[Closed] A choice of three for XC

Anyone?

Canyon Lux?
Sonder signal Ti with 15% off?
but out of your list ... the Spark.

Spark, just because.

I've not ridden all three. I have an Oiz M10. It's great, has a good spec and you can choose the colour.

Honestly, I'm sure that they are all great, well equipped, bikes, so it will come down to fit, specification of components and individual preference.

Thanks for the replies.

Spark is the obvious tried and tested choice. I just wonder if the Scalpel would be just as safe a choice.

I'd go for the one you tried and loved, unless there is a pretty big other factor (price, availability etc.).

Spark RC, as I have one and it’s awesome.  If you aren’t racing though don’t discount the none RC 120mm Spark for more awesomeness in the trail/fun category

That cannondale likely has lots of bespokeness about it - fork obvs, but also rear wheel/ dishing and a few other components which make it less easy to maintain especially in the field e.g you won’t be able to slam just any rear wheel in it.

That slacker HA of the Spark over the 2018 Oiz was the decider for me, not sure of the 2019/20 Oiz geo.

Oh dear, I just looked at the Orbea website. A turquoise Oiz Team or the same colour Oiz TR look a very neat bike.  The latter is 120mm and has a dropper yet a 68 degree HA and room for two bottles.

Tough choice, the Spark being a known quantity...

I really like all three. I have a Scott Spark RC and think it's an awesome bike. I only just realised the FOX 32 SC is actually 110mm too!

I've only ever looked at the other two though, most recently the Oiz in a Black/Silver combo with gold Eagle and Kashima suspension (looked stunning in the flesh).

I'd honestly be tempted by the Cannondale just because it's different and you already know you like it.

I don't think any of them are "better". The Spark's Twinloc feature is ace and really helps though.

Spark RC. I don't own one but have ridden one for about 10 miles.
things i liked:

-I felt like i sat low riding the bike and much more confident on tech descents and cornering (compared to my Canyon Lux), even though it was just a test ride l PR'd on three descents on strava which confirmed this view.

-The Grip 3 remote is brilliant, and its no coincidence that Sparks hold many KOM's around my area on fireforad climbs. Its a system I'm surprised more manufacturers don't adopt (is it copyrighted?).

-Its a good looking bike, neat welds and feels like quality kit.

Things i wasn't so sure about :

- It wasn't that light, the RC900 Comp i rode felt like a 28lb bike even though in reality it was probably a pound or two lighter.

- Once it got going it was great at keeping momentum but from the off i felt the acceleration was a little sluggish compared to epics i have ridden and my canyon lux, this may have been the wheel set...

- A couple of people asked if it was an e-bike! the down tube is large and slightly oval which can to the untrained eye make it look a bit electric!

Overall though a brill bike and one l would buy (fox suspension)

Spark. Owned one and now miss it. Fast, light and being able to switch the suspension on the fly is a big advantage.

I'll throw the 2020 KTM Scarp into the mix to suit your budget, it's a fantastically fast bike and the new one has bang up to date XC Geo.

Thanks all for your replies and time.

Some of you are highlighting / e hoping my thoughts, Spark is tried, tested and solid (looks nice as well). The Scalpel I test rode was the full monty top end bike, the Si 2 version is in my budget; but they should be very similar.

The Scalpel is the unconventional choice (I’ve never actually seen anyone outside of a test on one) and feels a bit ‘risky’ in some ways although I’ve had a Cannondale HT in the past which was fine and Mrs Four has one now (not lefty fork though).

On looks alone the Spark wins in the colour schemes available.

Orbea isn’t doing it for me (nice bike but not getting me excited) so out of the running - a mate has one and he loves it.

So really it’s the wild card and slightly heavier Scalpel or the safer bet ( although I’ve not ridden one) Spark??????????

Perhaps the old model tallboy if you can find a deal

Edit: LTM Racing on eBay has a few

For SDW and blue route QECP a Spark is ample- it’ll munch miles for sure.

What about my pretty much as new Orange Clockwork 137 in the classifieds? Cracking bike with top notch kit.

I've got the Spark 920 - it just seems to be capable of everything. Eats the miles, is planted yet lively & isn't upset when it gets rough/lumpy.

I thought the suspension set up was a tad gimmicky at first but it is really useful & makes a real difference to how the bike rides/climbs. Initially it can seem like the cockpit is a bit short but this soon becomes 'normal' making it feel stable without being cramped.

After a year on it I reckon it's the best 'all-rounder' I've ridden.

I had this same decision to make earlier this year, and ended up going for the new Santa Cruz Blur.

I would go Scott out of the three.

Dismissing the Cannondale because of the bespoke standards and the Oiz due to concerns about availability and waiting lists.

Pedalon have just put out some offers on the Sparks as well, grab one while they are cheap(er).

So I have just picked up my spark 900. Other than a shake down ride in the local woods it had its first proper outing at QECP yesterday. Its good for a 30.30 red run and a 16.27 blue which is not shabby considering I am learning the bike, and the trail seems to have changed a fair bit since I was last there.

