I purchased this bike based on this video. I actually went with the Comp version, but then upgraded to the HS2 rotors, Code Ultimate brake levers, and an XO shifter. I was just about to get the Tall Boy, but I saw your video and was able to demo this bike and I'm glad I did - the bike is a blast!
Thanks for the review and what a beautiful trail-system and Bike! I own the Stumpjumper and absolutely love it, but I would buy buy this bike in an instant. I love those Bike like Scott Spark, Transition Spur and now Epic EVO 8. they are super fun and capable. Cheers from Switzerland
I love the way bikes are going, short travel, lightweight but still capable. I have the Transition Spur with a set of Hunt Proven carbon wheels and it rips. Surprised that you have not tested one as I think it would be right up your street. But I love this style of bike as they are so versatile and do everything I need in the places I ride and I think many people would benefit riding a bike like this rather than having a longer travel machine.
Yes, sold my Stumpy now and will be getting an Epic/Epic Evo. Still can’t decide 🤔which at the moment as i come from an XC Race background but don’t Race any more, however i still love a fast and light bike.😊
The Trek Top Fuel 9.8/9.9 2024 has also 120 rear/130 fork. Similar geo and weight. Only the suspension kinematics are different. Wondering how they compare. Found the previous Epic Evo too sketchy sometimes on the downhills. The Trek is on a different level compared to the previous Evo.
Mate, that's so cool 😎 I would love to check out that park, great camera action from different angles 😀 just makes sense to a great ride, I just ordered a Canyon Strive:ON CFR LTD hopefully deliver 28th, that will be so far away from my Specialist hard tail, and my ti gravel bike 😃 laters
Sorry Guy, but the weight difference between a Stumpy and the new Epic 8 Evo is just shy of 200 grams. That is not a lot. I have the control wheels and Purgatory + Ground Control tyres on my Stumpy, and it weighs just under 12 kg. I really think Specialized had the 8 Evo in mind as the replacement for the regular Stumpjumper. The new ‘25 Stumpy is probably going to get a 36 fork and piggy back shock, so it will all make sense then. Love your review, makes me hungry for an Evo 8 frame purchase 😊
I have the Elitewheels pro36 on my Stumpy and right now it sits at 12.1Kg with repairkit and pedals 🙂. I still think that the seat tube angel is better overal on the Stumpy 😁
I looked at Epic Evo's geo - and it's pretty similar to 2019 Whyte S120 and shedding a few pounds. Sensing similarity between how you loved the bike years ago, and now the epic evo, it does show how Whyte was very ahead of the curve. Too bad Whyte stopped making these class of bikes.
Yep, you’re totally right, basically the same bike in vibe. If the Whyte top brass had invested in carbon rear ends to lose weight rather than just using the alloy back end off the T-130 they might have sold enough to make it viable. Back then though that category customer was still conscious of every gram.
@@GuyKesTV funny how things go. Every review was basically saying how heavy S120 is and put it under negatives. Now all of the new 120/130mm downcountry bikes coming with same geo and not much weight difference in frame (new Ripley for example) and everyone is saying how good they are. Whyte was really ahead of the curve with S120/T130/S150 - shame they stopped making those bikes. I still have S-120 and build light it can be 12kg trail bike with 130mm fork or use it as well for XC with 120mm fork and XC Wheelset at around 11.5kg. £8000 for EVO 8, no Thanks
@ exactly this. BTW if you ever find any 27.5in plus wheels and tyres going cheap then grab em. The S-120 is absolutely hilarious as a play bike on plus. Zero ground clearance tho 🤣
This. Plus with shape it links from Whyte + T130 linkage shock/fork this can be easily converted to T130 or mullet or pretty much anything else. I have even run it with 100mm sid sl in front /1350g xc wheelset and shape it up link to raise BB a bit and the bike is great modern geometry 10.5kg XC weapon that way. Shame that Whyte stopped doing manual bikes.
