[mdutcher]

Tell me about your Epic builds. I just stepped over to the Specialized side with my new 2006 Epic Disc. After reading about Sauser's carbon Epic build being around 21 lbs, it got me to thinking if that would even be possible for the normal consumer. I do know that his bike is not available to the normal consumer.

So, what have you guys done to your Epic's to help them lose some weight? What does your bike currently weigh? What kind of component spec do you have? Or do you even care about weight? Just curiuos as to what your thoughts are on this subject.

Thanks!

 

[MrEconomics]

I care about weight since I race, but i also care about my wallet. Right now I'm dragging a heavy bike around the track (04 Epic Comp). Getting it down to 21 pounds would be expensive but I'm not even sure if it's possible for the common folk.

My bike is stock excecpt seat, seatpost and tires/tubes. Alos have a carbon riser bar. If I don't upgrade to 07 line then I will invest abut $2,000 into my bike for upgrades. These are performance upgrades so that does include lighter components. Examples:

OEM Mavic Wheels to a custom set
LX crank to Race Face or Trutative
Deore Disc Brakes to Maugra or XTR brakes
LX shifters to XT or XTR trigger shifters (I swear my LX take a big push to engage).
Maybe switch drive train to X.O, including shifters. Expensive since I all ready have an 04 XTR RDR.

Other components would be new stem, carbon seat post, new handlebars (my carbons are old) and new cassettee (XT).

Again, massive performance upgrades but weight wise maybe just 1.5 pounds. Can't lose much more with the M4 Frame. I will focus on dropping 5 pounds around the waist.

 

[3034]

heres a light epic

http://www.light-bikes.com/bikegallery/BikeListing.asp?id=445

 

[kmoses]

I've got the same epic - 06 disc. The stock wheels/tires/cassette are weights. First thing I did when I got the bike was to put on my kenda karmas, order a custom wheelset from Mike Garcia (oddsandendos.com) and get an xt casstte. Dropped about 100 g with the tire swap, 100 g with the cassette, and probably 300-350 with the wheels. Also, get rid of the shimano 520's that come stock and get some eggbeaters. Thats another 70g or so. Mine is under 26 lbs now, which was my goal. The only other thing I'm considering changing is the handlebar to a flat carbon and the seat. Should shave off another 200 g as the seat is pretty heavy.

 

[MrEconomics]

^Your seat could be a boat anchor If I remember correctly

 

[Meerul]

Just would like to share, yesterday I have just upgraded by Epic Disc from stock components which was weight to be 27.5lbs (12.4kg) before the upgrades were made. The upgrades made were;

XTR - Crankset
XTR - Rear Derailluer
XTR - Brake lever Groupo (Dual Control)
XT - 11-34 gear cassette
Race Face Next Carbon - Handlebar

The cost approx $1000 for the change includes installation charges and all. The weight of the bike now stands at 25.9lbs (11.8kg). For future upgrades will be wheelset to Crossmax SL , Thomson seatpost and the Specialised Ravel SL seats. This I calculated could further reduce the weight by another 580gm or so.

 

[mdutcher]

Thanks for the responses... I am merely inquiring to see what other people have done.

My Epic Disc is not stock nor was it ever intended to be. I essentially bought it for the frame. My current build weighs in at 24.25 lbs. After seeing that Sauser's bike was sub 21 lbs, it got me to thinking about what more I could actually do to mine without dropping a ton of cash. That link to that lightweight Epic is a good example, but I wonder how well that bike would hold up during a race type situation. Or better yet, how would it hold up to everyday use? I want my ride to be a race bike and the bike that I also ride every day. After my next set of upgrades (SRAM/Avid kit), my bike will be a sub 24 lb F/S rig.

Currently, my bike has full XTR kit, Stan's wheels and rotors, 4ti EB's, etc.

I also know that I could loose close to a pound if I were to swap out my UST tires for non-UST. That might still be an option...

 

[bhsavery]

Really yours weighs 24.5 with stan's wheels eggbeaters and XTR? Think it would be more like 23

What about the other parts? Such as the stem/handlebar/seatpost/seat. Tires are a great place to start too.

 

[jeppe]

A minor correction: if I recall correctly, Sauser's Epic was sub 20 lbs (9 kg). Which is virtually nothing for a 100 mm full-sus bike.

 

[mdutcher]

Really yours weighs 24.5 with stan's wheels eggbeaters and XTR? Think it would be more like 23

What about the other parts? Such as the stem/handlebar/seatpost/seat. Tires are a great place to start too.

24.25 lbs
~RS Sid WC fork (3 lbs)
~Stan's ZTR Olympic disc wheels with Stan's rotors (just under 1400g for the wheels and 58g for each rotor)
~XTR hydro disc brakes, crankset, Rr Der
~Tires: Geax Barro Marathons - UST tires at over 700 grams per tire
~Saddle: Selle Italia SLR XC (190g)
~Post: Thomson Elite Masterpiece (185g)
~handlebar: Titec Pluto carbon (145g)
~stem: Ritchey WCS (110g)
~pedals: 4ti EB's (267g)
~water cages: king ti cages (54g)

I hope to lose 1/2 lb with a switch to SRAM grip shift and Avid Juicy disc brakes. Plus, i will swap out my cable housing system with Nokons. I honestly think that the frame is somewhat of a pig. Not that I am complaining about that. It truly rides well and I don't really feel the weight while riding. But, I am a weight weenie.

