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Rockshox revived the Reba as a budget 32mm fork in recent years but back when it first came out the Reba was the fork of choice for racers who wanted something more aggressive than the lightweight SID. It is spec'd correctly on this generation of S-Works XC bike.
I feel like this guy does some more trail/enduro trails( based on the previous tire choice) so those pedals and dropperpost will be a nice touch. also I did put on tires on my bike that did rub on my cs yoke and it rubbed the paint off. :)
There's some front fork boost adapters that have a 5mm spacer for each side and have a 5mm 6 bolt rotor spacer. Seems easier than redishing the wheel. Also electronic components cleaner aka aerosol isopropyl alcohol with a straw would've worked great for getting those grips off.
Bike transformation.. Love this... Im 5.6 ride a 26 er silverback oakland.. 10speed cassette sr suntour fork. Lx 11 shimano and shift derailleur 11speed 3x10 all in one.. Only used middle gear for only 1x10 show far downhill is good.. Fast rolling.. Model 2010 steeleframe with aloy parts..
Awesome job! Never heard of Slack-R but I like it! Cheaper alternatives are Zitto, FSR, and Wolf-tooth bottom tapered headset cups with a couple of spacers on top. I would never clamp a carbon frame on a stand no matter how much you protect it. Better to work on a dropper post while bike is on the ground.
What a find! Thank you for posting this. I wish you could do the same for my 2013 Epic. Both front and rear Brain shocks seem to be blown. I've had the brakes and tires upgraded, but the degraded shocks are ruining the ride. Anyway I can have you work on my bike?
It’s funny, without the headset mod, the bike is essentially out of date tech and arguably not worth re-purposing. Then 9point8 comes along and totally redeems it and fast forwards it to a new cult following and they are now harder to get a hold of good carbon examples. Such a simple, yet needed change to make this bike come alive and handle trail duty.
I just built a 2017 Epic. It has a 71 degree head angle. And its really fast and handles great. Not once have I thought it needed a slacker head angle. This obsession with angles is so stupid.
Brilliant! The epic is my race bike and I cant afford the new ones. I bought a cheap alloy hardtail this year and I prefer the geometry and its as quick. I'm going to look at getting that headset adaptor and bringing up to date..hoping it will work with the 'upside down' rs1 forks
I can’t help but worry about that seat tube angle now. You did a wonderful job. The bike is awesome but I don’t think that’s going to be optimal. There must be a solution you can think of.
Did you install 2.35 wide tires at the rear? I had the same bike and had replace it with a 2.2 because the 2.35 also grinded down the paint. The Ikon 2.35 knobs are significantly bigger than the 2.2.
Awesome project, I love seeing good things get a new lease of life. Concerned to see the KS dropper get fitted though, mine went for one muddy ride and never recovered. Can’t be serviced or rebuilt. Replaced with OneUp. Never looked back. Not an ad for OneUp specifically, just a warning against KS.
I have a 2010 specialized epic comp fsr unfortunately its a 26er but its still pretty good and it's really light will now receive an upgrade from 3x9 sram x0 and slx drivetrain to a 1x12 shimano slx m6000 something and will receive new tires (i use it for enduro rides)
Haha. Would love to hear what feedback you have. I've been a bike mechanic for many years and have received much feedback from other mechanics since having a channel, with feedback I've striven to incorporate. I'd very much appreciate any critical feedback you might be able to offer, wheelbarrows or no. Cheers.
Great video! Out of curiosity, did you put a 100mm or a 120mm? The link in the description is to a 120mm. I know it’s possible given that Specialized did that on the 2020 Epic Evo. That model year the Evo and regular epic were the same frame, just a different fork. Also, just want to call out for anyone who wants to the give the a “lobotomy” there are yoke adapters to run a standard rear shock in these frames as Specialized no longer supports this generation of the Brain.
Hi. What a video .... Cool stuff... I have a questions tho. I have bought the S-works 2015 version of the WC frame and building it up any week now. What buggs me is the rear shock. And how it seems like it isnt compatible with modern shocks. If you were to chnge the shock to a Rockshox one, would you need to buy a yoke new yoke that is compatible with it? Or am I missing something?
