Has anyone on here ridden a Specialized Era?

[Cinnabar]

I tested a Safire Expert recently and love it, but it was way too small.. 13.5, and I am 5'5". I think this is why I couldn't climb very well with it. Everything else about it was wonderful... fantastic components. I want to test a larger one, but right now none are available. I've read that the Era is a great climber, and since I'm use to riding a fully rigid bike, it might be a good option. I know it's fast and more of a racing bike, but I'd love some other feedback. I've tested the GF hifi deluxe GS 2008, and it was great at climbing, but I liked the feel of the Safire Expert much more on flat and descending terrain. Any other bike recommendations would be awesome!

[pinkbikes]

I bought a Spesh Era Marathon. It is the 2009 model. You can see it here.
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...p?sid=08EraFSR

The newer model has a different rear arm setup I believe, but I expect the geometry is still set up to achieve the same outcome - ie more race oriented than the Saphire so hopefully my comments will still be relevent.

I wanted to move to FS after learning to MTB on a hard tail. I was not particularly wed to WSD, having only ridden men's bikes until I got my first MTB. But I was used to hardtail climbing and had a background on a roadie, as well as being a bit on the heavy side to enjoy climbing, so was keen to get the most out the bike in terms of its ability to climb.

DH was keen to see me on something with relaxed geometry and generous travel because he thought that was what I'd like, not being quite so hardcore a racer as he is, and because it would be more forgiving for downhill stuff. I had a hunch I might not like that as much as he thought.

So I went out to a LBS that sells both Giant and Specialized and tried out the Spesh Epic and Stumpjumper (Era and Saphire equivalents) and the Giant Anthem and Trance which fill the same niches in the Giant stable.

I was able to almost immediately discount DH's suggestion of relaxed geometry. I did not like the "comfy" position of either the Stumpy or the Trance. And I did like the more agressive angles of the Anthem and the Epic. I was also quite impressed (if you can be on a carpark test hopping over the kerbs) by the feel of the rear suspension on the Specailized and how solid it felt when it wasn't doing its "brain" thing.

I then tried out a friend's Era Comp when we were out for a ride one day (and another friend's Santa Cruz Juliana - too soft for climbing to my taste, but that could have been her setup) and found it pretty comfy. From there it was a short journey to finding out there was one in pink (a small but nonetheless enticing issue) taking it for a ride and loving it.

I tend to ride with it set up one click back from the "hardtail firm" end of the suspension range, which means I find it great to climb. I don't find it a pain to stand up and pound out those last few turns up a hill if required, which I would if I had significant suspension bob. And I hate to climb but it has helped me be a better climber. And yet, with the brain setup, I still end up getting (and often use on a ride) full travel on the rear suspension *when I need it*!

In short, I do understand completely the concerns you would have with the Saphire, as I think I would have had some trouble enjoying climbing with it. And I also understand how people find the more relaxed geometry a more comfortable descender, although I am quite comfy on the Era in that regard anyway. You may find the Era a good middle ground between the Saphire and the GF Hifi, as (correct me if I'm wrong somebody) I seem to recall somebody who rode one saying they are a fairly stretchy geometry so that may make you feel a bit "forward" (and thus uncomfortable if you're not used to it) going downhill?

If you get the chance, perhaps take an Era for a ride? I still enjoy it everytime I ride it.

[Cinnabar]

It's good to hear that you like your Era... and that it's not horrible going downhill, which is what some reviews said about the Epic. Not horrible, I guess, but very precarious since the angle is more aggressive. I really hope I get to try one out soon. I do need a good climber because most of the places I ride are very up and down. Thanks so much for your input and I'll probably have more questions for you soon!

[Cinnabar]

How is the Era when going over obstacles? I do tend to like riding over logs and rock gardens occasionally. Also, do you find that your standing position when climbing feels natural or are you sort of far over the front wheel? That's what I found with the Saphire. I couldn't seem to get in the right position to weight the front and rear of the bike equally. The problem might have been the really small size.

[pinkbikes]

I just took the Era for a ride this morning (my first ride on it since I got knocked off my road bike and sprained my AC joint) and went for an uphill ride. I find it good for climbing. The coach I had a few lessons from always says "The "s" on the front of that specialized seat stands for "sphincter" and that's where it should be when you climb!" He's not subtle but he certainly gets you working well!

I find I don't have to be quite that agressive in pushing my stance forward to keep the front down. All I do is push a tiny bit further forward on the seat than usual and it seems very well balanced. I didn't get any lift on the front even on sustained grades of 18% this morning.

I find I am mostly a seated climber these days (post MTB) but I do like to stand and drive it over the top sometimes if I am in a gear a little high and I'm feeling too lazy to change down! I did that a couple of times this morning and after such a while off the bike, I did have to consciously think about where my weight was to avoid losing traction in the rear. There wasn't much in it but I just had to think about pushing my weight slightly back off the handlebars. So I guess I don't usually feel like I'm too far forward for comfort when I stand because I naturally went further forward than I wanted for traction.

As for logs and rock gardens - I just LOVE them now. Much easier to get over and more comfortable to ride than on the hardtail! The Fox fork is really nice and predictable and the brain just kicks in a you get a nice little "plop" as you drop over the rocks and it just takes the bashing out of it. Over logs I just had to adjust my style a bit in terms of weight positioning again, as I tend to drift into "ride like a sack of spuds" mode and would end up settling on the suspension too early through the obstacle and found I had less ground clearance than I was used to with the hardtail on a couple of logs. But as soon as I adjusted my style, took them a little faster and kept my weight lifted (if that makes sense) a little longer I had no dramas on those obstacles.

Most of my issues come from being a lazy rider on the full suspension and letting it do too much of the work for me!