[gubbinalia]

Thanks! I'll get some pics today. I'm not the biggest "orange" fan but this looks really good. Thanks for the tips on weight savings. I'd like to be 25 or under ready to ride with pedals, cages, and OneUp EDC toolkit.

I called the shop a few months ago and asked if they had an Exie coming in at some point and they confirmed they did but didn't have a date. Nobody else had put their name on it so I did and got first dibs. XC bikes aren't nearly as popular here in NW Arkansas as trail/AM/enduro bikes are so I imagine there isn't a ton of demand for this type of bike here. I understand that but in the past year I've had a freaking blast on the Epic EVO and I imagine this will be even better.

25lbs ready to go is pretty damn good for anything but a purebred race bike these days, IMO. Gone are the days of "under 10 kilos or bust!!" -- at least for me...

That is ironic that NW Arkansas, a place known for having a ton of trails but not a ton of gnar, isn't an XC-bike haven. I've never actually rode there but I can't imagine you're too underbiked most of the time, are you?

And yeah, agreed -- the Exie is a big step up in design and execution from the Epic Evo, or any current design, really. For several reasons, it doesn't have much of a direct competitor. I suppose the made-in-Barcelona Unno XC bike is probably the closest... or whatever Allied comes out with as an MTB (speaking of NW AR).

Yes you are, now you have fomo. fwiw, Jenson has a large xt and two medium X01. Waiting sucks.

Lol, glad you are feeling my pain It's not so much "fear of missing out" any more, it's just "missing out" -- MO -- or at least it will be once the snow melts and I'm likely still Exie-less.

Unfortunately I'm an XL or else I would 110% have one by now. I ordered an XT complete as soon as the local Ibis rep confirmed with my shop that there would be an XT complete (mid-late July, I think?) and was originally promised an October delivery date. That got bumped to January, and then (in mid-January) I was informed that Ibis had moved the next batch of XL frames back in the manufacturing queue (according to the rep they're currently doing batches of, on average, 40 frames/month, but due to carbon and hardware shortages it's been quite erratic and they've had to move things around and run at partial capacity most of the time). So now I'm hearing April at the earliest for my bike. As some sort of weird penance or apology for the lack of delivery-date clarity, my shop offered to sell me just the frame at the $4500 frameset price, but at this point I'm kind of looking forward to getting a complete bike and not having to deal with the tedious parts-sourcing of Covid times that often seems to involve scouring the internet for random odds and ends.

No complaints if the bike actually delivers in April, but if we start getting into race season and the bike is nowhere to be found I may just commit to another year of racing singlespeed... which has been remarkably fun the last two years. Not sure if my surgically fused ankle can take another season of hardtail hooning, though!

 

[bogeydog]

My small is 21.9 lbs right now with pedals, bottle cage, ready to ride.


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[gubbinalia]

My small is 21.9 lbs right now with pedals, bottle cage, ready to ride.

How are the Piccolas running thus far? Living up to the (considerable) hype?

 

[Suns_PSD]

I have Piccolas on my Spur and they are fantastic. 1 finger effortless braking.

I've not had the same luck with my Piccola HDs but it was installer (me!) error and I'm working through it.

 

[gubbinalia]

I have Piccolas on my Spur and they are fantastic. 1 finger effortless braking.

I've not had the same luck with my Piccola HDs but it was installer (me!) error and I'm working through it.

Good to hear, I feel like the Spur falls into an interesting class of bike where you want a brake with a lot of stopping power, but don't want to be adding a few hundred grams unnecessarily. I was running the Hayes Dominion T2s on mine which worked out great with 203mm rotors F/R. For a more race-oriented Exie build I'd be happy with 2-piston Shimanos or something like a Magura MT8.

 

[BionicHog]

That is ironic that NW Arkansas, a place known for having a ton of trails but not a ton of gnar, isn't an XC-bike haven. I've never actually rode there but I can't imagine you're too underbiked most of the time, are you?

And yeah, agreed -- the Exie is a big step up in design and execution from the Epic Evo, or any current design, really. For several reasons, it doesn't have much of a direct competitor. I suppose the made-in-Barcelona Unno XC bike is probably the closest... or whatever Allied comes out with as an MTB (speaking of NW AR).

