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Winning Bike Check: Matt Beers’ Epic Evo

March 8, 2023
By Myles Kelsey

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — Matt is now riding the Specialized Epic Evo which is a 120mm fork and 110mm rear travel bike.

BN: Tell us about your race strategy and what this win means to you?

Matt: “I didn’t actually have a strategy, I knew it would be a course that would require reading the race as it unfolds. I managed to take the right opportunities and take the right risks that created the split. It’s always special winning a national title, it’s never given to you easily so it’s nice for the hard work to pay off. It’s cool to be able to wear it overseas and at Epic.”

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — A consummate professional. Matt is always happy to engage with the media and fans after a race. Good man!

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — Matt: “The bigger travel really accommodates me being a bigger and heavier rider than some of these little whippets.”

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — He runs the RockShox remote lockout, known as TwistLoc that sits flush next to the left grip.

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — BN: How close is this setup to your ABSA Cape Epic setup? Matt: “Pretty much identical. Tyre choice will vary between Control T5 and Control T5 Grid, for more protection.”

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — That’s a functional and race-ready cockpit right there. The bar tape brings another hand position into play that is also more aerodynamic.

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — BN: Did you use the bar tape / aero position a lot? Matt: “Yes, I use it a lot in training and a lot during most SA races with fast descents and flat roads.”

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — He runs 15% sag on the RockShox SID fork. The front tyre is a Specialized Fast Trak 2.35″, in T5 compound.

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — 25% sag in the RockShox SID Ultimate shock.

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — A good day in the dirt. | *Click to enlarge

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — A good day in the dirt. | *Click to enlarge

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — Matt rides a size XL S-Works Specialized Epic Evo.

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — Matt uses lock-on grips from the RockShox stable.

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — Metal pads inside the SRAM Level Ultimate brakes with Centerline X brakes for better cooling.

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 1 x 12 drivetrain with a 10-52T cassette and a cSixx 38T chainring.

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — A single dropped chain could ruin a race so Matt takes no chances out there and runs a MRP chain device. Small integrated power meter by Sigeyi – does anyone know how to pronounce that?

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — More power…

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — Matt runs 21psi front and 23psi at the back with no inserts. The wheels are by Specialized, the Roval Control SL 29 with DT Swiss lightweight hubs and light, bladed spokes. | Click to enlarge

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — Matt runs 21psi front and 23psi at the back with no inserts. The wheels are by Specialized, the Roval Control SL 29 with DT Swiss lightweight hubs and light, bladed spokes. | Click to enlarge

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — Bigger travel XC bikes mean things get a little sendier. Matt is now running a longer dropper, it’s a 150mm RockShox AXS Reverb. He uses the Specialized Roman Evo Pro saddle.

paarl, western cape, south africa on 4 march 2023. A review of south african national mountain bike champion matt beer's winning specialized epic evo — Cheers on another National Jersey Matt!

| IMAGES: Rob Ward for Bike Network |

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