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Submitted by
Jove Cana
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Hardwood Gills | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | D'Ornellas | | Strengths: | Great compliance in rear triangle across all speed levels
Stable tracking on fast descents
Excellent geometry...almost as nimble as my Scott CR1 road bike
The Brain is simply brilliant. Works as advertised, maybe even better. In fact, this single feature was the deciding factor for me when I test rode it. It worked better than I could have imagined...ended up paying for it 20 minutes later. | | Weaknesses: | Many stock parts are mediocre or sub standard for the price: cranks, wheels, hubs (front in particular, rear was an XT), flat handlebar (wtf?!), stem, seat post. Ended up upgrading all of these things...but in the end ended up paying less than the S-Works version with still pretty much the same level of componentry. | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 Giant Trance 2...all stock except for stem and handlebar. I still have this bike too, but I rarely ride it now that I have my Epic. | | Bike Setup: | (2003/4 Epic M4 version, after swapping out stock stuff): Thompson Elite X4 stem, Truvative Team Carbon Riser bar and seat post, Truvativ Firex crank and outboard BB, XT pedals, Bontrager Race Light Disc wheelset w/ Hutchinson Mosquitos, 6" Avid Juicy 7 hydros, XTR shifters, SRAM PG990 cassette, Fox Float R rear shock, Fox F100 RLC fork (excellent!). | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike.
The FSR design w/ Brain actuator is brilliant for the kind of riding I do (think heavy, violent, and long distance XC). I can't see myself buying any other XC rig in the near future, until someone else comes up with a reliable mechanism to automatically lock out the rear end. Perhaps a StumpJumper, but all within the FSR family. This is the definition of active suspension, IMHO. The Fox F100 RLC is a good match, but I would have paid for a Fox Teralogic with no hesitation. Certainly for fast rides, the Epic is heads and shoulders above any of the other bikes I've owned or tried.
I own several bikes at any given time. I buy a new bike almost every year and sell something off to pay for the new one. This has given me the rare opportunity to try a large number of bikes, both road and mountain. I also service them all by myself (mostly...dpending if I have the proper tools), so I do get exposed to all the mechanical nuances of a wide variety of bikes. Throughout this experience, there are only a few bikes that instantly light up in my mind's eye up as a clear stand out. The 2003/4 Epic M4 is definitely one of them.
TO sum up? The Epic is light and fast. It is firmly planted going up hills and confidently stable racing down hills. It's rugged enough to take some mild abuse (up to about a 4 ft. drop), but nimble enough to tear through single track at ridiculous speeds.
But, and particularly to those who've already tried other full suspension bikes, it would be best to think about the Epic like a unique type of hardtail, not a plush full suspension. Once you frame it like this in your mind, it's easy to appreciate what an excellent machine it truly is.
4 for value becuase I was compelled to swap out many stock parts. 5 for overall, because it really is just about everything you could want from a full suspension XC rig. If you're a similar kind of rider, buy it and look no further. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Mahoney
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Louis, MO
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Granada Cyclery | | Strengths: | The Brain is awesome. It makes the bike perfect from riding on the road to taking big hits on single track. It is awesome, and definitely lives up to all the hype. | | Weaknesses: | For some reason the Brain stopped working (wouldn't lock out the shock). Fox over hauled the shock for $130 and now it works better than when I first purchased the bike. I am thinking the shock may have been defective because the bike went from being pretty good when I first bought it to being incredibly awesome after the repairs. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel, Santa Cruz Blur | | Bike Setup: | Fox Float fork | | Bottom Line: | This bike is incredible when everything works right. It is well worth the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Wencl
a Cross Country Rider
from Pella, Iowa. USA
