Brother that worries me since I'm in the process of buying an Epic. I know I could save a lot of money on other rear suspension bikes but I have no issues paying a little more for technology that lets me not have to reach down to lock and unlock the rear shock. Let us know who it goes.
Epic shock failure
Earlier today the Brain shock on my six month old Epic failed again. This is the third time this has happened. All three failures have taken place where the tube to the inertia valve meets the shock. Has anyone else experienced this particular problem?
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You don't need to lock and unlock the shock if the suspension was designed properly to begin with. Sorry to say, but Spec will learn in a few years when they change over the tech once again, and abandon the Brain and offer better damping, rather than something that actually keeps the suspension inoperative a % of the time of riding until the threshold is met. This is one of the reasons 5th Element shocks only were specced for one year, along with the first gen Manitou Swingers. They all made the suspension worse because they took priority to the lockout, rather than damping quality.
It was what, 2000 when HT and Razorbacks were being compared against one another, and even with a two pound weight advantage over 23-25 pound Razorbacks, the HT's simply couldn't outperform or equal the RB. Spec should really take this into account, along with riders that think they need lockouts. Look at most people and racers now. The standard bicyclist is not using a lockout (and they're mostly gone since 2004), in favor of more damping control options, and this is the same for racers.
It was what, 2000 when HT and Razorbacks were being compared against one another, and even with a two pound weight advantage over 23-25 pound Razorbacks, the HT's simply couldn't outperform or equal the RB. Spec should really take this into account, along with riders that think they need lockouts. Look at most people and racers now. The standard bicyclist is not using a lockout (and they're mostly gone since 2004), in favor of more damping control options, and this is the same for racers.
If you're getting the same failure repeatedly there may be an alignment issue with your frame or the hose may not be able to flex enough causing too much stress on the connector with the shock.
There are a few threads about the same issue.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=5514749
also Post #180 onwards:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=507890&page=2
There are a few threads about the same issue.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=5514749
also Post #180 onwards:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=507890&page=2
badripper:
There is a service that your dealer can perform for your frame so that your bike is dialed. The root of the issue is your frame tabs are clamping down too tight on the shock hose. Prior to installing the shock have your dealer take a round file to the inner diameter of the hose alignment tabs on the seatstay. File away enough material so that the shock's hose can move fore and aft freely but it still does its job of keeping the hose aligned on the seatstay. Your dealer has access to directions regarding this simple procedure.
There is a service that your dealer can perform for your frame so that your bike is dialed. The root of the issue is your frame tabs are clamping down too tight on the shock hose. Prior to installing the shock have your dealer take a round file to the inner diameter of the hose alignment tabs on the seatstay. File away enough material so that the shock's hose can move fore and aft freely but it still does its job of keeping the hose aligned on the seatstay. Your dealer has access to directions regarding this simple procedure.
Jerk:
I couldn't agree with you more. Thats why Specialized suspension has NO Lockouts in any of their suspension designs.
Brain technology (though often confused with a lockout) is much different than a lockout. Using intertia valve technology the suspension is allowed to be completly active when going over bumps and on smooth terrain the suspension is not influenced by rider inefficiencies. Brain fade control allows the rider to determine how firm of a platform they would like their suspension to have.
I couldn't agree with you more. Thats why Specialized suspension has NO Lockouts in any of their suspension designs.
Brain technology (though often confused with a lockout) is much different than a lockout. Using intertia valve technology the suspension is allowed to be completly active when going over bumps and on smooth terrain the suspension is not influenced by rider inefficiencies. Brain fade control allows the rider to determine how firm of a platform they would like their suspension to have.
I have to disagree with JerkChicken
Seems like lockouts are becoming pretty much standard equipment on Front shocks. Fox is making a Remote Lockout now, Rock shox's Pop loc is everywhere, ar least in the XC racing world.
Personally I love a lockout on the rear. I switched from an Epic to a Racer X becuase the brains were always retarded, but when the brain was working it is amazing. My RP23 on my X still bobs just a little, particularly on paved climbs where I like to stand up, and I wish i had a lockout on the rear in these situations.
I also had a Swinger shock back in the day which I thought was awesome. Unforunatly it was attached to a 40 lb Giant VT which was way to much work to pedal uphill. The shock really did prevent bobbing and was plush when you needed it. My point is that I think Platform technology is here to stay. Brains, Pro Pedal etc will be with us for quite some time.
Bad Ripper, sorry to hear you are having problems. The 2009 shocks seem to be much better then the 07/08 variety, and S will take care of you. Sucks to miss those rides tho, but it will be worth it once you get it working right.
Seems like lockouts are becoming pretty much standard equipment on Front shocks. Fox is making a Remote Lockout now, Rock shox's Pop loc is everywhere, ar least in the XC racing world.
Personally I love a lockout on the rear. I switched from an Epic to a Racer X becuase the brains were always retarded, but when the brain was working it is amazing. My RP23 on my X still bobs just a little, particularly on paved climbs where I like to stand up, and I wish i had a lockout on the rear in these situations.
I also had a Swinger shock back in the day which I thought was awesome. Unforunatly it was attached to a 40 lb Giant VT which was way to much work to pedal uphill. The shock really did prevent bobbing and was plush when you needed it. My point is that I think Platform technology is here to stay. Brains, Pro Pedal etc will be with us for quite some time.
Bad Ripper, sorry to hear you are having problems. The 2009 shocks seem to be much better then the 07/08 variety, and S will take care of you. Sucks to miss those rides tho, but it will be worth it once you get it working right.
Yes, I got new Epic last Saturday 6 June and got the Shock issue. post to this helpful forum and got suggestion it was Shock issue. I take it back to the shop and they replaced the Shock with the new one.
