Strengths: I have the 29er version. Handles extremely well - both nimble and stable. Both Brains work well so I no longer have to worry about flipping levers or whatever. Inspires confidence, I definitely go faster both uphill and downhill compared to my old Ibis Mojo. Love the bike!
Weaknesses: Not a fan of 2x10. I race the Expert class, so I'm not an untrained cyclist, but I sometimes need the granny and 36t in the back with the 29er hoops. And I sometimes need the big ring and 11t for top speed.
The stock wheels are pathetic at this price point. The rear hub disintegrated - cassette carrier cracked, ball bearings pouring out, trashed. The LBS couldn't supply a loaner because of the idiotic "142+" spacing. Only later did I realize they could have loaned me a 142 and re-tuned the rear der. Specialized replaced the wheel, but it took 2 weeks.
Bottom Line:
Awesome bike with a couple component issues. A very solid "4" chilli's.
Submitted by
Daveflan
a Weekend Warrior
from RSM CA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2011
Strengths: 2012 Epic 29'r Carbon EVO model, white and black looks cool. Some upgrades this year the 2010 does not have.
Weaknesses: Good thing it has two brains, I lost mine.
Bottom Line:
Love the bike. 2012 Epic not found on Specialized website for some reason? Not sure if I should have thought more about and IBIS or Santa Cruz for this kind of money?
Similar Products Used: 2011 Epic, Stump, Camber demo bikes. Older Santa Cruz and Turner.
Bike Setup: Tubless, drop post
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Fly Rod
a Cross Country Rider
from Ashland, OR
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2011
Strengths: Very stiff and efficient. Brain fr/rear. 2x10. Light wheel set and tires. Exceptional handling and climbing. FAST! 29" tires rock!
Weaknesses: Still waiting to discover one. Perhaps weight at 27 lb 10 oz with XT SPD's?
Bottom Line:
This is the fastest climbing fs bike I have ever riden. The cf frame is very stiff I have yet to feel any bb flex. Hammering climbs on this bike is a pleasure. Catch the big ring and stand up. In two cranks you are flying. Fastest transition to speed I have ever experienced climbing. The bike inspires confidence in fast single track. I am finding I am constantly bettering my fastest loop times. Quite simply the fastest bike I have ever owned or riden.
Bike Setup: All stock except converted to tubless = -3 oz per tire.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
K-OS
a Cross Country Rider
from Brantford ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2011
Strengths: Amazing bike, lightweight, great looks, best bike I have ever owned, feels like the thing just rides itself, handles anything the rider can and it fly's uphill.
Weaknesses: IMHO ... NONE !
Bottom Line:
My price above is tax in, with some upgrades added at time of purchase.
Similar Products Used: Nothing, my previous bike was a KONA Hoss Deluxe.
Bike Setup: 2011 Epic Expert Carbon, Spec. Command Post, Crank Bros Egg Beaters SL, upgrade to full XO (shifters & fd)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
seattle43
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2011
Strengths: Responsive and great looking - yet the fit was best for my riding style.
Weaknesses: Lots of consideration to dial in your fork response rate with Reba Brain in front and back.
Bottom Line:
Bike is capable of handling more than the rider is able to provide. Looks are second to none and fortunately, the shop is very responsive if I ever need support.
Similar Products Used: None...went with what I thought was best option
Bike Setup: 2011 Epic Expert Carbon and replaced entire drivetrain with XX
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
aus81
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2010
Strengths: Exceptional handling, climbing, light weight, brain shock is awsome
Weaknesses: Had some issues with the stock rims, keep on breaking spoke nipples, also got the front lut of true way too easily
Bottom Line:
I really enjoy this bike,mine is the 2010 model. definitely run the types tubeless! the stock sworks tyres are really good for most congitions. I had the shock replaced after about one month as the brain stopped working, no issues from specialized there, done quickly with no questions asked. a very well handling bike and quite custmizable with the tock stem etc... I think it's really good value for the high level of performance. 4 stars for the front wheel nipple issue
I thought my xc was a great bike but going from it one day to the epic the next I was definitely faster and in a race on a new course could fly through rock gardens with no problems. A great race bike.
Bike Setup: original except replaced seatpost with a thompson elite.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
billabongbrad
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, NSW, Austraila
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2010
Strengths: Light, Stiff, Direct & strong. This bike is so fast, you just aim it hand hang on.
Weaknesses: I kept getting punchers in the light weight tyres. DT Swiss rims are alittle weak and one has cracked at the join. The new rim was $199.00 and Specialized couldn't match the colour. I now have a brown & a black rim.
Bottom Line:
A wicked bike all fronts.
I can enjoy a fast cardio ride on open fire trails and when I tackle the technical tight trails its light enough to throw it around.
When you're spending this sort of money on a bike, not only does it have to be tough and light but it must look sexy too. This bike has got it all.
I weigh 96kgs and ride 3 to 4 time a week on tight rocky singles tracks, littered with tree roots, and this bike does an awesome job. I would love to compare it with a Stumpjumper FSR Expert Carbon as I love the thought of 140mm travel on the new 2010 model, but unless I buy one I will never know.
Every time I ride, I struggle with the thought of which bike I should have bought. I know that eventually I will give in to my needs and own both.
Submitted by
Rotor888
a Weekend Warrior
from Hamilton, Ontario
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2009
Strengths: Rigid rigid rigid. There simply isn't any frame flex. Suspension is suprisingly easy to dial in.
Weaknesses: I'm always nervous about chipping the carbon, but it's taken some hard hits and it's good to go. I ride it as a all mountain/trail bike and it takes it and loves it.
