the dilemma... FS or HT for Cape Epic?

wittenham

I am doing Cape Epic in March, and still mulling the bike question. I used a whyte E5 in the Transrockies in 2007 and it pretty well saved my life on the downhills. But Cape Epic looks a lot less technical [from the videos, anyway]. Anyone with any experience of the CE have a view?

If it helps, I am late 40s, not an incredibly proficient singletrack or downhiller [but working at it].

Assume budget doesn't matter [even if it does...].

greg

weeksy59

I have no advice, but DAMN it looks tough and long mate.

Best of luck... do a good report/wirte up please.

joshtp

wow, im not exactly a long distance xc'er (more a rabbid dog with a bike) but the CE looks amazing, its one of my life ambitions, esp as as of last sat i now have a good amount of fam in SA, intrest in the country has grown, and the Extreme sports channel coverage makes it look amazing.
if you look at what the pro teams are using they vary, on some less technical days they go for ht's but on some of the more tch days, like the last, they use FS, i would say either something like a connondale scalpel, would be ideal, if you can only have one, i think go for FS as the comfort will be a big thing after that much distance. the scalpel is good cuz its only a tad heavier than a HT, is very efficient, and has a bit more squish for comfort. if you are going for a HT something like a giant xtc (or whatever the pro version is called) would be good, maybe with 100mm rather than 80mm, again as for that distance comfort over weight is important. whatever happens dont try to save weigh in places like saddle, grips, and peddals, as being uncomfortable is your biggest enemy over that disstance.
my top 3 bikes for FS would be 'Dale scalpel, Scott spark, trek top fuel
my top 3 bikes for HT would be Scott Scale, Giant XTC, 'Dale flash carbon
obviously spec will depend on your money.

LoUiS1985

if cost is no object, how about something like this??

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Scott-Spark-RC- ... _28752.htm

or this...

http://www.corratec.com/en/bikes2010/mt ... _konfi.php

skellator3

+1
for the corratec
even look at their hardtails as well as the bouncers, great kit and value for money and light, hard tail less than 10 kg full xtr nice