Mountain Bikes · Public discussion

RR: Specialized Epic Comp test ride

Gman · 2003-06-12T04:30:06+00:00

I took the Speciailzed Epic Comp out for a run around the local trails yesterday. Some steep smooth climbing, some steep technical climbing and some quality bombing down a little of everything. THE SKINNY: Works as advertised nearly all of the time. CLIMBING: Climbs like a typical hard tail. A mountain goat on the smooth trail but at somewhat of a disadvantage in the steep technical stuff if you are used to an active FS bike. I am realizing that it takes more skill to climb a HT thru the tech stuff than the right FS. My K2 EVO (say what you will about it) allows me to keep a more even pedal cadence thru the ugly sections due to the subtle action of the suspension keeping the rear wheel on the ground. I am convinced it is more efficient in rutted, rocky, steep climbing. DOWNHILL: If properly inflated, the Fox fork and shock were reasonably plush, although nothing like the Enduro, but this IS a race-type bike and not a downhiller. True to this purpose the geometry is aggressive. Be on your toes, the bike handles very quick and snappy. Definitely a Porche and not a Cadillac. The bike is most comfortable at speed downhill (because the forces are significant and keep the shock active). If you slow down to negotiate a technical section, the shock action becomes a little more non-deterministic. That bothered me a bit, and IMO the shock definitely needs the threshold adjustment, and perhaps even a switch for "always on". CONCLUSIONS: No threshold adjustment, non-proven long-term reliability for the brain shock, and not as efficient in the tech up sections* probably make it a no-go for me. I'm starting to think I either want a steel hard tail with half the expense, half the maintenance, and a completely predictable feel at any speed, or a well-designed XC FS. Gman * Obviously the fact that I didn't like the hard-tail feel in the uphill technical sections is no fault of the bike, it's operating exactly as designed. It just made me realize that I have some reliance on the rear suspension in certain climbing scenarios.

Started by Gman · 12 June 2003 · Last activity 13 June 2003 · 9 posts · 3,381 views

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Original section: Mountain Bikes
Published: 12 June 2003
Last activity: 13 June 2003
Original author: Gman
Posts: 9
Discussion status: Public discussion
Total views: 3,381
Views / 30 days: 0

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Original post
Gman
Archived post

12 June 2003, 04:30 UTC #1

I took the Speciailzed Epic Comp out for a run around the local trails yesterday. Some steep smooth
climbing, some steep technical climbing and some quality bombing down a little of everything.
THE SKINNY: Works as advertised nearly all of the time.
CLIMBING: Climbs like a typical hard tail. A mountain goat on the smooth trail but at somewhat of a
disadvantage in the steep technical stuff if you are used to an active FS bike. I am realizing that
it takes more skill to climb a HT thru the tech stuff than the right FS.
My K2 EVO (say what you will about it) allows me to keep a more even pedal cadence thru the ugly
sections due to the subtle action of the suspension keeping the rear wheel on the ground. I am
convinced it is more efficient in rutted, rocky, steep climbing.
DOWNHILL: If properly inflated, the Fox fork and shock were reasonably plush, although nothing like
the Enduro, but this IS a race-type bike and not a downhiller.
True to this purpose the geometry is aggressive. Be on your toes, the bike handles very quick and
snappy. Definitely a Porche and not a Cadillac.
The bike is most comfortable at speed downhill (because the forces are significant and keep the
shock active). If you slow down to negotiate a technical section, the shock action becomes a little
more non-deterministic. That bothered me a bit, and IMO the shock definitely needs the threshold
adjustment, and perhaps even a switch for "always on".
CONCLUSIONS: No threshold adjustment, non-proven long-term reliability for the brain shock, and not
as efficient in the tech up sections* probably make it a no-go for me.
I'm starting to think I either want a steel hard tail with half the expense, half the maintenance,
and a completely predictable feel at any speed, or a well-designed XC FS.
Gman
* Obviously the fact that I didn't like the hard-tail feel in the uphill technical sections is no
fault of the bike, it's operating exactly as designed. It just made me realize that I have some
reliance on the rear suspension in certain climbing scenarios.

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Wanguard
Archived post

12 June 2003, 09:00 UTC #2

As I see Epic can be easily called hybrid bike. It simply can't be compared with either hardtail or
full. It's a race type of bike with suspension on demand. I like it, and can confirm your
description of it. As for the switch to always ON, what's the point of it? If I had it, on my Epic I
will not use it.
In the end it is matter of rider preference. My friend has a Enduro S-Works, and guess, it's the end
of the world for him. And bike is great, but not to my taste.
D'amir

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Gman
Archived post

12 June 2003, 15:00 UTC #3

wanguard said:
As for the switch to always ON, what's the point of it? If I had it, on my Epic I will not use it.
True, this switch would seem to defeat the purpose of the bike. I would likely use it on certain
downhills where I would potentially be in that speed zone that the activity of the brain is
undefined. An adjustable threshold, or even more time on the bike might solve this problem for me.
Don't get me wrong, I like the bike quite a bit, maybe the best I've ridden, but not convinced
enough to drop 2+ Gs on it right now.
G

