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Looking at an epic trek ssl and an anthem any others??
I looked into it, the anthem-x is marginaly more forgiving over technical stuff where the Trek Top Fuel is an out and out racer. I'm going for the Trek based on 3 things.....
1) Even though I'm getting it in the sales for the same price as the Anthem I was comparing it to it started off much more expensive so I can percieve it as being worth more/better.
2) It looks faster
3) More niche/new than the anthem-x which is getting a revamp for 2011 whereas the top fuel is just gaining another gear and a price hike.
I've got a very nice Top Fuel 9.9 I'll be selling in a couple of weeks!
Edit: I'd dispute that the Trek is an out and out racer, having owned 3 Epics and now the Top Fuel, and with friends on the Anthem I would say:
Race bike:
1. Top Fuel
2. Epic
3. Anthem
Trail bike:
1. Anthem
2. Top Fuel
3. Epic
IMO, not really ridden an Anthem, but friends have said they make a better trail bike than race bike.
very nice
[dribbling] thats a bit of an understatement [/dribbling]
Is the fuel flexy? The new epic is getting good reviews from the US.
superlight?
I love my 100mm tallboy, but guess you're not looking for wagon wheels?
Like the other guys say, if you're after something to use mostly as a trail bike and occasionally race, the Anthem is a win. I race mine more than ride it normally, but it suits my riding style and the enduro races I do more than a more racey machine.
It is like shit off a shovel. It's a seriously impressive bike- it's light, fast, fun and technically very good. Mine's over two years old now and it's not even had a bearing change.
Is the fuel flexy? The new epic is getting good reviews from the US.
Never found it remotely flexy myself, I'm fairly light though.
At the risk of a lifetime ban from this forum and being cast into outer darkness I'm finding myself drawn to the new Marin Rift Zone. It looks like it's been designed to do what I want which is to cover the ground quickly without handling like a race bike and if I do go back to fs I like the idea of a lifetime guarantee on the bearings.
I'm in the same market for a new bike or frame. But is there any thing a bit less mainstream available?
So far we've had: Trek, Giant, Specialised and Marin. But what else is available?
Wonny J, what wrong with the Santa Cruz?
Got my superlight out again this last weekend, it always rips my legs to pieces, as it just want to go faster & faster. Great fun.
Oh yes maybe a superlight would fit the bill. But then again, everyone has got a santacruz these days as well. Surely there must be something a bit more interesting out there...?
This looks nice if a bit expensive
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/zula-10-frame-only-36443?_brc=0
There's a few more interesting options -
Cube AMS110 SL and AMS HPC Pro carbon or Merida 96 Carbon 3000D
Pronghorn are back open under new ownership and are supposed to be excellent and certainly interesting
Yeti AS-R carbon
Titus X
Scott Spark
Kona Hei Hei
You're actually spoilt for choice
i'm also in the market for a 100mm race/trail bike
had a superlight before and really liked it, so veering that way (also like to build up from a frame) it also takes a 120mm fork
anyone know what a 120mm fork would do to Anthems handling? (TBH i quite like a slightly slower steering bike, especially when i'm knackered!)
anyone know what a 120mm fork would do to Anthems handling
Why not just buy a trance?
Why go for something less mainstream when the mass produced ones are so excellent?
Don't forget the new Marin Rift Zone
But then again, everyone has got a santacruz these days as well.
I see next to none out and about, and most people say 'Oooh, SantaCruz!'
They are blooming lovely bikes too, so who cares?
Someone did refer to mine as a retro Superlight (it's a 2001), wasn't sure whether I should be flattered or insulted 🙂
Anthem X (2009-10) models are absolutely brilliant with 120mm forks, even better than they are with 100mm ones in my opinion. Still fast but even more versatile. I run mine with 120mm forks and it is really very good indeed.
Rift Zone is going to be a little heavy for racing, I raced a Rift Zone prototype with a spec halfway between the XC7 and XC8 and it was 26.5lbs without pedals. I think the XC8 is going to be 25.5lbs at best.
avdave2: You are right though. It's deffo 100mm trail bike, not race bike. It's as hard as nails and up for anything any 5 inch bike is up for - like the MV it seems to ride like a bike one category up - MV always felt as tough as a 140mm bike and the Rift Zone feels as tough a 120mm bike.
I didn't have a chance to set it up correctly as I had to stick some air in the shock and start racing but I think it's got real potential. Lighter alternative to an ST4 kind of thing IMO.
Few words at the end of my [url= http://www.cyclistno1.co.uk/blog/cyclist-no.1-race-bristol-oktoberfest.htm ]race report[/url].
I look forward to your review of the production model Gary, any idea when you'll be getting it?
The 120mm fork on a 'race' bike is getting quite popular, all Sparks except the RC now come like that, and Specialized have done the Evo Epic, which is proving popular, reckon some 120mm SIDs on a Top Fuel could be awesome, I'm tempted, as they do the World Cups with a tapered steerer!
avdave2: been told a couple of weeks...
Buy this......its only money. 😀
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/s-works-epic-fsr-carbon-2011-mountain-bike-ec024954
Always wanted an sworks but the fuel with the full xtr looks awesome!!! many need to sell a kidney and lose a few pounds though!!! :p