The Epic Evo which will be replacing my sadly deceased Kinesis Sync hasn’t arrived yet (cyclescheme shenanigans) but I’m already accumulating jewellery for it. I went for the base model from Certini, as it fits my scheme limit, but so far it has lightly used XX1 AXS and a new X01 chainset waiting for it. I’ll probably transfer my old Thomson bar and XTR brakes over, and am seriously thinking of using my nearly new Fox 34 130mm forks. Any thoughts or experience with running slightly longer travel on one of these? I could change the air shaft, but part of me thinks the extra 10mm might a. be quite nice and b. not actually make any noticeable difference to how it rides..?
Posted : 28/09/2023 4:52 pm
Topic starter
@crossed..
The GX t type is fantastic... no clicking my end.. have you trimmed it... even one press in trim mode can make a huge difference.
Also... wheel picked up and fitted yesterday... With a rimpact v1 rimstrio, so only adds 100gm...
But the Fox transfer sl is about 180gm lighter than the stock dropper, so I'm still up (down...?)
DrP
Posted : 28/09/2023 5:10 pm
As far as I know the Fox 34 130 mm has 10mm longer axle to crown dimension than 120mm so you'll slacken all the angles about 0.5 degree relative to 120mm. I think you can only change airshaft to be 140mm (with identical axle to crown, so same geo), not down to 120mm. Happy to be corrected.
Posted : 28/09/2023 5:29 pm
Apparently it can be reduced to 120 with a new air shaft. £170ish at TF Tuned. Just not sure it’s worth it?
Posted : 28/09/2023 6:14 pm
First week in on my comp and I love it after a couple of rides. Although unfortunately I've managed to completely round out the rear thru axle today when going to swap tyres. Park Tool twisted hex key didn't work. Don't feel like I overtightened it but must have after swapping the wheels, it's we'll stuck and also made out of very soft alu. Need to suck it up and get it to the shop for removal, already ordered a new axle, so upsetting 🙁
Posted : 28/09/2023 8:27 pm
Topic starter
Bugger! Have you an easy-out drill set? Just a reverse drill bit...
Also, was thinking about this...
VanHalen
Full Member
I was on holiday with a hunt employee and he was telling me he was eternally amazed how many people specced inappropriate wheels/tyres for their bikes and their riding! razzing xc wheels at a bike park – it is fairly unsuprising they broke
I remember in my youth riding trials on a Scott xc bike... v brakes... xc wheels etc ...
Big ol' drops... hoppity hop...That held up fine!
I do wonder if this massive pigeon holing of bike sub genres leads to people thinking "an xc wheelset can't be ridden fast" etc etc...
DrP
Posted : 28/09/2023 10:23 pm
Bugger! Have you an easy-out drill set? Just a reverse drill bit…
I've considered it but I've come to the conclusion I'm only likely to make it worse, so I will put my tail between my legs, admit to being a numpty and accept the judgement of the local bike shop mechanics.
Sorry to read about your wheels, you saw my wheel thread. Hunt are definitely marmite.
Posted : 28/09/2023 10:44 pm
Topic starter
Mendes wheel fitted... so rude not to take it for a quick blast!
Fox transfer sl and purple loam lever on there too!
It's still soooo fun and fast!
DrP
Posted : 29/09/2023 3:03 pm
crossed reacted
Love seeing these bikes, real purpose and great fun!
Keep the pics coming
I understand that Mavic have been very good at offering a decent discounts to replace broken Hunt wheels when Hunt haven;t been able to warrenty, I'm not sure on the details but may be worth asking at local Mavic dealers.
Posted : 29/09/2023 3:16 pm
I'm considering buying one of these too, currently don't own a MTB, and have only had hardtails in the past. I want something predominantly for all-round riding around the Peaks. Is the "comp" version worth the extra £500 over the base model? I'm leaning towards yes, with the SIDs instead of the Reba, better brakes (4 vs 2 pots) and groupset (GX vs NX)?
Posted : 02/10/2023 6:40 pm
For proper riding in the peak I agree it would be worth spending the extra for those upgrades. The stiffer fork will be significantly better on those rocky descents.
Posted : 02/10/2023 7:48 pm
Comp owner here, can’t do anything other than persuade you to part with your money. The Sid’s are an outstanding fork IME. It’s all just working for me.
Posted : 02/10/2023 7:54 pm
hunt wheels are rubbish, surprised you spent so much money on them.
Posted : 02/10/2023 11:55 pm
Would really like to get one of these, but I would really need to sell my Ripmo AF, but as Merlin and Start Fitness are selling new ones for around £2k, I'd be lucky to get £1200 for mine and I really don't want to let it go for that. Might just have to put some inappropriate light wheels on it instead.
Posted : 03/10/2023 8:26 am
DrP, how are you finding the Ground controls…. Will you race with them?
