Just a quick question for anyone out there that had problems with rear suspension failures on the 2008 specialized shock. I was wondering if you had one fail or even more what was the eventual outcome? I have had 2 fail after only buying the bike 6 months ago (got a great price on an old bike in stock) the second unit lasted 4 20km rides and that was it now im waiting on my 3rd. They have great service but im not into having a rear suspension set up that keeps failing so I was wondering how others went, do you still have the bike and ended up with a unit that worked or have you sold it?
Specialized 2008 Brains
- Thread starter Jed21
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spikenet
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I've got 2 mates with 2008 epic's and neither of them have had "brain" issues. They are what I'd call lightweights at about 70kg's. Only issues they have had is with the rear wheel, broken spokes and going out of true.
My 09 stumpy had some problems with the brain in both the fork and shock, got them replaced and 2000k's with no issues..
I guess the great thing is the warranty!
Its interesting all the 2010 models now use FOX. Sounds like specialized gave up in the end! Sad really as it was great to see a manufacturer have a go at building suspension.
My 09 stumpy had some problems with the brain in both the fork and shock, got them replaced and 2000k's with no issues..
I guess the great thing is the warranty!
Its interesting all the 2010 models now use FOX. Sounds like specialized gave up in the end! Sad really as it was great to see a manufacturer have a go at building suspension.
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fergo
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The Specialized shock is a custom by Fox for Specialised. Its in the Fox RP23 09 manual! Its a RP23 with a third option to lockout. The propedal and open options are the same.
rocketman87
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i went through 5 brains on my epic, i found they failed mostly on flat road rides whilst training on slicks overseas. The specialized rep was initially accommodating and replaced them (though with a downtime of 2 weeks) but eventually blamed me for the repeated failure of a shitty system and refused to honour the warranty. I weigh 55kg and only race XC/enduro and have other bikes if i want to have some fun and go hucking.
As a response I sold the bike after finally getting the shock replaced (by demanding and whinging) and would never, ever recommend a specialized bike to anyone. To hell with their shitty bikes.
As a response I sold the bike after finally getting the shock replaced (by demanding and whinging) and would never, ever recommend a specialized bike to anyone. To hell with their shitty bikes.
fezi
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Whilst I understand your feelings. Its the fact that specialized attempted to do suspension development in house. I had an original brain on my epic (fox built) and it was fine. "Upgraded" to the specialized brain and had similar issues as yourself and then sold the bike. Specialized have now gone to fox again to build there "brain" shocks and by all accounts have kicked a goal finally Would I buy specialized again? Probably but certainly not if the bike had specialized built suspension on it.
rocketman87
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Agreed on the suspension development front. I guess Im reacting more out of spite for the poor customer service I received which to be honest is no fault of the company as a whole, just one person. Still wouldnt buy another one though 
Thanks for the info guys, I cant for the likes of me understand why they replace the shock with the same unit when they know there is an issue. I will try some other things mentioned but if I dont get a decent outcome I will be trying another brand of bike. I love the way the bike rides when its working and would love to keep riding Specialized but if it comes to selling I will do over a thousand on a change over and due to a know design fault and after only 6 months so I would say it will leave a bad taste. Anyhow before I complain to much I will pursue for now and see what happens.
Marx
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Alternatives to Spesh's Brain rear shocks
Unfortunately I still have a Epic (2006mod) which has a deteriorating rear shock.
With all the history of Epic rear shock issues, is there an option for me to replace the Specialized branded rear shock with the brain for a another , more conventional rear shock (with regular lockout)?
Or is the ratio funny on earlier Epic rear suspension designs & nothing else will suit?
Unfortunately I still have a Epic (2006mod) which has a deteriorating rear shock.
With all the history of Epic rear shock issues, is there an option for me to replace the Specialized branded rear shock with the brain for a another , more conventional rear shock (with regular lockout)?
Or is the ratio funny on earlier Epic rear suspension designs & nothing else will suit?
Flying haggis
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I'd suggest trying to get hold of a 2007 shock/brain, I believe it should fit on the 2006 frame and would be a Fox unit not a Specialized version.
I have a 2008 S Works Epic bought 2nd hand that felt OK on big bumps but made a horrible rattley noise on small bumps. I didn't know if that was what it was supposed to feel like, this being my first dually. Got it serviced at diymtb.com.au and now it feels awesome - smooth and plush and nothing like before. Well worth it - its like a different bike!
My question is, how do you know when a shock has "failed" and when it is just in need of a service? I'm not trying to be smart and suggest you should have just serviced it - I actually don't know the answer and would like to. Specialized recommends servicing them pretty often and I'm guessing not many people would go anywhere near actually keeping up with the service schedule. My unit had air in the oil chamber and oil in the air chamber but now runs like new. When you say the unit "failed", which parts broke?
My question is, how do you know when a shock has "failed" and when it is just in need of a service? I'm not trying to be smart and suggest you should have just serviced it - I actually don't know the answer and would like to. Specialized recommends servicing them pretty often and I'm guessing not many people would go anywhere near actually keeping up with the service schedule. My unit had air in the oil chamber and oil in the air chamber but now runs like new. When you say the unit "failed", which parts broke?
Marx
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For my 2006 Epic, it's the oil seal at the moment leaking a msall amount of oil, & generally having to check/top up the air pressure if the bike is left sitting for a while.
If this is what owning a dually in 2010 is about, then I'll be off back to hardtails.
offthepace
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Main problems were oil leaking or the 'brain' not working (pushing down on the saddle, with the brain on firm, and getting travel).
Yeah the second is what has happened to mine, with the shock set all the way firm it should be solid and only move when you hit a bump. The first one that died had a heap of sag before it went solid but still worked OK, the second shock as soon as it was fitted I could notice a massive difference and it felt great until I was riding along thinking "is my seat pole slipping" as the bike was feeling a little uncomfortable and then while on a ride we stopped and as I got off the seat I felt the suspension pop back up and the realized as I sit on the bike the suspension is just slowly sagging down until basically the air pressure stops it. Lock out or the "brain" action doesnt work at all anymore. Either way major pain in the but, I dont think a service would help as the sock was fitted 5 days and about 80km's before this happened lol. The thing that really pisses me off is I have races I want to enter and I have been out of action for some time now due to bike issues on a 6 month old bike, very impressed
The first shock I had on my 07 S-works Epic wouldn't hold pressure, and the replacement which i got did the same thing just after 2 rides.
The 3rd replace brain i got now works like a charm after 4 months of riding.
Interestingly the first two shock i had which failed, the top of the brain unit looked like this:
My 3rd replacement brain which holds air properly has a distinct bulge on the top of the brain unit:
Hope this helps to identify the right brain to replace yours with.
The 3rd replace brain i got now works like a charm after 4 months of riding.
Interestingly the first two shock i had which failed, the top of the brain unit looked like this:
My 3rd replacement brain which holds air properly has a distinct bulge on the top of the brain unit:
Hope this helps to identify the right brain to replace yours with.
offthepace
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I believe in 07 the first few models had the Fox shock but the higher end had the 'better' AFR shock which was used on all 08 models.
AFR shock which was used on all 08 models.This is some great info, I didnt even know there was 2 different models and I also found out today that the 2007 Fox model thats the same design worked well. The unfortunate thing is my bike is a 08 Epic Expert so it has the brain with the bulge on the top on it now and thats the one that has been dying. I pumped it up to 180 psi and rode it tonight, even set soft the suspension doesnt have much give but its ridable until the next one comes in, I also sent an email to Specialized so it will be interesting to see there reply.
