New bike time approaches. Capra AL1 a no no?

paulneenan76

So, promised myself a full suss in celebration of my 40th year and am starting to narrow the list down.

With a budget of 2-2.5k for a solid all-rounder, I'm fairly set on a well specced Rose Granite Chief - Demo of the new 2016 pending. However, I quite like the Radon Slide (can't demo) and the new On One Codeine (not easy to demo). I quite like the equivalent Canyons but less than the above. What about the Capra AL1? Is it too much, a bit of a pig on long days out and lots of climbing, are they cheese or worth the wait. I know someone with the top end Carbon version and I wasn't convinced he loves it (likes not loves and that's a lot of cash for average).

I'm a tight get so bang for buck is important

rockmonkeysc

Capra AL is a right tank. OK if your riding is mostly down but not for big days. Too much suspension as well, it takes the fun out of trails.

paulneenan76

Fun is essential and I don't want to lose the feel of the riding I like. Capra is off the menu.

Couple of mates have the Trance - but I'm not keen, though they seem to like them.

Friend just got rid of his Canyon, which was enough to put me off.

Time to demo a Granite Chief methinks.

I'll be back for thoughts on spec when the configurator is available.

The Rookie

The Capra isn't suited to being an 'all-rounder' a friend has one, and uses his Liteville for general riding as the Capra is a tank. Only time I've out climbed him on a local climb is when he was on his Capra (he was doing some parts swap on the LV), by the top he was a sweaty panting mess.

paulneenan76

Well, having seen the Granite Chief in the flesh at NEC bike show last month, I'm really keen - so let's hope it fits!!

I like the Kona Process but not as much as the Rose. I like Transition's offering but it's too expensive for me, likewise Mondraker, Yeti etc.

Do I need to consider anything in terms of buying from Rose and payment transfer costs etc?

Anything I really really should consider as an alternative to a Granite Chief?

Ta

paulneenan76

Thanks Oxoman. As mentioned above, the Trance is more my thing than the Anthem, however, I don't like them particularly. And I ride with at least two other Trance riders who both had Trance's before their 2015 Trances, plus other Giant fanboys, so whilst it may sound childish, i don't want what everyone else has etc

Any advice on purchasing from Europe?

chemicalali

Bird Aeris? - I also had the Granite Chief on my list but went for the Bird and am well chuffed.

You can also set the configuration just how you like it, same as the Rose and you are dealing with a British outfit (though Rose do have a good rep for customer service).

They do demos at Swinley so not too far away from you.

Gess

I recently went through the same process...eventually narrowed it down to a Bird Aeris or a Whyte T130S, and went for the Whyte purely because I could try a demo version without driving the length of the country. I'm loving it so far, but it's my first full suss so can't really compare it against anything else. Some great deals on 2015 models at the moment.

eric_draven

I have seen a few 2015 Transition Scouts about at reduced prices,maybe worth shopping around a bit,I am currently debating about a Scout or a Patrol after riding a mates Scout a few weeks ago

paulneenan76

Like the look of the Commencal €2999 for a good spec - but I want shimano ideally, though I might seek out a demo, thanks for the tip.

Bird Aeris I love the idea of, however, it'll be under specced at my budget.
Transition and Whyte are worth consideration. Transition scout frame only looks about £1400 so potentially a good build for another £1k.
Whyte would need to be the RS to get the spec I'd want.

If I can't pull off the n+1 thing with the long haired general then this, whatever this may be, will be my only steed in the stable.

rockmonkeysc

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19727126#p19727126]paulneenan76[/url] wrote:

Well, having seen the Granite Chief in the flesh at NEC bike show last month, I'm really keen - so let's hope it fits!!

I like the Kona Process but not as much as the Rose. I like Transition's offering but it's too expensive for me, likewise Mondraker, Yeti etc.

Do I need to consider anything in terms of buying from Rose and payment transfer costs etc?

Anything I really really should consider as an alternative to a Granite Chief?

Ta

Sounds like it's worth having a chat with the Rose UK bloke. A couple of my mates bought from Rose and found him helpful.

paulneenan76

Cheers Rockmonkey, yeah, met him at the show at NEC, nice bloke, talked about he bike, different options, and organising a demo, so I'll follow it up. Did your mates have any advice on best way to buy? I've heard people using different and cheaper transfer methods but I'm unsure.

antludlow

Canyon strive!

rockmonkeysc

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19729536#p19729536]antludlow[/url] wrote:

Canyon strive!

But that's no better than the Capra for what the OP wants.

antludlow

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19729766#p19729766]RockmonkeySC[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19729536#p19729536]antludlow[/url] wrote:

Canyon strive!

But that's no better than the Capra for what the OP wants.

I disagree. For the shapeshifter thing alone it makes for a more all round machine.

paulneenan76

Ruled out Capra and anything from Canyon - nice but not for me. Spectral would suit better than Strive I guess.

Will demo a Rose in Jan when the demo fleet arrives - I can get an amazingly personalised spec for less than £2.5k.

I do like the look of the Bird Aeris and the Radon Slide.

rockmonkeysc

Shape shifter is a nice idea but doesn't make the bike any lighter plus there have been a lot of them breaking and a warranty claim through Canyon is a slow process.

paulneenan76

Yep, warranty claim issues are the other reason for avoiding the Capra - losing my bike for 6 weeks (friend has the Bos set up and it's been problematic) isn't appealing in the slightest and doubt Canyon will be much better. Simple and effective for me. Friend has the new Yeti with a similar system - got rid of his Canyon to buy it and the difference between systems is huge in his opinion - but his frame was my total budget!

swod1

I have a similar amount of money to spend on a new bike and from what I've looked at I have been thinking of doing a build around a transition scout frame that's if I can find a better deal than 1400 for the frame.

pretty much got an idea of what I'd have on the bike so maybe I should go a head and do it.

