The Specialized Epic Evo is a super lightweight, 120mm full-suspension bike designed to go fast while still being capable of handling anything you throw at it. If I were to choose just one mountain bike, this might be it, which is pretty crazy considering the bike has only 120mm of travel.
Disclaimer: I received these Epic Evos as an Ambassador for a Specialized in 2020-2023. So feel free to take what I say with a grain of salt, but this is my honest opinion and nothing else.
Growing up riding BMX, I find that the Epic Evo is the first bike to truly take me back to those days of jumping off curbs and building jumps in the local canyon. This bike is incredibly light and nimble; it feels as though you can lift it over obstacles and maneuver it with ease, unlike any other mountain bike I’ve ridden.
Another aspect of this bike that I really love is the sheer joy of pedaling it. It’s a mountain bike that inspires you to explore and venture further. As a huge fan of backcountry mountain biking, having a bike that is both lightweight and capable like the Epic Evo has been a game-changer.
Setup: I have experimented with a variety of setups on the Epic Evo. A stiff suspension makes the bike feel like a rocket ship, perfect for racing on short tracks or loading it up with your favorite bikepacking gear. However, it was when I softened the suspension that I truly saw the bike come alive. With this adjustment, you can ride fast, and the bike fully utilizes all 120mm of its suspension.
The bike also comes with a flip chip that allows you to reduce the Epic EVO’s headtube angle by half a degree while lowering the bottom bracket height by 10 millimeters. This is how I run mine, long and low!
Tire Selection: Tires make a massive difference on this bike. I ran a 2.6 Butcher in the front and a 2.4 Ground Control in the rear forever. It’s one of my favorite tire combos as the front is a monster truck with tons of grip while the rear is fast rolling and keeps the bike moving! Last year I decided to try a true XC set up and picked up some 2.4 Maxxis Aspens. These are the tires that World Champion Nino Schurter uses, so you know they’re going to be fast! I was blown away at how they transformed the bike. I mean everyone told me that fast tires made a huge difference but I had no idea!
Pros
- Super light, super fast, and super playful
- Bike can be adjusted to lots of terrain
- Can take two water bottles for those backcountry missions
- Bike rewards those with exceptional skills
Cons
- Bike require some finesse if you plan to take it on technical terrain
- 120mm of suspension may not be enough for most people
If you have any other questions about the Epic Evo feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @brokenandcoastal
Check out the Maxxis Aspens through my affiliate link here.
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