I like to dabble in a little bit of everything, including hobby racing. How do you think this would do as a race bike? (I’m currently on an aluminum BMC hardtail as my race bike and an aluminum Stumpy as my fun bike.)
Buy a FastTrak tyre for the back, stick the Ground Control on the front and you've got a really rapid but fun 'hobby racer' at under 12kg. Had great fun dropping e-bikers on tech climbs at the weekend with that exact set up so it definitely isn't slow 🤣
Thanks for the review, personally, I'd say the current stumpjumper is a better bike, 130/140, climbs just as well and descends even better, weighs about the same as well, apart from not being able to take x2 water bottles, I'd say it's better in every other respect. Can you do a timed session between the stumpy and epic 8 evo climbing and descending? - please use the same build kit and tyres on both.
If I can get a Stumpy I will for sure. I’d be really interested too as I wasn’t a fan of the way the Stumpy pedalled. It’s also heavier spec for spec, although not by much
@@tomc0240 the next hill you’re riding has a slightly techy but mostly singletrack climb, then a mixed tech and flow descent with a few rock gardens and some mid sized sends. Would you ride the climb as possible to have fun railing the turns and skipping up the tech and then hang on the descent, maybe backing off a bit on the rocks. Or just cruise up and save the energy for the descent where you just rule everything? And would you be more tempted to do an XC / marathon race or an Enduro?
@@GuyKesTV I really do want to have a bike that can rule everything on the downhill, but I also have my 1st XC race coming up next month and want to learn to jump properly with a lightweight bike. Also a newer rider, less than a year and living in very flat USA, Kansas. I’m considering the Chisel fs as well. Eventually I will buy a proper enduro with 160+ travel to round things out and for trips to the mountains
Tallboy is a lot more of a bruiser. Stiffer, really solid feeling frame that's about a kilo heavier (I've weighed them both so don't believe SC's numbers) The suspension is a proper push and pump set up rather than one that rolls along smoothly too. That makes it great for aggressive park style riding and more flowy XC stuff, but I found it a real handful on rocky, janky slow terrain. The shock on the Evo is on the tight side too, but the back end definitely has a bit more flux and flow to it. It's a lighter chassis too which helps with the pep, but if you're sending a lot of big jumps etc it's going to feel a bit more on the edge than the Tallboy
Cervelo is much like the Epic 8. I’d say it’s more lively and agile than the Spesh as the frame is more flexible and the angles aren’t as slack. For flat out charging though stuff and fast technical descents the Epic probably has the edge. I’ve got a ZFS and I love it which is why I went for the Evo as a long term choice as that’s more of a fast trail bike
@@GuyKesTV thanks! yest I have been watching youtobe all last night and see that evo is a different beast now and standard 8 is the old evo. So ZFS it will probably be :). However would you consider flight attendant on the ZFS on the 120mm or rather remain with standard grip shift?
Specialized biggest issue is that they are going to price themselves out of the market. $5000 for the entry level model is nuts! As my father use to tell me, "Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered".
And yet there are those who are - seemingly - quite comfortable dropping £4,250 on a brand new bike and then immediately upgrading suspension and swapping out wheels. Am I missing something? As long as there's that kind of money sloshing around Specialized will keep hiking prices until it sees an adverse effect on units sold.
@@GTS5691I don't disagree with your point for people like you and I have been riding for years but the cheapest full suspension bike available on their website you can purchase direct is the new $5000 Epic Evo. Everything lower has been discounted and is out of stock or at a dealer who is forced to sell it at a loss. If I'm a newer rider who decides they really like mountain biking and wants to upgrade to full suspension, I'd be looking at Canyon or another supplier who has an affordable bike. Definitely not specialized with their price point. Maybe they're more interested in pushing e-bikes. 🤔
Because that's where the launch was sorry, but I totally get what you mean. I've got one back home now though so look out for some long term updates from 'proper' mountain bike trails.
