[VegasSingleSpeed]

A bit of bikepacking fun on an EPO:

 

[92gli]

EPO rebuild progress yesterday. Still waiting for the rowboat carrying my rims from china to arrive. The fork took 6 weeks to show up. Not doing singlespeed, it's going to be 10spd

 

[VegasSingleSpeed]

Loaded up prior to the start of the TNGA:

Trying a different tensioner this go-around. Rear-triangle compliance doesn't seem to jive well with a fixed tensioner...might try to spring-load the pulley somehow.

 

[xalos1]

A bit of bikepacking fun on an EPO:
View attachment 1335465

VegasSingleSpeed, looks like you are running an oval chainring. Is that right? what size is it?

PS - Those are some nice pics and cool setup for bikepacking! nice work!

 

[VegasSingleSpeed]

Thanks!
The oval ring in that pic is an Absolute Black 30-tooth (30x20).

 

[92gli]

My covid EPO rebuild is finally done. Kind of a budget build. Some parts from my stash, some used stuff, some new stuff from china. Got the longest a2c rigid fork I could find. Built up some new nextie rims with a hope rear hub and a novatec front. 2.6 front tire, 2.4 rear. 1x10 with new slx cranks and brakes. Fun wheelie bike for the more mild trails in my area.:thumbsup:

 

[xalos1]

Dude, that "re-build" looks pretty sweet! Nice work! Just curious, what is the weight of it with the carbon fork?

 

[92gli]

I'm getting 21.8 holding it on a bathroom scale. That's ready to ride with sealant in the tires

 

[92gli]

I need a dropper though...

 

[fastfish666]

feedback with 120mm fork

Hi,
I'm looking for feedback from people that have run the EPO with a 120mm fork. I've spent the winter on a rigid 29er with a 71 degree head angle, so I'm looking for something that handles tighter trails and climbs a little better than the way I have the bike set up now (riser bar; 130mm fork). I don't mind a little sketch at high speeds. Haha. I'm trying to create more of a hard-charging XC marathon bike.

I initially build mine with 120mm Fox 32. but handling was kinda weird. I went to 130mm and handling better both down and UP! On tight UP switchbacks it seemed better with the longer fork - I dont know why! I ride size L, with Thomson setback s-post, 60mm stem and 730mm bars - used it a lot for marathon and multi-day stage races, light and forgiving in the descents when you are tired out (you can take rubbish line choices at high speed!)

So I way preferred the handling with 130mm than with 120mm and have used it for quite a few marathon races

 

[fastfish666]

singlespeeding EPO

Loaded up prior to the start of the TNGA:
View attachment 1358629
Trying a different tensioner this go-around. Rear-triangle compliance doesn't seem to jive well with a fixed tensioner...might try to spring-load the pulley somehow.

I tried to singlespeed mine, but couldnt tension the chain without the stays getting in the way. Is was attemping 32x18 which is my preferred for a 29er (32x16 on a 26er) -- what gearing are you using, and is it with a half-link? I prefer normal chain so you can run anti-drop front chainring.

 

[GSPChilliwack]

I initially build mine with 120mm Fox 32. but handling was kinda weird. I went to 130mm and handling better both down and UP! On tight UP switchbacks it seemed better with the longer fork - I dont know why! I ride size L, with Thomson setback s-post, 60mm stem and 730mm bars - used it a lot for marathon and multi-day stage races, light and forgiving in the descents when you are tired out (you can take rubbish line choices at high speed!)

So I way preferred the handling with 130mm than with 120mm and have used it for quite a few marathon races

Thanks for the reply. I ended up going from a 50 to 60mm stem with a flat Renthal bar. That helped a bit, but adjusting the seat to a more comfortable position (further back) still leaves me with some challenges on our numerous straight-up climbs around here. Leaves me wishing for the adjustable chainstays of my old Honzo.

 

[GSPChilliwack]

My covid EPO rebuild is finally done. Kind of a budget build. Some parts from my stash, some used stuff, some new stuff from china. Got the longest a2c rigid fork I could find. Built up some new nextie rims with a hope rear hub and a novatec front. 2.6 front tire, 2.4 rear. 1x10 with new slx cranks and brakes. Fun wheelie bike for the more mild trails in my area.:thumbsup:

Where did you find that fork?

 

[92gli]

Where did you find that fork?

Ebay. But the seller is no longer a registered user. They had a run of negative feedback and claims because of the spring shipping delays so they just killed the account. I kept the faith and it did eventually show up. It's got more offset and length than any of the other forks I found. There are other ones that look similar but I can't find any other sellers that have this exact one.

 

[VegasSingleSpeed]

I tried to singlespeed mine, but couldnt tension the chain without the stays getting in the way. Is was attemping 32x18 which is my preferred for a 29er (32x16 on a 26er) -- what gearing are you using, and is it with a half-link? I prefer normal chain so you can run anti-drop front chainring.

That was geared 28x22 for that ride. Whipperman 9-speed chain and SRAM steel narrow-wide chainring. No half-link needed with the tensioner, but I do have different pulley diameters to take up the slack that the tensioner adjustment can't manage.

 

[92gli]

Where did you find that fork?

Found it - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/400...expid=d4f9c7de-7239-49c8-a9cd-38a9f80775f7-40

 

[GSPChilliwack]

Found it - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/400...expid=d4f9c7de-7239-49c8-a9cd-38a9f80775f7-40

Awesome! Thanks.

 

[evan9r]

Anyone looking to sell a Medium frame?

 

[jeffrey j]

Anyone looking to sell a Medium frame?

I'd consider selling mine. Purchased new, single owner, ~500 miles.

 

[Furdaddy]

Now that they're not making the EPO anymore, what's the next best thing on the market?