No I didn’t. I never got to try the Epic due to lack of availability.
I test rode
Supercaliber
Spark
Blur
I have owned a Epic in the past.
Never got on with the Spark. Was a close call between the Blur and SuperC.
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My local store says a new Trek Top Fuel is imminent. It’ll be interesting to see how it stacks up. I guess it’ll be in the downcountry/ epic evo mould.
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Yup, I have friends who have spent time on both, and they are very even in general use.
What updates have there been to the new Top Fuel Chad?
The 2020 model year and newer models got more rear travel (115mm), more fork travel (120mm), longer reach, wheelbase and slacker geometry. It essentially followed the trend of the new Downcountry / Light Trail bikes.
I had the 2017 model and loved it, even with the shorter travel and steeper geo. The new models take that and add just enough real trail capability to make it a versatile bike that is still super race worthy, but something you don’t have to baby for regular trail riding.
I guess my comment is perhaps a model year ahead. This one coming soon would be what Trek call a 2022 I guess.
Ah, ok. In that sense, I have not checked specific model year changes. The overall design is unchanged AFAIK, so the only differences would likely be in color choices and some component selection.
Checking the dealer site, I don’t see any info on the 2022 (only 2020/2021), so I can’t even peak at what is coming right now.
Hoping for some new changes with the Top Fuel. I ride for a Trek sponsored team but I don’t like any of their XC bikes. I want a lighter more racier Top Fuel, I can’t get on with a claimed 25 pound XC bike.
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Yeh apparently the top fuel Is getting a new design this year beyond just colour choice. Let’s see. I’d be interested to see what they do.
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First ride today on my Epic Pro! I haven’t had an XC bike since mommy bought me a StumpJumper back in 1996 for getting good grades. I live in Orange County, CA and luckily found a shop 2 hours away in San Diego that had one of these in stock.
This bike is mind blowingly fast uphill. Coming from three years on an enduro bike (Nomad 4), to me this feels like an e-bike with the assist set at 30%.
The X01 AXS shifting is nice and crisp. Needs some tweaking in the app, but for the most part, very good. My Nomad has X01 mechanical and I definitely prefer AXS.
Power meter pedals are Garmin Rally single-sided with SPD compatibility. Time will tell how they hold up.
The seatpost has got to go. I’m ordering an AXS dropper tonight. The bike is a capable descender. I took it down all my favorite local trails today, a mixture of blues and blacks, albeit slower than I would on the Nomad. It handled the rough terrain just fine and traction was good, but the obvious limiter was the seatpost. Descending tight switchbacks was a bit terrifying.
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New Blur has dropped…I am suprised that currently there are no model weights stated when the other bikes have the weight and arguably people are more inyterested in the Blur’s weight.
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That is fairly conservative. Looks nice.
Some other detail here including this quote:
289g saving over the last generation, and builds up into a 23lb bike
https://singletrackworld.com/2021/06/making-xc-cool-again-new-santa-cruz-blur-and-juliana-wilder/
…although I suspect that refers to the $11k XX1 AXS bike and not the one you and I might buy.
I made a dedicated thread for anyone interested.
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Out of this list, I would love to get my leg over both the Scot Spark RC and the regular Scott. The geometry is still more conservative, which I like. I haven’t done well with the new steeper seat angles. (I am built like a frog, long legs and arms, short torso). I like being back more and these two seem to be able to accommodate that.
I also would like to test out the TREK. Hearing that TREK isnt doing demos any longer, because of their 30 day return policy. I guess that means I either have to find out to try or I just look from the sidelines.
I have the Pivot Mach4SL and it too, isnt really progressive like some others. It is a really capable bike and so far I am really liking it.
I am always looking for the Unicorn.
HUMP
Garmin Pedals with power
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My feeling exactly. Mine is ridiculous uphill and on flowy terrain. I’m on the fence about the dropper though. Mine came with one and I swapped it for a fixed carbon one. I can’t decide.
Arlight gang - I thought I found ‘THE’ bike, 2020 Spark RC World Cup in a few towns over. for $3400 - carbon wheels, dropper, dressed to the nines.
Problem is, it’s a large. I’m 5’9" on a good day and haven’t been on an XC bike in a while after selling my race bike a few years ago and racing Enduros. I raced Expert/Pro in CO and Utah for years.
My friend let me take out his 2019 Top Fuel 17.5 for a ride the other day as he is selling it too - but man, this thing felt tiny. Is that what XC bikes are like - have I been gone too long and forgot about the sizing. I just kept thinking I was going to lose the front wheel.
I’m not sure I want to drive two hours to put a leg over the Large spark, the reach is 456 and that is longer than my enduro ride at 444 or so.
Is this thing going to feel huge or just right? I can’t wrap my head around buying that Top Fuel 17.5. Felt really tight - which I’m sure is great for tight corners, switchbacks etc.
Just throwing this out there for anyone with any insight on sizing or in this same situation as I.
I’m 6’0, longer legs/shorter torso. My new size-L Epic fits perfectly and the reach is 470mm.
I think you might be okay. You could always go 10-20mm shorter on the stem too.
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Our local race series is all on green trails. So I might switch back and forth, hence my splurge on the AXS dropper.
