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Today’s Deals2019 Specialized
Epic Hardtail Expert
A 29″ carbon frame hardtail crosscountry bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price
$4,320| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Hardtail, 100mm |
| 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
Dec 2020 · Guy Kesteven
Extremely light for the category and stiffer and slacker to be faster uphill and down, the new Epic Evo is a blisteringly quick and enjoyable XC/Trail bike if you don’t want extra reach
Superlight frame weight
Impressive stiffness
Excellent SID suspension combo
Great suspension tune
Confident steering
Smart kit choice
Tall seat tube limits upsizing
Controls hit the top tube
Slow freehub engagement
Comp version is even better value
No SWAT downtube storage
Oct 2020 · Benjamin Topf
What happens when you take one of the lightest hardtail mountain bikes, add drop bars and send it off on a bikepacking trip? We did exactly that with the Specialized S-Works EPIC HT AXS Custom and tell you whether the concept works.
Acceleration
Best of the best components
Confidence-inspiring handling
Amazing concept for racers
Frame requires delicate treatment
Fork sags when you pedal standing up
Jun 2020
Specialized has done a really good job of taking one bike and making it equally competitive for two different types of riders. If you search out the longest backcountry trails or like to get to the top of your local spot at record time, you may want to take the Epic Evo S-Works for a spin. Read our full review here!
Apr 2020
Specialized's Epic Expert Carbon Evo is a satisfyingly fun and fast take on a less pointy kind of cross-country distance machine, but the Brain-equipped rear suspension can feel more idiot than intellectual and the spec is rather pedestrian for the cash. If you can get over that then it provides plenty of high tempo fun for those seeking distance and thrills.
Jan 2020 · Bobby Lea
The redesigned Epic Hardtail Pro is longer, slacker and compatible with long travel dropper posts.
Slacker head angle and longer reach than previous version
Roval Control carbon hoops
SRAM X01 Eagle 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
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
| 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 29 w/ Brain, bottom-adjust Brain Fade, 15x110mm Maxle® Stealth thru-axle, 51mm offset, (S: 90mm, M-XL: 100mm of travel) Travel: 100mm |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM, DUB, PF30 |
| Stem | Specialized XC, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 6-degree rise |
| Handlebar | Specialized Alloy Minirise, 10mm rise, 750mm, 31.8mm clamp |
| Saddle | Body Geometry Phenom Comp, hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm |
| Seatpost | Specialized, alloy, single-bolt, 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, DUB, SRAM Eagle, 32T |
| Shifters | SRAM GX Eagle, trigger, 12-speed |
| Cassette | SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed, 10-50t |
| Chain | SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Brakes | Front: SRAM Level TL, hydraulic disc, Rear: SRAM Level TL, hydraulic disc Type: SRAM Level TL Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Roval Control Carbon, 25mm internal width, tubeless-ready |
|---|---|
| Spokes | DT Swiss Industry |
| Front Hub | Specialized, sealed cartridge bearings, 15x110mm spacing, 28h |
| Rear Hub | Specialized, sealed cartridge bearings, 12x148mm thru-axle, 28h |
| Tires | Front: Fast Trak, GRIPTON® compound, 60 TPI, 2Bliss Ready, 29x2.3", Rear: Fast Trak, GRIPTON® compound, 60 TPI, 2Bliss Ready, 29x2.1" |
First added November 6
Last updated November 6
Not listed for 2,401 days