Id buy the evo comp as its the same frame and change bits on that to create my own build. Love the review, reminds me of my Camber 29Evo , a downcountry bike before the concept had been invented !
Yeah my 2014 Camber evo, replaced the 120mm Reba with a 130mm Pike and it was "epic" 😅. The price of the epic 8 evo frame and shock is £3.5k and the complete bike in comp form is £4250. Send the Fox34 and the Float to TF tuned for a revalve and grip2 cart , upgrade the wheels and then change the other parts piecemeal when they wear out and funds allow....
I purchased this bike based on this video. I actually went with the Comp version, but then upgraded to the HS2 rotors, Code Ultimate brake levers, and an XO shifter. I was just about to get the Tall Boy, but I saw your video and was able to demo this bike and I'm glad I did - the bike is a blast!
Awesome, happy riding!
Thanks for the review and what a beautiful trail-system and Bike!
I own the Stumpjumper and absolutely love it, but I would buy buy this bike in an instant. I love those Bike like Scott Spark, Transition Spur and now Epic EVO 8. they are super fun and capable.
Cheers from Switzerland
I love the way bikes are going, short travel, lightweight but still capable. I have the Transition Spur with a set of Hunt Proven carbon wheels and it rips. Surprised that you have not tested one as I think it would be right up your street. But I love this style of bike as they are so versatile and do everything I need in the places I ride and I think many people would benefit riding a bike like this rather than having a longer travel machine.
I should finally be getting the new UDH hanger Spur any week now. Like you say it's been WAAAAAAY too long on my must try list
@@GuyKesTV well I look forward to that, I’m sure it will be a good experience as I’ve not seen a bad review yet 👍
Yes, sold my Stumpy now and will be getting an Epic/Epic Evo. Still can’t decide 🤔which at the moment as i come from an XC Race background but don’t Race any more, however i still love a fast and light bike.😊
The Trek Top Fuel 9.8/9.9 2024 has also 120 rear/130 fork. Similar geo and weight. Only the suspension kinematics are different. Wondering how they compare. Found the previous Epic Evo too sketchy sometimes on the downhills. The Trek is on a different level compared to the previous Evo.
Mate, that's so cool 😎 I would love to check out that park, great camera action from different angles 😀 just makes sense to a great ride, I just ordered a Canyon Strive:ON CFR LTD hopefully deliver 28th, that will be so far away from my Specialist hard tail, and my ti gravel bike 😃 laters
❤ nice one Guy🤘🏻🤘🏻
@GuyKesTV How does the new epic compare to the Scott Spark 910?
So is the new Epic Evo essentially a Stumpjumper now?
Almost. But a lot lighter
Sorry Guy, but the weight difference between a Stumpy and the new Epic 8 Evo is just shy of 200 grams. That is not a lot. I have the control wheels and Purgatory + Ground Control tyres on my Stumpy, and it weighs just under 12 kg. I really think Specialized had the 8 Evo in mind as the replacement for the regular Stumpjumper. The new ‘25 Stumpy is probably going to get a 36 fork and piggy back shock, so it will all make sense then. Love your review, makes me hungry for an Evo 8 frame purchase 😊
I have the Elitewheels pro36 on my Stumpy and right now it sits at 12.1Kg with repairkit and pedals 🙂. I still think that the seat tube angel is better overal on the Stumpy 😁
@@IIISentorIII sounds like a great combination
What about this bike compared to trek top fuel on climbing and pedalling??are they similar bikes?!
I looked at Epic Evo's geo - and it's pretty similar to 2019 Whyte S120 and shedding a few pounds.
Sensing similarity between how you loved the bike years ago, and now the epic evo, it does show how Whyte was very ahead of the curve. Too bad Whyte stopped making these class of bikes.
Yep, you’re totally right, basically the same bike in vibe. If the Whyte top brass had invested in carbon rear ends to lose weight rather than just using the alloy back end off the T-130 they might have sold enough to make it viable. Back then though that category customer was still conscious of every gram.
