I’m looking to get a new mtb. I like light xc bikes with low stack heights, super short stems and steep seat tubes. I recently road a fully decked out Cannondale Scalpel and I loved the geometry and the short chain stays. What I did not like was the 80mm of travel. Now, to be fair, this can be increased to 100 or 110mm, which is really as much as I need being relatively light. Here’s the other thing, the big thing: I can jump on an Ibis Ripley or Specialized Camber and while I don’t like the geometry or the weight, and I just don’t need the 120+mm of travel, I really like the fact that I can point the bike up or down a wall of roots and mindlessly pedal up or float down the section. When I’m 15+ miles into a xc ride or race with my heart pounding through my chest, I’m going to benefit from that mindless aspect compared to feeling like a trials rider stalling, cat walking and hopping up the same super steep root section, even when running really low tire pressure.
I’m wondering if I were to put slightly wider rims (same width tires or slightly wider tires) on the Scalpel, Top Fuel, Turner Czar or Intense Spyder if that’s all that’s needed to enjoy the weight and geometry of a xc rig but have that mindless enjoyable climbing and descending ability. The Ripley I road had the same width tires as the Scalpel, just wider rims.
It’s a bit tough to demo such a set up, to ask for the longer travel option on the Lefty fork for the scalpel and have different wider rims put on. Anyone with feedback and suggestions?
I have a Camber Carbon Expert. 130mm travel, mini-brain shock. It’s bloody brilliantly. Came from a hard tail Scott Scale and would highly recommend it.
I also do XC racing and plan on doing my first Xterra race next year. We ride the Redwoods in Rotorua and this bike climbs like a demon and descends even better.
Thanks, I’m not a fan of the Trigger geometry. I’m a bit more interested in hearing from people as to what the factor is that allows bikes like the Ripley and Camber to climb and descend so mindlessly. I’m not convinced it’s more travel or geometry, but I’m also not sure if it is rim and tire width.
still really curious as to what allows a bike like the Ripley to climb so mindlessly compared to a xc bike. I’m thinking it’s the tires and/or rim width, but I don’t have the ability to go out test this. I’m only looking for 100-110mm of travel, so I don’t see the need for a second enduro bike. I’m wanting a XC bike that has the traction on steep climbs like an enduro bike. just put on wider rims and/or wider tires?
Interestingly, most cross country racing is done on bikes at 100mm of travel or less.
You really need two different bikes. True “enduro” and XC do not mix well together.Not necessarily. As mentioned I do XC racing and bought a Camber. I think it’s the perfect mix of what I need for my ‘fun’ riding and something for racing on.
Thanks,
still really curious as to what allows a bike like the Ripley to climb so mindlessly compared to a xc bike. I’m thinking it’s the tires and/or rim width, but I don’t have the ability to go out test this. I’m only looking for 100-110mm of travel, so I don’t see the need for a second enduro bike. I’m wanting a XC bike that has the traction on steep climbs like an enduro bike. just put on wider rims and/or wider tires?Whilst my Camber climbs really well, I think that’s a combination of drivetrain and suspension components. For instance I’ve got a SRAM 1x and rear suspension with the mini-brain. This means I don’t get the suspension bob you get on full suspension bikes, and don’t have to worry about locking out the rear. Formrdces I can firm it up as well as its got 4 settings on the mini-brain from soft to hard. Actually might be 5. I’m not racing right now so it’s set a bit softer than it would otherwise be.
Oh another option could be a 2016 Giant Anthem SX. 120mm up front and 100mm rear travel. All with the Anthem’s XC geometry. A mate has one and loves it. Very different to ride than my Camber.
The scalpel has 100 mm, not 80. The suspension is on the stiff side though. I have the previous gen scalpel but I run a 90 mm stem, wide bars and flipped headset spacer. It’s still twitchy compared to my Habit SE though.
I would say the Scott Spark, Giant Anthem, and Yeti ASR all fit into what you’re looking for. There are variations of the spark and anthem that range from very racy to more trail friendly. A lot of classic xc race bikes are going more aggressive this year to capture a larger audience and because a lot of courses are becoming more technical.
Can someone explain which component/factor is allowing me to bike up a wall of roots with one hand on the bars while talking to a friend and grabbing a drink with an enduro bike, but it takes mad skills to get up that same climb on xc bike? tires/rims? sorry to keep asking the same question, but I’m pretty curious
Suspension setup (not necessarily the ACTUAL suspension component itself, but the way you have set up the shock/fork for sag/firmness/etc), tire type/size/pressure, placebo.
Also, you keep saying “enduro” but I am sure you don’t actually mean enduro bikes. “Enduro” bikes are big, nasty, almost downhill trail bikes. Like 150mm+ travel. Maybe you mean “trail” bikes.
Yea but your Camber isn’t as “good at climbing” as the Epic, for example. And it isn’t as “good at descending” as the Enduro. The Camber is a compromise. Every bike is a compromise, the differences are just mroe apparent on mountain bikes.
It’s like asking if a P3 is the best bike to climb Alpe D’Huez with; sure, it can climb better than some other road going bikes, but there are better horses for courses.
Yeah I know that. And hats exactly the reason I bought it. Was keen on an Epic but also wanted a bike I could go and just have fun on and for me the Epic was just too ‘racey’. Climbing wise I think it’s great by the way. I don’t know if there’s actually that much difference between the two.
So the op really need to decide - does he want a XC race bike? If so an Epic, Spark, Anthem would be perfect. Does he want more of a fun bike? If so a Camber, Anthem SX would be perfect.
But first answer the question - full on race, or mix of race/fun. Which is what lead me to the Camber.
Just a note, the 2017 Specialized Camber is not supposed to be able to run a 3 inch tire, but it will. So if you are looking for a bit more traction that is something to consider. Clearance isn’t great, but we have run it with no issues.
yep, you’re right. I’ve been meaning to say ‘trail bike’.
The guy at the Cannondale booth at the last demo I did was saying he and his coworkers have been playing with removing the bands from within the rear shock, putting the front shock at 110mm of travel, and squeezing 41" rims with 2.35" front and 2.25" rear tires to change up the ride of the Scalpel.
The 120mm Spark Ultimate does look appealing.
To the climbing comments, I’ll say this: true xc bikes are great at climbing, especially up non-technical climbs, but xc rigs that I’ve ridden and raced are not great at climbing rooty, wet 30%+ grades. Bikes the like the Camber do much better at the latter. I’m trying to decipher why this is so. tires? wider rims? how the suspension is set up? How can you set up a xc rig to climb those rooty, wet 30%+ grades like a trail bike inherently does out of the box?
I doubt you’re going to go up a 30% climb very fast so suspension isn’t likely to gain you much. I’d say that traction and geometry are the most important factors here.
Just a note, the 2017 Specialized Camber is not supposed to be able to run a 3 inch tire, but it will. So if you are looking for a bit more traction that is something to consider. Clearance isn’t great, but we have run it with no issues.