Pre-owned Epic or new Chisel

[AfricaMike]

Hoping for some advice from the clever people here.  Budget Is R50k and so I've been watching a few YouTube reviews of the Specialized Chisel and most seem really positive and I've always figured that a quality alloy frame is probably better than a cheap carbon frame......but then I see what looks like really good value here on the Hub in considering a pre-owned Epic that might be a few years old but looks like good value........

.......what would you choose?

[ct_rider]

Definitely pre-owned.

You will definitely find a package with all your intended upgrades included in a second hand bike, as opposed to a standard bike. 

Furthermore, Specialized Epics are Fact 11R carbon, one tier lower than the S-Works Fact 12R carbon. Unless you are a racing snake, the difference between the two carbon is negligible. 

[ChrisF]

2 hours ago, AfricaMike said:

Hoping for some advice from the clever people here.  Budget Is R50k and so I've been watching a few YouTube reviews of the Specialized Chisel and most seem really positive and I've always figured that a quality alloy frame is probably better than a cheap carbon frame......but then I see what looks like really good value here on the Hub in considering a pre-owned Epic that might be a few years old but looks like good value........

.......what would you choose?

 

For secondhand .... reach out to @RobertWhitehead

 

He is a local legend in building custom bikes to suit riders and budgets ....

 

Some have driven to him to pick up one bike .... and left with two .... @SilverRider @Scary Rider

[thebob]

Chisel frameset - 20k (as per Spez SA site)

Fox 34 Performance Elite 130mm - 12k on BikeHub

Lyne Pulse wheelset - 7.4k via Lyne

Lyne bar and stem - 750 from Lyne

Lyne dropper and remote - 4.1k from Lyne

Shimano SLX Groupset - 4.6k via Merlin Cycles

Shimano SLX brakes - 4k via Merlin Cycles

That gets you 95% of an excellent bike for just over budget. Odds and sods from what you have in your spares haul

Edited December 23, 2025 by thebob

[Scary Rider]

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

 

For secondhand .... reach out to @RobertWhitehead

 

He is a local legend in building custom bikes to suit riders and budgets ....

 

Some have driven to him to pick up one bike .... and left with two .... @SilverRider @Scary Rider

Thai is, uhm, quite true🤭...

Just be careful, though...after a while some of these hubbers become family! Né @ChrisF and @RobertWhitehead😊

[Gadgets]

13 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

For secondhand .... reach out to @RobertWhitehead

 

He is a local legend in building custom bikes to suit riders and budgets ....

 

Some have driven to him to pick up one bike .... and left with two .... @SilverRider @Scary Rider

Even Chuck Norris bought two bikes from him, oh, and Bakkies Botha.

[GLuvsMtb]

Titan Racing Cypher RS Carbon Dash | 5 Year Multi-User Warranty

 

I'd look at something like this. Its R57k so a little over budget, but with a 5 year multi user warrantee you're covered and I like the spec sheet. 

TITAN RACING Cypher Gen 2 120 DC Carbon LTD (2025) – Bike Addict

[26er]

I ride a 2020 Epic.

I bought the bike new during lockdown and Ive been itching the past year to upgrade.

I honestly can’t fault the bike,It’s been absolutely flawless and I can’t find a reason to upgrade.

Ive owned around 15 bikes over the years and it’s hands down been the best one by far…

Good luck on deciding which one

 

[DavidOWright]

3 hours ago, GLuvsMtb said:

Titan Racing Cypher RS Carbon Dash | 5 Year Multi-User Warranty

 

I'd look at something like this. Its R57k so a little over budget, but with a 5 year multi user warrantee you're covered and I like the spec sheet. 

TITAN RACING Cypher Gen 2 120 DC Carbon LTD (2025) – Bike Addict

I agree. The cypher is ridiculous value for money. 
 

there are also some  phenomenal second hand deals on the hub under 50k with ax’s, carbon wheels and high end suspension.