@@GuyKesTV funny how things go. Every review was basically saying how heavy S120 is and put it under negatives. Now all of the new 120/130mm downcountry bikes coming with same geo and not much weight difference in frame (new Ripley for example) and everyone is saying how good they are. Whyte was really ahead of the curve with S120/T130/S150 - shame they stopped making those bikes. I still have S-120 and build light it can be 12kg trail bike with 130mm fork or use it as well for XC with 120mm fork and XC Wheelset at around 11.5kg. £8000 for EVO 8, no Thanks
@ exactly this. BTW if you ever find any 27.5in plus wheels and tyres going cheap then grab em. The S-120 is absolutely hilarious as a play bike on plus. Zero ground clearance tho 🤣
This. Plus with shape it links from Whyte + T130 linkage shock/fork this can be easily converted to T130 or mullet or pretty much anything else.
I have even run it with 100mm sid sl in front /1350g xc wheelset and shape it up link to raise BB a bit and the bike is great modern geometry 10.5kg XC weapon that way.
Shame that Whyte stopped doing manual bikes.
@@macibobam they’re bringing back a few next year but now you’ve really got me wanting the S-120 frame I had back 🤣
So it’s basically a Santa Cruz Tallboy now. Got it.
How do you like the XO?
I like to dabble in a little bit of everything, including hobby racing. How do you think this would do as a race bike? (I’m currently on an aluminum BMC hardtail as my race bike and an aluminum Stumpy as my fun bike.)
Buy a FastTrak tyre for the back, stick the Ground Control on the front and you've got a really rapid but fun 'hobby racer' at under 12kg. Had great fun dropping e-bikers on tech climbs at the weekend with that exact set up so it definitely isn't slow 🤣
Thanks for the review, personally, I'd say the current stumpjumper is a better bike, 130/140, climbs just as well and descends even better, weighs about the same as well, apart from not being able to take x2 water bottles, I'd say it's better in every other respect. Can you do a timed session between the stumpy and epic 8 evo climbing and descending? - please use the same build kit and tyres on both.
If I can get a Stumpy I will for sure. I’d be really interested too as I wasn’t a fan of the way the Stumpy pedalled. It’s also heavier spec for spec, although not by much
"Climbs just as well" based on what
I own the epic 8 and the stumpjumper 140/130 and they are NOT comparable climbing. The epic is a better climber by a significant margin
The epic 8 evo or the regular epic 8? @@epd1584
What model specialized shoes are they Kes?
I have a 2023 5010, should I buy the Epic 8 Evo or the Stumpjumper 15 next?
@@tomc0240 the next hill you’re riding has a slightly techy but mostly singletrack climb, then a mixed tech and flow descent with a few rock gardens and some mid sized sends. Would you ride the climb as possible to have fun railing the turns and skipping up the tech and then hang on the descent, maybe backing off a bit on the rocks. Or just cruise up and save the energy for the descent where you just rule everything? And would you be more tempted to do an XC / marathon race or an Enduro?
@@GuyKesTV I really do want to have a bike that can rule everything on the downhill, but I also have my 1st XC race coming up next month and want to learn to jump properly with a lightweight bike. Also a newer rider, less than a year and living in very flat USA, Kansas. I’m considering the Chisel fs as well. Eventually I will buy a proper enduro with 160+ travel to round things out and for trips to the mountains
@@GuyKesTV I ordered a gloss purple Epic 8 Evo Comp a moment ago
@@tomc0240 Sorry man, forgot to get back to you but you made the choice I would have suggested anyway. Good luck in that race, it'll be a ripper.
Hey mate, great review, I’m wondering how this compares to the Santacruz Tallboy?
