Great video! Thank you for reviewing "common man" level trim bikes, as these are so much more accessible to many more people than the upper level bikes. I like this category too, the efficiency of a short travel 29er, but the fun of a little more slack head angle with a bit more front travel. One of these very well may be my next bike!
That's exactly what was missing on the market :) Something between aggresive and unconfortable pure XC racing bike and too heavy engaged trail bikes. I've been riding more than 14 000 km my 2008 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR comp (120mm), I guess one of those 2 will be a great replacement ! Thanks MBR for the nice review !
I have the specialized epic comp and my mate the scott 900. We both agree that the specialized is a way better and all round bike but at the end it all comes down to personal preference. But I would choose the specialized any day!
SLXs do have tool free reach adjustment. I believe you meant to say they don't have the tooled free stroke adjustment of XT or XTR.... which is great, because that phillips headed screw does nothing anyway.
Thanks, i had on my mind that kind of dispute but as "cheaper" models (Stumpi vs Epic evo) and finally i will receive a Epic. I have a Trek DS3 and my new bike will be a spectacular jump up over the trail knowing that´s won´t be as Spectacular as with the Stumpi.
Great review! I own the Scott Spark 2018 and it is hard for me to call it XC-Bike! I call it Trail-Bike. Geometry and components of trail but not much travel to be a full Trail-Bike.
I have that epic evo and it's great to grab and feel like I'm on a trailish bike with great efficiency. Much better pedaler than my stumpjumper evo 29er
I'd like to see some reviews of XC hardtails that are also suitable for trail use. (i.e. affordable lightweight hardtail trail bikes but based on XC racers rather than established trail bikes). Do such bikes exist?
I’m looking at the Scott spark 930 or genius 940, I need a trail bike that’s good for bike parks, I’m afraid the spark will be too little travel. I also have a 2016 Scott scale 710 non boost non plus. Help please!
I want to buy a bike but I every time thinking about what is better: Cube AMS 100 C:68 SLT 29 2020 or Specialized Epic Expert Carbon 2020??? Please help me to choose the best one)))
well, some XC full sus bikes are similary light as HTs. U can lockout rear shock if needed, and od downhills Full sus is faster :-) and u can recover more, cuz rear shock will take care of bumbs and roots for you-
nice Video, thanks. I am searching for an Tour Fully. because i dont only ride Trails, and dont want an Hardtail. Is the Epic Evo good for riding long Tours with my Family, or is it to uncomfortable because its an Race bike and the sitting position is to stretched ? I own an Giant Trance now, and its to heavy and i dont need the 150mm suspension for my rides. sorry for my bad english, Like and subscribe is sure, nice channel ! in short words: Is it comfortable for Tours and is there a big difference between an Epic and an allmountain with 2 -3 kg difference ?
I just subscribed here because you are an amazing dude the one who makes the video short but very informative and for that I thank you, I also have a question, I always had a normal bike nothing special, but recently I did join two groups of bikers and they have better bikes one of them are just cycling on asphalt and my normal bike is always far behind it's a Chinese full suspension bike but it's really heavy so I can't catch up with them and that's embarrassing, and the other group are the ones who loves off-roads, my bike is a full suspension so it doesn't have any problem with off road except for being flat sometimes because it's not tubeless, and the biggest problem is the weight of my bike it's very heavy, so I am still the last one in this group as well which is embarrassing, and about my body I changed my bike with one of them and I ended up being the first one in like 10 times, so I don't have any stamina issues
Sorry I accidentally pressed send button, so my first question is how fast this two bike can go I mean the top and max speed on asphalt, and the top speed on a flat off-roads Also is there any bike like these I mean 12 speeds which is a lil bit budget friendlier, without sacrificing the performance and speed, thanks
I thaught, finally an mbr video about XC-bikes, but no than they get the trail bikes that look like XC-bikes! Do a real XC-video for once, like u said XC is huge and u guys just ignore it and stay with trail! Btw for a real XC-bike climbing is as important as downhill, u can loose/gain alot moe time uphill than downhill!
koen miseur I think for a hobby rider these are XC bikes that can be used for more than just XC racing. Compared to the ‘XC’ bikes they only differ in the 120mm fork (and AL frame, and rich heavy cassette) but even in XC/Marathon some are riding 120mm fork depending on the course and the dropper post is pretty much standard on the XCO World Cup.
