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Epic Disk on a diet-progress/more help please

1187 Views 15 Replies 10 Participants Last post by mward, Aug 18, 2004

floydg68

Discussion Starter · Aug 3, 2004 (Edited)

Ok guys. I've been making some progress. My Epic Disk has dropped from 28.4lbs to 26.3lbs. Here is it's current spec.
2003 Med. Epic Disk frame
Fox RL 80 fork
XTR 952 rr der.
XTR 952 fr der.
SRAM Rocket shifters
SRAM 9.0 cassette 11-32
SRAM PC 89 chain
2003 XT Cranks
Deore 555 Disk brakes and levers
XT rotors 160mm
Mike Garcia Wheelset/ Velocity VXC/WTB Laserdisks-739fr/845r w/o skewers or strips
Speedcific Titanium skewers
2004 Specialized Pro Stem 110mm/160gms
Easton MonkeyLite XC bar cut by 2 inches
Thomson Seatpost 400mm
Selle Italia SLR XP saddle
ODI rogue lock-on grips.
Time Atac XS carbon pedals
That's where I am now. I actully thought with this spec I'd be around 25.5. My goal is 25lbs. These are the changes I am contemplating, Raceface Deus crankset, Easton EC70 seatpost, Syntace stem 105mm and maybe changing to Hope or Magura brakes. I'm a little reluctant to do that though as my

heavy Deores work flawlessly. One more question, How much would I save by converting to tubeless with Stans'? Thanks in advance for all your advice. I'll post pics when the project is "done."

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

TheRedMantra

· #2 · Aug 4, 2004

What about some road tape or foam grips? That would save quite a bit over the ODI's.

damion

· #3 · Aug 4, 2004

You are on track.

floydg68 said:
Ok guys. I've been making some progress. My Epic Disk has dropped from 28.4lbs to 26.3lbs. Here is it's current spec.
2003 Med. Epic Disk frame
Fox RL 80 fork
XTR 952 rr der.
XTR 952 fr der.
SRAM Rocket shifters
SRAM 9.0 cassette 11-32
SRAM PC 89 chain
Deore 555 Disk brakes and levers
XT rotors 160mm
Mike Garcia Wheelset/ Velocity VXC/WTB Laserdisks-739fr/845r w/o skewers or strips
Speedcific Titanium skewers
2004 Specialized Pro Stem 110mm/160gms
Easton MonkeyLite XC bar cut by 2 inches
Thomson Seatpost 400mm
Selle Italia SLR XP saddle
ODI rogue lock-on grips.
That's where I am now. I actully thought with this spec I'd be around 25.5. My goal is 25lbs. These are the changes I am contemplating, Raceface Deus crankset, Easton EC70 seatpost, Syntace stem 105mm and maybe changing to Hope or Magura brakes. I'm a little reluctant to do that though as my heavy Deores work flawlessly. One more question, How much would I save by converting to tubeless with Stans'? Thanks in advance for all your advice. I'll post pics when the project is "done."

The RF cranks, carbon post, Syntace stem, and Marta brakes will shave more than you are looking for. Add Foam grips like redmantra says.

Spookykinkajou

· #4 · Aug 4, 2004

Personally I would leave the seatpost alone. the easton post is awful. the carbon part is fine it's just the clamp. there's a pretty good chance it will fail! cut the thomson down to save some weight. sawing at the max insert line will make it about the same length as the easton carbon post is.

i'd leave those grips alone too. they are so much better than foam it's not even funny.

if you like to spend money get the marta SL they work awesome and stop ridiculously well!

CulBaire

· #5 · Aug 4, 2004

I second the Easton post...

As much as I want matching kit- the EC70 post aint the best...

So far in about 2 months, with little use The post has/is:
Lost the clear coating on the carbon, it's starting to peel/flake. Suffering from rub on the logo's, they are starting to vanish... The head 1) Has too much layback 1", and doesnt do a good job of holding the saddle in place; it will need to be re-adjusted every few rides.

I think you'd be best sticking with the Thompson, or going another lighter weight Alloy, Carbon, or Ti post, such as Extralite or USE... The Easton unit really suffers in the quality department.

mward

· #6 · Aug 4, 2004

Hmm, I noticed this problem with it not holding the seat in place, but after I tightened the clamp bolt, my ec70 seatpost has worked without a problem. I read all these complaints about them but I don't have the same issues. I must be doing something wrong.

