IS it a RACE Bike? 2025 Specialized EPIC 8 Quick Check, SRAM AXS S1000 T-Type

[@COOLBIKEyt]

I was considering this Epic, but Specialized released new Chisel FS frame only, and I finally bought it instead. Bike cost me as much as the cheapest Epic on sale now. But I have all my favourite parts, and I didn't have to bother with selling the stock ones. The only thing I would like to have, is SWAT storage compartment ;/.

[@LoveMTB]

That is a cool bike, pretty much the geo of the previous EPIC Evo

[@roger6481]

Nice review! Thanks for all the covered points and comments. I was expecting a lengthier bike for this price, but with 120 mm of suspension and dropout is not to bad.

[@LoveMTB]

Should be as capable as the outgoing model with SWAT storage and better cable routing (for non S-works models).

[@Jacob99174]

Excellent walk through, great detail. Thanks!

[@uberamd]

One of my favorite bikes to ride around the flat part of the US. Plenty of travel for most of the trails and super efficient to pedal.

[@LoveMTB]

I'm with you on that. DO you have the new EPIC 8?

[@Drogos79]

efficient to pedal when locked you mean?! Is it really naturally efficient and pedal bob resistant design or is it just light ...and has lock out? Not trying to be smart, genuinely curious

[@sheen675]

Been considering Epic. I have chosen Yeti ASR as my next build next year.

[@LoveMTB]

That's an awesome bike! Why Yeti? No SI on the ASR so very similar to the Epic?

[@sheen675]

@@LoveMTB What is SI? 😃Firstly I can buy a frame only. This is not possible with Specialized, only Sworks frame for Epic 8. I got also discount on the frame only. Specialized is also mass brand, many ppl have them. I wanted to have something rare. And from reviews I can see it is great bike. I've also tested ASR on the XC course, it is rly great machine :)

[@suspicioustumbleweed4760]

Paint is so clean. Great bikes

[@LoveMTB]

It does look sharp for sure

[@FantaFusionn]

I got this epic, due to it being SO upgradable and having basically a gx transmission, and luckily the s1000 drivetrain is upgradable with gx parts, the suspension is great, brakes are nice, but the stock pads gotta go, wheels, for the price im not too dissapointed, they are light enough and will get me by until i switch to carbon, already got rid of the dropper which is the first place you save weight, enve carbon bars were instant along with esi grips, with that i got it down to 24 pounds with pedals, after having it for a month i have raced it twice after coming off my canyon exceed cf5 i can confidently say it made me WAY faster. Those were all the pros for me, a couple of cons are the HG freebody, another are the stock pads, after 150 miles they are constantly screaming and have lost a good bit of wear and power i feel like, so those pads gotta go in the trash. Other than those two things this bike is amazing.

[@LoveMTB]

Sounds like you're enjoying the bike! What did you upgrade to for the brake pads?

[@FantaFusionn]

@@LoveMTB Update, after 300 miles, the bottom bracket has already started creaking.

[@teecee4459]

I really like the look of the Chisel hardtail. However, I went with an Orbea Alma H30 instead as the geometry is virtually identical and I was able to get it for $700. Just trying to make a fast rolling mountain bike that rides more like a road bike and great on paved flats and hills, but can still do light trails. Hopefully I can modify the wheelset and drivetrain and won't care about fork or dropper.

[@LoveMTB]

Let us know how your project turns out! Can't go wrong with the Orbea

[@teecee4459]

@@LoveMTB already running into an issue it looks like! I wanted to get OneUp hubs, but just now seeing that OneUp hubs require OneUp axle, and my frame axle specs fall outside of what OneUp makes, so I'll be forced to go with DT Swiss instead 😭

[@chinabicycle]

Nice bike

[@FBL_MTB]

correction: previous gen epic evo was specced with a shorter stroke shock, at 40mm, officially getting 110mm travel (though some reviewers measured a bit less than this). having said this, owners have been known to put a 45mm stroke shock on it, though this setup would be best suited to the high setting (in low, a large rear tyre could hit the seat tube).

[@LoveMTB]

I believe you’re talking about the Epic before the 2 models that I have in this video😉

[@FBL_MTB]

No I am talking about the epic Evo in your video. It comes with a 190 x 40 shock

[@LoveMTB]

@@FBL_MTB Is it? It's a 120mm rear only, no more options to change etc like the previous model. From the specs - RockShox SIDLuxe Select+, Ride Dynamics developed 3 position, TwistLoc remote adjust, Solo Air, 190x45mm

[@FBL_MTB]

I am referring to the previous gen 2021-2023 epic Evo, which you mention is the "previous model" "old frame" in your video. It is supplied with a 190x40 shock, stated by specialized to have 110mm travel. Only the new epic 8 has 120mm rear travel with 45mm stroke shock.

[@LoveMTB]

@@FBL_MTB Old EPIC could use 40 or 45 mm stroke, we have it with 45 for 115mm rear travel.

[@Wes-o9t]

Almost got the last Epic Evo last year, ended up getting a Giant Trance Advanced for a little more comfort. I wonder how the new Epic rides. If its smooth and not harsh.

[@LoveMTB]

The Trance is a great bike, I do think they softened up the new Epic a bit.

[@Wes-o9t]

@@LoveMTB Thanks that new Epic is a beauty!

[@bitumen83]

Good bike in terms of geo. How wide tire you can put on the back?

[@LoveMTB]

2.4 fits easily

[@bitumen83]

​@@LoveMTBthanks

[@TheBIKEDEALZ]

How would you compare it to the Tallboy? It seems very close (leave aside the handlebars..)

[@LoveMTB]

Actually not even close. This is a lightweight bike and it shows, they raced it XCO at the world cup level. But it does not feel as solid as the Tallboy which feels like a bigger bike. The Epic could provide a better pedaling platform though if that's what you're after.

