Insider? Many on this site believe they are an insider. Well I heard from a friend who is dating a lady who's cousin is a part time janitor at Specialized. He overheard a conversation in the lunch room........

 

I'm listening....

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Does any of you know from which serial number the Shocks are already repaired?

Thanks and Merry Christmas.


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Does any of you know from which serial number the Shocks are already repaired?

Thanks and Merry Christmas.

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I have read it 12T8xxxx o prior.
Thanks all

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[CITA=jmluquer; 14489563]Lo he leído 12T8xxxx o antes. 
Gracias a todos los 


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Hi Jmluquer, I'm here too.
Where can I see that serial number?
Thank you.

 

I've ridden by Epic for 42 miles and this is the 2nd time my rear shock failed. First time it sounded like a cannon went off and all of the air was lost, 2nd time it started hissing after a small bump then went completely flat 30 minutes later. Gotta say I enjoy that specializes services my shock every 20 miles, Leadville they'll get me at least 5 services.

 

That sounds like an actual defective shock.

 

Nah thats just the Brian thinking I need less air for my fat ass

 

I had some training by a local pro this weekend as part of continuing ed for the MTB team I coach. We both realized the reason I hate the fork on this bike so much - the compression damping knob doesn't work. He told me he has seen this issue before and it has to do with the clocking of the knob in reference to the innards of the shock.

So I took it to my LBS and apparently someone else brought their bike in for the same issue a week prior. They aren't going to be able to send it out for a few days so I decided to hang onto it and go for a short ride with my son - during which time the rear shock failed. AGAIN.

This bike has fewer than 350 miles on it and is about to have its third rear shock installed. I'm very much, um, NOT impressed by the Epic.

 

I had some training by a local pro this weekend as part of continuing ed for the MTB team I coach. We both realized the reason I hate the fork on this bike so much - the compression damping knob doesn't work. He told me he has seen this issue before and it has to do with the clocking of the knob in reference to the innards of the shock.

So I took it to my LBS and apparently someone else brought their bike in for the same issue a week prior. They aren't going to be able to send it out for a few days so I decided to hang onto it and go for a short ride with my son - during which time the rear shock failed. AGAIN.

This bike has fewer than 350 miles on it and is about to have its third rear shock installed. I'm very much, um, NOT impressed by the Epic.

What symptom were you seeing on the front shock that allowed you to know the knob was not working? Most reviewers hate the Brain front shock due to the harsh nature of the ride.

 

Question for all the followers - Has someone started a legal action against the Brand? Among the lines of a class action?

Thanks,



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Question for all the followers - Has someone started a legal action against the Brand? Among the lines of a class action?

Thanks,

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Why? I have had 4 shocks and paid zero for them. All covered under warranty. What would I sue them over?

 

You're welcome.

Any Auto Parts store worth their salt or Home Depot/Lowes should have one. I think I picked mine up at NAPA. If you were in a bind you might be able to get away with a 1-1/8" socket which is 1.125". 28mm is 1.102". Since your ride is in the shop you've got plenty of time to get one.

As for your rear shock they should be replacing the entire unit not just fixing the old one. I went through that one back in October but got about twice the miles you did before it went. The new one has been flawless for about 150 miles now. Unfortunately it's been unusually wet here the past couple of months so riding has been limited to the rollers and spending time on the rowing machine.

 

I'm not sure what do you mean by compression damping knob not working. If you talk about the fork being plush at the beginning of travel (first 25-35mm) even in the firmest setting, then the clocking will not work for SID forks from 2019 on. As you can see on the bottom link from Specialized, with the introduction of DebonAir spring the first 25mm or so of the fork travel is free floating (=open) even in the firmest setting. It's something a lot of people have asked for (=having a better small bump compliance) and Specialized delivered. The 2018 version (and older) was rock solid in full firm mode. I too scratched my head when I got 2019 bike as the fork was very different from 2018 bike and I thought I got a busted fork until I found that the setup was redesigned. There is also an entire thread about 2019 SID Brain fork on this forum, look bellow the link. I apologize to post the fork answer in the rear shock woes thread I heard however rumors that the internals can be changed with the previous version via LBS. I'm not sure if that's 100 % sure, though.

https://www.specialized.com/ca/en/stories/brain-technology

https://forums.mtbr.com/specialized/help-sid-brain-970623.html

 

Good information. What we found is that the compression damping knob has no effect at all, even beyond that first little bit of travel.

