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Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:01 am
by Leerowe76
A little bit off subject from bike packing but maybe in the market for a full suss do it all marathon mile munching kinda machine, full suss 120 travel 2 bottle cages(must have). Specialized Epic Expert Evo is top of the list at the moment, but does anyone own/use/want something that sounds similar ?

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:06 am
by robbie
I'm riding an epic carbon comp not the evo. Have done a few big days on it and so far it's been brilliant. I changed the seat as wasn't getting on with the std one. Done 150 rough kms on it yesterday and feeling fresh today.

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:31 am
by voodoo_simon
Image

Only because it matches your other two bikes...

Oh and it take two bottle cages :-bd

If its specialised you're after, then the Concept store in Chester is well worth a visit, top guys and they'll look after you

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:46 am
by Specialist Hoprocker
I use my old Spesh Camber Evo with a Decathlon bottle cage mount strung below the down tube:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDBTKu2nLGQ ... mv0fxd2156

Only criticism i have is the seat tube angle isn't steep enough, but it is still on the original layback post so I'll change and lengthen the stem soon.

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:49 am
by Leerowe76
Cheers Simon but I've since sold the EX-Fuel on and the Procaliber is also up for sale, 2 bikes being replaced with one (to many steeds in the stable). The Supercal is nice but theres better out there price wise :-bd

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:50 am
by ScotRoutes
Orbea Oiz would be another obvious option and, based on my experiences with the Occam, would likely be my first choice.

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:51 am
by Leerowe76
Specialist Hoprocker wrote: Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:46 am I usedmy old Spesh Camber Evo with a Decathlon bottle cage mount strung below the down tube:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDBTKu2nLGQ ... mv0fxd2156

Only criticism i have is the seat tube angle isn't steep enough, but it is still on the original layback post so I'll change and lengthen the stem soon.
Deffo want the 2 cages in the frame, Quirky i know :lol:

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:52 am
by Leerowe76
ScotRoutes wrote: Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:50 am Orbea Oiz would be another obvious option and, based on my experiences with the Occam, would likely be my first choice.
Yes indeed, its in the mix for sure

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 9:02 am
by FLV
Specialist Hoprocker wrote: Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:46 am

Deffo want the 2 cages in the frame, Quirky i know :lol:
2 cages 'in' the frame rather than on the frame? So both in the front triangle not on the downtube?

The latest Kona hei hei and cannondale scalpel se do this at 120mm travel. Bet theyre both good.

Orbea as mentioned too.

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 9:06 am
by slarge
I went through this a couple of years ago. Scott Spark, Orbea Oiz, salsa and Spesh Epic were my choices. In the end I got a deal on a Spesh Epic comp and love it. I would say the brain rear shock could be a love/hate thing - I don’t mind it but the clinking if not set up quite right could annoy. Ride one before you buy.....

I think in reality all the bikes in this category are fantastic and you will probably just need to choose by price and colour😃

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 9:39 am
by Leerowe76
slarge wrote: Sun Aug 09, 2020 9:06 am I went through this a couple of years ago. Scott Spark, Orbea Oiz, salsa and Spesh Epic were my choices. In the end I got a deal on a Spesh Epic comp and love it. I would say the brain rear shock could be a love/hate thing - I don’t mind it but the clinking if not set up quite right could annoy. Ride one before you buy.....

I think in reality all the bikes in this category are fantastic and you will probably just need to choose by price and colour😃
Yeah theres lots of choice and like you say they are all good

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 9:40 am
by Leerowe76
FLV wrote: Sun Aug 09, 2020 9:02 am
Specialist Hoprocker wrote: Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:46 am

Deffo want the 2 cages in the frame, Quirky i know :lol:
2 cages 'in' the frame rather than on the frame? So both in the front triangle not on the downtube?

The latest Kona hei hei and cannondale scalpel se do this at 120mm travel. Bet theyre both good.

Orbea as mentioned too.
Yes in the frame, Kona ? I'll check that one out

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 9:51 am
by FLV
The carbon ones, yeah, latest design

https://www.konaworld.com/hei_hei_cr.cfm

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 9:54 am
by Leerowe76
slarge wrote: Sun Aug 09, 2020 9:06 am I went through this a couple of years ago. Scott Spark, Orbea Oiz, salsa and Spesh Epic were my choices. In the end I got a deal on a Spesh Epic comp and love it. I would say the brain rear shock could be a love/hate thing - I don’t mind it but the clinking if not set up quite right could annoy. Ride one before you buy.....

