I actually did not notice this. Modern bikes have fairly steep seat tube angles. I’ve definitely been on some cross country bikes where I felt too far back but not on this one. Hope this helps.
That sworks epic 8 is beyond ridiculous for any non pro racing folks. There is whopping 9 batteries in total on that bike ... You better develop solid pre flight checklist in order to even think about going for a ride on that thing :D
I just saw the epic works and the epic evo in a shop. They look amazing. How did you found the new axs? Also the sworks it's only compatible with axs as it does have holes for shift cables.
I have been looking at the Stumpjumper Expert just like you had in your fleet earlier. How do you think it compares to the Epic Evo? I'm not racing; just out for fun and exercise.
That’s a tough call. I would choose the stumpjumper for most of my riding in the mountains. However for smoother trails like a ride in North Georgia I would probably choose the epic Evo. I say that because my transition spur is perfect for those trails and they are very similar.
It’s funny how these XC bikes are finally starting to have slacker head angles. I’ve been riding a 64° head angle XC bike for over two years now and would never go back. Orange five Evo 29 inch wheels. 120 mm front fork and it weighs 22 1/2 pounds.
These bikes are ridiculously expensive. I just got a 23’ Epic EVO Pro on sale for $5499($Almost $9K retail) and that’s the only reason I pulled the trigger. Great bike though and a good lightweight XC bike to complement my burly Tallboy 4,
Clint, would love to hear your thoughts (maybe a video?) about modern geo & steep seat tube angles specifically for us flatlanders. I feel like when I’ve tried newer bikes with modern angles it just throws my weight forward on my hands when I’m pedaling while seated. Would love to hear a more expert opinion!
I’ve noticed on most 29ers i’m totally fine with the more modern geometry. I demoed an ibis 27.5 with a steeper seat tube angle and I felt too far forward.
Hi Love you’re review videos, thanks a lot! I will buy my first bike in a long time, and I’m really curious to here the thoughts regarding the Epic 8 Evo vs Transition Spur I’m looking for a bike that can be my one bike for exercise on XC ich course an for som light trail and fun at the decent Disregard specs levels, who is the best do it all bike?
Both are excellent bikes but I am a huge fan of the transition spur. I’m about to announce my first ever dream build and I will be using a spur. Absolutely cannot go wrong with either bike and both are very similar in terms of ride quality. Really it comes down to he relationship you have with your local bike shop.
@@ClintGibbs Thank you so much for your honest and good reply, really appreciating it! I’m located in northern part of Sweden so I unfortunately don’t have the luxury of having any near by, Spur is almost impossible to get hands on in Sweden But I think I order a Spur frame and build my own:-) haven’t heard anyone being disappointed with that bike Maybe I’ll copy your build, really looking forward to see it!:-) I have actually all de parts planned in notes, but your build maybe will change my spec? :-)
I wish Clint you would have compared climbing capability of both…because I have Spur and test Demoed Epic 8 pro from specialized for 1 full day what I found is Epic 8 pro is much better in climbing.
@@henb3336I test demoed Epic and blown away by it…it’s leap and bound better than Spur in climbing because it’s much efficient. Actually Epic is best. I demoed Blur also. I have Spur with SC XC wheels…and still feel like buying epic…but 😐 I am not totally disappointed with spur and still love it…just switch off the rear shock to improve efficiency but even with that it’s not same…epic is better. Epic has a great shock/fork tuning also on the fly change makes a huge improvement. Go buy epic you will love it…I have test demoed every bike in market and can say Epic 8 pro is best.
I have the exact flex stay Stumpy expert that you've test awhile back. After riding this Epic Evo 8, how would you compare the 2? Which would you prefer for intermediate semi chunk trails? I went to look at it 2 weeks ago and didn't pull the trigger.
