Specialized Epic S-Works Review: The Smart One | 2020 Field Test XC/DC
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- Опубліковано 9 лип 2024
- The Specialized Epic S-works might just be the smartest bike around, but how did it hold up during our XC Field Test?
More from the 2020 Field Test XC/DC - pinkbike.link/xcfieldtest
The 2020 Field Test XC/DC is supported by Giro - giro.com/
Special thanks to The Backyard in Squamish - backyardsquamish.com/
00:00 - Intro
00:28 - Bike Overview
03:00 - Set Up
03:30 - Climbing
05:08 - Descending
07:05 - Timed Laps
07:43 - Components
08:24 - Pros
09:14 - Cons
09:41 - Verdict
Pinkbike Merch - pinkbike.link/merch
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You guys are doing an absolutely fantastic job with these test videos. You've set a new bar. Keep up the terrific work!
Love this type of content. Levy and Sarah kill it.
Every time I've ridden a "Brain" suspension I've definitely felt the "clunk". That said, if I were hellbent on XC racing it would be a great choice. There's really something to be said for not having to think about whether or not the suspension is locked or unlocked.
The Epic seems like a very well rounded bike for XC based on your input. Great job on the video(s), the mix of subjective and objective input is terrific!
I am waiting patiently for your Evo review, I test rode it in Santa Cruz a few weeks ago and I liked it better than I expected I would (I just purchased the Pro level model and it should arrive in a few weeks). At 53 years old, this will be my first (yes...first!) dual suspension bike after years and years of riding hardtails. (First dropper too).
Glad you're enjoying the series! The Evo review should be coming out next week!
@@pinkbike Thats awesome!
Good chemistry between them.
As presenters, I mean.
Sarah levy...
I got mine already. I am a XC ultramarathon racer. This is a speed demon that allows a 3 day back to back to back super long rides.
A lot of bikes are kinda fast or very unforgiving. My back, shoulders, rear end and hands greatly appreciate the comfort while allowing semi dificult DH and no compromise on speed.
Its expensive but less long term pain is worth it.
Let’s Gooooo! More Field Tests! Thanks Pinkbike
fyi the bike fits well in a Rolls Royce trunk. For a relaxation break we suggest to serve a bottle of champagne and Beluga Caviar sandwich (the black one)
No way would I ever need a bike like that. HOWEVER!!!! What a fantastic review. Great work - commentary, video, realistic timed testing. Thanks!
Excellent content guys. Keep it up. DH bike field test next. Loving it.
waiting for the Downcountry bike reviews
Not an XC rider but great info on those bikes, cheers from Colombia South America
Glad you guys managed to keep yours in one piece. My shop had one and the seat stay cracked on a parking lot ride.
As an owner of the 2018 Epic (not S-Works though, but very upgraded) I must say I love it. A true XC speed machine. If I somehow get the money, I will buy a 2021 S-Works frame and transfer my parts to it.
WHERE'S THE HUCK TO FLAT!
stay tuned
Love this series, I can't wait to see how the race bikes compare to the "play" bikes in efficiency and lap times.
Great video guys! I love you Field Test XC/DC can you please add more bikes? Maybe new Orbea OIZ?
I really love this style of review. So few other places can actively compare on contrast bikes.
Where is the huck to flat????
Haha
Did it break like the Pole?
The question that needs answering
Great work!
Also wanna see Blur, Fourstroke and Anakin!
Enjoying the field test videos and reviews, thanks for quality content! I'm looking for the Evo review .... has it come out yet?
Tomorrow!
We want an Epic vs Epic Evo comparison.
If an Epic popped into my garage I wouldn't be mad.
I have a 2008 epic, I’ve heard they’ve made some changes to the feel of the brain valve opening, but I’d describe the feeling as a flutter
Wow that red fade paint!
The Brain is only serviceable through Specialized. My shop changed me $280.00 to have it sent in for servicing. Has to be done every 200hrs...
