Ok, first mtn bike in over 5 years. After some test rides, I've decided to go with a 29er. My budget is $2000. I will have a 40 mile race on xc ski trails, but most of my riding is recreation on a combination of hard pack, xc ski trails, and single track (I live in Minnesota). Would I be better of with the lower weight of the Motobecane or FS of Spec. (BTW, found the Spec. on sale for $2000, making them the same price)?
Purchase Advise - Spec. Epic Comp vs Motobecane Fly Ti
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Go with the Spec. The Moto has better components but you will never live down the fact that you bought a Motobecane. you won't ride it as much because your friends will think you are a dork, the diehards will diss' you for not supporting your LBS. EDIT... nevermind on the aluminum, I had the wrong bike in mind.
I bought the motobecane.
I bought the motobecane.
Don't worry about what other people think of your bike. You are the one riding it. To 2tallrid3r, the Fly Ti is a titanium frame, not aluminum. To the OP, it depends on what you want. You are going to get a lighter bike with the Motobecane, which, I would imagine is better spec'd for the price.
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Given the description of your riding locale and terrain (long distance cross-country in Minnesota), as well as your experience (off the mountain bike for a few years), I think you'll appreciate the full-suspension of the Epic as opposed to the hardtail Motobecane. The weight difference between the two frames won't be huge, and you'll gain the comfort of full-suspension, improved stiffness in the bottom bracket area (not the -- admittedly nice -- Motobecane's strongest point), and the backing of your local shop.
I guess I should put this another way, so as not to step on any toes: to me this would be an easy choice, as the benefits from the full-suspension would far outweigh marginally inferior -- though still well-respected -- components, as well as the exoticness of titanium. At $2k you're also getting quite a deal on the Epic -- almost 30% off -- while the Fly Ti is its regular, everyday price (the 'list' is a made-up, though interesting number).
Again, not to step on any toes, but this is what I would do. Both are good bikes, though, and I'll think you'll be happy with whatever you choose.
Good luck!
I guess I should put this another way, so as not to step on any toes: to me this would be an easy choice, as the benefits from the full-suspension would far outweigh marginally inferior -- though still well-respected -- components, as well as the exoticness of titanium. At $2k you're also getting quite a deal on the Epic -- almost 30% off -- while the Fly Ti is its regular, everyday price (the 'list' is a made-up, though interesting number).
Again, not to step on any toes, but this is what I would do. Both are good bikes, though, and I'll think you'll be happy with whatever you choose.
Good luck!
The specialized shocks with the brain have been problematic for many people, including me in the past. There's been a few defective ones reported with the new fox made version that was supposed to fix the issues. That said, that bike for $2k flat is a smokin deal. Just be aware you're getting crap wheels with a 500 gram shimano rear hub that is prone to blowing up.
With the moto you're getting better parts all around and a few pounds knocked off. Most people have only been changing the bars for wider ones and the tires to something more aggressive. I have a 29er I built with a moto fly ti frame and its a great riding frame.
With the moto you're getting better parts all around and a few pounds knocked off. Most people have only been changing the bars for wider ones and the tires to something more aggressive. I have a 29er I built with a moto fly ti frame and its a great riding frame.
Huh ? My fly ti 29er small frame was 3.3 lbs... The epic is probably in the high 5s if not mid 6s. I'd say 40-50% is a big difference.BigWheeler said:
As someone that owns the fly ti frame the bottom bracket stiffness thing is way overblown. Does it flex more than an aluminum hardtail with massive tubes ? I guess so. But I'm sure the Epic's fsr design has more flex in the whole rear end. You do have 4 pivot connections between the rear axle and the shock.
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Dood some people like full suspension, i'm sure your motobecane is the ultimate hard tail, don't take is so personally. I've got hard tail bikes I like, (not perfect though) but for longer distance rides I look forward to trying the FS experience.92gli said:
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OP...your choice is almost independent of brand...more like, what do you want a HT or FS?
Sounds as though your trails are relatively smooth and for me this no contest...a HT. I don't ride real rough trails.
I have a Ti Fly 29er and to me with about 1000 miles on it now, the best HT on the market for the money bar none.
If you ride real rough stuff...the Fly has a great ride....go with FS.
Sounds as though your trails are relatively smooth and for me this no contest...a HT. I don't ride real rough trails.
I have a Ti Fly 29er and to me with about 1000 miles on it now, the best HT on the market for the money bar none.
