I think for me it’s still gotta be a fully spec’d out S-Works Epic EVO. Super light, super capable.
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I am just about to finish my S-Works Epic Evo build (still undecided about the cockpit as I have to solve the problem of the bar hitting the top tube). The Evo is the more versatile and more forgiving when terrain gets really choppy but if I’d gone the pure XC race way the Epic would have been my weapon of choice. This thing looks fast, did well during XC WC and Cape Epic but I am sure needs way more rider proficiency than I can offer. No need to say that I am a Spesh fanboy by choice 
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Money no problem, the full bore SWorks Evo would be a legit dream bike. Can’t get much lighter off the shelf.
I had the normal Epic and it was fast, but my neophyte mind on suspension kept me from enjoying it. If I would have known now….I would have made some pressure adjustments.
That bike beat the living poop out of me on all but the smoothest loops.
Hump
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It’s been a while since I entered the MTB game but I am still not fond of fiddling around with suspension settings - and the Brain on the Epic doesn’t have the reputation of being overly user-friendly. So I went with the Evo and off the shelf RockShox components.
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Smart move
Haven’t seen anyone mention a Trek SuperCaliber
That bike has intrigued me, but I’m unsure.
Hump
If I were to do Leadville or something and I was to be given a bike for it with no strings attached that’s what I think I’d go for. It’s an excellent bike, but far from ideal for what I like to ride.
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That’s way to specialized for my liking.
Hump
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This discussion is sort of funny, because even if price is out of the equation, time is likely not.
Yesterday, I wanted to order new brakes for my mountain bike. I live in Shimano country (aka Japan):
- XT brakes: Sometime in August
- XTR brakes: Probably December
- SRAM Code R: Nervous laughter. Winter. (Not sure how much of that was a joke, but I had to wait for four months for my SRAM Force eTap AXSgroupset and power meter, and would have had to wait 6+ months for Red cranks.)
- Magura brakes? More laughter.
- TRP brakes? Eeeeh, thank you, but no thank you.
So I’ll wait till August then.
The owner of my LBS also discovered a crack in my handlebars. We ended up ordering Shimano handlebars — they were actually available (gasp!). Ditto for the saddle, I took what was immediately available in the store (a Fizik, not bad).
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Test rode the supercaliber (only on a bike path though). That thing is a rocket off the line, quick and responsive. It is more hard tail than FS but it is meant to GO.
Also demo’d the Blur XC and Specialized Epic. Both were similar in regards to that it came alive and was at its best when going fast. Ended up buying the blur just because it handled like my Tallboy, which I absolutely love. That said I do with I could have taken the Supercaliber off road to see it true potential.
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That’s why I mentioned that in the original post. This is a wish list type of post.
Hump
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TrickStuff - problem solved.
This is a price no object thread
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Good luck trying to score a set of Trickstuff brakes right now. Sold out for ages.
I hope their merger with DT Swiss will improve availability in the end.
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How would you compare the two?
I bought the Blur TR without test riding a specialized epic EVO. Would love to hear any head to head observations…
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Same here, would like to hear.
Hump
I’d like to see a head to head with the Evo, Blur TR, Oiz TR, and maybe another one.
Hump
New Spark RC. I’m not sure I want to live with the headset complications, but I love the looks and am super interested to see how it really performs.
Hopefully PB has another XC/DC field test this summer with more of the top flight bikes given availablity is (a smidgen) better than their last go round.
(I’d also rather see Levy/Sarah Moore do the XC bikes. Really value Henry’s opinions, but I’m sick of DH/Enduro focused riders reviewing XC bikes lol)
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Totally agree,
Even bring in another actual XC racer, the Pinkbike Stig.
I like Henry as well, but I don’t want my XC bike to end up being an enduro light.
Sorta like the Trek Top Fuel.
Hump
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@HumpDiesel
Fair enough, I’ll play then!
@DarthShivious
In that case, I’d get Hope’s 4-pot brakes anodized in orange to fit my other accents (mostly grips and crank arm protectors). Or, if form > functionality, their 2-pot XC brakes are the best looking brakes on the market. I had those on a rental, and they were excellent.
If money were no object, I’d be very much tempted to go for a BMC Two Stroke or Four Stroke. I’m kinda torn. After 10 years on a fully I got a hardtail and love it.
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Nice!! I like that Fourstroke, it looks so slick.
Hump
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