2015 S Works Epic

[TopFuel]

If I may, I really get annoyed when people start throwing cars in to the mix.

There is a vast difference from a Hyundai to a Subaru to a Porsche and a Zonda.

Bikes are bikes, no more no less.

 

What affects the price ?

 

Exotic materials such as carbon, titanium and high grade alloy's.

(Thank goodness steel has come down in price over the years)

So we now have carbon wheels with triple butted spokes and alloy nipples that cost R 12 per nipple.

Carbon cranks with a highly engineered centre spline, on a top end bike of any brand you get brakes with carbon bits, the top of the line group set and carbon wheels.

 

In the end of the day, strip the entire bike down to just the frame, remove the RS1 and you sit with the Specialized Epic, off the bat you are paying a premium for their FSR patent, the brain shock and their FACT carbon manufacturing process.

 

Now let's move on and take those parts that are sitting in a box, what are we strapping them on to ?

There is not one brand name manufacturer that makes rubbish in this day and age anymore, yes they all have their marketing drivel but in the end of the day, no matter what brand you choose from, that box of components will get strapped on to frames across all manufacturers.

 

As I said ,nobody makes rubbish anymore, they simply can't afford to do so, the market is way too competitive.

 

Cars are a different ball game all together, we start toying with vastly different chassis, suspensions, engines, body work and then you also pay a premium when Pinninfarina or any other auto designer slaps his name on to it.

This has nothing to do with cars and how vastly they differ, this is about value for money.

 

Thank you. Please stop comparing cars to bikes. Cars have so much more technology and research that go into them, especially compared to bikes.

[G e r h a r d Odendaal]

I have the Epic marathon carbon, but the Camber is a really nice play bike. Epic for racing, camber to play.

 

Well summarised, exactly.

[Bizkit031]

I have the Epic marathon carbon, but the Camber is a really nice play bike. Epic for racing, camber to play.

Nice when you can have 2 different bikes,some of us have to be contempt with 1 bike to do it all.

[Johny Bravo]

Nice when you can have 2 different bikes,some of us have to be contempt with 1 bike to do it all.

Dont currently have a Camber, but had one before my epic. sold it and bought the Epic, but I miss the Camber soooo much. I have a Stumpjumper HT, but I really dont like it. Its my wet weather bike, but its twitchy and with only 80mm of travel, you have to be very carefull when going downhill. Bottoms out very easily and then you go over the bars

[Wyatt Earp]

STEEL is real?

Yip, steel .

[GrantRH]

If I may, I really get annoyed when people start throwing cars in to the mix.

There is a vast difference from a Hyundai to a Subaru to a Porsche and a Zonda.

Bikes are bikes, no more no less.

 

What affects the price ?

 

Exotic materials such as carbon, titanium and high grade alloy's.

(Thank goodness steel has come down in price over the years)

So we now have carbon wheels with triple butted spokes and alloy nipples that cost R 12 per nipple.

Carbon cranks with a highly engineered centre spline, on a top end bike of any brand you get brakes with carbon bits, the top of the line group set and carbon wheels.

 

In the end of the day, strip the entire bike down to just the frame, remove the RS1 and you sit with the Specialized Epic, off the bat you are paying a premium for their FSR patent, the brain shock and their FACT carbon manufacturing process.

 

Now let's move on and take those parts that are sitting in a box, what are we strapping them on to ?

There is not one brand name manufacturer that makes rubbish in this day and age anymore, yes they all have their marketing drivel but in the end of the day, no matter what brand you choose from, that box of components will get strapped on to frames across all manufacturers.

 

As I said ,nobody makes rubbish anymore, they simply can't afford to do so, the market is way too competitive.

 

Cars are a different ball game all together, we start toying with vastly different chassis, suspensions, engines, body work and then you also pay a premium when Pinninfarina or any other auto designer slaps his name on to it.

This has nothing to do with cars and how vastly they differ, this is about value for money.

 

Perhaps if you look past the example I used, you will see that we are making the same point.

 

In any event, no one is forcing you to buy an s-works. For those that want to and can afford it, why should you care.

[Wyatt Earp]

Perhaps if you look past the example I used, you will see that we are making the same point.

 

In any event, no one is forcing you to buy an s-works. For those that want to and can afford it, why should you care.

 

Why do you need to become so condescending and defensive ?

Nowhere did any one of my single posts suggest people should not buy an S-Works bike.

Get some manners and start debating like an adult .

[GrantRH]

 

Why do you need to become so condescending and defensive ?

Nowhere did any one of my single posts suggest people should not buy an S-Works bike.

Get some manners and start debating like an adult .

 

Is that you pot? I thought your attack on the whole car example was a little over the top and condescending.