Which exact model and degrees is that head tube?!? I have the same bike but I look at their website and it’s almost like giving me a headache with almost tooooo much options😅
Nice upgrades. Curious, there was no mention of the shock, was it in working order? Specialized are masters of planned obsolesce, the S-Work Epics had their proprietary brain shock that can only be serviced by Specialized. Unfortunately Specialized stops servicing the shock after awhile. I have a 2012 S-Works Epic in my garage, where the shock no longer works and I'm trying to come up with a solution. Any ideas is greatly appreciated.
I gree with all the upgrades and changes you did except one: the grips color!! Black you removed ok, so why brown? The front suspension or chairing are screaming a color which would match better than brown. 😉
I might buy a 2012 s work epic. Should I stay away? Can shoxs be replaced or fixed. In Canada. Please if you see this let me know. Guy want 1600 hun for it.
@BuildaBetterBike just seems from reading post it's a pain and expensive especially a 2012. We're do I get seals or a extra shock. 1600 hun is good price cuz it's well kept but I'm thinking it's more bike than I need. I got rid of a 1989 merlin that I wish I could get again. Just an amazing bike. I'm old school and only want front shocks for my shoulders from 20 years of rugby. Have a great day my friend and thank you for your response and page.
@BuildaBetterBike I have just found a John tomack vintage bike for 1600 hun. My question is it worth it,can I find or upgrade vintage front shock,also find old xtr,or can I add new Shimano or sram to it. I love the titanium . I like thinner tires from 90ties unless I can add 27.5. Anyway I'm sorry to be a pain in the ass ,but I'm 59 and out of touch on this stuff.
Nice job, but not much of an update in my opinion. I updated my old 26er from a Acer 3x7 exposed shifting cable with a RST GilaPlus front suspension and entry level hydraulic brakes with 1.8 tires and rusted wheels to a SLX 7100 (10-51T) groupset with a BB93, Deore brakes BR-M6120, M8100 chain, nonexposed shifting cables (trickest part on the bike frame), Rockshox Reba RL 120mm, a 100mm KS LEV external routed dropper post, and Progress Cycle REVO wheels with two Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires 26 x 2,40 Super Ground ADDIX SpeedGrip EVO. It was quite a built, but this opened the door to my recent build with a Banshee Paradox V3 frame. Some notes regarding the transformation, the slacker headtube angle transformation was very nice and like you said it will be on the long run the most importance alteration on the bike. The Reba fork was nice but for lightweight, the Sid is the better option (according to popularity) for XC (although it depends on the type of terrain and rider) but definitely not a higher tech fork. The inner routing on the dropper post was nicely made, however manufacturers "usually" provide a length measurement for cutting the excess cable, and this is where I would have made this differently, I would use that measurement or measure it my self, and install a ferrule or blow torched the tip to ease the dropper post maintenance further down the road without the hassle of making a mess of the cable threads.
Ikon doesn’t seem good (or better) for Vegas. I have used them in Arizona and it will be hard to climb on loose gravel. An ardent race or reckon would be better
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2:55 the SID fork is spectacular! Nice update to a fab bike. Hope the owner enjoys it
Rockshox revived the Reba as a budget 32mm fork in recent years but back when it first came out the Reba was the fork of choice for racers who wanted something more aggressive than the lightweight SID. It is spec'd correctly on this generation of S-Works XC bike.
Thanks for the info!
I have the Reba on my 2012 Scott Scale 35, I’m no racer but it’s ok for me
This was awesome. A therapeutic watch for sure. Love seeing new life being brought into an older frame set.
Content that I've been looking for on RUclips, Modernizing the parts of Years old bikes. Very relaxing!
I feel like this guy does some more trail/enduro trails( based on the previous tire choice) so those pedals and dropperpost will be a nice touch. also I did put on tires on my bike that did rub on my cs yoke and it rubbed the paint off. :)
There's some front fork boost adapters that have a 5mm spacer for each side and have a 5mm 6 bolt rotor spacer. Seems easier than redishing the wheel.
Also electronic components cleaner aka aerosol isopropyl alcohol with a straw would've worked great for getting those grips off.
Bike transformation.. Love this...
Im 5.6 ride a 26 er silverback oakland.. 10speed cassette sr suntour fork. Lx 11 shimano and shift derailleur 11speed 3x10 all in one.. Only used middle gear for only 1x10 show far downhill is good.. Fast rolling.. Model 2010 steeleframe with aloy parts..
Those Yoshimura pedals are absolutely stunning.
Did a similar project with my 2011 Epic Comp. Rode that bike to a Regional Championship overall win in 2021.