Spookykinkajou

· #7 · Aug 4, 2004

mward said:
Hmm, I noticed this problem with it not holding the seat in place, but after I tightened the clamp bolt, my ec70 seatpost has worked without a problem. I read all these complaints about them but I don't have the same issues. I must be doing something wrong.

Maybe you need more time

Mine was okay for the first few months. It lasted 5 months until I gave up. I'm going to save it and use liquid nails to freeze it into place if ever needed. Supposedly that works fine.

DaFireMedic

· #8 · Aug 4, 2004

mward said:
Hmm, I noticed this problem with it not holding the seat in place, but after I tightened the clamp bolt, my ec70 seatpost has worked without a problem. I read all these complaints about them but I don't have the same issues. I must be doing something wrong.

Yeah, My clamp has worked perfectly. I am pleased with how easy it is to adjust also. I do have the peeling of the clearcoat on the carbon, but overall, I'd buy another EC70.

mward

· #9 · Aug 4, 2004

I am pretty sure the clearcoat peels on purpose. It's a sacrificial layer so the underlying layers don't get damaged, and I think there are 2 layers. I've had my ec70 for 5 months, although admittedly it's on my race bike which doesn't see as many miles as some of my other bikes. So far it's fine, no problems whatsoever.

floydg68

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 7, 2004

Thanks to all for the input. I think I'm going with the Marta SL's and converting to tubeless with Stan's. I think that will get me to where I want to be, 25.5lbs. For just a few more grams I'll cut the Thomson seatpost as well. I'm staying away from the Easton EC70 because with the Thomson I have no problems at all.

Esben

· #11 · Aug 8, 2004

Here is a spec list of my epic. Maybe you can use it for inspiration.

AH cap + bolt Fusion Carbon w. alu bolt 8
Bar ends XLC team, alu bolt 56
Bottel cage Tune Carbon 10
Bottom bracket Shimano XTR 0
Brake rear B4 sl, with rotor and alubolts 303
Brake front B4 sl, with rotor and steelbolts 313
Outer Cables Shimano, Dura ace 29
Cassette Dura ace 12-27/ Ultegra combi. 203
Chain rings Machinist 44 + 32 + Ta 22 0
Chain Sram pc 89r hollow pin 258
Crankset XTR 2003, box and rings 755
Delr. Front Shimano xtr w. alu bolts 132
Delr. Rear Sram XO 208
Fork Fox F80X 1634
Frame Spec. Epic - S-Works, alu bolts, no studs 2722
Grips Tape 13
Handlebar Spec. S-works Carbon 118
headset FSA - 94
Wheel fronr Chris King ISO, CX-ray 3X, alu nippels 700
Wheel rear Chris King ISO, CX-ray 3X, alu nippels 840
Pedals Eggbeater 3 X ti 185
Quick releases Salsa ti 74
Seat clamp Extralite 13
Seat Speedneedle 100
Seatpost Extralite The post ul 181
Shifters XO with cables 204
Stem Syntace 100
Tire front Conti, twister supersonic 335
Tire rear Conti, twister supersonic 330
Tubes Michelin, latex 240
Chainstay protection Home made 8
Rim tape 11

Total 10177

Esben

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johnmyster99

· #12 · Aug 9, 2004

on my epic...

I really wish I had a picture handy, so I could let you see. My XL s-works is just above 25, with a F100x fork, and marta discs. But, I don't, so...

I am running Martas, and like them alot. I'd reccomend them, if cost per gram looks reasonable to you. I've had (as a mechanic) very pleasureable experiences setting up the deore systems, so like you, I can't bash them on quality vs the martas.

I like the deus cranks. I like them alot. Unfortunately, they're installed on my big bike. They're a great setup, and RF customer service to back them up, sweet. However, if you're still looking for the ultimate in weight savings, look at XTR, or FSA team carbons. FSA could be really light if you team them up with an AM Classic or Ritchey WCS BB, but you'll see better reliability with a RF signature TI or a tru-vativ giga.

