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Submitted by
Nik
a Cross Country Rider
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Dunno, still searching | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Edinburgh Bike | | Strengths: | It does what it's supposed to and it's not made out of hairy scary carbon fibre like the newer ones. | | Weaknesses: | Difficulty sourcing a replacement shock (not that I need one, just that I can source pivots and bushing and not the shock). Chain suck. | | Similar Products Used: | Never riden any other full susser in anger before this. | | Bike Setup: | Thomson post and stem, X.O rear mech and shifters, Hope xc hubs + Mavic XM819s, Chris King headset, Race Face atlas cranks and bars, Rock Shox Revelations 426 U-turn, Formula Oro K24 xc brakes. | | Bottom Line: | I got the frame last november when my favourite bike shop discovered this hanging in a window, or in a box in the basement, or something like that. Untill that point I had been looking for a Carrerra LRS (a cheaper version of the Merida LRS but still made by Merida) frame having decided to bite the bullet and make the jump to F/S. Obvoiusly when I saw this I couldn't resist and everything's just been a fantastic love story since. I absolutly love this bike. I love the way I can only just tell the difference tanking up steep single track on the rare occasion I now get back on my hard-tail (and I'm 200+lbs). I love the fact it's lighter than all my mate's bikes (except the one's who've got nice hardtail's). I love the way it magically turns into a really nice Full Susser (not just cleverly turning into a poor bump absorber) when you need it. I love the confidence it's given me to push my riding. I just love this bike. It's stiff, it's light it's fast, and it's lovely over bumpy stuff.
Obviously you'll be hard pushed to find one of these new these days, but maybe you're an XC rider who enjoys the odd bit of fun pointing your bike downhill, likes riding their trusty hard-tail and you're considering buying the new Epic (now has the same M5 tubing this frame had) or looking at a 2nd hand one of these on eBay... who knows, but if you find yourself choosing between this and something else and can't make up your mind then... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Galinger
a Cross Country Rider
from Cincinnati, OH USA
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Cave Run, Eastfork, Westwood | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Mathews | | Strengths: | Light weight full-suspension racer
Brain shock is amazing
Fastastic climber | | Weaknesses: | Maybe price?
| | Similar Products Used: | First full-suspension | | Bike Setup: | X.0 Drivetrain, Crossmax wheelset, Thompson stem and post, Monkey Lite riser, Avid BB7's | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow-up post from earlier. I have been on this bike for almost 2 years and it continues to amaze me. I wish it had the technology of the new Brain Fade rear shock, but it is still a fantasic bike. I have never had a problem with the rear suspension/linkage that you read about with other full-suspension bikes. This is the real deal. Specialized is a quality company who make fansastic products. Only the best of the best ideas go into their S-Works line-up and it shows. If you are in the market for a new Epic, you will not be disapointed. You get what you pay for! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Acworth, Ga
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Aska- Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | durable, responsive, efficient, Specialized warranty and a hell of alot of fun to ride. | | Weaknesses: | rear derailluer cable routing can make for some sticky shifting if not cleaned regularly and a little heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | I have tried several hardtail and FS bikes. | | Bike Setup: | XT Drive Chain/shifter, Avid SD7 brakes and levers, Valliant rims with XTR hubs, Thompson Elite seat post and stem, WTB Lazer seat, Hutch Pythons. Bike size is XL. | | Bottom Line: | I am 6-4, 210lbs and I would consider my riding type as cross mountain (mix between cross country and downhill). I bought this bike new in 2003 and have put over 2,500 all trail miles on it. With the exception of chain suck (caused by crappy Shimano Chain rings and can be fixed with a file) this bike has performed flawlessly. This is not a plush ride and Specialized never intended it to be. This is a cross country racing rig that is geared for explosive performance. It is truly a mix between a hardtail and a FS bike. If you are looking for a super squishy ride, do not buy. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lars Andersen
a Cross Country Rider
from Copenhagen, Denmark
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | "The Blue Trail" - Rude Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Road Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Hardtail when you need it - softtail when you need it | | Weaknesses: | Chain Suck (big time) | | Similar Products Used: | None actually | | Bike Setup: | Manitou, XTR... | | Bottom Line: | Best bike I have ever tried - period. I felt at home on it instantly the first time I tried it. Great geometry, great suspension. Great bike.
The chain suck issue is a problem though. I solved it by removing the small chainring, and I now ride with just 30t and 40t in front. It works very well in danish conditions but probably not in the mountains.
