The Trek Top Fuel would be a contender (68* head angle but 470 reach, which is my sweet spot), even with its twistlock grip, if it was offered in a carbon frame only option. But the base carbon NX spec at $4k is a terrible value. I’d sell basically every part on it, and not even make that much back. Epic Evo builds with Deore/SLX are actually compelling because I’d use some of those parts, especially the wheels, and the take-off value is good for the parts I’d sell.
I definitely agree there. The Trek looks good but value is awful.
The Norco Revolver is another option that doesn’t need a lockout, but it’s heavier than an Epic Evo and not great value (FS2 is the only model for NZ next year).
The other options I looked at were the Scott Spark (very similar geo to the Epic Evo, but PF and has a lockout/different suspension set up), Orbea Oiz TR, and the new Merida Ninety Six looks very interesting.
1 Like
The Orbea and Spark are available with really nice Shimano builds (depending on your market).
The Ninety Six has threaded BB and Shimano builds, and they have traditionally been exceptional value, but who knows when they are available…?
1 Like
I was just on the Merida page! The only ninety six build I see (as opposed to the RC) is XX1, which is way out of my price range. If they’d sell me a frame only with a non-remote shock I’d buy it now.
That’s the trail version and has SLX/XT
Sorry I lied, it’s only the brakes that are XT!
Yeah that’s the one I was looking at too. GX derailleur and XX1 everything else… weird! I don’t see a price but I’m sure it’s super pricey.
1 Like
Revolver 120 looks pretty good too, but I can’t find the 2021 frame weight. If it’s the same as the 2020 I think it’s nearly 1kg heavier than the Epic Evo. Only one water bottle, PF, longer seat tube, 51mm fork offset. Frame price is right, at least. Man, it’s looking like I need to either wait for the Epic Evo or just stick with my non-boost Lux.
1 Like
What size are you looking for in an epic evo? The store I got mine still has an XL and a medium. Outside of that, have you looked at the scalpel SE?
Large. It seems there are still some stores around the country with large in stock, but they won’t ship. I sent some inquiries to specialized dealers within driving distance of me (northern NY) but am not holding out hope for that.
Scalpel SE is intriguing but I put the cart before the horse and got all the parts, including a X01 crankset that won’t work with Cannondale Ai. I do have a 142 hub that I could re-dish to make the wheelset work though. Will give it more thought, but the reviews still point me to Epic Evo.
The new scalpels are 148
Yeah they used to have the Carbon Frameset on their website but they must have taken it down due to COVID supply issues. I think it sold for ~$3000 IRC.
1 Like
That’s good I guess—closer to standard. Still dished with the 6mm offset I assume, since the frame is AI offset.
Wait until the spring. There’s going to another surge of DC style XC bikes. Unless you can get an Epic Evo, everything else seems like a compromise to me.
2 Likes
Little late to the party here but just got a Yeti Sb100 for my XC rig (Built with a Sid '21 120mm ultimate, 1x AXS, Magura dropper on some basic WTB wheels and Ikon 2.2’s…26 pounds). I came off a SC Tallboy and have not gotten a ton of racing out of it because of 2020 but overall like it. It was not mind blowing like some of the Yeti fanboys claim but good. I think the lockout is needed for this bike an wish i could rig up a remote lockout for both front and rear (my SC TB had the RS hydraulic lockout and though buggy was nice when it worked)
So just a quick update on weights of certain components as I upgrade my bike. From the factory it came with a shimano mt511-1 crankset with a 32 tooth chainring weighing 858 grams in 175mm length.
I purchased a replacement SLX crankset in 175mm to run my power meter (XCadey with a chainring was 144 grams), and it weighs 534 grams without a chainring. Then because I wanted to try 170mm cranks, I got a set of XT cranks which weigh 517 grams. So only 17 grams between SLX and XT, probably much closer if the arms were the same length. However, there is a lot of weight savings compared to the stock mt511 crankset.
Also on that note, a race face aeffect 35mm stem and one-up carbon bar is 7 grams heavier than the factory aluminum bar and stem that came on my epic evo.
Can you tell me what the wheelset weighs? Trying to decide between Expert and Comp, and I don’t care about carbon wheels as long as the aluminums aren’t too heavy.
In the mtbr forum a guy weighed his at 2080g. I haven’t weighed mine, but they are noticibly heavier than the 1800g wheelset that came on my spark. I also know changing to a lighter wheelset can drop 1-2 lbs off the comp model.
1 Like
I weighed mine around 2141 grams with the tubeless strips and valves in. There is some weight to be saved, but it’s not too insane for aluminum rims IMO.
1 Like
Would you return a tire that was 55 grams over the “advertised” weight? (Roughly 8.6% more than advertised)
- Yes
- No
- Maybe
0 voters
Asking for a friend.