It is basically using a known weight to check what torque number powermeter is reporting. Most powermeters including Quarq supports this by showing the static torque in their app. You just calculate the expected torque from weight and crank arm length and check if pm is reporting the same. For good pms it is bang on or under 1% difference.
Since building up my anthem I find Iām just sort of always wanting a little more bike, but my Deviate Highlander is sitting there - rarely ridden.
The 8 EVO frameset is available at a reasonable price in EU, but i just wish it wasnāt >500g heavier for just the frameset.
Finished up my epic 8 Sworks build and it is 19.82lbs without pedal or cages.
To head off critical commentary. I actually prefer when people report weights without cages and pedals because not everyone uses 2 bottle cages and not everyone uses the same pedal platform. I can reweigh with 2 sworks cages and xtr pedals if someone wants me to.
To head off commentary #2. Yes I ride without a dropper. I know itās holding me back. Yes I probably suck at mountain biking. On the other hand I ride mainly endurance races with more time spent climbing or on the flats than descending. Iām not riding huge drops or feature. I learned to ride with no suspension which means I am too old to risk injury and I rode so much without a dropper that I donāt know how.
My large S-Works Epic Flight Attendant build weighs in 23.14lbs in the following config:
Large S-Works Epic Frame
Flight Attendant with dual sided Quarq PM
Fox Transfer Factory Dropper
ENVE M5 Carbon Bar
ENVE 65mm Alloy Stem
ENVE M5 Pro Wheelset
Schwalbe Racing Rick Addix Speed Transparent F/R 2.4
Silca Sealant - about 4 ounce per wheel
XTR XC Pedals
SQlab 611 Ergowave Carbon Saddle 140mm
No cages
Nice build! This is mine.
Medium S-Works Epic Frame Matte Carbon Ride Wrapped
Flight Attendant with dual sided Quarq PM
SRAM Transmission with 10-52 Cassette and 34 tooth chainring (will downsize)
Darimo Carbon Seatpost
Roval Control Combo Bar and Stem (60mm)
Nextie Omega with Carbon Spokes and DT Swiss 180 Wheelset
Continental Dubinital 2.4 Race Compound
Berk Saddle
Trickstuff Piccola HD Brakes
No cages
No Pedals
Speaking of buildsā¦Iām looking for some advice on an upgrade path. Iād say Iām relatively aware of XC components, but certainly not to the extent of those in this thread.
Background: primarily a gravel racer, spend a lot of time on the road, and ride a Yeti SB130 on the trail. Iām interested in more XC races and hold a Leadville entry via the lottery. While I donāt own an XC bike (yet), my wife got a Cervelo ZFS-5 120 last summer when they were on deep discount. Lucky for me, we both ride a medium, so I could upgrade hers. Here is the current spec with weights as best as I can find:
Where would people start with upgrades for performance? Where am I going to get my most bang for my buck? I hate the Level brakes and would probably switch to XTR (which is what I have on my Yeti). I have a pair of We Are One Triad Enduro wheels on my Yetiācertainly not an XC wheel, but would probably be a nicer ride than the bottom of the barrel Race Face?
Carbon wheels from Light Bicycle on 240s. Dubnital 2.4ās front and rear. Hope XCR brakes (or XTR, whichever is cheaper). Maybe a custom rear cage for the GX rear mech (most of the weight, and cheap).
Meh, the only weight that matters is the weight when itās ride/race ready. To include, cages, pedals, mounts, sealant, etc.
Bang for the buck is a relative term, but I saved a full pound when I went to lighter wheels with Race Kings over an already light set of carbon DT Swiss with 180ās and Lighter tires than the Rekons. Race King 2.2 is probably the ideal tire for Leadville too with the low rolling resistance, with maybe the Dubnital taking over but no real durability feedback yet. With your setup - I bet you could save 1-2# there and get the rolling resistance benefit but could spend $2K or more on a wheelset.
