Epic Build

User avatar
Kalgrm
Super Mod
Super Mod
Posts: 9653
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 5:21 pm
Location: Success, WA
Contact:

Epic Build

Postby Kalgrm » Sun Nov 04, 2007 12:40 pm

Well, it seems showing the stages of a build is the "in thing" at the moment, and since I'm about to start the process, here's my new (to me) Specialized Epic frame as I bought it. (Note the obligatory garage door back-drop ....)

Image
Image


I'll be transfering most of parts from the my Giant XtC across (shown below), but I won't be needing the Thudbuster suspended seatpost any longer .....

Image

Cheers,
Graeme
Think outside the double triangle.
---------------------
Music was better when ugly people were allowed to make it ....

User avatar
Aushiker
Posts: 22392
Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2007 1:55 pm
Location: Walyalup land
Contact:

Postby Aushiker » Sun Nov 04, 2007 3:20 pm

G'day


Why don't you sell the XTC to me and use the money to buy the parts you need :lol:

Andrew

User avatar
toolonglegs
Posts: 15463
Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2007 7:49 pm
Location: Somewhere with padded walls and really big hills!

Postby toolonglegs » Sun Nov 04, 2007 3:22 pm

whats that above the headset on the xtc?

Deanj
Posts: 1698
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:03 pm
Location: Adelaide

Postby Deanj » Sun Nov 04, 2007 3:29 pm

Thats well nice! (jealous sulk :D ) How long before she rideable? Going to stick with the flat bars and bar ends or some downhill style?

alchemist
Posts: 822
Joined: Thu May 17, 2007 6:59 pm

Postby alchemist » Sun Nov 04, 2007 3:58 pm

kalgrm wrote:I won't be needing the Thudbuster suspended seatpost any longer .....
Ridden an Epic before? :wink:
toolonglegs wrote:whats that above the headset on the xtc?
Looks like a Hopey - http://www.hopey.org/

User avatar
Kalgrm
Super Mod
Super Mod
Posts: 9653
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 5:21 pm
Location: Success, WA
Contact:

Postby Kalgrm » Sun Nov 04, 2007 6:43 pm

Aushiker wrote:Why don't you sell the XTC to me and use the money to buy the parts you need :lol:
I'll swap you the XtC for the details of your credit card and I'll build it from there. Promise I'll only buy the bits I need .... :wink: I've spent a good amount on parts to upgrade the XtC (XTR RD, XT FD, etc.) so I'll keep them. I'd love a new set of forks too, but that's just going to have to wait.

TooLong, see this threadfor the gadgets I love .... ;)

Needsapush, I'm too old to take up DH riding! :) This is a XC frame, as is the XtC, and that's the type of riding I like. I love climbing more than decending, actually.

I'm expecting to be on it a few days after Tim Hopey sends me the replacement bracket for the damper. I'll see how desperate I get - I might end up taking the bracket from the XtC across with me, but I'm hoping I won't need to. In any case, I can't ride at the moment - buggered a muscle in my shoulder during the week and I'm laid up.

Alchemist, no I haven't ridden an Epic before, although I ride with a bloke who owns one. He loves it and punishes it quite severely. I know it's going to be less plush than (say) a Trance, but I'm used to a HT, and it can't be more harsh than ridding my beer-can bike. :shock:

Cheers,
Graeme

Cheers,
Graeme
Think outside the double triangle.
---------------------
Music was better when ugly people were allowed to make it ....

User avatar
europa
Posts: 7334
Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:51 am
Location: southern end of Adelaide - home of hills, fixies and drop bears

Postby europa » Sun Nov 04, 2007 7:44 pm

Kalgrm wrote:I'll swap you the XtC for the details of your credit card
DONE!

Wild looking bike there mate.