I’m currently deciding between the two for a new purchase
Tallboy is a lot more of a bruiser. Stiffer, really solid feeling frame that's about a kilo heavier (I've weighed them both so don't believe SC's numbers) The suspension is a proper push and pump set up rather than one that rolls along smoothly too. That makes it great for aggressive park style riding and more flowy XC stuff, but I found it a real handful on rocky, janky slow terrain. The shock on the Evo is on the tight side too, but the back end definitely has a bit more flux and flow to it. It's a lighter chassis too which helps with the pep, but if you're sending a lot of big jumps etc it's going to feel a bit more on the edge than the Tallboy
Thanks for the response appreciate it
Where is this bike park?
Near Mantanzas in Chile
@@GuyKesTV any info on where you stayed, guides etc would be awesome.
and how does it compare to Cervelo ZFS-5? Cervelo can be lighter (and cheaper). but which is more "fun"
Cervelo is much like the Epic 8. I’d say it’s more lively and agile than the Spesh as the frame is more flexible and the angles aren’t as slack. For flat out charging though stuff and fast technical descents the Epic probably has the edge. I’ve got a ZFS and I love it which is why I went for the Evo as a long term choice as that’s more of a fast trail bike
@@GuyKesTV thanks! yest I have been watching youtobe all last night and see that evo is a different beast now and standard 8 is the old evo. So ZFS it will probably be :). However would you consider flight attendant on the ZFS on the 120mm or rather remain with standard grip shift?
@@MarcinLipowskiFlight Attendant is really good for racing but for fun riding normal shock set up is fine. ZFS pedals great in open mode anyway 👍🏻
I hope your Trek top fuel isn't getting jealous
That went back a while ago, but the Cervelo hasn't done many miles since I got a long termer Evo delivered!
Reminds me of yt izzo.
yes very similar
Specialized biggest issue is that they are going to price themselves out of the market. $5000 for the entry level model is nuts! As my father use to tell me, "Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered".
And yet there are those who are - seemingly - quite comfortable dropping £4,250 on a brand new bike and then immediately upgrading suspension and swapping out wheels. Am I missing something? As long as there's that kind of money sloshing around Specialized will keep hiking prices until it sees an adverse effect on units sold.
@@GTS5691I don't disagree with your point for people like you and I have been riding for years but the cheapest full suspension bike available on their website you can purchase direct is the new $5000 Epic Evo. Everything lower has been discounted and is out of stock or at a dealer who is forced to sell it at a loss. If I'm a newer rider who decides they really like mountain biking and wants to upgrade to full suspension, I'd be looking at Canyon or another supplier who has an affordable bike. Definitely not specialized with their price point. Maybe they're more interested in pushing e-bikes. 🤔
A whole lot more burly....slows down across rock garden 😅
Epic evo vs. top fuel…..
why don't you test it on a real mt. bike trail instead of some bullshit bike park bmx premade wood covered pump course!
Because that's where the launch was sorry, but I totally get what you mean. I've got one back home now though so look out for some long term updates from 'proper' mountain bike trails.
Its way WAY Too expensive..I can buy a SUPERBIKE ''motorbike'' for that..!!!
And ?. You can’t ride , jump , shralp and get fit on a super bike motorbike in the woods though can you?. My money would go on the bicycle 🤟
Dumb comparison. If you're in the market for top of the line xc bikes you're not cross shopping it with a super sports lmao
Everyone is reviewing the new Epic Evo, but it seems so overhyped. We have seen such short travel efficient rippers in the 26-28 lbs range for years.
Id buy the evo comp as its the same frame and change bits on that to create my own build. Love the review, reminds me of my Camber 29Evo , a downcountry bike before the concept had been invented !
Somebody else said that about Camber Evo 🤘🏻I’ve got an Evo Pro here as a long termer and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
Yeah my 2014 Camber evo, replaced the 120mm Reba with a 130mm Pike and it was "epic" 😅. The price of the epic 8 evo frame and shock is £3.5k and the complete bike in comp form is £4250. Send the Fox34 and the Float to TF tuned for a revalve and grip2 cart , upgrade the wheels and then change the other parts piecemeal when they wear out and funds allow....
@@Andy-co6pnsound like a good idea, i may just do that myself. 😊