I am not entirely happy with buying a costly high-end bike that has chain suck problems. I was just told that it is not included in the warranty. Hmmmm... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ettore Guarnaccia
a Cross Country Rider
from Padova, Italy
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | XC, marathon, excursions | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Look, automatic suspension, works great, good drive, it's a razor on singletracks. Very good frame. | | Weaknesses: | weak painting, a little heavy for XC, price!!! | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | XTR/XT, Marzocchi MX Comp ETA, Mavic X223, Specialized Strongarm II, Truvativ, Easton, Selle Italia SLR | | Bottom Line: | I really love this bike, as I can drive it and as I can look at it! I think I will buy the new model as soon I will have the cash!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kristin
a Cross Country Rider
from Eden, UT, Sedona, AZ, Lake Tahoe
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Slickrock, Moab | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bingham Cycles, Ogden, UT | | Strengths: | Light, agile, responsive, rides like a hard tail. Excellent climber. Handles all the rocks, ruts, roots. | | Weaknesses: | The occassional chain suck. The SID shock is weak, and had to be replaced by the more agressive riders I know. It has been replaced with a Fox in 04 & 05. | | Bike Setup: | Kenda tires | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike, it's worth every cent. I have never had a problem with the brain on climbs. I have owned it since August 03. My husband has one also, his is a bit heavier than mine, I ride the male (small) This bike is the best of both worlds - a full suspension hard tail. This is a great cross country, climber racer, not a big hit bike.
If you are used to riding a heavier full suspension it takes getting used to but you'll fall in love with it once you ride it for a while. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave McCrimmon
a Racer
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Trail Head Cyclery | | Strengths: | Climbs like a goat, no bob, fast accelleration, excellent in technical switchbacks | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, super stiff on stutter bumps | | Bike Setup: | XTR/XT, V-Brakes, Fox F80X, Easton Carbon Bars & Post, WTB Saddle & Tires, RaceFace Stem | | Bottom Line: | This is an extremely heavy hardtail! My Diamond Back Axis TT is smoother than this thing in on fast stutter bump terrain and weighs 3 pounds less. Although I really love the way this bike climbs. The geometery allows the frontend to stick to the ground, whereas my old SC Superlight frontend wouldn't stay planted no matter what stem length I had on it. This was the main reason I decided to get the S-Works Epic over the Blur.
This bike is called the Epic, I have raced it at the Cascade Cream Puff 100 and had to get off a few times because my hands and feet were beat to death. I race this race a few years back on my Superlight and my body felt much better when I finished. I did finish 1.5 hours faster but actually trained this time and spent some good quality time in the gym.
If you are looking for a good XC race bike, this bike will meet your goal. In '04 they took out 0.5lbs but your still looking at a 25lb race bike unless you go nuts on the ultralight no durability parts. Stick to stuff that works and the bike is going to weigh 0.5lbs to 1lb more than any other racing FS. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frederik
a Cross Country Rider
from Denmark
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$920.00 | | Purchased At: | Brixtoncycles UK | | Strengths: | Great handling, no bob, stiff, just follows the trail, rides like a full blood fully | | Weaknesses: | Little heavy, expensive retail price, chain suck | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jekyll, Blur, GT I-D | | Bike Setup: | XTR, XT, Hope, Fox, Ritchey | | Bottom Line: | The ultimate xc bike. Goes fast up and down. That best trail/xc bike for danish conditions (no mountains and little rocks), but if you live in the Rockys you might consider the Enduro. It dosn't get any better than this. The ratail price draws the value rating down a little. Buy the 03 on sale don't need to wait for the 04. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Indianapolis, IN
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Cave Run, KY | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Matthews | | Strengths: | Light, Comfortable, Fast, Nimble | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR besides XT Cranks, Thompson Stem/Seatpost, MonkeyLite Carbon Riser, Egg Beaters, LaserV Stealth Saddle, X517 Rims, Stan's NoTubes | | Bottom Line: | Buy this bike. It is a great ride for almost any situation. Climbs fast, descends with confidence and makes up for your mistakes. I use to ride a Stumpjumper, but I wanted something a little more forgiving on the rear end. This is a great trail/cross country/race horse! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Racer
from Littleton, CO
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2900.00 | | Strengths: | Works as advertised
More fun than hardtail
Perfect for epic rides | | Weaknesses: | Chainsuck
Some parts specs | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock with some mods | | Bottom Line: | My perspective is that of an expert cross country racer owning his first full suspension bike in the Rocky Mountains.