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Hall Ranch...Lyons, CO | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Eriks Bike Shop, MN | | Strengths: | Excellent climber performs well downhill, original 80mm shock some what sketchy on fast technical downhills. Great Geometry for and XC-Rider and is light enough to race with. The brain is insanely excellent in all conditions. Hardtail/Fullsuspension combo... | | Weaknesses: | Original Tires lacked my enthusiasm...everything else up to par. The Front Avid break broke, but was replaced for under 60 bucks. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Dawg, Garry Fisher Sugar...Big Sur...Hoo Koo E Koo. | | Bike Setup: | Marazochi Marathon S front fork...100-105 travel with a 30 mm climbing mode. Panaracer Fire XC Tires. Kool Stop brake pads..new derailer hanger, dearailer and rear stay. Salsa chain ring protecter, XTR chain, and cassete. | | Bottom Line: | This bike has taken plenty of abuse. I have replaced many pieces on it, but I'm sure I have put on at least 5,000 hard XC miles on it. I have been through 3 rear derailleurs, and the Fox Float brain combo is running nearly perfect. I broke the frame once, but specialized replaced it for me. Overall, if you're looking for a bike that is extremely fast, and you can rack the miles up on, this is the one for you. I love this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn
a Cross Country Rider
from Arlington
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Cedar Hill State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles Inc. Hurst Texas | | Strengths: | Keeps the rear end glued to the trail over rocks and roots. Quick steering (I cut the bars to 24") Wicked nice on technical climbs, and great tracker on down hill runs. | | Weaknesses: | wheels and tires go the upgrade route rapidly. May be a little jittery for someone who is looking for a park ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much full XTR (after upgrades)except for specialized crankset and front derailer, Mavic CrossMax wheels mounted with New G pythons, Fox Float Shock | | Bottom Line: | This bike may not be for everyone. It is all about XC and speed. The Geometry demands a certain level of skill in the techy stuff but is perfect for fast XC on a variety of trail types. It is the best suspended climber I have been on, and you can almost ignore roots and rocks (OK.. I did say almost). Good manners on the flats and good trail feel in the technical stuff make this a great bike for serious XC'ers and those who want to be. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin Carrick
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | South Downs | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Evans Cycles | | Strengths: | This bike rides amzingly like a hartail on road....yet when the brain kicks in offroad, you get so much comfort and control. Totally brilliant. Have to admit to being sceptical when I was first told of it...but trust me...it's good. | | Weaknesses: | nothing major. The tyres that specialized provide with it wear out in a flash...I have only done about 250 miles thus far and they are visibly deteriorating. And they are very suseptable to thorns and flint. Nothing a slime tube doesn't sort though | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh MTRAX1000L | | Bike Setup: | Fox floats, Rockshock Dukes, Deore components | | Bottom Line: | as mentioned....was unable to understand the concept of how this suspension worked until I tried it. Give you so much control. Beautifully balanced bike. Not too heavy considering its FS either. Performs superbly onroad and offroad...climbs awesomely with little bob. I cannot speak highly enough of this bike...am so glad I bought it.
At £1500 it would be a little steep for the level of componentry offered...but picking it up at Evans Cycles for £1k was a real result. If you like a mix of riding...with a hearty smattering of trails, woodland and pushing it a bit...but still need to get about here and there on road...this bike is a must. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lars Dalgas
a Racer
from Denmark / Europe
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Most of Wilder Ranch Santa Cruz AND Mt. Tamalpais! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$4700.00 | | Purchased At: | Cykelklubben Aarhus (LBS) | | Strengths: | The feel, the ride, the looks. You get value for every pedal stroke on this bike. Easy to set up. | | Weaknesses: | The worst thing? 11½ hours in a plane to California! The winter in this xxxxxxx country is dark, cold and wet! but ok, you can't blame the bike for that.
NO weaknesses! | | Similar Products Used: | Tried the Santa Cruz Blur and Heckler, The Cannondale Scalpel. Owns 2 Specialized hardtails, a M2 and a M4 | | Bike Setup: | Custom build. Full XTR. Skareb lite. Rithey WCS stem and bar. Flite seat on Thomson. Wheels with XTR and mavic tubeless rims (custom)Prefered tire in California Hutchinson Python, in Europe Michelin Comp S Light | | Bottom Line: | First Epic I ever rode was Filip Meirhages own Epic! Wonderfull bike! After that I just had to get one my self.
