Author Topic: Epic Evo Clone  (Read 71722 times)

kfelk

Re: Epic Evo Clone
« Reply #315 on: April 05, 2024, 08:12:14 PM »
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

Re: Epic Evo Clone
« Reply #316 on: April 18, 2024, 12:06:56 PM »
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

Re: Epic Evo Clone
« Reply #317 on: April 19, 2024, 12:00:43 PM »
Actually, bearing come out very easy. With some hand-made tools. Bolt-nuts-and-washers.

Mo/RAD

Re: Epic Evo Clone
« Reply #318 on: May 08, 2024, 03:01:44 PM »
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

Re: Epic Evo Clone
« Reply #319 on: May 08, 2024, 03:07:40 PM »
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

Re: Epic Evo Clone
« Reply #320 on: May 09, 2024, 10:01:51 AM »
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?
« Last Edit: May 09, 2024, 10:14:29 AM by turbotoad »

Mo/RAD

Re: Epic Evo Clone
« Reply #321 on: May 10, 2024, 07:40:33 AM »
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

Re: Epic Evo Clone
« Reply #322 on: May 17, 2024, 08:27:21 AM »
Got classical BB fail of glued in BSA caps... Frame from Airwolf. Lets see what will they say about this situation.

monocongo

Re: Epic Evo Clone
« Reply #323 on: May 28, 2024, 07:46:39 AM »
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

Re: Epic Evo Clone
« Reply #324 on: May 28, 2024, 01:07:09 PM »
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

Re: Epic Evo Clone
« Reply #325 on: May 29, 2024, 12:20:04 PM »
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

Re: Epic Evo Clone
« Reply #326 on: May 29, 2024, 12:23:56 PM »
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

Re: Epic Evo Clone
« Reply #327 on: May 29, 2024, 12:26:27 PM »
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  :D ;D

darkening

Re: Epic Evo Clone
« Reply #328 on: May 31, 2024, 02:16:29 AM »
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.
« Last Edit: May 31, 2024, 02:21:53 AM by darkening »

BeR

Re: Epic Evo Clone
« Reply #329 on: May 31, 2024, 02:00:17 PM »
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  :D ;D

Let us know when It will send.