Bikes up to 60% offWe monitor over 40,000 bikes daily to find the best prices
Today’s Deals2023 Specialized
S-Works Epic Frameset
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension crosscountry frameset.
Manufacturer Price
$3,999| Weight | 8.5 lbs (frame) |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon |
| Suspension | Full, 100mm rear |
| Fork | RockShox SID SL Ultimate |
| Shock | RockShox |
| Wheels | 29″ |
5'1" – 5'6"
5'4" – 5'9"
5'7" – 6'0"
5'10" – 6'3"
6'0" – 6'5"
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
Do you have this bike? Help other riders make a decision about which size will work for them by sharing your own size and fit notes.
Summary
The Specialized Epic is a high-performance cross-country bike that blends hardtail efficiency with full suspension control, featuring innovative suspension technology and lightweight construction. It excels in climbing and efficiency, with a design that's optimized for competitive racing. However, its specialized nature and limited rear travel may not suit all riders, and the suspension setup can feel harsh over rough terrain.
Lightweight frame
Innovative suspension design
Exceptional climbing capabilities
Snappy and accurate handling
Efficient power transfer
Limited rear travel
Harsh ride over rough terrain
High price point
Specialized nature limits versatility
Suspension setup may not suit all riders
The Epic World Cup is the best climbing bike I’ve ridden.
BikeRadarThe new Specialized Epic World Cup isn’t just lighter, simpler and smoother than the current Brain-equipped Epic, it’s also considerably more tuneable.
Flow Mountain BikeSpecialized claim to have achieved the impossible, fulfilling the dream of every XC rider: creating a bike that combines the efficiency of a hardtail with the composure and control of a full-susser.
Enduro Mountainbike MagazineFeedback?
View all reviews
Dec 2024 · Ron Koch
The result is a single-frame design that, depending on the components added, can be either a competitive XC racing rig or a confident trail bike that is ready for anything thrown its way.
Apr 2024 · Spencer Astra
During the darkest part of the Northwest winter, I found myself aboard the new Specialized Epic 8 Evo Pro, a short-travel speed demon. After a nasty broken elbow, the Epic Evo and I seem to be sharing new titanium hardware. With 130 millimeters of travel up front and 120 at the rear, the new Epic is a cross-country bike that leans more toward gnarlier terrain than a true race bred rig as it seamlessly blends efficiency with just enough grit to tackle unforgiving trails. Even as I pedaled slow and muddy singletrack, this bike remained remarkably zippy—a testament to its short travel, low build weight, and efficient frame kinematics. Specialized has managed to shave off a few grams from the previous model iteration while producing a stable, refined ride. As I climbed, the Epic Evo’s main standout feature was efficiency. Despite the slow winter dirt, I was usually climbing with enough speed to generate a slight wind on my face. The rear shock platform felt taught and supportive under pedaling load. One of the most notable qualities of the Evo, while both climbing and descending, was the frame’s ability to eat high-frequency vibrations from the trail. My left elbow is fairly sensitive as it recovers from the break and, even with only 120 millimeters of travel, the Evo maintained a soft touch while clambering over roots and rocks.
Mar 2024 · Tyler Benedict
The new Specialized Epic 8 is a downcountry ripper disguised as a race bike. Or maybe it's the other way around. Either way, this bike is fast and fun!
Mar 2024
Goodbye Brain, hello SWAT and Flight Attendant
Jan 2024 · Jan Richter
The Specialized S-Works Epic World Cup vs the Specialized Diverge STR Pro. A high performance XC mountain bike or a fully suspended gravel racer? We tested both bikes head-to-head in Tuscany!
