| |
Submitted by
Carlos Alfaro
a Cross Country Rider
from Alexandria
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Alexandria Neighborhoods | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | SPOKES ETC. Bicycles BV | | Strengths: | Smart auto-suspension,perfectly calibrated geometry,ability to maintain control at high speeds,super plush feel when brain is fully active | | Weaknesses: | You really need to spend time finding a precise PSI and sag to fit your average ride type and rider weight.Id like better frame components like handlebars ,SP, stem etc.stock seems to cheap and aluminum grade is low | | Similar Products Used: | I work as a bike builder at a bike shop,ive ridden almost every bike,personaly I used to be a Hardtail person myself | | Bike Setup: | XTR, fox terralogic,CK hubs and headtset,all the carbon goodies.super smooth Michilin road tires...bikes built to destroy neighborhood streets,trails and parks, suspension set up to be able to stick to ground like a porsche.overall built like a fast road/mtn Hybrid...rivals roadies in the downhill. | | Bottom Line: | IF YOUR LOOKING TO BUY AN EPIC,you really need to know that the epic is NOT a normal full suspension FSR. Consider it a mutant hardtail.you need to keep that in mind.if you drop more than 5 feet,your done,get a stumpjumper!if not the only way to go is custom,create and engineer a epic XC rig to meet your exact needs on the trail you ride.with the epic,the rear sus. isnt about travel and jumps,but its abilty to stick to the ground and control the bikes overall agilty under stress from the ground.excellent acceleration machine.last note...get a terralogic fork from fox,together with rear brain, unbeatble combo,Front and Rear go from fully complaint to stiff for speed accel like none other in perfectly prescise unicen.BUY THE EPIC | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Gelme
a Cross Country Rider
from NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Narooma Cycles | | Strengths: | good forks, looked good, that's about it | | Weaknesses: | Well it has been awhile riding this bike, and I have got rid of it. Basically the frame sux, I think my initial excitement over getting a dual suspension machine covered the inadequacies of the idea of the brain. Obviously the stock componentry of the bike was a little disappointing, but generally for the money it wasn't too bad. I just couldn't figure out why I kept falling of the stupid thing. I changed set ups a few times, thinking that my position was off. But no, I kept falling, then I just put it down to rider error (I wasn't going to blame the bike, it cost me enough money!). I kept blaming rider error, I trained on my skills and still kept falling off. Finally I had one last big accident and hurt myself pretty badly, this time I blamed the bike, basically the brain was not reacting quick enough to bumps, at high speed you get an initial spine jolting hit then plushness which at speed made trying to keep upright very hard. In my mind this defeated the purpose of a dual suspension rig. So I got rid of it and bought a fully active frame, (Ellsworth distance). I haven't crashed at that rate ever again. A mate described riding a Specialized as like riding an ironing board, and after some thought I would agree that these bikes share many characteristics with ironing boards. So if you are after a cross country racer look elsewhere. | | Bike Setup: | Ellsworth distance, Fox Float 100RL forx, XT group set. | | Bottom Line: | Buy something else, shop around there are better deals on bikes with some actual character. Don't get confused by the mumbo jumbo the sales guys go on about with the Brain set up. Yes I am going back on what I said a couple of years ago, but with good reason, just be careful, it is alot of money to dish out for something that at the end of the day will not return the love that you give it!!!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob berman
a Cross Country Rider
from bluffton, sc
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | cycleworks | | Strengths: | Holy crap this brain business is unbelievable. MTB is right to just crank it up and ride like a nut. I can't believe how fast I can ride over roots and rocks and junk and it just smooths out the route. Shifts are smooth, geometry is perfect, all my numbness and pains from my cannondale are gone. Seat is comfortable and grips are great. Just ride this and you'll see. Front forks and the brakes are perfect | | Weaknesses: | I would have bought the Stumpjumper expert but I couldn't get comfort from the seat as you can't adjust it down when you need or want to. Paint isn't at good as my old cannondale and it seems to chip easily. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale rush, Stumjumper, Jamis | | Bike Setup: | stock except I put on Crank Bros pedals, didn't like the ones it came with. | | Bottom Line: | I'd buy this again in a heartbeat.I would have bought the Disk Comp model but I couldn't find a size large within 300 miles and every dealer said you can't order till 2007. Sorry SRAM I realy wanted those but anyway the bike is just fantastic. It hugs the curves and can turn so much better than my cannondale without getting squirrely in sharp switchbacks. If you want a tough bike to ride for hours, this is it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Pocatello, Idaho, USA