I think in reality all the bikes in this category are fantastic and you will probably just need to choose by price and colour😃
You find the 100mm travel does everything you need, ie Lakes, Dales, Scotland etc (rough stuff), I'm not exaclty gung ho on descents but at 13st ish was thinking 120 would be slightly better

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 9:59 am
by Leerowe76
https://ibkbike.uk/specialized-epic-evo ... 322-size-l

This is leading the race at the moment, just wondering is anyone has used this place, concept store in Spain last few 2020 bikes. size large sold out across the UK from what I can see

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 10:48 am
by slarge
Google Brain warranty- just make sure Spesh Uk would warrant a bike bought in Spain. (I had a new shock as my old brain lost the intelligent bit)

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 11:26 am
by Mike
Must say I love the spearfish and it has a massive space in the triangle for two 1 ltr bottles :-bd

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 1:37 pm
by slarge
Leerowe76 wrote: Sun Aug 09, 2020 9:54 am
slarge wrote: Sun Aug 09, 2020 9:06 am I went through this a couple of years ago. Scott Spark, Orbea Oiz, salsa and Spesh Epic were my choices. In the end I got a deal on a Spesh Epic comp and love it. I would say the brain rear shock could be a love/hate thing - I don’t mind it but the clinking if not set up quite right could annoy. Ride one before you buy.....

I think in reality all the bikes in this category are fantastic and you will probably just need to choose by price and colour😃
You find the 100mm travel does everything you need, ie Lakes, Dales, Scotland etc (rough stuff), I'm not exaclty gung ho on descents but at 13st ish was thinking 120 would be slightly better
100mm is fine for me - I’m more XC racer type than gnarly downhill type.

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 3:04 pm
by Lazarus
You find the 100mm travel does everything you need, ie Lakes, Dales, Scotland etc (rough stuff), I'm not exaclty gung ho on descents but at 13st ish was thinking 120 would be slightly better
Depends on what you mean by Does everything i have the old Spearfish so 80 mm rear travel and 100mm front
I can get down anything on it that i can on a 150 mm travel bike - though I may be a tad slower than with more travel - then again it pedals like a hardtail {The DW 150 mm travelbike is noticeably more "bouncy"when pedalling] so swings and roundabouts
Plenty ride fully rigid bikes in these areas and for ITT's

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 4:57 pm
by 99percentchimp
Same here... thinking of a 120mm travel bike that will take either bottles or a frame bag (of some use). SC Tallboy was in my list too but I’ll have a look at Colin’s Orbea recommendation and the Scott Spark/Salsa Bikes too. Son seems to have commandeered my secondhand Whyte too; so I have an excuse to look for something.

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 4:58 pm
by 99percentchimp
Mike wrote: Sun Aug 09, 2020 11:26 am Must say I love the spearfish and it has a massive space in the triangle for two 1 ltr bottles :-bd
Mike.... do you have a framebag made for your Spearfish? Photos? Ta.

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2020 5:02 pm
by Mart
I’m loving my new this year spearfish - I test rode Karl’s and it’s a very versatile frame

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2020 5:03 pm
by Mart
99percentchimp wrote: Sun Aug 09, 2020 4:58 pm
Mike wrote: Sun Aug 09, 2020 11:26 am Must say I love the spearfish and it has a massive space in the triangle for two 1 ltr bottles :-bd
Mike.... do you have a framebag made for your Spearfish? Photos? Ta.
Mark - I think Karl’s got one of the salsa frame bags that is especially made for the job. Give him a shout for photos

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2020 5:09 pm
by voodoo_simon
Leerowe76 wrote: Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:52 am
ScotRoutes wrote: Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:50 am Orbea Oiz would be another obvious option and, based on my experiences with the Occam, would likely be my first choice.
Yes indeed, its in the mix for sure

You can waste an awful lot of time on Orbea's custom paint section... :lol:

Re: Ultimate full suss do it all

Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2020 5:12 pm
by Shewie
James Hayden seems happy with his new Canyon Neuron ..

https://youtu.be/NRAz6NP9_N4