Have to admit that even though its heavier than my hardtails it is faster! And it is much better for my neck injury also.
I love this bike! Makes XC much more fun. And by the way: I find it beautiful too.
Best advice?
If you're a XC racer who wants to ride faster.
If you're anyone who loves trailriding without big jumps
Buy one!
If you're into heavy DH?
If you're into urban things?
If you're into big hits?
If you're into roadracing?
Buy one and get out on the trail and start having FUN!
Oh yes I almost forgot:
The guys at Specialized helped me a lot when I bought my M4 hardtail from Denmark .. picked it up in SF.. Splendid service! The same with this one, no holes bared when I've had questions! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Wencl
a Cross Country Rider
from Forest City, Ia, USA
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Hall Ranch, Lyons CO | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Eriks Burnsville MN | | Strengths: | The Brain works exactly how described. It is a wonderful climber, and is speedy going down as well. Good weight for a full suspension bike. 29 Ibs | | Weaknesses: | The seat..... | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar... Specailzed Hardrock | | Bike Setup: | LX, XT, Avid- VBrakes, Duke XC, The Brain, Fire XC Pro tires.. Mostly Stock | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike, it handles like no other, and is light for being the bottom end epic. The original Roll X Tires were great, but they didn't last me. Or maybe I just ride to much, which says alot about the bike. Im a college kid, so the bike stays in my room, which is very bad for my studies since when I see it, I need to take it out. Great bike for the intermediate XC-Rider and even intermediate racer. It could use some upgrades, but I knew what I was buying and was okay with it. If you get it you will be happy no matter where you ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Powder Springs
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | International Horse Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Strengths: | Great climber. Brain shock works like a champ, although my 200 lbs and somtetimes hard downhilling makes me wish for more travel. Keeps me mostly planted in my seat, even on long steep climbs it rides like a hardtail. | | Weaknesses: | Skareb forks. I read the reviews here when I started having flex issues, with my front tire scrubbing. I got a good deal on the bike, but could have used from some bike shop guidance on changing the spring for my weight. Might have lasted longer. I' a little disappointed in this lightweight fork on an otherwise capable downhill bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock, with Avid Mecanical brakes and Mavic/Shimano Disk Wheelset. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, except for the front forks... They're weak.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leon Kleppe
a Weekend Warrior
from Indonesia
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Singkong tunnels | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Aang's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | With the set-up I have I can tackle anything without fear. The never expected such an incredible combination of weight, strength, balance, handling and responsiveness was possible. | | Weaknesses: | (1) In the wet (mud) it suffers from chain suck a lot more than my other bikes. (2) Specialized web page does not tell you where/how to order replacement frame parts [RD Hanger plate + attachment screws]. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bike Setup: | 2003 XTR hydraulic groupset, 2004 FOX Talas RLC forks, Monkeylight riser bars with Thompson bracket, Crank Bros handle bar grips and Candy pedals, Marvic 823 tubless rims with Schwalbe Little Albert tires, Selle seat on Thompson seat post (with setback). | | Bottom Line: | Brilliant uphill or downhill ON ANY SURFACE.
04_EPIC_Tech_Manual.indd downloaded is a poor effort by Specialized. How about is Specialized correct page 6 and provide part numbers for sourcing Replaceable Derailleur Hanger plate and all its screws, and provide information on how to order all those parts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Sigigns
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Strengths: | technical/rough climbing | | Weaknesses: | weight, rear end, cable routing | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou FS | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | OK straight up, this bike and me were/are totally incompatible. Don't know why, but i hate it so much. I have owned full suspension in the past and it hasn't been to bad, i just lived with bob and got on with it.
My old hard tail was aging, and i was going to update with something new and shinny, had my eye on a yeti arc or klien attitude, but got a good deal on the epic and from all the reviews in mags, it was about the only full suspension i was considering.
On the urban trail test ride i did, it felt really good, not like my old manitou which you sort of wound up and rode with the suspension bob, the epic you just pedalled and it went. all good, so i bought it.