What did you think about the 2024 Fox Float shock on this bike, with the 2-pos switch? I put one of those on my 2022 Rocky Mountain Element, but really missed the middle setting of the stock DPS. Ended up selling the Float and buying an Ohlins TTX1, even though it's much heavier than both the 2024 Fox Float and DPS (something like 390g for the Ohlins vs. 250g for the DPS and 325g for the Float). Wondering if you missed the firmer setting on a bike like this that is supposed to be efficient for all-day riding.
Honestly, it wasn’t long enough of a ride to really mess with it. Currently have a two position shock on my Niner but it has a remote lockout so it’s less crucial to have the middle setting.
No. It was being used by several other people that night. Plus, there’s no way would I ever spend that much money on a bike so I didn’t want to be tempted 🙂
These new XC bikes with longer travel and slacker geo are definitely pushing into the Trailbike category and I'm all for it. Previously, I would have avoided XC bikes because the geometry was so bad but now, I could recommend them. Given my choice, the Epic 8 EVO would have come even longer and slacker with a 76.5* STA and 65.5* HTA. The Epic 8 EVO is now pushing into Stumpjumper territory. I expect the next Stumpy to come with 135/150 travel, dispatch with the single pivot flex stay , and return to the Horst Link four bar suspension. Or, they could combine the Stumpy with the Stumpy EVO and create a 140/160 bike with the Horst Link suspension. I just bought a 110/120 travel 2023 Epic EVO Comp at a 35% discount. I set it up with 700x47 Pathfinder Pro Gravel tires. Very fast on pavement and gravel while still being capable on easy to intermediate single track. I'm loving it. In my opinion, better than a Gravelbike.
Giant has dedicated a whole brand (Liv Cycling) to the women's market. But Specialized, I guess, is Unisex all the way… girls would ride the same bike with small adjustments maybe.
Specialized rep: “yeah the Geo is the same”…. Then proceeds to point out all the geo differences 😂 The bikes look awesome. Has the Epic Evo essentially made the current Stumpjumper obsolete?
@@ClintGibbs Makes me wonder what Spesh will do with the two Stumpy models next year… Last question… If you had a hard tail XC bike and we’re looking for a short travel trail bike/down country bike, do you think you’d go for a new Epic 8 variant or a current Stumpy? I can’t imagine there is THAT much difference in outright speed/climbing if wheels and tyres are the same? An S-Works Stumpy is currently pretty half price where I am 👀
I’ve been lapped a few times by your Specialized rep (Nick Mackie), a national champ and overall bad ass on everything with two wheels.
Many new XC bikes being introduced by a number of brands and all of them seem to echo the Epic 7 Evo in design.
I have the Epic 2023, I think the Epic 8 EVO can be perfect for very long XCM or a Stages Race.
How does this bike compare to your current transition spur? Thanks for your input!!
We need a full review of the regular epic from Clint..
This is likely my next bike. Looks exactly what I want these days
Wait for it to go on sale or buy something else. Please stop supporting manufacturers putting out obscenely overpriced bikes.
@@DB-sd3cw😂😂
The seat tube angle gets a bit slack with the 130 fork. Did you notice this while in the saddle? Thanks for the vid.
I actually did not notice this. Modern bikes have fairly steep seat tube angles. I’ve definitely been on some cross country bikes where I felt too far back but not on this one. Hope this helps.
What make and model are those super minimalist clear glasses!? Need 'em.
Slice
th-cam.com/video/TQm3iY-F2ho/w-d-xo.htmlsi=6movdEwycAontDNY
Great review. How does the bike climb!
No complaints climbing. Good pedaling platform, decent weight and angles that aren’t too slack.
@@ClintGibbs Thanks! I going to test ride this bike next week.
Just brought a 2024 Epic Evo Pro Ltd here in the UK in the Specialized sale. 50% off at £4000! Unbelievable bargain.
That sworks epic 8 is beyond ridiculous for any non pro racing folks. There is whopping 9 batteries in total on that bike ... You better develop solid pre flight checklist in order to even think about going for a ride on that thing :D
Yeah. I don’t even consider a bike unless it has 10 or more batteries.
