Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Bike porn

2009 Specialized S-Works Epic

We don't usually have a lot of nice weather here in Ireland, but today was just a beautiful warm and blue-skied spring day. So, finally I got the opportunity to take out my new bike, a 2009 Specialized S-Works Epic, kindly provided by Cycleways, and of course I took some pics before it's all getting mucked up. The bike is almost set up race ready, I've only exchanged a few bits with some nice and light KCNC components.

Specialized + KCNC

Bike Spec:

Frame: S-Works Epic full carbon 100mm travel frame
Fork: Specialized Future Shock e100, 100mm travel with Brain Fade
Rear Shock: Specialized AFR remote mini , BRAIN inertia valve w/ BRAIN fade
Seatpost: KCNC Pro Scandium 350mm
Front Derailleur: Shimano XTR
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR Shadowe
Crankset: S-Works OS carbon crank, 175mm
Brake Calipers: Custom Avid Ultimate SL Mag
Shift Levers: SL-M970 XTR, trigger
Cassette: Shimano XTR 11-34
Chain: KCNC Superlight Chain
Wheels: Roval Controle SL
Handlebar: KCNC Bones
Brake levers: Custom Avid Ultimate SL Hydraulic
Stem: KCNC SC Wing
Saddle: Specialized Phenom SL
Tires: S-Works Fast Trak LK
Pedals: CrankBrothers - Eggbeaters

Specialized + KCNC

I was only out for a short while today (not feeling too good, maybe I'm getting sick :(), but from my first impression it's easily the best bike I've ever ridden. It's also the first bike where I get this feeling that it feels just like an extension of my body. It's so amazingly light and handles really well. I expect it to be even better once I set the tires up tubeless and I can reduce the pressure. I was a bit scared in the beginning when I felt the brain turning on (at least that is what Ryan said was happening when I called him in distress from the mountain because I felt like I was bottoming out my rear shock, but I clearly wasn't), so I adjusted it to a bit of a softer setting and it was fine then. Can't wait to get out on it again.... such a nice bike... still can't actually quite believe I'm going to ride such an amazing bike this year.... :)

2009 Specialized S-Works Epic

I've put some more pics online here.

4 comments :

trio said...

I am so jealous that looks an amazing bike!

Ryan Sherlock said...

Me too - my one is going to just miss me by a day. I'll have if for when I return from Cyprus though.

Stephen said...

Absolutely beautiful Mel! Only way to describe it :) Any idea what kinda weight it is? Hope you have a brilliant season on it.

Mel said...

Thanks, Steve, I love the bike. It came at exactly 10kg, but I put it on a diet of KCNC components and it's down to about 9.6kg now - I'm planning to slim it down to 9.5kg eventually ;)