One bike to rule them all? oh dear…

So since acquiring Spec Epic Evo Pro not seen the need to ride my Occam LT.   And, with a Peaks long weekend planned for September Ive an inclination to swap race tyres back to the OEM Ground Control Grid and take the Epic.

Please give me tales of Peak District rocks – and anything else – that’d be the ruination of the Epic and therefore demands keeping the oh so loved Alu/SLX hard wearing Minion tyred Occam.  🙂

Comedy quips encouraged.

The solution is a Transition Spur. You are welcome.

I’d say that the Epic Evo is perfect for most of the peaks. It’s only if you’re riding the unsanctioned trails at places like Blackrock, Win Hill etc that longer travel would be advisable.

I’ve had a similar problem, since getting my Ragley Marley, my Stumpjumper Evo has been very neglected, because the Marley is just as much fun and maintenance is much easier.

Peak

Short for Peak District

Or more correctly Peke District

Peak

No “s”

Tyres and wheels are what you’ll kill first. You have three months to figure out which to use. What could possibly go wrong?

Peak local. Not plural.

As a visitor, I think you’ll get more out of it on your bigger bike. You and I seem to have fairly similar taste in terms of riding, with a like of fast cross country stuff as well as bigger stuff.

I grew up riding in the Peak, lived there again for a few years and still ride there regularly. For various reasons, I’ve ridden my XC bike (current gen Scott Spark, 130mm front and 120mm back) there the last few times I’ve visited. On some trails it’s good, but for the famous trails you’ll likely want to ride (The Beast, Cavedale, Lockerbrook, Hagg Farm) you will find them less of a battle on the big bike. The rocks are big, they’re not trails you’re familiar with and riding a bigger bike will give you more chance of cleaning and enjoying them.

If you were a local riding there every week you’d probably enjoy the change of riding a smaller bike sometimes but since this isn’t your normal riding, it’s a trip to enjoy yourself and it’s a full weekend, take the bigger bike.

Back in 2007 I took my Epic to Morzine and had a blast! You’ll be fine

Perfect bike for me in the peak is 160/130mm full suss with 2.6 tires.

Over 20 years I’ve ridden almost exactly the same trails on

110mm hardtail
130mm hardtail
160mm hardtail
120/110mm full suss
150/150mm full suss
170/170mm full suss.
2000s yeti dh bike with triple clamps, a pull shock and a double chainset bodged in

The 170/170mm was a bit much for 95% of the peaks. Fun but heavy for the rest.

The dh tires were so draggy I only rode that bike in the peaks once and sold it.

Either of your bikes will be fine.
One will be better uphill one will be better down.

If you are worried about going downhill take the bigger bike.

If you are worried about not getting up the climbs- you can always get off and push.

There’s no correct answer, but hopefully there is no wrong answer either.

Its an urban myth but apparently it is possible…..

I am just not willing to give up some many lovely bikes to try…

Thanks, munrobiker has it.  And yes I’m a wheels on the ground – or at least not far from it – trail rider, and the Occam will cosset me a bit more.

I love the Occam for its trails manners – it never wallows yet isn’t ever unfortavle and I fact going by “feel” I understand the Epic to move more freely at the beginning of the stroke, and this is what gives the comfy feels in open mode.  Stick in Firm and between the tapes and it’s a bullet.

the Occam is the one after a few beers and food in Hope / Castleton, and should be kept for this, rides with Jnr amd general Jinx I reckon.  At least I won’t be worry about sacking an axx mech on a rock!

Your own ruination, rather than the bike’s, might be a consideration if you’re doing more than a day or two.

Also as munrobiker says you like fast XC, if that means descents on old tracks and the like, I do too. Having the bigger and tougher bike allows you to relax a bit, and helps get you out of trouble when you suddenly arrive at some obstacle doing 40k or run off the side of the track.

My god, autocorrect didn’t work as expected and maybe I should avoid responding in a dull light without my contacts in…. 😂

Peak

Short for Peak District

Or more correctly Peke District

Peak

No “s”

just like the Lake in those respects, then?

Dark Peak and White Peak.

Plural

Just saying…

I’m a very low skilled rider and have had fun across the Peak District on a Trek 6500d with 120mm forks. Any bike will be fine. HT, full sus, short or long travel. Tis all good

just like the Lake in those respects, then?

Well no. For a start, the lakes are still there.

Are the Peak’s (or indeed Peke’s) still there*?

Disagree re: the comment re snide trails. You’ll benefit most from long travel on the traditional rocky straight line bridleways. In the trees there are no rocks and a small bike is more fun. I’d take a 150-160mm bike for the classic dark peak loops.

* Apostrophe’ added for effect.

When you here In September?

I’m another that has ridden all the classic stuff on..

spesh rockhopper with quadra 21

GT zaskat with manitou xvert

GT STS

Turner 5spot

pivot 5.7

Bird Am160

currently on a 150/130 29’r which is the fastest of the lot.

Bring whats comfy for you to ride.

the dark peak is pretty rough so bring the bike with your least favourite wheels….😉

As Martyn says above, which one do you care for the rims, drive drain and paint less? Take that.  The Peak(s) seems to always destroy bikes.