œ1000 full suss Spesh dilemma

Unknown

My employer has just introduced the 'Cycle to Work' scheme using the Edinburgh Cycle Co-Op as the supplier. I tried a Specialised FSR about a year ago and loved it, but could not afford it then. But now, the world's my lobster (well, up to about œ1000 anyway).

But which is the best value - the basic version Spesh FSR or the Comp?:

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f%5FProductID=7144&f%5FSupersetQRY=C106%7E1&f%5FSortOrderID=1&f%5Fbct=c003155c002909m003047

or

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f%5FProductID=7363&f%5FSupersetQRY=C106%7E1&f%5FSortOrderID=1&f%5Fbct=c003155c002909m003060

The upgrades on the Comp are the front fork, brakes (much better on comp), rear gear mech and rims. However, I intend to replace the wheels with ones from Merlin in either case, as neither seem that brilliant.

They also do a Giant Trance 3, which I've never really clicked with (on rides around the shop car park) but I'd appreciate any comparisons:

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f%5FProductID=8402&f%5FSupersetQRY=C106%7E1&f%5FSortOrderID=1&f%5Fbct=c003155c002909m007705

As a bit of background, I currently have a Giant XTC SE with RS J3 (or 2?) fork which I have owned for all of 4 months and am 95% comfortable with (just an upgrade to seatpost/saddle required) and I mainly ride trails.

Ta.


****
Dave
****

Seagull

IMO the comp is worth œ200 over the other model. You could probably live with the Tora forks, but Hayes Sole aren't a great brake and it would take you at least œ150 to get brakes as good as the Juicy 3's. The XT mech and fork upgrade is worth the other œ50 of the upgrades.

I agree with the wheels, spesh spec some awful wheels, and a nice upgrade to XT hubs XC717 rims would be lighter and more reliable. Best to do this when new as you will get more money for unused second hand wheels.

If you don't like the Giant then don't bother, a bike thats not comfortable isn't worth it. As for whether you really want the Spesh; try and get a full test demo. Demoing will tell you if full suss is the answer, many don't like full suss and if its not for you then you can put the money in getting the Giant upto a really nice light spec. I was just in the Alps and all of the guides rode hardtails (a singlespeed one day!), so you can do the hard stuff on a hardtail it just takes a bit more skill.

my photos NYM biking routes My full Suss My Hardtail

NoelB

I own the xc comp and would highly recommend it.I cant comment on the basic version as i have never rode one.the only thing i replaced on the comp was the pedals and that was because i cant get on with clipless.

noel

my pics

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8995787@N04/?saved=1

gary_fisher3

With the Cycle to Work scheme there's a maximum voucher size of œ1000; and from what i've read you can't pay any extra. This unfortunately means the xc comp is too much money.

p.s. Treds have got the Trance in at œ798.00.

mrjiey

if you have your heart set on a spesh though, ill soon be selling my specialized epic frame, with fox forks.

shouldnt be too much. only a couple of hundred quid...

Unknown

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by gary_fisher3</i>

With the Cycle to Work scheme there's a maximum voucher size of œ1000; and from what i've read you can't pay any extra. This unfortunately means the xc comp is too much money.

p.s. Treds have got the Trance in at œ798.00.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

That was what I thought too. However the Edinburgh Cycle Co-Op confirmed that I could pay the gap, which surprised me. However, I'll try it and see what happens.

****
Dave
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juankerrwmb

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by gary_fisher3</i>

and from what i've read you can't pay any extra.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

This wasn't the case last year, however I did hear the above rumour, however I think it is just that - a rumour.
I would get the Comp. If the figure of 26.4lb is really right, then that's a really light full-suzzer for the price.

Unknown

It depends on the retailer - some will not allow you to put too now after taking advice. You can go above 1k if you employer applies for a liscence, but even then, many retailers are sticking to 1k.

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futon river crossing

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by mrjiey</i>

if you have your heart set on a spesh though, ill soon be selling my specialized epic frame, with fox forks.

shouldnt be too much. only a couple of hundred quid...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

what size - how much - what year?

My Bike

http://angelafung.net/my_bike.jpg

Unknown

All this stuff about the Cycle to Work scheme is stuff and nonsense. In theory there is no maximum and you can top up differences - what does matter are the conditions of the Cycle to Work scheme that YOUR employer runs so if your employer says the max is œ1000 and no top-ups are allowed then you have to stick with it but another employer may operate a completely different scheme or have set up their own with say a maximum of œ3000 and top up as much as you like!

mrjiey

Futon river crossing....

Its either 2004 or 2005 (spcialized epic, with brain) im not sure, it'll come with my 80mm fox forks from the same year, and maybe a shimano XTR bottom bracket and hollowtech II cranks.

havent decided on a price, but around œ450 or so...

Unknown

Right, here's the real story with the C2W scheme.

Your employer can theoretically allow you to have any amount BUT if it's over œ1000 they have to apply for a consumer credit license. My company did not (it only costs œ200 or so and lasts for 5 years but they said if I couldn't find a bike for œ1000 then I must be up to something!)!

If you have a œ1000 voucher you are not allowed to top up under guidance this year from the DfT. This is to do with joint ownership of an item that is effectively leased. I've been on the phone to them so this is TRUE (phone up the DfT if you don't believe me)! If your scheme administrator allows this then good for you but my scheme did not (Halfords).

End of story!

Cheers,

Derek.

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man of bronze

kration,

I managed to get the fsr comp through the cycle 2 work scheme, and paid the difference to halfords (unfortunately!!). Don`t know how it went through as some at work were refused when the value was just over the grand.

Anyway, I love me bike (and so does every one else), tried the basic model with the Hayes soles etc and there is a noticable difference between the two. Go for the comp if you can get it through the scheme.

Also, you will get a lot of good, helpful advice from the Edinburgh bike shop in Newcastle as the staff seem to know what they`re talking about, sometning that the wastes of space at Halfords dont!!

Good luck

Unknown

I believe you only need a Consumer Credit License if the loan period is more than 18 months. Also you could "top up" seperately provided Halfords was able to discount the bike to œ1000 and called the top-up something else but I don't suppose Halfords are that flexible. Go somewhere else!