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Dedicated 2021 SJ Evo Thread

1M views 7K replies 451 participants last post by  ipedalhard 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I think it is time to separate the SJ and SJ Evo threads for the new bikes.

Picking up my bike next week and figuring out my build right now. Bought the base model since that is what I could find (only shop that would pick up the phone and take a deposit). There are a few Experts out there, one on my way home from UT, but not sure if I should grab it or not. I like the idea of the Performance Elite 36, but not sure it would save me much money since I will be replacing almost everything anyway. Haven't ridden Shimano gearing for a while so it will be fun to try out again and that is a positive for the Comp.

Planned build right now is;

S4 frame
2021 36 Fork
WR1 Carbon rims on Profile AC2 hubs
Renthal bars/Profile stem
EE Wings Cranks/King BB
Stock XFusion 190mm post (one of my favorites on the market right now)
Sram AXS shifting
Saint Brakes

This will get done over the next month or so since parts are hard to get. Will try the stock DPX2 rear shock, but it is highly likely I will switch over to an X2 rear pretty quickly.
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#2 ·
I've ditched my 2020 Enduro for one - which was a great bike for going fast on, but still a bit of a trophy truck for most other stuff. not being a fan on massive bikes either, I was kind of between sizes - the S4 just feels a bit to big.

UK availability is patchy (now non existent) so I picked up an Expert. Ditched a load of the bits I won't use & ended up with:

Expert Frame - S4
Performance Elite fork (feel really good out of the box)
DPX2
Full XX1/X01 groupset but XTR rear mech
BikeYoke 213 dropper
Code RSC
DT XM1501 30mm wheelset
Maxxis Assegai/DHR2
OneUp Bars/Burgtec stem.

Been out on it a few times now, and it is seriously lively compared to the Enduro. For 95% of my riding this is going to be the better bike. I'm sure those trip away in the Alps & bigger races (if they happen next year) I will have sections I wish I was on the Enduro for, but so far so good.

It is also a 'lot' lighter. Sub 30lb in that spec - although to be fair my Enduro was a coil shock & fork & DD/DH tyres rather than EXO+/DD. Even so over 7lb difference is a lot & is absolutely noticeable :)
 
#3 ·
I have an S5 frame only on order but with no set delivery date. If anyone has a line on an S5 frame only I'd love to be notified.
I'll break down my old bike (Foxy 29) to build the new one, but it's going to get EXT suspension from the get go. Also I ordered TS brakes sometime back that will be going on as well.
Eager to get this going.
 
#6 ·
Anybody knows when Specialized will release more Evo's ?

Also did anyone bought an LTD version ? It was in the press release but so far I haven't seen one...

All you guys are pretty lucky ! Enjoy it and post some pics !
My LBS has them for order. In fact it looks like they have almost every model still available for November delivery. I have only talked with them about my order so I don't know how accurate this is...

If people want to order one I'll pick it up and ship it to you at your expense :p :thumbsup:

https://www.eriksbikeshop.com
 
#10 ·
I got really lucky this afternoon. Was randomly hitting refresh on the Specialized site while on a Zoom call and a black S4 Evo Expert popped up at the shop where I have my Comp waiting. While still on the Zoom call I dialed them up on my cell, guy says they are sold out but he will check for me. 2 minutes later "Found it in the new shipment and put your name on it. You can pick it up Friday." BOOM!

Stoked to get the XO1 since I have a ton of spares plus the Performance Elite suspension.
 
#16 ·
Thanks for the suggestions on droppers guys. Adding new gear is half the fun. The OneUp looks like the best all around 34.9 post to me. Reasonable weight, very low stack, low cost.

What's a bummer is there seems to be no timeline at all for a delivery date of my Evo S5 frame, and if I would have ordered a few days earlier, they were available immediately. Winter is our riding season in TX so the idea of a March or April delivery is really unappealing.

If anyone gets a line on an S5 frame only, let me know.
 
#18 ·
Thanks for the suggestions on droppers guys. Adding new gear is half the fun. The OneUp looks like the best all around 34.9 post to me. Reasonable weight, very low stack, low cost.

What's a bummer is there seems to be no timeline at all for a delivery date of my Evo S5 frame, and if I would have ordered a few days earlier, they were available immediately. Winter is our riding season in TX so the idea of a March or April delivery is really unappealing.

If anyone gets a line on an S5 frame only, let me know.
The Expert is available here on the west coast in S5, but no frame only options.
 
