I do not want to take anything away from this thoroughly review, however it would have been better just to mount one set of tires to all bikes. This way one could really rule out any influence of that comparatively cheap part, which is replaced any way after a certain time. Tires are regarded to have a massive influence on the ride characteristics of ANY bike.
Great roundup. I’m going to buy the spesh but think I’m between a L and XL. You were on the Large for the test right? How tall are you and how was the fit? Thanks
My SCOTT Spark RC World Cup EVO Bike is missing😢😁. For the Swiss Mountains, the 65 STA was, sadly, too slack for me on the Epic 8, and the Epic Evo is too close to my Stumpjumper but, at the same time, not as capable as a trail bike-and again, 65 STA. Compared to the 76.9 on my Spark and 76.5 on my Stumpy in the high position. Cheers from Switzerland
I wish this had been more of a comparison, then a compilation of mini individual reviews. You say you like the Epic best but there seems to be little to no discussion of how the bikes compare to eachother in different areas like which is the best climber, descender, etc.
Honestly, only two of them are regularly present on the podium at the UCI XCO tour. Come on… Although very cool bikes, a Yeti and a Mondraker should not be in a test of the fastest XC bikes…
That just means yeti and mondraker are not putting near the amount of money into that type of racing. If they spent the money to get more riders on official yeti and mondraker teams they'd probably be seeing results.
That front wheel flex at 8:52 at the bottom of the slope is pretty crazy. I'm guessing it's because of the lefty and the hub not being supported on both sides, but whatever it is would make for an unnerving ride.
that's not flex. I've got Lefty on a Scalpel HT, SID (35) on a Scalpel SE, Fox 34 on a YT, SID on Whyte and several bike with 36. There is zero flex on the Lefty and it's noticably stiffer than anything save for a 36
We already did a head to head video of the Supercaliber and the Epic World Cup here - ua-cam.com/video/-5exVh4Ld0M/v-deo.htmlsi=MyFuh9wRQkMivwPg I didn't put the Supercal in this test, as it's 80mm travel and doesn't compare in style to the other bikes in this test. The Epic 8, as tested, is a proper XC race bike (Koretzky and Blevins raced it in Andorra), the Epic 8 Evo is the trail/DC version I think you are referring to - again, not quite suitable for this test of xc bikes. Nothing sponsored here, just a selection of the latest, longer travel XC bikes. As ever, anything sponsored will be marked as such. Thanks!
What XC bike do you want us to review next? 👇
I do not want to take anything away from this thoroughly review, however it would have been better just to mount one set of tires to all bikes. This way one could really rule out any influence of that comparatively cheap part, which is replaced any way after a certain time.
Tires are regarded to have a massive influence on the ride characteristics of ANY bike.
Scott Spark
Scott Spark.
Lapierre XRM
I have one.@@mcvittees
Cannondale please, just because the Lefty looks cool.
Great roundup. I’m going to buy the spesh but think I’m between a L and XL. You were on the Large for the test right? How tall are you and how was the fit? Thanks
Love your videos!! What MTB would you recommend that will keep up with a gravel bike?
My SCOTT Spark RC World Cup EVO Bike is missing😢😁. For the Swiss Mountains, the 65 STA was, sadly, too slack for me on the Epic 8, and the Epic Evo is too close to my Stumpjumper but, at the same time, not as capable as a trail bike-and again, 65 STA. Compared to the 76.9 on my Spark and 76.5 on my Stumpy in the high position.
Cheers from Switzerland
The Cannondale and Mondraker bikes are by far the best looking ones , I'll take both please
All Out of my Humble Budget!!.....Beatiful indeed!.....but i'm saving up..for a Kona Sutra LTD!!
I wish this had been more of a comparison, then a compilation of mini individual reviews. You say you like the Epic best but there seems to be little to no discussion of how the bikes compare to eachother in different areas like which is the best climber, descender, etc.
Cervelo Zfs-5?
Have to standardize the wheels and tires to truly know how the “bike” is. Yeti putting alloy rims on hurts it vs some carbons
If they wren't all insnely overpriced I'd get the Cannondale because the Lefty fork is too cool
Supercaliber should be in this.
Nope, different category along with the epic world cup
Overall impressions on new Epic vs at this point older Exie?
Pls, test some alloy XC hardtails!
Thanks for your feedback! We will look into this 👍
And the new Spec Chisel alloy full-sus.
Don’t forget the new alu Trek ProCaliber in this space - finally an alu XC hard tail with rear thru axle for Trek.
Im still in 2021 Niner RKT with Lefty Ocho Fork
Sick combo
Where is the Supercaliber to rule them all?😱
Good question! Rob and Tom's Supercaliber Vs Epic World Cup video is here 👉 ua-cam.com/video/-5exVh4Ld0M/v-deo.html
Kind of a different category of bike....
rule them all? lol...with short travel, steeper head and much shorter wheelbase? It is a bit different category
No Anthem?
Electronic controlled suspension can’t come fast enough-all those cables and goofy twist shift are a pain.
I'm bummed that we have to pay $14k for a Scalpel with a Lefty in the US
Honestly, only two of them are regularly present on the podium at the UCI XCO tour. Come on… Although very cool bikes, a Yeti and a Mondraker should not be in a test of the fastest XC bikes…
That just means yeti and mondraker are not putting near the amount of money into that type of racing. If they spent the money to get more riders on official yeti and mondraker teams they'd probably be seeing results.
Why does the Cannondale not come with a lefty in North America? Strange 🤔
That front wheel flex at 8:52 at the bottom of the slope is pretty crazy. I'm guessing it's because of the lefty and the hub not being supported on both sides, but whatever it is would make for an unnerving ride.
that's not flex. I've got Lefty on a Scalpel HT, SID (35) on a Scalpel SE, Fox 34 on a YT, SID on Whyte and several bike with 36. There is zero flex on the Lefty and it's noticably stiffer than anything save for a 36
xD no supercaliber, but the epiccaliber is included. I see that an olympic winner is not good enough to make the cut - or is this the sponsorships? :)
oh w8, you did not even include the epiccaliber, but the normal epic trail/downcountry bike :D what is this :D
We already did a head to head video of the Supercaliber and the Epic World Cup here - ua-cam.com/video/-5exVh4Ld0M/v-deo.htmlsi=MyFuh9wRQkMivwPg
I didn't put the Supercal in this test, as it's 80mm travel and doesn't compare in style to the other bikes in this test.
The Epic 8, as tested, is a proper XC race bike (Koretzky and Blevins raced it in Andorra), the Epic 8 Evo is the trail/DC version I think you are referring to - again, not quite suitable for this test of xc bikes.
Nothing sponsored here, just a selection of the latest, longer travel XC bikes. As ever, anything sponsored will be marked as such.
Thanks!
Yeti doesn’t even have a XC race team
And Canyon?????