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'14 Camber Comp 29er frame question

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'14 Camber Comp 29er frame question

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flag Dommo204
Posted: Mar 5, 2025 at 21:10 Quote
Found the aforementioned rig locally in pretty great condition, No paint damage, OG grips are barely worn in, hell the tires are still shiny- at $1400 CAD which i plan to negotiate a bit if possible.

However it's a medium (M/S per specialized), general census would put me at a large or bigger (~6', 13" shins - 182cm, 33cm respectively). Using their size estimator on the '18 model, and another similar rig both put me at M/S recommended.

Was curious if anyone had similar build and could offer some advice as I'm unfamiliar with sizing in general, Lady is an hour and a bit away and I'd hate to waste each other's time and my gas for a frame that wouldn't quite fit.

Thanks all
flag lyzyrdskydr
Posted: Mar 6, 2025 at 21:29 Quote
Dommo204 wrote:
Found the aforementioned rig locally in pretty great condition, No paint damage, OG grips are barely worn in, hell the tires are still shiny- at $1400 CAD which i plan to negotiate a bit if possible.

However it's a medium (M/S per specialized), general census would put me at a large or bigger (~6', 13" shins - 182cm, 33cm respectively). Using their size estimator on the '18 model, and another similar rig both put me at M/S recommended.

Was curious if anyone had similar build and could offer some advice as I'm unfamiliar with sizing in general, Lady is an hour and a bit away and I'd hate to waste each other's time and my gas for a frame that wouldn't quite fit.

Thanks all

I'd recommend saving a bit more and looking for a bike from ~2018 or newer. That's when frame standards and geometry started to stabilize with most brands. That camber uses a proprietary Specialized shock mount/size, so if the shock were to fail, which is likely given the age and since Specialized's yoke design is especially hard on shocks, it would be very difficult to source service parts or a replacement shock. You'll also have limited options for tires (clearance) and wheels (axle spacing).

As for sizing, that medium is going to going to feel pretty small. If you install a modern short stem, it'll feel really small. You could try and find a large, but then you'll have to contend with the tall standover and seat height. Newer bikes are designed around 40-50mm stems, and all have low standovers so you can pick size more based on preference.

If the budget is tight I I would consider hardtails, in many cases a modern hardtail can be more capable than a dated full sus, and they're simpler, therefore cheaper to maintain. I also think you could get a pretty solid modern full sus for $1500-$2000 CAD. As for sizing on modern bikes, most brands would likely put you on a large but you may prefer the agility of a medium since new bikes are more stable regardless of size.

Sorry for the long read, good luck!
flag Dommo204
Posted: Mar 28, 2025 at 10:20 Quote
lyzyrdskydr wrote:
Dommo204 wrote:
Found the aforementioned rig locally in pretty great condition, No paint damage, OG grips are barely worn in, hell the tires are still shiny- at $1400 CAD which i plan to negotiate a bit if possible.

However it's a medium (M/S per specialized), general census would put me at a large or bigger (~6', 13" shins - 182cm, 33cm respectively). Using their size estimator on the '18 model, and another similar rig both put me at M/S recommended.

Was curious if anyone had similar build and could offer some advice as I'm unfamiliar with sizing in general, Lady is an hour and a bit away and I'd hate to waste each other's time and my gas for a frame that wouldn't quite fit.

Thanks all

I'd recommend saving a bit more and looking for a bike from ~2018 or newer. That's when frame standards and geometry started to stabilize with most brands. That camber uses a proprietary Specialized shock mount/size, so if the shock were to fail, which is likely given the age and since Specialized's yoke design is especially hard on shocks, it would be very difficult to source service parts or a replacement shock. You'll also have limited options for tires (clearance) and wheels (axle spacing).

As for sizing, that medium is going to going to feel pretty small. If you install a modern short stem, it'll feel really small. You could try and find a large, but then you'll have to contend with the tall standover and seat height. Newer bikes are designed around 40-50mm stems, and all have low standovers so you can pick size more based on preference.

If the budget is tight I I would consider hardtails, in many cases a modern hardtail can be more capable than a dated full sus, and they're simpler, therefore cheaper to maintain. I also think you could get a pretty solid modern full sus for $1500-$2000 CAD. As for sizing on modern bikes, most brands would likely put you on a large but you may prefer the agility of a medium since new bikes are more stable regardless of size.

Sorry for the long read, good luck!

Hey man, thanks. I ended up holding out and got a like new 2009 FSR-XC Comp in large for about $475 CAD, One owner and obviously babied. Went over it pretty thoroughly and besides some shifting work and light fork stiction it's mint, wheels are arrow straight and bb/pivot points are rock solid.

Whilst not even close to modern I won't be complaining, from the short ride home I enjoyed it well and feel comfortable on the size, the used bike market here is rough, all prairies here so people usually only use it for some light trails, end up bored and expect to get 70-80% of what they paid back for it. Which I'm just not willing to do on a private sale bike from 2017/18/19, people are wanting mid 4 figures for bikes I can find on pb in the mid 3 range, it's wild. I'm talking 2016 Giant Anthem for $1750 and not willing to budge!

Honestly, even if i have to put a few hundred in to it in the future I won't be upset, for the price of a Walmart bike I got something that's actually half trustworthy, only thing I'd change is the straight steerer.. lol!
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