As regards the shock, I contacted Specialized to see if they've come up with a long term fix. Apparently, they've changed their repair procedure and have a new o-ring that is supposed to eliminate the problem of failing rear shocks. They started using this new procedure in November 2019, so it is fairly new.

 

You can just email ridercare@specialized.com. Don't expect much in the way of useful service. Most of the stuff they offer on that email is pretty generic. They aren't very responsive either. If the change truly rolled into production in November, I would say it's highly unlikely that a bike you purchased in December would incorporate the change. The delay between manufacturing and appearance in a shop would be too long. However, you might be able to send them your serial number. It is still doubtful they'll be able to pinpoint your production date and guarantee your bike is pre- or post-change.

 

There’s been no posts in 3 months! Does that mean the November fix is working?

Mine was repaired in August 2019 and has failed again.

August service notes say “Replaced seal head and damper shaft with upgrade parts, lip seal replaced with PU o-ring and bladder cap o-ring replaced. New air can and damper seals. New bleed procedure and bladder pressure. Dyno test ok.”

What’s the cost of a new shock? Two on rotation would be handy. Does anyone rate the bikeyoke x-fusion microlite shock alternative for a 66kg rider?

 

Mine was repaired in December 2019, but in the snowbelt the trails didn't dry out until recently. 200 miles on it so far with no problems.... fingers crossed!

 

I tried to start another thread about the option for the Brain failure, but nobody has really replied. I might just ask my questions here. The brain of my 2018 bike is pretty much given up on me, there is the dreaded squishy sound of oil and gas cavitation Could you recommend options for the brain rebuild? I would also like to know the price. So far I found out about these options:
- Bikeyoke + X-Fusion or Fox (320-400USD)
- Andreani rebuild by S4suspension (175CAD for the kit + 170CAD for the rebuild), this is quite acceptable I think (around 240USD total + shipping to Canada I guess)
- Rebuild by Specialized, I don't know how much it costs and for how long it lasts.

Could you tell me the pros and cons for each? Also if you have cheaper options for either of these, that's very much appreciated!

 

specialized should repair or replace it for free. Take it your shop first.

 

How long does it take Specialized to answer an email usually? I hope it's not a matter of weeks.

 

I went through 3 brains on 2 bikes. I sold my bikes.

How can they just repeatedly fix these things to have them go bad again?

Very poor design and what a hassle not having your bike to ride.

My advice is take your losses, sell your bike or the frame and move on.

There are plenty of other bikes out there that are just as good, if not better, for less money too.

 

I bought this for quite a good deal and getting an XL sized frame is not quite easy. Especially with the right groupset and etc. I'm willing to spend around 300USD on a permanent solution, which is good. If the bike becomes a rocking chair with a new shock like a Fox or an X-fusion one, I'm not considering that as a permanent solution.

Could someone give me some details about the BikeYoke mod? How is the bike after the fox or the x-fusion? Wouldn't the complete lockout make the frame fragile at 0% sag?
How is the Andreani mod holding up?

 

I bought this for quite a good deal and getting an XL sized frame is not quite easy. Especially with the right groupset and etc. I'm willing to spend around 300USD on a permanent solution, which is good. If the bike becomes a rocking chair with a new shock like a Fox or an X-fusion one, I'm not considering that as a permanent solution.

Could someone give me some details about the BikeYoke mod? How is the bike after the fox or the x-fusion? Wouldn't the complete lockout make the frame fragile at 0% sag?
How is the Andreani mod holding up?

Good luck.

 

So after a bit of research and messaging people I found the followings:

Andreani mod:
It seems to be reliable, but it costs around 260USD and it has to be sent to s4suspensions in Canada, which adds to the cost. i couldn't find any shop in the US which would perform the modification. After this, every 200hours the shock has to be sent be to this shop as Specialized won't work on the modified shock. However, Andreani do provide warranty on the modification, which is quite nice.

Bikeyoke:
I messaged a fellow mtbr forum member about it who modified his bike with the BikeYoke mode and the Fox DPS shock. He did not like the setup too much and he ended up reverting it to the brain system. He got the brain fixed with specialized for some amount of money as he was not the first owner.

Specialized:
Sending back the shock to Specialized and get it fixed is probably the best option for everyone as they seem to have come up with a reliable solution. However, please tell me if this is not true and somebody has experienced any problem since November 2019. For this option you need to contact your LBS and get your bike or your shock there along with the original receipt of the bike. I'm not sure whether they ask for a proof of being the original owner. I don't have the receipt for the bike as I bought it second hand. and also couldn't get it from the original owner.
However, this last option of sending the shock back is not working at the moment. Due to CoViD-19 and the fact that Specialized is in California, which is under a lockdown until 15th July (AFAIK), we need to wait. I think I am going to send it back to Specialized during the winter. Not having the brain is not that horrible, but the rear bottoms out quite easily, so I might have to be careful.

