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2012 Mondraker Zenith XR vs 2012 Specialized S-Works Epic Carbon 26

The Mondraker Zenith XR is a Trail bike, while the Specialized S-Works Epic Carbon 26 is a Cross Country bike. The Mondraker Zenith XR's frame is made from Aluminium / Alloy, while the Specialized S-Works Epic Carbon 26's is Carbon. The Mondraker Zenith XR has wheels, while the Specialized S-Works Epic Carbon 26 has 29" wheels. The forks on the Mondraker Zenith XR are Fox, while the Specialized S-Works Epic Carbon 26 has RockShox forks. The Mondraker Zenith XR comes in XL, L, M, while the Specialized S-Works Epic Carbon 26 comes in SM, MD, LG, 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
  • Zenith Stealth alloy Zero Suspension System 170mm
  • Fox 36 Float RC2 FIT Kashima, 170mm
  • Fox DHX Air 5.0 Kashima 215X63.5
  • Onoff Disc DH
  • Onoff Eject wheelset
  • CN Stainless
  • WTB Weirwolf 2.30 Comp
  • 440, , 39x26T, Sram PC-1031 10s
  • Sram X9
  • 5, Sram GXP
  • Shimano XT FD M-786-10D Direct mount
  • Sram X0 Medium cage 10s
  • Sram Trigger X-9
  • Formula RX, Formula RX
  • Mondraker Zenith XR custom design 31.8mm 740mm
  • M-Decline Zenith XR custom design
  • Rock Shox Reverb remote 31.6mm, , ,
  • M-Decline AM 31.8mm 60mm
  • Onoff Diamond lock-on
  • FSA IS-2 1-1/8
  • FACT 11m carbon front triangle, FACT IS construction , gussetless TT (S/M), FACT carbon seatstays w/carbon non-drive DO and chainstays, tapered HT, carbon PF30 BB, 142mm dropouts, sealed cartridge bearing pivots, replaceable derailleur hanger, 100mm
  • RockShox SID, Custom RockShox SID World Cup Brain , inertia valve damper, air spring, tapered carbon steerer, top-mount Brain Fade and rebound adj. QR, 100mm travel
  • Fox/Specialized remote Mini-Brain w/new 2012 tune, Kashima coating , inertia valve, w/ Brain Fade adjust, 187x47mm
  • Roval Control SL 142+, DT Star Ratchet, 12mm thru-axle, 28h
  • Roval Control SL, carbon disc, 25mm, 24/28h
  • 29"
  • DT Swiss Revolution 2.0/1.5/2.0mm stainless, DT Aerolite, bladed, painted
  • S-Works Fast Trak, 120 TPI, 2Bliss ready aramid bead, dual-compound, 26x2.0""
  • KMC, KMC X-10SL, 10-speed, hollow plates, hollow pins, nickel finish
  • SRAM, S-Works OS carbon crank, 10-speed XC double, custom SRAM spider/rings, S: 170mm, Others: 175mm
  • S-Works OS, integrated for PF30
  • SRAM XX, SRAM XX, S3 direct mount for DMD, top-swing, bottom-pull
  • SRAM XX, SRAM XX, 10-speed, mid cage
  • SRAM XX, SRAM XX, 10-speed, carbon trigger, w/ MatchMaker clamp
  • Avid, Custom Avid XX World Cup R, alloy backed semi-metallic pad , reach adj. XX magnesium caliper, ti hardware package, 160mm rotor
  • S-Works XC Carbon flat bar, uni-directional carbon, 680mm wide, 8º back sweep, 31.8mm
  • Specialized Body Geometry Phenom Expert, ti rails, 143mm width
  • S-Works Carbon, single-bolt head, 30.9mm, 400mm
  • Syntace F109, 6º rise, 31.8mm clamp, S: 75mm, M: 90mm, L: 100mm, XL: 110mm
  • 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, carbon top cap

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.