kokkie2025 if you are buying from out of town, use Bike Hub Pay.

 

short version;

. Your money goes to Bike Hub

. They confirm to the seller that the money is actually paid and ready.

. The seller sends the bike.

. Post delivery you have 2 days (check exact time) to check out the bike and confirm it is as advertised ...

. The money is released and paid over to the seller.

. It the bike is "not as advertised" ... you can cancel the deal amd send it back, your money is returned by Bike Hub.

 

DISCLAIMER - Search for the exact wording, as this was typed from memory

 

In short, this protects the seller from fake payments, just as it protects buyers from fake adds ...

Thanks for the advice Chris, this will make it "safer" to buy from out of town and increase my options to choose from. 

[Stephan]

23 hours ago, ChrisF said:

There are a couple of bike traders that grab up bikes in this price range .... expect to see these same bikes to be posted again next week, now in the 30k range ....

 

 

Post a WANTED on the classifieds ... there are Hubbers that do prefer seeing the next owner getting a decent deal 

And this is why I have ZERO respect for bike traders. Even if someone undervalues what they want to sell, there is a market for it from honest, hard working people who love cycling but cannot afford to buy the best. But traders swoop in like vultures, offer even less and then resell it with a big markup. 

[DieselnDust]

4 minutes ago, Stephan said:

And this is why I have ZERO respect for bike traders. Even if someone undervalues what they want to sell, there is a market for it from honest, hard working people who love cycling but cannot afford to buy the best. But traders swoop in like vultures, offer even less and then resell it with a big markup. 

Without adding any value