Makes cents.
Dollars…lots of them
A good question is does the automatic valving on/off prematurely wear anything out?
I just saw the epic works and the epic evo in a shop. They look amazing. How did you found the new axs? Also the sworks it's only compatible with axs as it does have holes for shift cables.
My brother is building up a SCOTT SPARK 900 TR BIKE, you can get that bike for ~6500CHF/7000$ here. If you can, i highly recommend testing a Spark!
Scott’s PF BB and plastic stem area are garbage
For longer, chunkier XC races, would the epic Evo be a good fit?
I would go for the regular epic for any type of racing,. With 120 mm travel front and rear it’s perfect.
I wonder how it compares to my 120/130 2023 Giant Trance Advanced Pro. I like smoother feeling bikes.
I have been looking at the Stumpjumper Expert just like you had in your fleet earlier. How do you think it compares to the Epic Evo? I'm not racing; just out for fun and exercise.
That’s a tough call. I would choose the stumpjumper for most of my riding in the mountains. However for smoother trails like a ride in North Georgia I would probably choose the epic Evo. I say that because my transition spur is perfect for those trails and they are very similar.
It’s funny how these XC bikes are finally starting to have slacker head angles. I’ve been riding a 64° head angle XC bike for over two years now and would never go back. Orange five Evo 29 inch wheels. 120 mm front fork and it weighs 22 1/2 pounds.
These bikes are ridiculously expensive. I just got a 23’ Epic EVO Pro on sale for $5499($Almost $9K retail) and that’s the only reason I pulled the trigger. Great bike though and a good lightweight XC bike to complement my burly Tallboy 4,
Clint, would love to hear your thoughts (maybe a video?) about modern geo & steep seat tube angles specifically for us flatlanders. I feel like when I’ve tried newer bikes with modern angles it just throws my weight forward on my hands when I’m pedaling while seated. Would love to hear a more expert opinion!
I’ve noticed on most 29ers i’m totally fine with the more modern geometry. I demoed an ibis 27.5 with a steeper seat tube angle and I felt too far forward.
Why would they run the cables through the bearings on a mtb??
Hi
Love you’re review videos, thanks a lot!
I will buy my first bike in a long time, and I’m really curious to here the thoughts regarding the Epic 8 Evo vs Transition Spur
I’m looking for a bike that can be my one bike for exercise on XC ich course an for som light trail and fun at the decent
Disregard specs levels, who is the best do it all bike?
Both are excellent bikes but I am a huge fan of the transition spur. I’m about to announce my first ever dream build and I will be using a spur. Absolutely cannot go wrong with either bike and both are very similar in terms of ride quality. Really it comes down to he relationship you have with your local bike shop.
@@ClintGibbs
Thank you so much for your honest and good reply, really appreciating it!
I’m located in northern part of Sweden so I unfortunately don’t have the luxury of having any near by, Spur is almost impossible to get hands on in Sweden
But I think I order a Spur frame and build my own:-) haven’t heard anyone being disappointed with that bike
Maybe I’ll copy your build, really looking forward to see it!:-)
I have actually all de parts planned in notes, but your build maybe will change my spec? :-)
I wish Clint you would have compared climbing capability of both…because I have Spur and test Demoed Epic 8 pro from specialized for 1 full day what I found is Epic 8 pro is much better in climbing.
@@henb3336I test demoed Epic and blown away by it…it’s leap and bound better than Spur in climbing because it’s much efficient. Actually Epic is best. I demoed Blur also. I have Spur with SC XC wheels…and still feel like buying epic…but 😐 I am not totally disappointed with spur and still love it…just switch off the rear shock to improve efficiency but even with that it’s not same…epic is better. Epic has a great shock/fork tuning also on the fly change makes a huge improvement. Go buy epic you will love it…I have test demoed every bike in market and can say Epic 8 pro is best.