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | West Fork Trail - Pocatello, Id. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Climbing, Technical terrain, down hill, everything, etc!!! | | Weaknesses: | I haven't found any! | | Similar Products Used: | Nishiki FS-2, Specialized Stump Jumper | | Bike Setup: | Stock with upgraded Shimano XT front derailer, and Control Stix Stubby bar ends | | Bottom Line: | I have the 2006 Specialized Epic Disc. This bike is awesome! It has improved my climbing so much! The bike makes me feel like my fitness at the beginning of the season is at mid-season form, but it is not. This is because the geometry, weight, awesome Specialized Pro tires, and the BRAIN keep this bike hooked up, almost assisting me up the hills. Truly, this is the best climbing bike I have ever ridden. It climbs better than hard tails, because the brain reacts to the terrain, and keeps the rear wheel connected to the ground, even over small rocks and sticks. Take the time to set up the front and rear shocks, and you won't believe how well this bike climbs, descends, etc. If you are on the fence about this bike, talk your local bike shop in to letting you test ride it on a local trail. You won't appreciate this bike until you've taken it off road. The shop's parking lot will not do this bike justice. I am 43 years old, and I feel like I have just discovered the sport of mountain biking all over, because this bike is so fun to ride. I have been mountain biking since the late 80's, and have even worked in a bike shop, raced, etc. I have ridden a lot of bikes, and this is the BEST bike period. Thanks Specialized!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Roberts
a Cross Country Rider
from Adelaide, Australia
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Shepards Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Second Hand | | Strengths: | The brain! This is awesome technology! The bike climbs up short technical climbs really well, and due to the lack of sag, still has enough travel when it comes to the downhill sections. The Deore disc brakes are the best value hydraulic brakes on the market. | | Weaknesses: | Long flat climbs (roads/fire trails) aren't this bikes cup of tea. It is designed to be a racing bike, not something for riding fire roads. The Specialized componentry is crap. I have owned a Bighit before and I found the same problem. I you can spare the extra cash just go for better components. If your at all harsh on your gear I can expect that you will wreck them. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Bighit Comp (2003), Specialized Hardrock A1FS (2002) | | Bike Setup: | Stock with ODI grips | | Bottom Line: | I am currently in the process of replacing all of the Specialized gear. If you look on EBAY you can get some really cool stuff. Thomson seat post, Selle Italia Flite Genuine Gel Saddle, Ritchey Pro Stem and bars, XTR Casette and Chain and XT cranks will be getting put on any day now, and new wheels are next on the list. These are parts that I would recommend replacing to get the most out of the bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cris
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, Arizona
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | . Stable platform
. Speed
. Comfortable geometry
. Deore Disc brakes are awesome!
| | Weaknesses: | . Bottom bracket too low (easy fix though!)
| | Bike Setup: | . I've spent over $1,300 in upgrades over the last 2 years:
Chris King hubs, Mavic SL wheels, Maxim saddle, 100mm fork upgrade, XTR drivetrain, XT cranks. | | Bottom Line: | I've had this bike for almost 2 years. I couldn't be more satisfied with it! I've tried other products as once in a while I get the itch to buy a new bike. However, no other bike has matched my Epic. This bike is fast & furious! On rocky trails in Phoenix, it performs really well! I've put over 2,000 miles on this bike riding all over AZ, Calif, Colorado, Utah. This summer I'll be taking it to Oregon to ride the McKenzie River trail. Last year I traversed 210 miles of the the San Juan Trail between Telluride, CO and Moab, UT. I had some problems with the original wheels (hubs) at the end of that trip. The original shimano hubs were crap! I recently upgraded to MAVIC SL wheels and Chris King hubs ($1,000 upgrade!) The original saddle wasn't too comfy. I tried several saddles and I finally found a Maxim saddle (same saddle used by Titus on their bikes) and it's great! The original brakes are still on this bike and after 2,000 miles the pads are still working great!
