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Nun ist es offiziell raus. Die Pinkbike Rezension könnt ihr hier lesen: First Ride: 2024 Specialized Epic EVO 8 Mar 12, 2024 by Dario DiGiulio Share Tweet 83 Comments The Specialized Epic 8 dropped today, hand in hand with the Epic EVO 8. Historically the EVO moniker has fallen to the burlier, more descent-focused version of a given Specialized frame, and to some degree that carries over here. However, unlike the last generation of Epics, both of the 8th generation bikes share the same frame, with the sole differences coming down to build kits and some corresponding geometry changes. Epic might be the focus of the launch, but EVO shouldn't be ignored, as this trail-ready XC bike will surely be up many people's alley. Epic EVO 8 Details • 29" wheels • Carbon frame • 120mm frame travel, 130mm fork • 65.4° head angle (low position) • 385-495mm reach • 435mm chainstays • 75.1° seat tube angle, size dependent • 5 sizes available • Weight: 26.7 lb / 12.12 kg (size M) • US Price: $5,000-8,500 USD • Frameset: $3,800 USD • specialized.com Clean wordmark. SWAT has arrived. Geometry Again, very similar to the Epic 8, but slightly different due to the 130mm fork. There have been some major changes on this front, with the overhauled geometry giving the Epic 8 far more extreme numbers than both the Epic and Epic EVO 7. In broad strokes, here are the key changes from the outgoing EVO to the current EVO: 1° steeper seat tube angle - 10mm longer reach - 1.3° slacker head tube angle - 8mm lower bottom bracket. The EVO's longer stroke fork on top of the Epic's already progressive geometry gives it full-on trail bike geometry, for the most part. Short rear centers and a slack seat tube angle are a bit behind the times, but the front end geo is still fairly radical for a bike of this weight and travel bracket. The size range features 5 options, with reach numbers ranging from 385mm on the XS to 495 on the XL. Seat tube angles vary slightly by size, ranging from 76° (XS) to 75.1° (XL). BB drop is also size-dependent, ranging from 48-39mm, with the larger frames getting less drop. Because of the longer fork, the BB height is a few millimeters higher than on the Epic. Stack heights scale well relative to the reach, giving each size an appropriate amount of room to go up or down as your personal fit dictates. Strangely, the one geometry figure that doesn't change per size is the chainstay length, with a consistent 435mm rear center length across the board. This is likely due to the convenience of keeping a single rear triangle for the whole range, as the kinematics of a flex stay bike would have to be reworked for every increase in that rear end, assuming they didn't just nudge the BB forward, as some brands do. The team at Specialized also emphasized the goal of keeping the rear end shorter to keep the wheelbase from getting out of hand on larger sizes. Frame Features Since the EVO's frame is identical to that of the Epic 8, I'll cut to the chase and plop the same details here as well. One notable exception is the S-Works frame, which won't be coming in an EVO spec at this time. It should be no surprise that the Epic 8 comes exclusively in carbon fiber, but it's not quite as simple as one single frame offering. As per usual, Specialized is releasing the bike in the standard 11m layup, with the S-Works 12m frames allocated to the Epic builds. Both frames have stiffness profiles tuned to each size's typical rider, meaning an XS will be far more compliant than the XL. This requires some re-engineering with each new layup schedule, and hopefully yields a better ride for each person in the range. The big news with these new frames is the introduction of SWAT storage to the Epic platform. Where it had been avoided in the past due to weight considerations, the bike's now feature the 4th version of the system. The door is more secure than past versions, the lever is easy to operate, and the door feels very secure and stable, even with a full bottle on top. Apropos of Seb's recent poll, it seems people are split on how passionate they are about the in-frame accessory cubby, but I for one am a fan. In order to shave some precious grams off the frame (perhaps to make up for whatever gains accompanied the SWAT addition), Specialized co-molded the upper shock mount into the