Where did you read those recommendations? You certainly CAN set it up with a 140mm fork but at what point do you not just wanna get a trail bike?
From Spesh the Epic Evo comes specced with a 130mm fork. If you’re looking to race XC I‘d stick with 120/120.
That was the rec from the FA website itself when I looked for the part numbers I needed. Anyone set up 130mm FA on a Specialized Epic 8 and still feel like it was fast like an XC bike?
There is no 130mm sid and therefore there is no 130mm FA XC.
You can get Pike with FA at 130m but that’s a trail fork. It’s 300g heavier than the Sid.
Weight isn’t the end of the world, but what you’d end up with would be more like a killer light duty trail bike.
the pike is what sram website indicates for the epic evo, I haven’t looked to see if the shock has a different tune for the EVO vs the non-EVO epic
that’s really good weight! are those M6 or M5 bars, I’m guessing those are lightweight Nextie wheelset if I remember correctly
There was a lot of chatter on the mtbr forums when the epic8 released about FA. Apparently the fork isn’t tuned brand specific and if you want FA for the E8 there is only one part number for the shock with the XC tune. @mh5 would have an overforked epic8 and not an FA Epic Evo. If you want a trailbike with FA I‘d look elsewhere or just stick with the 120sid. The bike is really capable.
How different is the Epic 8 vs Epic 8 Evo? Looks like the 8 Evo can be found on sale, while the regular Epic 8 is always full price everywhere.
My trail bike has a 150mm Lyric Flight Attendant and while FA certainly helps, its still a big squishy fork and bobs alot even when its locked. I’d imagine a 140mm Pike is similar. I wish Rockshox would firm the fork up more when its locked out, similar to my Scott Spark with its 130mm Revelation. I really want my Scott Spark, but with Flight Attendant controlling the compression damping.
@mfa81 M6 bars and stem, and yeah they’re Nextie Alpha rims with DT240 and carbon spokes. I think the new Omega rims may be even lighter.
@Toasterthief the Epic 8 Evo and normal Epic 8 are the exact same frame, just different paint and shock.
@mh5 Since you have to replace the shock regardless if you want FA, I’d just go with the normal 120/120 XC SID Ultimate FA with the Epic tune.
Alternatively, if I bought one of the Epic 8 Evo frame sets on sale I’d probably just embrace the Evo, forget about FA and get the new Fox 34 SL fork in 130mm and have it remain a super capable bike. If you were racing for the win in your local XC series it’s not the ideal bike, but I’m sure it’d be a killer every day bike.
Thanks for confirming. My impression was that for the Epic 8, the Evo/non-Evo frame were exactly the same, and it was only the shock that was different. Makes me wonder why the non-Evo builds seem to go on sale much less than the Evo ones?
different shock tune, no cable lock out on the shock & fork, higher travel fork 130 vs 120, riser bars, shorter stem (I believe), different paint scheme (without the shouting logo on the downtube), no S-Works build, no headset routing (thankfully). I think that’s about it. Other than that the frames are exactly the same.
I built my EE8 up from the white Evo frame and really dig it. It’s a great bike
To caveat my previous response - the normal (non-Sworks) Epic 8 and Epic 8 Evo frames are the same.
The S-Works Epic 8 frame is different from either. The difference about cable routing above is a S-Works thing not a Evo vs non-Evo thing.
As for why the Evo goes on sale so much more, the stock builds are heavy (for an XC bike) and the normal Epic 8 is already so capable most people don’t need the Evo.
From a frameset perspective, the white paint adds 100-200g and if you don’t plan on riding Fox suspension then you’re paying for a shock you don’t plan to use. Neither is a dealbreaker, but clearly has reduced demand.
Probably not needed, but another vote of confidence for the Nextie Omega rims. Custom built them with CX Rays and I9 1/1 hubs. Came out to 1230g.
I had my first marathon race of the year on the rockiest course of the season. Broke a spoke on the first descent about 3 miles in. Figured once the 2nd spoke broke or the rims went out of true enough to rub I’d pull the plug…nope. 29 more miles of this and I finished the race without issue.
Threw a new spoke in the next day, trued right up. Zero damage to my bike or the wheels. I’m incredibly impressed.
Thanks. This is exactly what I was wondering. It sounds like a 120mm FA is the way to go if Im building a race bike.
I hear you. I didnt want the headset routing and didn’t really like the EVO builds since I wanted FA so the EVO frame was my only choice. I can always sell the shock I dont need.
This is basically the build Im looking to do. Looks great!
20lb hardtail is the way. Just saying. It might be even be under.
Most of the riding here is sandy base, not rocky, punchy climbs. 2.4’a and low pressure add plenty of cush. Full suspension just adds complication and something more to maintain with little return IMO.
I am considering the Epic 8 as my next upgrade and would appreciate if anyone can feedback on below.
Any feedback is highly appreciated 
Can’t comment on your size but I think you need to watch out for the toptube which is 18mm longer, depending on how you feel on your current bike a 18mm + 5mm stem might stretch you out.
Sounds like you‘d benefit from a testride on both sizes. I‘d pick an M if I were you. I’m 187cm with long legs and ride an L with 80mm stem. I with can’t comment on the top fuel but what I‘ve read in the past is that it’s more of a trailbike.
