Sighnide Posted January 9, 2009 Share Okay so far looks like a race between the Anthem and the Spark. Both light, both fast.... Spez still in there with a shout (Epic or Stumpy???) and the Yeti seems to have wandered off looking for Bear Grilz http://www.weeklyworldnews.com/celebs/bear-grylls-injury-from-yeti-fight/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borriz Posted January 9, 2009 Share I tested the AnthemX1 and it really feels different and more relaxed than the older Anthem (which I have). The added advantage to the upgraded Anthem X1 is the bigger travel and more relaxed head angle. I can honestly say I can see myself peddling that bike for miles at one go with that geometry.The Spark seems to be inline with most suspension designs (Spaz, Yeti, Cannondale, KHS, even Merida etc) and therefore should be great. Stay away from the Genius though.Specialized - I would like to have one but the price is an issue. To support the comment on back shock. All I heard from 2 friends that rides Epics - they've been told the brain shock must be serviced every 3 months.As an observer you will always get the colt followings if you buy Spesialized and Yeti. The Giant is mass produced by you never hear any bad reviews and the value for money can't be beaten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iwan Kemp Posted January 9, 2009 Share For the money, ride and overall ability...the Giant. Pop into your CNA and have a look at the MTB mags. I think it's the latest What Mountain Bike that has a Giant / Spec / Marin and something else shootout. Worth a read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaOscar Posted January 9, 2009 Share UK Mags loving the Anthem. Get the yeti. Or: Rocky Mountain Element Or: Check out WMB review of Trek Top Fuel 9.9 SSL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitusTi Posted January 9, 2009 Share CAn you get a 29er Spex? http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=39189&eid=95 How tall are you? If you're tall enough a 29'er would offer significant benefits' date=' and it opens up a whole range of other bikes other than the standard tupperware factory bikes.[/quote'] I am 6'2. What other bikes? I like the 29er concept, never ridden one but read good things. 29'ers available here at the moment include:Niner, OnOne, Orbea, Cannondale, Titus, Pivot, Specialized, Gary Fisher.I think there are a few others as well but can't really remember right now, so you'll have the choice of boutique and mass produced in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulvs Posted January 9, 2009 Share the only realy benefit I see from riding a 29er is if you are very tall. Do you have any other reasons? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus Posted January 9, 2009 Share I'm so pleased I don't have to make this decision for a while still......... My personal call at the moment would be between the Gary Fisher HiFi or the SantaCruz Superlight, or, using your choices, the Specialized Epic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwissVan Posted January 9, 2009 Share Specialized - I would like to have one but the price is an issue. To support the comment on back shock. All I heard from 2 friends that rides Epics - they've been told the brain shock must be serviced every 3 months.As an observer you will always get the colt followings if you buy Spesialized and Yeti. The Giant is mass produced by you never hear any bad reviews and the value for money can't be beaten. I have a Brainy Epic and it never been serviced (the rear shock and brain)still works 100% and its about 56 months old. Specialized are also mass produced and yes they are blarry ?ank expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borriz Posted January 9, 2009 Share This answer will all depend on many factors. But remember that the make of the bike is one part of the equation. The components make-up the rest. The frame just pulls it all together. When it comes to frames - according to me - list your criteria on seat and headset angles. The reason for this is that it will give you an indication on ability to climb (seat angle - 73 degrees seems to be norm for XC bikes) and headset angle (72 degrees for XC, 68 degrees will be more relaxed and trail or endurance bikes) on responsiveness of bike. The suspension design and working is again personal preference and what you thing will work. My answer to any person wanting to buy a bike is budget and which bike looks cool to you :-) Interms of upgrading - all the bikes you mentioned are awesome canvasses for upgrading. But then again so is Ellsworth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonduhboy Posted January 9, 2009 Share i heard a rumour that bicycling will be having 4 more test ride days this year, with the first one coming up in the middle of Feb, so if you can hold on for a while, you can test most of them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW# Posted January 9, 2009 Share Bang for buck, the Giant duel sus wins by a LONNNNGGG way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitusTi Posted January 9, 2009 Share the only realy benefit I see from riding a 29er is if you are very tall.Do you have any other reasons? Rolls over objects better, more stable, fits 6 foot 3 monkeys better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FasterThanFast Posted January 9, 2009 Share Go to Bridge cycle.They will tell you how many time a SpecialK has been in for blown seals in the rear shock, they will tell you how many times a rear shock has completly failed.That company cannot even build a relaiable non cracking road frame. Do you really want to put your ass on there stuff. Anthem or Spark....in months from now to come back to this very page, and read on what people have told you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pietas Posted January 9, 2009 Share What about a Scalpel?I have ridden the Specialized 29er that was far (and I mean far) to big for me and it still rode beatifully (incuding rockey singletracks, etc). For 29ers you might have issues finding components and stuff in ZA (think tires here).Ride the different bikes and make your choice. You will know when it is the right fit for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridesleeprepeat Posted January 9, 2009 Share just a thought, the scott suspension design is a 'secound thought' after they couldn't get the rights to use the specialized horst link. not that it's a bad design, but no marking hype will make it any better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwissVan Posted January 9, 2009 Share Go to Bridge cycle. They will tell you how many time a SpecialK has been in for blown seals in the rear shock' date=' they will tell you how many times a rear shock has completly failed.That company cannot even build a relaiable non cracking road frame. Do you really want to put your ass on there stuff. Anthem or Spark....in months from now to come back to this very page, and read on what people have told you.[/quote'] Bridge cycle? Never heard of them and might be a bridge to far for me Well Schweiz is pretty much infested with Specializeds and I have yet to see or hear of a brain blowing or a frame cracking, not saying it does not happen, nothing is fail proof.My 2005 Roubaix (road frame) still crack and creak free... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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