Following the sad demise of my Kinesis Sync, and deciding to replace it with an Epic Evo I’ve spent the last three weeks scouring eBay, Facebook, classifieds etc looking for the bits I needed (wanted) to build it up. It’ll be my only mountain bike, so needs to cover all bases – local Norfolk terrain (if you can call it that) and weekends away with hills. I’m a big old unit so I’ve gone for stronger rather than lighter in places, so it should cope with a bit of light bikepark action.

Specialized Epic Evo base model (mega offer from Certini)

Fox 34s and old XTR brakes from the Kinesis

xx1/x01 AXS groupset for cheap from a bloke who was upgrading to Transmission

Roval Traverse/SL wheels new but less than half price from Spesh because only the rear is “SL”

The cost to change will be about £2k by the time I’ve sold the remaining 10 year old bits from the old bike and the take offs from the new one, which while £2k more than I’d planned to spend, feels like pretty good value in the current bike world.

Yes, I know the patio and pots need weeding and the grass is a bit long 🙂

Great choice.

Nice!

Are the Roval wheels the carbon ones? I’d looked at them on the Specialized website but couldn’t decide whether or not to get some for my Epic Evo. 

They don’t sell teak oil in Norfolk I see.

they are really pretty bikes, those, would love one

👌

Are the Roval wheels the carbon ones?

Yep. I’d have gone for Controls if I didn’t have a history of destroying lightweight wheels, but at 16 stone and lacking talent, Traverses are a safer bet for me.

They don’t sell teak oil in Norfolk I see

They sell it. I just don’t use it. I’m trying to persuade my wife that the dry silvery look is preferable.

White or stealth fork decals would round it off nicely.

White or stealth fork decals would round it off nicely.

Maybe. I’d originally thought I might put some stealth decals on, but the red looks better than I thought it would.

nice bike. i see you’ve gone for ‘core sample’ bar plugs… 😉

joking aside, what weight for the wheel pair, do you know?

i see you’ve gone for ‘core sample’ bar plugs

Good spot. I’d just forgotten to fit them when I took the photo. Having previously tried to take a core sample of my own leg, I shan’t be doing that again!

Nice bike! Were you able to get this on CycleScheme?

Nice bike! Were you able to get this on CycleScheme?

Yep, although I had to pay 10% more than the (greatly reduced) sale price

Very nice. 👍

Weeds?? What about the grass?? It’s so long you can’t see the trampoline frame 😱😉

Nice bike BTW. This is my current ‘dream’ bike. 😁

Fantastic Bikes, i have the S-works epic Evo, very quick to use for XC also will cope with the rough stuff, before i bought this i had the Scott spark WC with all the integration ie shock hidden in frame and cable routing through headset, it was a pain in the arse, way too much tech, the evo is simple threaded bb etc, i can strip the whole bike down, do all the greasing/lubing etc, please can all these bike manufactures stop trying to do stuff for the sake of it.

Sorry Rant over 🙂 enjoy your epic evo bol

How you getting on with the Epic it looks brilliant?H

How are the Traverse wheels? Are those wheels worth the upgrade?

I’m enjoying the bike. As quick as my previous hardtail by much more confidence inspiring geometry. Not sure it’s as much fun on the flat trails where I ride locally, but then I knew that would be the trade off. 

The traverse wheels were worth it at the price I paid for them. Not at £1600 or whatever silly price they were at list. 

I’m very tempted by one of these, I feel it would suit the kind of riding I imagine myself doing sometimes but never actually do. N+1, right?

Cheers @bol for the reply.

Great stuff sounds like you are having fun.

Yeah they are bloomin expensive wheels at RRP.

Do you hate the tyres yet? 🤣

Do you hate the tyres yet? 🤣

They’re fine in the dry, but not masses of grip at this time of year. Keeps me on my toes though

@honourablegeorge

I’m very tempted by one of these, I feel it would suit the kind of riding I imagine myself doing sometimes but never actually do. N+1, right?

