Super nice looking rig.

 

Thanks for starting this discussion. I've been intrigued by this bike because it seems like a bike that solves my only complaint with my current hardtail (Specialized Chisel), which is that when I'm bombing downhill I get rocks kicking the rear wheel up/out. I tend to ride these sections a bit slower on my Chisel out of fear that my rear wheel will get bucked sideways and send me down a cliff. This may be a common complaint with hardtails. It seems like the Epic WC might fix this issue with that small bit of suspension in the back. Is this actually the case? I know that the suspension can be set up a few different ways (full gulp, big gulp, whatever marketing calls it), but if it can be set up to feel like a hardtail in every situation EXCEPT that it can take up some slack on big hits then it sounds like a very intriguing bike. Curious to hear your thoughts on this.

 

The World Cup is a pretty interesting suspension design. Completely different from the Trek even though it looks very similar. The elbow in the air spring curve is used as anti squat meaning that even with a full gulp it takes a lot to get into the shock travel. Combined with the Brain SID, which I really like in this application, you get a fairly rigid bike that is incredibly responsive when you jump on the pedals. I have also found that it is very sensitive to the rebound setup as well FYI.

Once into the travel the bike is actually pretty smooth and the suspension works very well. The geo is progressive for an XC bike and actually almost identical to the Epic Evo (Epic WC has a slightly longer reach). This means you can ride the bike very aggressively, to the point that I have set some top ten Strava times on some pretty steep/rocky trails. Main limiting factor is not the bike, it is the tires. With the right tires you could throw this bike down some truly heinous trails at speed.

Happy to answer any other questions that people may have!

 

Makes a great singlespeed as well.

 

Normally, a regular suspension sag down so that it has negative travel to track undulating terrain. If the ground dip away, suspension extends to keep wheel on the ground.

Epic WC with 0 sag means that kind of ground tracking is not happening. But you get the firm efficiency like hardtail to pedal on.

IMO, this bike designed like a hardtail that have blow off reserved travel only for big hits.

 

You are correct in your thought process. This is not a replacement for the Epic Evo or even Epic.

 

You mentioned same front travel as the EVO, anything special needed with the BRAIN to bump the airspring to 120? I didn't know the SL would take a 120mm air spring. Or did you mean to say same as the Epic?

 

Sorry I meant Epic

 

have you weight it ready to ride?

 

In the pic just above it is right at 23.5 lbs ready to ride with a full XTR build kit and Control SL wheels. Weight in the first pic was 22.02 lbs minus pedals, cages and computer mount.

My stem and bar are quite heavy since they are more Enduro than XC. Swap those out for more XC oriented parts and you could easily save another few hundred grams.

 

BTW here is an updated picture of my current build. Added a dropper, swapped the cranks around and running Renegades F/R. As you can probably tell from the picture it is getting used quite a bit despite the fact I have an Allied BC40 and a Diverge sitting in the garage.

My plan is to build and ride it as a drop bar bike for Leadville this year.

 

My plan is to build and ride it as a drop bar bike for Leadville this year.

I think there was at least one pro with one last year, Alexis was on a drop bar Factor if I'm not mistaken. Also there's been a recent build video from the funny guys from The Bicycle Station shop.

 

I'm guessing you've seen LtD's bike, then?

Laurens ten Dam sets 1,050km Transcordilleras FKT on drop-bar Specialized S-Works Epic World Cup | BikeRadar

We take a closer look at the bike ten Dam rode non-stop for three days across the Andes

www.bikeradar.com

 

Thanks for the link, hadn't seen that one yet and it provides more details. Only thing missing is frame size and stem length. I am building my Zipp 303's with a set of Hope Pro 5 hubs (only hubs I can find with 24* in mountain spacing) for try gravel wheels and will also have my Control SL's for rougher days.

Will be testing the setup at the Belgian Waffle Ride in late April, then likely converting it back to the current form for our summer MTB race series. At some point I will switch it back to drop bar if I like it at BWR to get ready for Leadville.

 

My buddys wc , i have tested it and Damn its a fast going bike.

 

Uh oh....

 

Those of you that own one. Does it feel like a firm 100mm rear travel bike in the middle or full gulp setting? I ride a hardtail mostly and do long distance bikepacking races. With 120 on the front could this be a daily driver on xc style trails in your opinion? I'm drawn to the simplicity and efficiency, but worry I'll have buyers remorse given all the new XC options that we now have available. Thanks for any thoughts or opinions based on your riding experience with this bike.

