Epic Evo Comp vs Epic Comp

[SwissVan]

Fascinating that everybody agrees the EVO (and previously the Camber) is the bike we should all ride in SA yet there seem to be waaaaay more Epics out there

The Epic has been around for many years, I’ve still got one from 2004 or 5. I’ve also got an EVO which has only been available for less than a year.

 

SA is generally marathon racebefok, exactly what an Epic is made for which explains why there are so many, not forgetting the other xco xcm brands.

 

I test rode a camber a few years ago, while it is a nice ride the only comparison to an EVO vs Epic would be the fork travel.

 

Apparently longer travel (a whole 20mm) is the way to go....I’m not convinced (but then I did start Xco on a bike with no suspension and cantilever brakes... and thought that dual suspension and disc brakes were making bikes to heavy.... so I could be wrong about that (longer travel)

 

I’d still choose the EVO, at this stage of my life a little extra weight on my bike means nothing compared to the convenience of +20mm and a dropper most..., not to mention the larger tire size

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Not sure if one page of responses qualifies as “everybody “ but there is a growing Concensus within the MTB industry that more riders should be on light trail bikes. It’s an interesting tactic in that it clearly promotes more bike sales - your old xc bike isn’t capable enough anymore so get our new supersooper 120mm light trail bike and inmediately you will be dater and have more fun. Of course when they take an xco bike and add a longer fork and increase the stand stand over height no one cares to notice that it’s a now a ore difficult bike for a newbie to handle. I don’t see the point in compromise bikes. Rather just get a trail bike if comfort is the priority

and rightly so. More capable, more confidence inspiring, more comfortable, larger margin for error, almost as fast on the ups (dependent on the rider, largely) and far more fun overall. 

 

It's just the better option for the vast majority of people. A modern 120-140mm bike is the sweet spot where efficiency, comfort and capability merge to find the Leatherman of the MTB world. In my opinion. 

[PhilipV]

Of course when they take an xco bike and add a longer fork and increase the stand stand over height no one cares to notice that it’s a now a ore difficult bike for a newbie to handle.

I don’t see the point in compromise bikes. Rather just get a trail bike if comfort is the priority

If the 20mm axle to crown length that equates to about a 15mm increase in stand over height near the stem is a problem, then said newbie is on the wrong size bike.

The epic is a racy geo bike, the evo's extra 20mm didn't make it a slouch all of a sudden. If anything it will mellow it out a bit and that will help said newbie.

 

I'm saying this as someone who over forked a BMC Fourstroke to 120mm travel, and never took it back down to 100mm again.

That reminds me, Wifey asked me to put the 120mm fork on her Anthem again, I should pull finger and get it done.

[DieselnDust]

The Epic has a tall stand over to begin with. It's not low as far as the top tube goes. It's not a sizing thing it's just the way the bike is designed. The stump jumper has a lower stand over.

 

And no the extra 20mm travel doesn't tame the bike at all. Its still has a shortish wheelbase. It's just a little more comfortable thanks to a softer fork.

 

Want a more capable bike, get a giant trance or trek fuel ex or stumpjumper st

[PhilipV]

The Epic has a tall stand over to begin with. It's not low as far as the top tube goes. It's not a sizing thing it's just the way the bike is designed. The stump jumper has a lower stand over.

 

And no the extra 20mm travel doesn't tame the bike at all. Its still has a shortish wheelbase. It's just a little more comfortable thanks to a softer fork.

 

Want a more capable bike, get a giant trance or trek fuel ex or stinojumoer st

I agree with you, for myself I'd rather pick one of those, but None of the above mentioned bikes have the pedalling efficiency of the epic (evo.) and that is why there is space for the evo. For the person who wants that efficiency.

[Grease_Monkey]

The way I see it I'd pick an Epic if I was serious about XCO racing, and an Epic Evo if I was serious about XCM racing. That 20mm extra travel and wider bars just gives slightly more comfort (does not turn it into anything resembling a trail bike), and the dropper post adds the enjoyment factor to the bike (for me anyway).