First ride nearly killed me, i bought a medium, but with the low standover hight it is either the same as a 16inch or it need a longer seat pole. put that in and it was ok, longer stem too and it now fit OK. The thing downhilled like a rocket, but rode like a pig as all the pressures were down, out with the shock pump. Now it rode ok.
Anyway solved all problems after first few rides to get setup right, except that i just didn't like it, the rear end is harsh, its heavy, although i must say that the wheelset was nice and light, a pleasant surprise.
Last month i got my hardtail back of my freind who i was introducing to mountain biking (his 1st bike is a trek 9.8!) and took that on a ride of our little just going for a spin loop, and i was instantly faster, more comfortable and there was a grin rather than a grimace on the face. Took the epic for another couple of rides and then parked it, never to be ridden again. and i'll go back to hardtail thank you.
Like i said, i hate this bike, but i did find a few good things, it climbed up steep and rough climbs very well but smooth climbs not so good. It was a little better on steep decents, with better rear wheel control. Oh it did take the roughness of a track out, but it gives you that detached from the trail feeling that full suspension has and i don't think i like.
Well i never thought i'd be a hard tail holdout, but i guess i am.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Mil;l Valley, California
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | China Camp | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Frame only ebay | | Strengths: | For a cross country rider this is a great ride!! Feels like a hardtail on smooth stuff, rear shock silently assists with traction on climbs, on descents, the rear shock really absorbs the bumps and maintains rear wheel contact. This bike is noticebly faster on descents than my S Works hardtail for a small wieght penalty | | Weaknesses: | Brain shock is not super sensitive on high frequency stutter bumps. I think the new 04 Brain has a sensitivity lever to improve feel. | | Similar Products Used: | I have only used Hardtails so no FS comparisons. Ride Trek and Specialized products. | | Bike Setup: | XT, Crank, XTR Rear Derailler, XT FR Derailler, Manitou Skareb Elite Fork, Easton CT2 Carbon Flat Handlebar, Mavic 317 Disk Wheels, Avid Mech Disk Brakes, IRC Mythos Tires | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for a cross country rider transitioning to full suspension. the Bike weighs a couple of pounds more than comparably equiped Hardtail, but the traction and comfort benefits far outweigh the weight disadvantage.
For the rider used to using a hardtail. You can really feel the additional traction on technical climbs and descents. When under hard braking, no adverse affects to the suspension so you can use the brake whenever you need just like a hardtail.
Geometry is close to my M4 Sworks, so maneuvering on tight singletrack is a breeze. I do small jumps on this bike, 1-2 feet over exposed boulders, and you can feel the suspension take the load with no problem. Freeriders and riders that require more suspension should look to the new Enduro with the Brain technology.
Most fun I've had mountain biking in a long time
I ride 4-5 time per week with no mechanical problems so the Epic is definitely a production worthy frame with no reliability problem spots. 5 chilis for Value and Overall Rating
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alexander Pols
a Downhiller
from Huntsville
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Eastern Shores Cycles | | Strengths: | Suspension: Fox Float R(rear), Fox Float 80rl, good XT components, manic rims | | Weaknesses: | pedals, tires, Handlebars all low end products | | Similar Products Used: | KHS Alite 4000 | | Bottom Line: | Good Bike for the price. The 2005 are coming out so this is perfect time to pick up a good cheap frame and build your dream for cheap. Only buy if you drop off and big jumps, if you are stickly a trail ride buy a Hardtail and spend your money on the front shock, gear components, and Tires. If you like to ride real aggresive I suggest this bike with some slight modification depending on the height of the jump or drop off. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Basi
a Cross Country Rider
from Helena, MT
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt. Ascension Backside | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Great Divide Cyclery | | Strengths: | Ride, suspension | | Weaknesses: | component mix | | Similar Products Used: | Red Bull Louise, Ibex Trophy 880 LX | | Bike Setup: | Fox Float RL fork, Ritchey Comp straight bar, Thomson Elite seatpost | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike after sneaking around it for a while at my LBS (the BEST there is in Montana - Eric, you rock!). I wanted to upgrade to a full suspension ride after an unsuccessful try with the Red Bull Lousie. I HATE bob!
