Specialized Epic 8 EVO Test Ride & Review

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[mrvwbug]

That setup as it is sounds like a really fun setup for a super efficient pedalling trail machine. The slacker seat tube is nice for big pedal days, super steep seat tubes can be a bit much for big pedal days.

[KeoOutdoors]

I went with a Frame build also, loving mine over the last gen so far

[rob]

I owned the previous epic Evo for 3 years . Purchased the epic Evo 8, put flat xc bars on, cross country tyres and swapped shock setting to high . My initial impressions. Bike feels heavy and lethargic to rider inputs, especially taking into account rear chainstays 435mm, expected bike to feel more agile . Rear shock feels disconnected to a fantastic front fork . Rear end stiff versus expectations . Yes more planted than old Evo and more confidence inspiring……at expense of feel and fun though . I’ve now spent more time on my epic world cup which is so much more enjoyable to ride and gives me more smiles on trails .

[jeffsharp]

Thanks for the Lab Austere discount, just ordered one!

[panrama]

Running Ripley v4 with Bomber Air shock and SiD ultimate.
Some may categorize my bike as a trail bike...and they would be 💯 correct 😂
I really enjoy your bike reviews, Jason 👍

[starhead]

Love your reviews and videos!! Keep em coming!

[AOL]

I will say though, I agree with Jason that this new Fox Factory suspension like I have on my new 23’ Epic EVO Pro is really awesome. I did have to add more air in the fork and rear shock especially, as I bottomed the shock on s not so big jump a few days ago. That along with slowing down the rebound F/R by two clicks each, helped tremendously.

[RookYZRM]

I built my Epic 7 EVO on the racier side, stepcast 120 fork, XTR race brakes, and can’t say enough good things about it, definitely would use the word “sharp” over “nervous” to describe the handling though…as an XC race-ish bike it hits above its class on the descents.

[hammertime]

Dude your reviews are the best. Would love to hear thoughts on shorter cranks.

[AOL]

⁠
I’ve had the TB4 for 4 yrs now and love it. Agreed it’s not as efficient as some other DW Link bikes pedaling wise-but it’s not that far off. It is an awesome climber on my technical rock bed climbs here in NY and I’m not sure how one blogger here can say it’s not a good descender? It bombs down stuff on my trails! I just got a new 23’ Epic EVO Pro and while it’s more efficient on the climbs, it’s definitely just a tad squirrely on the descents. I think a rider’s interpretation of a bike is thoroughly dependent on where you live too and your local trails.
My impression of the previous gen Epic EVO vs. say a trail bike like my Tallboy 4 was that on fire road climbs it’s very efficient and lightweight, but on rock bed/rooty descents, you want a burlier bike like the Tallboy or say Pivot T429.

[scottsimmons]

I dont want to speak for you by any means, but on my new ZFS-5 I have the new fox Float shock and its unbelievably good. I came off a 429 with the old DPS and the new shock is amazing.

[Big-O]

Mann I’ve been watching your videos for a while, part of why I even started riding bikes. But you make me want a short travel 29er it’s so tempting to pull the trigger. Great reviews keep up the good work!

[Schnitzel-jo]

Thank you very much for this and many other bicycle presentations.
I'm currently wavering between an Epic 8 evo expert and a SC Tallboy from 2023/2024 (which you've already introduced). I would like to go on multi-day bike tours through alpine terrain, but also ride trails with coarse stones. 
Since I'm a little older😱😩😆, I expect the Tallboy to give me a little more safety reserves when riding downhill. With a heavy heart, I have already ruled out the Stumpjumper 15 (not a good seating position for me, too much of a downhill bike). What would you advise me to do if I also ride extensive uphills? Maybe other bikes as well.
I hope I was able to explain it clearly. 
Greetings from Northern Germany,  
Thomas

[Cartsp]

I’ve still never tried the Ibis Ripley 😂Man I’ve noticed SO many people talk about how amazing the Ripley is!😂 I need to try one but since I got the Orbea I feel like I’ve found my perfect bike 🙌🏼

[seandooley]

My concern is with the larger sizes like an XL the seat angle will push me too far over the rear of the bike. Since they don’t use size specific geometry I assume the ideal bike size is a Medium or Large where everything is balanced.

[sprungmass]

Thanks for the great review as usual. Like you mentioned, this is pretty much the current Stumpjumper with two water bottle mounts and less aggressive geo. Same frame weight too! I have the new Fox Float on my Stumpy and it is significantly better than the DPS. Just a baby Float X that suits the Stumpjumper so much more. I was surprised to see Specialized did not include that shock on the '24 stumpy models.

[mikes.]

The Epic 8 is so different than the Evo. For me personally the standard epic with higher rise bars would be where the money is. Those flat bars and long stem were the only thing holding it back.
Oh and good call on the big boy brakes! The sram levels that were in the epic I rode were garbage…

[TomCollins-ch]

What bike do you enjoy the most right now? Which one comes to mind first when you go riding?

[marksandoval]

With the Olympics coming up this summer, short travel XC/Downcountry bikes are popping up like daisies. The single pivot flex stay suspension seems to be the suspension of choice. XC bikes now have more travel with 120/120 becoming the norm. And, of course, longer and slacker is the norm which in my opinion, is a good thing. With this improved geometry, XC bikes have become more useful as lightweight Trail bikes.

The new Epic 8 Evo is definitely pushing into Stumpjumper territory. The Epic 8 Evo is now probably a better Trail bike than the current Stumpy; nearly as capable but much lighter. I expect the next Stumpy to return to the four bar Horst Link suspension and get a bump up in travel to 135/150. Or, they could just combine the Stumpy and Stumpy Evo into one bike and make 140/160 travel bike.

I just bought a 2023 110/120 travel Epic Evo Comp at 35% off. I mounted up a set of Pathfinder Pro 700x47 Gravel tires. Now, it is the perfect bike for pavement, gravel, and easy to intermediate singletrack. Even with the Gravel tires, it performs surprisingly well on singletrack while still rolling very fast on pavement. Turning an XC bike into a Gravelbike is my idea of Gravel grinding.

[XCRiders]

That SRAM transmission is a heavy component group.
good but heavy