 

All that said, one of the biggest drawing points of the EVO (regardless of travel numbers) is the Fox 34 chasis - it's just an awesome platform.

 

I am still of the opinion that most people should be on something like the Stumpy ST - but I won't get into that. Assuming the OP is looking for an efficient XC/marathon bike, there are few things that compete with what the Epic offers, and the EVO model just makes it a little easier to live with as an only bike option.

[Headshot]

Why be a softie and ride an Epic or Scalpel. Or a trail smoothing 29er for that matter? If you are properly hardcore, a stiff hardtail or even full rigid 26er is the way to go.

 

I love the way my legs do all the work on my HT when speeding down a rocky track. The only thing wrong is the 160mm fork. I need the same feeling up front Anyone got a nice steel or carbon fork that will work on 27 5 or 26" wheels for sale?

 

That will be epic!

[PhilipV]

Why be a softie and ride an Epic or Scalpel. Or a trail smoothing 29er for that matter? If you are properly hardcore, a stiff hardtail or even full rigid 26er is the way to go.

 

I love the way my legs do all the work on my HT when speeding down a rocky track. The only thing wrong is the 160mm fork. I need the same feeling up front Anyone got a nice steel or carbon fork that will work on 27 5 or 26" wheels for sale?

 

That will be epic!

Now your just obtuse for the sake of being different.

Or did you really chuckle by yourself when you posted this?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Now your just obtuse for the sake of being different.

Or did you really chuckle by yourself when you posted this?

/S/

[DieselnDust]

I agree with you, for myself I'd rather pick one of those, but None of the above mentioned bikes have the pedalling efficiency of the epic (evo.) and that is why there is space for the evo. For the person who wants that efficiency.

If we were talking top of the range suspension platforms yes I’d agree. But we’re talking about two stock bikes fitted with Rock Shox Reba RL 100 and 120 respectively. There is going to be almost no difference in pedaling efficiency.both forks can be tuned with volume reducers to achieve similar feeling. The one will just have 20mm more usable travel positive and negative combined. It’s still going to a pick you’re line through the challenging stuff and work it kinda of bike.

If you’re advocating a playful fun bikebthat can be raced occasionally then it’s a proper light short travel trail bike which is a stumpy trance fuel ex kinda bike which allows a more barrel through with your eyes closed approach.

So I’m a bit confused with how you’re chasing your tail. Hence is rather buy the cheaper bike and spend the extra money on upgrades that makes a bigger difference. Like maybe playing with less offset to get the wheelbase longer

[Headshot]

Barrelling through with your eyes closed is much more fun when you're hanging onto a fully rigid 26er. Time to live a little boys.

[Grease_Monkey]

Barrelling through with your eyes closed is much more fun when you're hanging onto a fully rigid 26er. Time to live a little boys.

 

 

Pfft, 26ers are for *******, use a BMX like a man.

[DieselnDust]

Barrelling through with your eyes closed is much more fun when you're hanging onto a fully rigid 26er. Time to live a little boys.

 

 

 

Even better when said 26er is fitted with nice soft tacky semi slicks...... then you are a MAN

[DieselnDust]

and rightly so. More capable, more confidence inspiring, more comfortable, larger margin for error, almost as fast on the ups (dependent on the rider, largely) and far more fun overall. 

 

It's just the better option for the vast majority of people. A modern 120-140mm bike is the sweet spot where efficiency, comfort and capability merge to find the Leatherman of the MTB world. In my opinion. 

 

 

 

There isn't a right or wrong here. 

[Christie]

...If you are properly hardcore, a stiff hardtail or even full rigid 26er is the way to go.

 

That will be epic!

Imo too many people ride rigid single speeds already - a next level is needed for the "Im slow, but tough" crowd. Riding events without a saddle and seatpost, perhaps? That can be the next level

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

There isn't a right or wrong here. 

point stands that the vast majority of people on XC race bikes would be better served with something that has more relaxed geo, slightly more travel and a more comfortable, confidence inspiring ride. There is no escaping that. That's why I said "rightly so" - because it should have happened ages ago. 

 

I never said YOU would be better served on one of em.