Get too heavy-handed with the rear brake and it doesnt take much to get the rear tyre snaking across the trail. Additionally, the new shock is more tuneable than before. If you've already created an account you can login here to see the status of any previous orders or change your newsletter settings. Powered by PushRetail. 91322-7104 HOME > BIKES > MOUNTAIN > EPIC HARDTAIL Description You've seen the look. According to Specialized, the firmest setting on the rear shock is considerably firmer than the previous version. I set the fork and shocks sag and rebound damping to suit my requirements and never felt the need to alter the bike during testing. Again, theres nothing wrong with this, but considering the asking price and what comes specced on the competition, youd think the EVO would be dripping with carbon. And while the front Ground Control tyre isnt bad, Id prefer something even more aggressive. For pedaling efficiency, the seat angle is 3/4 of a degree steeper than its predecessor. Secondly, the entire frame is designed with Rider-First Technology. Descending just got a whole lot easier. All models are equipped with 100mm of travel, 112 drivetrains, and 2.3in wide Fast Trak tyres. Overall its vastly more calm and more stable, with very little of the twitchy nervousness that XC race bikes have suffered from in the past. Already have an account with us? The Specialized Epic Frame All framesets within the 2021 Specialized Epic lineup feature a full carbon build with the exception of the S-Works version, which features what Specialized call '11m layup'. While thatll not likely change things in terms of performance on the whole, they are both heavier than their X01 equivalents. The general suspension layout carries over, and so too does the dual-bottle capability (only the XS size is limited to fitting a single bottle inside the mainframe). Brian Gordon, Jason McDonald, Mike Mick McAndrews and Chance Ferro dug into every aspect of handling, stiffness and suspension kinematics to do exactly that. As for rebound damping, I set both the fork and shock pretty much in the middle of the range. As in, super, ultra, mega, stupendously light. To conquer rough trails as fast as humanly possible, the Epic EVO maintains ultra-efficient pedaling manners, but trades the Brain in favor of an Rx-tuned metric shock. 4 sizes: 586|415, 591|445, 605|470, 623|495, stack|reach. Claimed frameset weight is 1,947g (4lb 4oz), so there is the potential to build a very light overall build. As these bikes are designed to be good all-rounders, I also ensured I rattled out some trail centre laps on established (read rough and worn) trails as well as longer, high-mileage rides where long stretches of tarmac road interrupt the off-road shenanigans. If you have a question about Epic Hardtail, This website requires Javascript for optimum viewing purposes. Chassis design, telemetry, wheel rates, spring curves, custom shim-stacks, oil viscosityevery detail obsessed over, prototyped and tuned until the whole was way faster than the sum of its parts. For some reason the fork has 26 clicks of rebound adjustment, which is possibly excessive. For 2021, Specialized is launching an entirely new Epic and Epic EVO, and both represent a stunning leap forward in terms of suspension performance, geometry and handling. Cables are routed internally and just behind the bottom bracket, and where the rear triangle meets the front, Specialized has plugged the gap with a thin rubber grommet to help prevent crud build up. This may not be an issue on all frame sizes and all riders setups, but it is on our medium test bike. But what does downcountry mean? Of note is that the fork comes with zero Bottomless Tokens inside, since the new DebonAir spring is vastly more progressive than the old design. I havent been able to bottom it out yet. Geometry kicks back accordingly, and you also get a dropper post, a shorter stem, a burlier front tyre and more powerful 4-piston disc brakes. If youve not been able to get over the clunk in the past, then your opinion is likely to remain unchanged. Specialized Epic Comp 29 2014. The inclusion of SRAMs four-piston G2 brakes are a subtle nod to the Epic EVOs potential for rowdiness, but Id prefer to see a bigger 180mm rotor rather than the 160mm disc specced as standard. The only thing wed like to see on this frame is a steering limiter of some sort (like Canyons IPU headset, or the downtube protector Specialized used on the previous generation Epic HT). While the Epic EVO sees a seemingly modest 20-millimeter increase in suspension travel up front over its Epic stablemate and just 10-millimeters out back, we've worked overtime to make sure it's been implemented in a way that'll have you saying 'Whoa!' as soon as you hit your first stretch of singletrack. The weight drop hasnt come from any one place in particular, though most savings were found in the back end. Generating speed comes easily thanks to the solid feel through the frame, meaning pumping through undulations or down the backsides of jumps really gets the Epic EVO firing forward down the trail. Specialized says it doesnt need as much servicing either recommended intervals are 125-hours for an air sleeve service, and an impressive 250-hours for a damper service. We deliberately dont delve too much into price in our reviews here at