Unofficial specialized dealer told me i had to send the shock to fox and they would repair it for 250€. I had two shocks Both braindead. It was Nice when they worked for Sure. I must say it somewhat learned me to stay awqy from proprietary shocks/Tech as it was impossible to replace the shock with something Standard. I think that specialized uses Standard fit shocks now. :)
Sorry Michael, missed this comment before. Have you watched this one? ua-cam.com/video/tdocQRx38_I/v-deo.html Obviously the 9.8 is the more expensive carbon model so you can expect the alloy TF to be heavier than the Epic. It's a lot stiffer though so you can hit stuff much harder up front without it getting out of shape. Interestingly in terms of rear suspension both are naturally mobile, soft set ups which flow over the rough for great grip but need stiffening up for pedalling with a lockout. The difference is that the lockout on the Trek is that it's manual while on the Specialized it's 'automatic'. It really comes down to whether you want very light and springy up front or heavier but much more locked down.
It'd be fine off a 3 foot drop - have you seen how hard World Cup racers hit stuff. 3m probably not but that's not the idea. Glad you enjoyed the vid anyway.
Another great video! YT algorithm finally presents me something good to watch! Specialized is a brand I've not considered simply because it seems like the brand is out-priced (over priced) compared to Giant and "proprietary". You've at least sold me on the idea of at least demoing a Specialized, especially if you consider this bike a semi-hardtail? Thanks for this review! New sub here!
Hey Edward. Have you watched this one? ua-cam.com/video/tdocQRx38_I/v-deo.html Obviously the 9.8 is the more expensive carbon model so you can expect the alloy TF to be heavier than the Epic. It's a lot stiffer though so you can hit stuff much harder up front without it getting out of shape. Interestingly in terms of rear suspension both are naturally mobile, soft set ups which flow over the rough for great grip but need stiffening up for pedalling with a lockout. The difference is that the lockout on the Trek is that it's manual while on the Specialized it's 'automatic'. It really comes down to whether you want very light and springy up front or heavier but much more locked down.
Great video very detailed and lots of info I’m considering purchasing this exact bike but also have an option to buy the carbon version can you please advise me which would be the better option the alloy or the carbon in this epic? Cheers mate.
Scuba Steve, thanks. the carbon version is a little bit lighter but a lot stiffer you can make better use of the more aggressive equipment. That’d definitely be the option I’d choose if you can 👍🏻
Any thoughts on the Scott spark guy ? Am just getting into mountain biking properly but won't be doing anything big. Am 40 with a knackered back so... Am weighing it up Vs the stumpjumper st. Currently still on my 12 year old GT avalanche 1.0
hi Guy great vid :) you mentioned during your ride that you had the stumpjumper st hows does that stack up against the whyte t130 im thinking of getting in the couple of months.
I'll be getting that video together shortly Stuart. I've got the 29er ST so the comparison is probably closer with the S-120. In that case the Specialized is a lot less progressive in terms of geometry and a little softer under power so it doesn't feel quite as aggressive as the Whyte. It's a wonderfully easy bike to ride and set up though and if you go carbon the SWAT box is a brilliant feature for packless riding. As you'd expect the ST feels tighter and more precise than the standard Stumpy with 150mm travel and bigger tyres, but I've got a fork, shock and yoke ready to convert my ST to 150 so I'm going to do some timing around that too to see where it's faster/slower/equal in each configuration.
@@GuyKesTV i look forward to seeing how it goes, i have already ridden an alloy t130 i think it was the SR version and it road lovely i preferred it to my vitus escarpe, which in fairness is a good bike apart from the seat tube length is just too long. keep up the great work :)
@@stuartarmstrong4650 The Escarpe is great for the money and the suspension is particularly good, but like you say they always seem to fit the seat tube from the next size up!
@@GuyKesTV thanks for the reply! I'm also a bit confused on size. I normally ride mediums as I'm 5'8" but on this bikes spec a medium is in line with many newer brands size small. Does the slack seat tube angle play any affect in reach of the bike ? If not I should opt for a large
One of my friends and i were discussing the other day that the epic fs is needing a refresh. What with Olympics next year and the new epic ht being released it seemed like a good time to update the fs.
Yup, geometry wise it's definitely behind the curve now, but the Brain idea is still a really neat solution to the old hardtail or full suspension dilemma.
Man this is some proper XC inspiration
This channel deserves a million subs
Thanks fella, hope I got yours. Full tech walk round video up soon.
Great review Guy 🚴👍
Epic bike and even more epic trails! Great review.
Thanks chap
Nice riding, kudos for keeping your lunch down man ! Watching this, I didn't!
i still ride my 2005 epic sworks altough the brain has died a lon time ago. great vid
Tomas van eccelpoel the brain still scares me from buying, how much trouble is it to get your brain rebuilt??
Unofficial specialized dealer told me i had to send the shock to fox and they would repair it for 250€. I had two shocks Both braindead. It was Nice when they worked for Sure. I must say it somewhat learned me to stay awqy from proprietary shocks/Tech as it was impossible to replace the shock with something Standard. I think that specialized uses Standard fit shocks now. :)
Nice review Guy. Between the Epic Evo and the Top Fuel, which do you prefer?