frame, making for an extremely efficient layup. They even went so far as to machine material away from the underside of the toptube at the forward shock mount, removing material and giving better access to shock lockout cables. Frame Weights Claimed weight for SM and MD S-Works frame + shock: 1795g LG: 1840g, (45g more than medium) XL: 1905g, (110g more than medium) The 11m's frame materials, layup, and steel hardware + alloy shock extension put those frames 170g over S-Works 12m frames. Same frame as the Epic. But with a beefier shock. Suspension Design Bye-bye, brain. The outgoing Epic featured Specialized's longstanding Brain system, which was an inertia valve meant to distinguish between bump and pedaling forces, all in the name of delivering efficiency and compliance when appropriate. We tested that version of the Epic in our XC Field Test, and found that the Brain was the only significant con to that bike's performance, particularly on the descents. Those of you keeping up will recall that the outgoing Epic EVO does not have a Brain system, so it's a bit more useful to compare the Epic 8's kinematics to that EVO model. The deletion of the Brain isn't even the boldest shift with the new Epic's suspension - that accolade falls to the rear wheel travel. Where the Epic 7 had 100mm of travel, and the EVO 110mm, the new Epic 8 sports 120mm of efficient and capable rear wheel travel. Like the outgoing models, the Epic 8 is a single pivot flex stay with a linkage driving the little Fox shock through its stroke. The Rx tune of the shock is specific to the bike, and has a firm lock mode for those who want to the stiffest pedaling platform for certain climbs or efforts. Build Kits Two builds, one frame. The simple lineup for the EVO is probably just a start - I'd guess there will be more options down the line. That said, fewer models to parse through is no problem by me. For those who want to go fully custom with build, there's a frameset available to build to your heart's desire. Epic EVO Pro // $8,500. Fox Factory suspension, SRAM Code Silver brakes, X0 T-Type drivetrain, Roval Control Carbon wheels. Epic EVO Comp // $5,000. Fox Performance suspension, SRAM Code Bronze brakes, GX Eagle drivetrain, Specialized Alloy wheels. Epic EVO Frameset // $3,800. Fox Factory shock, 11m carbon frame. Ride Impressions Things don't differ too greatly from my feelings on the Epic here, though clearly this is a bike more biased towards the descents. The 130mm fork slackens both head and seat tube angles by half a degree, pushing the seat tube a bit past what I'd consider ideal for a trail bike. If you're someone who prefers a slacker seat tube angle, or who doesn't climb much steep terrain, this might not be as much an issue. The bike still climbs wonderfully, even without the remote lockout. The build kit on the EVO is great, and warrants a place in the lineup. I love the Fox 34, and find the shock tune on the Float shock to match performance well on this bike. On this chassis, neither provides much significantly more grip than the Epic's SID combo, but the damping characteristics are definitely more suited to steep and rough terrain, where the SID can start to feel overwhelmed. Given the somewhat unusual purview of ultra-light trail bike, I think the builds make sense and prioritize the right things. You get good brakes, solid tires (though a Butcher up front might be nice), and well-tuned suspension. I'll be curious to see if people more end up buying the Epic and EVO-ing it, or buying the EVO and doing the reverse. Probably the former, though I've found myself able to avoid the temptation. For me, the better solution on the Epic frame's platform isn't to increase fork travel, but instead to bring the cockpit up to the ride height you'd achieve doing so. This keeps the angles in a more balanced place, and still feels like enough travel to handle serious riding, well beyond the cross-country course. Ultimately I feel as though the current EVO is a compromise, with the Epic positioned as a more solved solution. The EVO will still appeal to a lot of people, but don't underestimate the capability of the XC spec - it might be all the bike you need. I'll be EVO-ing my Epic over the next couple months, so perhaps I'll revisit the bike with some long-term thoughts on things with increased fork travel and the like.

