Specialized epic review

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Replacing the Brain with AI and algorithms? At least as it relates to the Specialized Epic 8, which relies on the newly introduced electronic RockShox Flight Attendant suspension. What kind of speed do you enjoy most? Fast trail rides? Or marathon races? Or preferably a mix of everything? Probably not.

Specialized epic review

It featured the same frame and shock with the Brain damper, but added a mm travel fork, dropper post and chunkier tyres to create a more approachable XC bike. There was a greater focus on comfort and plush suspension performance, though as a side benefit it was also significantly lighter. Specialized has taken that feedback on board and has completely overhauled the Epic and Epic EVO platform for , shifting their intentions in the process. The Epic has evolved into a dedicated mm travel race bike platform, and in a lot of ways represents an evolution of the previous Epic EVO. Meanwhile the new Epic EVO has been pumped up even more, turning it into a lightweight but highly capable trail ripper. For those who are less concerned by remote lockouts and place a greater emphasis on having fun on the trail, the Epic EVO is a seriously fast and capable XC bike. Both the Epic and Epic EVO share the same brand new frame and suspension design that sees rear travel increase to mm. The EVO then heats things up with a bigger mm travel fork, chunkier tyres and more powerful brakes. Add in a wider bar and shorter stem, and it really does start to creep towards the trail bike category alongside the Trek Top Fuel , Scott Spark and Pivot Trail Another point of difference is the rear shock. A fatter downtube makes way for a nice and wide opening that can easily swallow a pump, while a low-profile hatch hinges directly into the carbon frame. This new generation design provides a snug and rattle-free fit with a long lever to secure it in place. Adding to its long distance capabilities, the Epic EVO has room to carry two bottles.

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All good things come in twos. Can this concept work? And why do we still prefer the thoroughbred Epic 8? To better cope with the increasingly demanding cross-country tracks, both the Epic 8 and the Epic 8 EVO have been made significantly more capable, with the EVO variant now specced with a mm fork, paired with mm travel at the rear. The Pro model on test weighs Since both bikes share the same frame, there are a lot of similarities between the Specialized Epic 8 and the Epic 8 EVO.

Rocketship fast when you hit the pedals; far more capable and confident than the amount of travel might suggest; covers ground incredibly quickly. Specialized gave the Epic and Epic EVO a makeover for , stretching both bikes out and lowering and slackening them. Travel is increased from mm to mm and, unlike the Epic, the EVO forgoes the use of the auto-adjusting Brain shock — which places a remote reservoir containing an inertia valve down by the rear drop out, connected via a hydraulic that runs through the shock yoke and down the seatstay. 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. The Epic EVO is available in five different sizes, all of which sport 29in wheels. The With a bottom bracket height of mm with a drop of 36mm the Epic EVO feels ground-huggingly low. Instead, Specialized includes its no-frills alloy option.

Specialized epic review

One of the best-known XC bikes on the market, the latest Specialized Epic is notable for two reasons. First is the updated geometry, reflecting the changing nature of XC courses, with a longer reach and slacker head angle. Although Specialized has rejigged the shape of the bike, with longer tubes, it's still kept the weight low The main story here is the Brain, designed to keep the suspension firm for pedalling but instantly make it fully active when things get rough. It works using weighted inertia valves, which open up the compression circuits of the fork and shock when a bump force is encountered. The rear Brain — the small reservoir tucked in behind the non-driveside dropout — is now closer to the wheel axle and has improved oil flow for a smoother feel. Both fork and shock have five levels of manually-adjustable Brain sensitivity and are built by RockShox.

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Each bike comes standard with a dropper post woohoo! Specialized makes the best mountain bicycles, dont me. They haven't really announced the updated spark yet. A type of unnecessary automatic proprietary shock that is best when turned off as much as possible PhillipJ : I'm completely being a dick about it. Leave Reply Post Comment. In comparison, the Epic 8 is for sure the more versatile bike of the two. Some of the added weight is due to the frame and shock, though it also comes down to the burlier build kit that includes the excellent Fox 34 GRIP2 fork 1. AllMountin Aug 3, at Tops capable on the descents, yet highly efficient Flight Attendant significantly increases its versatility racy character with the convenience of an integrated storage compartment. Wonder if it could trickle down to the Stumpjumper family!

Originally launched back in , the Specialized Epic debuted as the very first full suspension bike on the market to feature a fully automated lockout system.

Even the heavier normal frame crushing everyone but the Spark frames. The head angle slackens out by more than a degree to Maybe they have that and will provide more info later. At least as it relates to the Specialized Epic 8, which relies on the newly introduced electronic RockShox Flight Attendant suspension. HankHank 2 days ago. My guess is that on a higher setting the Epic would've been significantly faster on the ascent, and maybe lost a little on the descent. Accelerometers were then used at the wheels to measure bump response, and strain gauges were employed throughout to record frame deflection. It's also not fair to assume it won't be crap. Obviously, on the descents full Open is the way to go, but it's rare that I'm flicking things open except for in the most technical terrain. With a bias of -2, the fork always remains open, which maximises downhill performance but limits climbing efficiency. This huge head and down tube together with the skinny rear triangle makes for a very unbalanced appearance.