Specialized Epic Yoke (RockShox Brain Delete)

[Crash217]

Stumbled across this Yoke to delete the Brain shock system from the 2018-2020 Specialized Epic bike.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807675007409.html

Has anyone tried one yet?

Heavily considering it since the western brands charge $100+ for this little thing and I've been throwing around the idea of deleting the brain system rather than sending it in for repair again.

I noticed the yoke looks a lot like the Cames Cycling Components Yoke which is conspicuously missing from their website now for whatever that may or may not imply.

[acedeuce802]

Interesting.  I just bought a 2019 Epic frame, haven't built it up yet.  May pick this up just in case I don't like the Brain come riding season.  For comparison sake, here's the Cames ad on eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/326076108030) and here's the BikeYoke ad (https://bikeyoke.com/en/yoke-ep02/ep02?srsltid=AfmBOopr-gZHGfZ2XgN7btRhGpBLBHGgyvocbaERHyTMxtfXBWi9UV_q).  I'm mostly curious on the difference between the Cames/AliX versus BikeYoke.  One uses 200x51-57mm and the other uses 190x40-51mm.  Assuming they both have similar tire clearance or seat stay bridge clearance at bottom out, the Cames/AliX would have a higher ride height and more travel.

Edit: Taking a second look at the AliX ad, I don't think they mention shock size, above response only assumes Cames and AliX are the same based on them having the same general design.

[Crash217]

Photo from the AliEx ad;

[acedeuce802]

Ah, somehow I was clicking around and ended up at this link: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807674955031.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.49a41802Hvydjj&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Same product, but no mention of shock size.

It's cheap enough, I ordered it.  I'll take some measurements when it comes in to see how the length of AliX yoke + 200mm shock compares to Specialized yoke + shock.

[Crash217]

Ah, somehow I was clicking around and ended up at this link: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807674955031.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.49a41802Hvydjj&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Same product, but no mention of shock size.

It's cheap enough, I ordered it.  I'll take some measurements when it comes in to see how the length of AliX yoke + 200mm shock compares to Specialized yoke + shock.

Definitely keep me updated on what your findings are!  Would love to be able to jump from the brain ship without reservations or questions! 

[acedeuce802]

Got the Yoke in the mail last week, haven't done anything but measure so far, and don't plan on installing until putting some good miles on the Brain this year.

Brain shock + yoke, eye to eye = 255mm
Brain shock, travel = 49mm
Brain shock + yoke, at bottom out = 206mm

At bottom out, there's an 8mm gap from the seat stay bridge to the seat tube.  With potential for compressing bottom-out bumpers and frame/pivot/etc compliance, I wouldn't want to go much closer.

AliX yoke = 60mm
Recommended shocks = 200x51mm or 200x57mm

210 shock + AliX yoke, eye to eye = 261mm
51mm travel at bottom out = 210mm
57mm travel at bottom out = 203mm

I was using a measuring square, as parallel to the frame as I could tell, so it may not be the most accurate.  If my measurements were perfect, going to the 57mm shock would bring the seat stay clearance down from 8mm to ~5mm, but I'm sure there's some inaccuracy there.  I think it's at least close enough to say that a 210mm eye-to-eye shock will raise the rear end by ~10mm, the 51mm travel shock will bottom out a bit higher in travel than the Brain (but have slightly more travel), and the 57mm travel shock will bottom out a bit lower in travel than the Brain (and have ~15mm more travel).  I would assume the BikeYoke version keeps top-out height the same as the Brain, but the shorter shock option reduces travel, and the longer shock option matches factory travel.

Raising the rear end by ~10mm will also steepen the HA and STA, so could be a good candidate for a 110 or 120mm fork.

[Crash217]

Thank you for the information!