I agree. From my standpoint, I think the majority of trails are really well-suited for XC (or these newer "DC" variants) but with YouTube and the marketing machines everyone thinks they need big, rad, capable machines to ride 12-foot wide flow trails. I don't ride Bentonville proper trails often because I live 30 minutes south and I love my local trails, one of which is one of the more gnarly hand-cut trails in the immediate area. It's more fun on the Ripmo but still plenty doable on the EE and I'll find out soon about the Exie.

There are a few places in the region I would feel underbiked but for the most part this should be a fantastic bike here. I'm interested to see how the platform feels compared to the EE.

Will be interesting to see when Allied comes out with something. Will definitely be priced with the big guns.

 

[bogeydog]

I have two sets. One is the original with c21 calipers. Those I have had for years. Now in Exie. HDs are on Switchblade. Work well. Some small form factor things with clamps, bleeding, and pads but nothing of concern just different. Works great.


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[Suns_PSD]

Good to hear, I feel like the Spur falls into an interesting class of bike where you want a brake with a lot of stopping power, but don't want to be adding a few hundred grams unnecessarily. I was running the Hayes Dominion T2s on mine which worked out great with 203mm rotors F/R. For a more race-oriented Exie build I'd be happy with 2-piston Shimanos or something like a Magura MT8.

My Piccola HDs with 180/ 160 rotors feel stronger than my Magura 4 pistons felt on 203/ 180 rotors.
Admittedly the Maguras were on a bigger bike, grippier tires, and would deal with extended heat better. But the ease of modulation and control surpasses anything I've used before. Also the sleek band clamp of the Piccola is basically a requirement for AXS if you want to place that shifter correctly.
But really those Piccolas are just fantastic.

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[BmanInTheD]

My small is 21.9 lbs right now with pedals, bottle cage, ready to ride.


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Bogey, did you get your settings sorted? PSI, compression, rebound? Wondering which comp setting you're using. I'm tempted to always use mine in Open, but it pedals a little better in 2 (or 1 from open, however they count it). I pretty much use the 4 (or 1) for pavement and 1 (or 4) for trail riding. Sometimes the 2.

 

[bogeydog]

Bogey, did you get your settings sorted? PSI, compression, rebound? Wondering which comp setting you're using. I'm tempted to always use mine in Open, but it pedals a little better in 2 (or 1 from open, however they count it). I pretty much use the 4 (or 1) for pavement and 1 (or 4) for trail riding. Sometimes the 2.

I only have one ride so far. Played with compression a bit and left open or 1 click in. Pressure is about 90 and I am 152 lbs. Rebound is set in middle. Will get time this weekend for next ride.


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[Base Camp Cyclery]

Got 06/40 last August just in time for Leadville. Absolutely love the bike. I'm running a mostly stock 40th anniversary build.

Swapped the front tire to a Continental Cross King 2.2

Race Face Next SL crank so I can have my powermeter. I'm awaiting Stages to open their factory install program up to the eeWings again.

Enve M5 Flat bar and Enve 80mm stem

Rockshox Twistloc Remote, just need "open" and "closed"

Fizik Tempo "power style" saddle

23.8lbs with cages and pedals.

 

[gubbinalia]

Got 06/40 last August just in time for Leadville. Absolutely love the bike. I'm running a mostly stock 40th anniversary build.

Swapped the front tire to a Continental Cross King 2.2

Race Face Next SL crank so I can have my powermeter. I'm awaiting Stages to open their factory install program up to the eeWings again.

Enve M5 Flat bar and Enve 80mm stem

Rockshox Twistloc Remote, just need "open" and "closed"

Fizik Tempo "power style" saddle

23.8lbs with cages and pedals.

Oh she baaaad!!

80mm stem on that rig? How tall are you? (I'm thinking that's a Large frame?)

 

[Crossmaxx]

So officially a world cup race bike to be! Very excited to see how Team31 will go on the Exie.

