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2012 Cannondale Flash Carbon 29 1 vs 2012 Trek Marlin

The Cannondale Flash Carbon 29 1 and Trek Marlin are both Cross Country bikes. The Cannondale Flash Carbon 29 1's frame is made from Carbon, while the Trek Marlin's is Aluminium / Alloy. The Cannondale Flash Carbon 29 1 has wheels, while the Trek Marlin has 29" wheels. The Cannondale Flash Carbon 29 1 comes in M, L, XL, while the Trek Marlin comes in 15.5, 17.5, 19, 21, 23".

  • 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
  • Alpha Gold Aluminum, butted & hydroformed tubing, cold-forged dropouts & bottom bracket, G2 Geometry
  • Formula DC20 alloy front hub, Shimano M475 alloy rear hub; Bontrager AT-850 disc 29 32-hole rims
  • 29"
  • Bontrager 29-2, 29x2.1"
  • Shimano Altus M311, 42/32/22
  • Shimano Altus
  • SRAM X4
  • SRAM X4, 8 speed
  • Tektro Novela mechanical disc brakes, 6-bolt, 160mm rotors
  • Bontrager Low Riser, 25.4mm, 5mm rise, 9 degree sweep
  • Bontrager Evoke 1
  • Bontrager SSR, 27.2mm, 20mm offset
  • Bontrager Approved, 25.4mm
  • 1-1/8" threadless, semi-integrated, semi-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.