Dec 2023 · Tom Marvin
Uncompromising hardtail-killer for XC racers
Hardtail-like reactions to pedal inputs
Modern geometry
Non-fussy bar thanks to Brain and shock valving
Sorted kit
Uncompromised performance hampers versatility
Cockpit harshness
Dec 2023 · Guy Kesteven
Specialized teased the new Epic World Cup on the race circuit for several months, and SRAM even revealed it before the official launch, but Specialized still had a surprise up its sleeve. Rather than replacing the long serving Brain equipped Epic full suspension bike, Specialized announced that the Epic WC meant the death of its top-end hardtails. And it certainly flavours a lot of the ride feel and aesthetics it delivers too. Best cross-country XC mountain bikes: hardtail and full-suspension Need to know Sub 10kg soft-tail XC race superbike, designed to replace hardtails not full suspension bikes Ultralight carbon frame and components Unique ‘set and forget’ RockShox-Specialized BRAIN/WCID suspension SRAM XX SL drivetrain with full race head power meter cranks and no dropper spec With slender seatstays aligned to the top tube that largely swallows the unique shock, the Epic World Cup certainly looks like a hardtail. The 430mm chainstay length is exactly the same as the old S-Works Epic Hardtail too and the BB is only 4mm higher to accommodate the 75mm frame travel. Where a mid-shaft support bushing and micro swing link make the shock itself seriously stiff too. Look closer though and you’ll see the Epic WC is a full feature suspension bike. There’s a conventional main pivot hidden behind the SRAM XX chainset and there’s even a tiny rocker link at the rear of the shock/seat stay junction to manipulate the shock’s behaviour. Geometry wise, the 66.5º head angle is very close to the 110mm travel Epic EVO too. Reach also grows 10mm on large frames compared to the Epic hardtail, which also makes it 5mm longer than the EVO. Dynamic feel is significantly different to both though, but let’s get back to the bike at hand. The S-Works version of the World Cup uses a higher grade Fact 12M composite than the 11M Pro model and the translucent frame coating is also superlight. That puts the claimed weight for the medium frameset and shock at 1,765g. Almost 250g lighter than the Trek Supercaliber SLR frame. The bottom bracket is a conventional threaded unit and the frame has ample space for two bottles. You get a triangular ‘SWAT’ box to carry a tube and C02 cartridge, and a carbon bottle cage is included too. However the rear brake (all three current models use wireless AXS gears) is routed through the headset via the top bearing cap which won’t thrill mechanics. Suspension As the name suggests the RockShox SIDLuxWCID shock is based on a standard RockShox SIDLuxe shock and shares many of the internals. It’s longer though, with an extra mid-shaft bushing to keep things lined up. That makes it around 33g heavier than the standard shock but you lose the weight of a remote control and lever. Instead, the action of the shock is defined by presetting the negative spring volume, anywhere from 0% (Specialized call this ‘Zero Gulp’) to 10% sag (‘Full Gulp’). This is done by depressurising the shock, then pressing a manual air …Continue reading »
• Seriously stiff frame with aggressive front end geometry
• Ultralight component package
• Data power crank as standard
• Supple, set and forget rear suspension.
• Impressively controlled 110mm SID fork
• Noticeable suspension movement under power
• Jumpy traction in stiffer modes
• No remote suspension control
• Non proportional geometry
• Epic Evo frame is lighter
Oct 2023 · Dave Rome
In believing that full suspension is always the faster choice in mountain biking, the Epic WC is Specialized’s replacement for its top-tier cross-country race hardtails.
Can be set to pedal like a hardtail
Is incredibly efficient on smooth surfaces
Dialled geometry
Lovely frame build quality
Good frame rigidity with no creaks or groans
No fiddly remote lockouts means an ultra-clean cockpit
Solid component spec choices with nice wheels and a powermeter.
Suspension can either feel choppy or have you wishing for a lockout
Poor headset sealing
Minimal weight advantage over a longer-travel full suspension
Brain-equipped fork still has a thunk
No dropper provided
SRAM Level brake lever feel and power.
| Frame | S-Works FACT 12m Carbon, Progressive XC Race Geometry, Rider-First Engineered™, threaded BB, 12x148mm rear spacing, internal cable routing, 100mm of travel BB Standard: BSA, 100mm, Threaded Hanger Standard: UDH Colors: Gloss Red Tint / Black Tint / Flake Silver / Granite; Gloss Green Tint Fades over Carbon / Chrome |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox SID SL ULTIMATE BRAIN, Top-Adjust Brain damper, Debon Air, 15x110mm, 44mm offset, 100mm Travel Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | RockShox-Specialized BRAIN, Rx XC Tune, 5 Position Platform Adjust, Rebound Adjust, Integraded Extension, 265x52.5mm Travel: 100mm |
| Bottom Bracket | BSA, 100mm, threaded |
| Seatpost | S-Works FACT carbon, 10mm offset, 30.9mm Type: Rigid |
First added January 2
Last updated June 4