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Reviews 1 - 8 (8 Reviews Total)
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Submitted by
Ned Kelly
a Weekend Warrior
from Kent, United KingdomDate Reviewed: July 26, 2003
Strengths: Incredible looks, weight and strength.Weaknesses: none i can think of really. Too costly to buy as complete bike from new considering they don't even put Crossmax's on them this year. Also i am not a Rock Shox fan either.Bottom Line: I found the Epic to be a HUGE disappointment. It was my first (and probably last) venture into FS. Man, was it extremley heavy compared to my Cannondale, it was also slower. The geometry sucks and the BRAIN has a delayed reaction and works when IT wants to. Hence after 14 days i took it back and begged my bike shop to swap the frame out for an S Works HT. Full report given on my completed bike soon. Worked out well in the end i'm going to have a S Works HT with Fox Forks and Mavic Crossmax's for just under $2000.
Duration Product Used: Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At: evanscycles.com
Similar Products Used: Specialized Rockhopper Disc, Canondale F1000, Specialized Epic
Bike Setup: My local bike shop are building one up for me. I brought a Epic from the U.S online for around $1500 which is much cheaper than the U.K. However shipping and import duty nearly closed the gap. Stripped bike (the U.S one's came with a FOX FLOAT RL80 - amazing fork for the $) and sold frame for nearly same price as an S Works HT. Currenly transferring everything over, except wheelset and tyres (they're crap) Mavic 221 and Specialized Roll X. I have brought some 02 Crossmax's on ebay and Specialized Hemisphere tyres.
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Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin TXDate Reviewed: June 1, 2003
Strengths: Looks, weight, anything you can think of!!!Weaknesses: Can't think of a thing!Bottom Line: This bike is my all time favorite. I have ridden many different bikes as well as owned some of the best but this by far is the best one so far. I love the way this bike handles and everytime I ride it instead of my fs, I remember why I got into the sport in the first place. Nothing beats a HT. I wasn't sure at first if I wanted a Specialized but decided to build one up and I am very pleased to say that there isn't many frames out there that can match this one in strength, quality, and looks. I was one of those "steal is real" guys but this bike has changed my out look. If you have the money to buy this frame and to build it up right, do it!!! You won't be sorry. I gotta give some props to the guys at Bicycle Sportshop for always willing to lend a hand when I needed it. Thanks...... By the way, don't ever go to REI for anything. The bike dept. is substandard and hard to deal with. I wonder why I ever became a member. What a JOKE!!!! Anyways, keep hammerin'
Favorite Trail: Rocky Hill, City Park, Flat Rock
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Purchased At: Online
Similar Products Used: Titus, trek(WEAK!!!), Lightspeed, Santa Cruz, VOODOO
Bike Setup: Full XTR, Xmax xl, easton monkeylight, thompson, Chris King
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Submitted by
kc
a Cross Country Rider
from denver, co, usDate Reviewed: May 21, 2003
Strengths: Climbs like a scalded cat, full '03 XTR, shave another 100 grams off and it's a sub 21lb bike. The new XTR is super fluid and once your used to it, it is not even comparable to the old.Weaknesses: Braking with the Mavic 517's and new XTR V-Brk just doesn't seem powerfull enough, maybe it's due to the higher down-hill speeds attainable. Black Box?? The Fox 100rlc is slightly cheaper and although heavier should have been the right choice for the kit. Scrap the seat and grips quick. Supposedly the stickers come off but there are too many anyway. Have the bike shop swap the stock '02 RR Der for a Rapid Rise '03, Specialized was looking to save a buck there.Bottom Line: Consider dropping the cash for the XTR disk brks (317's ?)and the fox flt100rlc, it may add another $400-500 but is going to make this bike scream. The longer wheel base floats down rugged terrain and creates an excellent climbing platform. There really is nothing spared on this bike which sells for $3000 and would easily cost over $4000 to build yourself. Tubeless would be nice too, but G.D. that would be expensive. You should buy this if: Your a student and it's loan time, A rich Uncle just passed and left everything to you, Your tired of the guy that has one passing you everyday, You love climbing and nothing else really matters.
Huckers leave it alone.
Favorite Trail: chimney gulch to enchanted forest and back
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At: Turin in Denver
Similar Products Used: 2000 homegrown limtd xtr/xt, sid. Similiar geometry, but the m5 has a higher BB and longer top tube.
