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2009 Epic Reviews

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#21 ·
ARider said:
.........
Overall, the bike rocks!
Click to expand...
I like to confirm everything you wrote!
If the brain is set as you recommend it, the new epic feels like a hardtail-rocket uphill but faster on bumpy trails and downhill compared to my HT.
It took some time to understand and accept the noise when the brain opens, now I'm sure this setting is perfect overall.
 
#22 ·
XTR on new Epic 2009

Hi Duner3,

I would like to build an S-Works Epic 2009 with XTR dual control and XTR crankset & chainrings, as you did.
I really like to use the dual control. Braking and shifting at same time is a very automatic thing now and I would like to keep this.
Shifting with Shimano chainrings is very smooth, the best option on my experience.
(I have S-Works crankset on my Tarmac SL road bike and I still remember how smoother was my Duraace crankset on my old Tarmac).

Anyway, I am not sure if I will use XTR hardware, because of weight - I want to have a light bike. (It will replace my 2008 S-Works Epic with V-brakes - 10.4kg)
Can you help me to have a correct number to decide?

XTR crankset complete hardware
785 +/- 5gr (checked the one I have)

Question1. Do you know the real value for the S-Works MTB option?

X-0 rotary shifter + Hope Mini Pro complete hw (160+140mm) + all cables & screws for disks
200 + 610 = 810 +/-10 gr (checked on my girlfriend bike)

Question 2. Do you have the real value for the Dual Control + brakes hardware, everything included?

Thank you for your time. JO

P.S. Please consider my comments regarding the Shimano parts as just my personal reduced experience. For sure others may have diferent experience and maybe completely diferent opinions. My objective is just to have correct number so that I can decide what to use. :)
 
#23 ·
Josliver,

I don't know the weight but I'll say a little about my philosophy on using these XTR parts vs. the other parts spec'd on the complete Epic. First, in regards to the cranksets, I came up with a weight penalty of around 23 grams. I had read somewhere there that the XTR crankset is 93 g heavier than the new Spesh. Then, I was reading somewhere that the BB-91 vs. the pressed in bearings that Spesh uses w/ their crankset are about 70 g lighter - hence a diff of about 23 g. Perhaps someone can confirm these #s as I'm not saying that is 100% correct, can't always believe what you read right? So then comes my philosophy of overall weight penalty/savings w/ using the other comps vs. the XTR crank and dual control levers/brakes...this bike is sooooo sweet and much lighter (frame/fork/shock) that I think it comes down to using the comps that you like and prefer to use. I mean come on, how much heavier can a full XTR equipped bike be? I used to be quite the "weight weenie" but nowadays, I am spec'n my rigs with the equipment I think works best and fits my taste. I catch hell from a lot of my ride/race buddies on the dual control levers - I just laugh at them as I know they ROCK and are the best for me!

Sorry, I don't have the real values of these components but I'm sure there's a lot of online sources that will give you the exact weights. I will also state that my comments and opinions on the Shimano parts vs the Spesh parts are just that - my comments and opinions. I hold the utmost respect for Spesh and their innovations. Hope my input helps!
 
#24 ·
Hi Duner3,

Thank you for your answer.
I am not "weight weenie" enough to use parts not suitable for my weight or with any performance handicap, but I try to balance in a way I get the lightest possible bike with reliable parts.
I know the "exact" (+/- 5gr) weight of each part I have in my bikes and I know well that many times the weight described on many documents/ tests .... are not accurate.
Sometimes is not easy to have the correct numbers unless you do it yourself.
That is why I try to get information as trustful as possible when I need to make a decision and I am not able to check myself.
I want to make sure I will get a lighter bike than the one I have now. :D

By the way, did you weight the complete module of the Epic before assembly? I believe is a Large.
Regards ..... JO
 
#27 ·
chipolopolo said:
The S-work Epic is actually better than advertised.. The only downside I can honestly say is it is very noise machine.
Click to expand...
I second that! Everything you've read about it, all the hype : it's true. Instant acceleration, razor sharp handling, featherlight steering, it's all there. When climbing the suspension stays firm and does not compress under load like it used to with the older models. When the brain in the fork / rear shock opens, it's like the flick of a switch and sounds like some relays are opening / closing : lightning fast.

Best way to describe the bike is it feels like a road racing bicycle but for offroad riding.

A great leap forward!
 
#28 ·
Josliver - I completely understand where you are coming from on the weight stuff. I wasn't able to weigh the frameset (module) as I didn't have a scale at home and when I got home with this baby on a Sunday afternoon...I immediately unboxed it and started building her up. I just last week received an Ultimate Alpine scale so I could start weighing my stuff at home. Turns out it is reading incorrectly (way too high) and Feedback Sports is swapping it out for a replacement. I threw the Epic up on the scale w/out the front brake - 29.6 lbs! Uhhhhh, I don't think so!
 