Richard

btw, it's a debit card and at the moment, it's suffering from Jamisitis :roll:
I had a good bike ... so I fixed it

User avatar
Mulger bill
Super Mod
Super Mod
Posts: 29060
Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
Location: Sunbury Vic

Postby Mulger bill » Sun Nov 04, 2007 10:39 pm

Gotta thing for black Graeme? :wink:

Gonna be a killer unit when she's done. :D

Shaun
...whatever the road rules, self-preservation is the absolute priority for a cyclist when mixing it with motorised traffic.
London Boy 29/12/2011

User avatar
Aushiker
Posts: 22392
Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2007 1:55 pm
Location: Walyalup land
Contact:

Postby Aushiker » Sun Nov 04, 2007 11:37 pm

Kalgrm wrote:
Aushiker wrote:Why don't you sell the XTC to me and use the money to buy the parts you need :lol:
I'll swap you the XtC for the details of your credit card and I'll build it from there.
Knowing the state of my cc at the moment, you got a deal :lol:

Andrew
Last edited by Aushiker on Mon Nov 19, 2007 3:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Birdman
Posts: 1704
Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:25 am
Location: Rutherford, Maitland, NSW....god's country

Postby Birdman » Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:53 am

My boss went out and bought an XtC1 the other day. I told him he needs a road bike (cause thats all he ever does), but he was adament on wasting his money ona beautiful piece of equipment (and some of the best gadgets to go with; sigma's and topeaks etc.) which he knows how not to ride, or where.

But if your componentry on your XtC is anything like his, your new frame build is going to finish in extraordinary style.

Mitch.
SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKYS. NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.

Until next time...

User avatar
craigjdurkee
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2006 4:20 pm

Postby craigjdurkee » Mon Nov 19, 2007 12:52 pm

very nice indeed

User avatar
Kalgrm
Super Mod
Super Mod
Posts: 9653
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 5:21 pm
Location: Success, WA
Contact:

Postby Kalgrm » Sat Nov 24, 2007 11:28 pm

Well, my bike is essentially finished. All the parts are now transferred across and all that remains to do is to tune the rear suspension (no idea where to start on this) and to swap the good MTB wheels off the recumbent to the Epic. That won't happen until I've built up the 700c wheelset for the 'bent, so in the meantime the Epic has the standard XtC wheels.

Photos will follow tomorrow.

Cheers,
Graeme
Think outside the double triangle.
---------------------
Music was better when ugly people were allowed to make it ....

User avatar
europa
Posts: 7334
Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:51 am
Location: southern end of Adelaide - home of hills, fixies and drop bears

Postby europa » Sun Nov 25, 2007 12:18 am

Kalgrm wrote:Well, my bike is essentially finished. All the parts are now transferred across and all that remains to do is to tune the rear suspension (no idea where to start on this) and to swap the good MTB wheels off the recumbent to the Epic. That won't happen until I've built up the 700c wheelset for the 'bent, so in the meantime the Epic has the standard XtC wheels.

Photos will follow tomorrow.

Cheers,
Graeme
It is obvious to a good friend that this task will create needless stress and confusion upon your good self. Therefore, in the interests of good friendship, I urge you to strip all the parts from the frame and send them through to me. Yes, I realise that attempting to fit them to my Trek520 frame will cause me intense grief and stress, but I'm used to it and it will allow my good friends on this forum to once again tell me I'm freaking nuts 8)

Richard
I had a good bike ... so I fixed it

User avatar
Mulger bill
Super Mod
Super Mod
Posts: 29060
Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
Location: Sunbury Vic

Postby Mulger bill » Sun Nov 25, 2007 9:19 pm

Where would you fit that rear shock on the Trek frame Richard? :shock:

Shaun :P
...whatever the road rules, self-preservation is the absolute priority for a cyclist when mixing it with motorised traffic.
London Boy 29/12/2011

User avatar
Bnej
Posts: 2880
Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:43 pm
Location: Katoomba, NSW

Postby Bnej » Sun Nov 25, 2007 9:36 pm

Mulger bill wrote:Where would you fit that rear shock on the Trek frame Richard? :shock:

Shaun :P
Take a hacksaw to the seat stays and make a soft tail?

