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On Monday I had a test ride on the first FS of my life, a Specialized Camber Carbon 29. I was expecting it to be "meh" but was blown away by how much easier it was to ride (slowly) down steps and through rocks (Macc Classic, Charity Lane etc so nothing too extreme) than my hardtail.
I can get the Camber for a good price but with SRAM shifters and I prefer Shimano.
I could also get a [url= http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3035#tab-reiter2 ]Canyon[/url] which looks very similar on paper.
What should I do? Any bikes also worth looking at? Does anyone have any experience of either?
The current Camber Carbon comes with Shimano . I have the alloy version and it's been absolutely brilliant .
Thanks RN
I've got a carbon one with SRAM. I'm a Shimano fan overall but have found the SRAM stuff fine.
These are awesome bikes out of the box. I have a lot of experience of full-suss bikes, but this is my first 29er and I've been blown away by how good it is. The only thing I've changed for the better is the seatpost, replacing the command with a lev. I've also gone 1x10 with a bling ring but that is personal preference rather than a must-do. Can't recommend it highly enough - do it!
First ride on my stripped and rebuilt Camber Carbon Comp tomorrow. Swapped all the Shimano stuff for Sram (personal preference, swapped from my previous bike), changed the (heavy) wheels and most of the components. Dropped the weight by nearly 3lbs, even after adding a Reverb. Can't wait to ride it.
I had a demo on one over Xmas/New Year and was very, very impressed. Tried a few other FS 29ers since but the Camber was (imho) the best all round by far.
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8506/8518491707_259d0a8b22.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/76572317@N08/8518491707/ ]IMG-20130227-00343[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/76572317@N08/ ]Kevaroo[/url], on Flickr
I've got a Salsa Horsethief and it's awesome. In Whaley if you're 6 foot plus and want to try it.
Thanks guys - looks like I will be getting the Camber.
Sambob, thanks for the offer but I'm 5'10 and getting shorter!
I could also get a Canyon which looks very similar on paper.
Probably a very ride different in reality.
Just picked up my 29er camber today - been on a 26 camber for a while, then got a 29er carve hardtail a few weeks back and am now hooked on the big wheels!
26 camber frame to go on sale over the weekend!
Andy
A 26" wheeled Canyon will be very different.
Cube.......
I've just got the entry level camber. Black:red one & love it. Was £1500 but managed to get it for £1200.
I'm selling my Carbon Camber (2012) if you're interested - upgraded to XTR and brakes swapped to Hope
Wilkitcher @ gmail.com
Hey Sambob - where did you get your horsethief from? I just starting to look at fs 29er's - I'm 6"4 so would be after an XL, but want to try one first. I'm in Edinburgh but all shops seem to be down south....
Hi Murray - where did you take your demo Camber from? Macc Forest is local to me so I guess it can't be too far away.
Hi Sambob - I might want to take you up on the offer of slinging my leg over your Horsethief at some point
I'm starting to get 29-curious. I went to the Leisure Lakes demo day at Cannock yesterday and tested:
~ Whyte T-129s (liked)
~ SC TallBoy LTc (didn't like)
~ Cube Stereo 140 (liked)
~ Scott Spark (liked enough to want to try a Genius 29 at some point)
I demo'd a Camber Pro last spring back-to-back with a Santa Cruz Tall Boy (carbon) and Orange Gyro ...despite heavy wheels the Camber was my favourite and waaaaay the best value for money.
Hi Higgo, [url= http://www.bikeshak.com/ ]Bikeshak[/url] in Altrincham. Their demo bike is for sale...
Whyte T-129s (liked)
~ SC TallBoy LTc (didn't like)
~ Cube Stereo 140 (liked)
~ Scott Spark (liked enough to want to try a Genius 29 at some point)
What was wrong with the Tallboy?
What was wrong with the Tallboy?
The test route was a couple of sections of 'Follow The Dog' i.e. twisty, bermy with a couple of small optional jumps/drops then fireroads back with some climbing. (someone who knows Cannock better than me may be able to explain better)
Compared to the others it felt a bit dead/unengaging on the 'fun' stuff and harder work than it ought to be on the fireroad stuff. I expected to like it as I currently have a Blur 4X.
I really liked the Spark 930 and was all set to buy one, but gave the Whyte T-129S a blind punt, and so glad i did feels more lively than the Spark. Already got a 26" Genius which may only see action in the worst of weathers now.