2023 Specialized
S-Works Epic Hardtail
A 29″ carbon frame hardtail crosscountry bike with ultra high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price
$11,000| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Hardtail, 100mm |
| Fork | RockShox SID SL Ultimate |
| Wheels | 29″ Carbon |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 Electronic |
| Groupset | XX1 Eagle AXS, X01 Eagle AXS |
| Power Meter | Integrated |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.
Compare the full Epic model range
View Comparison5'2" – 5'8"
5'6" – 5'11"
5'10" – 6'3"
6'1" – 6'7"
🐐 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.
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
Goodbye Brain, hello SWAT and Flight Attendant
Mar 2024 · Tyler Benedict
The new Specialized Epic 8 gets lighter, faster & way more capable with tricky suspension tuning, more travel & clever carbon construction.
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.
Sep 2023 · Guy Kesteven
Specialized’s Epic World Cup is a stunningly clean design that revives a radical suspension concept in a state of the art, ultralight chassis, but it’s not without its flaws
Stunningly clean looks
Near perfect high post XC spec
Excellent aggro race geometry
Set and forget suspension
Topped out hardtail feel appeal
Hard top/soft pedal is hard to balance
Harsh and tiring in the rough
No ‘on the fly’ suspension adjustment
Much heavier than a hardtail frame
Heavier frame than Epic EVO
| Frame | S-Works FACT 12m, Progressive XC Geometry, Rider-First Engineered™, threaded BB, 12x148mm rear spacing, internal cable routing, BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded Hanger Standard: UDH Color: Satin Carbon / Color Run Blue Murano Pearl / Gloss Chrome Foil Logos |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox SID SL ULTIMATE BRAIN, Top-Adjust Brain damper, Debon Air, 15x110mm, 44mm offset, 100mm Travel Travel: 100mm Spring Type: Air |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB, BSA 73mm, Threaded |
| Stem | S-Works SL, alloy, titanium bolts, 6-degree |
| Handlebar | S-Works Carbon XC Mini Rise, 6-degree upsweep, 8-degree backsweep, 10mm rise, 760mm, 31.8mm |
| Saddle | Body Geometry S-Works Power, carbon fiber rails, carbon fiber base |
| Seatpost | S-Works FACT carbon, 10mm setback, 30.9mm Type: Rigid |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS |
|---|---|
| Crank | Quarq XX1 Powermeter, DUB, 170/175mm, 34t, 34T |
| Power Meter | Quarq XX1 Powermeter, DUB, 170/175mm, 34t, 34T |
| Shifters | SRAM Eagle AXS Rocker Paddle |
| Cassette | SRAM XG-1299, 12-Speed, 10-52t |
| Chain | SRAM XX1 Eagle |
| Brakes | Front: SRAM Level Ultimate, 2-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, Rear: SRAM Level Ultimate, 2-piston caliper, hydraulic disc Type: Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Roval Control SL, Carbon offset design, 29mm internal width, 4mm hook width, Tubeless ready, 24h |
|---|---|
| Spokes | DT Swiss Aerolite |
| Front Hub | Roval Control SL, DT Swiss Internals, Ceramic Bearings, 6-bolt, 15mm thru-axle, 110mm spacing, Torque caps, 24h straight pull t-head |
| Rear Hub | Roval Control SL, DT Swiss 180 Internals, DT Swiss Ratchet EXP, Ceramic bearings, 12mm thru-axle, 148mm spacing, 24h straight-pull t-head |
| Tires | Front: Specialized Fast Trak, Control Casing, T5 Compound, 29x2.35, Rear: Specialized Renegade, Control Casing, T5 Compound, 29x2.35 |
Last updated January 31
Not listed for 101 days