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Looking for a short travel fullsuss and looking towards the Specialized Epic or Epic Evo anyone rode either or similar? Mainly been riding the hardtail since the first lockdown as the Stumpjumper is too much for local stuff and I just want something with a bit of bounce to ease the back.
What type of ridng?
Epic is xc race, still pretty unforgiving tbf.
I've an orange segment - short travel enduro and good for anything with a change of tyres.
Your in downcountry territory so a fair bit of choice as currently on trend.
Transition Spur is the go to:
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/transition-spur-vs-izzo-uncaged/
I went for a 110f/100r carbon frame direct from China:
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/anyone-got-a-2021-vitus-rapide-fs-cr-or-crx/
It's probably the Epic I'm edging more towards as the hardtail is a Trek Procaliber alloy. it's for a quick 1-2 hour solo blast.
I wanted the Epic Evo but it wasn’t available in time for when I “needed” it in summer 2020 so I opted for a Trek Top Fuel instead. I can’t fault it for long XC riding. The latest version now has a threaded bb shell (like the spesh), so I’d probably opt for the Trek if I was buying now.
This assumes you’re not at the sharp end of any XC races, if you are then you might prefer a trek supercaliber.
I have an Epic evo, moving from a more trail bike and have had hardtail before.
The Epic Evo (EE) is a bit like a racey epic in baggy shorts and drinking coolaid 🙂 I find it comfortable, two bottle cages, happy to ride it all day, still a laugh on most things and 120/120mm on the EE feels like that goldilocks kind of place.
BUT (intentionally big but) I thought I wanted a Spur, all the mags say its a good bike etc and one sit on it and .. didn't like it.
If you can find one then definitely get a sit on whichever you go for but plenty of choice in that sort of grouping, if you can find the stock :/
Good luck with your hunt and if you have an EE questions feel free to drop me a message.
James
I posted this thread 2 and a bit years ago...
Then 6 months later I started this thread...
I bought a 2019 Rocky Mountain Element for very similar reasons... Still love it now! Great bike, lots of fun, very quick, far more capable than its geometry might suggest, and loads of mud room for UK conditions.
New 2022 RM Elements going to be landing soon... Quite a bit longer and slacker, very "Downcountry"... 👍🏻
The Epic is still a thoroughbred race bike (although still hugely more capable than some trail bikes from the not so distant past) so for more trailsy fun you should be looking at the Evo. I had my heart set on a Spur but my head was telling me to get an Epic Evo. Its the most balanced bike in the 'downcountry' / XC Trail category if you'll be doing big XC miles. The pricier models are silly light too, if you think you may fancy a spot of XC racing.
The Trek Top Fuel would also be ideal, as would the new Scott Spark. The 130mm forked Spark was also a shortlisted bike for me, but I couldn't get past the funky proprietary headset and the cluttered remote array on the bars.
At the Trail end of Downcountry, you have bikes like the regular Izzo, Ibis Ripley, Rocky Mountain Element, Cotic Flaremax and more, which are a tad heavier and more downhill focussed, but can still be pedalled all day. The Spur / YT Izzo Uncaged kind of split the difference, and sit right between both categories.
IMO though, any of these new school short travel 29ers are going to make you smile. It might come down to what's available locally to you, as availability is still patchy at best.
Pinkbike have recently done a little series on 5 short travel bikes. All on YouTube and quite entertaining as well as informative
Thanks for the replies, I'll watch the pink bike vid thanks. One reason I mentioned the EVO is it might be a bit like my old Specialized Camber that I really got on well with and even coped fine with a trip to Spain. As mentioned I do have a nearly new Stumpjumper FSR that's probably been used about 5 times since new for bigger stuff if I start traveling further afield again.
I understand models are in short supply and I'm not in any rush so don't mind waiting (not that I have a choice) and when it comes it maybe a case of having to compromise on whats available.
Had a Spur frame on order since August 19. Due to the current situation delivery date kept moving, with a 'possible' June 22 delivery.
Finally had enough and looked around and purchased a new 2021 Epic Evo full bike. Not disappointed at all ! Full build kit for the Spur is building it up. Have sold the build kit it came with.
