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chapppy

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm pretty excited about this bike and planning to have my hands on a frameset soon. Anyone out there build one up yet or buy a complete? Ride impressions? The geo looks nearly identical to the previous gen Epic Evo with the addition of 10mm longer reach and the longer wheelbase that goes along with that. This along with the updated kinematics shared with the Epic 8 seems like the making of a sweet alloy shredder. The last EE was my favorite bike of all time and also the one that got away :(.. I'm really excited to build up this budget friendly version and see how it rips.

Share some pics and details of your build!

Cheers
 
#2 ·
I'm anxious to see what people think of this as well.

I've been wanting a smart weld full suspension for a while and just never ended up getting one of those epics that were DSW back in the day (2019 i think?)

This one being build around a 120mm fork i like too.
Curious to see the builds people come up with as i think this one with a 130mm fork or even a 120mm fox 34 as a light trail bike/XC rig would be killer.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Well I just put a frameset on order and I should have it built up in the next couple weeks. It will compliment my current Chisel HT built up rigid as a flat bar gravel/light XC machine. I think this duo will manage the gravel and XC we have available here in North TX well. I'll update with pics when it comes together (y)(y)
 
#4 ·
Tyrich88 said:
This one being build around a 120mm fork i like too.
Curious to see the builds people come up with as i think this one with a 130mm fork or even a 120mm fox 34 as a light trail bike/XC rig would be killer.
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Same. Am not in a rush to buy, but this one is on my short list. Hoping my LBS gets the green $3400 in soon. Very curious to see it in that color. I like the blue lower end Shimano build, but suspect the higher end build is the better buy for me.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Ok it’s mostly built up. I have a few more things to iron out, but it looks like a bike! This color looks really good in person. I’ll update with the build list and weight once I get it dialed in.

It’s an XL frame and I’m about 225lbs, so should be able to answer a few questions for you guys asking in here 🤙🏼

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Discussion starter · #9 ·
Build list:

XL Chisel FS
SID Ultimate 120mm
Roval Control Alloy wheels
OneUp V3 Dropper 180mm
X01 AXS Der/Shifter
X01 Cassette
XX1 Chain
Sram G2 RSCs
Sram HS2 Rotors 180/160mm
Enve M7 Bars
I9 A35 stem 50mm
Specialized Power Saddle
Rekon Race 2.35s f/r

27lbs even - Pretty happy with that for an alloy “budget”-esque build.


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#11 ·
Juhis said:
How this thing pedals? Low anti squat or snappy and fast? No need for rear shock lockout? Just curious...
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Such a good question Juhis! We have a ton of bikes in my family for a slew of very active riders and trail builders. One of them is an Intense Sniper T. We have it rigged with very light Stans race carbon wheels w/o a dropper and it only weighs 22.5 lbs. But...that's not the thing here...the thing is it pedals so much better than the 2021-2024 Epic Evo (who's frame is over a full pound lighter) that it is the choice of nearly all of us for the days we want speed.

Yea...the weight of the full suspension Chisel is a bit over the norm for a carbon frame. But how does it pedal? That is a very important factor. I'm a weight focused guy, I've got quick legs but I'm not powerful. But I've learned, I've learned that pedal efficiency is far more important than a pound if you want a satisfactory ride on a cc bike.
 
Discussion starter · #15 · (Edited)
Got this thing out for a shakedown ride today, and all I can say is the bike feels amazing. Extremely quiet and composed. The suspension platform is bang on too. My local trails are rough, raw and rocky, with a lot of steep downs and technical climbs. It handled it all with ease. I’ve been riding a full rigid Chisel HT the past few months, so I figured I’d be sensitive to the pedal bob of a full suspension bike, but i honestly didn’t notice it at all. When I got on the pedals the bike just goes. It accelerates really well and holds a line really well. It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden my Epic Evo, but it felt more composed in the rough stuff in a way. I think the added 10mm of reach and wheelbase, along with the couple extra lbs over my EE build are what’s giving me that feel. I’m 225lbs, so I think a little more intertia from the extra weight helps.

Overall I couldn’t be more pumped. My previous EE was my favorite bike of all time and this bike feels just as good, if not a little better. Can’t wait to put some more miles on it 🤘🏼

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#17 ·
Took the chisel on a very short demo loop yesterday. I must say, I walked away impressed. Close fit to my Stumpy so I was immediately at home on it.
The suspension was set up too soft with 35% sag but it still climbed pretty well, even out of the saddle.
It’s on my short list for my next frame.
 
#18 ·
I built one of these up for my wife and now I think I want one for next summer’s BCBR. Rides great overall, very quiet. I know they said it won’t but I think it’ll take a longer stroke shock as well, will do some testing with a 42.5mm and a 45mm and report back. Nice cable management on the back half of the bike and comes with foam tubes for the downtube. Right now it’s at 26.75lbs ready to ride, but with some real XC tires and analog components it could be in the ~25lbs range for a medium anyways. I was a huge fan of the regular Stumpy and while this bike isn’t quite that bike I do think it pedals better, obviously more XC oriented. The value is pretty insane, only 1lbs heavier frame vs the carbon. I was going to get the Epic 8 Evo frameset but I’m having trouble justifying the 1800 bucks extra for that 1lbs savings. Don’t care for the swat box so not really sure it’s worth it for me. Anyways, that’s my 0.02. I don’t think anyone would be disappointed with this bike.


@Odd Kiwi tried to answer your question on cables. Let me know if that helps or not.

 
#19 ·
R3D2 said:
I built one of these up for my wife and now I think I want one for next summer’s BCBR. Rides great overall, very quiet. I know they said it won’t but I think it’ll take a longer stroke shock as well, will do some testing with a 42.5mm and a 45mm and report back. Nice cable management on the back half of the bike and comes with foam tubes for the downtube. Right now it’s at 26.75lbs ready to ride, but with some real XC tires and analog components it could be in the ~25lbs range for a medium anyways. I was a huge fan of the regular Stumpy and while this bike isn’t quite that bike I do think it pedals better, obviously more XC oriented. The value is pretty insane, only 1lbs heavier frame vs the carbon. I was going to get the Epic 8 Evo frameset but I’m having trouble justifying the 1800 bucks extra for that 1lbs savings. Don’t care for the swat box so not really sure it’s worth it for me. Anyways, that’s my 0.02. I don’t think anyone would be disappointed with this bike.


@Odd Kiwi tried to answer your question on cables. Let me know if that helps or not.

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Looks Awesome! Nice job.

I own the previous gen Stumpy and on the short demo ride I had on the Chisel, there is definitely enough separation between the two bikes to justify both. I think if you’re trails aren’t north shore type, a light build chisel and a burly stumpy makes sense as a 2 bike quiver. For more rugged terrain, Chisel + new stumpy (or other AM bike) makes sense too. And, I 100% agree that the $1800 savings over the Epic can be spent elsewhere on the Chisel to make up for the added pound.
 
#20 ·
Hi R3D2,
Appreciate you taking the extra photos around the pivot point. Would you have time to take a photo from underneath the bottom bracket area ? Are the cable housing held in place by a rubber grommet or a clamp system from the front triangle ? Unfortunately my local bike store doesn't have any in stock to look at and try for size, How tall is the rider ? Thanks for your help
 
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