Brutal vuestro analisis, son una pasada y utlizais el mismo metodo para todas. Deberiais ir añadiendo bicis a la comparativa como la ORBEA OIZ OMX. SALUDOS
Hi. I am loving this content.
Best reviews on UA-cam.
The timed laps adds objectivity. Fed up with reviews describing bikes as ‘fun’ or ‘rowdy’ I look forward to each bike video release and this content will be a big factor when I make future purchasing decisions (Marathon bike for me, xc Race bike for my son)
Nice to see this level of objectivity in a bike test
were there any particular differences in arg Power used on the respective timed laps? (more/less dry, ...) The time differences between the bikes are way more significant than I would expect given the circumstances.
Pros - threaded bottom bracket. That alone makes it my first choice
When does the 2021 epic evo review get released?
The only other bike I can think of that's the same weight (and price) is the Mondraker F-Podium RR SL.
Would be great to see them head to head.
Waiting for the 2021 Epic Evo review.
That’s cool but I’d rather the grim donut
Watching the Specialized video you could think that it was the fastest by a mile but the numbers show it had the exact same lap time as the Supercaliber.
The slack geometry, extra suspension and new SIDs were only worth 5 seconds over 5 mins on the downhill. On the uphill the .25 lb lower weight, brain lockout, and AXS on the specialized still left it 10 seconds slower than the Trek on both the tech climbs.
The Supercaliber with new SIDs and AXS would post a faster time than the Spech, right?
Hi, please I need the tire description (manufacturer and model)
Disgusting prices... but the bike looks ok
Kinda yeah, I got a new Radon Slide Trail 10 and my buddy got the new S-Works Stumpjumper and it's not really any faster, feels a lot nicer though but no real noticeable difference in performance (at least to me), quite a let down looking at the 7k€ price difference. Its basically like buying a Rolex instead of Casio.
Nice RM's Sara.
Call me dumb but I just don’t see how the weight factor can overcome the usefulness of having a AXS dropper.
Miller Reid: You’re smart. Weight weinie POV at some point well above the weight of this bike translates into brain deficit.
I think some of it depends on how much post you have showing and what size bike you ride. I have super long legs, and have a lot of post showing on a large, dropper is worth it for me, for someone riding a small or medium without much post showing who is able to get behind the saddle easier with an already low center of gravity you can probably do without it.
Stop it with the dropper posts on xc bikes.... completely unneeded
Mike Merritt: Your comment is beyond absurd. Pro’s at the top of the XC game have said droppers are game changers. Folks like me who are into enduro and DH are like, “Duh. Droppers are the single most important innovation in the last 10 years.” Coming before greatly improved forks and shocks. Coming before greatly improved slack design. But you, an obvious Luddite , know better than everyone else. Tell us the truth Merritt you ride only pavement and namby pamby “gravel”.
@@mrsmartypants_1 why soo angry? Im just saying that xc courses are designed for hardtails with 100mm travel forks. Maybe a pro , maybe on a very specific course a dropper can benefit? But for most racers and xc courses, it's a waste.
Beautiful bike! Super expensive in top end form. Almost as much as my used low mileage Audi A5. I’ll look for one after it’s been used for two years. 😉
I have the HT version, horrible thing. Narrow BB30 is always creaking. Shifter cable pulls into frame losing tension all he time. Brain fork is great. Hope to sell it soon.
I just cried when I heard the price
people spend way more on cars they dont need...
Cry more
In general, bikes depreciate 50% every 2 years. Wait 4 years and it seems more reasonable but then the next version comes out and it will be better. Therefore, look at how cheap the 2016 2017 bikes are and consider one of those. Frankly, I would pay more for the 2018 version which is closer to this 2021 version, obviously, but functionally, they are closer.
Eric Gebhardt bikes do not depreciate 50% every 2 years
THIS IS COOL BUT THE GRIM DONUTS FASTER
Okay... but how about the Grim Donut video?