The biggest complaint everyone has about this bike is its low bottom bracket. I concur! You hit so many rocks even on non-technical sections. I spoke to my local bike shop (LBS) about it. I was thinking of buying a new fork to solve this problem. However, we found out that my bike came stocked (as many Epics do) with an 80mm FOX fork. They were able to increase the fork travel to 100mm very easily and only charged me $30 for it. FOX advised my LBS that this can be done only on some forks (50/50 chance!) I was lucky because mine was one of those "upgradable" forks. Unbelievable... 20mm of extra travel on the fork made a big difference! This fixed the whole issue with the low bottom bracket. The bike rides much better now and I feel more confident going through technical sections! I wish I knew about this easy and inexpensive upgrade before!
I've spoken with my LBS about the Specilized Epics. They truly feel that the the original 2003 model has been the best Epic Specialized has released. Specilized has tweaked so much with the Brain and they feel the new models don't perform as good. However, I think this is a matter of personal opinion!
Love this bike!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Bmore, MD
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Light Street Cycles | | Strengths: | Very tight and efficient ride. The Brain shock works really well. Fox Float Fork is plush and the lockout makes for an awesome climbing bike. | | Weaknesses: | Front fu$%in derailleur. The LX I had on my old Stumpjumper was passable, but this thing just doesnt work with the XTR rear. | | Similar Products Used: | 99 M2 Stumpjumper. 03 Santa Cruz Blur. | | Bike Setup: | Original plus Crank Bros Mallet-M pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike has everything you need for almost any mountain descent and can handle road climbs really well at the same time. At almost 30lbs for a large I would expect this bike to feel slower but it really doesnt. Im skeptical of service issues with hydraulic disc brakes (mechanical is just so much easier to adjust and service) but so far they've been right on. The saddle is definitely a racing style saddle, but the fox shock softens the ride enough to make this ok. If you dont mind the price and your not racing off cliffs this bike will do anything. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Buffalo, NY
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Local shop | | Strengths: | Ride, brakes, some of the components, forks, fast | | Weaknesses: | front Derailleur is junk, seat, pedals, grips, but all easy fixes. But the ground clearence is alot lower than my old bike. Most comparable bikes may be the same, but I hate it | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | eggbeaters, wtb seat, yeti grips | | Bottom Line: | I went from a giant atx 770 with nothing and totally worn out, to this. Now I see why you should wear a helmet on the trails! I feel like a pro with this thing! I used to be able to keep up with everybody on the trails, now I'm blowing them away. You can spend more time riding, and less time worring about rocks, roots, etc.
The only problem I have is the ground clearence. I catch my pedals way too many times. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dizzy
a Cross Country Rider
from MB, NJ USA
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere the peddler crew roams | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | The Peddler | | Strengths: | BRAIN SHOCK!!!, The rad red color, and pretty much everything else on the bike | | Weaknesses: | Small amount of chain suck but after adjustment no more problem | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Epic S Works | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for new easton monkey light handle bars, shimano disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | Best bike ever. Got a great deal on it from my bike shop and it is the best setup for me | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Peterson
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The Bobsled | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Center | | Strengths: | The brain rear suspension is excellent; it acts like a hardtail on smooth terrain and a full suspension on the bumps. Great fork and the disk brakes this an excellent all around ride. | | Weaknesses: | The pedals had to go and the handlebar width makes it difficult to navigate through tight trees. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Instinct, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for I upgraded the pedals to Time ATAC's. | | Bottom Line: | Sweet all arround cross country bike. I haven't rode any other bike that can climb and decend this good. Slightly heavier than I'd ideally like, but very durable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Gelme
a Cross Country Rider
from NSW Australia
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Mount Dromedary NSW | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2450.00 | | Purchased At: | Narooma Cycles | | Strengths: | Awsome forks (Fox Float F80RL), Brain Shock system, frame strength. | | Weaknesses: | Poor rear hub, crap saddle, crap stem, crap peddals, crap tyres. | | Similar Products Used: | Iron horse hard tail (pales into comparison with epic) | | Bike Setup: | I have changed a few things to suite me, added, Selle Prolink gel flow saddle, Easton EA70 stem, Easton EA70 riser bars, Crank bros Candy SL pedals, XT rear disk hub ODI lock on grips. Xtension PYDER tyres (kind of like Hutchinson Pythons, and I also extended the travel of the forks to 100mm, very easy to do. | | Bottom Line: | This is an awsome bike, it took me about a month and a half and a few broken ribs later to get the set up right but now I swear by this bike, it corners stongly, climbs over loose rocks, hardpack, soft dirt etc without skipping a beat. The brain shock took a bit to get used to, but once i got a feel for it I love it.
