So what exactly is the advantage of . . . .

FSR_XC

. . . . . . changing my bike?

I have an 07 Specialized FSR_XC (hence my unique name ).

I've been looking at the Cube AMS bikes, either AMS 100 or AMS125. It would only be the lower spec model (which is still SLX & XT groupset with Oro brakes).

Can't get a proper test ride at the moment as there are no test bikes about, but took an AMS 125 for a quick road test earlier (about 200m down the road).

I know you can't really tell much from a short road ride, but I couldn't really see any great advantage over what I already have.

Should I bother even thinking about it?

zero303

Probably not thb

In these sorts of situations I generally look at adding to my selection, rather than replacing in order to increase ride time potential or add variety.

HT, SS, Long Travel FS, Road Bike?

papasmurf.

apart from the OOO shiney shiney factor probably not much...as above get something to complement what you have..

allthegearnoidea

the cube ams's are lovely looking bikes! keep drroling over the one in the bike barn!

to be honest mark, unless your finding that your regularly using all of your travel on the bike the extra on the newer models will be on no benefit, or that the fsr is no longer suited to the riding your doing?? i could possibly understand a more 'all mountain' styled bike for the more extreme xc riding, but having two very similar spec'd and styled bikes would seem silly, unless of course the trusty old steed has given its notice?
could always look at a Hard tail as that would give you a FS a HT and road bike!

a lot of bike exchanges are because of want rather than need, (but on that basis we'd prolly all be on the original bikes!)

clarkson

i'd add to what you have. something totally different. an xc hardtail or a 6ish inch full sus.

FSR_XC

Thanks for the replies.

Looks like I'll be keeping the Spesh for a while then.

Surf-Matt

Good choice Mark.

Getting a bit bored of mine breaking all the time but it's still great when it works!

Stephen-Hawking

Hey, Srf-Matt, your mtb libido picked up a bit at all now that the weather's improving?

toasty

My 2007 FSR XC felt a bit too close to a hardtail for me, the sort of riding it was intended for was exactly the same and I already had a Stumpjumper hardtail.

Hence swapping to 2 more contrasting bikes. If I'm riding within my comfort zone I'll use the Zaskar and SPDs, if I'm going to be scaring/pushing myself I'll use the Meta with flats. General trail riding will be a mix of either.

Have you given any longer travel bikes a test out of curiosity? Not because you "need" the travel, they're just good, inspiring fun

Surf-Matt

Not really. I still do 10m a day on it but it keeps breaking on me.

At the same time I'm killing my trail running PBs and my shoes don't keep dying on me every time they see mud!

Anonymous

there might be no advantage to owning another bike but you are a grown man and if you can afford and just want something new, there is no need to find justification. if you were a bird, you wouldnt think twice of having two sets of diamond earings if you could afford them.

that said, it does makemore sense to buy a different type of bike if you are desperate to have something new. if you have the sense to be honest about your riding and know you dont need a long travel or all mountain bike as the fsr does everything you need it to with your style of riding, why not consider a road bike.

very good way to put in some fitness related miles especially if you cant be bothered with getting dirty and i dont reckon you have been fast on a bike unless you have been on a road bike (unless you are on a japanese mountain breaking the bike land speed record) also, you havent felt slick gear shifting until you have tried a road group set.

Surf-Matt

Sheeps - FSR/Mark already has a road bike and does lots of miles on it! He's pretty damn fit when it comes to riding.

FSR_XC

As Matt says, I have a road bike & am pretty happy with my bike fitness.

I was thinking (hoping) that a newer XC bike might offer some decent performance benefits.

Looks like a bl**dy good service will offer a better improvement.

Surf-Matt

Mark - our bikes are a similar age and I've just had to spend £400 on new bits. Yours must be wearing out too by now?

FSR_XC

Surf-Matt wrote:

Mark - our bikes are a similar age and I've just had to spend £400 on new bits. Yours must be wearing out too by now?

Mine has been more of a continual replacement process than all in one hit.

I had the headset changed under warranty.

I've replaced:
Pads (x4 sets)
Chain (x2 - need a new one soon)
Cassette (x1 - need new one soon)
Bottom Bracket
Middle chainring
Full set of rear suspension bearings (having done the main one last week)
Rear wheel (upgrade to XT/717 - this needs new bearings (as I found out wednesday when servicing for race this weekend)
tyres (x3 sets)
Gear cables (x1 set)
Front rotor (changed this week as was getting pulsing when applying front brake).

I do all the work myself.
Merlin have an offer on cassette & chain combo at mo (£37 for SRAM 970 / 971), so that'll be on order soon.
Bearing are about £5
It also needs new Jockey wheels - £8
& one of the bearings in the rear shock needs replacing again - £10-£15

allthegearnoidea

the only real difference i would think of is that the cube may be a little lighter over the fsr, but thats prolly it, and for a few quid you could most likely get the fsr to the same weight if not less so in effect would see very little benefit, suspension wise i doubt the difference would be all that noticeable as with yours will be similar travel etc.

the biggest trouble is that you've planted the new bike seed in your head now!

possibly the only way to find out would be to have one on demo for a weekend and to give it a Good test and see if you really notice any difference after 50 miles or so??