Anyone ride a Speci...
 

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[Closed] Anyone ride a Specialized Epic carbon 29er? Opinions?

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As above really.

Excellent reviews online.

Always wanted one to build frame up but rare as hens teeth.

No local bike shops have one to demo or have one on demo days.

Just to expensive I suppose.

Have any stw people got one? What do you think? Do you have a frame for sale? 🙂

Thanks


 
Posted : 10/04/2015 9:50 am
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Always wanted one to build frame up but rare as hens teeth.

The only frames they sell aftermarket at the S-Works ones, although certain dealers sometimes punt out the ex-warranty frames you can get periodically.

There are two versions now - the World Cup and the standard one. World Cup is lighter, steeper head angle, only 90mm travel and single ring specific.

Surprised you can't get demos though, have you asked Spesh? Where in the country are you?


 
Posted : 10/04/2015 9:51 am
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Hi njee20
I live around the Peterborough/Stamford area.
Rutland are my local dealer, hard to ask them to demo one without the hard sell.
I have all the parts to build one.
I really would like frame only.
Thanks for info.


 
Posted : 10/04/2015 10:09 am
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[url= http://www.bikescene.co.uk/SPECIALIZEDCLEARANCEFRAMES-92.html ]These guys[/url] spring to mind for selling frames, no Epics at the moment though.


 
Posted : 10/04/2015 10:12 am
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Good find.
Thank you.


 
Posted : 10/04/2015 10:20 am
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Every time I go to a demo day to buy a trail bike I get sidetracked and distracted by an epic. Can't help myself. They are simply brilliant bikes but absurdly expensive IMO. It feels like they have an engine when you go up hill and rockets down.

As an example, last year I demoed Wytes (T and M29), camber evo and epic at Holmbury in SH. Did the same loop with approx 25 riders. On the Whytes I was in the top 10-15 climbing up. On the camber top 5 and the epic first but a country mile!!! Ok, not brilliantly scientific, but I like climbing and this killed the whytes for me and left me thinking between epic and camber. I actually love the epic going down too (but I have only ever owned a 26 HT XC 100m basic bike!!!). The only difference was on steep corners where I had to do more on the epic in terms of body position versus camber evo.

I am about to buy a camber but have this secret longing for an epic. Awesome bikes and if DH ego/self image chimp disappeared then I guess it would suit a lot if people rather than mega travel beasts. But horses for courses!!

The Matt black epic last year was a beauty!!!


 
Posted : 10/04/2015 10:26 am
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Friend of mine has the Kulhavy special edition Epic - it's a hell of a lot brighter than in that photo, looks awesome!


 
Posted : 10/04/2015 10:32 am
 jcnm
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I have a 2015 World cup. Fantastic bike


 
Posted : 10/04/2015 10:48 am
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Thanks chaps.
I currently ride a Niner rdo one set up geared. It's very quick but a complete workout when pushing hard.
This could be an expensive weekend.


 
Posted : 10/04/2015 11:03 am
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I *nearly* bought an S Works Epic World Cup last week but the seller refused to sell it to me. Grr.

I want one but £7.5k is crazy money.


 
Posted : 10/04/2015 11:24 am
 jcnm
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The only reason I have one is some t**t nicked two bike and I have a really good insurance company, so I thought why not!! 😀


 
Posted : 10/04/2015 11:29 am
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Is there much of a difference between carbon fames?


 
Posted : 10/04/2015 11:30 am
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Amazing bikes, it's no surprise that they are ridden to podium places all over the UK most weekends, I think the Male Elite Race at the last round of the Southern XC had an Epic World Cup in 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

I test rode a standard one (which I don't think is a UK bike for 2015) and a World Cup, the small (shorted chainstays, 10mm (I think) less travel, a steeper front end and single ring only) differences summed up to a very different feeling bike. The WC felt much more lively, almost twitchy whereas the std one felt a lot more planted but there was no question both were incredibly fast and relatively fun to ride. The WC chassis felt very stiff, a little hardtail like on the climbs. There have been some issues with the non Sworks version of the std one cracking but Specialized have warrantied and I think some people have changed to WC frames as they don't seem to have the same issues.

Following these test rides I went with an M109 after testing that too (and a 650b Anthem). The Whyte felt a lot more fun but ultimately not quite so fast (maybe I'm not a true XC racer). Since having the Whyte I have had the shock tune changed and I'd really like to try a back to back with an Epic as I'm not sure there is much in it...

Sorry for the rambling


 
Posted : 10/04/2015 11:49 am
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Is there much of a difference between carbon fames?

No, not really!


 
Posted : 10/04/2015 11:53 am
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Get one! I've got a 2014 Epic Marathon. Great fun to ride, covers the ground really well and comfortable enough to go all day. I like the brain gadget - feels like riding a hardtail until things get rough, then there's a barely-noticeable 'clunk' and you're automatically into magic carpet mode. Only 1 kg heavier than an equivalent carbon hardtail,(with 1x10 it weighs 11 kg with spds, two cages and all the built-in tool goodies) but not cheap.


 
Posted : 10/04/2015 12:17 pm
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quintet100 - Member

Hi njee20
I live around the Peterborough/Stamford area.

Have you given Terry Wright's in Market Deeping a ring.
They always seem to have a variety of Spesh demo bikes in store, or they might be able to get hold of one for you; although perhaps a bit cheeky if you have no intention of buying from them.

They had a medium Stumpjumper FSR demo in when I was looking to replace my old one and let me have it for the weekend.


 
Posted : 10/04/2015 12:24 pm

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