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Mattb
Archived post

12 June 2003, 16:30 UTC #4

"Gman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
wanguard said:
As for the switch to always ON, what's the point of it? If I had it, on

my
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Epic I will not use it.
True, this switch would seem to defeat the purpose of the bike. I would likely use it on certain
downhills where I would potentially be in that speed zone that the activity of the brain is
undefined. An adjustable threshold, or even more time on the bike might solve this problem for me.
Don't get me wrong, I like the bike quite a bit, maybe the best I've ridden, but not convinced
enough to drop 2+ Gs on it right now.
G
I thought it seemed a little awkward at first too. Riding it more has made me feel really
comfortable on it. I can now accurately anticipate how it will respond on upcoming terrain (without
thinking about it). It's definitely not for everyone, and you're right in saying it's a hybrid. If I
was paying full retail, I may not have gotten this bike either. I happened across a one-time deal
and couldn't pass it up. Thanks for the review!
Matt

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Jd
Archived post

12 June 2003, 17:32 UTC #5

Gman <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
<snip fair review>
I wouldn't trust that frame under a guy your size anyways, Gman.
JD

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Dave Stocker
Archived post

12 June 2003, 18:30 UTC #6

"Gman" <[email hidden]> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
On Thu, 12 Jun 2003 10:10:48 +0200, wanguard <[email hidden]> wrote:
True, this switch would seem to defeat the purpose of the bike. I would likely use it on certain
downhills where I would potentially be in that speed zone that the activity of the brain is
undefined. An adjustable threshold, or even more time on the bike might solve this problem for me.
Don't get me wrong, I like the bike quite a bit, maybe the best I've ridden, but not convinced
enough to drop 2+ Gs on it right now.
I was also impressed, but not convinced. My wife rode it and told me that she expected "wow", but
did not get it. Your impressions were similar to mine, but I also found the rear end twitchy in high
speed shallow right turns; like a fire road that goes downhill and to the right.
If you liked the geometry, you might want to take a look at the Bergwerks Faunus LSD. It uses a
similar rear triangle design (BW was there first) to the epic, but uses a conventional shock design.
It was a bit pricey for me though.
-Dave

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Wanguard
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12 June 2003, 20:00 UTC #7

Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
As for the switch to always ON, what's the point of it? If I had it, on

my
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Epic I will not use it.
True, this switch would seem to defeat the purpose of the bike. I would likely use it on certain
downhills where I would potentially be in that speed zone that the activity of the brain is
undefined. An adjustable threshold, or even more time on the bike might solve this problem for me.
That adjustibility can be something to go for it. Different rider weight and riding area could
benefit, to do some fine tuning.
Quoted message said:

Don't get me wrong, I like the bike quite a bit, maybe the best I've ridden, but not convinced
enough to drop 2+ Gs on it right now.
G
No way to get you wrong, you describe it to the point. I buy it without even tried it, believe me I
was scared what is coming my way. I got only bunch of reviews and web site. And somehow damn thing
sounded just right. I got pretty good price for a base model, take almost everything off upgrade it
to full 03 XTR with disks, flat handlebar, Shimano 575 wheels, Manitou Elite Fork and few other
things to make it nicer. It took me a few rides to adopt to it fully, now I can say only MAGIC. A
real Porsche of MTB. First few rides I was scared that it's to fast, but with time you learn to have
it under control, and you realize that it's make to perform like that and will not let you down.
One thing I would like to try with Epic is, Fox F80X. Would that be just the brain you need or
one too much?
Expensive, surely it is, but it's worth every cent. Just guessing, but most probably next generation
of Brain will be tunable.
D'

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Bill Wheeler
Archived post

13 June 2003, 03:00 UTC #8

Gman said:
THE SKINNY: Works as advertised nearly all of the time.
You mean the marketers were almost not lying?
Quoted message said:

CLIMBING: I am realizing that it takes more skill to climb a HT thru the tech stuff than the
right FS.
Yes indeed.
Quoted message said:
I'm starting to think I either want a steel hard tail with half the expense, half the maintenance,
and a completely predictable feel at any speed, or a well-designed XC FS.
Thought you were an SS man? ;-)
Quoted message said:

Gman
Peace, Bill
The mind serves properly as a window glass rather than as a reflector, that is, the mind should give
an immediate view instead of an interpretation of the world.
:-]

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Gman
Archived post

13 June 2003, 03:30 UTC #9

Bill Wheeler said:

Thought you were an SS man? ;-)
I am bro, and I thought about a new SS, but ya know, the Specialized conversion feels so good, I
don't even wanna mess with it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
My FS is getting pretty beat up, and in need of some cash infusion, so I thought I'd look at
replacing that instead of putting a bunch of money into it. Thought I'd be knocked off my feet by
the new bikes out there and chomping at the bit to buy one, but ya know, not the case so far.
Haven't found anything worth 2 grand yet.
Gman

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