Happy with the Services that Specialized shop given to me but keep wondering why the new shock can get that issue and event still wondering when reading lots of thread in this forum that shock issue is happening here n there.
I just take the rig for a ride once, last Saturday and yes it was claim like riding a HT. but still have the uneasy feeling about the noise that come from the brain.
Badripper : I am sure the shop will take care of it, it is just annoying and waste of time and energy to take care this matter, where otherwise we can spend time on abusing the bike on the trail. If you take a look a link that WR304 note above I have post a picture of my bike where the host touch the upper tube and it got dent.
Happy with the Services that Specialized shop given to me but keep wondering why the new shock can get that issue and event still wondering when reading lots of thread in this forum that shock issue is happening here n there.
I just take the rig for a ride once, last Saturday and yes it was claim like riding a HT. but still have the uneasy feeling about the noise that come from the brain.
Badripper : I am sure the shop will take care of it, it is just annoying and waste of time and energy to take care this matter, where otherwise we can spend time on abusing the bike on the trail. If you take a look a link that WR304 note above I have post a picture of my bike where the host touch the upper tube and it got dent.
I've had two Epics and love 'em (well, minus not being a 29'er but thats coming) and I haven't had any problems with mine. What year frame do you have?
rusly,
As I mentioned before your shock setup had insufficient amount of air in the air can and was overly relying on the hydraulics. I think with a proper setup you should be good to go. View our setup videos for proper suspension setup.
As I mentioned before your shock setup had insufficient amount of air in the air can and was overly relying on the hydraulics. I think with a proper setup you should be good to go. View our setup videos for proper suspension setup.
Really? have you been to a race lately?Jerk_Chicken said:Look at most people and racers now. The standard bicyclist is not using a lockout (and they're mostly gone since 2004), in favor of more damping control options, and this is the same for racers.
Jerk, Have you ever even ridden an Epic?
The 4-bar has it's drawbacks, but my last Epic was the bees knees, same for most people in this forum. It's easy to hate what you don't understand.
WORD!singlemalt said:Really? have you been to a race lately?
Jerk, Have you ever even ridden an Epic?
The 4-bar has it's drawbacks, but my last Epic was the bees knees, same for most people in this forum. It's easy to hate what you don't understand.
oldskoolm4,
The frame is a 2009. I have only been pleased with the other Specialized bikes I own and the ones I have owned in the past. I almost exclusively ridden this brand since 1991. In my houshold, we currenlty have five Specialized bikes.
Speci- Suspension Tech,
Thanks for the advice. I have religiously followed the written instructions provided by Specialized as well as the videos on the web site. I routinely check the pressure of the shock and have kept it tightly within the guidelines set out in the manual that came with the bike. I am not sure I care whether the bike is "dialed." I just want it to work. Anyway, it is now in the dealer's hands along with the advice you provided.
The frame is a 2009. I have only been pleased with the other Specialized bikes I own and the ones I have owned in the past. I almost exclusively ridden this brand since 1991. In my houshold, we currenlty have five Specialized bikes.
Speci- Suspension Tech,
Thanks for the advice. I have religiously followed the written instructions provided by Specialized as well as the videos on the web site. I routinely check the pressure of the shock and have kept it tightly within the guidelines set out in the manual that came with the bike. I am not sure I care whether the bike is "dialed." I just want it to work. Anyway, it is now in the dealer's hands along with the advice you provided.
Speci : already watch the video as well as put all the proper setup according to the guide. The host now looks ok but to be honest I still got that clunking feeling. in other word I feel the shock was not that smooth when hitting the bump. Yes the brain was working but dunno why ?, This is my first time riding Epic still wondering is this a normal things or design like this?
I'd love to try other Epic bike for comparison unfortunetly it was not easy to find someone who has it. I do hope the shop will allow me to test their other epic bike.
I'd love to try other Epic bike for comparison unfortunetly it was not easy to find someone who has it. I do hope the shop will allow me to test their other epic bike.
Rusly;
You mentioned in a previous post that your shock's sag when set to soft is 15mm, this is too soft, we recommend 8-10mm of sag for a small epic. 9-11 for med-large.
In firm setting you can feel the brain quickly return to its firm platform this is normal, but if the shock air pressure is set to soft then the feeling is much more noticable because you are relying heavily on the hydraulics, this is why I recommend to add more air pressure. Watch the video again and make it so your sag is 8-10mm.
You mentioned in a previous post that your shock's sag when set to soft is 15mm, this is too soft, we recommend 8-10mm of sag for a small epic. 9-11 for med-large.
In firm setting you can feel the brain quickly return to its firm platform this is normal, but if the shock air pressure is set to soft then the feeling is much more noticable because you are relying heavily on the hydraulics, this is why I recommend to add more air pressure. Watch the video again and make it so your sag is 8-10mm.
Hi Badripper,
The seatstay tab service will allow the hose to move as it should and your issues will be solved.
The seatstay tab service will allow the hose to move as it should and your issues will be solved.
What year is your Epic? 2008 or 2009?badripper said:Earlier today the Brain shock on my six month old Epic failed again. This is the third time this has happened. All three failures have taken place where the tube to the inertia valve meets the shock. Has anyone else experienced this particular problem?
Speci:Speci- Suspension Tech said:Hi Badripper,
The seatstay tab service will allow the hose to move as it should and your issues will be solved.
I ride with Badripper and have worked in the engineering/mfg industry for some time now. I have felt for him the past 6 months having to take what should be a bada$$ brand new bike into the shop 3 times for the same issue. I wanted to know if you guys send out service bulletin's to the dealers (a la the auto industry) when issues like this come up? From what badripper told me the dealer knew nothing of this service procedure until this discovery (and he showed them). I understand you guys probably want to burn thru whatever inventory of shocks you have but you may burn some customer loyalty this way.
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