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Specialized vs Giant
Hi All,
I am new to the world of MTB'ing but enjoying the rides I have done so far up at the goat farm on my mates Giant Yukon, so much so that I have convinced the minister for finance (wife) to let me buy a new bike to the value of $3000.
I know what type of riding I want to be doing so I don't need any info on that (unless you think it will help, XC cape to cape style)and I have narrowed down my choice of bike to the 2 following:
2012 Specialized Camber Comp 29er
2012 Giant Anthem X 1 29er
What do you guys think? From reading the forums here and the reviews on mtbr.com both bikes seem to be pretty good. Really more interested in horror stories if you have bought either of the 2 bikes above and had a bad experience.
Cheers.
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they stock both specialized and giant and normally have test bikes for both. Im sure that a blast around the GF on each of them may help you decide.
Excellent, thanks for the advice.
you may be able to get specials on 2011 versions shops are getting rid of - a mate of mine is getting a 2011 Camber for a few hundred off with the 2012's coming in
I own a Giant (Trance) and a Specialized (Epic 29er) so can really only speak from a brand/build point of view. IMHO, Giant's are super well spec'd, great components, very solid bikes. The Specialized just feels a little more refined, perhaps more engineering/design put into the bike, it just feels a little bit better put together.
The two bikes you're choosing between are built for slightly different use though. The Camber is more of a trail bike where the Anthem is more of a race bike - extra travel on the Camber, etc.. It's not like there is a massive difference these days, your body position will be in slightly different position more suited to the bike's primary use. I would be more likely to compare Anthem vs Epic and Trance vs Camber.
I'd go for the Anthem. Fast and nimble.
Just spoke to Midland Cycles, they have the new Giants in and just need to put them together. Should be ready for a ride next weekend, Specialized have a demo day coming up on the 4th of december.
Will get to demo both bikes, awesome.
Would also like to say how cool it is to get so many responses to what I would think would be a pretty common question i.e which is better. So thanks to all.
value for money i'd go the gaint specilized are good for frame warranty if you should ever have a badden ive got the 26 epic & its smooooooootha and lightish..
I own 2 Giant Trances and am very happy with them. I had to make a warranty claim on one of them and Giant were extremely fast and helpful. So it's a vote for Giant from me!
Back on a giant after 20 years and love it and yes the old Sedona still goes
Hey - if you are heading down to the Fling, Specialized will have their entire "Test the Best" fleet available for you to ride.
I'd pick the Spec myself, although if you are looking at an Anthem X from Giant, you ought to test the Spec Epic and maybe not the Camber.
Anyway - ride them both/all - thats the only way you will know. Also - when you test 'em, take the time to set the susp up correctly each time for your weight etc. Dont rush it.
Enjoy the choice.
No fling for me unfortunatley, in WA.
I was also in the same situation like yourself two months ago and I went with the Giant Anthem X 29er (2011), and I do not regret it, really happy with the bike. If you are looking at the Giant I would also recommend buying the 2011 model - I got mine for $2500 instead of $3300, and it has better spec than the 2012 model, you may be able to find one on www.bikeexchange.com.au.
As another poster said, the two bikes are for different trails and riding style - the Giant is quite racy, and not as plush as the Camber will be, however, it will certainly climb better and feel lighter than the Camber. Also, be aware of the high standover height on the Giant - that is the only thing I do not like about the bike, the top tube is way too high on the 2011 model, and by looking at the geometry of the 2012 model it is very similar.
Best to try both bikes on the trail.
LBS said that the camber is a pretty good all round bike (if there is such a thing), would you guys agree?
It's probably similar to the Trance (I have a Trance but a 26er) in that it's definitely not a race bike but doesn't have a heap of travel to call it AM. I've raced my Trance, I just change the set up a little to make it a bit better for that sort of riding compared to if I take it up to Red Hill. The lines between the different bikes are so blurry these days, there are now so many different styles of mountain bike. Half of it is how you ride and how you set it up.
Cheers Daveh
As a novice I don't want to restrict myself to any 1 type of riding style and I wont be winning any races anytime soon (I am entering the cape next year and maybe some shorter rides beforehand for conditioning)so a bike that can handle general type XC riding will be fine. Am leaning towards the camber at the mo, it's just the agonizing wait till dec now....
Hi,
If you don't mind, I would just like to let you know that we have the 2012 Scott Spark 29 Elite in store and available for demo rides out in the bush where it matters.
Call in and say hi.
Mike.
As mentioned already, it depends what type of riding you're into (Or expect to be doing).
I have accumulated several mtn bikes over the years and despite having a fast & light duallie available (Yeti ASR SL with good bits, similar spec to an Anthem) I probably ride my older 5" travel Specialized Enduro more often (Similar to the camber).
I do most of my serious riding in the Kalamunda area & like the way that the Enduro can be chucked around with ease. It is a more relaxed ride and just feels more fun.
Don't get me wrong, the Yeti is a superb bike and definitely faster but it's just a bit too single minded, too focused towards fast.
My advice would be to start with a relatively light trail bike like the Camber, Stumpy or Trance then you can customise it towards the discipline that you're into as required without wrecking stuff. If you do it the other way around and buy an XC race bike then ride hard, things will start to break.
Good luck
T
Hmm, 29er....
Thanks for the advice Tony, I was leaning towards the Camber anyway. For some reason I get the feeling that Specialized a cut above when it comes to quality.
The LBS has now added the epic comp into the fray at a reasonable price, and here I was thinking I had almost made the decision.