Appreciate your point, but both these bikes would make excellent XC race bikes though. The problem with testing the ultimate XC race bike is that 1) the market is very small in the UK 2) most of the people who ride them are sponsored in some way, so it's kind of irrelevant which bike is the best. You just race whichever brand you get a deal with.
@@MBRmagazine yeah but UA-cam isn't only in the UK, than u should be on the BBC. And the sponsored part is a weird point, u are reviewing bikes on your own not with a prorider on the saddle! These reviews aren't for the pro's but for the common people, and there are lot more XC-riders in the world than trail riders!
@@tamasvarga67 That's true, but not my point, my point is that on MBR they are way to focused on going downhill (maybe they should call it DHR), but not enough on uphill or going downhill on a real xc-bike.
Bike technology nowadays blows my mind. Give me an old school hard tail anyday. The amount of servicing u need to do on these things is a ball ache and the price of them is a second hand car
@@davefool6815 did you have to change some parts already ? I'm precisely wondering on the long term reliability. As you say more technology, more complex part, means also in the long run more parts failing.
@@sebastienvttiste7233 not gonna lie. It's nice having a full suspension. But you need the rear shock servicing which is a specialist job so it will no doubt need sending away. Same with the fork. The pivot points need servicing too as they can go a little stiff. It's time effort and money. But it's nice to glide smoothly over terrain. I'm just as ok on a handrail but it's more old school lol. It's your choice and depends on if you are doing hardcore trails or not.
Andreus Triant Yeah, to go down you first have to climb ... Climbing ability is an overlooked feature, ultimately this is what determines the length of your ride :-)
First second third CAN WE STOP THIS NONSENSE NOBODY CARES brake issue is likely due to Shimano having organic v srams sintered as std I don't see the torx being an issue as my multi tool has them all and it's good practice to have a mini tool with these fitted to be on the safe side
knott 4me It’s a review for a reason... you cared enough to comment with a STUCK CAPS LOCK, just relax nobody is hurting you. :) Brake differences - it’s Shimano vs SRAM as both come with organic pads as standard. Other than their top of the line RSC/Ultimate, SRAM brakes cannot hold a candle to anything Shimano starting from Deore. But if you want to be faster then Level TL is a better choice they don’t slow you down as much as the SLX. Torx bolts are not an issue/dealbreaker just an annoyance. Your mini tool has a T25 which is good on brake rotors and to adjust SRAM brake levers but the suspension pivot bolts on the Scott are different sizes.
Torx heads are more robust than hex bolts... and much more than allen head bolts (which is what torx is replacing on these bikes). Construction screws started out with philips heads, which sucked and transitioned to square head, which was better... but as impact drivers got more powerful and faster, even square couldn't handle the torque without stripping out. Torx has largely solved that issue. Almost every category of construction screws are now torx... including lag screws, which used to be hex head bolts exclusively. I would be thrilled if all allen head bolts were gone from my bike. It would be great to just have 3 or 4 Torx wrenches to do everything!
Yes! Thank you! More xc bikes please. All footage on UA-cam is just enduro and trail bikes
Especially these Trail oriented XC bikes. I like a bike that I can do both with.
Great video! Thank you for reviewing "common man" level trim bikes, as these are so much more accessible to many more people than the upper level bikes. I like this category too, the efficiency of a short travel 29er, but the fun of a little more slack head angle with a bit more front travel. One of these very well may be my next bike!
Would love to see a video comparing the Specialized Epic Evo vs the Orbea Oiz TR! Thank you!
That's exactly what was missing on the market :) Something between aggresive and unconfortable pure XC racing bike and too heavy engaged trail bikes. I've been riding more than 14 000 km my 2008 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR comp (120mm), I guess one of those 2 will be a great replacement ! Thanks MBR for the nice review !
Did you get Epic EVO?
I have the specialized epic comp and my mate the scott 900. We both agree that the specialized is a way better and all round bike but at the end it all comes down to personal preference. But I would choose the specialized any day!
SLXs do have tool free reach adjustment. I believe you meant to say they don't have the tooled free stroke adjustment of XT or XTR.... which is great, because that phillips headed screw does nothing anyway.
Thanks, i had on my mind that kind of dispute but as "cheaper" models (Stumpi vs Epic evo) and finally i will receive a Epic. I have a Trek DS3 and my new bike will be a spectacular jump up over the trail knowing that´s won´t be as Spectacular as with the Stumpi.
