Assuming my shop can get me one, I'm about to pull the trigger on a CannondaleFlash Alloy 1. I had been looking at a Stumpjumper 29er Evo, but apparently they aren't available yet and I'm running out of time to wait.
All in all they are pretty similar, as near as I can tell. Biggest difference in specs is Lefty vs Fox (would prefer the fox, but I hear Leftys are better than most people realize/admit) and the single chain ring on the spec vs the double on the Cdale.
Geometry is pretty similar too, at least to the extent that I understand it. Top tube on the Spec is almost an inch shorter, HT is over an inch shorter and wheelbase is about 3/4 of an inch shorter. I'm not sure any of that is significant enough for me to notice much of a difference.
So while I'd prefer the stumpjumper, the fact that they aren't available kinda takes it out of the mix. Any reason to NOT get the Flash?
I've got a Surly 1x1 and a broken 575 (hoping to fix/replace it though)... so I'm really looking for a bike that falls in between the 2... something that can do a few races each year, but that is solid and fun for every day riding.
All in all they are pretty similar, as near as I can tell. Biggest difference in specs is Lefty vs Fox (would prefer the fox, but I hear Leftys are better than most people realize/admit) and the single chain ring on the spec vs the double on the Cdale.
Geometry is pretty similar too, at least to the extent that I understand it. Top tube on the Spec is almost an inch shorter, HT is over an inch shorter and wheelbase is about 3/4 of an inch shorter. I'm not sure any of that is significant enough for me to notice much of a difference.
So while I'd prefer the stumpjumper, the fact that they aren't available kinda takes it out of the mix. Any reason to NOT get the Flash?
I've got a Surly 1x1 and a broken 575 (hoping to fix/replace it though)... so I'm really looking for a bike that falls in between the 2... something that can do a few races each year, but that is solid and fun for every day riding.