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Submitted by
themotman
a Racer
from RoselleDate Reviewed: September 26, 2010
Strengths: Smooth
Brain
Handles like a 26er
Comfort and performance
Going to be a great endurance racer!Weaknesses: None so far!Bottom Line: Got the bike frame and fork new on ebay. Built up evrything else. Went with Avid BB7 Mech Discs due to reviews on Elixirs. Have used BB7's for years and feel they are simple and rock solid...few extra grams...no big deal. Went with 29er Vuelta's, light, solid, good value. Rode 46 miles this weekend and everything was great. I have been riding the Epic since 2003 and liked it anyway. Bought and built a Performance Bike Shop Access 29er and RST 29er Fork to see what I thought of the 29er move (This is a great frame and Fork by the way. Awesome value) I am 6' 1" 195 and the 9er thing is the real deal. I am hooked. Rode a few other FS 9ers and came back home to Specialized Epic 9er. The Brain thing is awesome and simple! If I had the dough, I would go with a new carbon but the domestic thing keeps me in reason! Great Bike...Great Ride...Great Decision.
Favorite Trail: IL
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3200.00
Purchased At: ebay
Similar Products Used: 26 epic s-works
stumpy hard tail
Bike Setup: vuelta 29er wheels
Avid BB7 Mech Discs / Speed Dial 7 levers
Stylo cranks w/ 36-24 chainrings (2X9)
XT shifters
XTR rear deralur
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
bad buzzz
a Cross Country Rider
from evergreen coDate Reviewed: August 30, 2010
Strengths: 29er, brain shock, carbon crown on frt shock, xx 2x10,stiff light roval wheels, climbs well out of the saddle,Weaknesses: avid brakes seam to grab and pulse, they suckBottom Line: A few rides in and I'm stoked! Would I have paid $6000 no, but new or used for about under $4500 I thnik its worth every penny.
Bike is fast. You can stand and pedal with no bob. That being said if you like a plush ride get a tall boy. This bike is not a plush ride.
Getting used to it on the tech sections does not take much time. I'm clearing tough stuff with less effort, and the smaller bumps you just cruse over.
You need to be a strong rider to push the xx 2x10 in the front range of colorado. Lots of steep trails. If you have the legs... it will make you faster for sure.
Avid brakes need tweaking. Im not sure if its the pads or what. They grab and pulse, really anoying going down a tight switchback.
I was going to wait for the new carbon epic but after seeing the way the bike is set up I went for the 2010 model. Very happy I did not wait. Components on this are sweet. Frame does not flex at all. Very similar bike to my Titus I had before but way better due to being a 29er, brain, 2x10 xx and good wheels. Very happy!
Favorite Trail: my yard
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3200.00
Purchased At: used
Similar Products Used: niner jet 9, fisher s fly, niner air 9, stumpjumper, spot, tested not owned, probly should have tested the lenz but you cant ride them all.
rode a 26in titus racer x for 5 years with the same rear link as the epic
Bike Setup: xx
fox brain rear
reba rockshok w/ carbon crown
roval wheels
avid cr mag brakes
syntace p6 post
syntace wide bars
thompson stem
2 ti egg beaters
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
russtucson
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ, USADate Reviewed: December 28, 2009
Strengths: -light (25 lbs without pedals, large size) for full suspension 29er
-full suspension, brain valve tech, wheels
- XX (2x10). Works seamlessly and is very quite (less chain rattle)Weaknesses: -too expensive for aluminum bike, expect this is a result of early adoption, will see price fall as mass production ramps up.
- there seems to be a bit of hesitation and prominent pop when the Brain valve is activated. Don't notice on rocky trail, but only on isolated bumps.Bottom Line: I bought this bike because I was ready to give 29" a serious trial, but I wasn't ready to give up Blurlicious full suspension. At 6'1" the 29" wheels make sense to me. I feel more confident in heavy chop and less prone to endos on drop offs and runups on ~5" or higher rocks. I was already getting cockier and more aggressive by 1/2 way into my first ride, but I did discover that I can still go over the falls yesterday (3rd ride) by hitting a rock in the right way (ouch! may have been induced by a undetected low pressure front tire).
The ride is very smooth and more upright/comfortable than my Blur. The Reba is as smooth and solid as my old Fox100, and the Brain seems to be working well (maybe a bit stiffer than the Blur's VP, but does lock out confidently on both sitting or standing climbs).
Responding to 29er criticism: I did not find that this bike is any harder to turn than a 26". I also feel like climbing hasn't been slowed or that it's harder to get going, but I don't have the objective data to prove it.
I'm loving this bike (but not the price) and preliminary evidence suggests that the 29er crowd might be on to something.
Favorite Trail: Reddington
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At: Oro Valley Bikes
Similar Products Used: Previous bike...26" Santa Cruz Blur. Have sampled a variety of full suspension 29ers
Bike Setup: xx
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
orangeonatoothpick
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZDate Reviewed: November 29, 2009
Strengths: Stiff & LiteWeaknesses: NONEBottom Line: Best 29er full suspension I have ridden!
Favorite Trail: 50 Year
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Purchased At: Arizona Cyclist
Similar Products Used: Niner Jet 9
Bike Setup: XX
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
911
a Racer
from Longwood,FLDate Reviewed: November 2, 2009
Strengths: Light (for a 29er), fast, efficent, and just plain fun to ride. I have never been on a more confidence inducing bike.Weaknesses: No carbon.Bottom Line: This bike just rocks! Will most certianly buy one. XX was very interesting, but worked well. The suspension is great and adds a dimension to the 29er that is just a blast. Lighter than I expected, 25lbs w/o pedals for a large model. I rode tight technical and rocks and this bike just ate it up. Really cool. Still too expensive for a aluminium bike. Need to work on that, Specialized.
Favorite Trail: Dupont state park, NC
Duration Product Used: Tested or demo'ed only
Similar Products Used: Surley SS 29, 29 Stumpy HT expert.
Bike Setup: XX baby!
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