Tuning a Specialized Brain for braaap

Lee,

How will i find the sweet spot for an Epic EVO Brain for pump or trail?

Peter

Hey Peter,

Thanks for writing.

Most nerds out there think of Specialized’s Brain as a pedaling platform. The inertia valve resists pedal bob but responds to bumps. You get a ride that pedals like a hardtail but absorbs violence like a suspension bike. Pretty brilliant — and used for many XC victories.

I think of the Brain as a pumping platform. The Brain resists pumping input but responds to bumps. You get a ride that pumps like a hardtail but absorbs violence like a suspension bike. Pretty brilliant — and perfect for shredding all kinds of terrain.

FIRM WHEN YOU WANT IT: Brain-equipped 2008 Stumpy Pro Carbon on the pump track in Lyons, CO. As I recall, I ran this bike a bit firmer than middle.

Learn more about Brains in general and the Epic EVO in particular: Brains for braaap.

When I first ride a Brain shock and/or fork, I roll around the parking lot with light hands and heavy feet, then I push down with my feet. I do not bounce up and down; I keep my torso anchored in space and try to crush the bottom bracket into the earth. I look for a setting that resists medium pressure but that I can blow through with an aggressive push.

This setting will let me pump smooth ground with insane efficiency. When I get into the rocks, the suspension opens up. When I need to hop or jump over something, I can push through the threshold, find the ground and get great pop.

From there I’ll find tune on the trail. My goal is a bike that seamlessly transitions from BMX mode to DH mode. I like as little platform as it takes to keep the bike stable when pumping smooth rollers. Our settings will be different, because “moderate” is so relative.

I suppose you can use a firmer setting for pump tracks and a softer setting for trail, but I believe in finding a good overall setting and riding it everywhere. This helps you learn the machine, and it prevents the ol’ travel somewhere special, lock out for the huge climb, suck on the DH then realized you did this once-in-a-lifetime descent in lockout mode. The Brain lets you “set it and forget it” with an unmatched level of versatility.

PLUSH WHEN YOU WANT IT: Brain-equipped 2008 Stumpy Pro Carbon on a DH trail at Keystone, CO.

If you want to get Pro, you can bracket your settings. Check out Fox ProPedal and suspension bracketing.

Pin it!

— Lee

Know more. Have more fun!

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