If you ride real rough stuff...the Fly has a great ride....go with FS.
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I say it's a tossup and depends on what kind of bike YOU prefer; hardtail or full suspension. If you race/ride almost exclusively XC then a lighter hardtail with better components is going to be better (Moto Fly Ti). Full suspension is going to be overkill and you're going to pay a price on the climbs and not gain a whole lot on the downhill. On the other hand, if you'll be doing some AM/DH rides the full suspension is going to be hands down the best bike.
I like to ride XC and AM and would buy the Specialized. It's not lightweight, doesn't have the XTR drivetrain, and the fork isn't quite as nice, but it still has very good components for $2k. In addition, you get LBS support which will come in handy if they sponsor or help out at the races.
I like to ride XC and AM and would buy the Specialized. It's not lightweight, doesn't have the XTR drivetrain, and the fork isn't quite as nice, but it still has very good components for $2k. In addition, you get LBS support which will come in handy if they sponsor or help out at the races.
It's not personal.... dooood.rojogonzo said:
He's just not making any sense. I just felt the need to lay some accuracy at his feet when he says the frame weights are close and the BB on the moto flexes alot. I'm sure he's never ridden one. I'm not a motobecane fanboy but alot of people talk trash on them just because they don't like the business model or whatever.
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Sorry dude.92gli said:It's not personal.... dooood.
Thank you for the accuracy that you have laid at my feet. My feet appreciate it. :thumbsup:Let's call the Moto 3.5 pounds, and the Epic 6 pounds, just for comparison's sake: 2.5 pounds difference, and certainly significant (I'll pick up that point from down by my feet and affirm it).
Now let's look at total bike weights. Again, just for comparison's sake, let's call the Moto 24 pounds and the Epic 27.5. Now the difference is 3.5 pounds, of which frame weight is 2.5 pounds. But now this difference is less than a 15% change -- not bad at all -- and most of that is static frame weight -- not rotating weight -- which has much less affect on the rider.
15% seems like a reasonable penalty to me to pay for the added benefits of a highly efficient full suspension bike, not to mention security of having a local shop work with you on the product (setup, tuneup, warranty, etc.). But again, this is only for me: I generally feel that we can put a little too much emphasis on bike weight at the expense of reliability and stability. But then again, I ride a 26 pound rigid singlespeed, so whatthehail do I know?
I wasn't in any way "talking trash" about your -- or anyone else's -- Moto. Srsly. I'm sure it's a great bike -- certainly much nicer than anything I've ever owned. I said as much in my post. So is the Specialized. Assuming things such as fit are the same, I don't think that the OP can go wrong in his decision, but he asked for advice, so I offered my opinion, trying especially hard not to step on anyone's toes. I'm sorry that I failed at that, and sorry that you took offense -- fanboy or not. I hope that clears things up. :thumbsup:
Ride on!
Are you or any of your friends competent bike mechanics? If you are competent then the support of you local bike shop is not that big of a deal. If you don't know how to wrench I am guessing the LBS will want to charge you a decent amount of cash to work on your brand new bike when it needs adjustments. Once you buy the motobecane, you are on your own.
I think a HT 29er is perfect for the majority of trails and I live in colorado. Of course it's a biased opinion because i ride a HT 29er.
Everyone has different opinions so you can't really take one opinion and go with it unless you really trust them.
I would try and demo the epic and a HT 29er and see what YOU think.
You might hate the HT thing all together and be bummed with your decision if you don't try it first
I think a HT 29er is perfect for the majority of trails and I live in colorado. Of course it's a biased opinion because i ride a HT 29er.
Everyone has different opinions so you can't really take one opinion and go with it unless you really trust them.
I would try and demo the epic and a HT 29er and see what YOU think.
You might hate the HT thing all together and be bummed with your decision if you don't try it first
lamazion said:
Thanks for all the great input. I've been wrenching for years, so that is not a concern. BTW, I will not be using the LBS that I purchase the bike from. While they are one of my favorite shops, they are in PA where my wife's family lives.
I think the comment that I can't go wrong with either is very accurate. I guess I need to decide on HT or FS. I haven't ridden a HT in years, but the lower weight does have an appeal. I have a couple days to decide before we head home. Thanks again for all the input!
I think the comment that I can't go wrong with either is very accurate. I guess I need to decide on HT or FS. I haven't ridden a HT in years, but the lower weight does have an appeal. I have a couple days to decide before we head home. Thanks again for all the input!
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