2012 S-Works Epic 29er

[A. Nony Moose]

They make a new clamp for their seatposts that's compatible with carbon rails. It's due to be stocked shortly.

[Enduro4710]

At our shop we found that our 2011 and 2012 S-Works Epic's (SRAM XX) brake sets were faulty. Had to get both brakes sent back under warranty and then two days later we had a customer walk in with his 2012 S-Works Epic complaining about the brakes rubbing badly!! Madness hahahaha

[GTR2ebike]

How were the new ones you guys got? Originally i found with mind if you turn the reach adjust to make the lever further it moves the pads in eventually.

[Enduro4710]

Originally Posted by GTR2ebike

How were the new ones you guys got? Originally i found with mind if you turn the reach adjust to make the lever further it moves the pads in eventually.

The new sets worked perfectly!! That is really strange though lol, reach adjustment shouldnt affect pad placement... How does your Epic run now mate?? Sorted out all its problems?? Haha

[cpritch07]

Pete, GTR:
Thanks for responses...

How are the stem and h-bar weight-wise?

I was considering swapping out the stem, post, bars for the Easton EC90 line. Thoughts?

[briscoelab]

Stock post is a tank. The stem is an F109 syntace, which is very nice... stiff and light (but, Specialized ships it with steel instead of the normal stock Ti bolts). The carbon bar is good in weight as well. If the bend suits you, I'd just keep it.

I'm going to be running a Syntace F109 stem (aftermarket since I just got the frameset), Syntace Vector carbon 12* bar, and either a Thomson Masterpiece or Syntace P6 hiflex carbon seat post.

[SworksDan]

Brisco,

What do you mean when you say the post is a tank, it's advertised as weighing 200g, do you have an actual weight?
I was thinking of using a Ritchey c260 stem, does anyone have any experience with it or have actual weights. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[GTR2ebike]

Originally Posted by SworksDan

Brisco,

What do you mean when you say the post is a tank, it's advertised as weighing 200g, do you have an actual weight?
I was thinking of using a Ritchey c260 stem, does anyone have any experience with it or have actual weights. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

270 grams for 400mm 215 is the 350mm version.

Syntace F109 (steel bolts)
110mm - 128 grams
100mm - 119 grams

I've got a c260 stem on mine, 108 grams for 100mm.

[briscoelab]

The post is very heavy, as GTR stated. The Ritchey stem is a good stem. Likely the same weight as the Syntace, but not as stiff.

[SworksDan]

Briscoe,GTR,

What did you guys end up with for final component spec's, and would you make any changes based on experiences?

[GTR2ebike]

Originally Posted by SworksDan

Briscoe,GTR,

What did you guys end up with for final component spec's, and would you make any changes based on experiences?

Mine was a complete bike, I didn't change any significant components. I would like to try the new XTR rear der with the clutch but I am holding off in hopes of 10 speed twisties being released within the next millennium

Changes
XO 24/38 rings, waiting on XX 24/38 from specialized (even though the ramps and pins are EXACTLY the same)
Thomson Post (might switch to a syntace hi flex, got one on my fatty and it's awesome)
Ritchey c260 stem
cut bars down 1cm on each side
Esi grips
Saddle
ti front skewer/syntace thru axle
Tires (tubeless) - I ran RoRo front Fast trak rear in the fall but going to try the stock tires in the spring and RoRo RaRa combo

[briscoelab]

Mine is sitting in a box at the bike shop, waiting on my to put it together this afternoon.

It will be built as follows:

XX shifter
XX rear Der
XX11-36 cassette
S-works cranks (single ring with a 34T Gamut ring)
E13 chain guide

R1 "super batman" all black brakes 160mm rotors front/rear

Syntace F109 stem
Syntace Vector Carbon 12* bar
ESI Chunky grips

Sella Italia SLR saddle with carbon rails
Still need a seat post (stock one sucks, but I will use it for now with a regular Ti railed SLR)

Roval wheels, racing ralphs once the season starts.... something more chunky for now. Probably an Ikon rear and Captain 2.2 front.

King Ti cage, Ti and aluminum bolts throughout.

[SworksDan]

Thanks...I'm on the fence on which way to go with components,,XTR or XX. You say you would consider the XTR Plus rear der. are you experiencing chain slap or dropped chains with the XX ?

I have a set of Magura MT8 brakes so I will be basing my component selection on drivetrain only.

My most recent drivetrain experience is 2008 XTR and 2010 XO, so I dont have any long term usage info that would help me make the decision.. Your thoughts?????

[Trond]

The syntace post has no setback, and specialized designs the bike with a 20mm setback in mind. Any thoughts on this?

[GTR2ebike]

Originally Posted by SworksDan

Thanks...I'm on the fence on which way to go with components,,XTR or XX. You say you would consider the XTR Plus rear der. are you experiencing chain slap or dropped chains with the XX ?

I have a set of Magura MT8 brakes so I will be basing my component selection on drivetrain only.

My most recent drivetrain experience is 2008 XTR and 2010 XO, so I dont have any long term usage info that would help me make the decision.. Your thoughts?????

No dropped chain or significant chain slap with the XX, I just like the idea behind it. Also someone with an XTR version said their chain isn't slack in small/small, never a bad thing.

Originally Posted by Trond

The syntace post has no setback, and specialized designs the bike with a 20mm setback in mind. Any thoughts on this?

Depends on where you want the saddle I'm fine with no setback. Also keep in mind on FS with sag the saddle nose is in a different spot in relation to the BB than if that same frame were static.

