Comp Carbon or just Comp?

[AML]

I ordered a Comp but the dealer is anticipating that the earliest they will be available is sometime in May.

I originally chose the Comp because I felt the Carbon was too much money...and although I still feel it is a lot of money I am second guessing myself now...I prefer the Fox shocks and knowing that the SWAT Tool is in the stem already instead of upgrading it is a plus (only $85).

So looking at the specs it looks like the only difference is the shocks, stem and carbon frame.

Is the Carbon worth it?

 

[MarkH]

I went for the carbon but only cos I preferred the colour and delivery time was much shorter then the alloy. Mine only had frame difference, fork was the same. Both ride pretty much identical. Would have been happy with the alloy If colour/lead time hadn't been an issue.

 

[galaga187]

I went for the carbon but only cos I preferred the colour and delivery time was much shorter then the alloy. Mine only had frame difference, fork was the same. Both ride pretty much identical. Would have been happy with the alloy If colour/lead time hadn't been an issue.

Same here

 

[AML]

Thanks. I think the blue on the carbon blends in more and would be more timeless where I am afraid the hyper color would bother me after some time. I know stickers/wraps etc can change the look...maybe I will just enquire today to even see if it is a possibility to upgrade the order.

I am guessing the frame weights are pretty close together? I saw the other post’s chart but it looks like it was for the 18’s?

 

[motmcd]

I went with the alloy Comp. I really like the taupe/acid kiwi colors plus $1k more is a lot of money for little added value. The Comp comes with the tool kit stowed in a secure slot below bottle bracket.

 

[AML]

That is a pretty bike.

 

[AML]

I ended up changing my order...still can’t wait for it to get here

 

[motmcd]

I ended up changing my order...still can’t wait for it to get here

So I'm not sure if this means your final order is for an alloy or carbon model.

 

[AML]

Sorry, it wasn’t clear. I had originally ordered the comp, so I just changed it to the carbon. I think it is overpriced for what the differences are but in the end I think I will be happier with the carbon. I think both are great choices. I am not going for the expert

 

[Fivetones]

I went for the Comp Carbon in Rocket Red. Partly due to a lighter frame (not much, 600g?) but also I have preference for Fox.

ETA is end of May though, so still weighing other options as that date has slipped twice so far. Expert is August and the S-Works is not available until 2020 (this is what was reported to me).

 

[AML]

My preference was Fox too! Hope the date stays the same and doesn’t change from May. Thanks!

 

[All Mountain Coaching]

What is the official weight difference? I heard somewhere 1kg.

 

[motmcd]

What is the official weight difference? I heard somewhere 1kg.

That's what it looks like...1 kg - aka 2 pounds.

 

[Xeretic]

Sorry, it wasn’t clear. I had originally ordered the comp, so I just changed it to the carbon. I think it is overpriced for what the differences are but in the end I think I will be happier with the carbon. I think both are great choices. I am not going for the expert

If it's not too late I would recommend to swap back to Comp and spending the extra money on suspension upgrades or/and range extender. Going for the 150 or bigger dropper post is also nice, I feel 125 mm drop not being enough in some situations.

 

[AML]

Well I am convincing myself that I “bought” the comp and am already upgrading parts .

I believe the 125mm dropper post size only applies to the small frame. On the Large that I ordered the dropper post is 150mm. (At least in the US)

 

[jd_3d]

Stick with the comp carbon . That's what I got, mostly because I prefer the Fox suspension. But the lighter weight is a big bonus for me as this is my first eMTB. My only complaint is I had to go with the hyper red color otherwise I had to wait until May (I've had it since Dec). I wish it came in black. I swapped the tires and have it down to around 45 lbs now (44 without pedals).

 

[AML]

That’s awesome! I didn’t realize they were that light for an ebike.

I need to figure out what flat pedals I want. At least I have time to figure it out

 

[jd_3d]

I need to figure out what flat pedals I want. At least I have time to figure it out

I'm using a pair of Point One Podium Pedals that I bought way back in 2011 for my old Ellsworth. I love the super low-profile which helps give a few extra mm of clearance. Sadly Point One isn't in business anymore so I'm not sure what I'd get if I had to replace them.