 

Read the previous posts. There was a debate about Spez v Santa Cruz. Some more comments about how expensive the s-works is, with a premium being charged for the brand.

 

My comment was simply this: when looking at certain categories of cars (dare I say it) some people don't mind paying a little extra for the brand, and people are often brand loyal. That is not to say that any one brand is that much better than another.

 

I personally think bikes are similar. Some differences here and there, but some people are willing to pay a little more for the brand. If they want to, so be it.

 

This is a thread about the new s-works, which is what I wanted to read about. If I want to read about the new Santa Cruz or Giant, then I will go take a look at that thread instead.

 

So take it easy. You very obviously know much more about bikes than I do, but that is no reason to be so aggressive. For those of us that want to read about the new s-works and appreciate it for what it is (or isn't) I just wish that the spez-haters would let it go. For clarity, this statement is not directed at you Wyatt, but whoever feels it is necessary to bash the new s-works on this thread.

[wepat]

I have the Epic marathon carbon, but the Camber is a really nice play bike. Epic for racing, camber to play.

Not sure I agree I have just bought a 2014 Camber Carbon a good friend has done both Trans Alps and Four Peaks on a Camber and I also own a Anthem 2013 X1.The Camber is responsive climbs well and is light I am sure the Epic is a great bike but I am not sure its worth the extra 20 -30 grand premium

[Wyatt Earp]

Not sure I agree I have just bought a 2014 Camber Carbon a good friend has done both Trans Alps and Four Peaks on a Camber and I also own a Anthem 2013 X1.The Camber is responsive climbs well and is light I am sure the Epic is a great bike but I am not sure its worth the extra 20 -30 grand premium

 

I wonder how many people actually know that the current Epics borrowed some engineering from the Camber ?

Great bike that Camber and the bike most people could do really well with.

[Wyatt Earp]

Is that you pot? I thought your attack on the whole car example was a little over the top and condescending.

 

Read the previous posts. There was a debate about Spez v Santa Cruz. Some more comments about how expensive the s-works is, with a premium being charged for the brand.

 

My comment was simply this: when looking at certain categories of cars (dare I say it) some people don't mind paying a little extra for the brand, and people are often brand loyal. That is not to say that any one brand is that much better than another.

 

I personally think bikes are similar. Some differences here and there, but some people are willing to pay a little more for the brand. If they want to, so be it.

 

This is a thread about the new s-works, which is what I wanted to read about. If I want to read about the new Santa Cruz or Giant, then I will go take a look at that thread instead.

 

So take it easy. You very obviously know much more about bikes than I do, but that is no reason to be so aggressive. For those of us that want to read about the new s-works and appreciate it for what it is (or isn't) I just wish that the spez-haters would let it go. For clarity, this statement is not directed at you Wyatt, but whoever feels it is necessary to bash the new s-works on this thread.

 

Pot or post ?

 

I did read every single post.

My comment about the cars was not a personal attack on you, that is why I never quoted you, it was you who took it personal by the look of things.

I never mentioned Santa Cruz or Giant, so no idea why you are dragging me in to that.

 

I am taking it easy .

Comparing cars with bikes is absurd, it annoys me when people do that ,it's an unfair comparison.

As for you wanting to read about the new S-Works, accept the fact that a debate will get sparked and that there will be criticism.

As I said, and I am not being facetious, I can't even remember how many S-Works level bikes I have had, I will never buy another one either, the return on investment becomes brainless, for me that is.

 

I think the only people who need to relax a bit are those who take every little criticism about their favourite brand and see it as "hate"

[Patchelicious]

Wyatt, do you sell Spez?

[Wyatt Earp]

Wyatt, do you sell Spez?

 

You can pm. me if you want to discuss anything personal or have a personal beef.

[BarHugger]

Wow....D-P

Edited July 20, 2014 by BarHugger

[BarHugger]

Wow......what an awesome bike.....wish I could have one. The bike's real life capabilities are only limited by the rider occupying the saddle........otherwise that premium paid means nothing. I am well aware of my shortcomings.......I will be poef scared to do a Van Gaalen's marathon with that beauty......I will be carrying the bike more than riding it (and this is not being sarcastic.....I wear my RP Photochromatic cycling glasses only on social rides, when doing events I use Ocean Blue cheapies). But standing at the start with that bike underneath me.......and all the admiring stares and comments......now that will boost my self-confidence and ego, especially when wearing my Baggie shorts and Maxxed T-shirt. But this is what makes life interesting......different strokes for different okes.......

Edited July 20, 2014 by BarHugger

[Patchelicious]

There is nothing personal, I'm asking a simple question, because you seem to feel really strongly about this.