Alright time for a quick review.
There isn't a lot to say about this bike, because it is just good at everything. It climbs faster than my last bike because the suspension is more efficient (about 4 minutes quicker on a 60 minute climb) and it descends faster than my last bike, especially on the steep stuff thanks to the slack head angle for a XC bike.
I think the Yeti SB suspension is nicer on the bumpy stuff, so if I was heading out for an all day ride with no time pressure, the Yeti is a delight to ride. The Yeti would also be my choice on a really technical climb as the traction the SB suspension generates is phenomenal. However, the cost is that it is less efficient, so the Epic EVO is easier/faster to ride.
The Epic EVO suspension is much simpler which I like. As much as I love my Yeti's, they are using an unnecessarily complicated suspension design. My inner engineer enjoys the reductionist design of the Epic EVO, it feels like the bike has been reduced to its simplest form.
Overall, this is a fabulous bike that I really enjoy riding, 9.5/10. It's just a shame it is a Specialized....
Issues since the build:
- Two broken front spokes under really heavy braking on firetrails, I've never broken front spokes before so I have no idea why this has happened.
- The dropper post seized after a wet winter, I bought the Transfer SL as I thought a dropper with a simple spring would be unbreakable, but it had to be sent away as it is not user serviceable without special tools....
- The front brake is leaking a bit of fluid at the lever. I presume this is user error as it was my first go setting up brakes from scratch. So far it hasn't effected performance but I'm losing oil from the system.
- The vinyl decals eventually started peeling so I'm back in stealth mode.
- My previous issues with the Shimano pedals were fixed with some new shoes.
Here is a photo in its current form. Including the fork adapter for a child seat for fully sick skidz with the little one.
So I guess it's time to open this box.