The only gripe I have for such an awsome bike with so much great gear on it, is why WHY WHY did they stick a deore hub on the back, by far this is the strangest decision made by specialized, basically it sucks. Also the stem looked crap, so I wacked the EA70 stem from my old bike onto it, then the BG saddle, is anything but body geometry, my arse is still recovering from the torture it dealt out. I am not a fan of shimano pedals so that was also something I got rid of.
Sounds a bit gloomy, but lets face it, no one gets on a bike and finds it is perfect without changing a thing on it and most things can be swapped fairly easily if you have got a good bike store, the only pain was the rear hub, to replace meant a wheel rebuild.
Overall this is a great XC racer, it is not a free ride bike, nor is it a down hill machine, it is bred for XC and if this is your breed of riding definately look at the EPIC. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tommy
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Wasatch Front | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1749.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Center | | Strengths: | Brain shock, Fox Fork with the lock out dial, Disc, FLO RED!! | | Weaknesses: | I heard the cranks could be better, but the seem OK to me. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumpter, Giant VT2. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for the bushings being removed from the 80mm fork to make it 100mm, and gold Specialized platform pedals from a P2. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the shizzle!! I'm an ex-BMXer and I like to stand and pump. I never found a FS I liked. I tried the Giant VT2, and it was pretty good. Then I tried the Specialized Stumpjumper with the three way shock in the back. That was cool because it could be "locked out." Then I tried the Epic and I was sold. The Fox Float 80RT fork is sweet, especially because of the lock out dial. On the trail I can lock out the forks, down shift, and stand and pump up stuff that others are walking. When I rode the bike in the parking lot of the store it was so nice. Stiff when needed, soft when needed. I love it! If you want a soft, pillow like ride, this isn't your bike. One G of force is required to make the Brain shock work. It's not totally plush and it a little bumpy on the wash out stuff. But if you want a bike that is stiff going up and sweet going down, this is it. My bike is 29 pounds on my digital bathroom scale. It's not really that bad for a FS. I think I'll upgrade the bars, stem, and cranks when I'm ready to the same parts on the S-WORKS Epic. But for now, this bike is the bomb. It goes up like a goat and down like a rocket. There are hardtails, there are softtails, and then there's the Epic in a class of it's own. There's a reason the Brain shock was voted the #1 innovation of the century. That's because it ROCKS!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Floyd G.
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Wissahickon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1950.00 | | Purchased At: | Drive Sports | | Strengths: | Well built, maybe overbuilt, climbs very well, also a very good CC descender, and that cool "Flo Red" color! | | Weaknesses: | a bit on the heavy side thought on the trail you do not notice it. Parts selection could be better but for the price I paid I'll sleep ok at night. | | Similar Products Used: | Scalpel, ProlFlex 856 | | Bike Setup: | Stock exept, 03' XT cranks, Rocket shifters, SRAM 9.0 cassette and chain, Easton Monkeylite bar, Thomson seatpost, Prolink saddle | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. I have only had it three weeks but was able to thoroughly thrash it this weekend in Jim Thorpe. It feels nimble on the trail to me. I was able to float through very rocky downhills with ease. Going uphill is a dream come true. Traction, traction and more traction! I didn't have to dismount even on the steepest pitches. The back wheel really seems to hook up and not let go. The Specialized Roll-X tires might have something to do with that as well. It just feels solid! I did have some chainsuck however. It happended when double shifting to the small chainring. It didn't occur enough for me to find it frustrating though. It might be the LX front derailleur. I'm considering upgrading to XTR. We'll see? I found it easy to dial in the suspension. I consulted the online guides for Fox and their recommendations work well for me. I'll only make minor changes after this weekend.