[@TheBIKEDEALZ]

@ well, the intention is of course different, however the figures are very close. Thanks for the inputs, mate.

[@fair2middling]

170mm cranks on a small 🙄If it did have shorter cranks, to maintain the gearing it'd need a smaller chainring, but the chain stay doesn't look like its been design for that clearance. I have a 30t on my previous gen evo, the chain sits on and has worn into the chainstay protector. Hopefully it hasn't cost me money through extra chain wear

[@timnoonan2786]

Hey there, thanks so much for your channel! Can I run my 8100 crankset on my new epic 8 with my absolute black 32t chainring which has a 3mm offset on my epic 8? It looks to just barely clear the frame with no spacers. Or do I need to definitely change to 8120? Thanks so much! Tim

[@LoveMTB]

Thanks! When you say barely clears the frame…how much space between chainrings and chainstay?

[@timnoonan2786]

@@LoveMTB sorry there is a spacer on the drive side and maybe a mm or just under? thanks

[@LoveMTB]

@@timnoonan2786 I wouldn’t run it that close any debris picked up will scratch/ damage the frame

[@timnoonan2786]

@@LoveMTB thank you so! So I should get a 8120 crank then?

[@LoveMTB]

@@timnoonan2786 I would...

[@OSR_1]

They're a nice bike. I just don't see enough to make me upgrade from my last gen epic evo. I've tricked that out so much and it's 10kg in XL - the thing is a rocket.

[@LoveMTB]

Yeah that's the one we have not enough incentive to upgrade or consider changing. Unless my son keeps growing in which case...🙂

[@OSR_1]

@@LoveMTB ah yeah I agree in that scenario for sure. If having to change bikes or coming into the sport, the upgrades seem worthwhile 🤘🏽

[@LoveMTB]

@@OSR_1 I will find out in Spring for now stretching it with a longer stem.

[@lukas-a9234]

how does that fast trak renegade compare to your pirellis?

[@LoveMTB]

I have very limited run on that tire and not on my bike for a proper back-to-back. It is fast for sure, but for overall grip and cornering gripo in various conditions I would still go for the Pirellis 10 times out of 10

[@sselh]

T5 renegades get useless the moment it gets a tiny bit damp. Very fast when its dry though.

[@LoveMTB]

@@sselh yeah kind of my point. Pirelli are way more versatile that way

[@IIISentorIII]

I use those Fast Traks on my Stumpy T7 and T5. Honestly, they are amazing and cost half the price of other tires. You can get them sometimes for 25 bucks. You can use them all year long, in wet or muddy conditions. If you run a higher tire pressure, they run as fast as Renegades. Those are also great on the road. For pure XC Racing, the Pirellis are better hands down. They are grippier, and you are more glued down to the ground on wood, grass, and rocky courses. But still, the Fast Traks are really good and the best bang for the buck. The Renegades are basically giant gravel tires. Cheers from Switzerland

[@bellarogers7202]

What Pirelli are you running?

[@newttella1043]

I wonder when sized small bikes wil start coming with shorter cranks? The S2 should have 165s and S1 should have 160s or even 155s.

[@LoveMTB]

That is a good point!

[@henrythefifth9993]

Is there any reason why you choose the size small?

[@LoveMTB]

@@henrythefifth9993 ir is not my bike so it’s just what I could get my hands on

[@TC-hl1ws]

Actual bare frame weight is always so hard to find. The manufacture always lies about this weight, by not including the shock, weighing their xs frame or just giving a false number.

[@LoveMTB]

In my review of the Epic EVO I stripped it to the frame. This is supposed to be lighter.

[@TC-hl1ws]

@@LoveMTB I'll check it out. Thank you.

[@rem1762]

Posting the price of the bike would be cool.

[@LoveMTB]

@@rem1762 I almost always stay away from that. It’s common knowledge and varies from region to region so yeah, not posting it for that reason. Viewers for my channel are from all over the world 😎

[@rem1762]

@@LoveMTB Good point. Thanks for the reply.

[@Lenser]

Do they ride very differently?

[@LoveMTB]

Hard to tell did not ride this on the favorite trails...

[@Therealxiu]

It's so good but heavy

[@LoveMTB]

Standard config that is...

[@nick_7744]

What is the weight??

[@LoveMTB]

@@nick_7744 it’s in the video…

[@virag1132]

big dumb holes in the downtube is a bad idea on a plastic frames

[@davidcarino6500]

With pedals 28 lbs for $7,000 🤔

[@LoveMTB]

I hear you 😎

[@burningatthetrailhead]

Any bike is a race bike if you race it is my opinion.

[@LoveMTB]

You have a point..

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

I raced DH on a trail bike, not that I would recommend if you like your bike 😅

[@burningatthetrailhead]

@@LaurentiusTriarius facts are facts tho

[@IIISentorIII]

🙈

[@epd1584]

5 grand plus tax for almost 28lb "race bike" after you add pedals and bottle cages is nuts, WAY too heavy for racing. My 2022 stumpjumper with carbon wheels is lighter than this seriously.

[@LoveMTB]

Yeah I'm not sure where they got the "race bike" from either😊

[@rafeescuadra2970]

First 🤣

[@LoveMTB]

Welcome!🤣

[@MichalSzul]

I do not like those presentations without any insight how it rides, what you liked and disliked.

[@LoveMTB]

Fair point. It’s a quick bike check showing you folks what is new on Epic 8. As for my opinion on how it rides… this is a showroom bike , can’t take it to the trails. Plus it’s not my size. My opinion - video is sprinkled with it, you can get it from the questions I ask etc. But again fair point, I’ll make it louder 😎