Epic Evo Clone

[akuutti247]

I have lost faith in Epic Clone(s bottom bracket area). I don´t want to experience same kind of situation as last summer when the long distance light bike was useless for three months..

I couldn´t resist the temptatation and contacted Hongfu. My e-mail blocked their message but they didn´t give up and used WhatsApp instead. First I thought it was an asian romance scam  , but then realized it was from Hongfu..

Hongfus customer service beats Airwolf 6-0..

FM138 frame came yesterday. It was 1950 grams without axle and shock bolts (with UDH). It feels more robust and has true 120 mm rear suspension..

[Ludo]

What is the cost of hongfu?

[ilyamaksimov]

Hongfu last month: standard frame 650 $
                             superlight 750 $ (mine is)
                             rear axle and headset cost extra and shipping
                             more info in Hongfu thread..

shipping cost?

[Kactusdog]

shipping cost?

let’s stay on topic please.

[ilyamaksimov]

let’s stay on topic please.

Ludo
akuutti247

[akuutti247]

I found that the rear shock bolts on Epic clone are not the most durable hardware. Ordered these for the linkage when the bolt broke:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004927842637.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.8.13c7f19cAiG1oI   M6 20 mm

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003640441632.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.6.13c7f19cAiG1oI   M6 14 mm

[Kactusdog]

The rear shock linkage, where it connects to the rear triangle in two places, has bushings in it with poly flanges.  However, I've noticed the way they sit against the CF frame causes significant resistance unless you run the bolts so loose that there is play and they risk backing out.  Not great for small bump compliance at the recommended torque spec.  The backing out of screws is easily fixed with red loctite, but you are still fighting the battle of play in the linkage vs too much resistance on the bushings.  Seems a relatively straightforward okayish fix with some greased M8x16 shims, but definitely an oversight on the design.

Will follow up with pics and my solution in a few days if I'm happy with the shims.

Also for those who said 2.5mm shim under the headset cap, I've 3d printed a few at different thicknesses and found 3.5mm to be a better fit.  At 2.5mm, it crushes the rubber gasket in the headset cap a little more than necessary for sealing.

Also, my recently purchased frame has a rubber gasket for the brake/RD lines at the bottom bracket/lower rear triangle junction, so it seems they are still improving things.  I do wish the seatpost could be inserted further, but given the role of the frame I can live with it.

They still don't have a gasket for where the Brake/RD cables enter near the headtube, but I'll probably print a solution for that too once my roll of TPU filament arrives.

This part you are wishing for… it can be bought from most
bike shops. It is the MY21 Epic headtube port grommet. I added it to mine!

How did the shims work out for you? I haven’t noticed this issue with my build, as the small bump compliance is pretty good. But would def add them when i build it up with the new front triangle.

[Imminent Injuries]

This part you are wishing for… it can be bought from most
bike shops. It is the MY21 Epic headtube port grommet. I added it to mine!

How did the shims work out for you? I haven’t noticed this issue with my build, as the small bump compliance is pretty good. But would def add them when i build it up with the new front triangle.

Ty for the heads up on the headtube port grommet.

The shims definitely improved the stiction of that linkage a bit.  I ordered these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BT5S3TYY
 I used the 0.2mm (4 total, one on each side of the bushing with plastic on it), though individual frame tolerances may affect which thickness is best.

[bennyjamboy]

My clone from Airwolf just arrived. Looks good, will let you know how the build goes

[akuutti247]

Hello!

Can I ask about the frame? When did you buy it?

[tim]

Like others have said, i also do not trust the bottom bracket threads.  Mine have dislodged on both sides.

[Kactusdog]

Like others have said, i also do not trust the bottom bracket threads.  Mine have dislodged on both sides.

what has your solution been? Personally, I’ve been waiting about seven months for them to be able to produce me my replacement with the correct paint. It’s been pretty crazy. AWST Cycling Tactics, AKA All Star Bicycle…

[akuutti247]

I have been waiting for the second warranty front triangle from Airwolf for 3,5 months now.

3 months a go I was told that the frame is on painting. (nothing fancy, black glossy should be ready by now)

Airwolf customer service has been the most frustrating service ever. The only way to get a contact is to use the chat on their web page. If I use my main pc and browser and ask with my own name, the chat doesn´t work: I get no answers. If I use another pc in incognito mode and ask something about other products without my name, the chat starts working and I get a contact. Last time I got a contact a few weeks a go and asked about the warranty front triangle. The answer was: "This one have´t sent to you?" and then nothing else, NO NOTHING. I put my e-mail address and phone number in the chat so they could contact me better, but no messages have been received. I have been thinking if I should use a VPN to make their chat work better.

In common I have nothing against BSA. An SPcycle M05 I assembled for my friend has more than 10000 kilometers in its bottom bracket insert and it just works.

On the other hand the Epic clone has been frustrating. First front triangle lasted about 10 months (5 of them the bike was not ridden in the winter) before drive side bb insert got loose. The second front triangle lasted less than 300 kilometers before left side insert got loose.

My solution has been to buy other frames: TanTan 121 and Hongfu 138.

[tim]

what has your solution been? Personally, I’ve been waiting about seven months for them to be able to produce me my replacement with the correct paint. It’s been pretty crazy. AWST Cycling Tactics, AKA All Star Bicycle…

Mine was through airwolf. i have been told to film a video of cutting the front triangle and then they will send me a new one out after paying postage.  I'm happy to do this, and as i have a few bikes the wait time isnt the biggest inconvenience but I'm sure it would be to someone who needs their bike working asap

[OlHag Cyclismo]

The AWST frame is exactly what I've been looking for. I've skimmed through this thread and seen a few complete builds with weights under 10kg. Are there any posts that break out the weight of each part(s), like wheels - x brand/ model at x grams? I've put together a list of parts and calculated out to 10.5kg with mostly lightweight parts (carbon cranks, wheels, bar, etc...), so I'm trying to see how y'all have dropped that extra kilo. Thanks for the help!