Bike Setup: Full '03 XTR, dt/specialized hubs(240), mavic 517,
SID Worldcup, Thompson elite post and stem, spclzd carbon bar,
Rapid rise RR Der.,
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Submitted by
Geert Biesmans
a Cross Country Rider
from Zelem, BelgiumDate Reviewed: February 27, 2003
Strengths: Light, strong, fast.Weaknesses: Prints come off after 1 month !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have the black anodized frame. Specialized told that they would apply laser-technics but that's a lie ! They just used simple decals, wich come off very fast !!!!Bottom Line: The bike is great ! Geometry is even better than the M4.
But the problems with the decals are unacceptable for a bike of this price-category !
Favorite Trail: GRCristalp, Suisse
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Similar Products Used: - S-works M4 (2001).
- FSR XC (2000)
Bike Setup: Crossmax XL. XTR/XO. RS SID Team. FSA Carbon Pro crankset.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Martyn Nash
a Cross Country Rider
from Wales UKDate Reviewed: February 17, 2003
Strengths: Weight, Looks, Stiff, Lite.Weaknesses: NoneBottom Line: Well I have to update you on the bike below I used to have.
Rode more and more and with a new group of riders. Its an excellent bike, much better than me but everyday was improving my technique. Have just put it in for a frame swap and gone for a small S-works Epic which should weigh in at below 24lbs, I loved the hardtail, It was awsome on climbs, my riding buddies couldnt believe the weight and said that I would blow over in the wind....
Favorite Trail: Llanddowror
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At: Leisure lakes Cheltenham
Similar Products Used: As below
Bike Setup: As below
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Submitted by
Tracker
a Cross Country Rider
from HollandDate Reviewed: February 13, 2003
Strengths: Light, stiff, color, craftsmanshipWeaknesses: noneBottom Line: I purchased my frame online for an awesome price. Once I openend the box and pulled it out I was amazed by the work and design of the frame. I use to have an M4 frame. There is no comparison. I tried my hardest to get rid of a creak in my M4 when riding hard on a trainer. I did everything to stop the creaking. I put my M5 together and Not a single sound. Strong frame and very stiff. To be this stiff and light to is amazing. Fits awesome.
I will try no other.
Favorite Trail: All
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At: Fame Only
Similar Products Used: M4, Rockhopper,
Bike Setup: M5 Frame Red, Truvativ Cranks, Carbon Post and Bar, Titec Grips, Supersonic tires, S-works wheelset, XTR Shifting and cassette mars elite for with lockout. < 22 lbs
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Martyn Nash
a Cross Country Rider
from WalesDate Reviewed: December 2, 2002
Strengths: Weight, Responsivenes, Looks.Weaknesses: Will find out within next month.Bottom Line: After swapping my Full suspension for this bike I have not looked back, It climbs better and very responsive, takes me back to why I wanted to be a mountain biker 14 years ago.
Will keep updating the stuff I write, but for now faultless and below 2o.75 lbs as well.
The riding I do are technical singletrack, and fire roads.
Favorite Trail: Llanddowror
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At: leisure Lakes @ Cheltenham UK
Similar Products Used: 1988 Saracen Tufftrax
1990 Stumpjumper
2001 M4 Stumpjumper
2001 FSR Stumpjumper
Bike Setup: 15.5" 2003 Rockshox Race, Full XT except Sram99 Chain, FSA Orbit XLII Headset. Mavic 517 Rims. Trailblaster Tyres, Thompson Stem and Seat post. Race face bars. S-works grips. BG pro saddle.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Melody Tan
a Weekend Warrior
from Kuala LumpurDate Reviewed: November 29, 2002
Strengths: Climbs well. Very good control.Bottom Line: Initially, I found the bike very different to my previous bike at GT. I had to ride a few times before finding the right position and balance. But now after nearly a month, I find the bike really fast and comfortable. Definitely the best ride and very responsive which is what I need to ride my favourite trail. It is a short but highly technical trail suitable for intermediate riders wanting to improve their riding skills. There is something for everyone here.
This bike is suitable for those who want a fast and light ride. We have a lot of un-rideable parts on trails so my previous bike was very heavy compared to my now 22 pounds. I can go even lighter if I want by switching to XTRs and lighter tires and pedals but am happy to wear mine out.
Favorite Trail: Kiara
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Similar Products Used: GT
Bike Setup: My bike is a 13.5" set up with a Sid Race fork, Crossmax wheelsets, Shimano XT derailleur and Chris King Headset with Wild Gripper tires.
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Reviews 1 - 8 (8 Reviews Total)
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