Hi there... i am looking for a new bike but i am cought up between the two... Currently i am using a hard tail bike and wanted to upgrade. Which of the above u think is better? I usually ride in PCP every week, once in a while in Kiara and once a month follow the klmbh hash... do u think it is worth it to buy the epic comp? Does the brain shox really works as efficient as a hardtail? I am just afraid if i switch to full sus, i will missed the response and efficeincy of a hardtail.. but i do want to be able to ride more in Kiara and i believe riding a full sus is better there... or my skill on HT is not good enough

Please advise yaa... thanks

Have you done a test ride yet on it yet? Best way to find out.

Having said that, from what I've seen the reviews on the Epic is good but I don't have personal experience on it. 2nd hand reviews I've heard from people is that its a mixed feeling. Those who likes active suspension hated it, and there are those who loved it.

Frankly to me if you want a full sus bike don't just look at one bike only because it imitates a hardtail. If you're worried about not liking full sus then just stick with hardtail. A know a few people who ride Kiara well with a hardtail, and I know one guy who rides a fully rigid bike in Kiara. Its not really about the bike, technique is much more important.

Having said that personally I like my full sus bike to be active all the time, then it can track the terrain better. If I want to go light and fast on the bashes then I bring my Banshee hardtail, but only because my Nomad is around 15kg. But if I feel like it I would bring it for a long XC ride as long as it doesn't have hike-a-bike sections. And if my full sus is under maintenance I won't think twice about bringing my hardtail to Kiara.

I guess what I'm trying to say is what do you really want? A hardtail or a full sus? If a hardtail, the answer is simple. If a full sus, forget about getting a full sus that rides like a hardtail and open up your options. If not, might as well get a hardtail and forget the full sus.

Forgot to mention, I'm no expert and what I said above is just my personal opinion. Don't let it sway you from the Epic, but I'm asking you to open up to other options.

Thanks for the reply bro... really appreciate it. I have never tried a full sus bike extensively, only did test my friend's mongoose (low to medium range full sus). I really dont like the feeling especially if i want to sprint. Anyway a sales rep recommended me the epic since he said that it is handles more or less like a HT. U got a point there when u said to forget about a full sus if i want a full sus that handles like a HT. Since most of my rides will be an XC type of ride, i think having a HT is the best bet but maybe the thought of having a full sus will give me more confidence to ride on technical terrain i.e in Kiara. It would be best if i could hear some of the testimonials from the local epic user though...

Here's one that will help you.

bukitkiara.blogspot.com/2010/01/epic-im-specialized.html

Exact same requirement as yours. Bear in mind its an older model with a triad shock, now Spez is using Fox shock. If I'm not mistaken, the reviewer is now using a rp23 because the triad shock is busted. The new Fox + brain is supposed to be much more reliable, or so I heard.

Thanks for the link bro... it does help..

Cheers