Anyone had a chance to ride the new Scalpel yet? It is on the short list to replace my 2019 OIZ. can get a great deal on a Mach 4Sl, but doesn’t fit 2 bottles in the main triangle for a size M…
I’ve got the 2021 with a 120mm lefty which makes it about as slack as the 2024, with the other differences being 2024 has no AI offset and a threaded BB. I did have a ride this summer where the lockout lever self-destructed internally so suspension was “on” for the whole 60 miles. The only time I had any noticeable bobbing was when standing. That ride also had a 4 mile fire road climb that included a couple of 20% pitches, so if there was a time to NEED a lockout, that was it. Still I didn’t miss it. IMHO it’s a descending beast. The bike just goes where you want it to and never feels nervous (it did feel nervous at times with the 100mm fork though)
My only notable mods. 100mm -10 stem, SQ Lab carbon bar, Bike Yoke Dropper.
Could also affect suspension. Look where the chain lines up with the pivot point. If the chain is much below the pivot, then you will get more suspension lockout… assuming single pivot.
I asked if the new Scalpel would be offered in a frameset and the shop said not at the moment. Might still be cheaper to buy the GX model and swap my XTR over.
Anyone run shimano brakes with SRAM shifting? I’ve only ever run sram brakes and shifters, but might be swapping brakes for shimano XTRs. Does anyone know if I need a new adapter to mount the SRAM eagle shifter on the right, and a Oneup dropper remote on the left?
This setup is similar to me. I find it works well, but definitely some setup personal preference… I’m using wolftooth dropper lever though, so a little different
I run XT brakes with Sram GX on my commuter. I got this adapter: Wolf Tooth ShiftMounts – Wolf Tooth Components
for the dropper lever just get the appropriate adapter for your dropper remote.
I too prefer the XT brakes over SRAM Level. I haven’t tried the new SRAM XC brakes though, so can’t say if they are improved.
At least it comes with a dropper and an aluminum 120mm fork standard.
And it’s only $50 more than the outgoing model, which didn’t come with a dropper and had a steel fork. And the frame weighs 500g more.
Just picked up a Specialized Epic 8 expert! It’s super sweet. Maybe I will replace the tires but the bike is so smooth. Huge upgrade from my 2017 Camber carbon comp.
I bought the 100 frame from Jenson, got a 190x45 shock at a discount. I’ll build it out as 120 with components from another bike.
I personally left everything on its own band/mounts - I am very sensitive to placement to things (personal thing) and like “unlimited” adjustability.
- EE7
- XTR Brakes (set to only be used as single finger pull at lever curve)
- SRAM GX shifter/RD (upshift lever sits pretty high so I have easier time)
- No dropper
Can you please describe how were you able to achieve this?..How much $$? What tires are you using?
I’m starting to question my strategy and wondering if I just should pony up and get a whole new bike.
From few months back on Teddy’s post:
My 2023 Epic Evo has come in at 22.4lbs on my scale, so it is pretty decent in terms of weight.
It is easiest if I say what I did not replace on the bike, here is the list;
-Stock/OEM handlebar and stem
-Stock/OEM suspension (reba and Deluxe select+)
Here is a list of what has been changed on the bike and doing a quick google search as to what it would cost (not hunting for deals);
I already had most of the stuff laying around, realistically I only purchased the Bike, Alpha wheelset, tires, chainring (so a real cost of $4,271.99). I think that realistically I could lose another 1-1.25lbs by changing out the suspension and handlebars etc. I don’t really see a reason to do this however.
So, figured I would drop this here, for under $6500, if you picked up a EE while on sale you can have an extremely light capable bike.
Mine is 26 lbs with 3ozx2 of fresh sealant, XTR pedals, Roval Control SL wheels, XX1 crankset w/powemeter.
There’s a disconnect here….
Same. 22lbs awfully light and I’m in awe. I have the epic evo 7 too. I got mine down to 24. Key takeaway thus far is I’m running a dropper. I’ll never go back to a normal post.
My list:
Fox Transfer SL 100mm dropper
Stans Valor Carbon wheels.
Racing Ray, Aspen
180 rotors
Hope evo race x2 brakes
xx1 axs
Rotor InPower power meter crank
Fox 34 SC 120
Stock rear shock
2 cages
stock bar/stem
xtr platform style pedals.
Syncros XR1.0 saddle
No lockout.
The only thing on my radar to change is the rear shock as the stock one is clapped out. I’ll do a service on it and sell it. Also will get normal xt or xtr pedals from REI later so I stop swapping between bikes. I might change up the bars.
Absolutely!
DMC sent my original chart - but to get to the new 21.4lbs this is what my bike looks like with quick online MSRP prices (not everything is what I paid, minus the upfront bike cost being discounted).
The bike clearly still has heavy parts on it (MX-2, Elaston saddle, Handlebars/Stem, Tires, XT rotors). The biggest weight savings came from the Nextie wheels/Cassette, crankset swap and getting rid of the dropper.
But for around $8500 you can get what I am basically riding, which is a bike I ride just about everywhere and XC race 1-2 times a month.
That being said - using the local used market and having stuff already laying around, I probably have around $5-5300 in the bike.
Thanks a lot.
This is not doable for me. I’m going down some trails that I’m in the verge of start rolling down over the handlebar.
I already max out this with the XX1 Eagle Cassette and Control SL wheels.
Going to run some numbers and see where I land. The reference is an Epic 8 Sworks for $14k.
Not that it matters because you said you already maxed out, but your wheel combo probably gives up about .5lbs.
My wheels also do not require hole plugs or rim tape so probably a little more weight, just food for thought - the cassette and wheels were under $2000 investment.
Agreed on 21.4 seeming exceptionally light but having a smaller frame helps quite a bit I’m sure
I’ll get some more weights on mine this weekend but in training/trail form it’s ~24 lbs with the below build and then I have a different wheelset for racing.
S-Works EE7 Frame (large - gloss black)
190x40mm FA SidLuxe Ultimate
120mm FA SID Ultimate
Divine SL dropper w/ wolftooth remote
Prologo Dimension Nack (carbon rails)
Roval Control SL stem 90mm
RF Next SL bars cut to 740mm w/ ESI grips
XX SL PM + cranks w/ 34t
xx1 AXS RD and 10-52 cassette + chain
xtr pedals
G2 Ultimate 4 piston brakes
Training/trail wheelset:
Enve M525, I9 1/1 centerlock, berd spokes + tubolight inserts
180mm HS2 rotors
Rekon Race 2.4WT f/r
My race wheelset (wheelset itself is 1050g):
Extralite Hyperboost hubs
Extralite Carbocamber 330 rims w/ CX-Rays
180mm/160mm SRAM centerlock rotors
Aspen 170 tpi (f) / Aspen ST 170 tpi (r) w/ tubolight inserts
The race wheels bring it down close to 22 lbs.
Nice ride! This is pretty comparable to my bike in weight - going to a carbon post over the dropper really is a lot of savings.
Your dropper, remote and cable is maybe around 500g? The next SL seatpost (which is a heavy carbon seatpost) I ride is around 220g with some ti bolts and some other little things I did to it. That’s 280g (around .62lbs) in saving over a very lightweight dropper setup. That would get your bike pretty close to mine!
I ride my bike in race mode at all times - if it cant handle it while training, I dont want it when racing.
That being said, I find myself a lot of times in situations where I could use a dropper. I ultimately just make it work and do some bike yoga to get past those points… then forget I need a dropper until it happens again (vicious cycle).