It has been six months since I received the 2010 Specialized Epic Marathon 29er for a long term review and it seems like a good time for an update. When I unpacked the Epic Marathon, I found it to be a pretty bold statement, what with the SRAM XX 2×10 suite, Roval wheels, and Reba fork with carbon bits and pieces. The latest iteration of the Brain, dubbed the Mini Brain, and now a Fox Shox product, was designed to keep the bike feeling snappy and fast while allowing for good trail manners.

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I found the bike to be a bit heavier than one might expect at that price, a superb endurance platform, a very good mid-weight trailbike (no 120mm forks apply here), and the XX drivetrain was the best shifting system I had ever used to date. Six months on, how is it holding up?

Very well, thank you. In fact, better than very well. Let’s break it down a bit.

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The Mini-Brain – It seems that the reliability issues of the past generation Brain shocks may finally be a thing of the past. I have not read about any failures and this one has been behaving perfectly. I typically run it about 4 to 5 clicks ‘out’ from fully ‘on’ and leave it there. It still imparts a racy and stable feel to the pedaling performance of the bike, yet opens up for trail impacts. Unlikely to win fans in the camp that demands ultra-supple, active suspension, the Mini Brain on the Epic continues to impress me with it’s blend of full suspension travel and hardtail feel.
Race bike? Trail bike? – Yes. While it is a bit heavier than a carbon version would be, it is a solid frame and has the riding cockpit of a race bike, long top tube and flat handlebar, and the pedaling performance always is ready when you are. On the other end of things, the bike is a fine light to mid weight trail bike and I have pushed it pretty hard and it never complains. The head tube angle is backed off a bit at 70.5 degrees and the wheel base is a bit long. Maybe not the best set up for dancing through very tight singletrack where turning on a moments notice is the norm, it has been a balanced performer in the West Coast conditions of rough, fast doubletrack, long climbs and long descents. It is an easy bike to continue to ride fast when the day gets long and you are tired.

The Wheels - The Rovals have been set up tubeless for about half of the time I have been on them. I had a devil of a time getting the valve stems to seal up and I finally added some goop around the stem before installation. That did the trick. I have had nothing but good results from the DT Swiss internals on the rear hub and I have not had to even so much as touch a spoke nipple. The rims remain true as the day I took them out of the box.

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The XX stuff - Well, 2×10 took off on a wave of controversy and doubt. 2×10 was accused as being an answer to a question no one was asking, that it would wear out faster, be finicky and delicate, and take away gearing options we were enjoying just fine, thank you. That, and it was some of the most expensive drivetrain parts I had seen hung on a mountain bike to date. Well, I have to say, after a lot of shifts, crank rotations and pulls on the brake level, that the XX 2×10 system is an absolute marvel. It spoils you. It has been solid, snappy, and dead reliable so far. I have had to adjust the rear barrel adjuster twice…about a 1/4 turn each time. The chain is fairly worn and needs replacing, the chainrings are just beginning to show wear, and the rear brake pads are pretty much toast. I have not ridden under the harsh conditions that many in wetter climates do, but I have packed the drivetrain with snow, been in mud, and quite a bit of water. Some simple green, a brush, running water, and lube is all I have done to it. No complaints there. But, the fact remains that it is not as low or as high a geared system as a triple will be.

P4270229_800Frankly, a 39/11 is plenty tall enough for me. But, the other end of things…the 26/36…that is good for me as well, but maybe not for you. That will depend on fitness, terrain, and use of the bike. Until a 24-36 chainring set-up comes along, the Epic Comp with its traditional triple crank offers broader gearing and more options.

P5030126_800The Avid Elixir Mag CR brakes have been solid and smooth except for a slight pulse in the rear rotor, something I am going to chase down when I change brake pads. I love the narrow Q factor of the carbon cranks. Another spoiler, I notice the wider stance of crank arms on other bikes I have to ride.

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The Reba - It took me a bit to figure out the proper setting on the Reba as it seemed to have a flatter spring curve than the old Reba fork or others I have tried. Once properly tuned, it has been reliable and smooth. It is time to service it, I imagine.

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Bits and Pieces - The other parts; saddle, seatpost, stem, etc, have been no worries. The saddle is quite firm but nicely shaped. I do wonder if I would not like to try a riser bar on it someday. I have swapped the 105mm stem with a 90mm stem of the same rise and that was interesting. I am actually a bit stretched on the stock XL when seated and the 90mm was spot on. But, I do think I like the way it handles with the 105mm stem…still playing with that.

The Epic Marathon 29er has held up very well and I still enjoy riding it every time I am in the saddle. The Epic platform, either the more budget minded Comp or the deluxe Marathon, are bikes to consider if you are looking for a stable and fast XC ride. The Mini Brain is unique, the basic package is solid, and there do not seem to be any skeletons in its closet so far.

Time for some fresh parts, a little service, and another six months of riding.

For those who would rather listen than read, here is Grannygear with a video version of this article: