Specialized Epic 8 EVO Pro // Bike Review

[@kentao4]

Love these types of reviews. Waiting to see the expert spec and new stumpy before I pull the trigger but I think epic evo is where I’m going.

[@dougmcdougall3997]

Riding and talking making the riding look way easier than it is in those wet conditions ! Looks like my next bike . Great review.

[@burkebair]

Glad to see a new review from you.

[@Cajo22]

Awesome riding+tallking…as always! One of the best doing that trick…😄 Quick recovery and good luck 🤞🏼 for your own channel…I’m already a subscriber!

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Thanks! 🙏🏼

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

This Epic EVO made for some great Physical Therapy for my elbow!

[@micheandmikey]

Finally, the bike review bar is back! It's been great bumping into you over the past few weeks Spencer! Cheers!

[@pan0rama546]

Great review as always! This type of bike is my personal fav for when you ride under-biked. Fast uphill, capable on the way down. Just the right amount of everything you'd want from a trail bike 👌

[@TheMirrorVision]

We missed you and your excellent ride review videos while you were gone!

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Thankyou!

[@epd1584]

That bike is so gorgeous dude, I have the expert xc version and toy with the idea of throwing a 130 fork on it all the time lol. The bike is a ROCKET with a 120 fork build I will say though. I did a more XC build on my Stumpjumper 140/130 27.8lbs and it has blurred the line for me personally of what you need vs what bikes can actually do these days. We live in amazing times for MTB's.

[@gogovitch66]

Glad you are back! You‘ve been missed 🙂‍↕️ Healing vibes 👊🏽

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

Thanks!

[@mikehouston8884]

Camber was such an awesome bike

[@caspian5473]

17 of pure goodness

[@felixre7]

Do a mach 4 sl review next please! I missed these awesome reviews so much!

[@milktop1]

Heal up! I was wondering where you were.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

My arm strength is improving fast

[@mwinner101]

Awesome riding. Specialized should have just brought back the Camber name for it.

[@nl3712]

Agreed!

[@ultramegabrown]

Sweet review ! How would you say it compares to a Topfuel with a 130mm fork?

[@mwinner101]

Would be nice to know but Freehub never replies to comments.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

That topfuel was insanely capable as well. Off the top of my head the biggest difference was probably in the feel of the flexstay vs the split pivot. If I can remember right the Epic Evo was probably a bit more efficient feeling while pedaling, and the Top Fuel was a bit more plush. It's been a while though.

[@nicholashines7686]

Great review as always. So is there really that much difference between this and the regular Stumpy? on paper they seem awfully similar. Considering you can build up a stumpy to like 25lbs seems like a tone of overlap.

[@paul4292]

This is a xc bike, stumpy is a trail bike so there are diferences

[@paul4292]

Geometry is important, headtube angle, reach, stack etc

[@SpencerBaum]

​@@paul4292go look at the geometry and you'll notice that they're very similar

[@dvoob]

The stumpjumper will feel a bit more upright and the kinematics are definitely more tuned towards downhill vs pedaling. A lot less anti-squat on the stumpjumper, which is very noticeable when riding xc.

[@mooseindahouse336]

Keep in mind that the new stumpy is dropping soon, too. This EE will make sense when those details are announced.

[@justinfournier1285]

Sounds quite similar to my Pivot Trail 429. I ended up building mine more burly but I’m still tempered to get on an Epic to try.

[@johnnnewmex]

Have no interest in the Evo but love to see these reviews

[@TheGreaterU]

Holy flip so fast for the sloppy conditions!!! Dang.

[@Whitehawkvisionfilms]

Have you take it on rougher rockier terrain? I would like to know what kind of hits it can take. In Texas we are riding limestone and caliche rocks all day and I prefer XC bikes, but they struggle on Texas trails. A Stumpjumper is the perfect trail bike and the Stumpjumper EVO is the perfect Enduro bike for Texas (Racing its faster than the Specialized Enduro here), but I was hoping the Epic EVO would be able to ride XC trails well and double as a trail bike here. My Epic Comp is not up to trail riding here on the common trails.

[@Thumper99TA]

This bike seems really similar in geo and specs to a Pivot Trail 429 (standard 120/130 build. How would you compare those?

[@5toyan]

Great review as always and this new Epic 8 EVO looks amazing! Do you feel this bike makes the Stumpjumper (non-EVO) a bit obsolete or does the Stumpy still has its advantages? I'm looking to N+1 my enduro bike which is a porky 150/160 Nukeproof Mega with a bike that's more fun and rewarding on the steep climbs while still maintaining downhill prowess. Between this and the regular Stumpy what would you suggest I get? I'm sure the Epic 8 EVO climbs better, but I'm wondering if the difference descending is noticeable?