Morgen soll es kommen:

Wildes Rumgeschubse von Releasedaten.

Hallo Tasso, welche Schaltung ist denn verbaut?

Hast du mal den Akku ausgebaut, alles gesäubert und zusammengesteckt? Kannst du den Akku prüfen oder mal einen zweiten von nem anderen Bike reinstecken?

Händlerlaunch soll der 28.2. werden inklusive Möglichkeiten zur Probefahrt.

Hier ein Datenblatt zum Download, was auf reddit geteilt wurde. 2024 Specialized Epic Expert.pdf

Hier ist Sina Freis Epic vom Rennen in Spanien. Angeblicher Verkaufsstart 14. März 2024.

Es stehen einige neue Modelle in den Startlöchern, wie man ja schon seit einiger Zeit erahnen konnte. Nun kam allerdings eine echte Delle im Marktgeschehen dazwischen, weswegen wohl die Veröffentlichungen einiger Bikes geschoben wurden. In diesem Jahr sollen noch kommen: Das neue 2024 Stumpjumper, allerdings ohne Evo Modell. Es soll ein 150 mm Trailbike werden. Dazu soll es noch geben: das neue 2024 Status als 170 mm Ballerbike. Doppelbrückenkompatibilität, relativ ähnlich zum jetzigen, was die Geometrie anbelangt. Zuletzt: ein neues Epic Evo, bzw. ein Bike, welches diese Kategorie ausfüllt. Ein 120 mm down country / XC Fully in Alu und Carbon. An der E-Bike Front soll es auch Neuerungen geben, die aber wohl eher nicht die MTB Sparte betreffen. Das neue Levo haben wir ja bereits. Für 2025 sollen das neue Enduro und Demo in den Startlöchern stehen. Was habt ihr gehört und worauf hättet ihr Bock?

Hier sieht man das Bike ohne die vermummten Fahrwerksteile:

Wenn du eine schnelle Lösung für schönes Wetter brauchst, dann baue die grauen Spacer, die jetzt zwischen Adapter und Sattel sind, einfach Oberhalb des Sattels ein. Ist dann doppelt gemoppelt, aber Du kannst erstmal fahren.

Hi, der Sattel wird auf den Adapter geschraubt. Dann sollte es passen.

Charlie fährt ein S4 Stumpy, das er am Steuersatz in der Mittelposition und der lang und tiefen Flipchipposition eingestellt hat. Vorne fährt er eine aktuelle Lyrik 92,5 psi, 1 Token in der Positivkammer und hinten den Vivid Dämpfer mit 210 psi und 1 Token. Im Cockpit: 50 mm Vorbau, FatBar mit 30 mm rise. Bremsen sind Code Ultimate mit 220 mm Scheiben und Metallbelägen. Die Schaltung ist SRAM AXS, genau wie der 170 mm Reverb AXS dropper. Er hat eine 170 mm XX-Kurbel mit 34 Zahn Kettenrad mit einem QUARQ Powermeter und Transmission Kette und Kassette. Die Pedale sind von LOOK. Als Reifen hat er sich für die Specialized Cannibal in T9 Gravity entschieden.

Habe auch ein altes Enik Stahlrennrad gehabt mit Shimano Biopace. Fühle also mit dir 😉 Das gibt es ebenfalls noch im Verwandtschaftsfundus.

Hi Claus, ich habs mal probiert, konnte dem aber nichts nachhaltig abgewinnen. Zunächst ist es etwas gewöhnungsbedürftig durch das Geeiere. Finde das gehört für mich in die Kategorie "kann man machen". Ein paar Kumpel schwören auf oval, zwei sind wieder zurück zu rund, weil es doch nicht den riesen Unterschied gemacht hat für sie.

Hi Claus, cooles Bike! Welche Variante hast du gewählt?

Hilft das? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LXVILEiYX5o&pp=ygUbc29mdHdhcmUgdXBkYXRlIHNwZWNpYWxpemVk

Hier könnt ihr eure heißen Deals für Black Friday reinpacken, die etwas mit dem Thema Bike zu tun haben.

Die 2024 Dämpfer sollen die Probleme der 2022 und 2023 Modelle nicht mehr haben. Klappern und auch Undichtigkeiten. Normalerweise wird getauscht gegen ein aktuelles Modell (2024er).

Und mit etwas Verspätung ist es angekommen! Hier ein Video von EMBN.

Morgen soll das neue Kenevo vorgestellt werden. Hat schon jemand was gesehen oder gehört?

Dann wohl eher kein Verkabelungsproblem, sondern eher etwas im Controller/Display oder in der Software, würde ich vermuten.

Wäre ja cool, wenns ginge. Gib doch mal Rückmeldung.

Hi Lutz, habe auch mal recherchiert. Ebay, Kleinanzeigen und Webrecherche zeigen eben das, was du schon schriebst: OEM only anscheinend. Ich konnte auch nichts finden.