Share a Friend’s Lightning Specialized Epic Expert Mountain Bike Review
We had originally planned to pick up the car together yesterday, but the rain made us both a little too lazy to follow through. Today, I headed over to his place to check out the bike—after all, I wasn’t about to make a special trip to a bike shop just for this.
This is a 2021 Specialized model, and like every year, it comes with unique color options. The Expert variant sports what’s officially called Gloss Red Tint, but I prefer to think of it as “gradient red.” From afar, it looks almost black, but when you step closer and catch the light just right, it reveals its deep, rich red hue.
Underneath that stunning finish lies a carbon fiber frame paired with a RockShox SID suspension fork, Roval carbon fiber wheels, DT Swiss 350 hubs, and a Sram drivetrain featuring an impressive 12-speed X01 rear derailleur.
The RockShox SID is equipped with their famous Brain technology—a feature I jokingly refer to as “the one with brains,” hahaha! As far as I understand, it automatically adjusts stiffness based on terrain (though feel free to correct me if I’m wrong). While I don’t know much about RockShox beyond how lightweight they are, personally, I’ve always been more of a Fox Kashima fan—it’s that iconic Kashima gold coating that draws me in, hahaha!
Moving on to the Roval carbon fiber wheels—they’re simply incredible, defined by one word: lightness. The DT Swiss 350 hub offers smooth performance with a subtle, low-key hum. If you’re into louder sounds, you could upgrade the ratchet system for a denser engagement. For off-road enthusiasts, a denser engagement can be a game-changer—and let’s face it, I love it because it makes some serious noise!
Then there’s the Sram drivetrain, boasting a 32-tooth chainring up front and a massive 10-50T cassette in the back. This setup is more than enough for tackling mountain trails, especially when combined with the bike’s feather-light frame and the exceptional grip provided by its 2.3-inch wide tires. Whether climbing steep inclines or navigating technical descents, this machine will undoubtedly deliver.
Now, shifting gears slightly—I couldn’t help but notice the beer sitting in the water bottle holder. It was a canned Erdinger Weissbier, a German wheat beer I first stumbled upon at 7-Eleven. If you ever get the chance, try the draft version at a bar; I find it even smoother and more refreshing.
Does every mountain biker share a love for beer?
Edward Grant 
Ada Stephens 
Bennett Schmidt
That Lightning Specialized Epic Expert looks awesome with the Gloss Red Tint—it’s definitely eye-catching. I’m curious, did your friend mention how it handles on technical trails? The color choice seems perfect for someone who wants to stand out on the trail.
Absolutely, the Gloss Red Tint really makes the bike pop! My friend mentioned that it handles incredibly well on technical trails, with great suspension and grip to tackle tough obstacles. It’s clear this bike is designed for riders who want both style and performance. Thanks for your comment—hope this helps!
That bike sounds awesome! I love how they keep changing the color options each year; Gloss Red Tint definitely gives it a sleek look. Have you taken it for a ride yet? I bet it handles beautifully on technical trails.
That Gloss Red Tint really caught my eye—it’s such a bold choice compared to other bikes I’ve seen. I’m curious how it handles on technical trails; do you think it strikes a good balance between speed and stability?
Absolutely, the Gloss Red Tint is a showstopper! In my experience, this bike handles technical trails impressively well—it finds a great balance between speed and stability, thanks to its lightweight frame and responsive suspension. If you’re into aggressive riding, it definitely won’t disappoint. Thanks for your interest—hope this helps!
That red tint on the Expert model is really eye-catching! I wonder how it rides compared to other bikes in its class. It seems like they’ve kept the good stuff while adding some fresh updates. Definitely makes me want to test ride one now!
Absolutely, the red tint on the Expert model is stunning! In terms of performance, it definitely holds its own against others in its class—smooth handling, great stability, and those updates make it feel more agile. It’s one of my favorite bikes right now, and I totally understand why you’d want to take it for a spin! Thanks for your interest—it’s always exciting to hear from fellow biking enthusiasts.
That Gloss Red Tint color sounds amazing in person! I’ve always loved how Specialized bikes stand out with their unique yearly colors. Makes me wanna test ride one myself now.
That Gloss Red Tint color sounds awesome in person! I’ve always loved how Specialized bikes look, but the weather lately has been terrible for test rides. Maybe your friend can share how it handles on trails once it dries up?
That Gloss Red Tint color sounds amazing—would love to see some photos of it in sunlight! The Epic Expert is such a solid choice, though I get why you wouldn’t brave the rain just to check it out. Your friend’s bike must be a blast to ride on trails!
That Gloss Red Tint colorway looks sick in the photos! Makes me wonder how it holds up against mud after rainy rides though. Your friend’s Epic Expert seems like a solid choice – those Specialized frames always nail the balance between stiffness and comfort.
That Gloss Red Tint color sounds awesome in person! I’ve always loved how Specialized bikes look, but the weather here makes me lazy about test rides too. How does the Epic Expert handle compared to previous models?
Thanks for your comment! The Gloss Red Tint truly pops in sunlight—Specialized nailed the finish. Compared to previous models, the Epic Expert feels more responsive thanks to its updated geometry and improved Brain shock tuning. Personally, I think it’s their best balance of efficiency and trail capability yet. Hope you get to test ride one soon—it’s worth braving the weather for!
That Gloss Red Tint color sounds awesome in person! I’ve always wondered how the Epic Expert handles compared to previous models – does it feel noticeably lighter? Your friend’s lucky to have this bike, especially with those rainy days making car trips less appealing lately.
Thanks for your comment! The Gloss Red Tint really pops in sunlight—it’s even better than photos show. The new Epic Expert is noticeably lighter thanks to its redesigned frame, making climbs feel effortless compared to older models. I agree, it’s a fantastic bike for dodging rainy-day traffic while still having fun!