[@HobbyB19]

The standard stumpy is a terd, coming from someone who just bought one in October and then sold it last week for a Smuggler. Id take a Stumpy Evo over a standard stumpy any day. I imagine the new epic 8 evo is what the standard stumpy should feel like.

[@5toyan]

What didn't you like about the Stumpy? The Epic 8 Evo looks amazing, but it's too expensive at the moment. I don't have access to Transition, Ibis, etc. It's been awhile since the original Stumpjumper review, but maybe Spencer @Freehub Magazine who reviewed and seemingly liked both can share his thoughts.

[@angelopizzo2933]

@@HobbyB19 explain why please, stumpy is my dream bike and now I read this comment..

[@HobbyB19]

The standard stumpy felt extremely muted and not playful, even after I spent countless rides trying different suspension setups. I had the LTD model, so it had the GX T-type transmission and factory mullet setup. The Smuggler had nearly identical geometry numbers but somehow feels like a whole other animal, truthfully not even comparable in how they ride.

[@paul4292]

@@angelopizzo2933come on everyone has different „taste“, rides different etc. dont take a yt comment to serious

[@mikeglefke1970]

Just wondering if you know the settings you used on the rear shock of the bike. I am about the same height and weight as you riding a large and can’t seem to find the settings that give it a Plush feel up top.

[@randallgd]

Having had 2 different Epic Evo's in the past, I don't understand why not a steeper seat angle. Other than that a great bikes.

[@youling1997]

because it’s xc bike.

[@randallgd]

@@youling1997 If you look at the seat he has the seat slammed all the way forward just like I run mine. In my humble opinion It climbs better that way.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

I do love a steep STA for the PNW. I'm guessing these small suspension bikes tend to go slacker for the wind resistance, but that's my best guess...

[@gnar_tar]

@@SpencerAstraPOV They also don't sag as much as a big enduro rig. Finally pulled to the trigger on a Shadowcat to compliment my Firebird. Although the SC is set up as a mullet and was 76* STA it feels pretty good on steep BC uphill trails. Could not be more stoked on this little trail kitty ( pun intented ). Your review confirmed that I needed to buy a Shadowcat, unbelievable light and fun bike !!

[@clarks888]

Curious how the Evo compares to the Tallboy 5. The latter is my front runner for a new bike, I ride mostly Tiger Mountain and Raging River down in Seattle, and the TB impressed me when I demoed it (albeit on mellower trails in Bend). The parts spec on on the Evo is compelling, but I’m thinking the geo and kinematics of the TB are better suited to PNW trails.

[@tjabaley]

ME TOO. Im pushed towards tallboy cause theres no xxl in the evo. EVO looks better though

[@clarks888]

@@tjabaley yeah, size-specific seat tube angle is a nice draw for the TB. The weight penalty is significant, but I feel like unless you’re pinning the climbs you won’t miss it, especially compared to a bigger bike.

[@ChainChefs]

Wow amazing ride

[@IIISentorIII]

Why do I hear "The Six Million Dollar Man" Opening Theme playing when I see you Review the Bike. 🤔😁

[@funLad80]

Hi, great video, could you tell me please how tall are you? I am 5'10, inseam 32.5-33" and in between M and L. I can see you've tested size Large, thank you.

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

I'm 5'11" and the large felt perfect.

[@funLad80]

@@SpencerAstraPOVThanks, do you know your inseam?

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

@@funLad80 32"

[@funLad80]

@@SpencerAstraPOV Thank you

[@vincentdoiron78]

I would have crashed like 7 times during those descents 😰

[@tomassanesson902]

Nice bike

[@DaBinChe]

Dude's going easy is my race speed.

[@binhnguyenphu7585]

When you bored please sell it to me!

[@tomhogg5382]

Bmxy🚲👍🍨🍨

[@cpreme4]

super zesty bike

[@SpencerAstraPOV]

👌🏻

[@donatelloDoesmachines13]

I had to shut it down at "zesty". bro cmon now. lol

[@kevinmanzo862]

Can i get it in a non gender neutral color lol damn

[@sneakerjoe23]

Yes…..specialized has a website…..with pictures

[@kevinmanzo862]

@@sneakerjoe23 ya but that bike comes in one awful color was my point. I have a specialized. Legit

[@bugsboo1490]

So now all mtbs have short stems?

[@SpencerBaum]

Have you been living under a rock for the past 10 years?