The 2026 January BIYF

[Jeremy]

2/20 0:10 "ride" to test fit of new bike (hey, rules say no minimum 🙂 Test ride

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2/21 2:46 Z2 ride mostly. First real ride on new bike. Mixed feelings about it but should be better with several part changes and setup adjustments. Still, not sure if it'll be better than my older Epic Evo with upgrades. I might sell this one and update the older bike. Z2 ride

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I got a Epic8 Evo and planned to sell my old Epic Evo. But after riding it for a bit, I decided to keep both. The new frames are definitely sturdier but heavier. And the 130mm fork makes it feel decidedly not very XC.

Maybe try 120mm fork and if that helps, you can also get the same tuning done on the rear shock as the regular Epic8.

After riding both enough, I’m glad I kept them. The 8 is definitely more Downcountry in a good way. But I would still pick it for big rides. For racing, older Evo all day.

 

[Steve Vai]

I got a Epic8 Evo and planned to sell my old Epic Evo. But after riding it for a bit, I decided to keep both. The new frames are definitely sturdier but heavier. And the 130mm fork makes it feel decidedly not very XC.

Maybe try 120mm fork and if that helps, you can also get the same tuning done on the rear shock as the regular Epic8.

After riding both enough, I’m glad I kept them. The 8 is definitely more Downcountry in a good way. But I would still pick it for big rides. For racing, older Evo all day.

The Epic 8 EVO is basically a replacement for the Stumpjumper. The 7 EVO is probably the best bike ever made.

 

[Pampa]

I got a Epic8 Evo and planned to sell my old Epic Evo. But after riding it for a bit, I decided to keep both. The new frames are definitely sturdier but heavier. And the 130mm fork makes it feel decidedly not very XC.

Maybe try 120mm fork and if that helps, you can also get the same tuning done on the rear shock as the regular Epic8.

After riding both enough, I’m glad I kept them. The 8 is definitely more Downcountry in a good way. But I would still pick it for big rides. For racing, older Evo all day.

Exactly my feeling on both bikes! The thing is I'm looking for a more Downcountry geometry/suspension setup since I'm building this bike for a bikepacking race with long, chunky descents. I know of people that have put a 130mm fork on the old evo and are happy with that. A few others have actually put a 190 x 45 shock too. There's a shop close to where I live that specializes in suspension tunning so I might give them a call next week. I would keep them both but I need the cash for parts and gear.

I should say that one thing than can help me in the technical/gnarly descents is start using a dropper 🙂 I have an AXS one that probably has 100 uses, although I used it as a regular seatpost for a while 🙂 I hate that thing but I've been told I can't ride without one so I'll make a serious effort to start using it. The weight penalty kills me too (well over 1 lb my current seatpost!).

 

[Pampa]

The Epic 8 EVO is basically a replacement for the Stumpjumper. The 7 EVO is probably the best bike ever made.

Funny you say this. After my first old Epic evo (7), I had a Stumpjumper S-works for a couple of weeks. The feeling of the new Epic 8 Evo reminded me of that bike. After a couple of rides I sold the stumpy, bought another old Epic evo frame, and built it up (my current bike). It's really a jack of all trades.

 

[Mare]

2/21/26
2:49

 

[krink]

1/22
1:15
The Snowmageddon Cometh.

 

[Sven Migot]

2/21/26
2:49

Any hassle from 5-0?

 

[Piston Honda]

2/21
2:13

What does it take to DIY snow groom? Can I build something and drag it with my moped?

 

[Steve Vai]

2/21
2:13

What does it take to DIY snow groom? Can I build something and drag it with my moped?

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We’re expecting you to use that motorcycle to break in the trails for us. Unless your motor blows up on the way 😂

 

[iman29]

2/22/2026
2:12 (guess I should have done 2:22?)

https://strava.app.link/WiaieUfpY0b

My legs were pretty wrecked most of yesterday after some hard intervals on the rower in the morning but I planned a 2 hour endurance today anyway so it worked out.

Good movie on Netflix Rebel Ridge was just over 2 hours so fit my time frame. Did 1 min at Z3 every 10 minutes just to keep it interesting. Time went by pretty fast keeping track of the intervals and watching the movie. Legs kinda feel better now.

Now time to loaf on the couch and watch the rest of the Olympics.

 

[Pampa]

2/22 3:02 hr Z2-Z3 non-stop steady ride. Taking my first ice bath in years to help with recovery. Pretty sure my neighbors can hear me cursing. It’s in Spanish though so they probably are just scratching their heads.

https://strava.app.link/HSaHGc1wY0b

 

[rayder]

2 hours spinning watching the wrecking crew

 

[Steve Vai]

1/22
1:46

Not at the Iditarod start today.

 

[chemgirl]

2/19

I only got in one ride last week, ugh. I'm heading out to Colorado to see my husband and two of my kids this upcoming weekend, so opted to use my ski legs last week instead. Time to go shovel my way way out of here.