Looking to pick up a new XC rig for 2025 and here’s the finalists… Does anyone have experience/ thoughts? All are more than capable for my abilities and I know it comes down to preference and test riding except the top 3 are not available in my area. Obviously leaning toward Epic 8 but it’s also the most expensive…
My Son and I are between 5’6" and 5’7", both are on Med Epic 7 Evos. I would be very uncomfortable on a small.
Epic 8 pro because of the cool color scheme
I don’t know much about the Wilier, but I think you would be really happy with all the other options. The Yeti and Cervelo are very similar but I think the Epic 8 is the most “future proof” in that it has the most travel, modern geo, etc.. There are some crazy deals on the Cervelo and Yeti right now though. There are also some remaining Epic Evo 7’s at Comp Cyclist and Jenson that are great deals. The geo and specs on the EE7 are identical to the yeti. If it were my pick, I’d get the newest Epic and know that I have a bike that will handle almost anything I wanted to ride and can be upgraded with flight attendant, etc..
All of these bikes are so close in performance. If I were choosing this year, I would seriously consider basing my choice on which is the coolest looking color scheme in my size.
(Yes, I have a salmon-colored ‘22 Blur TR, in case you’re wondering. I’ve only seen two other bikes in the same color since I got it 3 years ago).
Why not get an epic 8 evo frameset for 30% and build? Likely gonna bring the epic price down
The evo 8 builds are heavier than the regular epic 8, but I’m pretty sure they use the exact same frame. Not sure the evo frame approach makes sense since you’d have to buy a shock to make it an epic 8, probably depends on what you sell the take off shock for.
Almost there, waiting on some new decals for the sid ultimate and bottle cages. Also it desperately needs a brake bleed before its maiden voyage!
I always used to hate on old dudes who bought Italian bikes to try and stand out, but time makes fools of us all and I think that Wilier looks cool. It’s pretty steep though.
Objectively I think the Epic 8 is the best all around bike of this generation but I built up a ZFS-5 out of spite because I wanted to do the lightest build I could reasonably do and I couldn’t bring myself to buy a S-Works. My reasons are silly and I honestly don’t judge anyone else who has one, I just don’t think my middling performance warrants having a pro-level race bike despite deeply craving the performance of one.
I think the shock tunes on the Epic are better for most people, you get the slightly more rear travel, and the integrated storage.
It’s not a big difference, and things like the tune will be personal preference for many people. The ZFS tune is similar to the Blur TR tune which multiple people have commented on here, though it’s not an identical riding bike because the geometries are different and the ZFS is slacker.
I am a big fan of the ZFS and all the reasons you cited are exactly why I got it. That said, it was an easier recommendation when they were widely available at 35% off last year. I got a complete bike for 3K last year which was insane.
New Rockshox Reverb announced today. Looks like they simplified the design (the action and the saddle mount), moved the battery, and they’ve leaned into the squishy post being a feature, not a bug… MSRP is a bit lower and it sounds like the new one should be alot easier to user service.
I’ve been in the market waiting for these to come out since they popped up in patents and on pro bikes, but now I’m wondering if it might make sense to buy a discounted version of the outgoing dropper. If anything, because I prefer the aesthetics of the top mounted battery.
The front battery mount is Ugly. I wouldn’t buy because of it. Maybe one day they can lighten it up and internalize the battery?
Quick question for y’all.
My rear wheel is toast and quite frankly I have no desire to rebuild it (lowest level Bontrager Kovee, not even Comp).
What’s a good budget rear wheel that’s not going to blow up when I ride? Just looking for a single, if possible, with Microspline.
Or, I also have a set of XTR hubs. Should I pick up a Nextie (or similar) rim and build it up?
Thanks!
SLX or XT rear wheel. The only thing that people really dig on them for is cup and cone bearings.
Probably wouldn’t hurt to take it in to a bike shop and have the spoke tension checked since they are machine built wheels.
I for one am glad they made it uglier without making it any lighter. Saves me from the urge to upgrade.
The hunts seem quite good, I know riders beating on them, and they are performing really well.
That said, I’d always build the XTR’s into something. I’ve had better luck with EIE and BTLOS than nextie, but I dont really have a way to say one is better than the other.
I have been using axs droppers since they came out and I never had a single problem, have been very reliable for me
they told me they expect to have piccola hd available by the end of the month, no ETA for the 2 pot caliper to be available. wondering if they are upgrading the caliper or both caliper and lever. guess will have to wait and see
op needs to hit the gym
just get light bicycle or a good aliex brand at this point, the hunts are just chiners with a brand slapped on them
