Johny Bravo Posted July 19, 2014 Posted July 19, 2014 The brain shock is horrible, if you want to race go for it.If you want a bike that is not so mass produced look at rocky mountain elementBeen on a hardtail for more than 16 years. Just moved to a rocky mountain element msl converted to 27.5 loving it.Brain shock is incredible. Love it. Rocky Mountain is also mass produced my friend. And in this country of ours, more expensive than any other bike. They also offer 0% discount. Looked at them many times.
Johny Bravo Posted July 19, 2014 Posted July 19, 2014 The brain shock is horrible, if you want to race go for it.If you want a bike that is not so mass produced look at rocky mountain elementBeen on a hardtail for more than 16 years. Just moved to a rocky mountain element msl converted to 27.5 loving it.Brain shock is incredible. Love it. Rocky Mountain is also mass produced my friend. And in this country of ours, more expensive than any other bike. They also offer 0% discount. Looked at them many times.
Johny Bravo Posted July 19, 2014 Posted July 19, 2014 The brain shock is horrible, if you want to race go for it.If you want a bike that is not so mass produced look at rocky mountain elementBeen on a hardtail for more than 16 years. Just moved to a rocky mountain element msl converted to 27.5 loving it.Brain shock is incredible. Love it. Rocky Mountain is also mass produced my friend. And in this country of ours, more expensive than any other bike. They also offer 0% discount. Looked at them many times.
Matchstix Posted July 19, 2014 Posted July 19, 2014 Unless a bike is hand built, it's mass produced. The brain shock is incredible in the way it works. However the ride feel is not much better than a hardtail that gets activated only when you hit a bump and ends up feeling like three.
Sniffie Posted July 19, 2014 Posted July 19, 2014 Hard to get objective views on the hub, but here's my 2 cents. I owned a Giant Anthem and a Specialized Epic Expert and used to ride them both for a while. The Specialized is a much more refined bike. The suspension is stiffer on the Spec, while the Giant has a much more plush suspension. The Giant feels like you're in a boat where the Spec is like a sports car with very hard suspension. The Spec brain is an absolute winner. IMO, the Spec has more pedigree and has more brand equity. Don't get me wrong, the Giant was not a bad bike, just not in the same class, even if it doe have some better components. One big issue with the Giant is that the frame breaks at the seatpost. Everyone I know with a Giant bike (Alu) has had this problem. Check if they have fixed this issue since. And yes, they do replace the frames, but thats a pain each time as the bike is out of commission for 2 weeks at a time. Spec frames to my knowledge have never had any design flaws. I would rather take a frame that does not have design flaws. So in my opinion, its the Spec all the way. You'll enjoy it more and feel better riding such a polished product.My anthem (Alu) is 3 years old, 17 000 km. I am a buffalo so I don't go very fast uphill, but I love to bomb the downhills. Frame is very scuffed and scratched at this moment, so hoping it would crack so I could get a new one, but no luck so far. I find the anthem suspension very forgiving on the downhills, just point her in the right direction and she will roll over anything. If you lock out the shock on the ups there is very little bob. Must confess I have never ridden a specialized, but you get a lot of bike for your buck with the anthem.
nonky Posted July 20, 2014 Posted July 20, 2014 Hey thanks for the advice. I went for the bike that tightened my nuts - the Specialized. And on the maiden voyage it impressed the hell out of me. I was a little worried that the Formula C1 brakes would let me down, but they've got some good stopping power. But then again, i've only been out once. I'm VERY tempted to take advantage of the XT Brakes that are on special now. The bike shop also advised to to get more robust tyres - apparently the Fast Tracks are prone to shredding. CWC also has specials on the Crossmark - heavy but bullet proof. But I reckon I'll just ride it until i need to upgrade. At the end of the day, I get excited about the thought of taking my Epic out for a spin. Don't stress about the C1's. They work absolutely FINE. Unless your $$$ are burning a hole in your pocket...
