[Verewolf]

I searched but couldn't find the answer to the following -
How much does an '06 Epic Disc weigh?
How much does the '06 SJ FSR Pro weigh?

When I checked Weight Weenies it looks like the SJ frames are a little lighter than the Epic frames.

 

[Daffunda]

I searched but couldn't find the answer to the following -
How much does an '06 Epic Disc weigh?
How much does the '06 SJ FSR Pro weigh?

When I checked Weight Weenies it looks like the SJ frames are a little lighter than the Epic frames.

Weights differ by size.

 

[walkman]

I have heard them described as both around 28 lbs. Some lbs say they weight the same & epic is faster because of geometry and flex not weight difference. Others say the epic is lighter. Epic is M5 so you would think it would weigh less.

One lbs weighed epic on a beat up spring scale that didn't look very accurate. Medium epic was 27.25 lb, the large epic was .1 lb more.

I'd love to have an accurate/verified answer.

 

[Wheeldog]

Verewolf,

You can find some weight information in this thread:

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=131636

I remember some discussion about weights of the 06 Epics but can't find it now. I think the bottom line is given the same price point and same size frame the SJ and Epic weights are very close.

(BTW - Verewolf? There wolf. There castle. A weak attempt at a Young Frankenstein quote. )

 

[Verewolf]

Sorry if a lot of this sounds dumb but I ride a Ht and know next to nothing about FS.
I ride XC. No racing just riding. But there are a lot of downhill rock gardens that shake my fillings loose.
Read about the Brain shock and thought that might give me a better ride.
Especially liked the "no" bob claims. Saw the '06 Brain will be Epics and the SJ FSR Pro.
That's why I was interested in the weights.
However -

I have heard them described as both around 28 lbs. Some lbs say they weight the same & epic is faster because of geometry and flex not weight difference.

I like the faster part.

Verewolf,

You can find some weight information in this thread:

https://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=131636

I remember some discussion about weights of the 06 Epics but can't find it now. I think the bottom line is given the same price point and same size frame the SJ and Epic weights are very close.

Thanks for the link. Apparently there's some bob on the SJ due to its geometry.
So far I'm leaning towards the Epic.

BTW - Verewolf? There wolf. There castle. A weak attempt at a Young Frankenstein quote. )

 

[Daffunda]

You don't race......downhill rock gardens......I would go with the SJ.

SJ is much more plush on the agressive stuff. I have an Epic, there were plenty of times where I hoped that it would be more forgiving on the technical stuff.

 

[Verewolf]

You don't race......downhill rock gardens......I would go with the SJ..

The downhills and rock gardens aren't plentiful.

SJ is much more plush on the agressive stuff. I have an Epic, there were plenty of times where I hoped that it would be more forgiving on the technical stuff.

Weight has taken a back seat for now to my other concern which is "Bob" (groan yuck spit).
I have a HT and if and when I get a FS XC I absolutely do not want any bob.

I've been searching and reading a lot of threads including a lot of your posts in other forums.
Very informative and helpful. However now instead of a couple of choices I'm on overload.
There's Blurs, Epics, SJs, FSR XC Pro Disc (3 position switch), Giant Anthems and
the Iron Horse Azures with the DW-Link (interesting). Plus a dozen other recommendations.

I'm still leaning towards the Epic.
I'm going to try and find some of the bikes listed above at LBS and take a test ride and see what feels right.

 

[walkman]

I've been going through the same process of choosing a bike. There are so many choices. Choosing a road bike is simple in comparison.

I started off thinking about getting an epic because I liked that it was "hard-tail like" and I wanted a bike that felt quick because I'm used to a lot of sprinting on my road bike.

I then went through wondering if I would like more suspension, then whether the more upright position of the SJ would be more comfortable, then whether maybe a different brand would be better, then whether I should try to buy used, and finally which version of the bike to buy.

In the end, I placed an order for an epic comp (and feel completely happy about it) because:

- the horst suspension (specialized) seems to be the standard everyone is trying to match or beat.

