Review: 2021 Specialized S-Works Epic Evo

[badiejb]

My Evo Comp arrives tomorrow, woo hoo.

 

I have a question about the steerer mounted tool. Is this the full shebang Conceal tool with chain breaker or is it just the multi tool? A bit vague on the details on website as well as reviews. Would be a bit silly if it was just the multi tool.

I think you are going to enjoy your new bike. I ride a normal epic with a brain and took out the Epic Evo out for a few rides and I really enjoyed the ride. Post pics after you get your bike today

[Cookie88]

Concept stores in Pta and the Winelands (the only ones I really have experienced) print money. They are not struggling to survive. Stock shortage isn't really an issue they have often, and if it is it is only for a model or two and for a limited time...

 

If you hear how many Spes e-bikes and Epics are sold in a month you will be bowled over (I won't say the number as fact because what I have heard is not from the horse's mouth).

 

 

Suuuuuuuurely you can share those numbers with us... 

[stringbean]

Also heard that.

Spez did better this year in June lockdown than last year.

love them or hate them they doing well,got stock and are on the ball.

I enquired about a top end 2021 supersix evo and was told they not sure if they bringing in “because the road market is dead”

Spez can’t keep up with demand on road bikes.

[Patchelicious]

Also heard that.

Spez did better this year in June lockdown than last year.

love them or hate them they doing well,got stock and are on the ball.

I enquired about a top end 2021 supersix evo and was told they not sure if they bringing in “because the road market is dead”

Spez can’t keep up with demand on road bikes.

They said the same to me when I wanted a Di2 compatible SuperSix 4 years ago. Road is dead, but we can bring it in for you for a surcharge..... maybe it’s a Cannondale thing more than it is a Spez thing?

[PhilipV]

They said the same to me when I wanted a Di2 compatible SuperSix 4 years ago. Road is dead, but we can bring it in for you for a surcharge..... maybe it’s a Cannondale thing more than it is a Spez thing?

I think it's an Omnico thing. They are putting a lot of eggs in the Scalpel basket. But they are selling a lot of scalpels....

 

With the Habit they only have one model and GT is being done a disservice.

Edited September 16, 2020 by PhilipV

[Knersboy]

Best would be to ask your LBS

I did, but seeing as mine is the first one they have received they don’t really know. They are a spec dealer but not full concept store so not always as clued up as they should be. Also, I am naturally suspicious so I like to have independent information when talking to the bike shop so they don’t try and bulls$&t me.

[Knersboy]

I think you are going to enjoy your new bike. I ride a normal epic with a brain and took out the Epic Evo out for a few rides and I really enjoyed the ride. Post pics after you get your bike today

I will do, picking her up this afternoon after work. Really nice bike, only the wheels that suck a bit. Managed to get a set of brand new DT 350 hubs off of Benky at a good price, and got Nick the wheelbuilder to lace them to DT XR391 rims, wheels will hopefully arrive Friday.

 

So now it is just a case of degreasing the chain, putting on esi grips and setting her up. I think I should take Friday off to spend some quality time with my new girlfriend (don’t tell my wife).

[Hairy]

I did, but seeing as mine is the first one they have received they don’t really know. They are a spec dealer but not full concept store so not always as clued up as they should be. Also, I am naturally suspicious so I like to have independent information when talking to the bike shop so they don’t try and bulls$&t me.

Give the Spaz boys and girls a call and see what they say should be in the box with your bike.

 

Congrats BTW, and enjoy!

 

Specialized Bicycle Components South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Unit 101 De Wet Centre,c/o Bird & Church Street

Stellenbosch, Western Cape, 7600

South Africa

www.specialized.com/ridercareform

021-808-7333

[Hairy]

I will do, picking her up this afternoon after work. Really nice bike, only the wheels that suck a bit. Managed to get a set of brand new DT 350 hubs off of Benky at a good price, and got Nick the wheelbuilder to lace them to DT XR391 rims, wheels will hopefully arrive Friday.

