My rookie advice would be to chose the better fitting/feel one, you can always upgrade specs (eventually) that you don't like once out on the trails. Especially on bikes that almost the same.

I looked at the Specialized and really liked it, but ended up increasing my budget and also looked @ the Camber Comp - at the end I went an entire different route - I'm not a fan of Tektro brakes but I had very low end on my first bike and that's not an expensive upgrade. Good Luck

 

My rookie advice would be to chose the better fitting/feel one, you can always upgrade specs (eventually) that you don't like once out on the trails. Especially on bikes that almost the same.

I looked at the Specialized and really liked it, but ended up increasing my budget and also looked @ the Camber Comp - at the end I went an entire different route - I'm not a fan of Tektro brakes but I had very low end on my first bike and that's not an expensive upgrade. Good Luck

Thanks for your help! I would decide just based on feel but they were very similar and it was hard to compare side by side when they are at different stores and I couldn't ride them back to back. I am trying to make a decision based of specs at this point because they are so comparable.

I am trying to compare the shocks, brakes, frame, geometry, etc. If anyone else could provide any input on comparing the specs, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

Looks like the camber may have an edge on components and a few mm of tea travel. I also like the low stand over the specialized has. I like the S in this comparison. Good luck

 

Ride both, pic what feels best...that will be more important in the long run.

The nice thing about the Scott is that it uses standard shock so u can change it whatever in the future.

Also adjustable geo on the Spark.

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Ride both, pic what feels best...that will be more important in the long run.

The nice thing about the Scott is that it uses standard shock so u can change it whatever in the future.

Also adjustable geo on the Spark.

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Thanks for the help. Sorry I'm pretty new to this. What do you mean standard shock on the Scott? What is different about the specialized shock? Could I not change it in the future? If anything I would've thought the Scott was not standard because of the handlebar remote lockout and the custom xfusion nude shock.

Also, could you please explain how there is adjustable geometry?

Problem is that I test rode both and both felt pretty good. It was hard to make a decision just based on that, which is why I've been trying to compare weight, specs, suspension, etc

 

Yes, you can change the shock in the future. You can change pretty much anything in the future. The Scott has shimano brakes, whereas the Specialized has tektro, I'd go with Shimano ones. I like that the Specialized has 2 chainrings in the front as opposed to scott having 3, (most don't use the 3rd, more weight). They're very close. Ride and see which one is more comfortable, smoother. What incentives do each of the LBS offer?

 

I'm emailing both right now regarding incentives and additional test rides. Problem for me is that the specialized has better shocks. The Scott has better looks and better brakes. I've been told the suspension design on the specialized is better but neither was set up properly when j test rode them so we'll see. Also the specialized is just under 31lbs while the Scott is just under 32lbs.

One store responded to my email and could not add any additional discounts or anything for the Scott but they do offer 1 year free "minor adjustments" I'm assuming shifters, dérailleurs and minor wheel trying. Other than that, they don't have much else to offer. I am still waiting to hear from the other store that sells the Soecialized.

 

The Scott Spark is meant to be more of an cross country racing machine with a hint of trail. It has less travel, remote lockout, and a lil more XC oriented geometry.

Both have X-Fusion rear shocks, Scott having 3 remote modes. I'd say having a remote on rear shock would be an advantage coming from having both. The Scott has standard shock mounting hardware so that can easily be changed. With the Camber, you're kinda locked into specialized only shocks...

The Camber at this spec comparison has the better fork, though same weight. The advantage would be 15mm axle and Recon being a slight step above the 30 Silver TK... especially if the Recon has Motion Control...if it's just lock out then meh, but it says compression adjust.

I have both the 32 TK Silver w/ Motion Control (added later) and a Recon Silver with Motion Control. The Recon has finer rebound adjustment and better serviceability (that's a big IF you ever get around to needing to replace the bushings). Other than that it's hard to tell the difference between the two... In the end I need something better than either of those forks.

The camber also has a thru axle in the rear which is nice.

 

The Scott Spark is meant to be more of an cross country racing machine with a hint of trail. It has less travel, remote lockout, and a lil more XC oriented geometry.

Both have X-Fusion rear shocks, Scott having 3 remote modes. I'd say having a remote on rear shock would be an advantage coming from having both. The Scott has standard shock mounting hardware so that can easily be changed. With the Camber, you're kinda locked into specialized only shocks...