I think the parts selection for this bike is a bit on the weak side. But I got the bike at a great price compared to what it was selling for last year, $2600. This was an 03' leftover. The last one in my area the distributor said. Lucky me! Disk versions of the bike for 04' start at well over 2 grand so I'll take it! I've already made several upgrades. The most major ones being the cranks. The Specialized stock ones are junk! I have not upgraded the wheels yet but I can probably lighten the bike by at least a pound and a half by going to Dave's Speed Dream wheels. The stock wheelset are bricks! When it's all said and done it will go from about 28.1lbs to about 25.5lbs, maybe less if I change my saddle as well. I don't mind the upgrading because that's part of the fun to me! I want to find a reason the upgrade the Deore brakes but they work so well, no fade whatsoever and I like the modulation. That's my take on it. Enjoy the ride! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom
a Cross Country Rider
from North Carolina
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | any single track | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Swingarm has no play at all!! clean, well made.
Very sturdy/no flex. Still looks new after a year of hard riding. Durable | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | C'dale Raven/Jekyll, Giant ACS, friends Tracer | | Bike Setup: | stock with: new seat, stem, bars,ATAC pedals, and chain and Stans No Tubes | | Bottom Line: | I am posting this review after one solid year of riding.
This bike is better now than it was new. Since I properly adjusted the shock about nine months ago all I have to do is go ride. No flex at all in the rear end. I am probably 190lbs with all riding gear. (camel bak/helmet/gloves etc) and the best thing is you can go hammer every day and not have to worry about it. Just clean and go ride again.
Parts do not give a bike a weakness, just causes frustration. Change them!
I'm not sure about the new 04 frame because lighter is not always better.
Never weighed my bike, I just go out and race and ride.
Bottom line is this bike can handle all cross country applications.
May change to 4" fork in the future.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sablotny
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Rosa, California
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Stabbin Cabbin Rampage | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Flo Red Paint, classic double-diamond frame design, great suspension basics: Fox Brain & F80RL fork | | Weaknesses: | Weight (28.8 pounds LG). Cheap, heavy wheelset; heavy frame | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized & Bridgestone hardtails, '99 K2 Razorback, Santa '99 Cruz Sooperlite, '03 FSRxc, '01 Sugar 2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock now... soon getting back to XC position (flat bar, long stem, ditch the BG saddle, shop for lighter wheelset, pray for cheap F80X/100X to show up on Ebay) | | Bottom Line: | Just got the bike, taking it thru its paces on all my favorite trails that I've been riding for 15 years. First thought: the Brain works. Maybe 2-3 times on a 20 mile ride I can feel a hard "edge" to the opening of the inertia valve with "horizontal" impacts, like hitting a grapefruit-sized rock on a creek crossing. But I can bunnyhop & land XC-sized jumps with plush, FS feel. The bike really needs a TIV fork to give balanced suspension feel. I don't mind the LX shifters & Deore brakes. They won't stop me from leaving many XTR-equipped riders in my dust. But no bike billed as an XC-racer should weigh 28.8 pounds. I'll have to drop some bux on a nice disc wheelset, like the CC Laser Disc Lite setup, to shed 1.5 pounds from the bike. If I can get the Epic down to 26.8 pounds (final weight for my K2 with 3" of coil travel both ends), I'll be happy. It'll just be an expensive journey getting there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roy martin
a Weekend Warrior
from louisville, KY.
