Post by Jimbo on May 14, 2015 8:02:40 GMT
So last summer I got myself a new Scott Spark FS and had visions of me riding the FS most the time when off road and the HT when doing a mixture of trail and road in the winter. Anyway after having new brakes on the HT ready for my son to use over the summer i needed to give it a test ride and last night was the first time I have ridden the HT in anger in 10 months. OMG what a difference it was to the FS. I had completely forgotten how bumpy the root sections were on a HT, probably not helped by having the OEM saddle on the Cube rather than my spoon. I often read about how people miss there HT and have to have 2 bikes, well for me personally my HT will only ever be an emergency ride! I much prefer the smoothness of the FS but I am suppose I am lucky as I can lock both front and rear suspension from the bars on my Scott.
With regards the wheel size (bearing in mind the FS has a slacker angle) I found going back to my 26" really odd and felt I was going to go over the bars on every descent, which is ridiculous as I rode it for years. At times I felt I was pedalling like mad to go no where and yet the gearing is exactly the same on both bikes?! However, I have to say the 27.5 does roll better over the rough stuff which gives me more confidence and therefore i go faster but in truth the speed difference is probably marginal but just feels more assured on the FS. The 26" HT was quicker uphill on the road but not so on the bridal path.
I also felt that the FS has made me a lazy rider too because last night i had to work much harder on my lines and leg work over the bumps to keep the speed up where as the FS is more point and pedal. Glad I learned how to ride on a HT, a bit like manual and auto on a car!
I appreciate they are different bikes but both are XC orientated and to be honest I was a bit gutted how little I enjoyed riding my old Cube HT. However, it's my sons bike now and he loves it!
Anyway that's my morning ramblings over have a good day!
With regards the wheel size (bearing in mind the FS has a slacker angle) I found going back to my 26" really odd and felt I was going to go over the bars on every descent, which is ridiculous as I rode it for years. At times I felt I was pedalling like mad to go no where and yet the gearing is exactly the same on both bikes?! However, I have to say the 27.5 does roll better over the rough stuff which gives me more confidence and therefore i go faster but in truth the speed difference is probably marginal but just feels more assured on the FS. The 26" HT was quicker uphill on the road but not so on the bridal path.
I also felt that the FS has made me a lazy rider too because last night i had to work much harder on my lines and leg work over the bumps to keep the speed up where as the FS is more point and pedal. Glad I learned how to ride on a HT, a bit like manual and auto on a car!
I appreciate they are different bikes but both are XC orientated and to be honest I was a bit gutted how little I enjoyed riding my old Cube HT. However, it's my sons bike now and he loves it!
Anyway that's my morning ramblings over have a good day!