It would be really cool if NICA et. al. would introduce a stock bike category. Like a rigid single speed that can't weigh under 25lbs. I think that'd be really cool and great for the sport.
Rigid singlespeed class would be awesome (with minimum weight limit).
They should just put a price cap of some kind on all bikes (maybe like 5k), it wouldn't necessarily be super enforced, but if someone showed up on an S-works or a Blur CC then they'd be pretty easy to spot and could be booted from the race (or they could get hit with a time penalty). The specialized chisel is like 25lbs and with a lighter wheelset could be like 23lbs pretty easily, more than enough for NICA.
@@cubeblah too hard to enforce. What if you bought it used? or had a sponsor? Bike MSRP or what you negotiated (last year's bike in an ugly color)?
The rigid singlespeed is pretty easy to tech inspect (think about volunteer parents with little bike experience) and it would be super cheap.
You could say that any bike in the race has to be for sale for £2.5k. You could turn up on the s works epic but you'd just be subsidizing your opponents.
Why Not? It's a good thought but I like the stock bike because you could buy a competitive bike brand new for under $1k. Plus there'd be a massive hand-me-down and used market. This idea also might be hard to regulate though. ??
Please test the Epic Hardtail !
For the price of this, you could buy a car and the lux
Or buy the Canyon Lux and spend the several thousand you saved to travel around the racing circuit.
1994 Toyota Celica 😜
But where’s the fun in that
but with specilazied the flex factor is higher
@@gaylordtv561 You are just laughed at every race event for throwing 11k to a bike.
The best way I can describe the brain engagement is that it feels like a rim hit. When I feel it open to absorb the bump it feels like I just slammed my wheel.
I just want to ride it just ONCE...to see if i can tell a difference between my hardtail.
Yes, SPEC S-Works are mad $$$, but you don’t need to buy the S-WORKS to get all the benefits of their top end bikes. Buy the COMP models and you still get killer geometry, feel, solid components and SPEC warranty. It’s trickle-down and the cost of making the world’s best. God bless all the CANYON Fan Boys for their devotion.
Yea but when people keep paying these redic prices for s works/cc xx1 ect bikes, the trickle down prices and budget models keep going up every year cuz they can justify the mark up and the top line components, which in turn makes the lesser more expensive
Steven Rozzano YES. That is also very true and I feel you on that.
super dope thanger... but you could buy a ZX6R, a base stumpjumper, and probably a cheap road bike too for that price...
You would really buy a base stumpjumper lmao
@@peaohvee1784 nah but id sure as hell buy a zx6 and (another) Crux lmaoo
I have an 18 epic but dang I might need a new bike!😂
The headtube angle is 1.5 degrees slacker than my 2018 Norco Optic. *sob*
Its Ferrari Red , just clearing the air 👌
Where is the huck to flat
So early only available in 360p 😂
Damn same
UA-cam takes a few minutes to process HD videos, now is available in 1080p
Félix Hernández ok
Could y'all please use Imperial with the metric.... Please? Love y'all but am tired of having to convert every metric measurement to Imperial, ugh... Thanks!
Is it me or is Mike Levy just not that enthused about this class of bikes?
I think i really need a xc bike
Brain middle settings are not the adequate choice for climbs. This is why you felt it less "responsive". Should have gone full closed brain. Very little difference noticed on downhills on closed (firmer) brain settings
That thing is so fancy, it had better ride itself.
Sarah 😍😍😍
S works is the slackest xc bike out? Really seems to help down hill.crazy light too.
No, same as Intense Sniper XC released 2 years ago. Many thought it was crazy.
Just got mine, I wish I didn't have to change out the tiny chainring everytime I buy a bike
Same for $10k "race" road bikes too... Come with compact cranksets. Bike companies build "race" bikes for MAMILs and weekend dentists, not racers.
