Bike Check: Christopher Blevin's Cape Epic Winning Specialized Epic EVO

[Zebra]

I will ‘bite’, since it’s become fashionable to ‘hate’ on the Brain (and Spez generally…) 😙

I rode 2005/2006/2007 Cape Epics, 2 of which on a brain-equipped 26”er, which I could ONLY afford since Willie Engelbrecht broke his collarbone, and sold it to me at a VERY fair price.

The brain- equipped Spez Epic really assisted me, 8 fairly brutal days in the saddle (admittedly easier courses than today, but Groenlandberg…) and as a less-experienced MTBer (Tri background), front & rear Brains were 2 less things to think about, when hammering from a long/tiring/high-speed dirt section into single track, etc.

In my case, I really DO think it made a difference. Am a mid-pack rider, managed 106th and 107th 2 years running, early (less-technical) CE’s were more suited to my riding style, being big-ring, dirt road stuff, then I needed to THINK LESS hitting a tech section!

So, ONE vote for the Brain, back then!🥰
Chris

Edited April 1, 2023 by Zebra