Yeah. He seems to be intently applying pressure to the saddle. Though the shock still seems to have stroke left.
Definitely concerning for big boy sizes if it’s not an illusion.
It seems unlikely they’d go slacker than 74° effective STA. That’d be a backwards step.
Guesses on HTA? I think 67.5 is the perfect race bike.
Yeah, the BB is set back pretty far.
Not at all conclusive, but a quick sketch analysis based on that pic. Far from perfect due to camera perspective and all that, but sheds some general perspective.
I think if those numbers are close the SuperCal is safe on it’s soft tail throne.
I’m very curious about the travel number… I’m thinking right now this is more of a HT replacement and less of a Supercaliber competitor (especially with rumors of a new SC. Edit: and no doubt Spesh would be aware that the SC is getting up in age and due for replacement anyway).
This bike has been rumored for a few months now. My sources hinted that this bike would was to replace the now outgoing Epic Hardtail. The current Epic will also be phased out. The result is two distinct MTBs offered by Specialized being:
-This new lighter weight, soft tail ‘ish’ Epic
-The current Epic Evo (remains largely unchanged for now but a minor refresh expected in 2024)
Does the current Evo come standard with lockout? And headset angle adjust?
No lockout on EVO, and I think the geo is fixed for all Epics (no flip chip or HTA changes, but that is from memory = wrong… see below).
And just as I am searching, there does seem to be a flip chip:
Specialized Epic EVO Expert – In our 2022 downcountry group test | ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine
That’s the response I was looking for! Races like the back 40, Nimby, Spakwus, etc., are mostly what I’m in to. Any thoughts on tire choices?
As far as I know nimby and spawkus aren’t happening this year (very sadly).
Tires are ssssoooo hard in BC. Biggest factor is if it’s wet or not. I’m planning on using the rekon race as my a start, and maybe going beefier if any of the races I want to do are wet. It’s also so course dependant, the back 40 is quite a bit steeper and techier than the other races. Looking up what people (mortals, not the pros that are using aspens which is kind of crazy) run on the BCBR coast editions is good inspiration.
I did the last Spakwus, but missed the last NIMBY. Back 40 is appealing, but I’m not sure how I feel about the format. There’s a TrailForks route I’m keen on for the summer that is basically all the best of Whistler, but it’s definitely more enduro bike territory.
Lots of cool new tech on the horizon but nothing is really a game changer. It feels like we’re reaching peak bike
Not sure what the purpose of replacing a hardtail with a suspension is, when there’s already a racing bike with a better (?) suspension. So if you want a hardtail you get a chisel? Or will there be a third bike now?
I kind of predict the following:
Killed = Epic HT and Original EVO FS bikes
I’d be curious to know what software/web tool you used here. All I can find are clunky digital protractors
SolidWorks via my real job. High level 3D CAD design tool.
It’s in the XC thread, but it appears to be actual suspension not the silly bum saver on the diverge.
Looks like they’ve taken the SuperCal design and made it better, just as Trek are looking to release a new XC bike with a bit more travel than the SuperCal 
On another note, if those cloth stealth wraps don’t impede suspension action it seems like a great option to put on the bike for grizzly muddy rides.
