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Today’s DealsMen's Epic Hardtail Comp
A 29″ carbon frame hardtail crosscountry bike with upper mid-range components.
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Manufacturer Price
$2,720| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Hardtail, 100mm |
| Fork | RockShox Reba |
| Wheels | 29″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | NX Eagle, Truvativ Stylo |
| Brakes | SRAM Level TL Hydraulic Disc |
5'1" – 5'6"
5'4" – 5'9"
5'7" – 6'0"
5'10" – 6'3"
6'0" – 6'5"
🐐 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.
The best hardtail Joe has ridden, priced accordingly
Incredibly light, supremely capable, surprisingly comfortable and a truly amazing XC hardtail
Is the Specialized S-Works Epic the fastest hardtail we've ever ridden?
Feedback?
View all reviews

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!

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

Dec 2019 · Mick Kirkman
The Epic EVO is a blast, but some of the Comp’s kit will be a bit heavy for full-XC psycho pain-cavers
EVO handling is super-sweet and intuitive
Ride position eggs you on to give it everything pretty much all of the time
Brain 2.0 won’t be smart enough for every rider
Some components are out of place on a £4k XC-style bike

Nov 2019 · Alan Muldoon
The latest Specialized S-Works Epic HT AXS is their top-flight XC bike that cuts weight to the bone but how tough is it on the rider?
Amazingly capable for a World Cup XC race bike. Ultra-light and compliant carbon frame. No holds barred specification.
The price seems insanely high.

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

| 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 Reba RL 29, 51mm offset, 15x110mm thru-axle (XS: 80mm, S: 90mm, M-XL: 100mm of travel) Travel: 100mm Spring Type: Air |
| 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 NX Eagle, 12-speed |
|---|---|
| Crank | Truvativ STYLO, DUB, SRAM Eagle, 32T |
| Shifters | SRAM NX Eagle, trigger, 12-speed |
| Cassette | SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed, 11-50t |
| Chain | SRAM NX 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 Alloy 29", 25mm internal width |
|---|---|
| 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 March 27
Not listed for 2,259 days