Wow! This bike is a lot of fun on every ride. Climbing feels identical to my hardtail titanium bike. Descending is much more comfortable, and slightly faster. I don't notice any unlocking delay. Bumpy flats are the main advantage of this bike -- or any time you have some speed and want to pedal through stuff. The reduced beating makes a big difference on long rides. The 24 Hours of Moab course, for example, was like a different sport on this bike.
After a couple of rides, I thought the riser bars and set back post were not good for climbing, so I switched those out. I also switched the levers to rapdifire because the braking leverage with Dual Control was very weak. I put on Eggbeater twin ti pedals, and the bike weighs about 24.25 pounds -- 0.25 pounds more than my ti hardtail did.
I had a lot of problems with chainsuck from day 1. Other premature problems included the fork seizing up (melted o-ring) and the rear hub squeaking (dry freehub). The stock LX chain was extremely stretched after only a few weeks of moderate riding, which damaged my cassette. I switched to an XTR chain with a new small ring, and the chainsuck seems to have gone away for now. Is the LX chain contributing to the chainsuck problems?
This is a great bike that works unbelievably well. It seems like it's only a matter of time before most cross country bike designs converge in this direction. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles Jenkins
a Racer
from San Diego CA USA
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | San Juan Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Black Mt Bikes | | Bottom Line: | The bike rules. It rides like a full suspension but feels and climbs like a hard tail. It really feels lighter than it is. The 2004 is not that much better. The only real difference is the new rear shock which I was able to get on my 03. I can't feel claimed weight difference. Especially sence I was able to ride an 04 Demo S-Works for a little over a month. I put a lot of miles on it so I would know. Either way you won't regret forking out the bones for one of these bike after you have ridden it. Happy trails.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Bean
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Black Mountain, Hodges, Bernardo Peak | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Private Party | | Strengths: | Versatility. Stiff on climbs. Plush at the right times on hairy downhills and flats. The brain knows -- seriously. Freaking wild. | | Weaknesses: | Folks complain about weight. Clydedales won't care. Mash the pedals and you'll go fast. A little twitchy on 20 percent super tight, single-track deeply rutted, rock-strewn ascents. Lack of bob, though, is worth it. Power transferred to rear wheel, not any springs, shocks and other energy-wasting bells and whistles. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | XTR, XT, 517, SID SL, Avid Ti, Monkeylite, Time ATAC, Fizik Pave | | Bottom Line: | I use the bike for xc riding and winter commuting day and night through a protected reserve with wonderful trails that provide plenty of moderate ups and downs, rocks galore, ruts, sand, mud and dust. The Epic handles all beautifully. Perfect for motoring on these types of terrain. Hills? Just lock out the front fork and turn the pedals over. You'll be to the top in no time. And surprise, loves to catch air (no cliff jumping for me) with great landings and excellent rebound to keep your speed (30 mph+). Be sure to set the rear Fox psi properly and clicks for correct rebound. No a big deal to roll on pavement in between the house and trail @ 20 mph). I'm a convert. Had all kinds of advice from "unbiased" sales dudes on other MTB like Ellsworth Truth. Well, truth is I trusted a friend who has Epic S-Works FSR. Not disappointed at all. A true pleasure that leverages every ounce of your leg strength, lung capacity and handling abilities. Two bottle cages perfect to use one for JETS super bright light battery. Just damn fun in the sun or under the starts. Amazing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Racer
from Shaaakopee, USA
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Slickrock | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1335.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Great handling, no suspension bob when climbing, suspension is there when you need it, nice annodized black finish. | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy (1/2 pound lighter for '04). More race oriented - casual riders may want more plushness. $2000 retail for a welded in Taiwan frame????? | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 S-Works FSR (same bike but it bobs, not as fast feeling), 2004 Fuel 100 (demo-lack of suspension bob is impressive, but the suspension is not as good as Specialized's). | | Bike Setup: | 2003 S-works medium black, Fox F80x(awesome), '03 XTR cranks/bottom bracket, Crossmax UST, 2002 XTR shift/brakes. | | Bottom Line: | For a racer or performance-oriented XC rider, this is the best bike that I have ridden (haven't been on a Blur/Spider yet, though). Set up with the Fox fork with the same valve, I call this my "Doctor Jekyll/Mister Hyde" bike. When the trail is smooth, it is as responsive as a rigid hardtail. When the going gets rough, you have full suspension. And there is little noticable transition in between. Some complain about this transition, but the adjustable version of the "Brain" on '04 bikes should take care of this. And as far as some mag editors' complaints about bunnyhopping this bike: give me a break. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a
from Acworth, Ga. USA
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | well made, tracks great, very plush when needed, brain, great geometry | | Weaknesses: | a little heavy in rear, slight chain suck issues. price. | | Similar Products Used: | NRS, Sugar, Carve | | Bike Setup: | bike is an XL, XT drive and shifters, 929's, Cane Creek WAM's, SD7's, F80RL in the front. | | Bottom Line: | This is the best cross country bike I have ever been on. The bike improved my riding ability immediately. The bike reacts like a hard tail but once the brain kicks in, its smooth as butter. It takes a little getting used to but I think this is the way of the future. Fox and Specialized have broken the mold with this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate
a Racer
from Reno
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | College Cyclery | | Strengths: | Does just what it says
-over sized pivots, built for abuse
-plush suspension (when it's engaged)
| | Weaknesses: | -maybe a little heavy, but if you're a bigger person the ratio evens out.