So I'm guessing this came with a 32 tooth chainring. I have a 2020 Epic, mine has a 32. I'm wanting to change mine, just curious what size you went up to. ?
@@jjburkk its low elevation and somewhat flat here, 38T I feel like a 36 should come fitted
@@Montblanc1986
Hello and thank you very much. I was thinking 36 or 38 actually. I've had mine for about 2 months. I think 32 is way small. Especially with 12 gears. 36 or 38 would work much better on this bike.
It amazes me how folks seem to whine about the brain “clunk”. I’ve been riding the brain on my SWorks for several years (being repaired twice!) and I too feel the brain clunk and I’m comforted by the fact that when there’s a clunk i know for sure it’s working and doing its job which is does extremely well. Frankly I hit so many roots, rocks etc.that that affirmation clunk is meaningless. The 2019 and 20 are the best XC bikes out there. I can’t speak to the new geometry but I love my 19 geometry and it weighs 21.2 lbs with crank 7 flats and Vitoria Mezcal 2.25 tires tubeless. Specialized tires rolled under too much in turns.
the new one is even better! if your a XL rider that wheelset is really where its at
If you spend that much on a bike, a cluck would annoy you to the moon and back. If you can get along with it, power to you but I tried it and the clunk drove me mad, plus it’s another thing to break out of warranty costing hundreds of pounds to fix.
I think it depends on the rider. I used to have a brain (pun intended) but the clunk drove me mad so much I kept it completely open all the time. If I were to choose between a brain and no brain, it would be a no-brainer.
Where's the new Status ?
I have it
This bike was really easy to assemble ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA and required very few adjustments out of the box. The wheels did not require any truing/adjustments. The frame had some small scratches, but nothing major.I did replace the seat though - the seat it came with was very uncomfortable. The tires need to be re-inflated every 4-5 days, but this appears to be quite common for the narrow 700x25 tires.Overall, in my opinion, this bike looks and rides like a much more expensive bike.
can you imagine the cost when all this tech needs replacing and a service, all special tools from specialised you pay a fortune for, as i found out.
on the trail, theres a big hole and its super wet
Am I the only one who thinks the Brain suspensions don't offer a smooth shock absorption and they don't allow you to preload your suspension before a jump? And yes Brain suspensions do feel like they clunk, CLUNK is the word!
Loving this series, though I know the Scalpel SE will be the best bike ...... or else!
11.000€😂😂
dude, it's 19,000 here in Australia.😣
Its 50,000 in Malaysia....dang!😔
Where's the intense sniper!
S-Works and Schwalbe tires... omg
Can you please make a video about that brain suspension ? You mention it over 10 times in this video, like from nowhere, and I don't think a large percentage of your audience understands what that suspension is. For me this is my first time ever hearing about the brain suspension.
Humm for that price I think I would want telepathic shifting. BTW you took a bad line on the Lux in the video. I like the rear on the Lux. If you give it 20 percent sag its ready to race and you wont use but 70mm or so or you can let it sag out to about 30 percent and it rides like light trail bike but still wont but rarely bottom out.
Hey
Yeah, love the bike - not worth the retail price. It's worth maybe 1/2 the asking price; just like all its competitors, way, way over-priced.
Wait what? 360p? What happened?
You're early
Takes a while for UA-cam to process the HD video for viewing
$11K. Wonder if I can trade in my Corolla.
Right, that's the dentists sorted. What have you got for the blue collars?
I already knew when I saw "Specialized" and "S-Works" there was no chance they were going to say almost exclusively positive things about it
Right.
It did the exact same lap time as the Supercaliber and all that ‘progressive’ geometry was worth 5 seconds over a 5 min downhill.
... or you could buy a top of the range 450cc motocross bike which is WAY faster and you would still have 1.500 $/£/€ left over for a decent hardtail
True, but then you need to buy fuel, oil, insurance, road tax.... I know that they are ripping the consumer off but it isn’t a fair comparison.
