![]() The main geometry figure I focused on when choosing the Epic Evo was the head tube angle. This small boost in travel takes the sting out of some harsher impacts but still provides the agile and efficient XC feel I’m looking for. Suspension travel is 110mm in the rear and 120mm up front compared to 100mm all around for the standard Epic. Best of all, the rear shock is way easier to service and/or replace in the future. I can leave the suspension fully open for trail riding but still lock it out for the occasional fire road climb. I prefer the Epic Evo because it uses a standard fork and shock. It makes a lot of sense for racers, but I’d describe myself as an XC rider who sometimes races. The Specialized Brain on the standard Epic locks out the suspension until a bump forces the Brain’s inertia valve to open. It’s not an ultra-light XC whippet, but considering the components I chose, it’s impressive. What does my bike weigh you ask? With my Crank Brothers Mallet E pedals, it tips the scales at 26 lbs 12 oz. This frame gave me the leeway to add more capable components without upsetting my fragile psyche. Ditching the Brain system actually sheds an additional 200 grams over the standard Epic. The Epic Evo was my top pick because it’s one of the lightest full-suspension frames on the market. But light bikes are a hard drug to kick, and the weight weenie trapped in the back of my mind is constantly screaming to get his fix. I tell myself over and over that bike weight doesn’t matter. The Specialized Epic Evo’s best features Frame Add in a dropper post, wide handlebars, and downhill-friendly wheels and tires, and I can attack descents with nearly the same enthusiasm as the climbs. It beefs up the standard Epic by removing the Brain system, increasing travel to 110mm in the rear and 120mm up front. The geometry is slack and stable. ![]() But when the trail turns downhill, I don’t want to hold back. An efficient and agile XC bike is faster and more fun. I like to pedal hard, attack climbs, and do epic all-day rides. So why did I pick a downcountry bike? I ride rough and technical trails here in the Colorado Front Range. At worst, we end up with sweet bikes like this, and that's not so bad, is it? Soon, downcountry might become the de facto name for 110-120mm bikes. But hey, 10 years ago everyone laughed at “enduro” and now it’s part of the mountain biking lexicon. Plenty of commenters complain that downcountry is a pointless industry buzzword. ![]() In plain terms, it’s a light and efficient XC bike that’s beefed up to make it a more capable descender. You may have heard the term “downcountry” bouncing around. Shop mountain bikes Why a downcountry bike? Maybe, this breakdown will help you make some clutch decisions when you’re picking your next mountain bike. Here’s why I decided to buy the Epic Evo and how I modified it to suit my riding needs. This got me thinking about what type of mountain bike I actually needed, and I came to the conclusion that a “downcountry” bike was the answer.Īfter searching for months, I ended up with a 2021 Specialized Epic Evo. To my surprise, I didn’t do too bad! Not only was I able to climb nearly as fast, but I had way more fun on the descents. After suffering through XC races on a sketchy hardtail, I raced a 130mm trail bike last year to switch it up.
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