Ignore the make, comments on equipment spec please :)

nealgs

Hi All,

This MTB hunting is doing my head in something rotten . Looking for a new bike, must be lightweight, Hydraulic disc brakes, decent forks, and comfortable.

When for a ride today on a Claude Butler Olympus D2 (2007) with this spec:

# FRAME: Double butted 6061 series alloy frame with oversize hydroformed down tube, snake stays and semi integrated head tube. CNC disc drop outs, square to round top tube and round to oval down tube for more efficient power transfer.
# FORK: Rock Shox Tora 318 Solo Air includes preload adjust, manual lock out and 130mm travel.
# GEARS: Shimano Deore LX 27 speed dual control system combined shift/brake lever.
# CRANKS: Shimano FC-M442 black 175mm 22/32/44T chainset with Shimano cartridge bottom bracket.
# WHEELS: Ritchey Mountain Pro Disc OCR front and rear, disc specific, eyeletted, anti pinch,welded seam. Equipped with 32 hole black alloy Shimano M495 quick release centre lock hubs. 9 Speed freehub. Tioga Blue Dragon 26x2.1.
# BRAKES: Shimano Deore LX hydraulic disc system on ft-18Omm+rr-160mm centre lock rotor.
# STEERING: Tioga semi integrated “aheadset” with Truvativ 31.8mm alloy ahead stem and Truvativ 31.8mm alloy 640mm riser bar.
# EXTRAS: Truvativ XR seat post, Ritchey Mountain Pro Speedmax locking grips

How do they compare to say the Specialized Rockhopper Specs:

Frame:
M4 manipulated alloy frame with a butted ORE downtube and forged dropouts with a replaceable alloy hanger. Disc only.
Fork:
RockShox Tora 302 SL with 100mm of travel and 32mm Cr-Mo stanchions. Alloy steerer and a Mag lower. Coil spring with preload adjust. Lockout with rebound adjust.
Front Derailleur:
Shimano Deore FD-M530 with a 34.9mm clamp.
Rear Derailleur:
Shimano LX RD-M581 SGS cage.
Shifters:
Shimano Deore SL-M530 trigger.
Chainset:
Shimano FC-MM442-8. Replaceable rings with alloy outer and Octalink spline.
Chainrings:
44/32/22 teeth.
Bottom Bracket:
Shimano BB-ES25 Octalink spline. Cartridge bearing. 68x118mm for 50mm chainline.
Cassette:
Shimano HG-50 9 speed with a 11-34 tooth range.
Chain:
KMC X9 with reusable missing link.
Pedals:
Specialized alloy 1 piece body and cage.
Front Brake:
Avid Juicy 3 SL hydraulic disc brake with 6" G2 clean sweep rotor.
Rear Brake:
Avid Juicy 3 SL hydraulic disc brake with 6" G2 clean sweep rotor.
Brake Levers:
Avid Juicy 3 SL hydraulic disc levers.
Handlebars:
Specialized alloy butted 31.8mm XC rise bar with graphics. 640mm wide with a 8 degree back and 8 degree up sweep.
Stem:
Specialized four bolt 3D forged alloy. 31.8mm with a 7 degree rise.
Headset:
1 1/8" threadless.
Grips:
Specialized Enduro dual density Kraton grips.
Rims:
Specialized/Alex RHD 26" double wall rims with eyelets for disc brakes.
Front Hub:
Specialized Hi Lo disc 28 hole hub with CNC flanges and disc mount. Polished raced and quick release.
Rear Hub:
Specialized Hi Lo disc cassette 32 hole hub with CNC flanges and disc mount. Polished races and a alloy quick release.
Spokes:
1.8mm 15g stainless with alloy nipples.
Front Tyre:
Specialized Fast Track LK Sport. 26x2.0", 60 TPI, wire bead.
Rear Tyre:
Specialized Fast Track LK Sport. 26x2.0", 60 TPI, wire bead.
Tubes:
Specialized Schrader valve.
Saddle:
Specialized Indie XC . 143mm width.
Seatpost:
Specialized butted alloy two bolt micro adjust head. 30.9mm.
Seat Binder:
Specialized alloy with quick release and brass washer.
Accessories:
Chain stay protector, reflectors, clear coat.
Rear Shock:
Specialized alloy butted 31.8mm XC rise bar with graphics. 640mm wide with a 8 degree back and 8 degree up sweep.

Are the components on the Olympus D2 better than the RH?? I.E. Forks & Brakes etc. The brief ride i had on the D2 showed me that it fitted rather well, felt comfortable, nice gears etc, but i've not tried anything else yet - RH next at Evans to try.

cheers all
Gary

Papa Smurf

I don't know about the rest but if the forks on the RH are anything like mine, which they are, exactly... Then they'll be a shit load heavier than the air ones on the CB

supersonic

The RH fork is the 2008 SL version - alu steerer, saves a chunk of weight. But the 318 is a better fork. The rest of the spec is similar. It has dual control - really must test this sytem out first.

xtreem

The Claude Butler seems to have a little bit better spec, or the same exept the fork and maybe the brakes.

The main thing is you have to decide what mainly are you doing with your bike.
XC or Trail. If you take the Rockhopper you are limited on forks, so the only upgrade you'll make, is to Reba.
But with the Butler you can choose between Revelation, XC600, XC700,
Pike, Fox 32.....
If you stick with XC then go with the Rockhopper.

nealgs

xtreem - bike will be used for commuting to work - roads and canal paths, with the odd bit of Trail/XC (previous rides have seen, road, tree root lined downhill paths, muddy grass sections etc)

Looking at a slicker tyre for commuting and swapping tyre over when out in the dirt.

cheers
Gary

xtreem

In that case I think you'll be better with the Rochopper.

nealgs

A quick update for for anyone remotely interested

I went and bought the olympus D2 on friday - my reasoning being that based on the feed back, the £100 saving in price between the D2 & the RH was worth it.

Frame and comfort of the D2 suited me, which is one of the main things - it's also a lighter bike than my old one (which wasn't difficult).

First commute is tomorrow if weather permits

cheers all

Gary

supersonic

If you like it - it is right.