#30 ·
Weight on my custom built '09 SW Epic Large

So I had put up some posts on my impressions and pics on this incredible mtb that I probably don't deserve to own earlier. I said I would post the weight once fully built up and I got my replacement Ultimate Alpine scale. So w/ the incredible customer service that Feedback Sports offers, I was able to easily drive 15-20 mins up the road and meet Lisa from Feedback and she gave me a replacement scale. It was right on the money when she attached a 5kg weight to it and it read exactly that. I popped my Epic up on it and got ---- 22.8 lbs., and that is a real world weight my friends, w/ pedals, cage, computer mount...the whole ball and wax. :thumbsup:

Here's my build:

'09 Epic LG (SW seatpost, Brain fork, XTR DMD frnt derlr)
XTR Dual control shifter/brakes
XTR Shadow SGS rear derlr
XTR 9 spd chain
Discs - 160mm/140mm (centerlok)
Xmas SLRs
Sauserwind 2Bliss 2.0s w/ 1.5 scoops of Stans in each
Easton Monkey Lite SL bars
Bontrager Race X-Lite 105mm stem
Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbonio
Egg Beaters - 4Ti
King tubed Ti cage
ODI Lock-on grips
 
#31 ·
What an amazing bike.Rear closer to the stumpy but still not seamless.Only problem i have(same as i had with my 08 s-works stumpy and reason i sold it)is why do they have such a BIG headtube.I'm sure Spez will come with crap like stiffer etc but it's a race bike.Now you have to have the stem right on the frame and inverted.:nono:Weight is 10.2kg with pedals bottle cage and stans so you don't have to go s-works to get a light bikeI had a look at the s-works but it's not worth the money and i didn't wan't the fork or spez crank.Don't like either of them..
 
#33 · (Edited)
the Epic is one of the bikes I,m looking at.
In 2009 I,m looking to try my first X.C. bike after five years of 6 inch travel lightweight trailys ( Enduro S.L.carbon - Whyte 46 ) will demo an EPIC a.s.a.p. , thanx to this post most of my questions have been answered , The only thing stopping me is the TRAVEL , is 100 mm enough ??
I know what your going to say " depends on what sort of terrain your riding" and yes I do like to thrash along singletrack at speed and attack the rocks jumps, hits and air time that fast single track throws up at you - nothing over about 18 inches. Is this bike up to that sort of abuse ?
Other contenders could be the SCOTT genius 30 = 23.5 lbs six inches travel for 2009 but I think that,ll be too much and as I said I,m moving away from that kind of travel. so come on you lot,
A sub 25 lb, bike ,size "M" with around 125 - mm travel and performance comparable to the EPIC ???
any ideas ?????? Or can the 100mm take it ? as I said I,m used to 6 ins travel - are my fears un-founded ? P.S. not keen on stumpys .
 
#34 ·
Duner3 said:
Jumping around on the bike in my own "p-lot test rides", I instantly notice the rear shock "chatter" when it compresses. At first I thought, oh $hit, I got a broken rear shock! I spoke with a LBS that is a BIG Spesh dealer and a very sharp mechanic there tells me that they all do it and Spesh claims this is normal. Supposedly the bike feels odd and a bit different in p-lot test rides. Also, to note, the whistling of the rear shock is normal as well.
Click to expand...
I too noticed rear shock chatter about 3 hours into my first ride, I like you was "like" "OH ****", but after talking with the shop and spesh they said this is normal. Thanks for your take on this, I was wondering if I was getting that response because they just thought I was being too picky, I feel 100 percent better now!!!
 
#35 ·
I'm looking to build up a 2009 Epic from the S-works frame like some of the folks here. I've got a couple of questions for those who've purchased the frame separately.

1. Where did you purchase your frame from and how much did you pay? I'm wondering if folks are paying the full $4400 MSRP that's listed on Spesh's site.
2. Did the frame come with the seat post, fork, from derailleur and BB?
3. Did the frame come with the XTR BB or the Spesh BB? Did you get an option here?

Thanks for the assistance.
 
#38 ·
I have one, size small, purchased in Dec. It came with:

Fork, headset and spacers
XTR fr derailleur
Shimano pressed in BB
S Works seatpost and clamp
chainstay guard

I also picked up a set of Roval wheels, black. I have the 3 ring S Works crank on order.

The rest of the parts will be a mix of stuff from last years race bike and new parts. Can't wait to get it finished.

Sram XO shifters and rear der
XTR rear cassette 11-34
Formula Oro brakes and rotors
Schwalble Rocket Rons - 2.25 tubeless
XTR pedals
Rocket V SLT saddle
Thomson X4 stem
Easton Monkeylite SL bars
ODI grips

As far as price goes, I cannot help you. My shop worked a deal with me with a trade in and some cash.
 
#39 ·
I smell something burning.

chillie said:
What an amazing bike.Rear closer to the stumpy but still not seamless.Only problem i have(same as i had with my 08 s-works stumpy and reason i sold it)is why do they have such a BIG headtube.I'm sure Spez will come with crap like stiffer etc but it's a race bike.Now you have to have the stem right on the frame and inverted

You might hear something like this. Now we can make the down tube bigger and make the bottom bracket bigger too (BB30) with somewhat traditional lines.
I don't know too much about and much, but I'm guessing you have to make carbon tubes bigger then other materials to get the same strength or stiffness or something? Because the rodies seem to be heading that way too.

Why were the old E5 frames stiff enough for Chippo, but the carbon frames with traditional headset and bottom brackets were not stiff enough for Boonen? Hmm, i've been thinking about that one for a while. Any help?
Click to expand...
 
#40 ·
Can't help on price....

michaelharsh said:
Thanks zauberer. Anyone from the US bought this frame yet?
Click to expand...
I think your other questions were answered here, you do get a lot when you buy the frameset, and it's top quality stuff! My only gripe would be to have a little lighter seatpost but this bike, built up, is plenty light.

As for what I paid for the frameset....I wish I could help you but I'm a sponsored rider so I can't say. Shops may be able to help you on the price (a little) as many times, it helps them to order S-Works. From what I know, SW dealers have a commitment to buy a certain # of SW bikes, comps, accessories, etc. every year or they lose their status as a SW dealer.

Hope this helps, FWIW.
 
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