First movers always impress me. I would never put money forward on a bike I haven’t seen. And I prefer to buy a bike after real world user feedback comes out. Needless to say I am not a lasted-and-greatest kindda guy.
I mean, its Specialized. You know its not gonna be a bad bike. If you have the money to spend and want the top line thing, I would do it.
No money has exchanged hands - and if I don’t like it no obligation to buy. That said - am sure it will be brilliant.
After selling my supercaliber last year I need a mountain bike back in my life
yes, me too, at least one year after the initial release
Yeah. I agree that with Spesh, it’s pretty low risk. The only thing I’d be hesitant about is if it might have some needless weird proprietary design “features”. That seems less likely anymore, but you never know. In any case, if it’s too wack, you can always flip it.
ah no money … I thought there was at least some sort of payment commitment accompanied by a or else measure.
Not debuting it at Sea Otter seems crazy. Maybe World Cup XCO?
I was in Temecula with Haley Batten and Chris Blevins this weekend and was able to take a good look at their bikes. They were both on 8s with no identifiable changes. There was a prototype Trek running around though.
No. I think the view is - if I don’t take it, they can sell it anyway.
It is quite fascinating to see the difference between the approach of Specialized and Trek. I guess Trek had to put their prototype in the open to get the team winning, whereas the 8 is already winning.
Trek isn’t even planning on selling their flex stay Top Fuel. Which now that I think about it…how is that legal with the UCI? Aren’t they required to be commercially available within 12 months?
I think they said something along the lines of, “probably not this one but something like it.” The rumor is that bike that can fit 32s. We’ll see.
I am pretty sure that’s a road rule, not an mtb one. Think of all the ‘secret’ tech in DH that doesn’t trickle down into the market (Loic Bruni’s proto Demo and buttons for example).
Red Rocks had a few listed and not hidden. Mostly gone now but here’s the Pro.
My lbs said tomorrow (April 28) when I called them a week ago and it wasn’t like top secret info. They said that’s when they expect their shipment and I should call them on that day if I want one built up. 
For the Pro… 23 pounds, an ugly integrated shock, and a 12k price tag. 
SRAM needs to come out with a carbon version for XO cranks at this price point. Keep the metal cranks for trail/enduro but on a 12k cross country race bike?
My EE7 still looking dang good!
Less than a pound lighter than the Epic 8 and it looks like you lose the downtube storage. I bet they nixed the bar stops as well. TBD whether it handles/rides significantly different. I’m sure it’s a great bike and they will move some units. Is there enough there to push someone to upgrade from an Epic 8? I’m sure there will be some takers who always buy the latest/greatest or really value weight. I assume the epic 8 frame will continue as an “Evo” with the downtube storage?