1/29/2024 0 Comments Radical race gear![]() The Epic uses a more familiar layout-with a mini-link hiding inside the top tube, just in front of the seat tube-driving a more conventional shock.īefore setting off on my first ride on the new Epic WC, Peter Denk (one of Specialized’s lead engineers for the project) told me, “To start, you should approach this bike like you would a hardtail. Trek’s design uses a single pivot at the bottom bracket with the strut and frame flex giving 60mm of rear wheel travel. With the shock removed, you can see the very small link that drives it. But while the two bikes resemble one another, that is pretty much where the similarities end, as both bikes function very differently. Since Specialized intends the Epic WC to be ridden with little or no shock sag, the design has similar effective-rear wheel travel as most competitors’ 100mm bikes.Īdmittedly, when I first saw the new Epic, I initially thought, "Specialized made a Trek." Certainly, the team behind the bike is well aware of the visual similarities between the new Epic and the Trek Supercaliber. However, instead of 100mm of travel (as on the previous generation Epic), the new suspension design provides 75mm of rear wheel travel. Ferro described the system as "Brain 2.0". Chance Ferro, head of the ride dynamics team at Specialized, worked with RockShox to design the new shock. The design allows riders to adjust the force required to activate the suspension. First, Specialized abandoned its Brain system for a new adjustable negative air chamber rear shock. The rear shock is where things take a different turn. The fork features an updated damper, and the travel bumps up by 10mm (for 110mm of front wheel travel). This custom-for-Specialized fork uses an inertia-driven valve design to open up the suspension when the trail is rough and close it when conditions are smooth. ![]() For the front suspension, the Specialized Brain-equipped RockShox Sid Ultimate fork carries forward from previous versions of the Epic. But philosophically, the bike continues down the same path of active suspension when it's needed and a rigid pedaling platform when it's not, and all accomplished without using a lockout lever. The new Epic is a radical departure from its previous iteration. Hardtail fans still have some options within the Specialized portfolio, but riders looking for the fastest XC race bike should have the Epic WC near the top of their list. Specialized believes so strongly in the abilities of the Epic full suspension platform that the brand eliminated S-Works and Pro carbon hardtail from its 2024 product line. From choosing raw materials to the manufacturing process and product end life cycle, we take a planet-first approach in our philosophy to ride clean and reduce our footprint.First introduced in 2004, Specialized’s new Epic World Cup full suspension platform strives to make hardtails obsolete for cross country racers. That’s why our Australian cycling apparel comes with a Crash Replacement guarantee, for a 40% discount on a replacement kit if your gear gets damaged (conditions apply). > Upgrade your ride with MAAP The world is our playground and accidents happen. Demand more from your MAAP cycling kit in the Australian winter, with a wide range of cycle accessories including warmers and cycling gloves. When the temperature takes a dive, we still don’t surrender. Shop cycling bib shorts and bib tights for men, and women’s cycling bib shorts and women’s bib tights for the kick-start your adventure needs. With every season, we introduce something fresh to sit alongside our constantly evolving fundamentals, to strike the balance between performance, style, durability and fit. Apparel crafted by immersing ourselves in the cycling community and responding to its every need. Australian roads aren’t for the mild, so you deserve apparel that can keep up. Set your foundations with cycling base layers, cycling jackets, men’s jerseys and women’s jerseys. ![]() Whether you’re off road, or on the path less travelled, MAAP cycling kit performs when you take a turn off the ordinary and onto the unexpected. We exist to propel cycling forward with Australian cycling apparel that was born in Melbourne but has travelled to destinations the planet over. Shift into gear with the on-bike man and on-bike woman collections. It’s about finding that singular moment when it’s you and the bike, when your obsession with the sport makes perfect sense. ![]() When every technical detail works together to push you forward. MAAP gear comes into its own when the elements are against you. It’s conquering it all in high-performance cycling clothing designed for Australia’s Cycling Clothing It’s the no-compromise approach for us, whether on the city commute or the tough climbs.
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