OK. I don't [i]need[/i] a new bike.
On the other hand, I've never been [i]massively[/i] content with my 2007 Stumpjumper FSR... and, importantly, I've now got the opportunity to get a new, stock-built, SC Superlight.
(Stumpy would be flogged, so it's a question of "instead of" rather than "as well as")
Question: In your humble opinions, is the SC 'better' than the Specialized or am I pandering to my 15 year old lust of Santa Cruz now that I actually have the means of getting one?
(Single pivot? Old tech? Bearings? etc etc)
NB. I've a demo setup in the next couple of weeks to try and make some kind of decision in this head/heart conundrum, but would be grateful for any first hand experience please.
Thanks.
The new Superlite frames are soooooo nice.Plug a 120m fork into the front and they make a fantastic trail bike still light enough to race if the fancy takes you.Most of the guys around here ride Stumpy's and they are constantly moaming about the repair bills.Ive had a lot of good bikes over the years including an earlier Superlite and in my opinion the new frames a keeper.
This is less to do with make and more to do with what kind of ride you like.
This is less to do with make and more to do with what kind of ride you like.
Whilst not exactly avoiding trailcentres, I'm more of a Lakes and North/Mid Wales rider ... when using the full suss, anyway.
What you say, then?
The Superlight has a 70 degree headangle, only 100mm travel and a non integrated headset/headtube. In short it's a bit behind the times.
Easily the Stumpy out of those two IMO.
Sorry, I wasn't clear enough. I meant what suspension characteristics you like.
The superlite with feel rather different to the spesh.
JCL: Hmm. Thanks.
"A bit behind the times" is precisely what I was worried about.
Well, not exactly worried ... but, y'know.
Having said that, I'm a bit behind the times too. Rooted somewhere in 1997, I think 🙂
Scienceofficer: That's a tough one, and difficult (for me) to verbalise.
I reckon I prefer a firmer ride and tend to run my current pressures high. Rarely on full float and normally either propedal'd or 'locked'.
A relative newcomer to Full Suss (I've a HT and a rigid), I reckon I can generally pick a decent line ... but love the FSRs ability to compensate when I f*ck up, or the red mist descends, to be honest.
Either way, I'm beginning to think the demo ride definitely needs to be back to back
Update: Tried one today for all of 100yds in a car park.
Still got the demo booked for next week.
Strangely, it was a Large today (the demo, and the plan, is a Medium) and it felt almost exactly the same size as my Medium Spesh. 😕
It bodes well in that my main issue with the FSR is that it has always felt 'big' even though it is the 'right' size.
Convincing myself already .. though the first action may well be to swap the stock Float R with the R23 from the FSR before I flog it.
I'm obviously Old Skool.
Love the SC. Much more sat 'on it' than the Spesh's 'in it'.
Just like my HT Klein but with lush rear suss.
I must say that the Superlight's BB/Chainring/Pedal clearance really caught me out though.
"The Superlite is a bit behind the times".What a lot of twaddle.The numbers dont always tell the story.The 70 degree head angle becomes 69 with a 120m fork and the lower bottom bracket makes this bike super stable in most conditions.Do some searching around the net and u will the SL is universally liked
I've got a superlight from 2007 but it's the last of the old shape. Kitted out with all new gear earlier in the year inc 120 mm travel reba team with maxle lite. I love it and I just wish they'd make a carbon one
I've just picked up a 2007 SL - first of the new shape... I'm coming off a trek fuel EX.
The trek is a great bike, but I do love the simplicity of a single pivot/single swingarm bike (I have a bullit too)... both for the ease of maintenance and the ride characteristics... very predictable.
Not built mine up yet - prob getting a respray first.
100mm with 120mm up front and a good light and strong/stiff build (maxle front axle) should make this a great all day bike and a real hooligan around more techy trails... you'll just need to be a bit more careful on line choice compared to a 5" bike.
Have to agree with KT1973... would love a carbon one, with integrated headset.
what size superlights are you riding? My wife demo'd a Med Superlight on the weekend which should have been too big (we wanted to try a small but they didn't have any)
She's 5ft 4ish - standover was good and even with a longish stem and the post saddle set halfway back on the rails it looked fine - she found it comfortable but according to the SC site she should be on a small.
I'll be on a medium with an 80mm stem. 23" Top tube on the medium, should be pretty close to the Trek I'm on now.
I'm 5'8 with longish legs and short torso... I'll also be running 120mm forks and prefer a shorter stem with wider bars for better control on steep stuff.
I've demo'd a Superlight and thought it rode brilliantly. At the time I was riding an S-works FSR 120 and the Superlight felt much more lively. It felt like it was springing up the climbs. I was seriously considering one to replace my Stumpjumper but in the end I found a good deal on a BlurLT so went for that instead.
If I was looking for a shorter travel full sus a Superlight would still be very near the top of my list
I have a Med Superlight, wife has a WSD Stumpy which I can just about ride...
Both pretty different so ignore the numbers and get a test ride on both. I prefer the simple ride and maintenance of the Superlight myself, have done for the last 9 years 🙂
Times may change, but good bikes are still good bikes.