Flow, because ultimately its up to you as to determine what is good value, and what isnt. You are using a browser that does not support javascript. Like most sites, this site uses cookies to make it work. This rocket ship boasts a full SRAM AXS groupset, Quarq PowerMeter, and the newly updated Roval Control SL wheelset with DT-180 internals. Find another? This is for estimation purposes only. Working towards the lightest bike possible has long been the race within the race but at what cost? Because the Epics BB sits so low to the ground though, its possible to run a more aggressive bar height. It comes fitted with a single volume spacer inside the negative air spring, though this can be removed. Tweaked geometry Compared to its previous top-spec hardtail, Specialized has also tweaked the geometry to match the trends in current XC bikes, and if you're familiar with BikeRadar. subject to terms and status. I havent managed to puncture them yet, despite running pressures between 21-25psi. Please note that this bike does not come with pedals. For anyone wondering, thats about 180g heavier than a regular SID SL fork. While the efficiency is certainly impressive, its the handling that has improved the most with the new Epic. The 74.7-degree seat angle is reasonable for a bike of this type but isnt as steep as the race-focused Epic or the likes of the Transition Spur a bike designed with very similar intentions. While you dont get the top-end, superlight Charger Race Day damper, the Charger 2 RL is still a smooth operator and does a fine job of controlling the 120mm of travel. While were on grams, I did pull the fork off to weigh it 1,484g on the Scales Of Broken Dreams. As youll read, that option may actually work out cheaper. Instead recognizing that the fastest bike is more than simply the lightest bike we said out with the jarred-to-death tail the measure-your-posteriors-sorrows-by-the-yard tail and in with the avant-garde tail. The Epic Comp has aluminum 29 wheels, while the Epic Pro has a better fork. Start with the Epic front end, build an all-new rear end, swap the brain for a custom-tuned metric shock, and tune the geo for technical terrain capability. The low-slung bottom bracket boosts confidence further and will have you exploring the limitations of the tyre tread as you bank the bike over from one turn to the next. The World Cup racers were asking for a stronger platform for sprinting, and thats exactly what theyve gotten. Secure Trust Bank Plc. A nice touch is that the main pivot is keyed into the frame, so you only need to tighten it from one side. 2022 Specialized Concept Store. By . He cut his teeth racing cross-country mountain bikes in the early 90s before finding his feet in downhill. 2022 Specialized Epic Hardtail - Specialized Concept Store Epic Hardtail 3300.00 GLOSS TARMAC BLACK / ABALONE Sizes: S M L XL Size Guide In Stock ADD TO BASKET 0% Finance Available Check Store Availability Ask a question Part No. However, running lower pressures makes it possible to run a firmer Brain setting I found three out of five clicks worked best for my riding style and terrain. Err, How Light?! our full clothing size guide here, Specialized FACT 11m, Progressive XC Geometry, Rider-First Engineered, threaded BB, 12x148mm rear spacing, internal cable routing, RockShox Judy Gold, Motion Control damper, Solo Air, 42mm offset, 15x110mm thru-axle, 100mm of travel (XS - 80mm travel), Specialized Alloy XC minirise, double-butted alloy, 8-degree backsweep, 6-degree upsweep, 10mm rise, 31.8mm, SRAM Level T hydraulic disc, 2-Piston Caliper, Specialized Alloy, Tubeless Ready, 25mm internal width, 28h, Alloy, sealed cartridge bearings, 15x110mm thru-axle, 28h, Alloy, sealed cartridge bearings, 12x148mm thru-axle, 28h, Specialized Fast Trak, Control Casing, T5 Compound, 29x2.35, Specialized Renegade, Control Casing, T5 Compound, 29x2.35. Unfortunately the derailleur on our test bike started to go kooky after a month of riding though, which culminated in one particularly frustrating 3-hour ride where the inconsistent mech eventually just stopped working altogether. Despite the stiffness increase, Specializeds engineers have managed to chisel off 100g over the old frame. The 12-speed SRAM NX Eagle groupset brings the performance of Eagle at a doable price point. Combining precise handling with improved capability in technical terrain, we relaxed the headtube to 67.5 degrees, stuck with the reduced fork offset that we pioneered in 2018, increased reach, specified shorter stems, shortened chainstays and dropped the bottom bracket by 9mm. Newbury Concept Store Operated by Specialized Concept Store (Newbury) Ltd (08056179). Suspension travel generally sits between 110 and 125mm, and theyre fitted with relatively light, fast-rolling tyres on 29in wheels. To get a deeper understanding of all the changes and how they play out on the trail, weve had both the Epic and Epic EVO on test for the past month. Thanks! The head angle has been slackened out by two whole degrees, and now sits at 67.5, which is mighty slack for an XC race bike. Solihull, B90 4LH. Given there are bushings and not bearings in there, Id be conscious of checking those periodically. For 20 years, Epics have rocketed more racers to the top of the podium than any other full suspension XC bike. Because the EVO no longer uses the Brain