Great review! I own the Scott Spark 2018 and it is hard for me to call it XC-Bike! I call it Trail-Bike. Geometry and components of trail but not much travel to be a full Trail-Bike.
Alex G is the spark 29er any good for bike parks?
I have that epic evo and it's great to grab and feel like I'm on a trailish bike with great efficiency. Much better pedaler than my stumpjumper evo 29er
I'd like to see some reviews of XC hardtails that are also suitable for trail use. (i.e. affordable lightweight hardtail trail bikes but based on XC racers rather than established trail bikes). Do such bikes exist?
Cheers for the review, these are literally the two bikes I am weighing up Pros and Cons on right now, so this is perfect!
Ben Cove so what was your choice? I'm in the same boat. 🤔
Mac Daddy ummm long story short I’ll be getting an EpicEvo at the end of winter.
Can you also review Santa Cruz Tallboy?
I’m looking at the Scott spark 930 or genius 940, I need a trail bike that’s good for bike parks, I’m afraid the spark will be too little travel. I also have a 2016 Scott scale 710 non boost non plus. Help please!
More XC content pls 🤔
I want to buy a bike but I every time thinking about what is better: Cube AMS 100 C:68 SLT 29 2020 or Specialized Epic Expert Carbon 2020??? Please help me to choose the best one)))
I would love a review on the Polygon T8. Is it a capable bike for the money, or you get what you pay for?
For me a hardtail is the better option for a XC bike, normally more responsive, lighter and faster.
well, some XC full sus bikes are similary light as HTs. U can lockout rear shock if needed, and od downhills Full sus is faster :-) and u can recover more, cuz rear shock will take care of bumbs and roots for you-
Wait till you are over 40 years old.
@@chrisormond ....? Dont see why age is a factor? And I dont have to wait as I'm 54!
@@steveb8269 57 :)
Thanks for this review. I bought a 2018 spark 900 And I’ve had a hard time finding good reviews on the bike.
I have the 2018 950, i am very happy with it. Check out Scotty Laughland's channel, he also has a 900 i think.
I have the 950 2019.. excellent so far..
Would like to see these two versus a Merida 120 and Giant Trance 29
And for me the Canyon Neuron and Trek Fuel Ex. I would probably go for the stumpjumper st instead of the epic.
Great video! Reviews of the Norco Revolver 120, and Intense Sniper Trail please!
Can you repeat this combo test for 2021? The newer Evo is sans brain
I have the high end carbon epic expert and it is amazing
Great show, I'll have the hardtail version please.
Check out the Ibis DV9 if you want a hardtail version of the Spark.
nice Video, thanks. I am searching for an Tour Fully. because i dont only ride Trails, and dont want an Hardtail. Is the Epic Evo good for riding long Tours with my Family, or is it to uncomfortable because its an Race bike and the sitting position is to stretched ? I own an Giant Trance now, and its to heavy and i dont need the 150mm suspension for my rides. sorry for my bad english, Like and subscribe is sure, nice channel !
in short words: Is it comfortable for Tours and is there a big difference between an Epic and an allmountain with 2 -3 kg difference ?
I just subscribed here because you are an amazing dude the one who makes the video short but very informative and for that I thank you, I also have a question, I always had a normal bike nothing special, but recently I did join two groups of bikers and they have better bikes one of them are just cycling on asphalt and my normal bike is always far behind it's a Chinese full suspension bike but it's really heavy so I can't catch up with them and that's embarrassing, and the other group are the ones who loves off-roads, my bike is a full suspension so it doesn't have any problem with off road except for being flat sometimes because it's not tubeless, and the biggest problem is the weight of my bike it's very heavy, so I am still the last one in this group as well which is embarrassing, and about my body I changed my bike with one of them and I ended up being the first one in like 10 times, so I don't have any stamina issues
Sorry I accidentally pressed send button, so my first question is how fast this two bike can go I mean the top and max speed on asphalt, and the top speed on a flat off-roads
Also is there any bike like these I mean 12 speeds which is a lil bit budget friendlier, without sacrificing the performance and speed, thanks
What is the best one for racing out of the two
Ummm........that's kind of a silly question to ask
Whats the difrese beetwin this SCOTT spark and the 730?
The wheels size and some components. The frame is the same.
Are this trail bikes any good for XC racing?
They're pretty good. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.
Orbea Oiz TR 2019 model is a much nicer bike imo!
