[Closed] Lapierre Spicy 516 (2010) vs Cannondale Jekyll 4

psssst. Jekyll ain't available till July.

I found a shop that stocks it in the size I want for the same price as the Spicy 516 (2010) on sale 😉 Links posted are just for specs.

Jekyll looks like it [i]could[/i] be the best trail bike around. I want one myself. It could also be a lemon though - need to ride one and get some feedback from others before committing that amount of money to it.

Unfortunately this is hard to do atm - as RHSno2 says they've been delayed in the UK.
You're on safe ground with the spicy of course.

If I had to buy this weekend I don't reckon I'd go with a bike that isn't properly out yet.

the spicy is far better specced bar nothing apart from the shock id say, and looks alot nicer, but i have no idea what the cannondale rides like, people on here are often praising the spicy for a decent all rounder....

Have seen the Jekyll in action and its incedible. Another Game Changing bike in my opinion but mod 4 versus Spicy 516 from last year just isn't a fair competition.

Id find out exactly when the Jekyll is due from the importer then go from there, if its July i'd wait as its reckoned to be bloody excellent... if its longer then i would go for the Lapierre.

Definitely the Jekyll. Good to see something a little innovative.

Oh my word, nearly dropped my mug of tea then....that Jekyll is B E A U tiful 😉

If looks is a part of the decision, it gets my vote.

ps. the Lapierre is a looker too, just not as dramatic.

just to fuel the fire, I know somewhere not far from where you're based that might be able to do a 2011 Specialized Enduro Comp for similar money.

Lets face it you get a bike to ride it not make love to it. Looks are secondary to how it functions.

At least similar money to the prices on the links you've posted.

@ RHSno2: are you saying its not a fair comparison coz the mod 4 is just that much better as its a game changer? Or coz I'm comparing an entry level specced bike to a top of the line? Mod 4 is the 2nd entry level model of the Jekyll range whereas the 516 is just shy of the carbon race ready Spicy 916.

I have access to buying either bike this wkend so availability not an issue. Found both at the GBP2k price point. I like the look of both bikes but just reluctant to upgrade in the future after parting with so much cash. Looking for a future proof bike I'll be happy with for hopefully years to come that I won't want to have to upgrade.

Follow up is how often one would switch between elevation mode and flow during a ride (modes you can switch on the Jekyll on the fly by pressing a switch)? Seems like a really neat feature but on big mountains its usually up up up or down down down, non?

If I'm not missing anything having the RP2 lock out (+ pro pedal and boost valve - neither concept I am familiar with) on the Spicy basically puts the bike into elevation mode equiv of the Jekyll or even a hard tail. Strikes me that weight and seat position make the bigger difference on climbs (... + leg power and lung capacity ofc!).

The Jekyll is about as future proof as you can get, if it is as good as they say then maybe the rest of the industry will look to follow Cannondale as they have before... think BB30 etc.

The Spicy is a great bike, it cannot be denied, but riding up, up & up on it leaves a little to be desired in my mind... at least with the Jekyll you get the best of both worlds.

As for the Specialized Enduro Comp suggestion, good recommendation and nice bike but who doesn't have one?? Its like the VW Golf of the trails.

Jim

The Fox 36's on the 516 are the new Talas. They are adjustable but only 160 - 120. Not like the previous model where the travel adjustment was 160 - 140 - 120. I prefer the old adjustment, as I like the 140.

Spicy I'm looking at is the 2010 model which has 3 positions - 160 / 130 / 110. Got 90mm wrong.

http://www.foxracingshox.com/bike/10/forks/36_TALAS/R

Read the Fox Talas 36 on the LP is "stiffer" than the Fox 32 RL on the Jekyll but what does "stiffer" mean? Doesn't look like the Jekyll's forks (on the alloy 4 model I can barely afford) has different position settings like the Spicy which can be changed on the fly. Appears the magic of elevation mode on the Jeckyll comes from the system of the new Fox DYAD RT2 rear shock.

Had a refund on a frame, had the choice of a few. Chose the SJ Expert Evo. would have been interested by the Jekyll though, but have had a long wait for Cannondale warranty once.

Yes. Exactly.

Seriously consider the Specialized though. They ride mightily fine (and Lapierre's are MORE popular over here)

For me the Jekyll would be amazing but I didn't want to wait. i.e. the ability to change travel (and geometry) but for yourself (someone who is not loving the pedalling) its not such a game changer.

the 120-160mm adjustment is perfect for CH. You run it one or the other (up or down).

Any of the above you will have a great bike but Jekyll (in that model) will be less good than Spicy.

What about a Cube Fritzz, just throwing it out there, excellent value for money!

catnash, how did you get a stumpy evo frame?
I thought they weren't available as a frame in the UK?

Spicy. It's a known quality product, with few if any weak points.

While the Jekyll may well be a 'game changer' (RHS seems pretty effervescent about it) there's no long term reliability reports about the componentry. While he's probably able to make use of it's abilities, are you? Is it worth the trade off against unknown reliability?

The terrain you'll be riding on has probably had hundreds of Lapierres coping with it superbly, and it's not going to change overnight- why not get something that you know you'll be riding for the next season, rather than the possibility of having it sitting in a shop waiting for a new shock. Unlikely, but I'd rather not take the risk.

Backhander, I've bought the full bike. I have seen on mtbr that they are coming out with a frame only EVO frame. Whether it will come to the UK is another matter.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=61031&scid=1000&scname=Mountain

Catnash, what do you think of it?
How does it compare to your previous bikes? Its an interesting prospect if they bring the frame only to the UK (price dependent)
If the price's right, I think they'd sell loads.

Stumpy evo frame would be the natural replacement for my Enduro SL too (getting less Gnarrr in my old age

have a snoop over at the Pauls Cycles website... they have just taken on a load more 2010 Cannondales, including the RZ 140 5 (140mm travel, lefty fork) which I came very close to buying from Primera Sport. They've knocked about a grand off the RRP so it's now about £1750 (ish).

That would be where I would put my cash!

The Spicy will be more capable at going downhill than you will be so I'd just get that rather than take a chance on a new design.

If everyone took that approach we'd all be riding around Muddy Fox Couriers and wearing fluro lycra.
Go modern, be different.

To be honest if you are not that huge into climbing I don't know why you want all the adjustment. In some ways it's just another thing to go wrong. I've blown a Talas twice and a number of people have had troubles with Rock Shox U-Turn system. I've dumped the Talas on one of my bikes for a non-adjustable Rock Shox Revelation and always had a non adjustable Totem on the other and I'm not exactly adverse to climbing. (I'm not good at it, but I don't mind doing it if there is a good trail when I get to the top).

In some cases dropping the forks totally messes the geometry of the bike and makes it feel like it's riding into the hill rather than up it.

Finally, all the bikes your talking about are good. The only way you'll know if one suits you better than another is to ride it. If you can't do that then it's all theoretical anyway so just get one with about 160mm of travel 67-68ish degree head angle and reasonable components. Otherwise you'll spend all your time figuring out what bike to buy rather than be out in the mountains enjoying what Switzerland's got to offer. and believe me, it's got a lot to offer.