Haha. Nice!
Tech tip: If you have access to a sponge, dishwash soap and some water, you will have such an easy time installing the tire.
I just built a 2017 from a nos frame. XT 12 speed. Fox 32 stepcast fork. Alloy wheels and cockpit. 25.2 lbs with pedals. Really like it.
2014-2017 S-Works Epic WC is so far the best looking Epic. And the Brain Shock of this model is the most reliable one
Re..lia...ble????
I just built a 2017 nos frame with Xt 12 speed. Fox 32 stepcast. Fast and light. 25.2 lbs with pedals. $2800
Why you had to DISH front wheel ?
Could you not have put 2 spacers on each side of axle 5mm and add a Front Rotor Spacer ???
Awesome job! Never heard of Slack-R but I like it! Cheaper alternatives are Zitto, FSR, and Wolf-tooth bottom tapered headset cups with a couple of spacers on top. I would never clamp a carbon frame on a stand no matter how much you protect it. Better to work on a dropper post while bike is on the ground.
What a find! Thank you for posting this. I wish you could do the same for my 2013 Epic. Both front and rear Brain shocks seem to be blown. I've had the brakes and tires upgraded, but the degraded shocks are ruining the ride. Anyway I can have you work on my bike?
That'd be cool. But where do you live?
It’s funny, without the headset mod, the bike is essentially out of date tech and arguably not worth re-purposing. Then 9point8 comes along and totally redeems it and fast forwards it to a new cult following and they are now harder to get a hold of good carbon examples. Such a simple, yet needed change to make this bike come alive and handle trail duty.
I just built a 2017 Epic. It has a 71 degree head angle. And its really fast and handles great. Not once have I thought it needed a slacker head angle. This obsession with angles is so stupid.
16 epic s works, amazing bike. Rs1 fork ... would be interesting to slack the head a bit though
Brilliant! The epic is my race bike and I cant afford the new ones. I bought a cheap alloy hardtail this year and I prefer the geometry and its as quick. I'm going to look at getting that headset adaptor and bringing up to date..hoping it will work with the 'upside down' rs1 forks
I can’t help but worry about that seat tube angle now. You did a wonderful job. The bike is awesome but I don’t think that’s going to be optimal. There must be a solution you can think of.
I drooled looking at the yoshimura pedals . I want those pedals
Well job!!!!
Did you install 2.35 wide tires at the rear? I had the same bike and had replace it with a 2.2 because the 2.35 also grinded down the paint. The Ikon 2.35 knobs are significantly bigger than the 2.2.
I put a 2.35 Specialized Fast Trak with no problems. The Maxxis must have big knobs.
Awesome project, I love seeing good things get a new lease of life. Concerned to see the KS dropper get fitted though, mine went for one muddy ride and never recovered. Can’t be serviced or rebuilt. Replaced with OneUp. Never looked back. Not an ad for OneUp specifically, just a warning against KS.
I have a 2010 specialized epic comp fsr unfortunately its a 26er but its still pretty good and it's really light will now receive an upgrade from 3x9 sram x0 and slx drivetrain to a 1x12 shimano slx m6000 something and will receive new tires (i use it for enduro rides)
You could always make it a mullet, with the front wheel a 27.5. ;) I've done this several times.
I wouldn’t let this bloke fix my wheelbarrow!
Haha. Would love to hear what feedback you have. I've been a bike mechanic for many years and have received much feedback from other mechanics since having a channel, with feedback I've striven to incorporate. I'd very much appreciate any critical feedback you might be able to offer, wheelbarrows or no. Cheers.
Favorite video ever
Great video! Out of curiosity, did you put a 100mm or a 120mm? The link in the description is to a 120mm. I know it’s possible given that Specialized did that on the 2020 Epic Evo. That model year the Evo and regular epic were the same frame, just a different fork.
Also, just want to call out for anyone who wants to the give the a “lobotomy” there are yoke adapters to run a standard rear shock in these frames as Specialized no longer supports this generation of the Brain.
100mm. Wrong link
Hi. What a video .... Cool stuff... I have a questions tho. I have bought the S-works 2015 version of the WC frame and building it up any week now.