 

So now it is just a case of degreasing the chain, putting on esi grips and setting her up. I think I should take Friday off to spend some quality time with my new girlfriend (don’t tell my wife).

You can send those "old spaz" grips my way ... big fan of the spaz grips.

[ChrisF]

Also heard that.

Spez did better this year in June lockdown than last year.

love them or hate them they doing well,got stock and are on the ball.

I enquired about a top end 2021 supersix evo and was told they not sure if they bringing in “because the road market is dead”

Spez can’t keep up with demand on road bikes.

 

I know that various other bikes shops (other brands) did VERY well in May and June !!!

 

Most are now struggling to get stock .... and the stock that do arrive is "significantly" more expensive ....

 

 

few weeks back a Hubber asked about a 24'' bike .... as we are in this market I contacted the suppliers we used .... NOPE !!  Think there were TWO bikes left in the Western Cape, one being an R11k Momsen (for a kids bike!), cant recall what the other was ... Spoke a bike shop last week, they have a number of clients lined up, but simply cant get stock ...

Edited September 16, 2020 by ChrisF

[Grease_Monkey]

Suuuuuuuurely you can share those numbers with us...

Hahaha the only reason I won't is because there is a 50/50 chance the numbers I was told about is absolute hogwash. And I think it would be quite unfair to share it on a public forum as fact

 

But it's alot...

[Jewbacca]

Stock is an issue but then these aren't 'normal' times. Ships that were on the water months ago were forced to stop or turn around then couldn't dock.

 

Ships currently are all back logged and all global companies are delayed, thus further swamping both the shipping companies, docks, customs etc.... The supply chain is a mess.

 

These are knock on effects of the global shut down and it will be a while until it clears. It is across all industries too. Try to get genuine Gibson guitar parts at the moment. Simple things like truss rod covers and pot covers.... not a chance. Importers have been waiting on a shipment since April.

 

Car companies in the same boat with brand specific consumables. Tech etc....

 

I'm wary of being too critical of anyone at the moment. There are things at play that influence so many unseen and unconsidered things that effect the front of house.

 

People are also a mess mentally. We are going to need to become accustomed to limited stock and limited availability for some time still.

Edited September 16, 2020 by Jewbacca

[Knersboy]

So I got my bike!

 

Comes with the EMT cage mount tool mounted to the bottle cage (yes, one bottle cage included).

 

Now I just gotta get her set up.

[babse]

congrats... dont forget pikchas!!!

 

So I got my bike!

Comes with the EMT cage mount tool mounted to the bottle cage (yes, one bottle cage included).

Now I just gotta get her set up.

[Knersboy]

So a bit is a delay in this, had a man flu interruption.

 

Bike all built up and I finally have the setup sorted. Wheels replaced off the bat, got a deal on a set of DT 350 hubs from Benky here on the hub, build by Nick with DT XR 391 rims. Replaced the tires with an Ikon on the back and an Ardent Race on the front (both 2.35). I like the spez tires but the control casings don’t last with this knife sharp silica here is the magaliesberg where I live. Added a Conceal tool, got my Sahmurai Swords in my bars, trust XT pedals and a swat box. Swapped the saddle in-store for a Phenom which is my usual perch, tried the Power before and still prefer the Phenom.

 

First ride wasn’t great, not fully recovered and setup wasn’t sorted. Let some air out of the front shock and dropped the saddle 5mm. Rode today and it was awesome. I come off a 2014 Epic Comp and there is significantly more grip on the ups without the brain. Where I ride there are steep loose climbs, made worse with the recent rains washing all the silica down into little quartz dams. I am not at my fittest at the moment and normally at the speeds I was riding today I would be losing traction (tires are the same I was riding).

 

On the downs it is much less scary, not so much of an OTB feeling, of course the dropper helps too. My first dropper so still finding my feet here but seriously nicer over drops. The 4 pot brakes are unbelievable! There is a silly amount of modulation.

 

I look forward to putting the bike through it paces even more in the coming weeks. The experience will only get better as I become more accustomed to it.

Edited October 3, 2020 by Knersboy