What about a specialized camber?

paulneenan76

Not a big fan of Spesh, that being said a good bike is a good bike, the Camber just doesnt really appeal. Transition Scout would be a good choice, or so I hear, I hear good things about the Radon Slide too, but getting a demo might be hard to come by.

rockmonkeysc

The Transition Scout and Specialized Camber are two very different bikes.
They might have a similar amount of rear suspension but the Scout is more like an enduro bike while the Camber is aimed more at XC.

swod1

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19730215#p19730215]RockmonkeySC[/url] wrote:

The Transition Scout and Specialized Camber are two very different bikes.
They might have a similar amount of rear suspension but the Scout is more like an enduro bike while the Camber is aimed more at XC.

What is the scout like on xc type stuff as I tend to ride xc and then more challenging when out with mates in lake district etc but finding my short travel hardtail isn't ideal for the more challenging stuff.

I'm just after a lively medium ish 140 max travel full suspension that's not hard work up hills and then gets fun going back down.

Nukeproof mega tr, I am also considering frame wise and build around one of these.

paulneenan76- where are rose going to be doing bike demos?

lostboysaint

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19730229#p19730229]swod1[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19730215#p19730215]RockmonkeySC[/url] wrote:

The Transition Scout and Specialized Camber are two very different bikes.
They might have a similar amount of rear suspension but the Scout is more like an enduro bike while the Camber is aimed more at XC.

What is the scout like on xc type stuff as I tend to ride xc and then more challenging when out with mates in lake district etc but finding my short travel hardtail isn't ideal for the more challenging stuff.

I'm just after a lively medium ish 140 max travel full suspension that's not hard work up hills and then gets fun going back down.

Nukeproof mega tr, I am also considering frame wise and build around one of these.

paulneenan76- where are rose going to be doing bike demos?

You're the perfect Scout rider then, in the same way that I am the perfect Bandit (it's predecessor) rider. They ride fine for XC but, as Rockmonkey suggests, they are much better than their travel would make you believe when you point them downhill and at the proper rough stuff.

rockmonkeysc

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19730229#p19730229]swod1[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19730215#p19730215]RockmonkeySC[/url] wrote:

The Transition Scout and Specialized Camber are two very different bikes.
They might have a similar amount of rear suspension but the Scout is more like an enduro bike while the Camber is aimed more at XC.

What is the scout like on xc type stuff as I tend to ride xc and then more challenging when out with mates in lake district etc but finding my short travel hardtail isn't ideal for the more challenging stuff.

I'm just after a lively medium ish 140 max travel full suspension that's not hard work up hills and then gets fun going back down.

Nukeproof mega tr, I am also considering frame wise and build around one of these.

paulneenan76- where are rose going to be doing bike demos?

To be honest it's a great all rounder. I have had bikes which climb better but my wheels and tyres aren't particularly light which doesn't help. It's definitely more about getting back down the hill though and very good at it.
I had a Mega TR as my last bike. It was OK, rear suspension is a bit crude and the shock is terrible but it's a solid frame.

paulneenan76

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19730229#p19730229]swod1[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19730215#p19730215]RockmonkeySC[/url] wrote:

The Transition Scout and Specialized Camber are two very different bikes.
They might have a similar amount of rear suspension but the Scout is more like an enduro bike while the Camber is aimed more at XC.

What is the scout like on xc type stuff as I tend to ride xc and then more challenging when out with mates in lake district etc but finding my short travel hardtail isn't ideal for the more challenging stuff.

I'm just after a lively medium ish 140 max travel full suspension that's not hard work up hills and then gets fun going back down.

Nukeproof mega tr, I am also considering frame wise and build around one of these.

paulneenan76- where are rose going to be doing bike demos?

Chap is based Bath/Bristol way. He offered to meet me half-way but imagine he would be open to Forest of Dean etc. I'm probably going to do it in Bristol and tie it in with a family beer session.

swod1

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19730336#p19730336]RockmonkeySC[/url] wrote:

To be honest it's a great all rounder. I have had bikes which climb better but my wheels and tyres aren't particularly light which doesn't help. It's definitely more about getting back down the hill though and very good at it.
I had a Mega TR as my last bike. It was OK, rear suspension is a bit crude and the shock is terrible but it's a solid frame.

I was looking at the 2015 frames with the cane creek shock as I know a lot hate the rockshox option.

paulneenan76 wrote:

Chap is based Bath/Bristol way. He offered to meet me half-way but imagine he would be open to Forest of Dean etc. I'm probably going to do it in Bristol and tie it in with a family beer session.

I'm up in Yorkshire so would be a bit of travel down there, after tweaking and maintaining my own bikes I'm more up for a bike build now as seen some good offers on parts but will still consider it.

paulneenan76

May start this as a new topic, however, looking at the Rose Configuration tool for the 2016 Granite Chief it has the Rock Shox Monarch RT3 as standard but for an additional 110 Euro you can have the Fox Float CTD Kashima. Now I'll definitely be having the Pike RC Solo Air and wondered whether they will compliment or am I better off sticking with the Monarch?

rockmonkeysc

It's not worth the extra for the Fox shock

paulneenan76

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19731121#p19731121]RockmonkeySC[/url] wrote:

It's not worth the extra for the Fox shock

So the Rock Shox RT3 is good enough? 100 euro saving is most welcome but replacing is always more expensive? Hard tail boy so a bit lost with shocks!

rockmonkeysc

As long as it comes with the Debonair air can it's good. It's not my favorite shock but its as good as the Fox

paulneenan76

Not a clue? This is different a Monarch plus, right?

See that sram do a debonair upgrade.