As said the Spur was at the more downhill side of the 'down country' category, the Epic seems to be in the middle. Exactly what I wanted a ride all day get up over and down most things trail bike. Plus it's crazy light, lighter than the Spur would have been, win win.
I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the SC Blur, in either XC or TR set-ups. That is on my shortlist, along with the Scott and Epic Evo.
However, for 1-2 hour quick rides on my own, the little hardtail remains the thing.
If you can find a 2021 Top Fuel, you can fit a Slack-R angleset and take it to 2022 (and Transition Spur equivalent) angles.
I've got a 2020 Top Fuel and just fitted the 2 degree Slack-R and its made the bike friendlier to ride, yet still retain its core characteristic of speed/weight. Only 5mm less travel, but the setup feels like more - I've certainly never really been in a position where I'd be asking more of it.
Just worth a thought should you be struggling to find MY22 Top Fuels (I know Bristol couldn't find any).
KTM Scarp worth a look too. The old 100mm travel one was like a rocket on singletrack. Now 120mm travel so more trail friendly
Absolutely love my new 2022 Spark RC World Cup
Canyon lux trail is worth a look - to see if they've got anything.
I use a canyon Neuron in that role
Geometry is hardly exciting but it does actually work. The builds are good value and they apparently stock
Oh and the Sonder Cortex is some what similar
Just on here to say KtM? N beaten to it
This might be pushing the limits a little bit, but if 130mm front and 120mm rear travel is within limits.
I have an Evil Following V3 that I'm very pleased with, its a very fun and lively bike. My riding buddy has a Santa Cruz Tallboy which he is also totally in love with.
We both find they are a good compromise for a bit of everything. They have relatively slack geometry so you can have a go at technical trails without being totally on edge but the limited amount of suspension means easier and simpler trails are not too sanitised and are still good fun.
My Evil has a slightly more poppy, fun and agile character to it and can be run with a 120mm fork too. The Tallboy a slightly more confident descender character to it.
Got an Epic Evo in 2020. Fockin Love it. Rejuventated my riding. Fast up and down.
Did I look at anything else - no, it was the last bike in the shop during lockdown. I had had an earlier model Epic so happy with the concept.
I think for what you’re after I’d add the Izzo uncaged to your short list - it sounds like an absolute rocket cross country but with a touch of slightly more trail friendly travel than a full xc bike. For me I’d probably want to go more towards trail (Spur / Top Fuel etc) but it doesn’t sound like you want to push the boundaries on steep tech.
I was looking at some of the suggestions in here - YT Izzo, Canyon Neuron, Orbea Occam, Trek Fuel EX etc when upgrading from an older Rocky Mountain Element.
I ended up with an excellent deal on a second-hand Evil Following MB, and I bloody love it, 120 rear with a 140 fork and probably the most planted FS I've ever ridden. I'd love one of the newer Elements, given a bit more cash, but the Evil's an awesome ride for me.
How capable are things like a Spur. Those that have them - would you race an ard rock stage? Push yourself on a techy Scottish Munro?
What about the other end, would you put 2.3 gumwalls on it and race competitive xc?
Interesting thread and its a shame I've got to it so late.
I am fully sold on 120mm full suss and split much of my time between a Santa Cruz Tallboy3 and a Transition Spur. Both are extremely capable and I'd take them most places although probably not down hill runs just because I get scared.
As to the Spur I rode it at BC Bike Race last yer which had some challenging trails both up and down and got on very well with it. It climbs well and is confidence inspiring for technical descents. I've raced xc on it quite happily and can't say I have had anything much to complain about.
Both the Spur and the Tallboy 3 come in weight wise between 25.5lbs and 26.5lbs in large and xl respectively and with 2.35/2.4 inch tyres. So not bad and certainly not out of touch with bikes in that market.
I like my Intense Sniper - 120/120.
I've raced the Vittoria Bike Marathon on it, done the london to brighton offroad double (which was 125 miles) - very comfortable for all day use. And I rag it around the Surrey Hills too. 2 bottle holders, dropper, 26.5lbs all in.