The Camber at this spec comparison has the better fork, though same weight. The advantage would be 15mm axle and Recon being a slight step above the 30 Silver TK... especially if the Recon has Motion Control...if it's just lock out then meh, but it says compression adjust.

I have both the 32 TK Silver w/ Motion Control (added later) and a Recon Silver with Motion Control. The Recon has finer rebound adjustment and better serviceability (that's a big IF you ever get around to needing to replace the bushings). Other than that it's hard to tell the difference between the two... In the end I need something better than either of those forks.

The camber also has a thru axle in the rear which is nice.

It looks like the recon on the specialized has motion control but the 30 tk silver on the Scott does not. Not sure what difference this makes but that is what I've gathered from researching both bikes. They are essentially the same weight and the shock on the specialized is better than on the Scott. Only issue is I didn't realize I would need a specialized shock if I ever wanted to upgrade on the specialized. I figured they both took all shocks. Also not sure what difference I would notice having a thru axle, as I said I'm new to all this.

The only other differences I gathered were lifetime frame warranty on the spec, 5 year frame warranty on the Scott (with receipt of annual servicing), specialized tires on the camber, maxxis ikon tires on the Scott, axel xd rims on the spec, syncros x21 rims on the Scott. SRAM x7 front dérailleur on the spec, shimano slx front dérailleur on the Scott, different suspension designs (spec Horst vs Scott single pivot)

Talk about information overload. I will have to ride these bikes again and see what I think. There are so many tiny differences that I don't know enough about. Unless you guys feel one is significantly better than the other due to any of the specs, I might just have to base my decision off of feel. Thanks again everyone

You can't ride both in a parking lot and pick the one that feels best. That tells you something about fit but nothing about handling on trails where you'll be every day. You need demo rides on trails. Email them about that. The Camber has a lot shorter chainstays. I'd look for that as a difference on a trail.

I will look into the demos but trail riding is not all this bike will be doing. Its going to be a do-it-all kind of bike. Illl be doing everything with it other than commuting/road biking. I'll be riding this casually in the neighborhood, paved bike trails at local parks, gravel trails, more serious/technical mountain biking trails, occasional xc. I'm looking for a bike that will be a jack of all trades

 

You can't ride both in a parking lot and pick the one that feels best. That tells you something about fit but nothing about handling on trails where you'll be every day. You need demo rides on trails. Email them about that. The Camber has a lot shorter chainstays. I'd look for that as a difference on a trail.

 

Also to update on incentives from the LBS. The Scott store offers free minor adjustments for the first year meaning shifters, rear dérailleurs, minor wheel truing, etc. all other services will be given at a 25% discount. The price of the bike is still $1500.

At the Specialized store, there are no service plans or incentives to offer. All service charges apply and remain the same. The salesman said that if there are any accessories that I need that they could "work something out with me" so not really sure what that entails. Not sure I really need much in terms of accessories other than a bike computer which I could probably get on Amazon for even cheaper.

 

Also to update on incentives from the LBS. The Scott store offers free minor adjustments for the first year meaning shifters, rear dérailleurs, minor wheel truing, etc. all other services will be given at a 25% discount. The price of the bike is still $1500.

At the Specialized store, there are no service plans or incentives to offer. All service charges apply and remain the same. The salesman said that if there are any accessories that I need that they could "work something out with me" so not really sure what that entails. Not sure I really need much in terms of accessories other than a bike computer which I could probably get on Amazon for even cheaper.

For whatever its worth as far as incentives, the Specialized bike is reduced down to $1500 from $1900 already. I don't think you're going to get much better than that.

Did you ride either? Do you have a better feel for either place as far as servicing and support?

I have a Camber 29 coming from my LBS, its on order, so I can't help you from riding experience. I also didn't consider the Scott, it wasn't carried by any of the 3 LBS that I shopped. I did consider the Cannondale (competing bike was a 650b) and the Trek, but the Camber seemed the best deal. I picked the LBS that I liked the best who helped me the most with my decision.

 

The geo of the Camber will be more flickable and poppy on techy trails.
The MC damper in the Recon is low level both compression and rebound.
If you feel it's necessary, something else may fit in or you can upgrade to a different fork possibly worth going to something 27.5+ for Plus tire options.
First Look: 2016 Specialized Camber | BIKE Magazine