Nant-yr-Arian MTB Demo Day
Sunday was hot and sunny again so I headed off to Nant-yr-Arian where there was a moutnain-bike demo being held. It was of course very busy there and there were lots of nice bikes about. I set off on my bike for a little circuit around part of the Pendam Trail and then went to the Specialised marquee to collect a lovely lightweight carbon fibre S-Works Epic for a test ride.
It certainly was a nice bike. £4000 worth of full suspension loveliness! I’ve never ridden a full suspension bike before and it certainly make s a difference on the downhill sections and over the bumps. The tricky, bumpy uphill sections were easier too as the suspension allows the back wheel to stay in contact with the ground better and therefore gives more traction. It felt a little slower on the uphill forest track sections, but in fact after looking at my GPS track it was actually a little faster uphill too, although much of that was probably due to the lighter weight of this expensive model.
Would I get one? Yes to full-suspension, but no to that particular model as it isn’t perfect for the type of riding I do. Yes its very light, but I had to get off the bike to lockout the rear suspension and I’d rather be able to do that whilst riding along, either via a remote lever on the handlebars or on a bike where the rear-shock is within reach from the normal riding position. I’d probably be better off with one with a little more travel that the S-Works epic too. I quite like the look of the Specialised Stumpjumper or the Scott Genius… I’d better start saving my pennies!
