Specialized's S-Works Epic World Cup: Epic Win or Epic Fail? 

Canyon rules xco mtb now Puck has won 3 times all ready

As a mechanic, those Si’s were on my stand way too many times. 12k Hi-Mod builds coming into the shop 3 months after purchase with linkage bushings backing out. Regularly. As for the comment on the proprietary shock. The reality is the only real proprietary component is the shock body itself and the little bleed valve. The internals are really straightforward. Standard bushings and seals and what not. It will be serviceable for many many years. Not to mention that the consumer that buys this type of bike probably races and will swap it out in 3-5 years anyway.

Don’t worry I know the bar gaps pretty well. Most of the time 😬

Fwiw, I had a similar reaction.

Agree, tough to follow

LOL that I’m not on the launch trip until next week but everyone seems to know all about the new bike 😂

Is there an updated epic evo coming out soon?

I didn’t like my evo. I had the pro with xtr. I’m sure if I got the S-Works it would have been different. I just got the Cervelo zfs120 and like it better. Always looking for the holy grail. 😅

😆 well he did made slight note towards the fact that this idea does not work well for him (no lock-out yet heavy compared to i.e. soft-stays hard-tail) ... so it's more like saying 'hush this is fail' without saing it out loud - just IMHO.

Well, Guy is quite critical of the bike's flaws. And has been quite unimpressed with some Specialized bikes in the past. They also don't sponsor him.

@@JeremyLawrence-imajez thanks for pointing that out chief, some people are determined to find a conspiracy eh?

I’m pretty sure I actually say by most standards this is a fail and would definitely advise most people to get the Epic Evo. And Specialized don’t sponsor me or else they’d be listed at the start. But unsurprisingly for a dream spec £12k bike there are some things it does amazingly.

Guy is has some pretty critical reviews if you watch enough of his vids.

The Cervelo would definitely be more versatile for overall XC but the Epic is more frame bag compatible and closer or a gravel race bike in feel. In answer to your other question on wheels if you're talking about big XCG mileages I'd go Roval for the DT Swiss hubs. The Zipps seem OK so far but the 350s are properly proven long term and easy to get spares for too

That’s probably what I’d do too Rich!

He’s on an e-bike; he still hasn’t tried mountain biking

Sorry for delay Scott. I've got a Cervelo ZFS on test that's very similar to the Blur so I've been able to get a good comparison. The World Cup is slightly lighter and the suspension means it feels sharper and 'stiffer' on the ground even though Spesh says it's no stiffer structurally than the Epic Evo which is very similar to the Blur. Head angle is slacker on paper but as the rear doesn't sag as much it's basically the same as the Blur when riding. Blur is a lot smoother, more comfortable and forgiving with the shock open and it's got a more springy vibe and excellent traction up tech climbs. It feels a little bit softer/flexier as a result but head to head the Cervelo (and therefore the Blur) was significantly faster on extended descents and wasn't dropped on tech climbs either as there's only a few hundred grams (half a pound) difference in weight once you add a dropper to the World Cup.

You still buy a Epic Ht no s works version anymore.

yep, it’s the S-Works i’d be wanting and want to see it keeping on being developed!

Have the latest model epic ht and this bike. I’ve owned the last three generations of epic full suspension bikes and I always preferred my hard tail until this bike. This honestly has a very similar feel to a hard tail and is soaks up the bumps so efficiently.

@@B-gh7md I bought the WC Expert, I'm waiting for it to arrive. I also come from using Epic HT. What is the shock configuration that you like the most or do you use the most? Firm, medium or soft?

@@mhffox252 I also came from riding a hardtail so I do like the firm setting more. I don’t set it up with any sag. The front you can run softer than you normally would.

I did the Andorra epic on mine. No issues other than a lack of talent of mine! 😂

I think your Fox would work really well. The BRAIN SID is quite harsh and it’s also a lot heavier than normal SID. The 6mm won’t make a noticeable difference. The non Sworks is definitely the best choice in terms of value too. If you’ve not already got the bike see if the store will sell it without the fork so you get a discount too 👍🏻

yes it is the same fork design as the epic. There is a fully active mode, as well as a firm mode.

What you want is a Scott Spark then 👍🏻

@@GuyKesTV I actually seriously considered it and took a parking lot ride on the Spark. However, it was the excessive use of proprietary technology that put me off. I'm not a fan of the Twin Lock system or the through the headset cable routing or the hidden shock. Just shortening the stem required an expensive proprietary stem that only Scott makes that didn't even come in the 40mm length I actually wanted. No thanks. Too much technology that violated my keep it simple rule.

@@marksandoval5361 if you liked the triple mode operation of the Spark but want it in a less fussy form keep your eyes peeled for the new RockShox SID fork and shock breaking cover at the end of this month

@@GuyKesTV This guy trolls every MTB channel with the same thing.