Posted : 03/10/2023 8:35 am
hunt wheels are rubbish, surprised you spent so much money on them.
The Hunt XC Wide wheels on both my bikes have been faultless over the past four or five years I've had them.
how are you finding the Ground controls…
I've been surprised by the Ground Controls on mine, they're really grippy and feel pretty fast rolling with it. I'm actually considering fitting a set on the singlespeed for winter duties to replace the current Fast Trak tyres it's running. Hopefully they'll be discounted somewhere in the Black Friday sales when they come around.
Posted : 03/10/2023 9:00 am
Topic starter
As per Crossed - no issues with the ground control so far... I doubt they'd exel in mud, but the are pretty grippy with a decent profile..
Will be riding them (and this bike) at the Gorrick in a few weeks time..
DrP
Posted : 03/10/2023 9:14 am
I've always ridden with ground controls but the set on my comp are heavy at 900g each (they used to lighter in previous years) so I've ordered a mezcal/barzo combo to try and about 0.5kg lighter
Posted : 11/10/2023 6:10 pm
mezcal/barzo combo<br /><br />
I’ve been doing a lot of tyre based research lately, and it would appear having 2 Barzos and 2 Mezcals in your armoury can’t really be beaten for value/performance/weight. My only issues with them is when worn and the 4th softest layer is gone, but I’m not sure if I could tell. My answer to that is that a worn Barzo becomes a mid conditions rear tyre. I’m a confidence rider so I struggle to have mental faith in some of the lower knobbed offerings from Maxxis and Bontrager.<br /><br />
Anyway, I’ve been riding around on two Mk1 forecasters which I’ll use at Gorrick, alledgely a good damp conditions tyre so I thought I may as well use them considering the time of year and save the Vittoria’s for next time. <br /><br />
Looking forward to seeing Dr P’s bike TBH!
Posted : 12/10/2023 8:47 am
Topic starter
Patience my friend!!
So i've not really seen teh vittoria tyres - the mezcals look like geax saguro... fast rolling rear tyre.. the Barzos look good...not super different from the tyres on the epic already.
I think if it's looking REALLY muddy, I may hunt around for perhaps a hillbilly or something else for the front!
DrP
Posted : 12/10/2023 10:17 am
I've put barzos on my Kona Hei Hei. They are fantastic on everything except wet tarmac and then they are lethal. Actually dangerous. I'm hoping it's residue release agent or something and they'll get grippier as they wear that top layer.
Posted : 12/10/2023 10:23 am
I've got Barzo front and rear on my Yeti ARC and it's a flippin' fast tyre but surprisingly grippy. I know some people stick a Mezcal on the rear for the summer but I haven't felt the need! I've actually just bought a pair again in 2.6" to replace my 2.25's as it's a hardtail and I like a bigger tyre. Will run them for a bit and then stick with one or the other, I'm hoping it won't be noticeably slower.
Posted : 12/10/2023 6:50 pm
How are you getting on with the wheels after you got the new rim? <br />Just seen that Hunt have a sale on and it’ll mean the Proven XC wheels are about £750 with the discount. I quite fancy a set for my Epic to upgrade from the current Hunt XC Wide alloy wheels.
Posted : 26/12/2023 11:49 am
Having just ordered one and in my haste forgetting to note that it doesn’t have a remote lockout, can anyone please comment on use of the climb / compression switches and what they offer and how the ride feel is in each position?
im hoping not to have to cancel my order becuase I can leave it in one mode for racing…..
Posted : 19/04/2024 10:19 pm
Well, OP is currently racing his in Croatia so let’s see what he’s got to say once he catches his breath
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/4-islands-epic-croatia-drp-is-a-go-go/
personally, not a racer, but never use the lockouts.
Posted : 19/04/2024 10:54 pm
I have the comp, so a different a shock, and don't race. So I'm not sure that I can help much. I never bother with the lockout, but then I never have on any bike really. I don't think it's very bobby.
Posted : 20/04/2024 10:22 am
Thanks for the feedback. Reading the detail in the reviews my new bike will come with a 3 mode Fox, with open and medium having a 1, 2 and 3 setting to make them gradually even firmer if needed. So it sounds that - if indeed I need it at all - I can play with the medium setting and use that as. “Race “ mode.
The fork has the same without the micro adjustment so perhaps medium up front as well.
Posted : 20/04/2024 1:14 pm
Topic starter
Nice bike choice!
Mine pulled me through the "4 islands epic" with no issues!
Re lockout... I generally leave the fork fully open on anything off-road, for front wheel control esp when climbing..
The rear - I only flip to lock out on smooth gravel climbs... Anything a bit rocky or rooty and the grip when you leave the shock open is worth any 'efficiency'..
Obvs on a road climb you'd lock both out...
DrP
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