#19 ·
I have a shimmed BikeYoke - 31.6mm. Works fine in the seat tube & was a carry over from a previous bike.

That said the X-Fusion post was suprisingly good on my Enduro when I used it for a short while - just too short for me (although it weighs a tonne!)
 
#20 ·
I ordered a 213mm Bike Yoke in 30.9 and am going to use the existing shim. I assume Specialized didn't use the 34.9 Reverb AXS because it weighs literally a ton.

I have the V2 Oneup on another bike and while it works fine and is a good value, it's not on the same level as Bike Yoke for smoothness...why I didn't go that route.

Sent from my SM-F700U1 using Tapatalk
 
#31 ·
Ordered a S-Works S3 frame in Germany, but the delivery times are horrable...

Will put my parts from my Megatower:

36 Factory 2021
Newmen SL.A30 wheels 2020
GX dricetrain with X1 carbon crank
Code RSC
BikeYoke Revive 185 shimmed

Still thinking about mixing the builds up by ordering a Expert Evo because it could be available in december AND I‘m not a huge fan of the framekit color

Looks like I got to wait for some riding impressions from you all here 😃
 
#32 ·
Ordered a S-Works S3 frame in Germany, but the delivery times are horrable...

Will put my parts from my Megatower:

36 Factory 2021
Newmen SL.A30 wheels 2020
GX dricetrain with X1 carbon crank
Code RSC
BikeYoke Revive 185 shimmed

Still thinking about mixing the builds up by ordering a Expert Evo because it could be available in december AND I'm not a huge fan of the framekit color

Looks like I got to wait for some riding impressions from you all here 
i am located in Greece. was ready to pull the trigger on a s3 sworks complete bike but i was quoted a delivery date around May. they could not give me a date for a frame.
 
#33 ·
Yes. I've got an s-works S3. Initially I removed the bash/guide since i was replacing the ring with an Absolute Black oval 32 and their lower bash to match. Running that no problem for a week now, not really too worried about it throwing a chain, however if I did, it would be a real bummer, as it would surely scrape up the beautiful gloss black down there on the frame. So, I just put the MRP bash/guide back on and it has very tight clearance. I think it will be fine, but just wanted to confirm that it is indeed really tight. The bike's light enough that I'm not stressing the added weight of the guide and feeling good about the added security.
 
#35 ·
Just put in a order at my local bike shop for a Comp. I love the SRAM drivetrain but can’t stand the brakes. My Code Rs on my Enduro fade like no other and are so inconsistent I have no faith in them. For the price everything looks good on the comp but the fork. So I’m hoping I can get the shop to drop a Grip 2 in there for free. Timeline is Jan so gotta put up for sale my 2020 Enduro probably in December. Love the Enduro but it doesn’t make me want to go out and do simple easy rides. Not that it’s a pig by any means it climbs great but looking forward to something a little more sprightly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#41 ·
I am keeping both as well. The Enduro is a brute and absolutely unstoppable. Fantastic bike for the steeps and high speed chunder. The Evo is way more agile and playful. With the Enduro you point it straight anything and let go of the brakes. With the Evo you can get through the same stuff, but it needs better line choices and the ability to pull up when necessary. The Evo excels when you want to throw the bike around more and hop over things rather than plow through.
 
#45 ·
Mountainous landforms Mountain range Landscape Highland Soil


just did a three day Moab run with the Comp Evo. not much to add other than some new Enve M9 50mm rise bars have it feeling so much better. definitely need to swap out the rotors.

have just over 120 miles on the bike so far and am very impressed. definitely more of a line finder than a plow bike. ideal for some of the tech in Moab.

very surprised how well the T9 Butcher has held up. Eliminator is showing some wear but nothing abnormal.

hope everyone that got on the first shipment has been enjoying theirs as much as I have!
 
#49 ·
Well, found a place with a black Expert S4 in stock and decided to buy it. Figured the upgrade was worth it since I was going to buy a grip 2 dampener anyways. I just hope the Code RS brakes don’t fade like the Code Rs due. Hopefully will get it this week depending on work schedule.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#76 ·
Well, found a place with a black Expert S4 in stock and decided to buy it. Figured the upgrade was worth it since I was going to buy a grip 2 dampener anyways. I just hope the Code RS brakes don't fade like the Code Rs due. Hopefully will get it this week depending on work schedule.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Curious to hear your impressions of this bike vs the Enduro. We live in the same area and I really dig my Enduro for most riding but now that it's foothills season the new Stumpys are looking good.
 
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