Giles Turner Well, it wasn’t meant to be taken too serious, but i respectfully disagree that the comparison on pricetag is unfair. The two constructions (bicycle and motorbike) have variations on pretty much the excact same components throughout. The only exception is that where the bicycle has crank arms, the motorbike has complete combustion engine. If anything, the odds (in terms of price) is heavily stacked against the motorbike as it is a much more complicated machine built for much heavier loads/impacts
True, but economies of scale keep the motorbike price down. Considering I doubt that they would sell more than 5000 of this dentist level bike, and the motorbike will benefit from 100,000+ being made, plus parts can be shared between different models and bikes can be in production for 20 years. The tooling for the bike and the design will change by next year. Am I trying to say that it is good value? Hell no. A 2x10 £1000 XC bike will likely perform in the same ballpark, and in a better rider, will outperform it. However, I don't think we are getting ripped off as much as we might think.
Giles Turner I see S-works bikes weekly, but i think i can count on one hand how many times i have seen a motocross bike in real life. I find it hard to believe that production numbers can be 20 times higher for such a niche product, but i have no data on it. But i think it is unfair to say that bicycles do not benefit from mass production, surely Shimano are pumping out 100.000’s of top level groupsets. Contact points like handlebars and saddles can also be used across models, brands and model years. Same goes for wheels, tires and suspension. Of course it will always be apples and oranges, but i think it is a reasonable perspective on how pricing is extreme at the moment. Wristwatches is the only industry i know of that even come close to these levels of over-pricing
@@Ydegaard I love my KTMs but in absolute terms I think way more mountain bikes are sold and the highest-end bicycles are more exotic than the highest-end production motocrossers. For example mx has NO carbon fiber frames. Paying thousands to shave a few grams simply makes no sense on a mx, so they don't do it.
Also, you can spend $20K+ on an mx if you try, with factory cone valve forks, a hand ported and polished head, titanium bolts...
That's essentially what these $10K+ bicycles are.
Starting at 5000 min, without even a dropper post... you are out of your mind! That bike is really not worth that money. 😂
SHARCRASH ikr
Lol. A dropper post. Its an XC bike !!!!
Inconceivable! I am waiting to win the lottery, before I can afford this.
PS - I DO NOT buy lottery tickets!
Third
It’s just so hard to take a review seriously when the bike is more than 8k
Thanks for posting the price 👌. These days I scroll to the comments first. That's the best way of not wasting time on a unobtainable bike 💸🤯
Absolute waste of money for anyone who isn't a professional racer, you could buy a dream custom Unno bike for the price of this garbage. Spending 1-3k on whatever type of bike you like is more than enough for the average rider
Sweeet vocal fry girl
11k for a bike which is a couple of kilos lighter than a 2-3k bike is a bit silly....but sure. If you are a pro or very rich this is the bike for you.
Specialized is the king of XC
Holy fuck... My bike weighs 23 stone!
2020 S-Works Epic
vs
2021 Yamaha R6
for the Price❗😄
For a lower price, you can get an Unno bike... I know what I’d choose.
문제는 가격 좋은건 알겠지만 너무 비싼게 문제.
Just say 'no' to single pivot bikes, unless you're shopping at Walmart for under $1k
No dropper for 6 grand? Thats pretty insulting. On the other hand, whatever madman pays this amount of cash for a bike doesent deserve anything else.
Also, by now i consider manufacturers sending in the "crop of the creme" for testing an admission of the lower end bikes not being competitive.
We all know how radically frame quality etc differs on the lower end bikes, and sending in the topmodel just yells at me "stay away from this product".
is that angela merkel daughter?
Its a good looking bike , dont get me but let's see how long that brain last until customers start complaining about the brain , as this being a sponsored video i cant fully believe on review . I personally would go for the brainless frame as the brain isn't proven in a real world yet
Brain technology has been around for over the past two decades. Proven I’d say
1st