User avatar
europa
Posts: 7334
Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:51 am
Location: southern end of Adelaide - home of hills, fixies and drop bears

Postby europa » Sun Nov 25, 2007 10:21 pm

Mulger bill wrote:Where would you fit that rear shock on the Trek frame Richard? :shock:

Shaun :P
I'd swap it down the local pub for a pint :D

Richard
I had a good bike ... so I fixed it

User avatar
Kalgrm
Super Mod
Super Mod
Posts: 9653
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 5:21 pm
Location: Success, WA
Contact:

Postby Kalgrm » Sun Nov 25, 2007 11:56 pm

As promised, here are the photos of the build.

First job - have the headset pressed into the frame and the crown race fitted to the fork. This is the job they did.

Image

Not bad, but when I picked it up I had to ask him to redo the bracket - he'd fitted it upside down. This, after being assured that the mechanic is one of the best in the state, and after getting it from his own mouth that he has fitted Hopey steering dampers before. $20 for the pressing and fitting the crown race on the fork.


Next, mount the frame on the workstand and start attaching all the goodies which came off the XtC. Note the high quality of the workstand and the excellent ventilation in the work area.

Image


Here's the drive train. The crankset is new ($100 from Chain Reaction) as are the gear cables and housing ($32, c r c). The grey housings are to accent the gun-metal grey hubs on my hand-built wheelset (not fitted yet) and the nice "bling" XTR RD. I've stayed on a monochromatic theme throughout - black/grey/white/silver on all parts. Yum!

Image


The view from the front. Enticing and enchanting enough to ensure a stunned look from the roos on the single track right up until they boing off the bars ....

Image


My only misgiving during the build has been this stress bend in the brake line. The Hayes HFX-9 brake callipers have the hydraulic line coming straight out and into the Brain canister. It's not good, and I need to find some sort of corner adaptor to provide a bend in the hose.

Image


And here - finally - is the money shot: makes me hot and sweaty just looking at it!

Image


All that remains for me to do is swap the current standard XtC3 wheelset out for the nice set I'm currently running on the recumbent. That's going to happen when I build up the Deep Vs for the 'bent.

Setting the sag on the bike was a saga, as noted in this thread. After doing a search, I found out the rear shock takes about 20 seconds to sag to normal ride height after climbing onto the bike. I put a cable tie on the stanchion, climbed onto the bike and sat quietly. At the recommended pressure (for my weight) of 105 psi, I achieved about 20% travel, so that's where I'm starting with this bike.

So, of course, I just had to take it for a quick fly down the road to the nearest bit of dirt. Inadequate as that was, I can see this bike being a dream to ride after all my previous HT MTB riding. This thing really does act like a HT until the rough stuff gives it a kick up the arse, after which it becomes a buttery smooth ride. Cool! Hammer as hard as you like without any bob, then soak up the bumps, all without flicking a switch!

Come Tuesday night, I'll be taking it out for a ride on the 12 hour course at Jarrahdale with some mates. Can't wait!

Cheers,
Graeme
Think outside the double triangle.
---------------------
Music was better when ugly people were allowed to make it ....

User avatar
europa
Posts: 7334
Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:51 am
Location: southern end of Adelaide - home of hills, fixies and drop bears

Postby europa » Mon Nov 26, 2007 12:41 am

Ahh, it even wears a Brooks :D

Looking good mate. $100 for the crankset, that's good value :wink:

These new suspension systems sound pretty good. They might change a few attitudes towards bouncy bits on bikes.

Richard
I too have used that model workshop stand :wink:
I had a good bike ... so I fixed it

User avatar
Kalgrm
Super Mod
Super Mod
Posts: 9653
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 5:21 pm
Location: Success, WA
Contact:

Postby Kalgrm » Mon Nov 26, 2007 12:56 am

I hate to break the news to you Richard, but this isn't a "new" suspension system any more. These came out in 2003, if I recall correctly. Some of the current stuff is simply amazing, but I can't afford that end of town. :( Current systems have some very clever linkage assemblies combined with platform shocks ("Pro-Pedal") and/or remote lockout in front and rear to provide curved travel paths, zero brake jack, reduced pedal input, virtual pivot points, etc., etc.

