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2012 Cannondale Flash Carbon 29 1 vs 2012 Specialized Epic Expert Carbon 29

The Cannondale Flash Carbon 29 1 and Specialized Epic Expert Carbon 29 are both Cross Country bikes. Both bikes have Carbon frames. The Cannondale Flash Carbon 29 1 has wheels, while the Specialized Epic Expert Carbon 29 has 29" wheels. The Specialized Epic Expert Carbon 29 has RockShox forks. The Cannondale Flash Carbon 29 1 comes in M, L, XL, while the Specialized Epic Expert Carbon 29 comes in S, M, L, XL.

  • Frameset
  • Frame Material
  • Frame
  • Fork
  • Shock
  • Motor
  • Battery
  • Wheels
  • Hubs
  • Wheels
  • Wheel Size
  • Spokes
  • Tires
  • Drivetrain
  • Chain
  • Crank
  • Bottom Bracket
  • Front Derailleur
  • Rear Derailleur
  • Shifters
  • Cassette
  • Pedals
  • Components
  • Brakeset
  • Brakeset Brand
  • Handlebar
  • Saddle
  • Seatpost
  • Stem
  • Grips
  • Headset
  • Flash 29'er, BallisTec Hi-MOD Carbon, SPEED SAVE, BB30 1.5 Si head tube
  • Lefty 29'er Carbon XLR, 90mm, OPI, Solo Air,
  • Lefty SL front, DT Swiss 240S rear
  • DT Swiss Aerospeed
  • Schwalbe Racing Ralph Evo, 2.25" tubeless ready
  • 17.5,
  • SRAM S2210, BB30, 39/26
  • 12,
  • SRAM X0, direct mount
  • Shimano XTR
  • Shimano XTR
  • Avid X0 carbon, 180/160mm, Avid X0 carbon
  • Truvativ Noir Flat, 700x10mm
  • Fi'zi:k Tundra2 K:ium
  • Flash Carbon, 27.2x420mm w/SAVE, , ,
  • Cannondale OPI adjustable, -15 degree, 31.8
  • Cannondale foam locking grips
  • FACT 9m carbon front triangle, 29" geometry, FACT IS construction , gussetless TT (S/M), M5 aluminium chainstays & seatstays, tapered HT, carbon PF30 BB, 142mm dropouts, sealed cartridge bearing pivots, replaceable derailleur hanger, 100mm travel
  • Custom RockShox SID 29 Brain, inertia valve damper , air spring, tapered alloy steerer, Brain Fade and rebound adj., QR, 100mm travel, 100mm
  • Fox/Specialized remote Mini-Brain w/new 2012 tune, inertia valve , w/ Brain Fade adjust, 187x47mm, 29er hose length
  • Roval Control 29, OS 28mm end caps, QR, 32h / Roval Control 29 142+ , DT Swiss alloy cassette body, 12mm thru-axle, 32h
  • Roval Control 29, alloy disc, 24mm, 32h
  • 29"
  • DT Swiss Super Comp, 2.0/1.65/1.8 stainless
  • S-Works Fast Trak, 120 TPI, 2Bliss ready aramid bead , dual-compound, 29x2.0" / Specialized Renegade Control, 60 TPI, 2Bliss ready aramid bead, dual-compound, 29x1.95"
  • 448mm, , 38/24, KMC X-10, 10-speed, w/ reusable Missing Link, nickel plates
  • Custom SRAM carbon S-2200, 10-speed XC double, PF30 spindle , removable spider, S: 170mm, Others: 175mm
  • 331mm, SRAM PF30, OS press-in bearing, sealed cartridge
  • SRAM X7, 10-speed, S3 direct mount for DMD, bottom-pull
  • SRAM X0, 10-speed, mid cage
  • SRAM X9, 10-speed, trigger, w/MiXmaster clamp
  • Custom Formula R1 S hydraulic, FCS and tool-less reach adj. , metallic pad, MiXmaster shift lever mounts, 160mm rotor, Custom Formula R1 S hydraulic, FCS and tool-less reach adj., w/MiXmaster clamps
  • Specialized XC flat, 2014 butted alloy, 680mm wide, 8º back sweep, 31.8mm
  • Specialized Body Geometry Phenom Comp, hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm width
  • 2014 butted alloy, single bolt setback, 400mm, 30.9 , 36.9mm clamp size, 7050 hard anodized alloy collar, single bolt, 30.9, 36.9mm clamp size, 7050 hard anodized alloy collar, single bolt
  • Specialized XC, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt, 31.8mm clamp , adjustable rise, S: 75mm, M: 90mm, L: 105mm, XL: 105mm
  • Specialized lock-on, S/M: Grappler, Others: Grappler XL
  • 1-1/8 and 1-1/2" Threadless, Campy style upper with 1-1/2" lower bearing for tapered integrated HT , cartridge bearings

Why it pays to compare

Mountain Bikes are complicated machines.

They have parts from hundreds of different manufacturers, come in all shapes and sizes (and colours) and are all suited for different purposes. Choosing the right new (or used) Mountain Bike is a complicated, confusing and highly emotional (think buying a new car- the shiny red one is the best choice right?).

Comparing mountain bikes helps bring a bit of logic and reason into the decision process. Not only will comparing mountain bikes save you money, but you'll also find the bike most suitable to you, your riding style and your budget. Plus, when you do hit the Buy Now button, you'll have the confidence you're choosing the perfect bike for you.

It's easy to get carried away by the most rad looking frame, with the coolest paint job and the most aggressive new geometry, but the components are one of the most important things to consider.

A wise Mountain biker

What to compare

Components

It's essential to know which components make up a bike. From there you can compare the differences, such as build quality, performance, features, weight and price. This takes some of the guesswork out of buying a mountain bike.

Here are the components that have the biggest impact on your ride. You should be paying particular attention to these:

  • Fork
  • Shock
  • Drivetrain (Derailleur, shifter, cranks, chain etc.)
  • Brakeset
  • Wheels
Price

Ultimately, for most of us, price is the deciding factor and you want to get the most bang for your buck. Comparing the price of mountain bikes, along with which components you're getting, helps you determine what you're actually paying for. Are you spending your hard-earned dollars on a quality bike frame, with quality components and a solid warranty? Or are you simply paying for a brand name?

Reviews

Nothing is more helpful than what real people think about a bike. It's the next best thing to riding one yourself. Reviews give you a real insight into how a bike actually rides, instead of just what the numbers seem to say about it.

Warranties

Different bike companies have different warranties. It's important to compare the length of these warranties, what they'll cover and who's covered.

How to compare

  1. Search for mountain bikes that you'd like to compare.
  2. Tap Compare. You're done. No really, you are.
  3. A huge comparison table comes up, allowing you to compare components and specs for each bike.
  4. Want to delve into a bike a bit more? Click on the bike's name to view in-depth info, reviews, prices, specifications, images and more.