Going over the specs on these bikes, it seems like the Spur was just ahead of it's time. Transition Factory XC racing team in our future?? 🤣
Indeed. Hence the reason behind my “dream build” project I’m about to start
I have the exact flex stay Stumpy expert that you've test awhile back. After riding this Epic Evo 8, how would you compare the 2? Which would you prefer for intermediate semi chunk trails? I went to look at it 2 weeks ago and didn't pull the trigger.
I would definitely choose the stumpy for riding more mountainous terrain. It felt like it had more travel than it really did.
What did you think about the 2024 Fox Float shock on this bike, with the 2-pos switch? I put one of those on my 2022 Rocky Mountain Element, but really missed the middle setting of the stock DPS. Ended up selling the Float and buying an Ohlins TTX1, even though it's much heavier than both the 2024 Fox Float and DPS (something like 390g for the Ohlins vs. 250g for the DPS and 325g for the Float). Wondering if you missed the firmer setting on a bike like this that is supposed to be efficient for all-day riding.
Honestly, it wasn’t long enough of a ride to really mess with it. Currently have a two position shock on my Niner but it has a remote lockout so it’s less crucial to have the middle setting.
Hey Clint, How tall are you? I'm in between a M and L frame size and should love a recommendation.
5’8” and ride an S3 (medium)
did you give the Sworks a spin?
No. It was being used by several other people that night. Plus, there’s no way would I ever spend that much money on a bike so I didn’t want to be tempted 🙂
@@ClintGibbs Would you spend $8500 for the Epic Evo Pro that you demoed?
@@thomaskuhn6541 yes
Fair enough@@ClintGibbs
@@artoutlawphoto Eileen slightly towards the transition spur but this would be a definite option for me if I did not have access to transition.
How tall are you Clint?
173cm
@@ClintGibbs same height. That Stumjumper Expert you had in the S3, did you ever felt it was to big?
Not at all. It fit me very well.
These new XC bikes with longer travel and slacker geo are definitely pushing into the Trailbike category and I'm all for it. Previously, I would have avoided XC bikes because the geometry was so bad but now, I could recommend them. Given my choice, the Epic 8 EVO would have come even longer and slacker with a 76.5* STA and 65.5* HTA.
The Epic 8 EVO is now pushing into Stumpjumper territory. I expect the next Stumpy to come with 135/150 travel, dispatch with the single pivot flex stay , and return to the Horst Link four bar suspension. Or, they could combine the Stumpy with the Stumpy EVO and create a 140/160 bike with the Horst Link suspension.
I just bought a 110/120 travel 2023 Epic EVO Comp at a 35% discount. I set it up with 700x47 Pathfinder Pro Gravel tires. Very fast on pavement and gravel while still being capable on easy to intermediate single track. I'm loving it. In my opinion, better than a Gravelbike.
I did the same. 2023 epic evo. Love it!
Could you tell me please how tall are you? I am asking cause I am inbetween M and L at 5'10, thank you
Lol I'm 5'10 also same struggle
5’8” so a medium is perfect for me.
Giant has dedicated a whole brand (Liv Cycling) to the women's market. But Specialized, I guess, is Unisex all the way… girls would ride the same bike with small adjustments maybe.
hedset gap in those models is terrible! Its geting dirty so fast.
Specialized rep: “yeah the Geo is the same”…. Then proceeds to point out all the geo differences 😂
The bikes look awesome. Has the Epic Evo essentially made the current Stumpjumper obsolete?
Lines are definitely blurred. If I got another stumpy, I would get the Evo
@@ClintGibbs Makes me wonder what Spesh will do with the two Stumpy models next year…
Last question… If you had a hard tail XC bike and we’re looking for a short travel trail bike/down country bike, do you think you’d go for a new Epic 8 variant or a current Stumpy? I can’t imagine there is THAT much difference in outright speed/climbing if wheels and tyres are the same? An S-Works Stumpy is currently pretty half price where I am 👀
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