Mr Awesome Posted July 21, 2014 Posted July 21, 2014 Hey thanks for the advice. I went for the bike that tightened my nuts - the Specialized. And on the maiden voyage it impressed the hell out of me. I was a little worried that the Formula C1 brakes would let me down, but they've got some good stopping power. But then again, i've only been out once. I'm VERY tempted to take advantage of the XT Brakes that are on special now. The bike shop also advised to to get more robust tyres - apparently the Fast Tracks are prone to shredding. CWC also has specials on the Crossmark - heavy but bullet proof. But I reckon I'll just ride it until i need to upgrade. At the end of the day, I get excited about the thought of taking my Epic out for a spin.Wow, congratulations on the new purchase! I am not too crazy about the Specialized tires...personal choice ONLY. I changed to Racing Ralph. I only have one set of wheels so needed something for all conditions and they fit my style of riding. (I don't like a rear tire to "drift" when braking, so don't ride something like a 'small block 8")They don't last that long but I have not had any issues and the high volume allows you to play around with tire pressure. Just remember that you just bought a racing horse with a slightly heavy saddle (read wheels). Please don't hitch a cart to it! Those Cross marks weigh 880g! Kind of defeats to purpose...? Those brakes are fine but that is the beauty of buying the Comp - you can add a bit of bling when Christmas comes along!! See you at the K2C!
BoerBiker Posted September 23, 2014 Posted September 23, 2014 R39000I received a quote today for the Spez Epic Comp today for R31999....is this still a good price? They also have a Anthem X with pimped out full XT and Crest wheels and hubs for the same price....what do I do? I took out the Spez today and man what a ride....I glided over every thing. I also like the fact that I don't have to lockout anything. The stock Giant is still about R6000 cheaper at R26500
Scott2luvit Posted September 23, 2014 Posted September 23, 2014 Hey thanks for the advice. I went for the bike that tightened my nuts - the Specialized. And on the maiden voyage it impressed the hell out of me. I was a little worried that the Formula C1 brakes would let me down, but they've got some good stopping power. But then again, i've only been out once. I'm VERY tempted to take advantage of the XT Brakes that are on special now. The bike shop also advised to to get more robust tyres - apparently the Fast Tracks are prone to shredding. CWC also has specials on the Crossmark - heavy but bullet proof. But I reckon I'll just ride it until i need to upgrade. At the end of the day, I get excited about the thought of taking my Epic out for a spin.I havent had any issues with fast track's most of the pro's run them too, they actually lasted longer and better than my race kings, did the attakwas, transbaviaans and k2c with the same set, and a hell of allot of training rides as well, cant say the same for the renegades though. Crossmarks don't do to well in mud, it seems they hold allot back
GrantRH Posted September 24, 2014 Posted September 24, 2014 I received a quote today for the Spez Epic Comp today for R31999....is this still a good price? They also have a Anthem X with pimped out full XT and Crest wheels and hubs for the same price....what do I do? I took out the Spez today and man what a ride....I glided over every thing. I also like the fact that I don't have to lockout anything. The stock Giant is still about R6000 cheaper at R26500Epic...
B20 Posted September 24, 2014 Posted September 24, 2014 I bought a Carbon Epic on recommendation from Frikkie Rademan (specialist in Durbanville Hospital ICU) after a serious spill. I forgot to unlock the front shock on my Spez Stumpjumper. I cannot comment on other brands, but to me the Epic is extremely stable, comfortable, very forgiving and tracks perfectly at high speed on loose unstable surfaces.I love the fact that I don't have to lock and unlock shocks.   It fills the talent void...  for me anyway.I don't like the Formula breaks though but they become spongy after a while. I upgrade my complete drive train to Sram, On K2C I clocked upto 79km/h down the passes on very loose surfaces, late braking into corners, with no scares.  What I like about the brand is ambassadors like Cyclefunatics. They gave me great deals on my bikes, good ethical advice and even talked me out of sales where they though I was going to waist money.Â
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