shock and damper, it is now actually lighter than the regular Epic by around 200g. 3. Specialized gave the Epic and Epic EVO a makeover for 2021, stretching both bikes out and lowering and slackening them. Watch our video review of the new 2021 Specialized Epic & Epic EVO here! The broad rims also offer useful support for the 2.3in Fast Trak tyres, which Ive always found a little floppy on narrower rims. Prove Humanity: Please . Sure we optimized every inch of the Epic Hardtail frame to achieve the lightest production hardtail frame in the world anyway but we also prioritized our commitment to creating an Epic Hardtail thats as capable as it is comfortable with aggressive singletrack-inspired geometry increased tire clearance and a frame obsessively engineered for increased vertical compliance all while creating a bike that lives and breathes the fundamentals of fast. At the rear, while the Fast Trak rolls easily, its not the best under braking when conditions are damp, so youll need to be careful with how much pressure you apply through the G2 brakes. Before we get to the review though, heres a closer look at the spec and prices for the 2021 Specialized Epic range; Weve been testing a medium S-Works Epic, and thats suited both Mick (178cm) and myself (175cm) well. Specialized Epic geometry Geometry -wise, the Epic now sports a 67.5 head angle and has had its bottom bracket lowered 9mm. Depending on the terrain, Id set the Brain Fade adjuster between four to five clicks, with five being the firmest setting. You will still need a 2.5mm Allen key to alter the rebound damping on the SIDLuxe shock, though. Oh, and heres one more tidbit of useless weight-related info for you; the brass mass used in the Brains inertia valve weighs 31.5g (each, theres one in the fork, and one for the shock). Certainly if youre fatigued or having a bad day, it can be a fairly unrelenting bike to ride in general, unless you back the platform off entirely. While the mech was shifting ok for the most part, the lower limit screw was slightly too hard up against the stop on the derailleur body, which SRAM has informed us can actually burn out the motor over time. . Its a similar story with the crankset, which is SRAMs alloy X1 offering. Offsetting the fork by 42mm means that in tight switchbacks and technical turns the Epic still behaves, even with the slacker head angle. One thing I did notice though was how much mud can build up on the seatstay pivots. By pairing a FACT 9m carbon fibre frame w/ a M5 alloy rear end with our World Cup XC 29 Geometry, this Epic places a focus on tight tube angles and light overall weight for explosive speed and nimble handling on the race circuit. With a 445mm reach and broad 760mm bars, the cockpit is still stretched out like youd expect from a typical XC race bike, but youre now more centred between the wheels. Theres only a very small weight penalty though claimed weight is still under the 2kg barrier at 1,947g. Building on the legacy of the winningest full suspension XC bike in history, these freshly redesigned Epics deliver an unmatched combination of pedaling efficiency, light weight and control. What do you get when you give a crazy-smart, singletrack-obsessed development team virtually unlimited resources and tell them to make the fastest XC trail bike ever? While they may share some design aspects, Specialized has really gone to town on the EVO and as youll soon see, its more than just a jacked-up cross-country race machine. Ive felt way more comfortable staying off the brakes on rough descents, knowing that the front wheel is less likely to deflect. The big improvement is lateral stiffness through the swingarm, which is purportedly up by 15%. For my 68kg riding weight, I started out with 90psi in the forks air spring. Providing you can get enough rear-wheel traction, the power transfer from the pedals to the rear tyres contact feels incredibly direct. As with any product, specification is subject to change without In a bid to save weight, flex stays are used instead of a Horst-link chainstay pivot, while a RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ rear shock with Specializeds Rx XC tune controls the 110mm of rear travel. Crikey! A dropper post would help in this regard, and Id definitely be adding one if this were my bike. Bristol Concept Store Operated by Certini Bicycle Co Ltd (5725054). Depending on the terrain, Id set the Brain Fade adjuster between four to five clicks, with five being the firmest setting. It includes a dropper post and wider handlebars. The two bikes share the same mainframe, though the back end is slightly different. While Robs a mountain biker at heart and never happier than when hes sliding down a Welsh hillside, hes more than happy to put the miles in on the road or gravel bike, too. I also found that both rebound dials are a bit vague Id like to see more positive detents. Description With 29-inch Roval Control wheels, FACT 9m carbon frame with World Cup Geometry, and Brain inertia valve damping technology in both the FOX/Specialized shock and custom 95mm-travel RockShox SID fork, the Epic Elite Carbon World Cup has the speed to tame any cross-country terrain. About 180g heavier than a regular rebound adjuster rather than RSC or Ultimate models found further up the,! 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