So, if I lost the UST tires for some non-UST tires, than I would be closer to a maybe a sub 23 lb bike after some more changes. But, I don't want to compromise for reliability on some component specs. For instance, there are a lot of sharp rocks and thorns around the trails that I ride. A tougher UST tire is a plus, in my book. I hate dealing with tire issues. Same thing goes for other lighter components. I just don't want to suffer from failures while riding my everyday bike.

 

[Squating Goat]

Tell me about your Epic builds. I just stepped over to the Specialized side with my new 2006 Epic Disc. After reading about Sauser's carbon Epic build being around 21 lbs, it got me to thinking if that would even be possible for the normal consumer. I do know that his bike is not available to the normal consumer.

Thanks!

Mdutcher,

I did the same as you in that I bought the lower end Epic just for the frame. I have no interest in their carbon frame. What did your frame weight come out to be? I didn't break mine down far enough to weigh it. I see you plan to get Avid Juicys but there are other brakes out there that are lighter than the Juicy's. I don't know what the new Ultimates really weight. I'm happy with my Hope Mono Minis. If Specialized will sale the carbon suspension linkage to replace the aluminum one then there might be some weight savings there. I think the upper end frames also have a magnesium shock extension. My bike is at 25.5 lbs but likely won't get lighter because I don't want to sacrifice comfort.

 

[mdutcher]

Mdutcher,

I did the same as you in that I bought the lower end Epic just for the frame. I have no interest in their carbon frame. What did your frame weight come out to be? I didn't break mine down far enough to weigh it. I see you plan to get Avid Juicys but there are other brakes out there that are lighter than the Juicy's. I don't know what the new Ultimates really weight. I'm happy with my Hope Mono Minis. If Specialized will sale the carbon suspension linkage to replace the aluminum one then there might be some weight savings there. I think the upper end frames also have a magnesium shock extension. My bike is at 25.5 lbs but likely won't get lighter because I don't want to sacrifice comfort.

You know, I actually did not weigh the frame as I did not get mine that far as well. I think that our frames weigh about 5.73 lbs or so. that would be cool if we could actually buy that carbon linkage that comes on the s-works frame. I think that I would do that, if I could. I am waiting to get the Juicy Ultimates. Published weight is 345 grams and that includes the brake lever, hose, fluid, caliper, and rotor. Even if they were off by a few grams, that is still light and matched up with my stan's rotors, it is even lighter. The ultimates just look very cool as well.

I know that I could get my bike a little lighter but, like you said, I don't want to sacrifice reliability and comfort.

 

[bhsavery]

I would look at replacing those tires! a pair of S-Works Fast traks and stan's rimstrips (you have the wheels!) would drop you about 300+ grams. Thats 2/3 a lb

 

[crashley]

just a note for you weight weenies, the carbon link is actually heavier than the aluminum. People think just because something is carbon is automatically weighs less, but sometimes they use carbon for other features like strength instead of weight savings.

 

[Squating Goat]

the carbon link is actually heavier than the aluminum. People think just because something is carbon is automatically weighs less, but sometimes they use carbon for other features like strength instead of weight savings.

Okay but what is your source for the linkage weights? If I remember correctly when the carbon linkage first came out Specialized claimed weight savings rather than strength gains.

 

[gforcephoto]

My 05 Sworks Epic weights in at 21.89lbs

build up is
xtr cranks (triple)
Triple Ti Eggbeaters with shorter spindles
11-32T xtr cassette
SRAM HP chain
xtr housing
Easton EC90 Zero post (cut to 160g)
SID WC, lockout removed
Easton EC90 Hbar
Ritchey WCS stem
XTR 9speed shifter pods
XTR FD,RD (medium cage)
Specialized Toupe saddle
Porkrind grips
NoTubes Wheelset with AC hubs
Specialized UST tires with tread cut down (545g each)
Magura SL brakes
NoTubes rotors
Bonty Carbon bottle cage

 

[bhsavery]

obviously thats not the build in the picture....

 

[eric512]

You know, I actually did not weigh the frame as I did not get mine that far as well. I think that our frames weigh about 5.73 lbs or so. that would be cool if we could actually buy that carbon linkage that comes on the s-works frame.

My 05 S-works frame weighs 2597 with the seat colar - about 5.73 as you said.

I wonder of the 06 non-Sworks weighs the same - its all M5 tubing I hear.

 

[mdutcher]

My 05 Sworks Epic weights in at 21.89lbs

build up is
xtr cranks (triple)
Triple Ti Eggbeaters with shorter spindles
11-32T xtr cassette
SRAM HP chain
xtr housing
Easton EC90 Zero post (cut to 160g)
SID WC, lockout removed
Easton EC90 Hbar
Ritchey WCS stem
XTR 9speed shifter pods
XTR FD,RD (medium cage)
Specialized Toupe saddle
Porkrind grips
NoTubes Wheelset with AC hubs
Specialized UST tires with tread cut down (545g each)
Magura SL brakes
NoTubes rotors
Bonty Carbon bottle cage

I have seen people using that seat post and saddle combo. That is definitely a roadbike setup IMO. Do you think that is wise on a MTB? I have broken 2 SLR saddles on my MTB in the past and I am not a heavy guy either.

BTW, nice looking bike. Although, that picture is taken before your Stan's wheels and disc upgrade, huh?

I will post a picture of my bike....

 

[mdutcher]

Here is my EPIC

I am now really digging this ride...

Thanks to all that have submitted some type of suggestion or info to my thread...