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Otter Creek Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1890.00 | | Purchased At: | ST.Mathews Schwinn | | Strengths: | Lateral stiffness, Great cable placement, Very tuneable Suspension | | Weaknesses: | For the retail price the drive train specs are pretty piss poor. The strong arm cranks way too flexy. The stout wheels won't last long if your over 190lbs. | | Similar Products Used: | santa cruz superlight, giant nrs | | Bike Setup: | Specialized components- Handle bars,stem, stout wheels, Skereb fork, lx/xt drive train, deore disc brakes, body geometry seat. | | Bottom Line: | The bike is fantastic but I had to change a few things. I put on titec hell bent bars, xt disc wheels,xt drive train including the new two piece cranks and I got rid of that crappy seat. Now this bike absolutely flies, jumps and climbs like nobody's business. I have ridden this bike for one year this month and I have completely tested every facet of this machine, even with all the abuse it still feels new. There is no sign of wear in the pivots and its still laterally stiff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GI Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, Alberta
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Canmore Nordic Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bow Cycle | | Strengths: | The Epic is a GREAT suspension design. It rides like a great hardtail until it gets into the bumpy stuff, then the brain takes over and smooths everything out. XTR rear derailleur, FOX 80mm fork, and the Deore Disc brakes (best value in mountain biking!) are great parts that will work for a long time. This bike may feel heavy on the showroom floor, but it feels light and fast on the trail! Very easy to ride. | | Weaknesses: | Part spec for this amount of cash is a bit of a joke. Parts that need to be upgraded immediately are: Chain, Seat, Seatpost, cranks and BB. Next to be upgraded should include Wheels, stem, pedals, tires and bars. | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 Giant NRS (great part spec, but the suspension on the Epic works like a dream!). 2000 GT Idrive. | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded to a Chris King headset, Thompson seat post, Selle Italia Ti saddle, Conix 904 chain, Time pedals, XT shifters, XT levers, XTR front derailleur, Avid disc brakes (the Deore's work GREAT, but I like the reliability of the Avids so I made the swap), Yeti lock on grips. I look forward to changing the cassette, wheels, tires, cranks and BB prior to the start of the riding season! | | Bottom Line: | If you purchase this bike you should have the bikeshop make as many component upgrades as you can afford, or just step up to the plate and get the top of the line model. The Epic is a great suspension design with components that will work straight off of the showroom floor, but after a few months of riding the cheap components will start to fail, leaving you stranded on the side of the trail with a $2000 paperweight.
Highlights of the parts spec are the Deore brakes, XTR rear derailleur, and the FOX fork (upgrade to 100mm of travel if possible). The LX shifters and front derailleurs work fine, but for the cash I paid for my Epic XT components should have been stock.
I purchased my Epic days prior to the 24 Hours of Adrenalin race here last year and it performed flawlessly! It is a great suspension design that allows the rider to climb as if on a hardtail and decend with confidence. This bike comes with 80mm travel in both ends, so if you are the kind of rider who lets their bike take them down the gnarly stuff, this isn't the ride for you. This bike requires quite a bit of finess and bike handling skill in order to maximize its trailability.
That being said, if you are searching for the holy grail of XC nirvana, your search is over. The Epic climbs just as well as the Giant XTC, but it blows it away when the trail heads down. The rear suspension of the Giant tends to lock up under hard braking while the Specialized remains active over the rough stuff, regardless of brake or pedal input. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh NC
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | New Light | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | This bike rocks! Coming off a superb XC HT..an old steel SCOTT Team, I was not ready for the orgasmic ride this red rocket gave me. Braking with the M555's is flawless..no fade, and great modulation. The fox 80 up front is stout and just enough that I feel like I'm getting more than the old Judy's but still lots of rigid strength. The back Fox Brainiac thing seems to do wonders for my riding...I do not notice any pedal induced bob nor do I feel like I'm being robbed of energy..I feel it working esp on the long rough sweepers and tight corners. The set up is critical, a pound or two one way or the other greatly affects the ride in the back. After a bit of riding, I had it set so that only the roughest stuff came close to using all the available travel. | | Weaknesses: | It isn't the lightest horse in the stable. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested a C-dale Jekyl, a Fisher Suger and a Trek Fuel | | Bike Setup: | At this time its all stock save for my Frogs. STR in the back, LX up front. M555 disks, Fox 80 up front and the Brain thing in the back. The rest is pretty stock S stuff. | | Bottom Line: | I'll wait to see if i NEED to change anything..initally I thought i wanted to swap our the 8*/6* bar for a flat to mimic my ride a little better but after the first few rides, I am pretty comfortable. Climbing is a new skill to learn as the weight and the mush in the back dictate a change in climbing style.