- I didn't ride them, but the two other manufacturers I thought about test riding were the Titus X-100 and the Blur XC. I heard good things about the DW-link but I saw the Ironhorses on sale price at perfomance. Maybe the suspension works, but I HATED the way it looks -- like a tank. The Spec. horst looks very supple and light in comparison.

- specialized is readily available throughout the country for service & they are known to be one of the best manufacturers for covering warrenty repairs (lifetime)

- I went with the epic because I like the ability to stand up and crank if I want to. Also it would be better for the casual adventure or 24 hour relay races I may do. The early epics (especially '03 year) had complaints for being too harsh. But those complaints seemed to go away after '03 and the new 06 adjustable brain is always active in the softest setting, and it seemed plush enough during my test rides on trails.

- I didn't buy used because the specialized bikes on ebay didn't lose enough value to make it worth me taking the risk of buying it without a warrantee. Also, used epics didn't make sense because the new adjustable brain makes the bike much more versatile.

- I went with the comp level because the components value seemed to be worth it, but mainly because I personally didn't care for the glossy colors on the lower level bikes.

-----------------

In your case, since you've been riding a HT, I think an '06 epic makes a lot of sense and it's a bike that you can't really go wrong with. (you'd probably be happy with a lot of other bikes too)

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Verewolf]

I've been going through the same process of choosing a bike. There are so many choices. Choosing a road bike is simple in comparison.

I started off thinking about..................
I then went through wondering if.............then whether the.........., then whether maybe a different................., then whether I should.................

The above accurately describes what I'm going through now.
Aint it a b*tch! I started out worrying about weight. Then one thing leads to another
and pretty soon my brain is sounding overload alarms.

- I went with the comp level because the components value seemed to be worth it, but mainly because I personally didn't care for the glossy colors on the lower level bikes.

Good choice!

In your case, since you've been riding a HT, I think an '06 epic makes a lot of sense and it's a bike that you can't really go wrong with. (you'd probably be happy with a lot of other bikes too)

Good luck with your decision.

Right now I'm pretty much leaning heavily in the direction of an Epic Disc or Comp Disc.

Thanks for the input. It added some reinforcement.

 

[Wheeldog]

It's funny to read these posts because I'm in a similar position, and I've virtually compared many of the same bikes. I race XC on my hardtail but would like something for the more technical courses and for general riding. Since I'm pretty new to riding I've talked myself back down into the $2k range. (It's easy to head into the $$ stratosphere if you spend enough time reading mtbr threads but I just can't justify it at this point). I keep coming back to the SJ v. Epic debate, and I have to tell you I really like the SJ FSR Comp. The fork, shock, brakes, and drivetrain all look good (except the Deore shifters), and it seems the FSR is well proven. I'm more concerned about having a bike that isn't plush enough than one that will have excessive bob, and it seems like the Propedal will take care of that(?).

Anyway, good luck to all of you other HT converts in your search

 

[1yellowbrick]

SJ better

The geometry of the SJ makes for a better all-round ride, and you can get it with the "brain" if "0" bob is your goal. The amout of "bob" from the current crop of full suspension bikes is neglegible, and the negetive affects overstated. Get lighter wheels you'll go (and feel) faster.
Had and Epic, great bike, but wouldn't go back.

 

[Verewolf]

...............Since I'm pretty new to riding I've talked myself back down into the $2k range. (It's easy to head into the $$ stratosphere if you spend enough time reading mtbr threads but I just can't justify it at this point). I keep coming back to the SJ v. Epic debate, and I have to tell you I really like the SJ FSR Comp. The fork, shock, brakes, and drivetrain all look good (except the Deore shifters), and it seems the FSR is well proven. I'm more concerned about having a bike that isn't plush enough than one that will have excessive bob, and it seems like the Propedal will take care of that(?).

Another option in your price range is the FSR XC Pro Disc for $1800.
What I like about it is the on-the-fly switch with 3 settings (Lock out, Open and ProPedal).

 

[Daffunda]

Epic is a good bike though, but I am switching to Titus. The geometry on the Epics, I never really liked. The front end comes up too easily on steep climbs, which really sucks. I see that the new 06 brain enables a plush ride when set to full soft, (no lockout) but then wouldn't that be defeating the purpose of the brain? I read that if you set it to full firm, it'll be hard, except when you hit a bump?

