[CraterMaker]

I was able to get an 04 Epic Marathon for a couple of days and I was really surprised at how much I liked it. Not that I thought before it was a bad bike, but it seems to be almost perfect for the SoCal trails. Before I get serious about getting one, I'd like to hear from Marathon owners and see how their experience has been. What's good, what's bad, would you buy it again? Thanks!

 

[CraterMaker]

Well, if no one has a 2004 Marathon, how about comments from someone that has any 2004 Epic? Thanks!

 

[dkr92886]

I have the '03 Epic Comp with the '04 brain

I was set on getting a Trek Liquid or Fuel to upgrade form my Trek 4900.
The guy at my LBS suggested the Epic and even let me take his out twice for a test ride.

I ended up getting the Epic and not regretting my decision.

 

[scott.com]

Best thing would be to go to the bike review section. Last time I looked the Marathon had a solid 5.

I'm very happy with mine. I was originally looking at a Comp with the idea of upgrading some of the parts to XT. By the time we had figured out the upgrade cost it just made more sense to get a Marathon. Everything about the bike rocks. I love the adjustable brain, the integrated shifters, and the F100x fork. It a great race bike but also makes a great all mountain bike. I also have an Enduro. I'm selling it because my Epic can do everything that the Enduro can.

 

[baratta930]

Best thing would be to go to the bike review section. Last time I looked the Marathon had a solid 5.

I'm very happy with mine. I was originally looking at a Comp with the idea of upgrading some of the parts to XT. By the time we had figured out the upgrade cost it just made more sense to get a Marathon. Everything about the bike rocks. I love the adjustable brain, the integrated shifters, and the F100x fork. It a great race bike but also makes a great all mountain bike. I also have an Enduro. I'm selling it because my Epic can do everything that the Enduro can.

What type of trails do you ride your epic on? I bought an FSR-XC last year when just starting into mtn biking because I wasn't sure I was going ot like it (was a roadie in my youth, hadn't ridden much in 10+ years). The bike is ok, but heavy (31+lbs), the axel fork is flexy (I'm 220lbs but I doubt this fork would be good for anyone over 180lbs), wheelset is heavy, etc ...

I was thinking of upgrading piece by piece but I'm quickly at the price of a much better bike (500 fork, 300 wheelset, some XT upgrades (300-400), etc ...).

I'm in Austin, Texas and we have alot of rocky stuff here, I'm ok with my 100mm/90mm (F/R) travel today, so think that travel wise the EPIC would be ok, but looking to see what others are riding when they say they like it. Smooth singletrack, I figure is a no-brainer ...

I can't test ride one beyond parking lot and that doesn't tell you much

thnx

Berardino

 

[scott.com]

I live in Vancouver, BC. Any other questions?

I ride smooth single track, steep rocky rutty decents, rooty strewen trails. You name it we have it. It takes everything I through at it.

Note that the Epic is not going to be a whole heck of a lot lighter then your current bike. My medium Marathon weights 27 lbs. But man is it so much more efficent then my Enduro. Next year I'm planning to put it on a bit of a diet with lighter wheels and some other parts.

 

[baratta930]

I live in Vancouver, BC. Any other questions?

I ride smooth single track, steep rocky rutty decents, rooty strewen trails. You name it we have it. It takes everything I through at it.

Note that the Epic is not going to be a whole heck of a lot lighter then your current bike. My medium Marathon weights 27 lbs. But man is it so much more efficent then my Enduro. Next year I'm planning to put it on a bit of a diet with lighter wheels and some other parts.

Ok, Vancouver makes sense, Austin can be about the same (rocky wise, not rooty wise) but a little drier (at least in summer )

Hmmm, 27lbs for a medium. I was hoping a Large would be under that weight (an entry EPIC large was 27lbs at my LBS when it was weighed). I figure I can get my bike to about 28lbs (just reweighed it and it's a little over 30lbs) for under 1.5k investment (Hope XC/717 wheels, XT cassette, PUSH upgraded rear shock, Fox fork upfront, x.9 trigger shifters/R.D., new post, stem and handlebars). Buying the marathon would be about 3k extra ...

... Thinking that Marathon may have to wait or do you think it's worth that much for the ride ?

thnx

Berardino