Calling Epic & Non-Epic/SJ owners!!! Opinions wanted!

I own an 08 Epic and have ridden both the new epic and stumpy and if its a non-racer and its more trail oriented riding than you should get the stumpy. The Epic could handle the other stuff but its a race specific design and geometry. Where as the Stumpy was made specifically for what you are talking about. If you can pony the dough for one with a brain that makes a big difference.

Joeshwa24 said:

I own an 08 Epic and have ridden both the new epic and stumpy and if its a non-racer and its more trail oriented riding than you should get the stumpy. The Epic could handle the other stuff but its a race specific design and geometry. Where as the Stumpy was made specifically for what you are talking about. If you can pony the dough for one with a brain that makes a big difference.

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Thanks for the advice! Again, this is for my buddy - not me. I can only afford to own one bike, and the Enduro is perfect for me! He owns a FR rig, and wants something to use on the trails as well. I use the Enduro for everything, but I don't race.

Frankly, I found my '08 Epic Comp to be a very friendly trail bike. However, I had come from a Kona Kikapu, so perhaps I was just feeling the effects of a major upgrade.

I just recently moved from a '04 Anniversary SJ fsr to my new '09 Epic Marathon. My anniversary was 100mm as is the epic so there is no difference in the travel. I did like the SJ set up pretty stiff. The geometry is more stretched out racer style on the Epic. If your buddy considers himself a XC rider and doesn't do a lot of hucking and drops and stuff, he could probably ride an Epic, But if he wants to do the more aggressive style stuff he should probably go SJ. The new ones have 140mm of travel. Thats plenty of travel for some gnarlier riding.

While taking into account his riding style, I think the most important thing in deciding between the 2 is how he feels on the bikes! I have an '07 Epic, and rode the new Stumpy and feel like I was going for a cruise down the beach on the Stumpy compared to my Epic. I just didn't feel right on it.

Have your buddy get out on both bikes and try them on the same trail. If at all possible, maybe he could demo both if a local shop has them with the same trip to the trail.

I mean no offense to any Stumpy owners, it just isn't the bike for me (at this time anyway while I can still stretch out and feel comfortable on the Epic! lol)

Good luck!
Chris

96m2comp said:

While taking into account his riding style, I think the most important thing in deciding between the 2 is how he feels on the bikes! I have an '07 Epic, and rode the new Stumpy and feel like I was going for a cruise down the beach on the Stumpy compared to my Epic. I just didn't feel right on it.

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Interesting input here, and I think you may be thinking the same thing I'm thinking. He's a good rider - He can climb a hill on a 42 lb, 7 inch travel Kona Stinky (FR bike) better than most can on a 21 lb hardtail. And he'll still have the Kona for heavy stuff after buying the new bike. I think he's looking for something fast, not comfortable. In fact, he's still considering a hardtail, but likes the idea of having some rear travel.

He's GOING to demo each bike before he decides. I'm just looking to see if there is anyone out there who owns (and actually rides) an Epic but who does not actually race it. It's curiosity more than anything.

Keep the feedback coming...

If he's considering a HT, he should definately just go with the Epic. Why would he go HT when you can get the Epic and have both a HT and FS in one bike. The brain system allows you to set up the suspension to be HT stiff or FS soft. The brain fade adjustment can do this on the trail at any point during the ride. I ride my Epic as my only mtb. I do the occasional local race but by no means would you consider me a "racer". The efficiency of the suspension platform is second to none when it comes to climbing and XC riding.

Well, if it means anything (or helps), I raced my 1st race just this past November at the 20th Iceman Cometh. I have been riding on & off since '96. I am intersted in racing a few more this next season, but it won't be anything serious in the sense of trying for a championship. I just don't have the time for the required training.

I was riding (still in the stable though) a '96 Stumpjumper M2 Comp since '96. Even though I had never raced before, I just felt/ thought the geometry of the Epic was closer to what I was used to. And it just feels right as well.

Good luck to your buddy deciding!
Chris

As Obi-Won Kenobi once said, "you must do what feels right".

I think that an advanced, well experienced rider who understands what a specific bike is capable of will beneifit more from a racier set up like the Epic. Especially since he's already got the 7" Kona for more abusive riding styles.

The Epic will climb better and make slower sharper turns going up or down (when the trail calls for that).

I've got an '04 Stumpy FSR Pro that I truly love. It's got the same 100mm travel as the Epics do. But when the day comes to go new, an Epic is my destination...

I've had both in the same year and year model. If more entry level and overall funner ride, I would go with the stumpjumper. The newer stumpjumper with it's revised brain, is very close in function to the epic. Where i ride, is generally flat, but roots can be a problem and the stumpjumper was always more of a pleasure to ride for fun. plus it gives you a bike to take to other places. I got rid of my stumpjumper in pursuit of more racer type bikes and I am going to be a little hard pressed to find a good bike for traveling.

I have had two Epics and currently am preparing to take home my third. I have also owned Stumpjumper FSR's the last of which being the 07 Expert. I find that the Epic can handle everything that I did previously on with the stumpy only better due to it lighter weight and even more efficient platform. I also experimented with a 650B front wheel on my last one and found that it very stumpy like with that wheel size on the front (slower steering/more relaxed head angle). Either bike would be fine for this rider.