-Price, if you pay retail
-Bottom bracket height could be a little higher | | Similar Products Used: | Superlight, Blur, FSR, many hardtails | | Bike Setup: | -XTR
-Crossmax Tubeless
-C. King
-Fox Float 100 | | Bottom Line: | This was a warrantee return from Specialized. I broke last year's S-Works frame and they had me going again within two weeks. A full frame swap, a beautiful thing.
I was very skeptical at first and wanted to sell it to get a Spider or Blurr, but kept on. Now I'm glad I did. Not to take anything away from the Blurr of Spider, they're both great rides too.
I love this bike a lot. I works great! And it's very strong for its weight. I've even raced downhill on it at Angel Fire, NM because I couldn't fit my DH rig on da plane.
The first time I really noticed the Brain was riding over a very rough and faily wide creek bed, the plushness of the suspension made it very easy to keep my line at speed. When I got to the other side there was a very steep bank to go up, so I had to stand and hammer. There I was on a hardtail, and shot right up the other side. No Bob, and no questions!
Great Bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Case
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Gatos, Ca.
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt. Elden Flagstaff, Az. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light....Powerful...Efficient | | Weaknesses: | Ability to set the release point of the shock. | | Similar Products Used: | There is nothing like it. | | Bike Setup: | Everything but Shimano. | | Bottom Line: | If you want a bike that accelerates when you pedal and sucks up shock when you need it...this is it. People complain about the unpredictability of the shock. If you are going fast and there is compression it will release...if you are poking around it wont. I can not stand riding a pogo stick. This is the best technology on the market. Can't wait for the fork! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
L.A. P.
a Racer
from Fayetteville, NC
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Pisgah, Moab | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | Chapel Hill | | Strengths: | Descends well on rocks roots and gravel when at a moderate decline. | | Weaknesses: | Too Heavy. This bike is way too heavy in the tail end. The 2002 S-Works FSR had the shock below the seat, and the center of gravity of the bike was excellent. The 2003 has the brain shock and linkage and the weight is significantly more and farther back. I went from being very competitive on the 2002 to loosing several positions on the 2003 because of the weight.
Another significant difference is that the shock tube angle and the seatpost tube angle and position putting the rider 2-3 inches farther forward and thus decrease the angle of decent that you can safely traverse. I was going over the handlebar on descents I had easily raced on my hardtail SJ Pro just the year before on the same races.
I raced the bike twice, Wild 100 and Shenandoah 100, and then shelved the bike, built another one, my Trek 400 Soft Tail Pro. The 400 STP ended up being 5 lbs lighter and can descend a lot steeper angles. | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 S-Works FSR, Trek 400 STP | | Bike Setup: | M5 Frame, All XTR, Hugi Hubs, Mavic Rims, Panaracer Tires, Manitou Mars CL Shock. | | Bottom Line: | Do not believe the “descends like a Dual and climbs like a Hardtail.” Yes it climbs like a 30 lb Hardtail, but who has one that heavy. Yes it descends like a Dual, but only on moderate descents, nothing extremely steep. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John W.
a Cross Country Rider
from SLC, UT
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Trail 157 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Strengths: | The bike is cool looking! | | Weaknesses: | The bike is heavy, the Brain is so-so technology, it rides too much like a hard tail. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 9.9, Gary Fisher Team Issue Carbon | | Bike Setup: | Completely custom to make as light as possible and still weighs almost 25 lbs. | | Bottom Line: | I wrote a review a while back when I first purchased this bike (see below). Nothing has changed regarding my opinion. I have even been contacted by Specialized reps telling me what I am doing wrong with the bike.
