Endurance test performance: 2,756 kilometres, approx. 35,000 metres in altitude downhill
What this bike has had to endure. Test rides with data recording, 24-hour races, gondola weekends with 4500 metres of downhill climbing per day. With fast, narrow tyres, I used it as a road bike replacement on the way to work, with a robust profile I went enduro hunting - it's amazing what's in the chassis, which was designed more for the CC World Cup. During the test period, I bolted on all the new 29er components that needed to be tried out (including three different forks, and I no longer wanted to do without the telescopic seatpost). The expensive Epic also endured many different riders. I stuck the Epic under the bum of anyone who wanted to experience how a 29er rides: "Here, try it yourself!" The treatment was correspondingly unkind: a quick go over with the pressure washer, change of rider. Even a cheap hire car doesn't fare any worse. Nobody who has paid 7200 euros would treat their bike like that. Surprisingly, the only war damage is a worn-out bottom bracket - new bearings have to be fitted. In addition, the lightweight brakes made trouble several times. The scepticism towards the super-light carbon wheels was unfounded. They took all the abuse and ran as smoothly as on the first day. After various tyre changes, I remained faithful to the Onza Canis: grippy even in wet and rocky conditions, puncture-proof and, above all, with low wear.
ConclusionAt its market launch in 2011, it was unrivalled as the best, fastest 29er fully. The range of use is gigantic thanks to the large wheels despite the short suspension travel. A bike that you can enjoy anywhere and for a long time.
Defects / changes:
1st telescopic post fitted - 150 km: Specialised Command Post makes life easier. Can no longer be imagined without it.
2. bottom bracket run in - 670 km: bearing made smooth again several times
3. fork changed for test purposes - 1100 km: converted to SID XX, later fitted a Fox 32 F100 Terralogic.