What buggs me is the rear shock. And how it seems like it isnt compatible with modern shocks. If you were to chnge the shock to a Rockshox one, would you need to buy a yoke new yoke that is compatible with it? Or am I missing something?
this guy posted the same day you did, so you might not have seen 'the answer' to your question about the rear... look for @bryanj.1218 in the comments
Which exact model and degrees is that head tube?!? I have the same bike but I look at their website and it’s almost like giving me a headache with almost tooooo much options😅
Nice new lease of life. Did the brain still work okay?
Does the slaker head tube angle lower the BB or rise it?
Lower
Nice upgrades. Curious, there was no mention of the shock, was it in working order? Specialized are masters of planned obsolesce, the S-Work Epics had their proprietary brain shock that can only be serviced by Specialized. Unfortunately Specialized stops servicing the shock after awhile. I have a 2012 S-Works Epic in my garage, where the shock no longer works and I'm trying to come up with a solution. Any ideas is greatly appreciated.
Yeah I'm not sure. I told the client they'd need to take it to a Specialized dealer for the shock.
@@BuildaBetterBikeRisse Racing in Washington state, (USA) services Brain shocks and forks.
There are companies that make yokes to use a regular non brain shock.
putting some grease on the pedal threads would have been ideal to avoid them getting stuck!
They were already greased from last video
I gree with all the upgrades and changes you did except one: the grips color!! Black you removed ok, so why brown? The front suspension or chairing are screaming a color which would match better than brown. 😉
It's what I had. And I liked it. :)
Nice
I guess they were all out of blue grips
What about the rear suspension the "BRAIN" of the operation ?
Quick question: How did you learn to do all this work?
RUclips
@@BuildaBetterBikeAmazing, but you are obviously incredibly talented too. Not only doing a complex bike rebuild beautifully filming it simultaneously!
why don't you use a simple boost kit for the front wheel? it is much more simple and quicker
It wasn't through lack of effort to find one. Care to point me to one that works with this hub?
I might buy a 2012 s work epic. Should I stay away? Can shoxs be replaced or fixed. In Canada. Please if you see this let me know. Guy want 1600 hun for it.
Totally! Yes, suspension is easy to work on still and new seals are still made.
@BuildaBetterBike just seems from reading post it's a pain and expensive especially a 2012. We're do I get seals or a extra shock. 1600 hun is good price cuz it's well kept but I'm thinking it's more bike than I need. I got rid of a 1989 merlin that I wish I could get again. Just an amazing bike. I'm old school and only want front shocks for my shoulders from 20 years of rugby. Have a great day my friend and thank you for your response and page.
@BuildaBetterBike I have just found a John tomack vintage bike for 1600 hun. My question is it worth it,can I find or upgrade vintage front shock,also find old xtr,or can I add new Shimano or sram to it. I love the titanium . I like thinner tires from 90ties unless I can add 27.5. Anyway I'm sorry to be a pain in the ass ,but I'm 59 and out of touch on this stuff.
Nice job, but not much of an update in my opinion.
I updated my old 26er from a Acer 3x7 exposed shifting cable with a RST GilaPlus front suspension and entry level hydraulic brakes with 1.8 tires and rusted wheels to a SLX 7100 (10-51T) groupset with a BB93, Deore brakes BR-M6120, M8100 chain, nonexposed shifting cables (trickest part on the bike frame), Rockshox Reba RL 120mm, a 100mm KS LEV external routed dropper post, and Progress Cycle REVO wheels with two Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires 26 x 2,40 Super Ground ADDIX SpeedGrip EVO.
It was quite a built, but this opened the door to my recent build with a Banshee Paradox V3 frame.
Some notes regarding the transformation, the slacker headtube angle transformation was very nice and like you said it will be on the long run the most importance alteration on the bike. The Reba fork was nice but for lightweight, the Sid is the better option (according to popularity) for XC (although it depends on the type of terrain and rider) but definitely not a higher tech fork. The inner routing on the dropper post was nicely made, however manufacturers "usually" provide a length measurement for cutting the excess cable, and this is where I would have made this differently, I would use that measurement or measure it my self, and install a ferrule or blow torched the tip to ease the dropper post maintenance further down the road without the hassle of making a mess of the cable threads.
I appreciate the feedback
Nothing wrong with reba.
True. Except when it's on an S-Works Epic. :)
Ikon doesn’t seem good (or better) for Vegas. I have used them in Arizona and it will be hard to climb on loose gravel. An ardent race or reckon would be better
You totally just built a better bike!
Lol. Says “Whatever women buy online”, while displaying a woman purchasing a tank. Close enough !