To make a long story short. Specialized has acknowledged the weight issue and the poor reactive Brain technology. For 2004 Specialized will add an adjustable valve to the Brain itself to change the damping on the shock from light to stiff. In effect, the Brain will gain a higher IQ. The second change will be the addition of a carbon fiber linkage arm and some shaving of the rear triangle to decrease the weight of the bike. Rumor has it that the decrease in rear triangle weight could be as much as 320 grams!
Bottom line. I think Specialized could gain a lot of PR points if they would be willing to exchange the 2003 rear triangle and Fox shock for the new 2004 technology. I would certainly be willing to pay an upgrade price if this were available. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wolf
a Cross Country Rider
from Bend, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4900.00 | | Strengths: | Form, function. | | Weaknesses: | None that are noteworthy. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Sugars, Treks, tons of others | | Bike Setup: | Bone stock, as spec'ed. | | Bottom Line: | First bike I've had in years that has made me enjoy riding, again. This thing truly is Epic. The shapes, the welds, the anodization, the linkages, the forged dropouts... this is a work of art. The way it performs on trail is just stunning. I'm railing descents like never before. In one word, "BALANCED". It doesn't get all out of shape. If you're cornering so hard it starts to slide, it's like it's predictable and not unsettling. I can slide both wheels through corners at the same time and it just hooks up, very little drama. Every corner it asks to be ridden harder and harder. Climbing, it's roomy enough to stand up and just kill it - firm beneath you - and if you happen upon technical rocky climbs, pound into them and after the first "hit" you're not getting bounced around too bad, just soaking them up with traction and speed. It's f*@#ing amazing all around. The rear shock kicks in at 1g, so running a few extra psi results in a more active rear shock. In other words, you'll get a softer ride by running more pressure than less. Sometimes when I go in the garage to grab a beer, I have to look at this thing for a minute. Like I used to do when I was 14. That's saying something, folks.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Racer
from Baltimore, MD
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Brush Mtn, Blacksburg, VA | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Light St. Cycles | | Strengths: | Reactive shock system - it REALLY does ride like a hardtail when it should. Awesome geometry. Great seatpost w/ frame. 2004 parts spec & design mods are outstanding!!! | | Weaknesses: | Price, MFR's parts spec for complete bike. Also I think my chainstay is too close to my big ring... | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 100, Specialized Stumpy Pro, Schwinn Moab series | | Bike Setup: | '01 XTR drivetrain ('03 XT crankset/BB), Avid rim brakes, Sid shock, Chris King headset | | Bottom Line: | Had been shopping for the Epic for some time, but very unhappy with the parts spec (thought it needed disc brakes + tubeless for the price point). Managed to get the S-Works frame as a Manufacturer's replacement & upgrade for a flawed Stumpjumper pro frame. Upgraded a few parts, and 2 days later raced the Epic in a 24hr race as a solo. WHAT a RIDE! - this bike is really amazing!!! I didn't want the plush ride of a Sugar or Fuel, love the hardtail feel, but the full suspension on the Epic translate into huge performance gains while still keeping the bike under 26lbs. I'm a bigger rider (200 lbs) w/ less than perfect racing technique, and my setup is just about right for me. Think I'll upgrade next year to disc brakes.
This is a great bike for a very specific rider group, and for them it is a 5 Chili. If you're a free-rider or have a sensitive A$$, get something else... 4 Chilis on value because it is friggin expensive.
If you haven't heard about the 2004 S-Works Epic, you'll be very happy - dropped almost a pound off the '03 bike, manual adjustability on the Brain shock, tubeless are standard. One note - frames for '04 are either rim or disc specific. Hope to see a small price drop... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
robbie robinette
a Racer
from austin, tx usa
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | kennebeck | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | bicycle sport shop | | Strengths: | brain shock. build quality | | Weaknesses: | it's a bit heavier than last years bike. | | Similar Products Used: | 01, 02 s-works fsr, schwinn hardtails | | Bike Setup: | xtr, sid, x-max sl's, pythons | | Bottom Line: | First, this is a great bike.
The rear is great and does what you want. coupled with the sid (and remote lockout) I can hammer out of the saddle any time I want, even if it is only for a few pedal strokes. On courses with lots of short steep climbing this is essential. The bike is dramatically more efficient than last years bike.
The drawback is that the rear is not as plush as last years bike, this will occaisionally cause problems on very rough steep climbs and bumpy corners. That's the price you pay for the efficiency though and it is well worth it.
