I had to sell my Epic EVO last year when I was caught in the longest layoff period of my life. Was laid off from AMD in Sept 2022 and it just didn't end. Same situation for a lot of recruiters like myself.
Fast forward to now I need an mtb again. I rented the Pivot Mach 4 SL and it was incredible. I've tried the Ibis Ripley, also amazing. But I find myself drawn back to the Epic EVO. that bike is just so fast, and I'm not into technical riding, it just doesn't interest me - I want to move as fast through the woods as I can and the South Austin Trail Network offers fast singletrack in spades - so it looks like it's time to get another EVO.
Has anyone tried a downcountry / XC bike they believe is the best ever? Especially if you've also ridden the EVO? Curious to hear more comparisons, but even the Mach 4 and Ripley didn't have the feeling of speed the EVO offers. Still open to ideas however.
Haven’t ridden one, but the Rocky Mountain Element has gotten some great reviews.
Love my Element, but if you're not into technical riding, I'd get a proper XC bike.
Epic Evo is the ultimate KOM hunter machine. IMO it’s not all that comfy for regular Xc riding but works better the more aggressive you are.
I'm not sure a bike can be faster than an epic evo, on real trails.
Tried orbea and canondale downcountry things, they're fast too but felt they were not as capable as the evo
I'm continually amazed by my Ripley. I set the 34 to 140 and it's my favorite bike right now even when I ride where a longer travel bike would be called for. It's just so responsive..
That said, I have struggled to fully keep up with a buddy on an Epic Evo on longer climbs/completely flat sections. But the Ripley is faster (for me) everywhere else. The thing that sold me on the Ripley is I ride it like it's a little enduro bike. I do not have to adjust my technique at all. When I played around with an Evo it felt more like a mellowed out XC bike in the way it wanted to steer/handle. I felt like I would have to change how I rode to get the most out of it.
Needless to say, you can't go wrong with any of the above choices. Not sure when the Evo is due for a refresh, but the updated Ripley is quite new if short-term resale matters to you at all.
You should try the Ibis Exie. It’s a pretty rad bike. I ride one with a 130 fork to “downcontryfy” it a bit.
Was going to get an Epic Evo but then found something that may be better.
I've got a Scott Spark 910 on order. It seems to have the best geometry for me (adjustable 65.2 or 65.8 head tube angle and 76.7 seat tube, 500mm reach on an xl). I'm excited. I've wanted a light weight bike with this geometry for a long time!
Doing some buyers remorse investigating after pulling the trigger and found a Vital shoot out of similar bikes. The 3 testers seemed to like the Spark the most.
I'll let you know my thoughts on it soon. Should arrive on Tuesday!
I have had an Element in the past and it was my favorite bike I had owned. Fast forward a few years and I bought an Intense Sniper XC and I really liked it. Probably more so than the Element but my wife bought an Epic Evo and every time I ride that bike, I am blown away how good it is.
I currently have a YT Izzo Uncaged 11 and I really like it but it is not as fast and agile as the Epic Evo.
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