Marin Rocksprings or Specialized Enduro
AdeLud
Posts: 13
Hi all,
I'm trying to chose between these 2 bikes and would be grateful to hear from anyone who rides either.
I had a test ride on a Spesh Enduro Elite last night (I'm considering the Comp) and really enjoyed it, especially on the ups. Only weighs in a couple of pounds lighter than my current ride (upgraded Marin Alpine Trail 2003) but it was noticeably better at climbing. The test bike was a medium with a cut down seat tube but was still a bit too big for me (want more standover).
Having sat on a medium Marin Rocksprings I would want a small (shorter reach and some standover). Assuming my LBS can get hold of small (I know stock is out at shops with no more in reserve) on paper this bike would seem ideal for what I'm after. As far as I've read it weighs in a good 4lbs heavier than the Spesh but I'm told it climbs better. The mag reviews all say pointing it downhill lets it come into its own where it's just superb.
I guess my riding could be described as aggressive xc? I've got a couple of hours after work midweek and Sunday morings so I'm not into lengthy xc rides. I don't mind riding uphill as long as there's a blast down the other side as a reward! Technical wooded singletrack downhill trails is what I enjoy riding most. I've been MTBing for 3 years so still have lots to learn and improve upon. Having found a nice downhill I'll happily re-run it several times to try and get it dialled.
Any advice appreciated - especially from owners of these bikes.
TIA, Ade
I'm trying to chose between these 2 bikes and would be grateful to hear from anyone who rides either.
I had a test ride on a Spesh Enduro Elite last night (I'm considering the Comp) and really enjoyed it, especially on the ups. Only weighs in a couple of pounds lighter than my current ride (upgraded Marin Alpine Trail 2003) but it was noticeably better at climbing. The test bike was a medium with a cut down seat tube but was still a bit too big for me (want more standover).
Having sat on a medium Marin Rocksprings I would want a small (shorter reach and some standover). Assuming my LBS can get hold of small (I know stock is out at shops with no more in reserve) on paper this bike would seem ideal for what I'm after. As far as I've read it weighs in a good 4lbs heavier than the Spesh but I'm told it climbs better. The mag reviews all say pointing it downhill lets it come into its own where it's just superb.
I guess my riding could be described as aggressive xc? I've got a couple of hours after work midweek and Sunday morings so I'm not into lengthy xc rides. I don't mind riding uphill as long as there's a blast down the other side as a reward! Technical wooded singletrack downhill trails is what I enjoy riding most. I've been MTBing for 3 years so still have lots to learn and improve upon. Having found a nice downhill I'll happily re-run it several times to try and get it dialled.
Any advice appreciated - especially from owners of these bikes.
TIA, Ade
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Comments
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A friend has the rocksprings frame but built up differently and he loves his. he finds it heavier than his xc bike but thats known about, but on the way down he loves the thing. If you're into aggressive xc and the technical singletrack you mention i think the rocksprings would be best.0
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Hi Ade,
I can't comment on the Spesh but last week I splashed my hard earned cash on a Wolf Ridge (which as you probably know has the same frame as the Rock Springs). A few weeks earlier I test rode an Attack trail and decided that it was pretty much everything I needed from a bike. Likewise I am very pleased with my Wolf Ridge and would ride it every day if I could!
For me the riding position is really comfortable (no more back pain
) and the bike is really solid with the Pike forks and front and rear through axles. The handling is really good and I find that the bike jumps and lands confidentally too.
On my attack trail demo I found that the pedals were tapping the ground quite a bit so I replaced the 175 mm cranks, that came with the Wolf Ridge, with 165mm ones to give more ground clearance. This seems to have done the trick and the crank length feels fine for my short legs in any case.
What has suprised me most about the bike though is its ability to climb. Despite being 4 lbs heavier than my old 4" travel XC bike and having bigger tyres I'm actually climbing up hills slightly quicker! I can only assume that this is due to a more efficient suspension design.
However the Wolf Ridge and Attack Trail do have a different rear shock fitted to that on the Rock Springs (RP23 as opposed to Float R) and I'm not sure what difference this will make to how the bike climbs, if any.
The Enduro still looks a great bike though and probably better value for money than the Rock Springs or Wolf Ridge. The thing that put me off the Enduro was stories of fork problems but perhaps this has been sorted now.
Stu0 -
I'd go for the Rock Springs, mainly becasue all the parts are generic, and are therefore simple enough to replace or repair for years to come.0
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Thanks for the replies so far guys - Rock Springs getting the nod.
Spoke to my LBS this morning - still waiting to hear back from the area rep to see if there's a small frame available.
Anybody riding a Spesh Enduro out there? Would be interesting to hear from owners of the SL Comp model which is the alternative to the Marin for me.0 -
Any Specialized Enduro 2008 riders out there?!0
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Hi all, well after lots of soul searching I finally decided to go for the Specialized. I managed to find both the Rock Springs and Enduro in small. There was lots of weighing up to do between the bikes but on balance decided the Enduro would be the better bike for me and the riding I do.
Ordered Sunday and delivered this morning
Pic can be seen here:
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2233245/
Only managed to get out on the road to set up the suspension so far. Looking forward to a proper off road ride on Thursday after work 8) .0 -
nice bike, but I'd never realised the head angle was that slack before! it's almost a DH setup!0
