Rodrigo Abreu

This is what I was expecting as well, but have not heard any rumors of the official launch. Since last year I have been riding with an Epic Evo Ltd, and it is a much more comfortable ride than the Epic, it would be great to have the flight attendants for sprints and out of the saddle efforts.

Hi there, no I haven’t, but we got a mobile home package instead, thank you!

Thanks, that’s my plan A today. I have been putting more miles on my Epic Evo and fine tuned the rear suspension to be on the efficient side of things now, so getting to like it more on climbs. The 120 SID Ultimate is pretty good and lockout works as a charm. Not missing the brain at all on the front end. Now trying to assess if remote lockout for the rear makes sense, leaning to the side of no, as this is not XCO AND I’m not racing for any kind of podium spots or bragging rights…

Agree completely, I pretty much HATE hydration packs and have never used them since over 10 years ago. I did the ACE with only 2 bottles, and for me it was more than enough, plan on repeating it next year. IMHO hydration packs are great if you are really a profuse sweater or if you are going into unexplored territory or long stretches without any race support.

Will be riding in Grand Masters, light rider at 65kg, Riding ability advanced with 1 Cape and 2 Brasil Rides completed, good technical descender and training 4/5 times a week both road and MTB… have been riding bikes for as long as I recognize myself, which means over 50 years now… (55 next year). And longer suspension = lockout available, while shorter brain = no lockout but platform, with the 3rd option being the brain/no brain of the WC. My question again was focused on how rough and battering are the descents on a 100 / brain compared to a 120 / no brain in the new routes. The only ACE I completed (the only I rode) was back in 2014, and I did it with a pretty harsh 29 Epic with brain 100 front and rear, and did not feel I needed more travel. but as far as I remember this feeling for lockout needs was not all there. I have been training with the new WC 75/110 for a while now, and just got a longer travel bike (the Evo, 110/120, manual lockout only, no remote) to try it out tks PS: Brasil Ride 2011 was tougher than ACE 2014

Thank you Viking1, that's precisely what I wanted input on! After several years of Epics, I have been riding the new Epic World Cup, and loving it as it is super efficient, but indeed it would probably feel super harsh on the ACE. I parallel with that I just started riding an S-Works Epic Evo Ltd, and on the first rides I did feel it was "too soft" on the rear to the point of interfering with hard efforts out of the saddle and even while seated if pushing hard. I have been tweaking the sag on the SidLuxe to reduce it and leave it a little more efficient (between 17 and 20%), and it got noticeably better, but it still doesn't compare to a platform such as the Brain or the new WCID shock. I hope they eventually launch the Flight Attendant option for it...

Hi all there, I noticed CE24 will be probably tougher than other years with more climbing, but also more descents, and I was wondering if folks who live in SA and ride it regularly (my last one was 10 years ago) would have an opinion of racing with a Brain Epic with 100mm vs a non-Brain Epic with 120mm (in summary Specialized Epic vs Specialized Epic Evo). Are the descents really technical and rough so they would compensate the loss of efficiency the longer travel with no pedaling platform certainly brings? Or depending on preference it would be ok to privilege climbing efficiency with the Brain even with slightly rougher descents in the view of those who know the trails for next year? Inputs appreciated!

Just managed to register for the 2024 Absa CE, and now looking to secure an Avis Upgrade, if by any chance or reason you want to sell one please let me know!