As much as I don’t want to be a specialized guy, the new Epic is probably going to be on a lot of podiums when racing picks back up. It’d be on my short list if I was shopping.
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Finally got some carbon wheels for the scale.
Stan’s crest carbon with aerolite spokes and industry nine torch hubs. Rear spokes are tied and soldered. Weight should be in the 19s now with a dropper and a power meter.
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looks fast.
Nice! I have a set of hand built wheels with Hydras at the center, by far the best hub I9 has done so far. Wish they were a bit quieter but the engagement and feel is really nice, they just seem to roll extra fast.
If you pack them with grease instead of using oil like they do oem, they’re almost silent. Hydra vs Torch: Sound Comparison! - YouTube
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Funny the Epic to me was like a Corvette. When I hadn’t ever had one it was the only car I really wanted. Then I got one and I drove it and I wondered what the hell I ever liked about it in the first place? I bought an Epic last year as my dream bike and I didn’t even keep it 6 months. Sold it at a big loss in similar fashion to the Vette.
I had a bunch of wrenches play around with my Epic brain suspension including the Spesh factory guys and it honestly even with a lot of expert hands on it to me it just sucked. I had them warranty the rear brain and regardless of what I did the fork was never to my liking. Too much bob, too harsh at times and too soft during others. I’ve never spent so much time trying to dial in a bike as I did that Epic. Obviously YMMV but to me the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze.
Well, I’m not shopping for one. But between their sponsored athletes and the proliferation if retail specialized, it’s gonna be out there. I have no experience with the brain though. And I think I’m glad after your comments.
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Some people love the Brain. I have not tried the last two versions (first RockShox or this latest one), but the “knock” that happens when you first tag a hit, while the system is “closed” is annoying. It partially defeats the purpose to have suspension in the first place, since you have disrupt the system to activate it.
It is supposed to be better now, than the systems I have tried, but I still here comments like above that it retains the same basic flaws. It works to a point, but that initial kick is something I did not like.
I much preferred the performance of the Trek Re:Aktiv system. It uses advanced valving to provide a more stable pedaling platform. Then on a hit, it builds pressure super quick and opens the suspension with minimal feel on the transition. Compared to the Brains I rode, the Trek system is seamless in it’s use. They dropped it from the Top Fuel line in 2018 and beyond, but I loved it as part of the 2017 one I had. Felt like that great mix of control and active suspension for a race bike.
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My now ancient 2014 EPIC S-Works has the Brain stuff. When it works I really like it. Just had a rebuild done. For a guy that usually does all his own wrenching, it was tough to pay that bill. Take home, I don’t think Brain makes enough difference in my life to buy it again over the normal FOX stuff. But I love the bike overall.
Anyway…
That new EVO looks really good. Anyone have opinion or experience on the RockShox suspension vs the Fox? Looks like they spec’d FOX 34 / Evol on the XTR build (8K) and RS on the SRAM XO1 build (6K).
A buddy (seriously not me) is going to buy either the EVO or a Ripley and is wondering about the FOX v RS question.
-Mark
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I am a Fox guy. I admit, i love the Kashima. but i don’t think it’s a fundamentally better piece of equipment than Rockshox. UCI races are won by both. Van der Pol wins on Fox. Nino wins on RS. and Bruni wins DH on Olhens.
I don’t think there is a difference and I really considered the Rochshox Sid on my Spry.
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Yeah as long as you’re running top end kit it’s gonna work fine. Same with shimano vs Sram. But I think he’s referring to whether the brain is better on one or the other. Id venture to guess it’s the same answer. They both probably work amazingly, or spesh wouldn’t offer them both on top end build kits.
oops. i have no brain so i can’t offer anything useful.
@MI-XC, agree. I live in Windsor and make the 1.5-2hr trip regularly. Poto has everything you might want in an xc loop
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Was just curious about the non-Brain RS on the EVO vs the (obviously) non-Brain Fox.
I have Fox shocks on two bikes. One is a 34 step cast and one with a 36 factory. I maintain the Fox kit myself and since I ride it and have had it apart, am familiar.
Have no experience with the newer RS forks and shocks and while I assume it is great too, just asking the gang here if that is correct assumption?
Have ridden XTR, XT and SRAM XX1 and new Eagle 12. That won’t be a factor for my friend as he is good with either drivetrain and brakeset.
They’ll both be equally good.
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Anyone seen a weight on the sworks epic? Not on their site but maybe someone saw it on one of the srticles
Priced at an eye watering US$11,525 / AU$19,000, the Epic S-Works features an expectedly impressive spec list. It offers a carbon lay-up exclusive to the S-Works level, with a RockShox SID SL Ultimate Brain fork on the front. There’s a full SRAM Eagle XX1 AXS group, while the wheels are the new Roval Control SL with a 29 mm internal rim width.
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That’s interesting, as this review says 21.5 with no pedals for a medium.
They also said they couldn’t feel the click of the brain, which was what bothered me on the 2019 I tested.
I believe in this version they have settings that are “full open” on both the front and the back, so it’s possible for the click to not be present.
Other folks in other reviews have said that the click is still present, so it probably depends on your sensitivity to it.
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Entirely possible that CT made an error (typo even?) on their weights.