Bottom Line:
Everyone on the trail loves the look of it. The carbon weave is large and looks trick. I burn through stuff I would have walked before. If I had not found this used, I would have paid full and thought of it as a deal.
Similar Products Used: 98 Stumpjumper M2 Pro ( Goodbye! )
Bike Setup: All stock except for 2.1 Nevegals Stick E's.Will change stem and seat post soon.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
helo300
a Cross Country Rider
from Pomona, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2009
Strengths: Perfect geometry. Not too twitchy, not too slow. Fairly light bike which is fast, light wheelset and great hubs. Carbon frame very stiff. Rock Shox SID Race is a great fork. Brain works very well. Avid brakes are great! Stock Specialized tires work surprisingly well for a low profile XC Race tire.
Weaknesses: Not really a weakness, but the DT Swiss Skewers are a pain to use. Can easily swap those skewers, the seatpost, QR seat collar, and bar/stem for lighter equipment if so desired.
Bottom Line:
Down and dirty racer that is more than plush enough for my liking. I just riding this bike. Very, very efficient and fast! Nice feel to geometry. Dialed in. Great bike and glad I purchased it.
Specialized fire-saled out the 09's in preparation for getting the new model 2010 year bikes in. $4400 bike discounted to $3200! Saaweeeet machine.
Strengths: frame its so stiff it rocks going up hill and brain shock as a race bike its great
Weaknesses: some parts are a bit cheap and heavy[cassette,seatpost,stem]
Bottom Line:
this bike is so much quicker then my old NRS[on a 50 min race about 3-4 mins].it climbs well and the brain just works.the ride is a little hard for normal riding .but when its time to race watch out these things rock.dont know if you would find a quicker bike around a x/c race track.they go where you point them [maybe its the 20mm front axle]and are light sub 22 pounds.and strong the frame fields like you cant brake.this is the best bike i have riden.as someone said it hard to ride slow and you want to stand up and charge up hills i would give it 10 out of 10 chilis if i could
Submitted by
Frank
a Cross Country Rider
from Perth, Western Australia
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2009
Strengths: This bike has it all. What a great overall bike. Great for cross country riding and one hell of a racing bike. Doesn't have any problems climbing and going down is just as nice as going up. Thumbs up to Specialized for the design of the brain, they have really got it working perfectly (no stuffing around with locking out etc). Once you adjust the shocky and the brain setting to your liking you will be amazed on the ride you will have... WHAT A GREAT BIKE!!!
Weaknesses: Standard tyres are excellent for racing but if you use it alot for cross country use you will get alot of flat tyres. Definatley change the tryes if cross country is your thing... WHAT A GREAT BIKE!!!
Bottom Line:
You won't find a better bike for the price you get this for. You really need to ride it to appreciate what this bike has to offer... WHAT A GREAT BIKE.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale, Giant and Scott
Bike Setup: Apart from the tyres, haven't changed anything on it, don't need to everything on it is absolutely perfect... WHAT A GREAT BIKE!!!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
simonchetwynd
a Cross Country Rider
from Newbury, UK
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2009
Strengths: Fast, fast, fast.
Test rode the Giant Anthem X1 at the same time as the Epic. The Epic was 1 minute faster on a 1hr 20 route and 5 minutes faster than my 2005 Giant NRS.
Brakes are the best I've ever tried on any bike.
Brain works superbly well, it pedals like a hard tail on the road and there's no bob at all cranking it up hill. Hit a bump though and it opens up just like its supposed to - no messing around with lockout levers on this bike.
Weaknesses: Ride is harsh compared to my old NRS but I suppose this is the price you pay for light weight and climbing efficiency.
Rockshox SID Race forks are no better than Rebas but cost £100 more.
Stock tyres and tubes are very thin, punctures are going to be a big problem unless you go tubeless.
Bottom Line:
If you want a bike that gives a plush ride on steep rocky descents, look for something else. However, on cross country trails this bike rocks, its like a rocket. It just accelerates, brakes and climbs so well. Its actually quite difficult to ride it slowly.
Submitted by
cambrose
a Cross Country Rider
from Breck, CO
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2009
Strengths: Fast, Responsive, climbs like a goat!
Weaknesses: If you're looking for a cushy XC ride this isn't it. Stock Bars, Stem and Seat Post are heavy.
Bottom Line:
If you want a fast, responsive XC carbon bike with a great component package you can't beat the Epic Expert Carbon for the money! Specialized has really honed the brain technology over the past few years and this bike climbs about as efficient as my single speed with a much more forgiving decent. I bought this as a race bike, but now I use it for everything. I can't believe the difference the carbon makes on long rides. I used to get a lot of back fatigue, but not on this baby! The DT Swiss wheel set is great! Light weight, smooth and strong. The ratcheting skewers took a bit to get used to, but now I don't think I could use anything else.
Bottom line- if you want a fast, responsive, light weight cross country bike this is the one!
So the 2012 Epic Expert Carbon 29 (and models above) loses the DT Swiss through-bolt (RWS) in the front?
Just a wimpy quick-release? Really?
I can only assume it's because th Read More »
Just looking to see what the opinions are on this.The difference in price for me is about 400gb pounds.I think I'm right in saying the main differences are e100 fork against a Sid Read More »
Please post the real-life, out-of-the-box weight of your Epic Expert Carbon 29er 2012. There is so big spread between the weights I've seen so far that it'd be great to get an exte Read More »
I'm purchasing a full suspension to train on. I'm curious to know what others have done to save some weight.
My main bike is an 18 lb Flash Carbon 1.
To my knowledge this Ep Read More »
