05 Specialized Epic

[Adam 74]

After riding around Glenrock with my Cross Country mates on their weight watchers bikes and me on my 20kg DH bike I've decided to look into getting a more Cross Country orientated bike. What do you guys think of the 05 Epic. The one I was looking at had the Avid mechanicals. Has anyone here had any experience with these brakes. Thanks.

Adam.......

[Adam 74]

Here's pic of the 06. It's pretty much the same.

[Fatman]

BB5's or BB7's, I've used BB7's for years. They are reliable, powerful and easy to adjust, they also use the same pads as the other avids. BB5's use a different pad.
They are probably the best cable discs around. I think they lack the power and modulation of Avid hydro's but they are significantly cheaper. Vastly better than V's.

[sammydog]

I ride a 2003 Epic, if I see you up there I will give you a spin.

I like the bike and don't have any real complaints about it. The suspension does exactly what its supposed to do. Occasationally I wish it was fully active, but that isn;t very often.

The 03's had 80mm forks and I beleive they now come with 100mm travel. I've heard this has made the handling better, but I haven't ridden one with 100mm forks.

Can't coment on the brakes as mine has hydraulic discs.

[Adam 74]

It has BB7's.

[Fatman]

They should give you no problems at all. Great brakes, certainly powerful enough for XC. Have they updated the brain shock on the new epics?
Last one I rode felt like shit, I prefer the more active bikes too. Still bloody quick bikes though.

[hdtvkss]

i know about 5 ppl that have had one. some loved it, some hated it. main concern seems to be with the threshold on the brain shock. ive been told its disconcerting comming into a conrner with the bike in its lockout mode, then have it suddenly shift into its travel. having never ridden one i cant comment on it, but ive heard that from 2 seperate people.... it may be that they both dont have the shock set properly, but whos to say

other wise if you ride it and like it then get it! Sid T rides one and hes pretty quick ;)

[Fatman]

That's the problem with pro's, you can put them on a bucket of shite and they'll still be fast. Not the Spec specifically. If you like a hardtail that occaisionally has travel, go for it. The concept is fantastic, I'm just not keen on the execution. IMO. Some obviously love it, nothing wrong there, otherwise we'd all be riding the same bikes.

[phillearned]

OK....
A few things to add here:

The 05 Epics (all of them) have 90mm of rear travel (with 100mm forks) with a brain "lite" rear shock.

The 06 Epics have been bumped up to 100mm travel front and rear, with a new and improved brain "fade" rear shock, which features different valving and stuff to the older shocks, making it a little more adjustable to your desired "ride feel".
This adjustability allows you to make it more like an older style epic (completely locked out until brain is activated) or adjust it to be a bit more plush and more like some of specialized's other dual susp. models (they call it trail tune, another variation of pro pedal).

As for the avid bb5/7, great brakes, its already been said, awesome power, but lack the modulation of the hydros.

[goodymx]

I ride hardtails mostly and have ridden thelatest epic and itis awsome.

[scratchy]

What do you guys think of the 05 Epic. The one I was looking at had the Avid mechanicals. Has anyone here had any experience with these brakes. Thanks.

Adam.......

Adam,
The EPIC is a good bike, if you're serious about racing. If not there are better bikes- Hell the Spesh FSR Long for example.

[progressivefan]

The Specialized Epic 05 looks like an awesome specced bike.

Which stores currently have '05 stock? Total rush in Richmond, Melb have the 05 Epic for $2400 according to their webpage.

I'm looking to buy a new MTB or roadie at this price but can't work out which! It's probably the wrong season but has anyone seen any really good deals around?

TIA