Epic Evo Clone

[kfelk]

Hi All, been following this thread for a while- saw this on Aliexpress- Looks like maybe they have actual evo linkage now?

Nah. That's an actual picture of an S-Works epic evo. They just used the picture to show the color.

[monocongo]

For those of you who have replaced the bearings in this frame, how did you get them out? My friend who has a bearing extractor tried to help me do that yesterday and we gave up after going at it hard on the lower pivot linkage. I didn't want to stress the carbon further (it's a tool that uses percussive force to pop it out) and figured I should just leave well enough alone and it's good enough for a recreational rider like me even though the bearings feel rough already after riding it for only a month.

Because of a creaking noise that wouldn't go away after re-doing the bottom bracket and seat post (One Up service) we also took apart the upper linkage that attaches to the shock. We only found bushings there whereas I was expecting to find bearings. Was I mistaken about there being bearings in there? Previous advice from this thread indicated that there would be bearings. There was one juncture of the upper linkage we didn't disassemble so maybe that's where the actual bearings mentioned are located.

[darkening]

Actually, bearing come out very easy. With some hand-made tools. Bolt-nuts-and-washers.

[Mo/RAD]

Anyone order one of these frames from Airwolf or AWST recently? I placed with Airwolf via Ebay back on march 10th with a "late" delivery by April 15.  it was essentially radio silence with them during that time (I swear I wasn't being too annoying about it lol).  to hedge my bets, I ordered the same from AWST via Aliexpress.  A bit more communicative, but both companies are currently late.  Through Aliexpress I extended the delivery (after asking AWST if they need more time, which they said "yes please!"). At this point I'm debating if I just kill both of these orders and go buy a specialized epic evo.

Any reason why both of these companies are this way?  Just too busy?  do they actually sell frames anymore?  I gave Airwolf 2 months and still don't have a tracking number (they said "its all packed up ready to go, but we don't have a tracking number yet" after I opened a complaint with Ebay and forced their hand essentially).  Am I truly being impatient or justified in my "WTF"?

[Santurzano]

I ordered it to awst on AliExpress on March 18 and I'm still waiting, this week they told me that they will try to send it on May 10, but I don't think that will be the case. 

They didn't have frames in stock and they had to ask the factory, because they offered me a matte black color because they had stock, but I told them no. 

Sorry for my English, I write it with the translator...

[turbotoad]

I just ordered a frame from Airwolf via ebay on May 7th. Say it will arrive by June 18th. So far no indication from seller of order status. Hopefully it goes smoothly and it is delivered by then.

Anyway, I saw on the frame specs that the fork offset for this frame is 44mm, but the fork that I have is 51mm offset. How much do you think this will affect the handling?

[Mo/RAD]

I just ordered a frame from Airwolf via ebay on May 7th. Say it will arrive by June 18th. So far no indication from seller of order status. Hopefully it goes smoothly and it is delivered by then.

Anyway, I saw on the frame specs that the fork offset for this frame is 44mm, but the fork that I have is 51mm offset. How much do you think this will affect the handling?

Yeah, it was pretty much radio silence from Airwolf when I ordered on ebay. I ended up cancelling that order as they never provided a tracking (even though they said "its ready to ship" for over a week.  It was ordered on march 10th, so hopefully you make out better. My order with AWST via Ali says "shipped" but the tracking number they provided has no status after a couple days- I suspect they got the tracking number but haven't actually shipped it yet.

[darkening]

Got classical BB fail of glued in BSA caps... Frame from Airwolf. Lets see what will they say about this situation.

[monocongo]

I have had a creak with this frame for months. After re-installing the bottom bracket twice with lots of grease and greasing the linkage bolts it still persists. The main linkage bearings are crunchy already but they seem to be impossible to remove (as if they're glued in). I ended up breaking the bolt that attached the rear shock (see photo). I contacted Airwolf about this and they told me that the bearings should not be removed and that a replacement bolt for the rear shock mount would be $25. I am unable to get the replacement bolt from a local Specialized shop, the only remedy seems to be purchasing a complete hardware kit (https://www.performancebike.com/specialized-epic-evo-suspension-pivot-bolt-kit-black-s200500003/p1237090?gad_source=1)

Overall my experience with this frame and Airwolf has been much worse than expected. The first time I built a bike using a Chinese frame I had great luck, this time the poor quality control has made me rethink ever doing this again.

[aeroskiii]

For replacing the bolt you can probably get one custom made pretty easily if you provide dimensions. For the bearings It surprises me that the bearings are non replacable? Is that true?

[darkening]

All bearings in this frame are easy to replace using hand-made press-tool. Did it without any problems. Installed MAXX series from FUSHI.

[darkening]

replacement bolt for the rear shock mount would be $25.

You can buy any bolt and cut it to the size you need. Its the 5 minutes of work. I've replaced mine already.

[darkening]

Got classical BB fail of glued in BSA caps... Frame from Airwolf. Lets see what will they say about this situation.

They said, that they will send me a new front triangle in June. Btw I glued this BSA cup back to frame with the epoxy(i dont have any other bike to ride atm) and it holds, but I wonder for how long 

[darkening]

linkage bearings are crunchy already but they seem to be impossible to remove (as if they're glued in). I ended up breaking the bolt that attached the rear shock (see photo). I contacted Airwolf about this and they told me that the bearings should not be removed

please see my photos, with bearings removed/installed.

[BeR]

They said, that they will send me a new front triangle in June. Btw I glued this BSA cup back to frame with the epoxy(i dont have any other bike to ride atm) and it holds, but I wonder for how long 

Let us know when It will send.