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2023 Roscoe 7 vs Roscoe 8 (enter 2023 SQ3)

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bee-man

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I recently put a refundable deposit down on a 2023 Roscoe 7, which my LBS says will arrive this month. To address the weak front end, I was planning to upgrade the fork to a Z2 Bomber ($519) and sell the Recon to recoup some of the cost. However, after watching this comparison video, I wonder if I should just put that $500 towards the Roscoe 8 instead. How does the Rockshox R35 compare to the Z2? Are the other upgrades (HE hub, brakes, wheels) worth the extra money for a poser like me or does the Z2 trump all? I know there are better value bikes out there - I still drool over Scouts, Sentiers, Marleys and Big Als, but I am just not comfortable ordering sight unseen. I don't mind paying a little more if I can touch, test ride, and support my LBS. So if any other brands are mentioned, please try and keep it limited to Trek, Specialized, and Giant.

FYI, I am currently riding a geared 2006 Giant STP, but there is nothing quite like it anymore. My background is Flatland BMX/street, so I still want something rowdy and playful that can take some light abuse for my flatland/street antics and for those times I do feel daring on or off road. Despite the larger wheels, I think the Roscoe comes close to my riding preference, will be available soon, and is more age appropriate.
 
#4 ·
If you get the Roscoe 7 and throw a Marz Z2 on it, you'll have a better fork. If you use the $500 to boost it to a Roscoe 8 you'll have a better rounded bike (4 piston brakes, better hubs etc.) with a slight compromise on the fork. The 35 is pretty much an older Pike in budget clothing.

You should definitely think about it.
 
#5 ·
From 7 to 8 it seems like all the controls are a step up but not enough of a step up to make me pay for the 8.

In 2022 the "thousand dollar hard tail" costs $1900 and weighs thirty pounds :(
 
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
Appreciate the comments.

I really don't ride enough to swing for the Roscoe 9, probably the 8 too. But I still like a nice bike.

My STP has a 110mm travel Marzocchi Drop Off Comp with 32mm stanchions, and I would be bummed if these newer forks were more flexy than this old dinosaur. When I was shopping complete bikes almost a year ago, eb1888 recommended the Z2 as the determining component spec for my budget, so that's why I have that fork in mind for the upgrade. But maybe the R35 is good enough for my needs.
 
#7 ·
bee-man said:
My STP has a 110mm travel Marzocchi Drop Off Comp with 32mm stanchions, and I would be bummed if these newer forks were more flexy than this old dinosaur.
Click to expand...
Stiffness should not be a worry, both the Z2 and R35 are as solid as you would ever need unless you're a really heavy rider or ride really hard.
 
#8 ·
bee-man said:
When I was shopping complete bikes almost a year ago, eb1888 recommended the Z2 as the determining component spec for my budget, so that's why I have that fork in mind for the upgrade. But maybe the R35 is good enough for my needs.
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The RL35 damper isn't upgradeable. It should be badged Silver. You're stuck with the Motion Control damper. Same damper in the 7. That damper has poor small bump compliance. It gets overwhelmed quickly at speed going over chatter. A 7 with a Z2 is good. You can possibly find a used Pike with Charger damper or Fox 36. An 8 gets you a better rear hub. But not good enough. Not a DTSwiss 350 hub.

I'd look at a Giant Fathom 29 2 for $1500. Deore 10sp. With a Giant 34 fork. If you need to upgrade put the Z2 or Pike on it. 10sp is fine.
Spec has raised the prices too much on the Fuse 29. No choice there.

A better deal with Deore 12sp is a Marin Team Marin 2 at $1600. Judy fork needs to be changed to Z2 or Pike also. Dealers are around. The frame has very good rear vertical compliance. Here's the review. Strong rec. This is the best option because of the frame.

 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Hi eb1888, I notice words like, "upgradeable damper, small bump compliance, speed, and chatter," so I feel the need to clarify that I do not intend to bomb trails or spend extended periods on any terrain even close to what HT Party is riding. The bike would mostly see pavement, grass parks, gravel, urban obstacles, and an occasional green trail ride with the family; however, it should still be able to handle my BMX antics (small jumps, 180s, endoes, wheelies... you know, dumb stuff that some 50 year olds still think they can do). My Giant dealer says they are not able to obtain Fathoms, but I'm not too bothered since there are people complaining about the Crest forks. Agree that Specialized is now grossly overpriced, and I just can't get myself to buy a Marin. Appreciate the input though.

Given the comments, it's not a no-brainer and the other upgrades that come with the Roscoe 8 may be negligible for my needs - ignorance is bliss I suppose. For now, I'll just stick with the 7 and upgrade the fork if it bothers me that much. LBS says that the Roscoes are now expected in late September so I have some time to dwell on it. Thanks all.
 
