What would you guys do to a Specialized Epic Comp 29er to set it up for gravel grinding? I'd like to make sure I like it before I drop $2500 on a dedicated gravel bike.
\nAny and all comments are welcome. I'm not thinned skinned and I'm very shallow so I won't get all butt hurt by negative comments.
\n Thinking of a Salsa Warbird or Fargo2 or Specialized Crux. If I do buy one.
Hmmm, interesting option for more demanding conditions, Recon. The idea of full suspension, especially with a brain shock and fork, and clearance for fat tires would be nice to have on the rough stuff. Of course, there will be compromises. One drawback is the extra weight of the suspension. With a longer wheelbase, slacker angles and heavier front end it will also handle differently compared to a road bike. That said, throw on some drop bars and skinny tires and you will have a real "monster grinder".
If you go the drop bar route with an Epic remember that mtn bikes have long top tubes since they are designed around flat bars. You may want to go down a frame size or at least use a shorter stem. I recently built a "monster grinder" around a Stumpjumper hardtail. I used 46cm Salsa Cowbell bars and the new Shimano 685 levers w/ 785 hydraulic disc brakes and ended up with a 60mm stem to bring things in reach. I's a hoot to ride, somewhere between a gravel and a mtn bike. With Renegade 1.8" tires (440g, 45mm wide) it weighs in at 23 lb with pedals (more than with a flat bar with mtb shifters and brakes). It climbs well - I like the position compared to flat bars - but you can feel the weight compared to a gravel bike with a lighter front end. The 90mm fork travel seems about right - it allows me to bomb sections I would be more cautious on if riding a rigid frame with steeper angles and a shorter wheelbase.
I do mountainous gravel races on my 29ner hardtail because it has much easier gearing than any of my CX bikes. If I make any changes, I'll put 700x40 Kenda CX tires on it. Sometimes I don't bother and ride it as is.
Recon wrote:What would you guys do to a Specialized Epic Comp 29er to set it up for gravel grinding? I'd like to make sure I like it before I drop $2500 on a dedicated gravel bike.
\nAny and all comments are welcome. I'm not thinned skinned and I'm very shallow so I won't get all butt hurt by negative comments.
\n Thinking of a Salsa Warbird or Fargo2 or Specialized Crux. If I do buy one.
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\nNice bike ,,,,
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\nRenegade tires, bar ends - go ride
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\nGood luck
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\nFwiw - I have rode a Fargo quite a bit. Nice enough rigid mtb, nice to see braze ons a plenty, etc
\nOut of the "drop bar mtbs" I have tried I liked those the best but, the whole drop bar mtb thing gets kinda stupid in practical use mtbing. And for dirt touring a riser with bar ends,,,,,