 

Specialized:
Sending back the shock to Specialized and get it fixed is probably the best option for everyone as they seem to have come up with a reliable solution. However, please tell me if this is not true and somebody has experienced any problem since November 2019. For this option you need to contact your LBS and get your bike or your shock there along with the original receipt of the bike. I'm not sure whether they ask for a proof of being the original owner. I don't have the receipt for the bike as I bought it second hand. and also couldn't get it from the original owner.
However, this last option of sending the shock back is not working at the moment. Due to CoViD-19 and the fact that Specialized is in California, which is under a lockdown until 15th July (AFAIK), we need to wait. I think I am going to send it back to Specialized during the winter. Not having the brain is not that horrible, but the rear bottoms out quite easily, so I might have to be careful.

So, it seems like I have to send mine back to Specialized, now. Squishy noise when pushing down on the saddle and compressing the suspension and losing 40-50psi during a ride. My LBS, which is currently overwhelmed with service, said it could be 8-10 weeks to get it back.

For those who have had their shock repaired recently, is the fix working? Any recurring issues?

 

Many Specialized LBS's have stocked up on the new shock and will replace it on-site.
You might want to call around if you have more than one in your area.
I was in my favorite shop the other day and they had about 7 of the old one's stacked in a pile.

I had mine done the end of October '19 and everything has been fine since.

 

I don't think there is a set way Specialized is handling this issue. I keep reading posts eluding to the way the dealers are handling the issues but no one really mentions the dealer locations. Some posters are saying that the LBS are replacing the shocks with new shocks. Other are posting that the dealers are sending the shocks back into Specialized for new seals and it is an exchange program.

I live in Southeast Michigan. I took my bike into two local bike shops, one in Lake Orion and the other in Ann Arbor. Both claim they have seen no problems associated with the 2.0 brain nor have they heard of any. I spoke to the mechanics at the dealer in Brighton and the owner of the LBS in Chelsea and both claim the same. If I want my shock rebuilt, they can send it in but it will cost me approximately $300. My bike is still under warranty but was told that as long as the shock functions, it is not necessary to service the shock. The sound does not matter.

 

..
I live in Southeast Michigan. I took my bike into two local bike shops, one in Lake Orion and the other in Ann Arbor. Both claim they have seen no problems associated with the 2.0 brain nor have they heard of any. I spoke to the mechanics at the dealer in Brighton and the owner of the LBS in Chelsea and both claim the same. If I want my shock rebuilt, they can send it in but it will cost me approximately $300. My bike is still under warranty but was told that as long as the shock functions, it is not necessary to service the shock. The sound does not matter.

I am 100% sure Specialized Corporate is aware of the issues. I have had Exhale bikes in Phoenix replace mine 3 times. All under warranty and zero hassle from the shop. If your shop is not aware of the issues it is on them.

 

Wow Jim, that's weird. All 4 of the Specialized dealers I frequent are replacing them outright, on-site. Exhale, Bike Barn, Bike Haus & Roadrunner, all in the Phoenix Metro area.

Try Denny's Central Park Bicycles in Okemos, MI. Ask for David. I used to work for them back in the mid-80's when it was Denny's Schwinn. They were real stand-up folks.

 

 

This is only the 50hour video. Does anybody have a video of the 200hour? Not that I have the tools for it, but I am interested.

 

If the shock has Nitrogen in the damper fluid and it's making a strange sound because of that, that is not a functioning shock. Also, the brain is supposed to lock the rear end at about 30% sag. If that is lacking, also, renders the shock non-functioning.
If they claim that it is doing its job properly anyways, they should not be in the business.

 

The rear brain is essentially a compression restrictor - it doesn't necessarily lock, on any setting. It still allows some compression to happen, just a lot less until the inertia weight is moved by a bump or whatever. The brain fade adjuster handles how much compression bypasses the inertial weight, so in general, even at full-stiff on the brain fade switch, it's not locked out. THis is by design, from the look of it.

 

I actually messaged Specialized about it and they were acting dumb. The guy said that it's probably some minor issue which could be dealt with by any local Specialized dealer on site Yeah, sure...