I never notice any transition from locked out to unlocked, the bike always seems to soak up bumps and be locked out whenever I am on the gas. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chance Richie
a Racer
from Bainbridge Island, WA
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Daniel's Road, Saratoga NY | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay & Universal Cycles | | Strengths: | Awesome climber, fast on the downhills, Excellent agility | | Weaknesses: | Heavier than a hardtail (Duh!) | | Similar Products Used: | Enduro, S-lized hardtail. Demoed Ellsworth Truth | | Bike Setup: | Crossmax SL UST, Fox F100X, Raceface Next Cranks, Raceface Sig Ti BB, Chris King Headset, Thomson Elite seatpost and stem, Magura Marta SL's, '02 XTR shifters and '03 XTR deraileurs, Easton carbon bar, Tubeless Pythons | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that the bike rocks. I wanted to wait and write this review until after I raced it once. I am alot faster on this bike. I race sport 30-39 (a very competitive division) and most of the guys ride hardtails. I noticed no ill-effects from the extra weight incurred from the brain. Whatever (if anything) I lost on the climbs in weight I know I made up for with the combination of the Brain and the Fox F100X fork with Terralogic. This combination is a match made in heaven. It is definitely how S-lized should spec the bike in the future. It feels like you are climbing with a slightly heavy roadbike because there is no front or rear bob.
I keep speaking of the weight of the bike, but mine comes in just a shade above 25lbs. That ain't bad. I can climb sooo much better than I ever have been able to in the past and don't get beat to hell on the downhills. If you're not a racer, this would make an excellent trailbike. There is more than enough travel to make it so. I might still ride my hardtail on courses where it is only about climbing fireroads but that is it. I'm an Epic convert.
One last thing, I didn't have an opportunity to ride an Intense Spyder prior to buying my Epic. I have ridden Specialized since 1993 and believe in their products. If you are deciding on an XC race bike do yourself a favor and ride the Intense also. I have heard great things about it and it looked silky smooth and efficient when I was watching one of the experts on his. You can't go wrong with either one though.
Also, I bought my build kit from Universal Cycles on the web at www.universalcycles.com and took the frame down to them in Portland to have them build it up. They were $800 cheaper than Jenson or Supergo (and about $1200 cheaper than my LBS), didn't charge me for the build up, and there was no sales tax. They rock.
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Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Alameda, CA
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Redtail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Alameda Bicycle | | Strengths: | Amazing climbing capability, absolutely NO bob at all
Super smooth across rough terrain
Very agile in tight corners and technical moves
Great frame geometry for all around riding
Tremendous fun and FAST, FAST, FAST. | | Weaknesses: | After a dozen rides, none to be found.
(rider needs some work, though) | | Similar Products Used: | Canondale Jekyll, FS Giant, and my trusty ol' Trek 990 | | Bike Setup: | Custom. All '03 XTR, including discs, hubs and Shimano tubeless wheelset, SID team, 959 pedals, ChrisKing headset, MonkeyLite, Thomson post. | | Bottom Line: | Fabulous execution on the part of Specialized. Very quick and responsive when climbing and cornering, and just floats across washboard and rough descents. This bike is agile and well controlled... it's simply a thrill to ride fast. The new XTR is fantastic. Great feel and stopping ability, fluid shifting, and the new Shimano hubs/wheelset are silky smooth.
In a word: Thrilling | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Haskell
a Cross Country Rider
from Kent
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Elmstead Woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Frame only from Bromley Bike Co | | Strengths: | Looks great, Corners well and is a dream on downhills. 2 waterbottle holders. Easy to throw around and it was a dream come true. | | Weaknesses: | Seems quite heavy from a frame of that price. The brain seems to be female....It really has its moments. | | Similar Products Used: | First ever FSR and the other bikes arent worth talking about! | | Bike Setup: | Deore setup because I had to mortgage my house to get the frame! Only joking but it will be a while before I can afford the xt groupset! | | Bottom Line: | I am an intermediate novice xc cyclist that has never really been on a good trail. I use this bike mostly for commuting and pleasure cycling. I have dreamed of this frame ever since I saw it on the back of MTB magazine. If you can afford it buy it. If you cant...tough ####! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Racer
from Deerfield, FL
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | BicycleGeneration.com | | Strengths: | Stiff, BRAIN really does as promised. Sensitive to inputs (for the XC Racers). Doesn't feel heavy because of fast response handling. | | We |
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$ 4880.00
