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    First Look: 2011 Specialized S-Works Epic 29er

    Jason MitchellBy 4 Comments1 Min Read

    For 2011, Specialized is hitting the 29er market hard. A full range of 29ers will be unveiled with the creme-de-la-creme S-Works Epic 29er representing the new benchmark in big-hooped XC land. With Specialized riders atop World Cup podiums on 29ers, it’s only natural that they would wish to lead the category in weight and performance. With it’s entirely-new FACT carbon layup, the frame is stiffer and sexier to boot. While you’ll certainly pay a premium for this new wonderbike, it has all the makings of becoming the ultimate benchmark.

    Look out Trek/Fisher Superfly, there’s a new 29er XC racer coming your way for 2011 — the S-Works Epic 29er. Here are a few specs:

    • Fox Mini Brain rear shock
    • New 142×12 thru-axle frame/rear hub
    • Full 2×10 drivetrain with SRAM XX
    • S-Works carbon 2×10 cranks
    • Tapered head tube
    • Custom RockShox Reba fork with Brain technology
    • All-new Roval carbon fiber wheels (these look awesome!)
    • At 21.27 lbs, it’s the lightest full-suspension 29er on the market
    • MSRP: $9400

    More details will surface as the 2011 products come online, but this bike is certainly drool-worthy!

    More Info: Visit Specialized.com

    A native of the Pacific Northwest, Jason quickly developed a love for the outdoors and a thing for mountains. That infatuation continues as he founded this site in 1999 -- sharing his love of road biking, mountain biking, trail running and skiing. With extreme attention to detail, he has been a technical product manager for top 10 web properties, eCommerce businesses and SaaS companies for 20+ years. The combination of outdoor experience and technical savvy gives him a unique perspective that is channeled into every gear review. Utah's Wasatch Mountains are his playground. He rigorously tests every product and usually uses them beyond their intended purpose -- just for the sake of testing. (Note: Jason receives sample products in exchange for authentic reviews. He is not paid, nor influenced to share anything other than his honest opinions.)

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    4 Comments

    2. Eric on

      OK – I need some help.

      I recently purchased a 2010 Stumpjumper FSR 29er Expert. The original owner was a team racer (or so he claimed) and had done some modifications to the bike that I’m trying to decide whether or not to keep:

      – He replaced the 120mm travel 2010 Fox fork with a 100mm RockShox Reba fork (stock for the 2011 Epic)
      – He replaced the 2010 stock rims (dt swiss 520SL) with the 2011 stock rims for the epic (dt swiss 450SL)
      – The rear hub was replaced with a Stans 355 (really loud bugger, I might add)

      All these new components are essentially brand-new. I’m assuming he did it for better racing performance and lighter weight, but I’m worried about the durability for the 450SL rims with a bigger bike (and I weigh 185). Also, I’m might actually prefer the 100mm fork (I’m coming from a 90mm hardtail), but I’m worried about how it will mess up the geometry (BB height) and overall ride.

      These components are all new enough that I could probably hock them on CL or ebay for a decent price – before I go tear them up. I mainly ride at South Mountain, Hawes, and occasionally McDowell Park. It’s a pretty wide range of riding, but there’s enough rocks and drops to warrant me getting into a FS.

      Also, I need to replace the chainring, but have found advice online to be confusing. It looks like the crankset is a custom variation of the Shimano XT 760.

      Thanks for any help…

      Reply
      • Jason Mitchell on

        Eric. Wow, that is a long story. Now I see why you wanted to explain things in more detail. The FSR version of this bike is built around a 120mm fork and may just perform better as a trailbike with a 120mm fork. It’s hard for me to say definitively, but my hunch would be that it would have a more natural riding position at 120mm.

        The Reba you have can be adjusted to 120mm with simple spacers. Your bike shop can help you out there and it would not cost much at all. I’d recommend doing that if you’re concerned about the reduced travel. It is fairly easy to do that travel swap–my local shop has done that for me several times.

        On the wheels, the Specialized rear hub spacing is 142mm, which isn’t compatible with many other frames at this time. You’d be limited to selling them to someone who has a Specialized 29er. I think you’d just be best sticking with what you’ve got.

        And, regarding the chainring, it should be a standard 4-bolt design. Just go with Shimano LX or XT 4-bolt chainrings. I just found some at JensonUSA.com and other places quite easily… eBay too. Just make sure you get a Mega9 one and NOT Dyna-Sys, since they are not compatible.

        This is pretty much the bike we’re talking about, right? Nice ride!

        http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?arc=2010&spid=45839

        Reply
    3. Eric on

      Jason –

      Thanks so much for the replying – by the way, it didn’t notify me by email.

      That’s great news about the front fork being adjustable. One LBS quoted $165 and one quoted $65 for adding spacers – any idea why the big range?

      Thanks again for the help – yeah, the link you posted is the same bike. I’m pretty excited for it.

      Did you ride much down here? If so, where? And what did you think of our desert riding??

      Reply
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