2020 Specialized

Epic Hardtail

A 29″ carbon frame hardtail crosscountry bike with upper mid-range components.
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MSRP$2,120
FrameCarbon
SuspensionHardtail, 100mm
ForkRockShox Judy
Wheels29″ Aluminum
Drivetrain1 × 12
GroupsetNX Eagle, SX Eagle
BrakesHydraulic Disc
Where to Buy
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Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Epic Hardtail
Other Crosscountry bikes
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

25 mph

Epic Hardtail

27 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Sizing
XS

5'1" – 5'6"

SM

5'4" – 5'9"

MD

5'7" – 6'0"

LG

5'10" – 6'3"

XL

6'0" – 6'5"

🐐 Estimated

Rider Fit Notes

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Reviews
MBR
Specialized Epic Evo Expert review - MBR

Mar 2021 · Alan Muldoon

Specialized Epic Evo Expert is streets ahead of its rivals in sizing and geometry. Long reach gives you freedom to get creative on any trail.

Highs
  • Fast and light

Lows
  • Expensive

Read Review

Bike Perfect
Specialized Epic Evo Expert review

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

Highs
  • Superlight frame weight

  • Impressive stiffness

  • Excellent SID suspension combo

  • Great suspension tune

  • Confident steering

  • Smart kit choice

Lows
  • Tall seat tube limits upsizing

  • Controls hit the top tube

  • Slow freehub engagement

  • Comp version is even better value

  • No SWAT downtube storage

Read Review

Gran Fondo Magazine
Specialized S-Works Epic HT AXS Custom in bikepacking review

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.

Highs
  • Acceleration

  • Best of the best components

  • Confidence-inspiring handling

  • Amazing concept for racers

Lows
  • Frame requires delicate treatment

  • Fork sags when you pedal standing up

Read Review

BikeRadar
Specialized Epic Hardtail review

Jul 2020 · Tom Marvin

A great frame that’s let down by lacklustre kit, but is a solid platform to upgrade from

Highs
  • Geometry great for aggressive riders looking to maximise speed up and downhill

  • High-volume tyres boost comfort and grip on all but the slippiest of trails

Lows
  • Quality of components

  • Fork has a less refined feel through its stroke than others

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BIKE Magazine
First Ride: 2021 Specialized Epic Evo

Jun 2020

As cross-country bikes evolve, it's no surprise that the Specialized Epic Evo is already a step ahead. It adds travel and length, and loses one element.

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Loam Wolf
Review: Specialized Epic Evo S-Works

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!

Read Review

Flow Mountain Bike
Specialized Epic EVO Review | Specialized ditches the Brain for 2021, and the EVO is all the better for it

Jun 2020

The Specialized Epic EVO is all-new for 2021, and it has finally ditched the Brain. Along with its new FACT carbon frame and radical geometry, this is one XC bike that is totally dialled for trail-ripping. Read on for our 2021 Specialized Epic EVO review.

Highs
  • Superbly balanced suspension performance

  • Totally up-for-it geometry

  • Comfortable all-day riding position

  • Stupendously light Roval Control SL wheels

  • Dual bottle friendly

  • The well-engineered but practical frameset

Lows
  • The mind-boggling price

  • Burlier rubber, particularly on the rear, wouldn't go amiss

Read Review

off.road.cc
Specialized Epic Expert Carbon Evo 2020 review

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.

Read Review

Geometry
99 Spokes on YouTube99 Spokes on YouTube
Specs
Build
Frame

Specialized FACT 11m, XC Geometry, Rider-First Engineered™, threaded BB, 12x148mm rear spacing, internal cable routing

BB StandardBSA, 73mm, Threaded

ColorSatin Black / White

Fork

RockShox Judy Gold 29, Motion Control damper, 42mm offset, 15x110mm thru-axle, 100mm of travel

Travel100mm

Spring TypeCoil

Bottom Bracket

SRAM DUB, BSA 73mm, Threaded

Stem

Specialized XC, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 6-degree rise

Handlebar

Specialized Alloy Minirise, 10mm rise, 750mm, 31.8mm clamp

Saddle

Body Geometry Power Sport, hollow Cr-Mo rails

Seatpost

Specialized, alloy, single-bolt, 30.9mm

TypeRigid

Grips

Specialized Trail Grips

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed

Crank

SRAM X1000 Eagle, DUB, 170/175mm, Steel, 32T

Shifters

SRAM SX Eagle, trigger, 12-speed

Cassette

SRAM PG-1210 Eagle, 11-50t

Chain

SRAM SX Eagle, 12-speed

Brakes

Front: Shimano MT-501, hydraulic disc, resin pad, Rear: Shimano MT-501, hydraulic disc, resin pad

TypeHydraulic Disc

Wheels
Rims

Stout XC 29, 25mm internal width, disc-specific

Spokes

DT Swiss Industry

Front Hub

Specialized, sealed cartridge bearings, 15x110mm thru-axle, 28h

Rear Hub

Specialized, sealed cartridge bearings, 12x148mm thru-axle, 32h

Tires

Front: Fast Trak, Control casing, GRIPTON® compound, 60 TPI, 2Bliss Ready, 29x2.3", Rear: Fast Trak, Control casing, GRIPTON® compound, 60 TPI, 2Bliss Ready, 29x2.3"

Rider Notes
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Last updated January 6
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