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Today’s Deals2018 Specialized
Men's Epic Hardtail Expert
A 29″ carbon frame hardtail crosscountry bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price
$4,500| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Hardtail, 90mm |
| Fork | RockShox SID |
| Wheels | 29″ Carbon |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | GX Eagle, Truvativ Stylo |
| Brakes | SRAM Level TL Hydraulic Disc |
5'2" – 5'8"
5'6" – 5'11"
5'10" – 6'3"
6'1" – 6'7"
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
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Summary
The Specialized Epic Hardtail is celebrated for its ultra-light frame, exceptional climbing ability, and smooth ride quality, making it a top contender in the cross-country category. Its innovative design and technology, including the Brain fork, offer a good balance between efficiency and comfort, though some may find the fork's lockout abrupt. The bike's high performance comes with a premium price, especially for the S-Works builds.
Ultra-light and stiff frame
Exceptional climbing ability
Smooth ride quality
Innovative Brain fork technology
High performance for cross-country racing
Abrupt hard stop in Brain fork
Premium price point for S-Works builds
Limited dropper post choices in some models
Specialized has clearly set a new benchmark with a medium mountain bike frame that weighs a claimed 875g.
Cycling TipsThe best hardtail Joe has ridden, priced accordingly
BikeRadarIncredibly light, supremely capable, surprisingly comfortable and a truly amazing XC hardtail
MBRIs the Specialized S-Works Epic the fastest hardtail we've ever ridden?
Singletrack WorldFeedback?
View all reviews
Nov 2019 · Bobby Lea
It's not cheap, but oh boy, this is one fast bike.
RockShox Brain Suspension
SRAM X01 drivetrain
Oct 2019 · Trev Worsey
The Epic is Specialized’s no-nonsense lightweight XC racer. But just like the Stumpjumper, the Epic is also offered in a more progressive EVO spec.
Very lively on flow trails
Like a rocket uphill
Micro Brain inertia valve delay
XC cockpit limits versatility
Sep 2019 · Guy Kesteven
Has a longer fork and bigger tyres turned the alloy Specialized Epic into a lightweight play bike?
Still extremely light for the money despite a trail toughened spec
Unique and very effective automatic hardtail/full suspension switching
Flexy frame and wheels, plus short and steep geometry
Clunky suspension actuation in firmer modes, highlighted by gappy free-hub pick up
Aug 2019 · Zach Overholt
Riding the new Specialized Epic HT in Northstar at Tahoe proved that this is not your old school XC bike. Instead, it's a very light, very capable racer.
May 2019 · Robin Weaver
A pedalling-friendly platform that’s great fun to ride on rowdier trails when the speeds pick up
Brain shock is easy to tune to balance comfort and pedalling efficiency
Deceptively capable considering it only has 100mm of rear travel
Confident-handling in challenging terrain yet still feels super-fast on the climbs
Brain takes time to get used to
Not exactly cheap
Nov 2018 · James Huang
Specialized has offered several “Evo” mountain bike models in the past, all fitted with burlier builds that aim to make things more fun on the way down, with minimal sacrifice on the way up. For the first time, the XC racing-focused Epic gets the treatment, with the new Epic Expert Evo retaining the family’s excellent […]
Brain rear shock performs as claimed, superb handling, mostly fantastic build kit
Brain rear shock is quirky, woeful rear hub, so-so weight
Aug 2018
Specialized have a magnificent cross-country race bike with the latest version of the Epic. But you can't race every day, and so in a bid to broaden the Epic's appeal, they've now got an Evo version too. But does it successfully bridge the gap between race and play?
Magnificent build quality.
Trademark Epic efficiency.
Top marks for overal singletrack handling.
Stiff, precise frame and wheels.
Brain shock not ideal for trail riding in some regards.
Some components are a bit low-end for this price.
Mar 2018 · Wil Barrett
In Issue #116 of Singletrack Magazine, Wil and the crew tested three new generation full suspension XC race bikes. Read on for the full review of the 2018 Specialized Epic...
| Frame | Specialized FACT 11m, XC Geometry, internal split-housing cable routing, PF30 BB, 12x148mm rear end, triangulated post-mount 160mm brake BB Standard: PF30, Press Fit |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox SID Brain 29, Solo Air, 51mm offset, 15x110mm thru-axle (S: 90mm of travel, M/L/XL: 100mm of travel) Travel: 90mm Spring Type: Air |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM PF30 |
| Stem | Specialized XC, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 6-degree rise |
| Handlebar | Specialized Mini-Rise, 7050 alloy, 8-degree backsweep, 6-degree upsweep, 10mm rise, 720mm width, 31.8mm clamp |
| Saddle | Body Geometry Phenom Comp, Adaptive Edge design, Hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm |
| Seatpost | Specialized, alloy, single bolt, 21mm offset, 27.2mm Type: Rigid |
| Pedals | Specialized Dirt |
| Grips | Specialized Sip Grip, half-waffle, S/M: regular thickness, L/XL: XL thickness |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed |
|---|---|
| Crank | Truvativ Stylo, 6K alloy, Boost™ 148, 175mm crankarm, 30mm spindle, SRAM Eagle™, alloy, 32T |
| Shifters | SRAM GX Eagle, trigger, 12-speed |
| Cassette | SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed, 10-50t |
| Chain | SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed w/ PowerLock® |
| Brakes | Front: SRAM Level TL, Rear: SRAM Level TL Type: SRAM Level TL Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Roval Control Carbon, hookless bead, 22mm internal width, tubeless ready |
|---|---|
| Spokes | DT Swiss Industry, stainless, 2.0 |
| Front Hub | Specialized, sealed cartridge bearing, 15x110mm spacing, torque caps, 32h |
| Rear Hub | Specialized, sealed cartridge bearing, XD driver body, 12mm thru-axle, 148mm spacing, 32h |
| Tires | Front: Fast Trak, GRIPTON compound, 2Bliss Ready, 29 x 2.3",, Rear: Fast Trak, GRIPTON compound, 2Bliss Ready, 29 x 2.1" |
First added November 6
Last updated November 6
Not listed for 2,406 days