 

[BionicHog]

Finally got a couple rides in, 29 miles total. I hate to admit but I'm not getting along with the Exie the way I did with the Epic Evo (2021). I can't nail it down but the geo, I guess, just feels different enough where I'm not comfortable with how it rides and reacts to the terrain I've ridden, which admittedly was on more technical terrain but I felt much better on the same terrain on the EE.

Basically, compared to the EE, it feels sketchier and less stable. I got hung up on some rock sections that I've not gotten hung up before. I couldn't clear some technical climbs that I could clear on the EE. I don't come from a hardcore or racing XC background so maybe I'm just expecting too much.

My other bike is a Ripmo v2. I love it. Best bike I've owned, which is the main reason I wanted to give the Exie a try. I was very happy with the EE and probably should've left well-enough alone but given my great experience with the Ripmo, I thought I'd have the same feeling on the Exie, plus supporting an American-made bike is important to me.

I don't want to throw a lot of money at trying to make it work but I wonder if trying a different stem and/or wider bars (these are more narrow by 20+mm than I'm used to), and possibly trying to slacken the front end a bit would help? Any thoughts?

 

[Brad]

Sell it, you’re not happy. I’m sure there lots of people who would take it off your hands in a heart beat

my 2p it just sounds like you don’t have the suspension dialled in. I prefer the feel
If the RS SiD and SIDLuxe over the Fox 34 SC and float sps but I got my dps working for me.
Re the sketchy feeling well that could be a combination of things from suspension to cockpit to wheels and tyres including pressure’s. Without understanding your Evos set up vs the Exie it’s impossible to comment further

 

[GoNotShow]

Finally got a couple rides in, 29 miles total. I hate to admit but I'm not getting along with the Exie the way I did with the Epic Evo (2021). I can't nail it down but the geo, I guess, just feels different enough where I'm not comfortable with how it rides and reacts to the terrain I've ridden, which admittedly was on more technical terrain but I felt much better on the same terrain on the EE.

Basically, compared to the EE, it feels sketchier and less stable. I got hung up on some rock sections that I've not gotten hung up before. I couldn't clear some technical climbs that I could clear on the EE. I don't come from a hardcore or racing XC background so maybe I'm just expecting too much.

My other bike is a Ripmo v2. I love it. Best bike I've owned, which is the main reason I wanted to give the Exie a try. I was very happy with the EE and probably should've left well-enough alone but given my great experience with the Ripmo, I thought I'd have the same feeling on the Exie, plus supporting an American-made bike is important to me.

I don't want to throw a lot of money at trying to make it work but I wonder if trying a different stem and/or wider bars (these are more narrow by 20+mm than I'm used to), and possibly trying to slacken the front end a bit would help? Any thoughts?

Make sure you take the time to get the suspension settings and cockpit setup dialed before you make a final judgement.

To me, the factory suspension settings are at best an "ok" starting point. Depending on your riding style and terrain you will almost certainly need to make adjustments, maybe even significant adjustments. It took me 5 rides to get the suspension dialed.

 

[BionicHog]

Sell it, you’re not happy. I’m sure there lots of people who would take it off your hands in a heart beat

my 2p it just sounds like you don’t have the suspension dialled in. I prefer the feel
If the RS SiD and SIDLuxe over the Fox 34 SC and float sps but I got my dps working for me.
Re the sketchy feeling well that could be a combination of things from suspension to cockpit to wheels and tyres including pressure’s. Without understanding your Evos set up be the Exie it’s impossible to comment further

Make sure you take the time to get the suspension settings and cockpit setup dialed before you make a final judgement.

To me, the factory suspension settings are at best an "ok" starting point. Depending on your riding style and terrain you will almost certainly need to make adjustments, maybe even significant adjustments. It took me 5 rides to get the suspension dialed.

Thanks, guys. I'm off the ledge now. I just had to step back and re-assess. The bars a good 30mm (750mm total) shorter than what I'm used to so I swapped them today with another set I had for a different project. I'm not sure if the shop cut these or they came from the factory that way. Definitely much shorter than any of the bikes I've bought in the last few years. I know shorter is more "XC" but I like the stability of the wider bars. Anyway, easily fixable and the OneUp I put on is a little lighter as well.

