I see now, I was confused by the wording. I did a lot of research on it also and see that the 190x42.5 will work getting you close to that 120 goal but I saw a lot of skepticism on the 190x45 and hitting. I decided to go stock for now, but can always change it later if I need too, I don’t find that I need anything more yet where I ride.
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I put regular 3P SidLuxe & SID Ultimate 120 on my 2021 Epic. I can’t imagine there is any difference at all. These are light pieces without many adjustments. What would a custom tune even be? I don’t feel a ton of difference between “Pedal” and “Open”.
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To clarify I have a '21 Epic, not Epic evo. So option 2, for $3500 I could Evo it, which requires new rear triangle, fork and shock. I hate lockouts and FA suspension is only a few hundred bucks more and it would more capable than my epic right?
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Same.
If you’re willing to spend $3,500 on the same bike that is built for xc style of racing, it simply just doesn’t make sense to not use that money on a proper trail bike.
The difference between the epic and epic evo will not be night and day like what you’re expecting. You’re still going to have a hard time in UC forest, Soquel, etc. Just use that money you’re willing to spend on a bike that has more than 140mm of rear travel.
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This is where I’m wanting to understand more. I understand that for years, many manufacturers have had custom tunes, where they say “for our bikes kinematics, we’d like a little more X or Y” and these are things you can’t adjust with the air pressure and knobs. When that “tune” came from Fox/RS, I understand you could just ask for your shock to be converted to Tune ABC when you sent it in, and it’d come back like a factory whatever tune would have been.
This time around, on the latest Epic 8, Specialized are doing a lot of marketing speak about this tune and how specialized developed it (I think they were saying it was stiffer and then opens up, all within the number 2 setting), and RS build it into the 3p shocks and forks that come OEM on the Epic 8. It sounded like it wasn’t just air can size, but I don’t know exactly what it is.
Historically (showing my age here), PUSH Industries and another place or two could do custom tunes to shocks/forks by replacing internal components. I never understood if they had special tools or special parts that customers cannot get, or if they were just doing something anyone could do at home.
I’m just unsure if anyone can access these parts in the Specialized RS fork, and if anyone will even sell you the widget that specialized “designed” to get their custom 2nd setting.
Sounds like options that exist for sure are:
- Buy Evo 8, then order regular commercial market SID Ultimate and SID luxe to be able to run it as an Epic 8* (*except not with the exact “tune” specialized ship with).
- Go to a specialized dealer and order a “replacement” SID ultimate/Luxe from them, which come with the specialized tune
- Buy an Epic 8, and then buy a Fox 130mm fork and Fox 190x45 (I believe) rear shock, as Specialized only seem to talk about the custom tunes on the Epic 8 and not Epic Evo 8 (in what I’ve read).
In all reality, I’m probably going to end up on Epic 8, and never convert to Evo for non-racing riding.
Thanks all,
Custom shock tuning is where they adjust the shim stack, which in turn adjusts the damping properties of the fork. Well at least that’s the biggest, most noticeable thing they do. Basically it’s matching the damping properties of the suspension with the kinematics of the frame design.
In my experience, it’s highly beneficial if you are:
- Highly atypical physiology, particularly for super heavy riders.
- You have a shock with very limited adjustability. For example, if you had a fox x2, you probably wouldn’t get much out of a tune, because that shock has LSR, HSR, LSC, HSC.
- You bought a new shock that was tuned for a very different bike design, or you are putting it on a unique frame.
I live near a fox suspension centre and if you are sending something in for service, and want it to be tuned for a certain bike, they can make the adjustments for free. But if you are looking for something more unique, they charge.
I personally think it’s a bit overkill for most people. It’s only the people who are super dialed in to suspension feel (or maybe obsessed) that seem to really get the benefit out of it.
Yea, I kind of figured as much, but have doubts about if I really want a 4th bike right now. used V2 Ripmos can be had for great prices right now, same with stumpjumper evo, less that 3,500 for sure.
Thanks, that’s interesting stuff.
My case would essentially be #3, where I would be wanting to convert a SID Ultimate and SID Luxe to Epic 8 factory tune’s, when they were not made for them originally.
I’ll have to look up shim stacks and see if that looks like something that a home user can address.
Thanks.
Edit: Just found this.
Pivot Mach4SL with 120 front fork, and then get a 110 fork for racier scenarios.
That’s an option.
I recently started playing a lot with suspension and its amazing how much free speed you can get from great suspension.
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I had the fox on my synonym RC converted from digressive to linear.
I don’t think these flex stay bikes really need the support of a digressive stack. Especially not when you can lock them out.
I did more research last night, and it all sounds very possible. I’ll keep digging to see if Specialized’s 3p magic mode #2 is just a shim stack that I could put together with a SRAM kit (I’ve found other kits already).
Hey I’m considering the Epic 8 expert but currently have the Specialized Camber from 2018. Will this be a night and day difference? Really appreciate the input.
yes - although the camber and epic 8’s travel are identical, the epic 8 has more reach, more slack, steeper seat tube angle and is longer. This will make the epic feel very stable, and able to tackle terrain and move efficiently over it. It’ll be a night and day difference. Bike tech (especially in the XC/downcountry category) has come so far since your 2018 camber that was already at the end of it’s product lifecycle.
If I was in your shoes, I wouldn’t hesitate to make the jump to that new bike. Look for deals!
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I’m getting 20% off list, I feel like that’s pretty good. Will likely make the leap. Great comparison above wish I could hit more than once! Thanks.
The Epic Evo 2020-23 model works perfectly with a 190x45 shock. I wanted to convert the bike to a remote lockout system, but at that time, it wasn’t possible to find an aftermarket SID Luxe in 190x40. So, I purchased a SID Luxe originally mounted on a Wilier Urta in size 190x45. The difference is negligible, and there’s no risk of the shock hitting the frame or anything else.
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My sid ultimate new this year with 2p barely moves when locked out, if I stand up and pump hard on it maybe get 10mm movement at most. But normally its solid.
that’s the confirmation I needed - thanks!
Two things:
1: given the talk above about the ZFS-5, I just wanted to chime in and say that these are awesome bikes. I have one as well as a 2022 EPIC Evo (the latter which I consider the gold standard of XC bikes). My ZFS-5 is every bit as good as the Epic Evo, in fact it may have the edge in pedal efficiency. They are fantastic bikes and great values. I really hestiated buying this bike as I was nervous about a road company diving into the MTB scene but ultimately all the steller reviews and great value sold me. Man Cervelo pulled a monkey out of the hat and nailed it on this bike on their first try, so glad I got it. I view it as a refined, more efficient, and much lighter version of the current Blur! If I needed a bike, I’d buy one of these GX’s on sale and upgrade it to an XTR drivetrain/brakes and SID ultimate suspension (what I did). You’d have a top shelf bike at a fraction of the cost of a new S-Works Epic (it’d also be a full pound lighter than the S-Works Epic…)
2: what are everyone’s thoughts on tire choices for Park City Point 2 Point? Never riden the trail systems up there. Am I good with my existing Fast Tracks? Or should I put something with a bit more bite on? Atleast up front?
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