Unless you want all new stuff… I’d put the XX1 & carbon wheels on the Evo. You’ll never get the value selling it on a used bike. TBH the higher the price the harder it is going to be to sell your bike. A lower priced, lower spec bike will sell faster.
6 Likes
This is also my experience. Where I live it’s definitely not a sellers market. Demand for used stuff is low and bikeshops are still overstocked from the pandemic. 2400$ for the base Epic Evo is a steal, nice job!
2 Likes
Yeah, I usually tune my suspension. That being said, multiple reviews from different-sized riders suggest that it is a stiff bike. See biker’s edge and contender cycles on YouTube. But maybe I’ll just give it a go.
Thanks for the feedback on the same bikes.
1 Like
Why 4 piston XTR? Are you a big person?
As far as the new vs old. I don’t know how much that’ll change the amount you’ll get in return. I usually find upgraded parts make a bike easier to sell, rather than sell for massively more. A 2020 Spark is a bit dated now in terms of the market so it’s value range is only so much.
I am keen to hear more about the Hunt wheels. Would you go for the Proven carbon jobbies?
I’m not necessarily trusting of an off the shelf review like that, because they’re usually not taking time to tune the suspension. If the factory suspension settings are “Stiff”, well, then off course that’s what’s going to come across. And think about it, where does that characteristic come from? It’s from the suspension and how you set it up. Here’s another review for a counterpoint.
“This bike absolutely rips up technical XC trails, offering a plusher ride with more grip over rough terrain.”
"For a start, the increase in travel means the suspension is considerably smoother and deeper. Much like the Scott Spark RC, the Oiz is plush for an XC bike. There’s heaps of grip and control over rough and rocky terrain, with the rear wheel quickly getting out of the way when needed.
I’ve been able to use full travel comfortably, with the rear end providing plenty of cushioning and support for soaking up bigger impacts. I only managed to bottom out the shock once throughout testing (it was a particularly ugly huck-to-flat), which goes to show that Orbea has dialled in the relationship between the regressive leverage ratio and the small-volume shock.
With 120mm of travel at your disposal, the Oiz affords a greater margin for error that allows you to push it quite hard on the descents."
Anyone thinking of adding a hardtail?
I’m pretty tempted to jump on that zht deals happening right now but thinking the 69 head angle might be a bit too much for general trail ripping! I’m pretty unaware of what’s out there in terms of xc hardtails, I have a Blur TR currently and really like the bike, but I’m really curious about getting a hardtail just because 
1 Like
I already have the latest Epic HT. Great bike! I run it with 2.4 tires (Aspen or Rekon Race) for the added cushioning provided by the big tires/low pressures. Even with the heavy Rekon Race tires it is still 2 to 3 pounds lighter than a similarly spec’d full suspension bike.
that’s my idea, my Blur TR is heavy at 26 lbs with recon/recon race and 180 rotors. would like to get a hard tail close to 21 or 22 lbs for some long days in the saddle
2 Likes
The trouble in the mass start is more the fast amateur men. The Pro women are often about as fast as the fast end of the amateur men, and that can really mess with the “fairness”. For sure the women sticking with the Pro men at the start is not ideal, but it’s pretty short lived.
1 Like
Good: Upgrade your Blur to get it to 21-22 pounds.
Better: More bikes is always the best answer. Get the hardtail.
Best: Get a new bike AND weight weenie the Blur!
1 Like
Asking for some opinions since I don’t really know anything about MTB specs and upgrades. I’m kinda into getting a XC mtb bike coming from the road and gravel scene.
Is this the best deal out there for $3k and am I giving up on a substantially better spec’d bike for another $1k out the door? I’m the type of rider that doesn’t really upgrade my components - I tend to leave my builds pretty stock and learn how to do my own maintenance.
I don’t get too technical with bike builds, hence the plea for some advice. The type of riding I imagine I’d be doing is some straight up trail riding that I’d like to push the pace on, nothing like crazy drops or downhills. Also some bike packing stuff as well, but just here and there.
Any thing else out there that would be competitive at this price point or a little more?
For XC I’d probably get one of the cervello bikes, zfs-5 or the 120, but the lower tier builds don’t come with a dropper so would have to account for that. price for a GX build and sid select is little over 3k
So, my XC bike is a hardtail.
If I owned a FS XC bike instead, there’s no way I’d consider a hardtail. Unless the course is just a gravel road, I don’t think there’s a situation where they are faster.
1 Like
What size blur are you on? I’m on an xl tr and have it at 27lbs. I’m running carbon wheels, x01 drivetrain, mt zoom cockpit, v2 Oneup dropper 150mm, and fox 34 fork. I could maybe get it to <25 with a Stepcast 34 fork, lighter brakes, and maybe a shorter lightweight dropper, but I’m reluctant as I really enjoy it’s descending capabilities in this current setup.
1 Like
Stumpjumper is more of a trail bike. I’d probably look at the Epic Evo models if you can get one near your price range. Also what kind of trails do you ride or near you? Any plans for fun rides with more spicy, big sections? That bike might be ok if your handling and skills are good.
What kind of rides and/or races do you plan on? Longer events will determine a lighter yet capable XC bike over a trail bike.
Either way, look at the other responses in this thread and you’ll get some ideas for good XC bikes.
1 Like
it’s a Medium size, it’s basically the X0 transmission build with the following changes
- recon front tire
- reverb axs 125mm
- 165mm xx crankset with threaded powermeter and a 34 threaded ring
- chris king bb / headset
- oneup cockpit 45mm stem / 20mm bars
- full ridewrap
the weight is ready to ride with 2 silca cages and a oneup edc and candy 7 pedals. blur doesn’t have the lightest frame but also the reserve 28 with 1/1 hubs aren’t anywhere close to being the lighest wheels, reverb axs is heavier than the fox factory sl it came with, and cockpit could be lighter as well. definitely setup more for trail riding than ligh xc as it stands
to make things worse the change I’m considering would likely make it heavier replacing the fox suspension with sidluxe/sid ultimate 3p remote because of the the twistloc remote 
2 Likes
Someone posted on WW the suposed 2024 Specialized Epic. The downtube looks pretty porky. Maybe it’s the distortion of the wide angle lens, maybe not. Downtube storage would be nice. Supposedly the S-Works will come with Flight Attendant, Headset routing seems to be there as well. The Brain is gone for good. Rockshox is supposed to be working on a rear shock for the spesh WC. All hearsay of course. I’m excited.
1 Like
Here’s the Pinkbike article about it:
1 Like
Isn’t it the bike from Martin Vidaurre IG? Looks like the non-evo epic