It seems like you aren’t actually interested in a FS. That’s fine, but if that is the case, could we keep this on topic of potential new bikes?
Does anyone think that any new XC bikes coming out this year won’t have headset cable routing?
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https://www.pinkbike.com/news/how-much-do-pro-xc-bikes-really-weigh-leogang-xc-world-cup-2025.html
here’s a good perspective. Perhaps I can find a Chisel frame, transfer components and if I love it, look for an Epic 8 
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Or get a used Epic Evo 7 and dump it as soon as the E9 lands (supposedly sometimes this year).
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Not sure the $$$ cost of an epic 8 is worth the minimal (if any) improvement over the epic evo 7. Throw some flight attendant and shred away!
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This thread was a lot more interesting before it turned into “what’s the best Chisel spec”. What a derailment
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My epic evo 7 is under 24 pounds and started off as a $2,100 comp build back in 2024. Swapped the parts from my Spark, sold the spark. Broke even. No desire for the 8.
The new Giant is pretty intriguing, though, and I’ve been pretty keen on the ASR since it came out.
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Agreed! I have a EE7 that I’m very happy with and I don’t have any need to upgrade, but if I did at this point it would be to the Giant (or we will see what an Epic 9 brings). Neither would be a need, really just a want…
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I’m also happy with my Epic Evo 7 comp build, only upgrade when i first bought it was the wheelset. But I think I might update some of the components like the drivetrain and shifters. I think I see some sales on SRAM transmission, so might dive in.
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Don’t believe the T type hype. I ripped mine off and slapped on my old eagle axs setup. No regrets.
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+1. If you ride rowdy and thrash your stuff there could be a benefit but for xc riding & racing mechanical is my preference. No batteries and can dump gears instantly.
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Agree somewhat, although I see the use case as somewhat larger. Even if we grant that a FA bike with 120mm travel is great for WC courses, I think there’s plenty of other courses and amateur riders for which the Supercaliber makes a ton of sense. My midwest USA race courses certainly don’t look like WC courses. And the Supercaliber (although available with FA) doesn’t need FA to be crazy efficient.
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In fairness it happened when the hardtail debate started
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But what advantage is a supercaliber over a 120/120 bike with lockout or FA? I agree that you don’t need 120/120 on all courses, but it’s not costing you anything and it’s there when needed. I guess it probably has a weight advantage over the top fuel (if you consider that an XC bike), but I don’t believe the supercal is significantly lighter than most of the 120/120 XC bikes available. I have no idea if the supercal has been a successful bike for Trek or not, but I don’t see many people racing that or the Specialized WC at amateur events. Both those bikes seemed like a good idea in theory, but I know the WC has been a sales flop for Specialized because it doesn’t do anything better than the Epic 8 FS (or Epic 7 FS before that). I suspect the supercal has done a little better for Trek, but I’d attribute that to the Top Fuel not really being a true XC bike. And still you have factory Trek riders picking the top fuel over the Supercal in many situations where the course isn’t even that technical.
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That’s why many 120/120mm bikes have a 3 position lockout. I’m not sure about what a Supercaliber does that a Spark in the middle lockout position doesn’t
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Maybe I’m more tuned in to see supercalibers at races since that’s what I’m on, but they are there. Along with Blurs, Sparks, various HTs, and the occasional WC… Really you can race any bike.
I know you aren’t saying otherwise, but a locked or FA-equipped 120mm bike is still rather different from a Supercaliber. I spent an hour on a BC40 in Bentonville, and according to accounts that bike is quite similar to Epic 8. Nice bike. Even if you lock that out or put FA on it, it is a taller, longer, and slacker bike. Maybe that’s what you want. The advantage of the SC is the responsiveness: ability to change lines with a slight shift of body english, get through tighter switch backs. It has a lockout but doesn’t really need it. Just mash the pedals and go. I may remember to hit the lockout on a pavement sprint, but I’m usually checking the lockout to make sure it’s NOT locked when I’m grinding through a long rock garden.
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Totally agree that different folks like racing different stuff. I was really just talking about pedaling efficiency, not the overall handling. And I’ve spent almost zero time on a supercal or Epic WC, just just talking theoretically on the efficiency. I’m sure I’d do OK on a supercal, but my preference is a long/stable bike (because I’m basically a hack on a MTB and need every crutch I can get to keep the rubber down). Just like the HT vs FS debate, it’s cool that we have choices.
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More on OP, I’d like to see more red bikes, and see FA offered on more XO builds, even GX. Like the Brain Epic could be had with more accessible builds.
Has anyone seen the new Giant, either in shops or out in the wild?
I may delete this post at the risk of asking a somewhat off topic question, but there seem to be knowledgable folks here, but any noteworthy differences between a 2025 Epic FS vs Epic Evo? I’m chomping at the bit hard for my first MTB bike to expand my cycling endeavors to include XCM Type events here in California. I’m a balanced mix of roadie and confident gravel cyclist. I’m not the type who wants to shred the biggest downhills as I’d rather have a high performing machine for racing.
I’d be buying new as I found a great deal on a 2025 Epic Comp locally. I don’t want to go the used bike route.
For the Epic 8, the “Evo” is the same frame, just has a 130 fork and no lock out. But the rest is identical as far as I am aware.
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