I normally ride an old scale, it is definitely more comfortable, and given I am no where near as fit as I have been in previous seasons it is flattering my ability!

The SID feels brilliant and I've hardly had to do any fettling other than sort the twinlock out. The xtr 12 speed jumps are a bit meh, but I've been riding the same setup for 5years so its just about getting used to it.

What I don't like - bars are a little narrow, so I'm running the grips slightly off the end to make it 750, the wheelset is much heavier than I'm used to - I reckon most of it is having a massive cassette on the back (scale is 2x10). I also don't like the engagement, my other wheelset sadly won't fit but its a CK hub. Reckon race tyres are rubbish in mud compared to my usual ralphs.

Strava if you fancy a nosey:
https://www.strava.com/activities/2652745697

It felt like it was carrying a lot more speed into the corners, and I was regularly overbraking / getting offline, partly to do with having pretty awesome brakes compared to my old XTs. Once I get it dialled in it will be a flying machine

I have a Scalpel Si (2017) with lefty 2.0.

If I were you I’d buy the Spark.

Thanks for the extra replieschaps, much appreciated- looks like the jury leans heavily to theSpark, which if I’m honest makes sense.

@Nobby - short cockpit?

@DT78 - good Strava.

I can help with the short cockpit, itd be interesting if Nobby agrees.

I was the same - actually the cockpit measured 10mm longer than my prior Giant Anthem, yet when I sat on the Spark I felt the bar was closer to me, and the front wheel a long way out.  Yet magically within 5 mins of riding this all goes away and the bike handles superbly and you dont notice i .

Something to do with the shape and geo i guess.

Thanks @Kryton57 that’s helpful as I’ve read the geometry sheets for both The Scalpel and Spark and the reach on the Spark is longer.

I was the opposite on my Spark. The reach and a lot of the geo was very close to my Hightower (minus the travel), so it felt pretty good to me.

The only thing that took a little bit of getting used to was the low front end and the smaller bars. It's that capable, I've seriously considered selling my Intense Spider and having it as my only bike for a while.

Then I have a go on the Intense and realise I'm being stupid 🙂 Re-fitted a dropper to my Spark though and it's awesome! Keeping a dropper on it now so going to stick my Hope carbon post in the classifieds sometime this week.

I did the Hope Pre-Peaks 85k on mine the other week and it felt great. Lower back started aching towards the end, but I still think I need to tweak setup. It was quick enough on the flat bits and was ace on the descents that the gravel bikes were tip-toeing down.

I honestly can't think of another XC bike I'd rather have at the moment. I wanted to try a Specialized Epic, but they are really poor value for money and couldn't justify it over what I paid for my Spark a year ago from Pedalon.

The other one that caught my eye was the Canyon, but I think that was due to the Starsky & Hutch paint 🙂

@four - Exactly what Kryton says, despite the actual fit it does feel like the bars are closer to you than they are.

I put the slightly shorter feeling down to the backsweep&width on the bars, I am used to a flat my zoom (I think they are 740?) and the bar on the 900 is marked as a 720 flat, but it definitely has more back sweep and I'm sure a small amount of rise, well it looked like it when I had the two bars side by side.

Quick update.

I’ve bought the Spark and look forward to it arriving.

Nice one.  Post up your thoughts once you’ve had a chance to play.

Nice one! Some of the newer colours are smart so looking forward to pics 🙂

I've got both an 2019 Orbea OIZ M10, and a 2019 Spark RC.

You made the right choice 🙂

Forgot to add the weight of mine and the build.

Pre-dropper, the weight was 11.3kg (XL frame, the heavier carbon).

SC Reserve 27 wheels.
Carbon Hope seat post
Full GX Eagle with Level TL brakes
Ikon 2.25 tyres (recently swapped to Barzo)

It'l plenty light enough for me, but I reckon the more expensive lighter frame with a lighter build would feel really rapid! I feel mine is a happy XC/trail medium and I've not come across anything I can't ride (uplifts not included).

Did the 85k Hope Pre Peaks in the current spec and it was really good.

My two pennies worth as I'm local to you but wanted something more capable for distance riding (very relevant to this) :-

Rode the Scott - it was good but really disliked all the cables everywhere and the front end. I know it's girly but for me it really irritated me a lot. Bad news as I have had Scott before and had great aftercare experience.

Orbea Oiz - Great bike, good spec for the cash but when I was looking 4 or 5 months ago couldn't find one (anywhere!) to test ride. TR looks a great spec but do you really need 120mm? The custom order is a great option but do you have the patience to wait - I didn't plus no test ride equals I'm out.

Cannondale Scalpel - OMG what a bike, loved it, but it is liek riding a racing car, precise, sharp and suspect bloody uncomfortable after 60+ miles so for me out.

Looked at Santa Cruz but didn't really gel with me, no reason just a bit meh.

So I ended up on a Giant, never saw that coming, much to my surprise, test rode it loved it felt great, just 90mm at the back but coming from a hardtail that was plenty.

Hope that helps a little.

James

Rode the Scott – it was good but really disliked all the cables everywhere and the front end. I know it’s girly but for me it really irritated me a lot.

It comes with Cable tidies in the box: