What is going on with these funky step down head tubes?

I can understand the benefit (or perceived benefit, I've never had any stiffness issues with revelations)  of putting one on an xc bike. But why the hell on Freeride bikes? What possible benefit is there in shrinking the available weld area beside saving maybe 100grams from a 36lb bike? Not to mention stopping anyone from using proper 1.5 single forks, or is that the whole point?

The S-Works Epic is £4500 for a whole bike, which is only £500 up on last year, not too bad. It'll have Avid Juicy Ultimate Mag SL brakes, XTR group and Rovale Controle SL wheels.

There's no word on a frameset price, I reckon it may be £3000 including the chainset.

I personally can't wait

Storck frame, fork, headset, chainset, front mech and seat post. It's not too bad a deal all things considered.

It's a guess, based on the fact the Stumpjumper ones are £2500 and the Epics have to include the chainset and the price increases and a 'new thing tax'.

It makes the built bike very good value, I imagine I shall get one of those and eBay the wheels and the bits I don't want.

The Big Hit is possibly the most horrid bike I think I have ever seen.