#11 · (Edited)
bee-man said:
Hi eb1888, I notice words like, "upgradeable damper, small bump compliance, speed, and chatter," so I feel the need to clarify that I do not intend to bomb trails or spend extended periods on any terrain even close to what HT Party is riding. The bike would mostly see pavement, grass parks, gravel, urban obstacles, and an occasional green trail ride with the family; however, it should still be able to handle my BMX antics (small jumps, 180s, endoes, wheelies... you know, dumb stuff that some 50 year olds still think they can do). My Giant dealer says they are not able to obtain Fathoms, but I'm not too bothered since there are people complaining about the Crest forks. Agree that Specialized is now grossly overpriced, and I just can't get myself to buy a Marin. Appreciate the input though.

Given the comments, it's not a no-brainer and the other upgrades that come with the Roscoe 8 may be negligible for my needs - ignorance is bliss I suppose. For now, I'll just stick with the 7 and upgrade the fork if it bothers me that much. LBS says that the Roscoes are now expected in late September so I have some time to dwell on it. Thanks all.
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You can probably get away with the Recon or the 35.

As a previous Recon owner, it's alright. That bike got stolen and replaced with a bike with a Fox 34. I can tell a difference on small bump compliance in that I pretty much fly over root sections (multiple roots) that were considerably rougher on the Recon.

The biggest thing about the Recon, for me, was the 32mm stanchions, I believe. I'm not a jumper, I don't have (m)any chunky downhills to bomb, I don't put a ton of stress on my frame or fork, I don't believe, so I didn't think fork flex was a big issue for me. However, I am a roughly 200 lb rider and ride a lot of tight and twisties and I believe that fork flex with the Recon made my steering vague feeling.

My new bike with the Fox is very point and shoot, and there aren't enough differences in frame geo to account for it, although 44mm offset vs. 51 might, a bit. The 35 would go a long way to solving that problem, even if the internals are similar to the Recon.

Also, I really enjoy the HE hubs on my new bike. I didn't think I would make much use of them as there aren't a lot of rock gardens to ride around here to ratchet through. But there are other occasions where ratcheting is handy and not having to take up slack when you're transitioning from a descent to a short, steep climb is very, very nice, and we have a lot of those.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Update. I never received my bike. After patiently waiting several months I finally decided to follow up in November and that's when the dealer said none were in stock locally or scheduled to arrive. Needless to say I got my deposit back. Oh well, not too upset as it just wasn't meant to be, which is probably a good thing.

Fast forward to now. Seeing where the industry is headed, it's now difficult to justify the cost of the Roscoe. The Ragley Marley and Big Al are still available and on the radar; however, Marin recently released a redesigned 2023 San Quentin... I never really cared for the previous gen or the Marin brand, but hot damn, the SQ3 looks like a perfect mix of DJ and trail for $1999. Tell me why I shouldn't consider this bike (besides the 27.5" wheels).

 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
eb1888 said:
Because the Team 2 is a really good bike since they've fixed the seatstay problem.
Because the Big Al 1.0 is a better bike at a much reduced temporarily price.
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Hi eb1888, Team 2 looks more XC, but I wanted something siding to more DJ or rowdy. Big Al is incredible value and certainly still in the running. Thanks for always chiming in... for my budget, you are pretty much the reason I want the Z2.

pat745 said:
Not sure where you’re located or what size frame you’re looking for but I have a Large roscoe 8 with very little use I’m going to be selling.
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Thanks for inquiring, but I prefer to size down to an M (even though I fall as an M/L in Trek sizing)

In2bikes said:
Roscoe is definitely over priced for what your getting.
sq3. Offers more value.

go for It

have a quick peak at specialized status
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Thanks for confirming. Knowing what's out there, even a used 2022 Roscoe 7 at $1500 is not appealing enough. I've seen discounts by Specialized and Giant... wondering if Trek will follow suit. Also, I checked out the Status, but I prefer to stay hard right now. Thanks though.
 
#18 ·
bee-man said:
The bike would mostly see pavement, grass parks, gravel, urban obstacles, and an occasional green trail ride with the family; however, it should still be able to handle my BMX antics (small jumps, 180s, endoes, wheelies... you know, dumb stuff that some 50 year olds still think they can do).
Click to expand...
I would strongly prefer a 27.5 bike for what you’re describing your riding is going to consist of. A 29er with the right geometry and certainly do all of those things but for cutting up and playing around I prefer the smaller wheels as many others also do. No personal experience with the SQ3 but based on reviews and on paper, it sure looks like it would tick the boxes for what you’re looking for.
 
#19 ·
If I was going with 27.5 I would get the new SQ, but since I wanted 29 I went with the Roscoe. I have a Marin Alcatraz DJ for playing on which was the most fun bike I had ever owned, until I got the Roscoe. Roscoe is still tossable while being able to roll over almost everything, but it is an expensive big bike. Makes me think the 2023 San Quentin might just be the ultimate do everything bike as long as 27.5 is ok to you.
 
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