I think changing the bars and the front tire will probably give me a lot better feel, then work on the fork settings. The bike is spec'd with Rekon Race tires but came with regular Rekon front and rear. Going to swap the front to something else. I don't mind it for the rear but not a fan of it on the front.

I had the same exact fork, except manual adjust vs remote, on my EE, so I'm going to compare settings. Don't know why I didn't think about that. I also added a token or two on that fork. Not sure how many, if any, came with the Exie. I also have a SID Ultimate fork that I used on the EE for a brief time. Haven't sold it yet so may be worth trying as well but I'd need to remove or deal with the remote cabling. I like the concept of the remote adjuster but not sure how practical and useful it is. I never found myself missing it when not having it. Could be a weight savings as well to remove it, not to mention less clutter.

Anyway, thanks for the responses. Going to try these few things and give it another go. We just got dumped on with a couple more inches of rain so I won't be able to get on trails for a bit. Expecting snow later this week, too. Tired of the weather.

 

[mpowers]

Thanks, guys. I'm off the ledge now. I just had to step back and re-assess. The bars a good 30mm (750mm total) shorter than what I'm used to so I swapped them today with another set I had for a different project. I'm not sure if the shop cut these or they came from the factory that way. Definitely much shorter than any of the bikes I've bought in the last few years. I know shorter is more "XC" but I like the stability of the wider bars. Anyway, easily fixable and the OneUp I put on is a little lighter as well.

I think changing the bars and the front tire will probably give me a lot better feel, then work on the fork settings. The bike is spec'd with Rekon Race tires but came with regular Rekon front and rear. Going to swap the front to something else. I don't mind it for the rear but not a fan of it on the front.

I had the same exact fork, except manual adjust vs remote, on my EE, so I'm going to compare settings. Don't know why I didn't think about that. I also added a token or two on that fork. Not sure how many, if any, came with the Exie. I also have a SID Ultimate fork that I used on the EE for a brief time. Haven't sold it yet so may be worth trying as well but I'd need to remove or deal with the remote cabling. I like the concept of the remote adjuster but not sure how practical and useful it is. I never found myself missing it when not having it. Could be a weight savings as well to remove it, not to mention less clutter.

Anyway, thanks for the responses. Going to try these few things and give it another go. We just got dumped on with a couple more inches of rain so I won't be able to get on trails for a bit. Expecting snow later this week, too. Tired of the weather.

If they are stock Ibis hi-fi bars, they were convertible between 750 to 800 with the screw in extenders. Ya may want to look in a bag or box of stuff the bike came in for the ends.

Ibis Carbon Handlebar

Our Ibis Carbon Hi-Fi and Lo-Fi handlebars are adjustable. Using two 25mm wide aluminum inserts that thread into the ends of the bar, you can easily swap between 750mm and 800mm. Or, you can cut the inserts to any measurement in between.

www.ibisb2b.com

The race tire will feel sketchy compared to what you’re use too and this bike might be under gunned tire wise for you trails and personal taste.

Add some meat to both ends.

 

[Suns_PSD]

I personally think that bike set up, and just getting the feel for it, makes a huge difference.
All these modern bikes, when set up correctly for you & used in the correct conditions can be made to work very well.

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[BionicHog]

If they are stock Ibis hi-fi bars, they were convertible between 750 to 800 with the screw in extenders. Ya may want to look in a bag or box of stuff the bike came in for the ends.

Ibis Carbon Handlebar

Our Ibis Carbon Hi-Fi and Lo-Fi handlebars are adjustable. Using two 25mm wide aluminum inserts that thread into the ends of the bar, you can easily swap between 750mm and 800mm. Or, you can cut the inserts to any measurement in between.

www.ibisb2b.com

The race tire will feel sketchy compared to what you’re use too and this bike might be under gunned tire wise for you trails and personal taste.

Add some meat to both ends.

You are 100% correct. Hi Fi bars but the shop didn't give me a box or anything that came with the bike. I've put in a message to them and they are going to check. They told me normally the bars come with the inserts already screwed in. Annoying. The bars seem to be nice so I hope they can find or get the inserts.