 

I have it in between mid and no gulp, feels like a FS in lockout mode and a FS in mid mode on trails.

I cover a lot of distance with the bike and it can really do it all. Like a hardtail on tarmac.

I really love the bike, so simple, so good and just pure fun.

For comparison I have owned most of the Epic’s and Cambers during the last years. And the new Epic 8 also.

 

New WC colorway(same as Epic 8) from Factory Team Racing

 

Build is semi complete now. Just missing a dropper (forgot this is a 30.9 and not a 31.6). Going to test with some Conti Race King tires as well, but overall super capable. Did a little over 100 miles on this setup yesterday with about 8K of vertical and the bike was super comfortable offroad and still quick on the road. Rode some real descents on it over the last few days and the only thing holding it back are the SWorks Pathfinder 42 casings. Already killed one with a massive sidewall cut, but for courses like the upcoming Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego it is absolutely perfect.

This platform just works as a fast gravel bike. Yes I know it is heavier, but over 50 miles I think the reduced fatigue will have a huge impact. My plan is to use this setup for Leadville, just need to decide which tires I want to run. For the large participation events you can still be quicker than 98% of the other riders going downhill even with the Pathfinders.

 

you need that new Ti XC crankset from 5dev, that thing looks so sweet!

 

For those of you who have some time on the Epic WC how do you think it would be for an endurance bike? I mainly do 12-24 hour solo races, 100 mile plus stuff, and plan on getting into long distance gravel. I currently have a 2023 Epic Evo (not the 8) built up at 23 pounds ready to ride. I love the bike, but think I could get the WC down another pound - pound and a half. I like the idea of the increased efficiency of the WC without having to use my lockout levers & a bit better frame design to use a frame bag for the long self supported days.

My concern is if the WC will be too rough for the long days vs the Evo I currently have. I appreciate any and all thoughts you guys have on the subject.

 

As stated above, have or have been owning all epic version.

I am think for endurance with mid-gulp what be aweome. The bike is light and have crazy good handling. Really enjoy it and the simpleness of it. The Epic 8 with FA are perfect for trail and races but for longer events I think the WC with less battery’s would be a good option.

How much of rough trails with roots and larger rocks do you ride in those races?

 

Hello,
I am about to buy this EPIC WORLD CUP EXPERT version bike,
I have a new FOX 34 STEPCAST KASHIMA fork, with 3-position remote control.
What do you think about replacing the original rockshox brain with my FOX 34?
Would it be a good option? Would I lose benefits?
The idea is to make a positive change, otherwise I prefer to leave it original from the factory.
I still think about replacing the fork because I live 3000 km from any of the official Rockshox services
and doing maintenance would perhaps be a headache. Thank you so much

 

I would change it for sure! The brain fork isn’t that good so switch it to a remote lockout fork!

 

I just ordered a WC pro. I am thinking about getting the Race Day Charger 2 damper to replace the brain damper for mine.

 

New WC colors!!
(from an European forum)

 

hi I'm 170 cm can you help me find the correct size I will use epic wc for long distance

 

Medium for sure!

 

ok.... i ride crux in 52 looking at wc geometry the toptube in M is very long 612mm also I know some pro like Grotts ride S he is 171cm

 

Anyone can share experience wit the latest 110 mm SID Ultimate SL Brain fork compared to the outgoing SID Brain Ultimate SL 100 mm version?
Planning a fork upgrade on my Epic 7, not sure to pursue standard remote SID 110 SL or 120, or Brained 110 SL, as where and how I ride the Brains are good and performing as should.

Thanks,

Feri

 

I am interested in how the new brain damper rides. I am thinking about changing the one on my WC that I just ordered to a regular Race Day Charger 2 damper mainly to cut a bit more weight out of the bike. Thoughts ??

 

As the old one, Im thinking of going remote on mine.

 

Anyone have an extra token they would be willing to sell me? SRAM and LBS can’t seem to figure out how to get replacements.

 

WC's are getting pretty popular in my riding group. Three of them now with a fourth rider planning on getting one. Pretty cool to see how flexible the platform is with all of the different setups. My setup is done and ready for Leadville. Not 100% sure that I will run the dropper. Definitely don't need it for that course, but it is nice on my local trails since we ride some tight switchbacks and some other tech.