The Epic does exactly what I have been looking for. It is fast and climbs well and there is no bob in the rear end, period.
It is not as plush as other full suspension bikes out there but still does a very good job in cushioning my ride. Even smaller drops are easy and the bike can take it.
The other posts that are comlaining about this bike should ask themselves one thing:
why did you not test-ride it for a while on your local trails and then deiced that it is not for you? If you are looking for an enduro or downhill bomb this is certainly not the right bike!!! If you do not like the ride at least look at the bike and give an honest rating. One chili? B.S.!If you like climbing up the hills like a goat and still want a good, stable platform for high-speed descents, well, buy it.
My only gripes are the mixed components, especially the sub-par hubs on this not-so-cheap bike. But I liked the concept and could not find anything remotely equal.
Besides, I bought this ride as a shop demo with the much better Fox fork already installed, so I saved substantially over the '03 price.
I will upgrade to disc brakes soon, a set of sweet Tune King&Kong hubs are on order and will be built with DT Swiss XR 4.1d rims. Brakes? Why, Hope M4s in the front and Mono Mini in the rear!
The value rating reflects my opinion would I have bought the bike at full price. At my price it should be a full 5 flamin' turds. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D Tampa
a Cross Country Rider
from Waterford
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Strengths: | This bike is great. The rear shock once tuned to your weight works really well. You can sit down in the saddle almost an entire ride comfortably. I bought the bike with a Fox Float front fork which appears to be very hardy. My bike is all XT with some of the Specialized brand parts (strongarm crank, bar and stem). The tires are listed Specialized Pros 2.0" but they are more like 2.5"! Overall, I love the bike. It's built like a tank and feels heavy when you pick it up. However, when you ride it it performs like a lighter bike. It climbs really well with the brain suspension. Downshills it is really steady and feels like you can keep accelerating without losing it. I ride alot of cross country and this bike seems perfect for that purpose. Even as outfitted with XT I think it will be very durable. | | Weaknesses: | Specialized componentry. I used to have a specialized crankset that wore down pretty quick. I am alittle leary of the Strongarm cranks but time will tell. The wheel set that came with the bike is adaquet. Again it has a Specialized front hub (we'll see how this holds up). Weight is also an issue but the bike does not feel or track heavy once it's moving. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro, Trek Fuel | | Bike Setup: | XT drive train except for crankset (Specialized Strongarm)
Fox Foat 80R front
XT rear hub, Specialized front (I forget what rims came with it, I think they're WTB or Mavic) Specialized Pro tires
Aheadset w/ Specialized stem and bar.
| | Bottom Line: | This is a great Crosscountry bike that eats up anything Wisconsin will have to offer it. I am not sure if I would recommend it for down hill. But overall it is a great performer. A little heavy but not noticible once you get moving on it. I might recommendthis bike for veteran riders that like forgiveness of a dual suspension but the speed and climbing of a hardtail. However, the standard XT set up epic I think is plenty of bike for anyone to enjoy. I gave it five chilis becauseI do not think there is a better x-country bike out there (period) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob T.