The crank, wheels and tires are what stand out to me. And I donāt see a PM, so the first thing Iād do is the crank. Even with a PM, I believe an XXSL is a good bit lighter than the GX. And thatās a long crank for a Med frame, I assume thatās your wifeās preference, but maybe a chance to get a shorter one depending on what you like. The rest of the GX group isnāt significantly heavier than the higher end stuff and it all works the same. EDIT- If itās the old AXS stuff (not transmission), you can save a good bit of weight going with a higher end cassette also, but they are pricey.
one could argue not everyone uses the same bars, stem, saddle, tires, wheelsā¦ 
Looks like Specialized has dropped an Epic 8 Pro now with Flight Attendant
Iām currently in the market for a new setup this season. I currently have the previous gen epic evo although would like to move to a flight attendant setup. I have good wheels, drivetrain, etc.. that I could swap over.
Economically, anyone have an idea on whatās the best way to move to flight attendant and an Epic 8? Frameset and flight attendant kit?
Probably new 8 pro with flight attendant
Just get FA for your Epic7 would be my recommendation. Frame storage is probably not worth the hassle in switching everything over and having to sell the rest.
Otherwise, yes evo or s-works frame with FA upgrade
Now that China is back on the menuā¦this is an option.
Was definitely planning on changing the tires, shouldāve probably mentioned that.
Crank was top of mind for me too. My wife doesnāt have a preference for the 175; thatās just what came on the build. I was thinking of going 165. There is indeed no PM; I have Rally XC pedals on my gravel bike but those are quite heavy and have a high stack. Cassette is a good ideaāto clarify, itās a mechanical groupset. Sram mechanicals are not my favorite, but Iām not sure I have the stomach to replace an entire groupset (and what would be the choice: Shimano mechanical? GX AXS upgrade? Transmission? See what Shimano unveils for its new XTR?).
Thanks, yāall.
I like to keep things the same between my gravel and MTB stuff. Just makes it simpler and also nice to have backup parts for big events without having a keep a spare RD and Cassette on hand. SRAM makes that easy since I like running 1x MTB gearing on the gravel bike. I made the transition to Transmission on my MTB last year (bought a new bike that had it) and just got a new UHD gravel frame last week and went Transmission on that as well. I never had any issues with the old Eagle AXS stuff, but I do prefer Transmission and all my Eagle stuff was getting pretty worn out (had a cassette that just started skipping). I think GX is the sweet spot for SRAM, but I also donāt worry much about weight.
If you are 2x and/or Shimano guy for gravel, the whole MTB/Gravel interoperability goes out and window, but I still like SRAM for off road stuff. And you never know when you might have a gravel race that requires MTB gearing (so, itās nice to have a groupset sitting on your MTB available to borrow when needed).
Actually, Iām now confused.
Can anyone actually go firm on the painted weight difference between an S Works and an Epic / Epic EVO (Which I assume are identical frames)?
Review: Specializedās New Epic 8 - All the Speed You Need - Pinkbike
Quotes:
Claimed weight for SM and MD S-Works frame + shock: 1795g
LG: 1840g, (45g more than medium)
XL: 1905g, (110g more than medium)The 11mās frame materials, layup, and steel hardware + alloy shock extension put those frames 170g over S-Works 12m frames.
So 170g.
Specialized Epic 8 EVO Review | More travel & SWAT storage
It states
Specialized Epic EVO 8 (FACT 11m) ā 2,210g
So 415g.
Which is it?
It looks like you are comparing weights with the shock. Not sure if anyone lists weight without it, but obviously would be a better comparison if you can find it. And if you can only find weights with the shock, maybe go look up shock weights to net out each frame weight. Since the evo uses fox, itās definitely not apples to apples. Not sure about shock weight difference on the s-works vs. regular epic, could be a little messy depending on whether they are talking about frame weight on a ābuildā bike vs. āframe onlyā since the build bike comes with a FA shock and the frame doesnāt (from what I remember).
How have you liked the ZFS-5? I keep on flirting with getting one on sale, and have noticed the newer X0 version has a Fox shock instead of SID. Is that good? Bad?
Also, how tall are you? Iām 5ā9 and that seems to be on the border for Medium/Large on the ZFS-5.