I'm hoping to borrow a Banshee hardtail for test soon, it's been way too long since I've ridden one.

Sorry for late reply. The BB is less of an issue because you're running the suspension fully extended a lot of the time

Yeah Alma is crazy light and good value too. Very keen to try one

@@GuyKesTV i own 2 Alma one whit alu frame and one whit a carbon frame

Haven't ridden the latest Lux WC I'm afraid. Previous gen was seriously quick though.

Yes using the tokens should help. It is pretty linear as standard but 2 tokens should do the trick

@@GuyKesTV Thanks 💪

Yep, basically this. It looks lovely though

Also, @GuyKesTV i have a trek SC I built as well as an SW epic evo. it's almost comical how close they are in weight but not even in same discussion for how capable the epic evo is both in classic xc single track like your video but also blue and black rated tech routes here used for enduro races. I have twistloc dual remote lock-out on both, sid ultimate on both, 32x100 and 35x120, everything is light but strong for parts choices, x01 axs, bike yoke revive 185 on the evo, 35 clamp bar, enve mtb stem 65, next SL cranks, time atac Ti, bontrager xxx 30 wheels, G2 brakes and 180/160 rotors (minimum size). Epic EVO 10.3 kg. I raced xco on the SC 2021 but this spring converted it to a gravel-adventure hybrid beast with Cane Creek bar ends and the Ride FARR aero center hold kit. It rides on tape-less, tubeless Bontrager kovvee 23mm with 2.1 Vittoria Terenno Dry. It is SO comfortable on gravel LOL I'd been feeling like i could still have a "light and quick xc bike" by way of a 2022 S-Works Epic 100/100 brain/brain, and have a frame to build but my SW Epic EVO and your video make me think I'd still almost always grab the evo unless it was just a true xc race on easier terrain.

@@jwestpro Cheers chief, that's great feedback. I reckon the Supercal or the Epic WC would both make a great 'angry gravel' bike as there's potentially more room for frame bags etc. But for anything genuinely MTB Epic Evo is definitely the way to go, esp set up with that spec and remotes front and rear. That's going to be even truer when I can talk about what I'm riding from RockShox ATMO

I ran them all, if you search my for Epic World Cup on my channel a bunch of different test videos should come up. I settled at about 60% in the end

@@GuyKesTV60% you mean a bit more sag than the half gulp, but not fully gulp?

Think I was running it between half and full at that point

@@GuyKesTV so not quite full gulp and not quite half gulp? My guess is you were experimenting with your own sag setting? 6-8mm instead of the 4-5mm that the half-gulp provides?

@@reineherrera8897 yes, around 6mm sag and a couple of clicks of low speed compression was my sweet spot

@@GuyKesTV just finished up my frame set build this afternoon. I keep coming back to this review since it’s so comprehensive. I’m not dead set on what shock setting I’m going to run but wanted to ask if you had a baseline setting for the fork that would match the no-gulp or Half-gulp in the shock? I’m a relatively light rider at 140lbs. Thanks.

@@reineherrera8897 enjoy new ride day 🤘🏻The brain seems really well calibrated to the shock (but back to front). EG full Brain Fade matches no gulp really well, while minimum Brain Fade matches full gulp. As the rear is so supple once it gets moving you can go with the fork pressures RockShox recommend too. Normally I’d say add 10% but not here, at first anyway. If you really want to sync them up then a single click of compression on the rear shock will mimic the release feel of the fork too. 👍🏻

Wait 6 weeks and check in again here 🤫

lo estan, puedes configurar en youtube y poner traduccion en español

🤣

Sorry Andrew just seen this. I'm scheduled to get some Boardman's very soon then hopefully Voodoo after that. From previous experience they're extremely good for the money though and there's very little they can't do

Im 180cm 5" 11" and run a 745mm BB to saddle top height

@@GuyKesTV thanks for reply - I find the new geometry very confusing, I'm 6ft , 32" inseam , riding large 2011 Niner RIP 9 Alloy .with 80mm Stem.1x11 , Reach about 420mm.

@@jonienglish3231 The reach of most modern bikes is going to feel really long compared to your Niner (or anything else from 2011). Theoretically you should definitely be on a large but I guess it depends how much you want to have to adapt / risk things feeling weird. A medium should feel relatively normal if you're unsure but I'd say demo a bike if possible (even a different model if that's easier).

@@GuyKesTV I see on TV the pros running lot of seatpost exposed. I also had a 2010 Cannondale F29 alloy large but felt the bike was too big for me ,I got it used but should have got medium instead. Keep the videos coming good review

Fair enough. I’ve been rattling that out for a long old time. What would you rather have as an intro? Just straight into the bike?

Yep no more Brain in the rear. Phased out

I give it 10 maybe LOL but I know what you mean. Luckily there are specialists who can still rebuild a SID brain I have from a 2012 epic SW 29.