This is my first post on the forums but was wondering if anyone had any advice on my new bike purchase.
At 6 1', mainly riding local trails and the odd trail centre I have been advised that a 29er would be good choice for a new steed.I have a budget of 2k max and have narrowed the choice down to the 2013 Specialized Camber Comp and Giant Trance X1 29er's.
The two seem fairly evenly matched component wise, aside from the Spec has a bolt through rear but not front and the Giant the exact opposite. The giant also has a dropper post included.
Any constructive advice folks could offer on which model to go for would be greatly appreciated.
Test ride them both.
Opinions are just that.
Cambers are great bikes. Trances, like most Giant's are average at best. Weird geometry and dated features like the 135QR rear axle.
[quoteTrances, like most Giant's are average at best. Weird geometry and dated features like the 135QR rear axle.
Ok , apart from the rear axle what else is dated?
Trances, like most Giant's are average at best
dated features
Like FSR suspension?
Spesh has a PF30 bottom bracket, run a mile and keep on running, until you reach water, then start swimming, then when you get to the USA sign up with NASA and get on the next rocket to Mars, then prey for aliens to find you and take you to a galaxy far far away,
Yeah, what's worse, a QR swingarm (which will do the job fine, and be compatible with more wheels than whatever the new coolness is) or a damn fool BB (and no ISCG tabs)
I've got a Camber 26er which I do rate, but still I think dismissing the Anthem for being "dated" on this evidence is just, well, mental frankly.
Just for balance the Trance X1 has a stupid BB92 pressfit BB and 1.25 to 1.5 steerer fork so you need to buy a special stem if you want to swap...frikkin progress my arse.
Giants are dated... Really 8O.
I would suggest a test ride. Specialize tend to run a "Brain" shock to calm unwanted pedal induced movement, wheras Giants dated maestro system seems to have less unwanted feedback whilst pedalling.
Having had both I would choose the giant. Thats my opinion.
Oh, and the maestro has a one piece back end so the effect of a bolt through would be minimal. IMO.
Jay
If you have had both then you would know that the Camber has never used a "brain" shock .
FWIW I have a Camber Comp 29er 2012 and love it to bits and 2013 Cambers seem to be more competitively priced . My only complaint would be that you can't get a really big tyre on the rear as there isn't enough clearance , I'm sure the Trance is also a good bike but really you need to ride both before making your mind up .
jasonm didn't say Cambers have brains- he said that Specialized use brains on FSRs to reduce bob, while Giant don't need to because maestro takes care of that. OTOH I reckon the trusty FSR is better when you start knocking it about, but maestro's very good. I've got 2 horst/fsr bikes and they both see a fair bit of use of the propedal button, which I know some people hate or consider to be bad design
I'd ignore all that above, apart from the comment about test riding them & making your own mind up. Yes, they have different standards & systems. You could probably find as many people arguing the advantages of one bike, as arguing the advantages of the other. Or disadvantages...
Most manufacturers have their own preferred standard/system. For example, I think the Spesh doesn't have a big fat front axle as Spesh use oversized cups that they reckon stiffen things up enough.
Their Brain shock is more of a high end shock they put on the bikes higher up the range. Lower spec bikes get the Triad shock or something similar. I've ridden the same Stumpjumper with both shocks & while the Brain shock locks the suspension out, it isn't necessary. The design works fine with just the triad & doesn't really suffer from pedal induced bob...
As we were talking about Cambers in particular then it seemed a reasonable assumption that the Brain comment related to Cambers .
I'd ignore all that above, apart from the comment about test riding them & making your own mind up. Yes, they have different standards & systems. You could probably find as many people arguing the advantages of one bike, as arguing the advantages of the other. Or disadvantages...
Rather defeats the object of asking peoples opinion I think .
Sorry if I misled, I just suggest he test rides both. I prefer maestro thousands don't.
It was the "dated" comment that pulled my chain!
They've both got those dated round wheels...I'd look for something with at least dodecahedral wheels if I were you.
The stupid is very strong on here tonight is'nt it 🙄
The stupid is very strong on here tonight is'nt it
Still time to edit 😆
I would give Giant a wide berth due to poor warranty.
Thanks for all opinions. pjm84 have you had a bad experience with Giant and a warranty claim?
This may sway you:
[url= http://www.bikescene.co.uk/Specialized-Camber-Expert-Carbon-29-3742-103-0.html ]http://www.bikescene.co.uk/Specialized-Camber-Expert-Carbon-29-3742-103-0.html[/url]
Thanks bigdugsbaws, Small & Medium are a bargain, large is £3k and as my original post says I am looking for a large on a maximum budget of £2k. Thanks all the same though.
I would give Giant a wide berth due to poor warranty.
Not sure what this is about . . . I have a Giant TCR, had a problem with a very small bubble that developed in the carbon (or possibly lacquer) a couple of years into ownership, not more than 5mm diameter, and Giant replaced the frame immediately.
Thanks bigdugsbaws, Small & Medium are a bargain, large is £3k and as my original post says I am looking for a large on a maximum budget of £2k. Thanks all the same though.
All sizes were £2.2k when I posted that, you werent quick enough 😉
I've been having the same dilema between the two bikes.
In the end I've went for the camber comp 29er 2012.
It's down to £1700 on the evans site.
Should get it this week.