Vic Narciso, Specialized Pasig

If you’re as gnarly a rider as Vic is, you’re bike’s got to be pretty rad too. And if, like him, you’re with Specialized– you can bet that it’s pretty EPIC.

For our inaugural #CheckBikeCheck, we take a look at Vic Narciso’s Specialized steed — from its build all the way down to its parts.

2021 Specialized Epic EVO Pro

Color: Gloss Cast Umber/Clay

Frame: FACT 11m Full Carbon, Progressive XC Geometry, Rider-First Engineered™, threaded BB, 12x148mm rear spacing, internal cable routing, 110mm of travel

Cockpit:
Deity Black label bronze bars, 25mm rise
Deity Copperhead bronze stem
Deity Knuckleduster grips

Rear Shock: FOX FLOAT DPS Factory, Rx XC Tune, EVOL Air sleeve, Kashima Coat, 3-position adjustment w/ Open Mode Adjustment, 190x40mm

Fork: FOX FLOAT Step-Cast 34 Factory, Fit4 damper, Kashima Coating, 15x110mm, 44mm offset, 120mm of travel

Brake: Shimano XTR M9120, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc

Drivetrain: Shimano XTR M9100, 12-speed, 10-51

Pedals: Deity Bladerunner bronze

Hubs: DT Swiss 350, Boost

Rims: Roval Control Carbon, 25mm internal width, Zero bead hook, Tubeless ready, 28h

Tires: Fr, Ground Control, Control casing, GRIPTON® compound, 60 TPI, 2Bliss Ready, 29×2.3\”; Re, Fast Trak, Control casing, GRIPTON® compound, 60 TPI, 2Bliss Ready, 29×2.3\”

We were also able to sit down with Vic for a quick chat about his bike ride to joining Specialized PH.

How long have you been riding? AND can you rank the bikes you own?

On and off since I was a kid but only started riding again seriously early 2016. Thanks to my brother in law who let me try his Brompton and another brother in law who lent me an old MTB till I bought my own.

#1 is my MTB. It’s a Specialized Epic Evo. It’s number one since I will always be a mountain biker and will choose trail riding all day, everyday. The fresh air, the mountain scenery, the exhilaration you get rushing down mountains on dirt! So much fun! The Epic technically has XC DNA on it but since it’s an EVO, it’s got longer travel, a slacker head tube, dropper post, thicker tires and I swapped out the handle bars for some riser trail bars which are more me. This bike made me appreciate the XC aspects of mountain biking but also gives me the fun and thrill I love about trail bikes, giving me a great all around MTB.

#2 is my Specialized AWOL. My do it all bike/commuter. It’s technically a touring bike but I’ve used in on road/audax rides and on MTB /gravel trails. I’ve loaded it with packs up to 25kg in weight and I’ve also ridden it bare. It’s my go to bike for commuting, running errands and exploring. I also have a child carrier which i can install anytime so I can bring my son around. Hopefully this pandemic ends so I can take him on some proper rides!

#3 is my Specialized Roubaix (below), which is my dedicated road bike. During the pandemic, I started to REALLY appreciate road biking since almost all the trails were/are closed. I used to just ride road for the shop and to learn more about it but there’s a certain serenity and calm when you’re out riding in Sierra Madre or doing a long distance ride like Audax. Very very different to MTB but also fun and exciting. The speed thrill is crazy too! Going down Sierra well above 50kph does punch up the thrill points. Hahaha! This is a sleek road machine and since it’s an endurance bike, even if it’s fast, you still get comfort in it for longer rides and it’s so refined and elegant but can also be used on some rough stuff!

#4 my ’94 Specialized Allez Comp. This is more of a collectible that I was chasing for a few years. I was able to score one in practically mint condition/all original/stock. This is more of a closet queen reserved for chill coffee rides. It’s aged quite beautifully and even if era correct parts are so hard to find these days and I’m paranoid about breaking stuff, it brings me so much joy every time I look at it and ride.

How’d you get involved with Specialized and WHY should our next bike be a Spez?

I was riding Timberland with an ex officemate and his friend. I had just left the corporate world to go back to music, photography and try some businesses with my wife. We were talking about different things and work came up. He was working for Specialized Asia at the time and mentioned there was gonna be a new distributor and asked if I was interested. Who would say no to that right?! So he connected me to the Specialized Ph guys and eventually met one of the partners of Specialized Pasig who got me on board here.

Well, for one, it’s one of the biggest brands in the world with an amazing team who keep pushing the envelope. I keep learning stuff from them and it’s amazing to see what they put out every time there’s a new innovation. Specialized PH and Asia have got solid teams who’ve been amazing to work with and have been great support too.

Visit Specialized Pasig on FACEBOOK.

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