While big travel trail bikes are pretty awesome, they aren't always the best tools for the job. So when speed, efficiency, and capability are at the top of your wish list, the Camber Comp Carbon 29 is sure to get the job done. With its fast 29-inch rolling stock, this Camber is designed for speed over the entyre trail. It blends all of the trail bike characteristics that you want with the XC climbing prowess that you need. This is achieved by combining our FACT 9m carbon fibre Trail Chassis with a M5 alloy Camber FSR rear end. The combination results in blending lightweight, rigidity, and durability in one package. At both ends of the bike, you'll find sufficient travel lengths that deliver plenty of plush suspension—all without going overboard on big hit capability. This means that you don't have to sacrifice efficiency, weight, or sheer speed to ride how you want. And with our Trail 29 Geometry and lightweight, stiff, and smooth Concentric Pivot at the rear, we can guarantee it. The other trail component of the Camber is utility, and along these lines, it features our fully integrated SWAT Door at the down tube of the frame. Open it up, and you're able to safely and securely house your ride essentials right where you want them—on the bike. For the build, we selected components that focus on strength and performance, like a SRAM S-1000 one-by drivetrain, powerful Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, and our all-new Command Post IRcc dropper with up to 10 mid positions.
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FACT 9m carbon Trail Chassis w/ Camber FSR M5 alloy rear end is mated with our Trail 29 Geometry to form a bike that's just as at home on the climbs as it is mowing over rough trail sections. You'll also find internal cable routing for clean lines and minimal maintenance and an integrated SWAT™ Door for zero-hassle storage of your trail essentials.
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A custom RockShox Revelation RL 29 fork was developed to deliver 120mm of plush, trail taming travel, while accommodating a 15x100mm thru-axle for reliable handling and durability over rough, bumpy, or loose terrain. It also features our Rx Trail Tune for the ultimate in performance and feel.
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SRAM GX 11-speed rear derailleur grants you access to a wide range of gears, while providing crisp, reliable shifting.
Mountain biking has been revolutionised in the last few years with the introduction of larger wheel sizes and more sophisticated suspensions. Whether you are buying your first mountain bike, or you want to upgrade your ride, this is a quick guide to steer you through the occasionally confusing world of mountain biking. For a far more detailed guide, go to our BLOG on finding the mountain bike for you.
Where to start
Prices for a mountain bike that will last and give you a proper riding experience start around £400, which includes bike set-up and your first service. On bikes over £600, we include a free suspension set up, which is a £45 value. You can spend less on a bike, but you'll either get sub-standard components or be left on your own to build up the bike, fit it correctly, tune the suspension and service it once it beds-in.
What are you paying for?
£400 - £4,000 is quite a range, so how do you decide what's right for you? For example, is it more important to spend extra to get a carbon fibre frame or would you be better off with a less expensive frame and better gear shifters, brakes and wheels? If it's an upgrade from your current bike you are looking for, how do you choose the best frame, groupset and wheels for you?
1. Your Mountain biking objectives
The best place to start is understanding what you want to achieve with your bike. Are you riding local bridleways and towpaths, or will you be a regular on the red runs at Swinley Forest and the trail centres in Wales? Do you want to do big jumps, or be fast cross-country? The answers to these questions will guide you toward the right kind of bike. To keep it simple, we will refer to "Cross country", "Trail" and "Downhill". There is a more detailed breakdown in the BLOG
2. Frame materials
The most common material is aluminium, as it's light and strong, and it is less likely to be damaged in a crash than carbon fibre. Carbon fibre frames can offer improve weight and stiffness, but all carbon is NOT equal. Cheap carbon is like riding a plastic bike, and it is unlikely to survive many crashes.
3. Suspension & frame angles
"Hardtail" bikes have suspension forks and a rigid rear triangle, but "Full Sus" bikes have a rear shock absorber as well. Quality Full Sus bikes start at £1,000, as the parts and manufacturing costs are higher. The suspension "travel" is matched to the type of riding you will do. Cross country bikes generally have 100 - 120mm or travel, Trail bikes have 140 - 160mm, and Downhill bikes go up from there. Downhill bikes also have a fundamentally different frame design, and very heavy duty shocks, so it's a specialist area.
4. Wheel sizes
All quality mountain bikes now come with either 27.5" or 29" wheels. The "traditional" 26" wheel is slower over rough surfaces and has less grip due to the smaller contact patch with the ground. In general, 29" wheels are a good choice for medium and larger hardtail bikes, and 27.5" wheels are the best for smaller frames and full sus bikes.
Summary
We are here to help you match you with the best bike for your riding objectives and budget. We'll make sure you get the right size and set it up correctly for you in any case, but we can also discuss the trade-offs and pro & cons of your different choices. We are all cyclists and enthusiasts, so we are keen and able to help.