I can shave a few oz's with some select stuff..post and stem and seat could all be lighter but as it sits..stock off the rack..the bike rocks! I rail corners and descend with a HT line and fly over stuff that used to make my teeth chatter. The geometry is very forgiving yet aggressive enough that I don't feel like I am riding a Barcalounger... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Liebert
a Weekend Warrior
from Philadelphia, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Valley Green Single Track | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2390.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeSport | | Strengths: | XLG Frame has appropriately long wheelbase, very stable platform for tall person. It actually fit me out-of-the-box which is very rare. Brain actually works exactly as advertised. Finish is excellent. | | Weaknesses: | Seatpost is cheap, saddle is cheap, some chain suck,don't know why yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stump Jumper vintage 1998 | | Bike Setup: | FSA CF Cross Country bar, Bontrager saddle, Thompson set-back post, fatter hand grips, will replace pedals and chain soon. Diore brakes work very well. | | Bottom Line: | This bike handles extremely well, especially when climbing and/or traversing rocks. Suspension works extremely well once set up correctly for rider and conditions. Deore hydraulic disk brakes are very smooth and powerful. I am very happy with this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd Young
a
from Washington, DC
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Schaffer Farm, Maryland | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Catonsville bike shop (LBS) | | Strengths: | The Rear suspension on this bike really works like it is advertised!! Front suspension really soaks up the bumbs. | | Weaknesses: | Felt that the rear wheel/tire set up is heavy and would also change the low rise bars to a high rise bars. (just a personal preference) Other than that there are none!! | | Similar Products Used: | Owned a K2 Proflex 4000, test rode the following before making my decision, Trek Fuel, Jamis Dakar Comp, Giant NRS's | | Bike Setup: | Completely stock from the LBS/Specialized Dealer | | Bottom Line: | The Epic Comp is a solid performer. Its light, nimble, handles great and accerates quickly. I have ridden this bike only a handful of times and find it much easier to get through the tough stuff where I Dont think I would have been able to on my old bike. The rear suspension has not flexed once when climbing, it locks out and keeps that rear tire firmly planted on the ground, but when its time for the rear suspension to work it smooths out the trail. I have not noticed any peddle bob whats so ever and I have come out of the saddle to try to get it to bob still nothing. The Front suspension also works just as well, it rally soaks up the bumps. Just take the time to set up the suspension on this bike. The componet level is a good mix. The disk brakes stop you on a time (after breaking them in). I have not had any issues with the tires, although I flated both tubes on my last ride, when I got into the tires to replace the tubes specialize uses a super thin tube. I guess to save weight. I ordered the large frame and weight 200lbs. Maybe Specialized should consider using a thicker tube for us big guys on big bikes. Finially this bike just plain looks awesome. I can tell you that I have not one regret buying this bike and can't wait to get a good 5 plus year of riding out of it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gregg Soster
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | a dry one | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Source - Westerville | | Strengths: | Great stock suspension Fox front & rear & Specialized Brain on rear Fox shock. $ link rear suspension works very well. Shimano 555 disc brakes work very well. Bike likes to climb and the rear suspension kept traction even on very root infested wet climbs. Stock tires worked well in mud for me, don't know why others have complained. Frame weighs less than 29 pounds, felt very quick and easy to get front end up and over obstacles. | | Weaknesses: | Deore LX front derailleur should have been XT as should the shift levers, they work fine now but worried about down the road how well they'll hold up. | | Bike Setup: | Frame size is small. Fox Float RL front shock, Fox Float R rear w/ Brain. Shimano XTR rear derailleur, Deore LX front Derailluer, Deore LX Shifters, Shimano 555 Hydraulic disc f&r. Specialized Strongarm crank 170mm. Tires are Specialized Roll-x Pro. | | Bottom Line: | Love the bike, rear suspension really does work, rides like a hardtail until you take a bump then it kicks in. Take your time setting up the shocks, adjust sag on front and rear. Be sure to get the new Epic shock numbers from the Specialized web site for setup. Lots of good tech tips for the bike on the site as well (motor oil on the pivots after wet rides) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray aka " the hobbit" Edwards
a Cross Country Rider
from Hamilton, New Zealand.
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any trail at Big Rock, Tokoroa, NZ | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycology (LBS) | | Strengths: | The total package. The frame design with its low center of mass providing superb single track handling combined with a groupset that allows you soak up the bumps, climb like a rocket and descend with confidence. | | Weaknesses: | Tires. The Roll X just dont coped with kiwi trails. LX front derraillier should be at least an XT although it works fine. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel, Santa Cruz Superlight, Gary Fisher Sugar, Giant NRS2. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for IRC Mythos XC tires for a harder compound. | | Bottom Line |
|
$ 2390.00
