[arclarke]

I only run on 29 - I saw pics of how close 27.5+ 2.8" tyres were to the stays and thought that's too close for me, we get plenty of mud - and the early + tyres looked like they'd be too slippery in the woods here. Going into winter now I have a magic mary on the front, and rock razer on the back - rides a good bit faster than my 26er but I'll need something grippier on the back as soon as it gets any wetter out there.

 

[morandi]

Yeah I think it just depends where you live and the trails you ride. If was back on the east coast on my old slow techy, sloppy trails I would definitely opt for the 27.5+, but living out west in SoCal where the trails are fast and rutted, and I need a bike that corners precisely the 29er is the way to go for me. There just isn't a huge upside for me with the 27.5+ on these trails.

 

[wooly88]

Having read through this entire thread, it seems like the majority here have their EPOs set up 27.5+. Does anyone prefer it as a 29er?

I'm trying to figure out my build and I'm debating if I should go with a boost fork and commit to 29ers or go non-boost and have the option of using my 27.5 wheelsets from other bikes.

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I've ridden my epo in both and I'd say that 29 is marginally faster and the 27.5 plus config has better traction and more compliance over trail chatter. I don't think you need a boost fork. I'm running 2.8 Nobby Nics with no problem in the front. Probably can go to 3.0s. Where you'll be limited is the rear. 2.8 Nobby Nics are the max I can go on atomic chubby rims which are 36 internally wide.

 

[Samo831]

I live in Santa Cruz, so we have a variety of trails. I have a Nomad, so the EPO would be for the less chunky, more flowy stuff. That being the case, maybe 29s are the call?

My thinking on the boost fork is not so much for clearance on this bike, but to do a bit of future proofing for bikes down the road since all my current bikes are non boost. If I go boost on the EPO fork I'll have a boost front wheel and fork and would only need to re-lace the rear tire to go to a boost frame.

On the flip side, if I go non-boost on the EPO, I can run 29s and also swap them out for my 27.5 Derbys to try out 27.5+ on the EPO. I'm starting to lean toward this option so i'm optimizing for the bikes I have now rather than those I might get down the road.

 

[jeffrey j]

Finally i joined the EPO club, now just gotta be careful of those doping controls )

Dig the dropper post routing drill out! EXACTLY what I was thinking about doing

 

[ask]

Done for now... at least until I buy a new wheelset. Put the seat dropper on right after I took these photos. Now I just need a break in the rain when I am not at the office so I can give it a shakedown.

Planning to hit up the guys at stikrd.com for a blue colorway for the fork sometime soon.

 

[m789]

Dig the dropper post routing drill out! EXACTLY what I was thinking about doing

Quite easy to do, just start with a cca 2mm drill @ 30deg and than expand the hole with 4 &5 which is already enough. I went also with 6, to put in the reverb end.
doesnt work anyways, you have to take the hose off at the remote & get it in trough seat tube using another hose and the connector thingy.

 

[jacksonlui]

Has anyone tried 2.5 DHF/2.35 Aggressor combo in 650b? Will the bottom bracket be too low? Want tires that are quick and nimble to match the playfullness of the geo and short CS

 

[fracaxis]

I don't know about that tire combos BB height but for reference I'm at 12" even with a maxxis rekon 2.8 mounted on 34i rims and a 140 pike up front. Don't think I'd want to drop the BB any lower.

 

[wooly88]

I don't know about that tire combos BB height but for reference I'm at 12" even with a maxxis rekon 2.8 mounted on 34i rims and a 140 pike up front. Don't think I'd want to drop the BB any lower.

Funny, but I'm running NN 2.8's front and back on i36 rims with a Pike 140 and have never had a problem clipping my pedals. I haven't measured the bb height but run 175 cranks and it's never been an issue. And I'm rolling some tech areas where I've clipped pedals in the past on other bikes.

 

[fracaxis]

Funny, but I'm running NN 2.8's front and back on i36 rims with a Pike 140 and have never had a problem clipping my pedals. I haven't measured the bb height but run 175 cranks and it's never been an issue. And I'm rolling some tech areas where I've clipped pedals in the past on other bikes.

Sweet. I was responding to jascksonlui, contemplating smaller tires. The NN's seem to run even a hair bigger than Maxxis's offerings so you're probably rolling an even higher BB. Glad you're having fun.

 

[ss_gary]

EPO - The Best Hardtail Ever!!

Here's my build. Never been so stoked about a build. 23lbs and climbs like a goat and descends even better. Fox 34 and DT Swiss XM1501 wheelset, Enve bars etc. This thing handles switchbacks like it's nobody's business.

I couldn't be happier!

 

[Calhoun]

Has there been any indication of when the new EPO will be available?

 

[enjoi525]

150mm + fork

Is anyone riding their EPO with a fork that has 150mm travel or greater? How does it feel? Is the ride still balanced?

 

[savo]

Hi, is there a final word about how a Maxxis Rekon on i43mm rim would fit in the rear of an Epo?

 

[mkb5150]

Hope brakes

Now that I've already paid for and installed some Hope Tech 3 E4 brakes, I see a few comments on this thread about them not working for this frame. Just wondering if anyone has come up with a more elegant way of making them work. Not digging how this looks...

 

[BlueDragonX]

You might be able to rotate it. I know some people have replaced the banjo with a straight fitting.

 

[mkb5150]

Thanks. In case anyone else runs into this situation, part number for the straight connector is HBSP163.

Here's my baby. 25.5 lbs, all mountain ready. Pike 140, XO1 drivetrain, Hope 3 E4 brakes, Nobl rims (29") with Onyx hubs, Fox transfer post. I'll get a better pic when I clean up the brakes and give her a bath.

 

[coolhand80]

Thanks. In case anyone else runs into this situation, part number for the straight connector is HBSP163.

Here's my baby. 25.5 lbs, all mountain ready. Pike 140, XO1 drivetrain, Hope 3 E4 brakes, Nobl rims (29") with Onyx hubs, Fox transfer post. I'll get a better pic when I clean up the brakes and give her a bath.

View attachment 1105528

Looks awesome [emoji122]. Love the blue accents. Especially the blue hubs and floating rotors.

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[jeffrey j]

Anyone tried the new 29x2.6 nobby nics on their EPO yet? My buddy has some so may try his wheel for a test fit - will update asap if no one else chimes in