Mountain Biking - Building a Custom Epic.... help?

Hey there,

I've decided to put together a custom epic. I absolutely love the feel of a hardtail in most situations, but when you need a rear suspension.... you need one. I have ridden it a few times and it is just heaven for the kind of riding I do. That said, I want to put something high performance that will last a few years on a budget. So most of the things I've selected will be purchase son Ebay, Cambriabike, Pricepoint or JensonUSA. My main question concernes the frame, but I've listed all my choices below, I'd love your comments.

I currently have an option of purchasing an '03 S-works Epic with XTR front derailleur, chris king headset and a rebuild kitfor around $700. I recognize that as a good deal, but I'm wondering if I should hold off and locate an '04/'05 frame, which has the Adjust IQ feature. What do you think?

----------------------------------------------------

Frame Epic
Fork: Fox F100X or F100RLT
Stem: FSA OS-140
Bars: Undecided low-riser
Headset: Chris King No-threadset
Brakes: Avid Mechanical Disc BB7
Crankset: Shimano XT M760
BB: ""
Front Der: SHimano XTR 952
Cassete: Sram PG-970
Rear Der: Sram X.9, long cage
Shift Levers: Sram X.9 Trigger
Brake Lev: Avid Speed Dial Ti
Wheelset: Spinergy Xyclone Disc
Tires: Panaracer Fire XC Pro
Saddle: ?
Pedals: ?


Thanks for your comments!

has anyone noticed that theres not one reply but 1000 some views, amazing

I just noticed it then. I've seen it happen before...

If you can get the 03 frame for a real good deal snag it.As far as pedals and the seat thats gonna be what you like.

I Have to say the adjustable brain is even better and would highly recommend it, the susspension can be custom taylored to suit you from fully active at all times to locked out except under the worst conditions. But the subtle shades of in between are what relly set's the IQ adjustment above the older style. You can decide how rough the trail has to be before your susspension kicks in. I love it! An XC bike that can do all mountain work! But then I'm bias since I own one.

Just two quick thoughts

1. the 2003 epics came stock with 80mm forks. Not that going to 100 would be bad, but it would slacken geometry just a bit. Probably not noticable unless you were racing it.

2. you can replace the shock in the future with the adjustable version. I haven't yet on mine, (I have a 03 base model), but it is an option. Albeit pricey.

I love my Epic. The 03 has held up to some serious abuse. I beleive the 03's were overbuilt for a lightweight XC bike. Bad for weight weenies, good for general all around use.

Hey guys,

I finally got bakc to checking this post - it went so long with no replies! In any event I think I got the best of both worlds. I managed to pick up an '03 EPic with an unused '04 Brain, for under 600 bucks which works for me. I decided to get a Marzocchi Marathon Sl (100mm travel). I believe the '04 Brain was when they stepped up the rear shock to 100mm. The '03 came with 80mm standard because of this, and then when they put in the 100m rear brain they upped the front suspension to match.... that's my understanding of the history - so with an '03 Frame / '04 Brain and 100mm front travel I think I'm matching an '04 with the added dirability (and weight) of an '03. Opinions?

Sounds like you did alright! enjoy the build.

i always thought the unltimate xc bike sould be a epic witha fox f80x. go with the fsa os 115 to drop a couple grams. easton carbon flat bars if i where you. are you planning on using a seatpost lol thomson elite or if you can find a masterpeice for cheap on ebay. pedals, eggbeaters. saddle i am thinking a fizik gobi

should be a wicked fast bike.