General Equipment Choice for the Epic - Tires and Pedals

[rmabreu]

Hi Epic riders, I thought it would be interesting to start a tread on equipment choices for the 2014 Epic, in particular those of tires and pedals, given that bikes are very personal and/or sponsored.

 

I am riding the Epic for the first time, but did 2 similar style ultra-marathons in 2011/2012 - the Brasil Ride 7-day stage race in Bahia - Brazil. They were completely modeled around the Epic and are now one of the 3 UCI-sanctioned ultra marathons together with the Epic and TransAlps. Outstanding race for those who love the Epic, and a huge selection of incredible single track in the middle of it all.

 

Now for the choices, and already asking for advice from those who have ridden the Epic before:

 

I am riding a 14' Epic S-Works 29, and have switched the Fast Track tires to a pair of 2.25 SnakeSkin Schwalbes - Rocket Ron front and Racing Ralph rear. What are you riding and do you believe this is a good pair for the Epic?

 

As for the pedals, I have been riding with a Candy 11, but given the ease of reentry I will switch to EggBeater 11, what are you all riding?

 

Looking forward to next week, and we will show as team ABR - Amigos da Brasil Ride (Friends of Brasil Ride).

 

Rgds

 

Rodrigo

Edited March 14, 2014 by rmabreu

[banna]

Running Conti X-Kings and XTR pedals. Riding with my trusty Morewood Zula. Probably gonna be the only oke with a 26'r!

[Eldron]

I'm on a Niner Air Carbon RDO with XT/XTR mix and Reba Fork.

 

Tyres I've gone for reliability over weight - Crossmark LUST.

 

Pedals - old faithful - Shimano XT.

 

Wheels - Citec Ascender S.

 

Its pretty much what I've used for all my stage racing. Not really weight weenie - I prefer reliability.

[stephenob]

Great choice of bike. I ran 2013 Epic on the same choice of tyres as you have made and had absolutely no issues , they were perfect. Same choice of tyres for this year. Used to ride eggbeaters , entry level model , was warned that the more expensive models of eggbeaters did not last as long and this was true. My bearings packed up on another stage race and the pedal came off the axle. Switched to XT , the good old faithful , did 2013 Epic and still good to go this year, as they say it's not the lightest , 16gram heavier than XTR , but bullet proof. This is what the Epic requires. See you next week and safe riding.

[leona]

2012/13 sworks epic, xt pedals after too many xtr pedals coming off the axle. Same tyres I used last year on my 26in. Continental protection race king rear and xking front

[G-Unit]

Running Fast Track controls front and back. Nice balance between weight, rolling resistance (never to be underestimated over 700k) and durability.

 

Pedals - XTR's.

[mataz]

'14 Specialized Epic Expert

Look S-Track Pedals

Easton EA70 Wheels (Saving the Roval Carbon's the bike came with from 8 days of abuse)

Maxxis Icon (Rear) & Maxxis Ardent (Front)

[Batmanza]

KTM Myroon

Shimano M540 Pedals

GEAX Sagauro 29x2.2.

[Jewbacca]

2012/13 sworks epic, xt pedals after too many xtr pedals coming off the axle. Same tyres I used last year on my 26in. Continental protection race king rear and xking front

 

I thought you were going to ride the 650b Canyon!

[clyde79]

Чума! Спасибо за информацию! Везет же вам! Нам бы так везло. От туристического агента все зависит. Ну ничего, в следующий раз выберем другого турагента. И ни за что не будем связываться с samuidays.ru - мошенники.

http://turizm.ngs.ru...t=1&per-page=50

 

Thanks for that!

[two hands]

Tyres:

I'm running Schwalbe Rocket Ron 2.25 Snakeskin front and Racing Ralph 2.25 Snakeskin on the rear. Very happy with this combo as it allows plenty of bite on the front wheel for cornering and the Rocket Ron rolls surprisingly well for a bigger tread-pattern tyre.

I've ridden four Epics with Specialized Fast Track up front and Renegade 2.2 on the rear. Very reliable and super-fast. Although I did run their "Grid" model which has sidewalls made from rhino hide. Not sure if they're available in SA though.

Also rode Bontrager XR2 front and XR1 rear last year. Both models with their Inner Strength Casing sidewall model - very impressive.

 

Pedals:

I'm using XTR. Solid build. Light(-ish) and with plenty of other people around running the same you're bound to find spares.

I've used egg-beaters in two Epics and won't do that again. They're great if you can service them every other day, but who's got time for that. My Time Atacs were amazing - but died after 5 Epics (and three different bikes).

[camelman]

For me: 2014 Epic marathon XL

• S-track carbon pedals
  
• Geax Saguaro 2.2 rear (needed a stronger sidewall), Ground control 2.3 in the front
  
• Full X0 groupset
  

 

For the Mrs:2014 Epic Expert Small

• XTR pedals
  
• Fast Track rear 2.0 rear, Ground control 2.1 Front (both the control casing)
  
• Full XTR groupset
  
• and my carbon handlebars
  

This tire combo sticks like glue and the rolling resistance is not bad for this combo. Very similar rolling resistance to the Rocket Ron/Racing Ralph combo, but with loads more grip. Ran these combo's back to back on two different wheelsets and decided to go with the more grippy one. I love flying down the hills.

[V12man]

I am riding Rocket Rons front, and Racing Ralphs rear - 2.25x29 - Snakeskins with Stans sealant at 1.6bar front and rear (65kg) on ZTR crest hoops and Hope Evo 2 hubs.

 

Pedals are Shimano XTR, Sidi Dragon 3 ballet shoes...

[rmabreu]

Lots of racers on XTRs pedals from what I hear and concerns on the durability of the EggBeaters, hmmm got me thinking... Although I am pretty light (64kgs) I did have to service pedals more frequently, but the Candy 11s worked for me flawlessly during a whole season of races including the two Epic style 7 day races I did, both of which with no service need. Now that I restarted training heavily on the MTB (was more of a roadie for last year) the Candys are giving me a little bit of an issue with squeaking and creaking, thus the move to new EBs.

 

V12man, I was on Sidi Dragons as well but the 2s, and have just made the switch to the Drakos, and let me say I am blown away by how better and more comfortable they are than the Dragon 2s...

 

Rodrigo

[V12man]

rmabreu - I like the Drako's but they don't fit my feet as well as the Dragons and the piece I don't like about them is the sole is REALLY slippery under the arch of the foot - plain carbon, versus a rubber pad on the Dragons - them shoes is NOT made for walking... especially on slippery, wet and smooth rock...

 

If I were to use the Drako's I would put some sort of rubberised finish on the middle of the sole - suitable stuff available at good running shoe shops.

[rmabreu]

rmabreu - I like the Drako's but they don't fit my feet as well as the Dragons and the piece I don't like about them is the sole is REALLY slippery under the arch of the foot - plain carbon, versus a rubber pad on the Dragons - them shoes is NOT made for walking... especially on slippery, wet and smooth rock...

 

If I were to use the Drako's I would put some sort of rubberised finish on the middle of the sole - suitable stuff available at good running shoe shops.

 

 

Thank you V12 man for the tip on the sole, will work on that!