Yes, you could save a BIT more with a seatpost. Thing is, the larger diameter posts (like the one on the epic) are actually thinner walled than the smaller posts in the Thomson lineup. Since larger diameter tubes are stronger in torsion, they learned to make them thinner to save weight. For some reason, I'm using now a Titec Carbon XC. It's been good, but I still don't quite trust it. Have a friend with the EC70 woes. She's 120#, and on her third warranty post. Clamps just won't hold.

Big props to the syntace stem. It rocks.

Wheels. Looks like you could drop a resonable quarter pound in your wheels, but yours are pretty light, so unless you wanted another set of wheels for some reason, I'd hold off. It's a pretty expensive thing to get into.

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Mtc

· #13 · Aug 11, 2004

I have WCS stem, and EC70 post (flawless after 2 yrs) its a race piece so if you can't take care of it skip it. If you do get the post clean up the inside of your seat tube with a file. My S-Works Disk is 25.25lbs

floydg68

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 12, 2004

johnmyster99 said:
I really wish I had a picture handy, so I could let you see. My XL s-works is just above 25, with a F100x fork, and marta discs. But, I don't, so...

I am running Martas, and like them alot. I'd reccomend them, if cost per gram looks reasonable to you. I've had (as a mechanic) very pleasureable experiences setting up the deore systems, so like you, I can't bash them on quality vs the martas.

I like the deus cranks. I like them alot. Unfortunately, they're installed on my big bike. They're a great setup, and RF customer service to back them up, sweet. However, if you're still looking for the ultimate in weight savings, look at XTR, or FSA team carbons. FSA could be really light if you team them up with an AM Classic or Ritchey WCS BB, but you'll see better reliability with a RF signature TI or a tru-vativ giga.

Yes, you could save a BIT more with a seatpost. Thing is, the larger diameter posts (like the one on the epic) are actually thinner walled than the smaller posts in the Thomson lineup. Since larger diameter tubes are stronger in torsion, they learned to make them thinner to save weight. For some reason, I'm using now a Titec Carbon XC. It's been good, but I still don't quite trust it. Have a friend with the EC70 woes. She's 120#, and on her third warranty post. Clamps just won't hold.

Big props to the syntace stem. It rocks.

Wheels. Looks like you could drop a resonable quarter pound in your wheels, but yours are pretty light, so unless you wanted another set of wheels for some reason, I'd hold off. It's a pretty expensive thing to get into.

Thanks for the specific advice on the parts I'm thinking about. I actually have the Marta SL's coming this Friday. Any thoughts or tips on set-up? Also, I just converted this wheelset WTB/VXC to tubeless with Stan's today. I'm actually thinking of getting Mike Garcia to build an ultralite wheelset for me, maybe around 1450gms. Any thoughts on the spec? It won't be for a while though.
I've decided to keep the Thomson seatpost. It's rock solid. I can't see losing reliability for a few grams saved. I can cut about an inch off of it though. The only other thing I'm giving serious consideration is going to the F99 stem. After that, whatever the scale says, that's it. The rest is up to the engine!

floydg68

Discussion Starter · #15 · Aug 17, 2004

Epic Disk on a Diet/Almost Done/Tire Question

First of all I want to thank all who have replied to my orginal post. Your advice has helped me make some very good progress, especially DaFiremedic. I saw your bike on Light-bikes and was inspired!
I just swapped my Deore brakes for Marta SL's. I dropped about 3/4lbs and the performance so far is great and getting better as they "burn-in" I also converted my wheelset to tubeless with Stan's. I probably saved only 80grams there but the feel and grip is superb. That's the payoff in going tubeless I guess. I also replaced the stem with a Syntace F99. My bike has gone from 28.4lbs to 25.3lbs thus far. I am very pleased with the performance of the bike as is, but I think it would be cool to to go sub-25lbs. Sooo...
Now I turn my attention to tires. I currently have Specialized Roll-X Pro tires on the bike. They work great for where I ride, Philadelphia, Wissahickon mostly roots, rocks and mud. I am considering a lighter tire but don't know if there will be a big loss in performance. The two tires I am considering are the Schwalbe Fast Fred's and the Kenda Klimax Lites. I can save at least 350 grams with these tires but I don't want to do it at a major performance penalty. Any feedback about these tires would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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mward

· #16 · Aug 18, 2004

Skip the klimaxes if you want any grip. They're a dry hardpack tire only. Very narrow, not enough tread to mention and very thinwalled.

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