I’m hoping that my hardtail is going to fill that hole for me and stop me lusting after one of these.

@bol

Only just seen this thread. Funnily enough, looking at Epic Evo’s myself right now!

What happened to your Sync in the end if you don’t mind me asking…?

What happened to your Sync in the end if you don’t mind me asking…?

I sold the broken Sync frame to a bloke in London for £100 on eBay. I’d have put it on the wall, but my wife was having none of it.

Didn’t realise you’d broken the Sync!

How you getting on with the Epic Evo now…? I am finding it harder and harder to resist one I must say! What size did you go for and how tall are you?

I am biased as I have one, but it is a fabulous bike.

One thing you might want to do is check out the Specialized Epic Evo thread on MTBR as some smart person made a 3d print file available for a little mud guard to protect the gap (where all teh cr*p goes) between seat tube and chain stays and it is, no pun intended, epic! I downloaded it and uploaded it to an online 3d print company.

If it helps you @mboy I am 6’2 and went XL

Enjoy.

James

Didn’t realise you’d broken the Sync!

How you getting on with the Epic Evo now…? I am finding it harder and harder to resist one I must say! What size did you go for and how tall are you?

Yep, cracked the head tube in Wales sadly. 

I’m still playing about with the bar hight and stem length. Will probably move back to the standard 60mm from current 50mm to get more weight over the front. I’m just under 6’4” on an XL, which feels like it fits well. 

@fatbikeandcoffee have you got any more detail on the mud guard or a link to the MTBR thread?

Cheers!

5’11” on a large.

Check out the Dirt Skirt

Dirtskirt™ compatibility / 2019-2024 Specialized Stumpjumper + SJ Evo (foxfolk.co)

After a nightmare search of my sent items here you go https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4944925 I have used the file and it is ace!

James

@fatbikeandcoffee. Do you mind me asking – how much did the 3d printing cost?

I got a Dirtskirt for mine, but it was very expensive and I’d be keen to have a cheaper alternative if it doesn’t last long…

I’m also keen to look at an option for downtube protection. I’ve swapped to the Epic Evo from a Trek Procaliber that had a nice chunky guard fitted there.

Do you mind me asking – how much did the 3d printing cost?

+1 on that.

I’m this 🫰close to cracking out an old milk bottle, scissors and zip ties.

So to add my tuppence in, as I think I pinged up the original PSA for the cheap epic evos..

It’s incredible!

I’ve swapped out the gears for gx axs t type… And put on hunt proven carbon wheels..

It’s amazing. So fast..and just climbs and rips trails sooo well..

Certainly my favourite BB Ike, and can’t see me riding the stumpy for much other than bike parks and Surrey hills!

Incredibly light.

Yes, the 110mm rear wheel travel isn’t as plush as the 148 on my stumpy..but I kinda like that… It feels like it’s more connected or something!

Did I mention it climbs sooo well!

DrP

I’m also keen to look at an option for downtube protection.

I have one of these:

https://www.merlincycles.com/rockstop-frameguard-for-carbon-frames-259137.html

So far I like it. Not had it on long enough to have a solid opinion though, I guess.

Lovely looking bike. The lines are just so clean and uncluttered.

Epic evo is fantastic, I love mine, but as a tall person the XL feels a bit on the small side. The S6 size stumpjumper evo is another thing entirely, it’s like it was custom built for me (and my lack of skill).

I picked one of these up too recently. Being super busy with life has meant waiting a few weeks before finding time to ride.

Finally got out this morning in the cold. I’ve been off a full-sus for about 7 years, my back likes it.

Not ideal testing conditions but it flies along. Impressed so far. Also tempted with lighter wheels and an AXS upgrade at some point.

2020 flavour, still putting a smile on my face every time I go out on it

I honestly don’t remember what the 3d print cost but suspect it won’t be a cheaper option than a mass production part.

I costed it by uploading the file to some online 3d printing places and picked the one I used and 7 to 10 days later it arrived.

I’d ask if any mates have a 3d printer if I did it again.

Sorry I can’t be more help.