With the Absa Cape Epic about to start, the world’s absolute best cross-country and marathon racers are all making their way towards Cape Town, South Africa. The Cape Epic is potentially the most important mountain bike race in the world. That’s objective, but more people probably know who won the last Epic than the last Olympic XCO or World Champs.
Australia has a healthy racing scene, and few as are professional in the races as Shaun Lewis and Andy Blair of Specialized Racing Australia. Shaun has dragged Andy over to South Africa for the 2015 Cape Epic, and this will be Shaun’s third appearance at the race. Times have changed since he was first there in 2010 on a 26″ carbon hardtail. This is a quick look over his Specialized S-Works Epic World Cup – in full race spec.
Frame
The Epic is one of very few full suspension bikes on the market that can carry two bottles. That’s a real bonus for marathon distance stage racing. What Specialized have also developed is the SWAT box, where you can keep your spares clean and dry – and off your legs. That’s some weight to take out of your pockets and get low on your bike. Lewis has said in the past that getting weight out of your pockets and off your legs pays off over long races, so no doubt he was eager to adopt this piece of kit. The Epic uses the Brain, which can be run pretty firm or a little softer for more compliance. Lewis runs 125 psi which was set with the auto sag function and has the brain in the middle of the range, 2 clicks out of 4 from fully open (or fully firm for that matter).
Fork
The RS-1 can be spotted a mile away. It’s said that the upside down design keeps the seals lubricated and moving freely. Sure, efficiency is everything, but that doesn’t mean rock solid suspension. A more supple stroke will pay dividends just a few days into a stage race. Lewis runs 100mm travel at 70psi.
Wheels
Specialized Roval wheels are a fast and strong option, carbon rims have become de rigeur in distance based mountain biking, due to low weight and high strength. The tyres are 2.0 Specialized Fast Trak, fast rolling and with strong sidewalls. Lewis runs 25 psi in the front and 27 psi in the back.
Drivetrain
Although the team is SRAM supported, the S-Works Epic World Cup runs XX1 anyway, so there’s little to change. The main change from the 11 speed group set is to XX brakes and S-works carbon cranks. Lewis opts for the Shimano XT pedals – most likely due to their greater reliability over many hours compared to the newer XTR models.
Cockpit
Slammed. Lewis runs a negative 25 degree Ritchey Pro stem to get his handlebars low. To keep his GPS unit visible, his Magellan mount is ziptied around the handlebar clamp. This way there is no silly angle, and no out front mount to interfere with race plates and UCI officials. Grips are ESI silicone in red.
Spares
That SWAT box holds the essentials. A tube, tyre lever, CO2 and a multitool. We can’t see any tyre plugs on the bike, to plug holes. While not a common item in Australia, they’re often used in South Africa due to the amount of thorns on course
The big thing about stage racing is keeping your bike, your body, and your team together. Lewis has plenty of experience with this, and he’s running a lot of tried and tested parts on his rig.