a
from Edmonton
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Valley of the Five Lakes | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Excellent Climber, Great technical manouverability. | | Weaknesses: | Low bottom bracket clearance. No disc ready rims or hubs. | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Scarab fork, Shimano Disc brakes, Hope Hubs, Mavic 317 rims | | Bottom Line: | Having ridden this bike for a year, I continue to be impressed with it's performance on rough technical trails. The frame is particularly strong on the small (16.5")setup due to the top tube/down tube weld which meet. This is different from the other sizes which have a gap between the top and down tube. Although the Epic was intended for XC racing, this weld adds rigidity to the frame and makes for a light, durable trail bike. A 100-125mm fork upgrade may further increase it's performance as a trail bike by raising the bottom bracket height. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Georg
a Weekend Warrior
from Bangor ME
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | University Forest, Orono Maine | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Brain shock. I don't know how it works, but it lives up to the hype. | | Weaknesses: | the saddle is none too comfortable | | Similar Products Used: | Rockhopper hardtail. Stumjumper FSR | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Marathon S fork. '04 XTR group. Mavic Crossmax wheels | | Bottom Line: | No Bob. Stiff on the road, plush on the trail. Nice weight. A friend who has one told me to ignore the pressure settings for the shock and use half of rider weight in psi and it rides much better with this advice. The riding around here is forest single track connected by dirt logging roads. The brain suspension handles both without adjustment | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Raúl Garcia
a Cross Country Rider
from Caracas, Venezuela
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Caracas specialized dealer | | Strengths: | I like the brain suspension | | Weaknesses: | Have a problem with crank and chain, they stop sometimes with the bottom frame, specialized solve the problem with 2004 frames, they put a hole in the bottom frame. How resolve the problems the 2003 owner? | | Similar Products Used: | Scalpel Cannondale. | | Bike Setup: | fox fork, xtr crank, mavic wheels. | | Bottom Line: | Extraordinary bike, you feel a rigid bike, only active the suspension when we need. I upgrade with fox 80RLT (wanderful) XTR group, mavis wheel, 26 lbs weight, maximus in hard trail, very speedy ride. I would like specialized solve the problem (chain/crank/frame) with 2003 owner. But made in taiwan? No problem the construction quality is very good. I will recomended the 2004 EPIC, do not buy a 2003 model. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pontus A
a Cross Country Rider
from Gothenburg, Sweden
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Swedish forest trails, Bohusleden and the Alps | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | CykelSpecialisten/Gothenburg/Sweden | | Strengths: | Love the Brain Suspension. Works very well in the Swedish forests etc. Will bike in the Apls and see how it will work there. | | Weaknesses: | The Saddle...Feels like it´s made of concrete! Think the could have put XTR back and XT in the front! | | Similar Products Used: | Have some other Specialized bikes like Spec FSR XC Comp... | | Bike Setup: | Brain susp back, RS DUKE Susp fork, XT back, LX Front, Avid Breaks.... | | Bottom Line: | Great bike! The Brain Susp works great in the forest. When you drive on the flat gravel tracks it´s hard and when you ride on hardcore tracks with roots n stones the susp, works great! Great comfort! Have been biking with the bike now for about 5 moths and have been riding on about 500 km´s of dirt tracks.
Very fast bike and fun to ride! Will upgrade the bike with Disc Breaks and a new saddle etc!
Will ride the 360 km long Bohusleden on the Swedish west coast soon and it will be intresting to see how the bike works then!
The Brain susp is easy to handle.
Got my bike with a Rock Shox DUKE fork. Recommend this bike!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Austen George
a Cross Country Rider
from Chandler, Arizona
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Desert Classic | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Great geometry, good componentry. | | Weaknesses: | Specialized BG saddle is crap. After an hour of riding I felt like I spent a week in solitary with Mike Tyson. Paint is easily scratched. Neex better tubes and some slime to avoid frequent flats here in the desert, the thorns go right through the Spec Pro tires. | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose 6.7 DX, GF Sugar 2. | | Bike Setup: | Fox shocks front and rear, Spec. crank, LX front der, XT back der. Mavic Crossmax wheels w/ Spec. hubs. Avid brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike so far. I got it on closeout from last years models and saved about $500. A little pricy at retail, but if you find one on sale or used worth the $. Componentry is well paired, I have yet to break anything. Bike is a little heavy compared to other FSR's I have ridden, but not a big deal. Haven't figured out the BRAIN shock yet, but it seems to be working. Will probably upgrade the brakes to disc sometime soon. I am 200lbs and the Avids are hard pressed to stop me sometimes. All in all, great bike for anyone wanting the best CC bike around. Take the saddle off immediately and use it for a doggie chew toy. Get something with some PADDING! Cheapest pos I have ridden yet. Five flaming poo pies for the bike and one flaming poo pie for the seat. Or are they flaming dildo's? Whatever....great ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Oliver wolter
a Cross Country Rider
from Alamogordo
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | RimTrail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Crazy Cat (TX) | | Strengths: | Extremely plush but firm suspension. BrainSys is amazing.
