{"id":67613,"date":"2024-07-31T17:48:18","date_gmt":"2024-07-31T15:48:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bd7388d3-31ec-4cba-805e-28045d140abc"},"modified":"2024-07-31T18:25:26","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T16:25:26","slug":"london-2012-to-paris-2024-how-much-have-olympic-xc-mountain-bikes-changed-in-12-years","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/london-2012-to-paris-2024-how-much-have-olympic-xc-mountain-bikes-changed-in-12-years\/","title":{"rendered":"London 2012 to Paris 2024: How much have Olympic XC mountain bikes changed in 12 years?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Olympic gold medallist Jaroslav Kulhav\u00fd\u2019s Specialized Epic vs silver medallist Victor Koretzky\u2019s Epic World Cup <\/p>

By Alex Evans\n <\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 31 July 2024 at 15:48 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Specialized\u2019s Epic is in the enviable position to claim Olympic medals from both the 2012 London and 2024 Paris Games<\/a>.<\/p>

Czech rider Jaroslav Kulhav\u00fd rode his Specialized S-Works Epic<\/a> to a gold medal at Hadleigh Park in 2012.<\/p>

12 years later, French rider Victor Koretzky also rode a Specialized Epic World Cup to a silver medal position \u2013 beaten out by Britain\u2019s Tom Pidcock on his Pinarello Dogma XC<\/a> \u2013 on home soil on France\u2019s Elancourt track.<\/p>

So how do two bikes at the cutting-edge of XC tech from the same brand separated by 12 years of development compare?<\/p>

2012 Specialized Epic versus 2024 Specialized Epic World Cup<\/h2>
While tech has changed, skinsuits were popular as far back as 2012. – Bryn Lennon \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The biggest (and easiest) difference is the lack of electronic components on the 2012 Epic.<\/p>
While the 11-speed 1x cable-operated SRAM XX1 was cutting edge,\u00a0Kulhav\u00fd had to ‘make do’ with mechanical gear changes \u2013 via GripShift, no less.<\/p>
2024\u2019s bike looks so high-tech that it\u2019s like comparing Christoper Columbus\u2019 Santa Mar\u00eda to Star Trek\u2019s Enterprise.<\/p>
$\"Specialized$
The Epic World Cup Paris 2024 features a limited colourway with shades of pink and bronze. – Specialized<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Not only has SRAM\u2019s latest XX SL Eagle AXS Transmission drivetrain<\/a> fitted to Koretzky\u2019s Specialized upped the number of cogs from 11 to 12, but it\u2019s also expanded the gear ratios from 10-42 to 10-52.<\/p>
SRAM\u2019s other wireless, electronic components are featured throughout the bike.<\/p>
Most notable is the RockShox AXS Reverb dropper post<\/a>, boosting descending capabilities beyond Kulhav\u00fd\u2019s fixed carbon fibre post.<\/p>
Cable still prevails elsewhere<\/h3>
$\"Victor$
Koretzky rode a closely fought race against Pidcock. – Zac Williams \/ SWpix.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The 2012 Epic features Fox\/Specialized collaboration BRAIN rear shock. <\/p>
This automatic lockout (of sorts) remained firm on smooth terrain to provide a stable pedalling platform, but would \u2018blow open\u2019 on bigger impacts to improve control and comfort on rough terrain. <\/p>
While imperfect, the system was (and still is), pretty impressive.<\/p>
Given the proliferation of electronic components, you\u2019d expect Koretzky\u2019s bike to feature RockShox’s automatically adjusting electronic Flight Attendant<\/a> suspension components \u2013 but this isn\u2019t the case.<\/p>
While the BRAIN\u2019s hydromechanical design has been removed, it\u2019s been replaced by RockShox\u2019s mechanically operated three-position lockout system.<\/p>
While not quite as fancy as Flight Attendant\u2019s electronic wizardry, clearly the mechanical alternative worked well for the French rider.<\/p>
More travel up front, less out back<\/h3>
$\"Jaroslav$
The BRAIN shock used an inertia valve to restrict oil in the damper, firming up the rear end for pedalling efficiency. – Phil Walter \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Not only has suspension damper control been vastly improved over 12 years, travel figures have also been tweaked.<\/p>
Kulhav\u00fd\u2019s Epic was fitted with a custom 80mm travel RockShox Reba. This used Specialized\u2019s own carbon fibre crown steerer unit (CSU) and Reba lowers.\u00a0<\/p>
Out back, the 2012 S-Works Epic had 100mm of Horst-link travel damped by that aforementioned BRAIN shock.<\/p>
$\"Specialized$
The Epic World Cup’s rear shock is hidden in the top tube. – Specialized<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The modern-day counterpart boasts 30mm more travel up front, with the RockShox SID SL Ultimate getting 110mm of travel.<\/p>
However, the 2024 Epic World Cup has just 75mm of rear wheel travel thanks to a flex stay design, controlled by a SIDLuxe WCID Ultimate shock.<\/p>
Carbon fibre luxury<\/h3>
$\"Victor$
Despite its small travel figures, Koretzky wasn’t afraid to huck the Epic World Cup. – Alex Whitehead \/ SWpix.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Though composite technology has improved, carbon fibre wheels and frames were common in 2012. <\/p>
$\"Jaroslav$
Cross-country courses have become more technical since the London 2012 Olympic Games. – Phil Walter \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Kulhav\u00fd\u2019s Epic was one of the first XC Race bikes to roll on Roval Control SL 29 29in carbon fibre wheels.<\/p>
Koretzky\u2019s 20424 model has identically named hoops from Roval, even if their smooth and wide deep-dish profile is remarkably different.<\/p>
Measuring angles<\/h3>
$\"Victor$
Slacker head angles have made bikes more capable on descents. – Zac Williams \/ SWpix.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>
But it\u2019s the geometry where the changes really hit home.<\/p>
Up front, the 2012 bike\u2019s 70.5 degree head angle is swapped out for a better handling and much slacker 66.5 degree figure on the Epic World Cup.<\/p>
The inverse is true for the seat tube angle, where the 2024 bike\u2019s figure sits marginally steeper at 74.5 degrees instead of the 74 degrees of the 2012 model.<\/p>
In keeping with wider trends, reach figures have grown considerably. <\/p>
The 2024 bike\u2019s size small 415mm reach is the same as a size medium 2012 model. <\/p>
At the top end, the 2012 bike tops out at 458mm, which is considerably shorter than the 490mm of the 2024 model.<\/p>
It costs how much!?<\/h3>
$\"Victor$
Medal-winning bikes don’t come cheap. – Alex Whitehead \/ SWpix.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>
In terms of weight, Kulhav\u00fd\u2019s bike was said to tip the scales at 9.6kg while the modern equivalent Koretzky rode is 290g lighter at 9.31kg.<\/p>
If you wanted to buy either of these bikes \u2013\u00a0or the closest replica available to the average Joe \u2013 you\u2019d have to spend a chunk of cash.<\/p>
Back in 2012, Kulhav\u00fd\u2019s closest replica Specialized S-Works Epic Carbon 29er had a retail price of $10,500 \u2013 which is roughly $14,300 after adjusting for inflation.<\/p>
A limited edition run of 250 Specilaized S-Works Epic World Cup Forward 50 LTD \u2013 which is a replica of Koretzky\u2019s 2024 silver medal bike \u2013 retails for \u00a312,500 \/ $14,000 \/ \u20ac14,000 making it slightly cheaper than the 2012 bike. A rare occurrence in 2024.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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