Say hello to my little friend...

[Fly Rod]

My new friend any way

We went to Eugene for my wife to run a half marathon this weekend. Since our little town has a week to non existant selection of good bikes I decided to shop while up North.

I rode a SC Tallboy Saturday. It was a very nice bike and was as smooth as butter. I was able to get some chain ring rub on the fr derailure when hammering. This could have been an adjustment issue but it is not what you want to hear from a bike at that price point.

Today we drove an hour further North to Peak Sports in Corvallis. Thier selection was excellent and everything was on sale! The bike that jumped out and bit me was this Epic Carbon Expert. Within 5 cranks of the pedals I knew I wanted this bike. It flat out launched! I couldn't feel any flex and best of all, thanks to the brain front and rear, zero bob when hammering. I was hardly able to get the suspension working on my short ride. Thanks to some curbs I did get to feel the brain kick off and suspension kick in. All I can say is very nice! My wife insisted I buy the bike even though the sticker shock was rather unnerving. No more excuses, now it is time to get my butt in shape!

Yes the totally cool reflectors are coming off!

 

[ravewoofer]

Nice bike! It looks like it's meant for flat out racing. Enjoy.

 

[phsycle]

Epic's are super nice. Congrats.

 

[Mr. Toad]

Nice!

 

[Fly Rod]

It climbs like a hard tail and descends like a FS bike. I love it. I did my regular training loop Monday, 1 hr climb with 15 minutes of singletrack down. I nocked 10 minutes off my best FS time!

Only one little problem, I bought a Medium! My inseam is 32 so the Med works. But I have long arms and torso so I need a large. Oops!

I have riden it once and admit that I f'd up the purchase. The bike shop is being cool and said to bring it in and they will work it out. Tomorrow I make the 4 hour drive to see what we can do. Hopefully I will return with a Large tomorrow night.

 

[Fly Rod]

Well thanks to an observant member over at MTBR.com I discovered that I had indeed bought the wrong size Epic. I called the shop and they said bring it in and we will see what we can do.

Drove 4 hours to the shop this am and all is well. Many thanks to the shop for thier understanding and help.

The new, Large, ride:

I got home and had 1/2 hour before I had to pick up the kids. Off to the trail for a quick test ride. Observations, the large defenitely feels better in the top tube length. The extra wheelbase translates into a little better tracking. It felt much easier to balance on steep climbs. The stiffness of the frame is noticable when climbing the steep pitches. I never felt like I was loosing valuable power. Feed back was excellent and I could easily adjust power when I hit a section of loose pine needles on the crux of the climb. Quite frankly I was suprised I made it up and over the crux.

I did get an interesting CS scar on todays ride. The trail I rode had some very sharp compression turns. I guess I got some flex in the CS.

I am loving this ride! It climbs so well while being extremely well balanced on the single track.

 

[elprup87]

Was looking at one Epic today at the shop while getting a stem and bottle cage. It looked like a sweet bike. I also noticed a giant 29er carbon. Still not convinced on carbon as a mtb frame. I have a carbon handle bar which seems to hold up well, plus vibration on the hands have been reduced. I wish I had a XC dual suspension bike. My brothers downhill RockyMountain is sweet, but not the best for XC. Too heavy and girthy for XC, but great for downhill!

 

[Fly Rod]

I wasn't to sure about carbon fiber either. But as soon as I rode this bike my mind changed. In the 90's I owned a GT Thermoplastic LTS. I snapped the frame three times on that bike. I know that isn't real CF but it had me on guard about alternative materials.

As I said, one ride and my mind was changed. When you step on the cranks on this bike it launches. It is noticeably more efficient than other bikes. It also provides feedback that I have never felt on a fs bike. Much of that is due to the brain front and rear. It really improves the feel of the bike. This bike is not a dh bike by any definition. It is a very efficient xc bike with great handling and the bonus of ds.

We will see how the frame does long term.

 

[ravewoofer]

In the 90's I owned a GT Thermoplastic LTS. I snapped the frame three times on that bike. I know that isn't real CF but it had me on guard about alternative materials.

I owned a GT LTS-1 in the 90's. Both frame and suspension technology have advanced by orders of magnitude! Thank goodness for that.

Currently, I ride a Rocky Mountain Element (aluminum with carbon fibre seat stays) and could never, ever imagine hopping back on a '90s klunker.

Have fun on the new ride!

 

[Fly Rod]

Well my fears of not being up to riding again are over. I have been riding every other day and I am loving it! I even spent an hour on the spinner bike doing pyramids Thursday.

I am a little slower than I used to be on the ups but faster on the downs. The downs are so fast now I actually feel like I should slow down a bit, ok that feeling is gone, but holy crap this bike is fast!

 

[ravewoofer]

Well my fears of not being up to riding again are over. I have been riding every other day and I am loving it! I even spent an hour on the spinner bike doing pyramids Thursday.

I am a little slower than I used to be on the ups but faster on the downs. The downs are so fast now I actually feel like I should slow down a bit, ok that feeling is gone, but holy crap this bike is fast!

Keep up the spinning as it really improves your fitness for the mountain bike. After 4-5 sessions, you'll notice yourself cranking up the hills and still not be too winded once you reach the summit.

With regular spinning, you'll be able to actually move through higher gears as you go up hill, so you're actually accelerating on the ups.

I spin once or twice weekly in season, and three times weekly during the off season. If you can do that, you'll be amazed at the condition you'll be in at the start of your season.

Downhills are a blast with a dualie. The hills are the toll you pay for the fun of gravity.

 

[Fly Rod]

I am defenitely going to keep spinning, even though I hate it! I didn't have time. For a ride yesterday so spent 35 minutes on the spinner.

Today I did my usual ride. My 55 minute climb is now 42 minutes! I was actually shifting into the big ring, 2x10, to stand and climb. That is a first for me. I am starting to think I might be able to get in shape for the Cream Puff.

Have I said how much this bike rocks today? It blows my mind that I can stand and hammer the big ring and this bike launches up the hill. Awsome!

 

[Land Speeder]

You haven't said anywhere, but is this a 29'er? Your first? Maybe that's the difference?
I'd love to try this bike!

 

[Fly Rod]

You haven't said anywhere, but is this a 29'er? Your first? Maybe that's the difference?
I'd love to try this bike!

Yes it is a 29er. What ever the reason for the additional speed I am very happy. If you can hook up with a demo trailer I would do it. I really want to try the SWorks Epic now.

I really began to notice how well this bike stays hooked up on last nights ride. Braking traction is exceptional. I hate skidding because it really wastes time and damages trails. I guess the combination of a larger contact patch, tubeless tires and really good brakes adds up to the best baking bike I have ever ridden.