The size L Scott spark will fit a 40t 3mm offset chainring, so I can avoid buying a gravel bike for the two gravel races a year where I will only get midpack results anyway.
Might have to see if a 42t has clearance.
Riding BTEpic next weekend and the forecast is looking a bit wet leading into the race. Currently in Ikons and I don’t want to be on them if it’s wet. I never ride in the wet as my home trails are essentially unridable when wet so I have little context for a “mud”tire.
For my reference if it’s a slog fest with deep mud I’m out at the first chance so I’m not looking for a true mud tire. But if it’s wet roots and rocks and everything more or less ridable I’m good to go. The Ikons grab nothing when wet. You could sneeze on them and make them slip. My go to would be the ForeKaster but I can’t get any here by when I leave. I can get the Contis though just don’t want waste my money if they aren’t any better than what I have. They look to be advertised for wet weather but just looking for a real world rec.
I'm looking to upgrade my Orbea Oiz 2020 M30 with 100mm suspension, which is now nearing 7 years old. Possible options are:
Orbea OIZ M-TEAM AXS 2026: on sale now for 5500 EUR, love the colour and have AXS on my Orbea Terra.
Orbea OIZ M10 2027: newer geometry, less fan of the colour and di2 instead of AXS. Frame weight is negligible for me.
Scott Spark RC Expert 2027: interesting design, decent color, also no AXS. Will probably switch to carbon wheels afterwards.
Any good options I am missing? I mostly ride XC, with the occasional trails with more descent. Main goal is the upgraded suspension, dropper, brakes and updated geometry. My current bike is nice on XC, but twitchy on trails.
Ok, I race but not competitively, just with myself basically. I'm 45, ride roughly 2-3 days/week along with other sports. I live in a flat area but frequently ride in the midlands (basically 100' per mile or so) and Pisgah/WNC, along with quarterly trips to Bentonville/Arkansas. For all of that I use my 2023 Transition Spur, I love the bike, I'm currently rolling with Forekaster/Rekon for a bit beefier of a tire setup on carbon wheels. It's around 27 lbs or so, it's been awhile since I weighed it to be honest.
I like having 2 bikes just so I always have one in working condition (in theory). My 2nd bike is for my home trails and it's a 2024 Santa Cruz Highball. I do love it, however, I had a pretty good offer from someone to buy it, but I don't know what else I would get. This week my Highball is getting a new AXS derailleur under warranty so I rode my Spur for the first time in a year or so on my local trails and it was actually really fun, and I wasn't as sore.
I could go with a more race-oriented FS, something like a Blur but again.......I'm not putting on lycra, I just like having fun. I'm afraid I'd miss the hardtail feeling, which I do enjoy the acceleration, but a FS is definitely easier on the body long term.
So.......options:
Keep what I have
Sell the Highball and get something in the 150/160 range for Pisgah/Bentonville, ride the Spur at home, races, and midlands trails.
Sell the highball and get a race-oriented FS, beef the Spur up tire wise.
Thoughts?