| | Weaknesses: | Non so far | | Bike Setup: | Standard 2004 Epic with upgrades: 618 wheelset on XTR´s instead the pesky 221´s and the complete Avid 7 instead the 3er. | | Bottom Line: | I weihgt in at 240 lbs and I thought a fully would never really work for me. But the Fox is an amazing setup which couldn´t work any better. The Float RL is plush but never shaky. The Brain in the rear is adjustable and works exceptionally well. No pushing into the suspension when I stand up and power it - I never thought this would be possible. And at the same time gives a smooth ride over the roughest terrain. The Front Fork has to be locked when you stand up and power it - which is no problem.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mitch J
a Cross Country Rider
from Ballwin,MO,USA
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Berryman-Potosi,MO | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Big Shark Bicycle Company | | Strengths: | The Epic does what it says. Climbs well, handles like a Specialized(quick but stable), and opens up to suck up bumps as well as any cross country bike I've ridden. | | Weaknesses: | 1)The frame design is a little heavy. 2)I did have some clearance issues on the chainrings with the chainstays. The 2004 bikes have a redesigned stay with some relief for this problem(this may not be the norm but they replaced mine with a 2004 chainstay). 3)The 80mm forks most of the bikes come spec'ed with is inadequate. 4)Price! Specialized(and Fox) is proud of this bike. | | Similar Products Used: | 1999 S-works FSR | | Bike Setup: | non-S-works Epic frame, mostly 2002 XTR, Manitou Black Elite 100/120mm weight-? don't know, don't care | | Bottom Line: | Being an ex-cross country expert racer that also qualifies for the clidsdale class(220lbs), I've always had to compromise suspension performance for efficiency. I've run ungodly amounts of pressure in my rear shocks to prevent downward pedaling forces from swatting the best suspension designs under my weight. The Epic allows me to run normal(if not low) amounts of pressure while remaining firm when I'm exerting hard efforts. The best part is that I actually use all of the Epic's travel more often making it ride better than many five inch travel bikes I've ridden. 2004 bikes are half a pound lighter and are at least offered with 100mm forks. They've also fixed the chainstay thing. As far as price goes, if you buy a poorly working bike and have to buy a stable platform shock to make it work then you are in the same range. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Pretorius
a
from London UK
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Kingsclere | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Evans Kingston | | Strengths: | Best of both really, climbs like a hardtail and decends like a softail. Light, agile and responsive. The lockout shox are a bonus with the brain on the rear shox. | | Weaknesses: | None noticed. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek VRX 200 | | Bike Setup: | Factory standard with Scareb lockout forks, XT rear, LX front, Avid brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Normal retail price is £1500, bought my baby at the end of year sale in 2003 for £1000. It loves to climb as much as it loves downhilling. A truelly remarkable piece of equipment this bike has with its rear 'brain' suspension. No power is wasted with your downstroke, the 'brain' only allows the rear shock to work when it detects rough terrain. The components are all very good. Will upgrade the front brake to disk in the later part of 2004. You will not be disapointed with this bike no matter your level of experience. Its fast and light enough for the serious enthusiast and racer. Its good to look at. And it is a plush ride for the weekend biker. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Kincaid
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Skookum | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Nice geometry, uninterupted seat tube, climbs like a four legged animal. Precision steering with a shortened neck (90mm). Rear end is indeed very stiff...one of the best linkage systems I have felt. | | Weaknesses: | Brain Shock does not engage very often, or stay open very long | | Similar Products Used: | First of its kind. Brain is the first rear suspension stable platform auto locking shock | | Bike Setup: | |
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$ 2060.00
