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The 2015 EX models are much better value than the non-ex FWIW.
I've decided to go for the longer traveling Canyon Spectral
Hope you enjoy it. Out of interest, did you try out any other bikes or did you just a take a leap of faith based on the spec sheet?
If you are getting a decent amount of travel get a lockout shock for the boring bits. Propedal or platform shocks arnt quite the same.
I live in Wales and use my 2014 Heckler for trail centre stuff and natural riding three or four times a week. It suits every kind of ride and climbs brilliantly. I'd definitely consider one if I was you.
Hope you enjoy it. Out of interest, did you try out any other bikes or did you just a take a leap of faith based on the spec sheet?
Yeah, I tried the Giant Trance 27.5, a couple of 29ers (in both full sus and hard flavours) and this one odd 120mm 26 full suss that I cant remember what it was.
The Canyon is going to be a leap of faith. At this price point FVM and aesthetics are as important as potential ride quality so I don't mind taking a risk based on the fact they look the tits and the VFM is very good vs Giant etc.
Don't bother. They're shit. Properly shit.
Don't sit on the fence, is it any good or not? 😉
Seriously, that's the first negative vibe I've heard about the Camber. Just shows that personal preference is King.
What attributes made it shit for you and was this the Evo version or standard geo? I'm interested since the Camber Evo is right at the top of my shortlist for a do everything except DH and jumps trail bike. I can imagine it's quite a different bike with or without the Pike up front.
Also what makes the Trance a million times better? If it is then I should be getting one of those, because a million times is a lot. Sorry, please ignore the sarcasm, I am genuinely interested in your reasoning as the Trance is a serious option for sure and any info would be welcome.
As someone else mentioned above,i think the new giant anthem sx would make a great bike for most people for most of the uk.
What attributes made it shit for you and was this the Evo version or standard geo? I'm interested since the Camber Evo is right at the top of my shortlist for a do everything except DH and jumps trail bike. I can imagine it's quite a different bike with or without the Pike up front.
I tried 2; both 29. Unsure of exact models. Both were steep and twitchy, like sitting on a road bike. Cheap though I suppose. I felt immediately at odds with it and just couldn't bear to ride it. It is absolutely personal preference, so don't let my opinion sway you. I do suggest that you try others though. As I said, the Trance and Anthem felt lots better to me. More neutral, surefooted, confidence inspiring. Then again, you might love the Camber!
Also what makes the Trance a million times better? If it is then I should be getting one of those, because a million times is a lot. Sorry, please ignore the sarcasm, I am genuinely interested in your reasoning as the Trance is a serious option for sure and any info would be welcome.
I tried the previous generation trance-x and enduro which weren't far off travel/geometry wise. I've got to agree, the giant just did something better, I'm not sure what, but it did. The suspension felt much more active, but that the same time it felt faster uphill. And down, the Anthem-x is the only bike I've ever drifted alsmost every flat turn (and a lot of berms) first time out. Dunno why, giant's just suit me, but then the anthem is/was very much weighted on the frton wheel so the back was always doing it's own thing!
Which is wierd, I've never actualy bought one.
I tried 2; both 29. Unsure of exact models. Both were steep and twitchy, like sitting on a road bike. Cheap though I suppose. I felt immediately at odds with it and just couldn't bear to ride it. It is absolutely personal preference, so don't let my opinion sway you. I do suggest that you try others though. As I said, the Trance and Anthem felt lots better to me. More neutral, surefooted, confidence inspiring. Then again, you might love the Camber!
Thanks for coming back on this. I'd be very surprised if the Evo version with a 120 mm Pike would feel steep and twitchy, but I guess I'll find out for myself soon enough. On paper The Trance looks slacker and the Anthem steeper. I'm finding demos of anything difficult to come by at the moment.
No probs. envious of the new bike time! What the budget BTW?
Budget is pretty flexible, but don't want to go North of £5K if I can help it. Most of the bikes I've been shortlisting are in the £4-4.5K bracket.
With the proviso that it's a personal thing;
http://www.stif.co.uk/mtb/product/santa-cruz-5010-solo-carbon-bike-s-am-build/12352
wrecker - v. nice option and certainly considered the 5010, but was looking more closely at their 29ers i.e. Tallboy LTc. Decided in the end that SC bikes are just a tad more money than I really feel the need to pay to get the ride I'm looking for.
Which is? SC are undoubtably expensive, but if you really compare it the the evo I don't think there's a huge amount in it. The SC is full carbon, the evo has an alu rear. Both have pikes, CTD kash shock. Nothing between the wheels and lets be honest the drivetrain is mostly consumable. Similar price. I don't think that the spesh offers much better value at all.
Of course if you want a more XCish 29er then that's fine. A demo might not be a bad idea though?