I Restored a Specialized Epic

[@sportmedtech]

As retired paint and body man you would have been better off with scuffing the entire frame and addressing the areas in the frame that were scratched down to the carbon and hitting those with a skim coat of filler then building your base of primer from there. Once you media blast carbon frames or anything carbon for that matter you begin to see the many seams, imperfections and joints that were covered by the manufacturer. I have never had good results with it and frankly unless you are repairing a crack in the carbon there is never a good reason to take the finish down that far. Love the build. You did a great job

[@BuildaBetterBike]

Thanks. I appreciate the feedback!

[@whiskeydelta4073]

Thanks for good advice

[@DavidRynda]

I’ve never heard the contrary, but I’ve always assumed you shouldn’t sand blast a carbon frame. Can anyone confirm/deny?

[@BuildaBetterBike]

It depends on the medium you use. You have to use a softer medium than carbon but a harder medium than the paint. It's a very fine line. I use walnut shells and it does not eat away the carbon.

[@georgeelgar5986]

you seem like a great mechanic who is not only skilled, but also understands the customer and what they can do for a bike

[@breakshot7451]

now no more "battle scares" on your frame, but now your hands/fingers are looking bruised and beaten;)) i know i know i can t work with gloves ,too. but you have to look after yourself;) great bike

[@Tobias611]

I can really recommend "working hands handcream", they managed to get my dad's hands somewhat in good shape again, and his looked even worse. Amazing stuff.

[@cyrilvillarosa2421]

Love the build. I wish your were my next door neighbor. I have a 2004 Giant NRS3 that could use a new paint scheme. I’d love to see your artistic creativity on that frame. Keep the video’s coming.

[@alangarrett2292]

What a great looking bike components and paint job really suit it👍

[@BuildaBetterBike]

Thanks!

[@tomfoster8228]

Love what you do, considering some updates to my 2015 Epic WC. Noticed you didn’t use a slackened headset on this one. Any reasons why not? Wondering if I used a 110/120mm fork, slackened headset and shortened the rear travel I could get close to the $$$$ new Epic WC - or ruin the bike 😂

[@BuildaBetterBike]

Slackened headset not necessary for XC

[@tomfoster8228]

@@BuildaBetterBike really? That 2018 bike is 69.5 HTA and the latest XC bikes e.g. Specialized Epic WC 2023 is 66.5 HTA and epic evo being used in XC races

[@johndef5075]

I just built a 2017 Epic with 71 degree head angle. Handles fine.

[@the.communist]

Ucrainia colors? 😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥

[@山田太郎-n2n1p]

beautiful Ukraine color !🇺🇦

[@kswsquared]

I love how the colors seem like a nod to the classic Yeti ARC. Nice. :D Almost missed the Manitou fork which was also specced on the old ARCs...

[@BuildaBetterBike]

Glad you caught that. My son requested the "old yeti colors" for this build.

[@kswsquared]

@@BuildaBetterBike The kid's got good taste. 👍 Best of luck to all the racing!!!

[@mtb717]

Hi. What camera do you use for filming?

[@BuildaBetterBike]

I believe this was filmed with a Canon r5

[@denniskurama1974]

Epic indeed ❤

[@apt.1101]

Hi dad . Adopt me pls . 🚲

[@mioszbrzozowski4657]

Great build, but sanding carbon frames makes them really ugly up close

[@casperfabia]

great buiild

[@druiz127]

Love watching your videos,can you recommend large mudguards that fit manitou forks?

[@fjodorgrigorow3851]

Thank you for this project! Do you mind sharing the total weight please? Cheers!

[@grigoryrechistov3040]

11:24 Those "brain" units are not known for being very reliable. And servicing them is all but impossible because of dropped vendor support. How is it holding up for you?

[@BuildaBetterBike]

Yeah... We'll use it until it goes. Then we'll swap it out. Fortunately, my son using it is a very chill rider.

[@mtb_mechanic]

it seems you need a thicker almost gel coat for that frame, lots of diviots

[@1st2nd24]

No chainstay protection‼️

[@BuildaBetterBike]

It's in there. Just forgot to do so in the video

[@jacisjake]

Have you tried walnut shells or cherry stones as a blasting media yet? harder then the paint softer than the carbon.

[@BuildaBetterBike]

I use walnut shells

[@mtb717]

I’m 16 years old and I very love your channel. Hello from Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@benjaminfitch5695]

Always watch your videos, glad to see you blasting a frame again! Have you tried a gap filler that you can scrape on? Maybe one that is a lot softer than the carbon and then get a sandpaper to finish it that wont cut the carbon but will get the filler smooth. Would love to see you material blast every component and use other cheeky weight weenie engineering. No dropper?

[@BuildaBetterBike]

Yeah I need to use a gap filler. Filler primer is not enough. No dropper. It's an XC bike for a short kid.

[@NallePu83]

Looks like 2020 Trek Remedy 8 now

[@texasermd1]

Wow! That's my bike except mine is a 2016. A couple years back, I replaced everything except the frame with the best components at the time and I love it. 👍👍This turned out awesome!

[@johndef5075]

I just bought a nos 2017 Sworks Epic frame. Put xt 12 speed and a Fox 32 Stepcast on it. Very fast and light. 25.2 lbs. with pedals and Only $2800 total. Really happy with it.

[@nahuelise4055]

Didnt knew you could sandblast a carbon frame,it doesnt get damaged at all? I tought that sandpaper was the only way to remove the paint

[@BuildaBetterBike]

As long as the medium you use is softer than carbon, it's fine. I use walnut shells.

[@nahuelise4055]

@@BuildaBetterBike thanks for the info

[@docongtam]

Nice paint job

[@andrewstopford2121]

Did you flat and polish the clear coat?

[@BuildaBetterBike]

Yes. But not enough

[@mvp_kryptonite]

Enjoyed the build, hope your son enjoys the wheels! It’s dope it’s light a custom colour way. 1 of 1! Keep up the great work and cool on the website & store

[@oftankoftan]

great work, but I would've loved to see more shots of the finished product, as well as shifting and maybe a test ride by your kid.

[@Whitehawkvisionfilms]

Pure awesomeness! Make your son build the next one 😉