Sorry Michael, missed this comment before. Have you watched this one?
ua-cam.com/video/tdocQRx38_I/v-deo.html
Obviously the 9.8 is the more expensive carbon model so you can expect the alloy TF to be heavier than the Epic. It's a lot stiffer though so you can hit stuff much harder up front without it getting out of shape. Interestingly in terms of rear suspension both are naturally mobile, soft set ups which flow over the rough for great grip but need stiffening up for pedalling with a lockout. The difference is that the lockout on the Trek is that it's manual while on the Specialized it's 'automatic'. It really comes down to whether you want very light and springy up front or heavier but much more locked down.
nice vid..great trail ride..seems like the epic is a capable bike..probably not suitable for 3 foot drops? btw I'm 5'8 so a medium size would suit me?
It'd be fine off a 3 foot drop - have you seen how hard World Cup racers hit stuff. 3m probably not but that's not the idea.
Glad you enjoyed the vid anyway.
Great review! How does epic evo compare in rougher terrain to canyon lux that you tested a while ago?
Another great video! YT algorithm finally presents me something good to watch!
Specialized is a brand I've not considered simply because it seems like the brand is out-priced (over priced) compared to Giant and "proprietary".
You've at least sold me on the idea of at least demoing a Specialized, especially if you consider this bike a semi-hardtail?
Thanks for this review! New sub here!
Sorry fella, don't know why I didn't see this comment before but thanks for the sub and glad you enjoyed the content.
Great video! I have the same question as a couple other people. Which do you prefer, the Epic Comp Evo or the Top Fuel 8?
Hey Edward. Have you watched this one?
ua-cam.com/video/tdocQRx38_I/v-deo.html
Obviously the 9.8 is the more expensive carbon model so you can expect the alloy TF to be heavier than the Epic. It's a lot stiffer though so you can hit stuff much harder up front without it getting out of shape. Interestingly in terms of rear suspension both are naturally mobile, soft set ups which flow over the rough for great grip but need stiffening up for pedalling with a lockout. The difference is that the lockout on the Trek is that it's manual while on the Specialized it's 'automatic'. It really comes down to whether you want very light and springy up front or heavier but much more locked down.
Great video very detailed and lots of info I’m considering purchasing this exact bike but also have an option to buy the carbon version can you please advise me which would be the better option the alloy or the carbon in this epic? Cheers mate.
Scuba Steve, thanks. the carbon version is a little bit lighter but a lot stiffer you can make better use of the more aggressive equipment. That’d definitely be the option I’d choose if you can 👍🏻
Scuba Ste
Any thoughts on this epic vs the 2020 top fuel guy? About to buy my first proper mtb but can’t decide on the brain
Any thoughts on the Scott spark guy ? Am just getting into mountain biking properly but won't be doing anything big. Am 40 with a knackered back so... Am weighing it up Vs the stumpjumper st.
Currently still on my 12 year old GT avalanche 1.0
hi Guy great vid :) you mentioned during your ride that you had the stumpjumper st hows does that stack up against the whyte t130 im thinking of getting in the couple of months.
I'll be getting that video together shortly Stuart. I've got the 29er ST so the comparison is probably closer with the S-120. In that case the Specialized is a lot less progressive in terms of geometry and a little softer under power so it doesn't feel quite as aggressive as the Whyte. It's a wonderfully easy bike to ride and set up though and if you go carbon the SWAT box is a brilliant feature for packless riding. As you'd expect the ST feels tighter and more precise than the standard Stumpy with 150mm travel and bigger tyres, but I've got a fork, shock and yoke ready to convert my ST to 150 so I'm going to do some timing around that too to see where it's faster/slower/equal in each configuration.
@@GuyKesTV i look forward to seeing how it goes, i have already ridden an alloy t130 i think it was the SR version and it road lovely i preferred it to my vitus escarpe, which in fairness is a good bike apart from the seat tube length is just too long. keep up the great work :)
@@stuartarmstrong4650 The Escarpe is great for the money and the suspension is particularly good, but like you say they always seem to fit the seat tube from the next size up!
Does the "clunk" go away when the shock opens up?
The clunk is the shock opening up, so yes, once it's flowing all is quiet and smooth and impressively so considering it's such a small shock.
@@GuyKesTV thanks for the reply! I'm also a bit confused on size. I normally ride mediums as I'm 5'8" but on this bikes spec a medium is in line with many newer brands size small. Does the slack seat tube angle play any affect in reach of the bike ? If not I should opt for a large
Hi Guy. Will you be testing the new Calibre bossnut?. I'm thinking of buying and was wondering about sage advice from yourself.
Yep, that'd definitely on the agenda and sooner rather than later hopefully. I've seen the development models and it looks ace.
😂 at my age I’m happy 😃 getting a semi 💪🏼
One of my friends and i were discussing the other day that the epic fs is needing a refresh. What with Olympics next year and the new epic ht being released it seemed like a good time to update the fs.
Yup, geometry wise it's definitely behind the curve now, but the Brain idea is still a really neat solution to the old hardtail or full suspension dilemma.