Also, I didn't like the way the inertia valve behaved. On consecutive bumps and dips, the rear shock starts to delay, and it activates with a "conk" when you least expect it. The "will it open or will it not" feeling has been criticized in magazines. This is the nature of the "inertia valve" and there would be times when the valve would just close the moment you hit an big bump. This behavior to me, is a big tunoff.

I don't know if the 06 brain has corrected this problem, but it totally turned me off from the idea of the inertia valve on the rear shock. I am guessing that when you set it to full firm, then that "conk" feeling would still be there. So you put it to full soft to make it more plush, but then it'll be like the RP3. I guess I have to read the 06 epic reviews when some magazine publishes it.

I haven't ridden it so I am just speculating though.

 

[Verewolf]

Daffunda you are correct. I read the same as you and have concerns.
I think the FSR XC with the on-the-fly switch may suit my needs.
With the lock out position I'm guessing it'll ride like a hardtail.
Don't know..............just going by what others have told me.

 

[Wheeldog]

The current issue of Mountain Bike Action has a review of the S-Works Epic. The article mentioned that the geometry had been improved and that tracking on climbs was better. I think they also considered the 06 Brain an improvement, or maybe it was just the increased travel. I always read their reviews with quite a bit of skepticism (just like mtbr reviews ) but maybe there's some good stuff to be gleaned from the article.

 

[Verewolf]

The current issue of Mountain Bike Action has a review of the S-Works Epic. The article mentioned that the geometry had been improved and that tracking on climbs was better. I think they also considered the 06 Brain an improvement, or maybe it was just the increased travel. I always read their reviews with quite a bit of skepticism (just like mtbr reviews ) but maybe there's some good stuff to be gleaned from the article.

I got a subscription 2 months ago and I'm still waiting for my first issue.
Does the review give the weight of the Epic?

In the meantime I'm left reading old reviews such as:
Last years review of the Epic by Bike Magazine
And last years review of the FSR XC by Mountain Bike Magazine. They list the weight as 31.32 lbs. Seems kinda heavy ?!?!

 

[SALAS331GT]

I got a subscription 2 months ago and I'm still waiting for my first issue.
Does the review give the weight of the Epic?

In the meantime I'm left reading old reviews such as:
Last years review of the Epic by Bike Magazine
And last years review of the FSR XC by Mountain Bike Magazine. They list the weight as 31.32 lbs. Seems kinda heavy ?!?!

25.1lb for the carbon s-works epic disc

 

[Daffunda]

The current issue of Mountain Bike Action has a review of the S-Works Epic. The article mentioned that the geometry had been improved and that tracking on climbs was better. I think they also considered the 06 Brain an improvement, or maybe it was just the increased travel. I always read their reviews with quite a bit of skepticism (just like mtbr reviews ) but maybe there's some good stuff to be gleaned from the article.

Keep in mind though, the geometry is DIFFERENT for S-WORKS CARBON and M5 Epics. Carbon has higher BB height, I believe. Don't expect to read that carbon S-Works review and decide that the M5 regular Epics are going to be the same.

 

[Wheeldog]

Keep in mind though, the geometry is DIFFERENT for S-WORKS CARBON and M5 Epics. Carbon has higher BB height, I believe. Don't expect to read that carbon S-Works review and decide that the M5 regular Epics are going to be the same.

Good point. I missed the fact that they're different. It looks like the 06 Carbon S-Works has the same eff. top tube as last year's M4(?) Epic, which is 0.3 inch longer than the 06 M5 Epic. It seems like all the other numbers are very close, other than the change in seat post angle from 05 to 06.

 

[walkman]

Daffunda: What year epic do you have?


Verewolf: You might want to do a bit of research via search before buying the XC Pro. I think you can find some threads where people considered buying the XC or the SJ. Many people think it's better to get the SJ because it is a better/lighter frame and then you can upgrade it in the future if you want.

I just bought an XC for my girlfriend because I think there's big likelihood that she'll stick with her road bike and just ride dirt occassionally. It's heavy! and it's less travel than the SJ.