Specialized's 2013 Epic Expert Carbon 29r offers up an amazing amount of value and incredible on trail performance. Starting with the simple aspects of easy suspension set up is the all new "Auto-Sag" feature. This was done in little less than a few minutes and I was ready to ride. The way it works; over inflate rear shock, have customer hop on & straddle the bike then back of the rear brain shock valve. Typically out of the box for most consumers this works ideal. For myself as I was putting it into more of a race scenario you'd want to run it with about 20lbs more give or take.
So now you're probably going to want to know how it rides....As an 185lb expert level marathon racer I was pleasantly pleased. The Epic offered a quick and complainant ride, very good in a variety of single track situations. The acceleration off the line was spot on, I felt that the bike didn't hold me back once I was able to get on the gun and start sprinting.Climbing actually I found to be surprisingly easier believe it or not seated. Having spent a good number of years racing hard tails as many of you folks out there know this is a hard habit to break. The over all geometry and fit out of the box was very confidence inspiring, I seriously felt like I had been riding & racing this bike all season.
Big take aways on the noticeable pluses, I was really impressed with the bikes over all cornering and stability. One of the big pluses I like was the over size head tube, this really made the front not only super stiff but very predictable at higher speeds and cornering. Bottom bracket height was a charm as well.. Had to really seek out bigger logs etc...which still were no match to slowing the Epic's sword like performance. Specialized has put a ton of r&d into the body geometry saddles...the Ti railed Phenom was very comfortable and impressive, def would be a great all around performance saddle as well. One note to consider these saddles do come in difference widths and getting a proper fit is key. So please no matter what bike you are getting definitely consider it.
The Shimano SLX shifters we are real treat as you didn't necessarily have to use the larger thumb paddle to change gears. Gearing from a racing perspective... perfect, from a consumers perspective more gears to play with than ever !!! When it comes to disc brakes XTR is the way to go. These are the only brakes I ride personally period!! Rec riding etc, your gonna have a blast with this baby!!! Shimano's XTR rear derailleur featured the new "over-drive"which at first I really didn't notice much difference at all. However once I have realized it's "stabilizing feature, this deff cut down on the amount of high speed braking / chain slap. Tires....decent spec out of the box, I'm a Kenda man all the way however the stock Fast Trak 2 bliss tires were solid. Rims, deff a nice partner spec to the Epic, Roval has been winning on the mtb WC, and local citizen race scene for many years !!! Over all I really felt this bike was an excellent ride, whether you're an aspiring marathon xc racer, or someone that simply has to have the bike that is "the s#86". The 2013 Specialized Epic Expert Carbon 29r is for you !!! Contact;
www.parkavebike.com for more info today and tell em "The Hoggle" sent you !!!
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| RockShox Brain/ with Solo Air front fork |
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| 2013 Shimano XTR / Overdrive |
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| 2013 FutureShock/ Brain Rear Shock |
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| SRAM 2 X 10 / Crank Set |
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| "Roval Control SL 29 142+ wheelset with carbon rims, OS28 end caps, 142+ spacing, and DT Swiss spokes and internals is insanely stiff, light and durable for greater control and quickness " ~specialized.com |
The full-suspension, carbon fiber, S-Works Epic 29 is the first 29r to win a World Cup event, and the bike Mountain Bike Action magazine describes as the
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