Camber or Epic?

PaulRoubaix

Hi,

I usually ride road bikes, but I have just brought a pair of 5-10s so I guess Im committed to going to the dirty side!

This years summer has been a washout for my roadbiking, crap weather and wih changing jobs not enough time to really get decent training in. The thinking behind getting a trail bike is that I can put it in the car and after work head up to Cannock chase (its about 6 miles from me) and get a good lap in. Also, my parents have a caravan near Welshpool so I can pop in to see them* after a ride in the welsh hills (*have a shower, eat their food, drink their booze)

The bikes I like are the Spesh Epic and Camber (both 29ers, will grow beard if necessary!), I have spesh road bikes and have been really impressed so Im happy to stick with them... as long as theres not too much of a price premium over similar spec and performing bikes from other makers.
I will be looking to spend about £2500 which I guess will get me a 2013 Camber carbon, or a 2013 Epic alloy. I know its alot to spend, but I will be keeping it for a good few years and would rather have something that I cant wait to get on than buy cheap and be upgrading straight away and wishing I had something better next year.

Im 5 foot 10 and 15 stone bt looking to loose some of that.

I like the Epic because... although race oriented it seems that its not uncomfortable so long as you are pushing on, Im never going to be a racer but I do like to push myself and its nice to have a bike thats built for that. Also, for 2012/13 the brain seems to get very good reviews.

I like the camber because... yeah, its the softer option (much like my roubaix to the tarmac) and I know there will be times I will appreicater that more easy going nature, and for that price I will be getting carbon.

So, for my sort of riding which do you think would be best? and what alternative should I be looking at..?

EDIT: I also like the Carve... but I really like the idea of the plushness of a full suser.

chez_m356

PaulRoubaix wrote:

and what alternative should I be looking at..?

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2558

PaulRoubaix

Tanks for that, but Im really looking for a 29er.

Also, being able to see and test ride one would be nice!

paul.skibum

PaulRoubaix wrote:

Also, being able to see and test ride one would be nice!

Wise words.

Giant Anthem 29er maybe - would probably fall between the two spesh bikes. In that price range there are probably quite a few options but Giant, Spesh, Trek would cover much of the available options.

Personally (and going somewhat against type) I really like spesh - I do think their lower end offerings are poor VFM but th ehigher spec bikes arent too bad in my opinion.