Spicy or Nerve

SH4RKY
SH4RKY Posts: 38
edited January 2012 in MTB buying advice
Lapierre Spicy 516 or Canyon Nerve AM 8.0x

I’ve looked at so many bikes recently I think I’ve lost track of what I think I want or more importantly need...
I’m under no illusion that both the above are probably unnecessary for me at the moment, but hey I fancy a treat!
I have a 2009 Trek 6300 hard tail at the moment. It’s fun, had no issues with it. Forks are pretty comical, but doesn’t stop me out riding my friend on his orange 5... but that’s really down to his appalling fitness at the moment. ;) Will keep the trek, probably upgrade the forks. Give it to my brother. Use it for work. etc


I know they are quite different bikes but at the moment both are approximately the same price...
The Spicy usually goes for 2900 so to get it for 2100 brings it into the territory of the nerve 8.0x I was thinking of getting.

I guess the Nerve is more 50/50 up and down capable with its more upright position and 140mm travel.
And the Spicy is... what 60/40 down/up, 70/30 maybe?

I want something fun and lively that I can grow into and wont limit my options. E.g. I really want to go to the alps and do some big decents etc. But I also want to be able to go back up the other side....

Saying that, at the moment it will be mostly trail centre riding, but once uni is out the way i want to branch out and do some more varied stuff.

So thoughts? Dont have much time as the Lap offer expires soon.
Is the 516 complete overkill? Or are the beefier 36 160mm forks worth the arguable downgrade in transmission (XT on Lap, X0 on the Nerve) and reduced climbing ability?

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2565

http://www.lapierre-bikes.co.uk/mtb/all ... 16#onglets

Comments

  • milko9000
    milko9000 Posts: 533
    I rode a Spicy (916) and didn't particularly have any trouble climbing stuff. And they're real pretty. And it sounds like that's the one you really want anyway. Can't see that you'd have any problems with XT transmission either, but if you were used to SRAM gears you might prefer to stay with the X0.
  • 1mancity2
    1mancity2 Posts: 2,355
    Spicy all the way for me, like you say something to grow into and with 160mm you can do almost anything with it.
    Finished, Check out my custom Giant Reign 2010
    Dirt Jumper Dmr Sidekick2
  • SH4RKY
    SH4RKY Posts: 38
    milko9000 wrote:
    I rode a Spicy (916) and didn't particularly have any trouble climbing stuff. And they're real pretty. And it sounds like that's the one you really want anyway. Can't see that you'd have any problems with XT transmission either, but if you were used to SRAM gears you might prefer to stay with the X0.

    Ha, it was the canyon i really want as i invested so much time researching the buggers! Maybe a bit blinkered.

    Never used SRAM, so was gonna go for the 8.0x over the 7.0 for pretty much that reason... just curious to try it out.
    Oh, and the seat dropper!
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    How about a Zesty that's more of a 50/50 up/down split if you think the Spicy is too much.

    You should also be able to find some Lappier demo bikes to try which I don't think you can with Canyon?
  • SH4RKY
    SH4RKY Posts: 38
    Zesty isnt in the deal :( And I wont get chance to trial ride one before the deal finishes.

    What are lapierre sizes like? Is a medium pretty much a medium....

    I'm 176cm High with an inseam of 84cm ish. Canyon measure tool said medium for the nerve.
  • Mojo_666
    Mojo_666 Posts: 860
    SH4RKY wrote:
    Zesty isnt in the deal :( And I wont get chance to trial ride one before the deal finishes.

    What are lapierre sizes like? Is a medium pretty much a medium....

    I'm 176cm High with an inseam of 84cm ish. Canyon measure tool said medium for the nerve.

    My Nerve has taken everything I have thrown at it so far including uplifts at Cwmcarn.
    My 1 and only Bike
  • milko9000
    milko9000 Posts: 533
    SH4RKY wrote:
    Ha, it was the canyon i really want as i invested so much time researching the buggers! Maybe a bit blinkered.

    Never used SRAM, so was gonna go for the 8.0x over the 7.0 for pretty much that reason... just curious to try it out.
    Oh, and the seat dropper!

    heh, totally misread your feeling then! I've used SRAM on my mate's Zesty (had Shimano on my Spicy) and its pretty nice. Seat droppers I will never go back to not having.

    But yeah, got my SB-66 and love it but still kinda miss the old (broken hence the change) Spicy sometimes, it was a beaut.
  • Dave_P1
    Dave_P1 Posts: 565
    Spicy all the way.
    They climb a lot better than you think and are great on the downs too. I've had no issues with mine and it gets used from riding on the road to jumps / drops, great bike!
    Product & Race Reviews Here
    Various vids including many Trail Centres
  • Stevo_666
    Stevo_666 Posts: 61,428
    SH4RKY wrote:
    What are lapierre sizes like? Is a medium pretty much a medium....

    I'm 176cm High with an inseam of 84cm ish. Canyon measure tool said medium for the nerve.
    No idea about Canyons fit but I am 177cm tall with the same inseam as you and my Spicy is a good fit for me.

    I'm biased given what I own but the Spicy is fine for pretty much any type of riding and should be a better tool for going down the hills given the geo and the 36mm forks. The frame is excellent and you can always upgrade the parts later on if you want. If you can get a good deal, go for it.
    "I spent most of my money on birds, booze and fast cars: the rest of it I just squandered." [George Best]
  • SH4RKY
    SH4RKY Posts: 38
    milko9000 wrote:
    But yeah, got my SB-66 and love it but still kinda miss the old (broken hence the change) Spicy sometimes, it was a beaut.

    woah, yours broke?? :shock: :mrgreen:


    Certainly a lot of love the ol' Lap.

    hmmm, decisions decisions
  • Mojo_666
    Mojo_666 Posts: 860
    SH4RKY wrote:
    milko9000 wrote:
    But yeah, got my SB-66 and love it but still kinda miss the old (broken hence the change) Spicy sometimes, it was a beaut.

    woah, yours broke?? :shock: :mrgreen:


    Certainly a lot of love the ol' Lap.

    hmmm, decisions decisions

    There are a lot more out there.
    My 1 and only Bike
  • milko9000
    milko9000 Posts: 533
    SH4RKY wrote:
    milko9000 wrote:
    But yeah, got my SB-66 and love it but still kinda miss the old (broken hence the change) Spicy sometimes, it was a beaut.

    woah, yours broke?? :shock: :mrgreen:
    Certainly a lot of love the ol' Lap.
    hmmm, decisions decisions

    Yeah, not while in use, either in transit or storage. Bit of a mystery. Carbon fibre snapped at the wheel dropout. Probably something I did wrong, but still a bit of worry considering the bit that snapped was attached to the mech hangar, I'd have expected that to go first!

    You know what? I reckon you'd like either bike lots anyway, so just get the one you think looks nicest and then never ride the other so you can't possibly regret it. I do think people worry too much about this stuff sometimes :)
  • SH4RKY
    SH4RKY Posts: 38
    Haha.... brilliant advice :D Thats actually what its coming down to at the moment!

    I think the Lap is a bit bland and ulgy, shame it doesnt have the crazy stickers like the older laps, so im leaning towards the lean and green nerve :)
  • SH4RKY
    SH4RKY Posts: 38
    Or the Strive ES 8........ :?

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