FWIW, i ghetto painted a velobuild frame that i got at "primer" stage. It was primer with high spots sanded. I ended up re-priming so that the primer would be a solid coat, because i was getting bleed through otherwise. Paint is finicky. Cost me less than 30 eur for primer, 2 colours (the black is metallic, it's quite nice) and a cheap top coat (couldn't find 2K locally).
Given the effort involved, i'm happy with the result. Barely any sanding needed, because i got the frame at primer stage.

Before, after, and the bike i wanted to emulate.

its weird when you look at the linkage and how the rear shock connection to the seat stays is a straight line to the shock for both the 2020 evo and the 2021 epic.

the epic running a 52.5mm stroke getting 100mm stated travel

the evo running a 51mm stroke shock getting 110mm travel

how is this possible?  I'm guessing the longer chainstay 433 vs 438 increases the leverage ratio?

could anyone verify the actual chain stay length on this frame stated length appears to be 438.


thanks for the tip about making a 190mm x 40mm lux into a 45mm thats nice since thats the shock i ordered

Is the sid luxe that you used for specialized only or can you use a normal 190x45?

Frame finally showed up. Looks good to me!

Yes, I had to add a spacer ring of about 2.5 millimeters under the upper bearing cap.

maybe someone is ready to write a new long-term review?

suspicious silence about the operating experience of this frame

My frame arrived without a hole for an internal dropper cable. Has anyone else had this happen, and/or how to handle this if I want an internal cable -- break out a drill?

I have ridden 420mm flared gravel bars but tbh i was more in aw of the comfort of the grx hoods…

but Yea i think the reality is setting in that im probably gonna need both a fully XC and a gravel bike … was hoping i could combine the two but here we are

n+1 afterall