Specialized Epic Carbon v Santa Cruz Tallboy v Yeti SB 95 or ASR -5 C

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stinkytodamax

Likes Dirt
Hi Burners,

I'm a lucky boy with my 30th coming up next year and a trip to Rotorua so I'm selling up the fleet and moving to just one bike, but hopefully one very good bike (well for my standards). I've always had middle of the range bikes in the $2K-$3K category and I'm now getting to the point where I think I'll commit to a great bike and stop turning them over so regularly.

I'll never win a crit or race of any kind but I do love beating a personal record on Strava or a time from the year before.

I'm looking for anyone who has any feedback on the above or could help guide me in which ride to go with. I can only test ride the epic out of my choices so it makes the decision of ride before you impossible.

Info
Budget - $5,500 or less.
Height - 170cm ( I know I'm short but I do like the commanding feel of a 29er!)
Weight - 84kgs (yes short and stocky)
Trails - Stomlo XC loops, Kowen, Sparrow Hill, Bruce Ridge etc..... you get it XC trails.
Events - Enduro style 50kms - 100kms, crits and team based 24 hour races.
Style - Fast downhill, slow uphill. I've always had a hardtail to help me get up the hills and let my handling skills stop me loosing time on descents.
Current Bikes - 2012 Niner EMD & 2012 26in Giant Anthem X2 with mods.
Shortlist -
http://www.specialized.com/au/en-au/bikes/mountain/epicfsr/epicelitecarbon29 - Speaks to my sensible side. Its xc based and the brain should help me up the hills but not hinder me on the downhills. Dont like the 9mm QR though.
http://www.pureyeti.com.au/5-carbon - merely because its a Yeti and I've always wanted one but I think I'm sold on 29 inch wheels.
http://www.pureyeti.com.au/sb-95 - for the above reasons but it has 29 inch wheels. Weight and how efficient the suspension is for XC is my concern with both yetis.
http://www.santacruzbicycles.com/tallboy_carbon/ Heard good things but some feedback would be great on how it fairs for crit and single lap type riding/racing.

I've always enjoyed down more than up but I want to be able to get up as fast as I can to remain somewhat competitive. I'd also like to have a bike I can take to the Jindabyne, Buller & Thredbo XC trails in the future as well.

Thanks guys
 
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markb84

markb84

Likes Dirt
I can understand not being able to test the SC Tallboy as there aren't many people stocking them in Australia but surely you can get a test on a Yeti, even if you had to travel a bit it would seem worth it, there's nothing quite like test riding a bike to tell whether it'll suit you or not. At this end of the market all the bikes do what they do very well, how it suits you and your style of riding will be the key.
 
S

stinkytodamax

Likes Dirt
I'd happily travel to try one out. Haven't started targeting dealers yet that might have a demo.

People's experiences are important to me as well and I can imagine a few other forum members have gone through the same process in recent years.
 
S

stinkytodamax

Likes Dirt
markb84 said:
There was a thread a while back that covered similar choices (albeit the carbon versions of the Yeti) more AM directed than XC though.

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/sho...-had-just-made-my-mind-up-to-get-an-SB66-when

Also if you're looking at a new bike and can't quite choose between 29 and 26 have you considered 650b yet? I haven't ridden one but a good mate of mine in the UK got himself one about a month back and is absolutely loving it.
Click to expand...
Thanks Mark

Yeah I'm thinking 29er's are only just getting sorted so I'll give 650B a few more years to really get dialed and for parts etc to become more readily available.
 
mtb101

mtb101

Likes Bikes and Dirt
have you looked at a Niner Option? With your budget I'd be either building up a bike or go the JET 9 Carbon. Otherwise the specialized is a proven performer.

http://www.ninerbikes.com/jet9carbon

JET 9 CARBON 3-STAR COMPLETE BIKE
$4999 USD, don't know what the AU pricing is like.

JET9CARB_3STAR.jpg
 
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G

g-fish

Likes Bikes and Dirt
A jet 9 carbon or rdo custom build comes in well above his budget. A standard jet 9 might squeeze in.

What about a Scott genius 920?
 
B

bmar560

Likes Dirt
subscribing to this thread as I'm also looking at replacing my current Anthem 26 to a 29er.
So far I've only tested the Anthem X 29er on a proper trail and I loved it.
 
S

stinkytodamax

Likes Dirt
Hadnt thought of the Scott. Maybe I'm tainted. I had a Carbon Scale (hardtail) 29er last year and didnt rate it in the handling stakes. Something just wasnt right for my style.

It was confirmed when I got the Niner EMD, the bottom of line Niner handled and rode 100% better than the upper end Scott.

I should give them another chance.
 
Sic

Sic

Likes Dirt
Have you considered a Yeti ASR-5 instead of a an SB-66?

I would have thought a bike like that would suit the long distance Enduro style events that you do but will still be lots of fun on the downs.

Ive actually just bought myself a SB-66 frame as my one bike but I dont do long distance so its a xc/fun bike more than a long distance event bike, its also not built yet so I cant give you any feedback.

The slacker HA on the SB vs the ASR-5 would work against your climbing and the ASR-5 still has 127mm of travel and is light, sounds like a better choice for you IMO than the SB.

Also at the moment you can get a complete with XT running gear and Fox front and back for $4300

http://www.pureyeti.com.au/5-alloy

Thats about $2000 cheaper than the SB equivalent
 
S

stinkytodamax

Likes Dirt
Agreed Sic

I just wanted to throw in a 26 inch option. ASR-5 was my dream bike for ages. If they made a 29er asr-c I would be sold.

cheers

Sic said:
Have you considered a Yeti ASR-5 instead of a an SB-66?

I would have thought a bike like that would suit the long distance Enduro style events that you do but will still be lots of fun on the downs.

Ive actually just bought myself a SB-66 frame as my one bike but I dont do long distance so its a xc/fun bike more than a long distance event bike, its also not built yet so I cant give you any feedback.

The slacker HA on the SB vs the ASR-5 would work against your climbing and the ASR-5 still has 127mm of travel and is light, sounds like a better choice for you IMO than the SB.

Also at the moment you can get a complete with XT running gear and Fox front and back for $4300

http://www.pureyeti.com.au/5-alloy

Thats about $2000 cheaper than the SB equivalent
Click to expand...
 
J

jimnobob

Likes Bikes
Epic

I decided to upgrade to 29 inch wheels and had a similar budget. Did a test ride on an Anthem 29er but wasn't inspired by owning yet another Giant (g + 1) so decided to have a go on the Epic Carbon Comp. I knew pretty quickly that was the bike for me.

Anyway, 2 serious rides later and I can't get over the difference. The suspension and traction is just amazing allowing you to ride up stuff where a 26er just spins out. I thought the climbing in general would be slower but my strava segments have me faster on absolutely everything.

The biggest problem I have found is that the motor is just not powerful enough to really push this bike to the limits. I guess I will have to work on that but definitely got the motivation to do so.

I do like a highly spec'ed bike so struggle with the fact that some of the components are not as good as you'd hope given the price. But that is a minor point as it is all still quality gear and you get the brain to make up for it.

I have no experience of the other bikes you mention but can definitely recommend the epic so do give it a test ride. Just remember that you won't really appreciate its potential until you get out on the trails.
 
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