2010 Specialized Epic 29
Bikers always have that next bike on their minds. What am I missing in my collection? What frame will be an upgrade to what I already have? What will carry me around the race course faster next season? For me, the wait is almost over. Specialized is about to launch their all-new 2010 Epic 29r. I cannot wait! I have already been teased having seen a few of these around my local bike shops as test models for store employees and supported pro riders. My Niner Air9 is an extremely efficient race bike for me but during long endurance 12 hour races the hard tail tends to beat me up a bit. My last lap at the 12 hours of Rim Nordic I changed bikes and went with the Evolve which did help the back pain I was having. However, the Ells isnt the most efficient climber in the world. Will the new Epic 29r be the perfect combination of both bikes for me? I will definitely be throwing a leg over one as soon as they hit stores… at least to try… Here is an image and some info I found.
Now I am going to have to stop at my LBS on my way home from the office to see if the bike they had there a week ago is still lurking about. Maybe I can get in a quick ride and snap a good pic for you all. Stay tuned.
PRIMARY BENEFITS
Low Weight – Every extra gram has been shaved from the Epic 29er’s overall weight thanks to an insane attention to detail. The Epic 29er’s 90-mm travel M5 aluminum frame has been designed from the ground up for performance without additional weight. Critical suspension components were integrated to the greatest extent possible and wheels and Specialized Fast Trak LK 29er tires were specifically developed to shave weight while enhancing control.
Maximum Efficiency – Thanks to the integration and refinement of the Epic 29er’sBrain damper and custom tuned forks,the Epic is the most efficient performance mountain bike available. The Brain damper can instantaneously transition from firm to fully active to match changes in the terrain.
M5 ALLOY CHASSIS
More refined than ever, the Epic 29er’sall-new M5 alloy frame combines high strength alloy with skillful engineering and state-of-the-art manufacturing to create category-leading weight and rigidity. The new Epic 29er features a geometry and tube set developed especially around the performance demands of a 29-inch wheel.
FSR SUSPENSION
Simply put, FSR is the most effective suspension system for enhancing comfort,control and efficiency in any riding situation or wheel size. Tuned just for our Epic 29er, FSR’s fully active design keeps the rear tire in contact with the terrain, resulting in dramatically increased traction and control. FSR is also fully independent, meaning suspension is unaffected by brake forces or chain torque. At the same time, perceivable pedal “kick back”and “drop away” are eliminated.
FLOW CONTROL MINI BRAIN
A revolutionary development in suspension technology made even better, this Epic 29er’ssmaller and lighter Flow Control Mini Brain allows the Epic’s rear shock to instantaneously transition between firm and fully active settings, enhancing both efficiency and control. The Mini Brain has a lighter spring that enhances small bump compliance, while its firm setting delivers maximum efficiency in smooth terrain— making it perfect for high performance riding and racing.
WHY IT’S GREAT
The all-new Epic 29er is the most efficient29-inch wheeled competitive XC bike available. By designing it from the ground-up,we were able to tune every performance element on the Epic 29er. An integrated approach to design, including a tuned rear shock with Brain technology, and heavily refined M5 aluminum chassis make the Epic29er more efficient, more comfortable and better handling than any other performance XC 29er on the market. The legendary Epic has always been the fastest bike from Point A to Point B, and now, it comes with all the benefits offered by a 29-inch platform.
Increased Control – With a completely custom geometry and tuned FSR suspension and tapered head tube the Epic 29er is the best handling performance cross-country 29er available. Thanks to the integrated development of the M5 chassis, suspension fork and rear shock with Brain Fade technology,the Epic 29er rails trails and race courses like nobody’s business.
Thanks to our Total Suspension Integration approach to design and development, the spring curve and damping rate of the Epic 29er’s AFR rear shock are tuned to match FSR linkage rate, maximizing bump force management by matching travel to bump magnitude so small impacts are supply absorbed, and big hits are handled with aplomb. Proper tuning of the linkage rate and rear shock were an essential part of delivering a 29-inch wheeled bike that climbs and accelerates as well as it descends and carries speed.
You can’t have a high-performance 29er without a purpose-built, high-performance suspension fork. We’ve teamed with Rock-Shox to develop the custom Reba S29 fork that offers unsurpassed steering precision,ultra low weight (it’s 100 grams lighter than even the lightest stock Reba) and our Reba features a custom Specialized carbon crown/steer combined that boosts stiffness and steering precision. When combined with the oversized end caps found on our Roval 29erwheels, it provides the lightest and stiffest performance 29er fork. Because it features up to 100mm of travel, the Specialized Reba fork gives the Epic enhanced descending capabilities, without sacrificing any handling or performance benefits
Tuned FSR: As with every FSR suspension bike we make, the Epic 29er’s FSR suspension has been tuned for maximum performance in the kinds of riding that 29er pilots seek. With15-plus years of tuning and tinkering we’re able to help 29er riders achieve the best possible riding experience by enhancing comfort, control and efficiency on any terrain. FSR’s amazing versatility gives Specialized engineers the freedom to perfect it for different rides, delivering a wider variety of purpose-specific performance than any other suspension system on the market.Because the Epic 29er’s FSR suspension is active and independent (the same as any other FSR-based bike), it is free to compress and rebound in an uninhibited manner–whether pedaling,coasting, or braking–and functions with no perceptible pedal “kick-back” or “drop-away.”This keeps the tires on the ground a greater percentage of the time, yielding more traction for increased control over speed and direction; more comfort by remaining compliant; and more efficiency because chain torque goes to moving you forward, not up and down.