Agree...but quite a bit more expensive also
@@Driftuner why are they better?
@@jostamler i dont know if they are better, i just think they are nicer..
I thaught, finally an mbr video about XC-bikes, but no than they get the trail bikes that look like XC-bikes! Do a real XC-video for once, like u said XC is huge and u guys just ignore it and stay with trail! Btw for a real XC-bike climbing is as important as downhill, u can loose/gain alot moe time uphill than downhill!
koen miseur I think for a hobby rider these are XC bikes that can be used for more than just XC racing. Compared to the ‘XC’ bikes they only differ in the 120mm fork (and AL frame, and rich heavy cassette) but even in XC/Marathon some are riding 120mm fork depending on the course and the dropper post is pretty much standard on the XCO World Cup.
Appreciate your point, but both these bikes would make excellent XC race bikes though. The problem with testing the ultimate XC race bike is that 1) the market is very small in the UK 2) most of the people who ride them are sponsored in some way, so it's kind of irrelevant which bike is the best. You just race whichever brand you get a deal with.
@@MBRmagazine yeah but UA-cam isn't only in the UK, than u should be on the BBC. And the sponsored part is a weird point, u are reviewing bikes on your own not with a prorider on the saddle! These reviews aren't for the pro's but for the common people, and there are lot more XC-riders in the world than trail riders!
@@tamasvarga67 That's true, but not my point, my point is that on MBR they are way to focused on going downhill (maybe they should call it DHR), but not enough on uphill or going downhill on a real xc-bike.
Scott Spark +
*Quality*
Would love to see you guys review the Fezzari Signal Peak with this short travel trail bike/xc bike format in mind
Wanted: MBR Kit... tees, jerseys, etc. ;)
Casual wear is coming soon, we promise!
Whyte 801 vs voodoo bingo?
Bike technology nowadays blows my mind. Give me an old school hard tail anyday. The amount of servicing u need to do on these things is a ball ache and the price of them is a second hand car
Sad thing is... I bought a really expensive specialized. That's why I have the authority to make this comment
@@davefool6815 did you have to change some parts already ? I'm precisely wondering on the long term reliability. As you say more technology, more complex part, means also in the long run more parts failing.
@@sebastienvttiste7233 not gonna lie. It's nice having a full suspension. But you need the rear shock servicing which is a specialist job so it will no doubt need sending away. Same with the fork.
The pivot points need servicing too as they can go a little stiff.
It's time effort and money. But it's nice to glide smoothly over terrain.
I'm just as ok on a handrail but it's more old school lol.
It's your choice and depends on if you are doing hardcore trails or not.
Please, ditch the childish background music
The brain system is great, right as you hit a hill you just fly up it
Andreus Triant Yeah, to go down you first have to climb ... Climbing ability is an overlooked feature, ultimately this is what determines the length of your ride :-)
Soooooo Scott?
First second third CAN WE STOP THIS NONSENSE NOBODY CARES
brake issue is likely due to Shimano having organic v srams sintered as std
I don't see the torx being an issue as my multi tool has them all and it's good practice to have a mini tool with these fitted to be on the safe side
knott 4me It’s a review for a reason... you cared enough to comment with a STUCK CAPS LOCK, just relax nobody is hurting you. :)
Brake differences - it’s Shimano vs SRAM as both come with organic pads as standard. Other than their top of the line RSC/Ultimate, SRAM brakes cannot hold a candle to anything Shimano starting from Deore. But if you want to be faster then Level TL is a better choice they don’t slow you down as much as the SLX.
Torx bolts are not an issue/dealbreaker just an annoyance. Your mini tool has a T25 which is good on brake rotors and to adjust SRAM brake levers but the suspension pivot bolts on the Scott are different sizes.
I find torx bolts round off way easier than hex bolts.
If you put the wrong size in! :-)
Nah
Torx heads are more robust than hex bolts... and much more than allen head bolts (which is what torx is replacing on these bikes). Construction screws started out with philips heads, which sucked and transitioned to square head, which was better... but as impact drivers got more powerful and faster, even square couldn't handle the torque without stripping out. Torx has largely solved that issue. Almost every category of construction screws are now torx... including lag screws, which used to be hex head bolts exclusively. I would be thrilled if all allen head bolts were gone from my bike. It would be great to just have 3 or 4 Torx wrenches to do everything!
First.
Great vid