 

[Xeretic]

Well I am convincing myself that I “bought” the comp and am already upgrading parts .

I believe the 125mm dropper post size only applies to the small frame. On the Large that I ordered the dropper post is 150mm. (At least in the US)

Just realized that they use different dropper for 2019 bikes.
One thing to note though - Carbon Comp has fork with 34 stanchions which may have troubles converting to coil setup if you ever plan to.

 

[xcentric]

Either are great bikes. The carbon has a slighter neater look as it doesn't have welds, but the welds on he alloy are very well done. For a standard bike I'd say carbon every time- frame dynamics are nicer and the weight loss is significant. For an ebike, the frame dynamics are damped by the extra weight of the motor and the saving in weight is proportionally much less, and so the gains are marginal.

I like carbon bikes, and have a carbon road bike (which I rarely use ) and a carbon standard mtb - but I bought the alloy one as the additional money wasn't justified in my view.

Which does your heart tell you? You can get your head to justify either decision.....

 

[AML]

Either are great bikes. The carbon has a slighter neater look as it doesn't have welds, but the welds on he alloy are very well done. For a standard bike I'd say carbon every time- frame dynamics are nicer and the weight loss is significant. For an ebike, the frame dynamics are damped by the extra weight of the motor and the saving in weight is proportionally much less, and so the gains are marginal.

I like carbon bikes, and have a carbon road bike (which I rarely use ) and a carbon standard mtb - but I bought the alloy one as the additional money wasn't justified in my view.

Which does your heart tell you? You can get your head to justify either decision.....

I have never spent this much on a bike and I have never had a carbon bike. So I guess additionally there is a bit of an allure to it. If I was being more practical I would be going with the base model but there is a bit of a kid in me that wants what I want

 

[Apples]

I got the comp carbon in October in blue , seeing the weave in the sunshine is worth the money alone !
I wanted the Fox front and rear the lack of welds is lovely , added different saddle , renthal bars, death grips and cb stamp pedals .
It is just bloody brilliant
Just always buy what you want and spend the most you can afford , you will still upgrade stuff over time

 

[AML]

I test rode a black Stumpjumper to see if the size was a good fit. That weave was pretty awesome and you are right about the lack of welds. The welds on my Cannondale are beautiful but looking forward to something totally different.

Here is my old Jeep with Fox shocks.

 

[xcentric]

So, IF you can afford it, buy the carbon bike. In a few years you'll forget the price anyway.

 

[mxengineer1]

I have a 2018 Levo Comp in aluminum and 2019 Trek Powerfly 9.7 in carbon. I prefer the better bump absorption of the carbon frame - subtle difference but noticeable to me. The carbon is visible on certain colors of the Specialized carbon Levo models (a demo 2018 Carbon Comp I rode yesterday looked really cool in the sun)....

 

[AML]

That weave does look beautiful! I took a picture of the black one but it didn’t really show.

 

[levity]

@AML - Where did you find that black model with such a tiny motor?

 

[AML]

@AML - Where did you find that black model with such a tiny motor?

Lol I wish...that is the stumpjumper carbon comp that I tried just for frame size. They didn’t have a large Turbo Levo on the floor.

There are not many EMTB’s around me at all!

Here is the comp Turbo Levo that I tried out...

 

[Fivetones]

@AML - Where did you find that black model with such a tiny motor?

2020-model Turbo Levo. Comes with a roll of cling film to keep muck out of the motor

 

[Ross1137]

I'm using a pair of Point One Podium Pedals that I bought way back in 2011 for my old Ellsworth. I love the super low-profile which helps give a few extra mm of clearance. Sadly Point One isn't in business anymore so I'm not sure what I'd get if I had to replace them.

Get a set of these babies they are so light it's not funny I have some kitchen scales if you want to know the weight I'm lying in bed at the moment and ain't getting up just yet for anyone haha