However, I'm quite happy with this one - it was way ahead of its time when it was released, and as you can see from needsapush's new bike, they have only tweaked the concept since then (better shock now than on mine). These Epics are designed to act like a HT until bumps are encountered. That's a style of ride that some racers really like - the ability to stack the power on without compressing the suspension is much sought after.

Cheers,
Graeme
Think outside the double triangle.
---------------------
Music was better when ugly people were allowed to make it ....

User avatar
Aushiker
Posts: 22392
Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2007 1:55 pm
Location: Walyalup land
Contact:

Postby Aushiker » Mon Nov 26, 2007 1:03 am

Kalgrm wrote:Not bad, but when I picked it up I had to ask him to redo the bracket - he'd fitted it upside down. This, after being assured that the mechanic is one of the best in the state, and after getting it from his own mouth that he has fitted Hopey steering dampers before.
Was this Fleet? 8)

Andrew

User avatar
Kalgrm
Super Mod
Super Mod
Posts: 9653
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 5:21 pm
Location: Success, WA
Contact:

Postby Kalgrm » Mon Nov 26, 2007 1:06 am

How did you guess? You must be psychic .... :shock:
Think outside the double triangle.
---------------------
Music was better when ugly people were allowed to make it ....

User avatar
toolonglegs
Posts: 15463
Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2007 7:49 pm
Location: Somewhere with padded walls and really big hills!

Postby toolonglegs » Mon Nov 26, 2007 6:43 am

Looks good :D ...be interested to hear what the rear suspension is like climbing,seated and standing.I must admit I hate even the slightest bit of bob.For one reason other than loosing power is that it does my lower back in.

User avatar
Kalgrm
Super Mod
Super Mod
Posts: 9653
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 5:21 pm
Location: Success, WA
Contact:

Postby Kalgrm » Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:00 am

I reckon Needsapush will be a better person to answer this particular question since he has the current model.

Having said that, the newer versions have modifications to the shock which will make it easier to induce bob, since they have the controls which set the threshold at which the shock "lets go" (Specialized call it Brain Fade).

In my very limited testing to date, I can't make it bob when the track has no bumps in it. I reckon you, on the other hand, could make it bob to the point of breaking! ;) Nah, the way they've designed this thing means it will not bob under any amount of power until the suspension becomes active (ie. when a bump forces the rear wheel up).

They've also installed the Brain on a backwards slope so that the steeper the climb, the bigger the bump must be before it overcomes the inertia of the brass piston within. It means on climbs, the shock is almost always locked out, while on descents it's almost always active. They are clever bastards at Specialized .....

(The Brain fade was introduced because riders wanted the ability to set the size of the bump which made the shock active when climbing a hill. Sometimes it's better to sit and spin, allowing the bike to absorb the bumps as you climb. Unfortunately, that means bob more often than not when the suspension is active.)

Cheers,
Graeme
Think outside the double triangle.
---------------------
Music was better when ugly people were allowed to make it ....

User avatar
europa
Posts: 7334
Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:51 am
Location: southern end of Adelaide - home of hills, fixies and drop bears

Postby europa » Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:55 am

she's certainly a wild looking bike.

When are you buying the CruzBike conversion kit? :twisted:

Richard
I had a good bike ... so I fixed it

Deanj
Posts: 1698
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:03 pm
Location: Adelaide

Postby Deanj » Mon Nov 26, 2007 8:37 pm

It looks great Graeme! Be interested to see how you find giving it a proper ride tomorrow. I've taken a photo of my rear caliper for you as its no better than yours so may make you feel a bit better??

Image

The cable then bends underneath the chain stay and continues under the frame all the way up to the headset.

Rode it to work for the first time today and I turned the brain up to the firmest setting. Only took it steady as legs were tired from yesterday but it was just like riding the usual hardtail to work, very stiff. On way home I went through the park and hit a few things to jump off and on landing suspension worked beautifully. If the Mrs gets back at a reasonable time tomorrow I'm heading up to the x country track so will give it a hard lap or two and see how it is on the climbs. The brain fade is a great idea but like TLL I don't want any bob so I'll probably be leaving it on the firmest setting, maybe a few clicks for the rougher tracks or if I fancy some time off work and decide to have a go on the downhill course :)

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users