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Hi,
Looking to buy my first full suspension. Riding will be mostly around the seven stanes sites. Not looking to do anything more than a red route (too injury adverse 🙂 )
I've tried a Trek Fuel and an Orange ST4 and wasn't convinced by either but did prefer the shock location on the Orange for switching propedal on/off.
I've narrowed down my choices to a Cannondale RZ 120 2 2011 model
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s1p3710
and the Specialized Camber Expert.
I've sat on the Camber in a local bike shop, albeit a lower model and a medium size just felt right. Won't be able to see or sit on a cannondale.
Wondering if anyone has any experience of the two bikes and any suggestions as to why one would definitely be better than the other.
I'm thinking that it's a case of I pay my money and take the choice, but I love the green paint of the cannondale (sad I know) but also know the camber gets raved about so am totally torn at the moment.
Whichever one you can get a test ride on and whichever one you look at and gives you a warm fuzzy feeling 8)
Edit: or neither of those and go for a Canyon. You'll get a hell of a lot more for your money.
Have been looking at the Canyons and I just can't quite convince myself. I've at least sat on a Cannondale hard tail to get a bit of a feel for the build/sizing and I can't do that at all with the Canyon.
They (Canyon) operate a 30 day money back scheme I think?
High peak cycles have 120 demo bike if you live near Glossop. Ask for Jamie. The 120 got rave reviews from Benji @singletrack mag.
I have an RZ One Twenty 1. It's a 2012 model which is exactly the same frame, shock and forks but SRAM X9 and different wheels. It's a great ride, especially for all day comfort. I also have a hardtail with an SLX group set that I find pretty much faultless in terms of the cost v performance ratio.
Before buying the 'Dale I test rode, or more accurately bumped around a car park dropping off kerbs, it and a Specialized Camber, a Trek Fuel and a Lapierre X Control. All 2011 models and all at the same price point, all 120mm bikes and all with similar pretentions. To be honest, they are all much of a muchness with only minor points distinguishing them from each other. I chose the 'Dale (but bought a 2012 model) and my son chose the Lapierre. I have ridden both much more extensively now and they are both highly competent bikes.
I think the decision as to which you should choose and why is yours alone. I chose the 'Dale because I thought it was better for various minor reasons but both will do the job very well.
Just looked at the links and I'd take the 'Dale for £400 less than the Camber. That's a big cash difference.
I can get the Camber for 1600 so less of a cash difference. Unfortunately live in central scotland so bit far away from Glossop. Thanks for the suggestion though.
I took the cannondale rz120 back after a demo day feeling really let down.
They stopped making the prophet and made something rubbish.
Not as responsive or as agile and has less travel...
I've got a couple of dales and used to be a real fan of them but they really seem to have lost where they came from.
There are far better bikes out there for around the same sort of money.
well had a another sit and a short ride on the specialized at my local stockist and again it just felt right. They made me an offer on the price and some interest free to ease the pain of paying for it that I couldn't refuse so my Camber Expert is now ordered.
Looking forward to getting it now. 🙂