[briscoelab]

Specialized didn't really design it with a 20mm setback post in mind... they just put a 20mm post on there

I typically ride a no setback post, with the saddle centered in the rails (selle italia SLR) on a no setback post for my bikes that have a 73 deg STA.

So, on the epic I need my saddle about 1cm further back because of the steeper STA. I can get there easily on a syntace post (since it allows a fair bit of setback with it's cool clamp design), a thomson 15mm setback (with my saddle 5mm forward), or an Enve 0 offset (that is actually 5mm offset) with my saddle 5mm back.

As mentioned, the STA will get slacker when the rear end sags... but the fork will also sag, steepening the STA again. How much will depend on your setup. I've found it to be about a wash on a typical setup...

[briscoelab]

Threw it together today. 21.47lbs with pedals, bottle cage, real tires, and the terribly heavy specialized seat post. Swap to a Thomson or syntace post will happen soon, so I can run one of my carbon railed saddles. With a new seat post and my Eggbeater 11 pedals it will be under 21lbs... crazy.

Should have it's first ride in the dirt Saturday in Arkansas... can't wait to ride it!

Sorry for the crappy quick cell phone pic. Better to follow.

[cpritch07]

Is there a way to convert the EPIC 29 Roval front wheel to a thru axle? Mine came with this hokey looking silver quick release.....I would like to get a similar looking DT/Specialized (like the back wheel) handle for the front wheel. Thanks in advance....

[madskatingcow]

Yes, you can order the hub caps seperately. I got 15mm thru axl caps on my front Roval wheel to go with my Fox Terralogic.

[WR304]

Originally Posted by cpritch07

Is there a way to convert the EPIC 29 Roval front wheel to a thru axle? Mine came with this hokey looking silver quick release.....I would like to get a similar looking DT/Specialized (like the back wheel) handle for the front wheel. Thanks in advance....

You've got a few options.

You can get a seperate 5mm DT RWS front skewer that looks similar to the rear thru axle and works with the existing hub endcaps. That would be the easiest way to make them match.

DT Swiss - RWS MTB titan
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Edit: 06 February 2012 I decided the drilled 9mm endcaps would be too thin and unsafe to use in the end. All the weight of the rider would be supported on just a few mm of thin aluminium endcaps so there was a real danger of the holes ovalizing in use. If you want to do this it would probably be best to have a new set of endcaps made or reinforce the original ones.
-------------------------------------------
You can also get a seperate 9mm DT RWS thru bolt front skewer that looks similar to the rear thru axle and is a bit stiffer than a 5mm skewer. (9mm thru bolt is the size used for the front wheel and 10mm thru bolt would be for the rear wheel of a standard frame). In order to fit the 9mm thru bolt skewer you either need some new endcaps or to drill out the holes in your existing endcaps so that they're a 9mm diameter. That's the plan for my Roval Control 29 front wheel. The endcap skewer holes have to be drilled accurately so you'll need to use something like a pillar drill.

DT Swiss - RWS thru bolt

You might be able to get a 9mm DT RWS thru bolt front skewer that is identical in appearance to the rear thru axle. The 2012 Specialized Epic Comp 29er stock front wheel uses a 9mm DT RWS thru bolt skewer. Its handle looks just like the handle of the DT Swiss 142x12mm rear thru axle on Specialized bikes. If you can source one of those from Specialized it will make the skewer handle appearance match exactly.

There's also an aftermarket rear DT Swiss X-12 142x12mm rear skewer whose handle matches the aftermarket DT RWS front skewers. You could replace both the front and rear skewers with aftermarket models and then the handles would match.

DT Swiss - RWS X-12

If you want to fit a 15mm thru axle (an axle that threads into the frame or fork instead of a threaded nut) then you'll need new endcaps, along with either a complete new fork or a new set of 15mm axle compatible fork lowers. That's what tobyinsydney did. The 15mm Fox or Rock Shox thru axle handles look nothing like the rear X-12 skewer though.

2012 S-Works Epic 29er

Pictured below: Aftermarket DT RWS thru bolt handle is similar in appearance to the ones used on Specialized 142x12mm rear thru axles.

[cpritch07]

WR304 - Thanks for the detailed response.

I think I am leaning toward one of your first two options. I'd really like the identical match, so I'll be heading to the shop tomorrow to see what they can do/order.

Thanks again.

[ben91]

I cant believe how light these bikes are.

[GTR2ebike]

Nice Briscoe. I wonder how long until we see one that is sub 20

[tetonrolla]

Can anyone confirm whether 156Q Sram XX cranks are compatible with the S-Works Epic frame?

[torque29er]

Originally Posted by GTR2ebike

No dropped chain or significant chain slap with the XX, I just like the idea behind it. Also someone with an XTR version said their chain isn't slack in small/small, never a bad thing.


Depends on where you want the saddle I'm fine with no setback. Also keep in mind on FS with sag the saddle nose is in a different spot in relation to the BB than if that same frame were static.

I have the XTR shadow plus on a stumpy fsr 29er... 4 months already and over 212 hours on them already... local lbs just tuned them as per Shimano recommendations and shifts are even tighter than before... very secure feel and solid sounding shifts up or down and very quiet while riding... couldn't be happier... I had XX's before and have the same tight feel and sound but ZERO chain slap sound now... the clutch system on the XTR's work exactly as advertised... In my opinion you can't go wrong either way, I like the added benefit of the clutch system, other than that both systems are top notch...