Well, the bike was delivered a few days ago, and first ride was yesterday. So I think NBD was really yesterday.
Anyway, wanted something fast and light to flatter my fitness levels. Decided on a new Specialized Epic 8 in Expert trim. Changed a few bits to suit my set up.
Thoroughly enjoyed riding it yesterday, although it's impossible to back off and enjoy an easy pace; it eggs you on to go faster! All the time!
Really impressed with how capable it felt, how quiet on the descents and how useful the 3 position, 'bar mounted, lockout is. Very happy 😀

very nice...
the epic 8 is teh bike everyone should have for 99% of their needs!!1
DrP
I really want an xc bike, this isn’t helping 😂
Same.
I am so glad Specialized have moved on from their logo on every surface. That looks rather good. 👌
I really want an xc bike, this isn’t helping 😂
An XC bike that's a capable descender too 😉
Yeah in fairness a capable xc bike. Downcountry?! 😂
I keep meaning to try sell the gravel bike to fun this but I haven’t gotten around to it yet.
I think a spur is out of the question so an epic evo fits the bill
Very nice indeed! Does the “8” still have the flip chip?
Quanti costi?
If I was in the market for a short travel trail bike, I'd actually have a long look at the Epic over the Evo now that it's travel has increased.
Yes, it has a flip-chip in the shock's lower mount. I've got it in the low setting.
£6k for this bike (upgraded cranks were an eBay bargain). I was happy to pay full RRP, as I could only find one in stock in the UK. I think the price is fairly realistic; certainly more so than the RRP on previous models.
Defo on my list for later in the year.
Like the look of it a lot but as with many bikes of this ilk the bar mounted remote lockout is a big turn off for me...when it works its great but show it any grit or dirt and it starts playing up.
I have a blur3 which started off which a twistloc type thing and its been a constant bug bear of mine...maybe they have improved it in the last couple of years but I have my doubts.
Other than that the bike looks ace.