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Today’s Deals2023 Specialized
Epic Comp
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension crosscountry bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price
A$4,199| Weight | 11.5 kg |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon |
| Suspension | Full, 100 / 100mm |
| Fork | RockShox SID |
| Shock | RockShox |
| Wheels | 29″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | GX Eagle |
| Brakes | SRAM Level TL Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
156cm – 166cm
163cm – 174cm
171cm – 182cm
179cm – 189cm
185cm – 195cm
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
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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?
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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
Goodbye Brain, hello SWAT and Flight Attendant
Mar 2024 · Robin Schmitt, Benedikt Schmidt
What makes a true champion?Hanging out with Peter Sagan, Martín Vidaurre, and the new Specialized Epic in Chile
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.
Sept 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
Sept 2023 · Alan Muldoon
Who is the Epic hardtail for? That’s the question I posed to the product manager responsible for Specialized’s XC race bikes. His response was both honest and telling. “It’s for anyone that wants an XC bike, but can’t stretch their budget to get a full suspension bike.” Best cross country mountain bikes: reviewed and rated by experts And it makes perfect sense. At 10.68kg without pedals, the Epic Hardtail Comp is a really light 29er for the money. To get even close to that target weight with a full suspension bike you’d easily be looking at double that, which instantly rules out those bikes for a lot of riders. Need to know Lightweight 29er XC race hardtail designed of speed Fact 11m carbon frame with threaded BB and 148m dropout spacing RockShox Reba RL fork delivers 100mm travel SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain with full range 10-52t cassette The cockpit has a 60mm stem and 750mm bar to enhance control Four frame sizes: S – XL with entry-level bike for £3,300 And it makes perfect sense. At 10.68kg without pedals, the Epic Hardtail Comp is a really light 29er for the money. To get even close to that target weight with a full suspension bike you’d easily be looking at double that, which instantly rules out those bikes for a lot of riders. And weight is very important. XC racers are obsessed with it; their own, and that of the bike. And for good reason. Because for a given power output, lighter is always going to be faster when going uphill. In fact, that’s where I really noticed the benefits of the Epic HT over much heavier trail forced hardtails. The combination of the faster rolling tyres and reduced weight instantly lure you into a false sense of fitness, and before you know it you have your sights set on distant riders that you know you can easily pick off. Specialized S-Works Epic World Cup: first ride review That’s not to say the Epic HT is amazing on the climbs. Fast, yes, but you do need to stay focused, pick good lines and wrestle the front end quite a bit. And that’s primarily because the Epic HT has a short 425mm chainstay length and relatively slack 74.2º seat tube angle. Taken together, these dimensions give the bike a more rearward weight bias, which makes the front end on the Epic is pretty flighty when seated climbing, at least on steeper gradients. And if the climb is chunky, then the relatively skinny 2.35in Specialized Fast Trak/Renegade tyre combo means you need to be on your A game not to lose traction or get knocked off line. Power delivery is direct and purposeful though, and the 100mm travel RockShox Reba fork really limits how much of your energy gets lost in compressing the suspension with every downstroke of the pedals. Approach the top of the cassette and SRAM’s cable operated Eagle transmission has less even jumps than Shimano’s 12-speed cassettes, but shifting is …Continue reading »
Light, reactive ride. Nice damped feel to the carbon frame. SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain offers impressive performance
Shifter hits top tube. Cables rattle in frame. No dropper post. Geometry is dated
Aug 2023 · Maureen Gaffney
The Specialized Epic EVO nudges the racy XC bike into trail territory, making it the perfect choice for the BikeTransAlp multi-day stage race.
It’s beautiful. Beauty may be skin deep, but let’s just admit aesthetics matter. I want to ride this bike. I want to be seen riding this bike
It’s lightweight
It’s incredibly capable. 29″ wheels with the perfect suspension combo make climbing actually enjoyable, while the addition of 10 more millimeters of suspension travel front and rear as compared to the Epic means descending is not compromised for the sake of climbing performance.
Shifter paddles not as adjustable or ergonomic as one might hope.
It costs nearly $9,000. I won’t say it’s not worth it, and this is not a high price in comparison to other bikes of this caliber. But it’s still nine thousand dollars and that’s a lot of rent or groceries.
| Frame | FACT 11m Full Carbon, Progressive XC Race Geometry, Rider-First Engineered™, threaded BB, 12x148mm rear spacing, internal cable routing, 100mm of travel BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded Hanger Standard: UDH Color: Gloss Midnight Shadow / Harvest Gold Metallic |
|---|---|
| Fork | Rockshox SID SL, Rush RL Damper, Debon Air, 15x110mm, 44mm offset, 100mm Travel Travel: 100mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | RockShox-Specialized BRAIN, Rx XC Tune, 5 Position Platform Adjust, Rebound Adjust, Integraded Extension, 265x52.5mm Travel: 100mm |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB, BSA 73mm, Threaded |
| Stem | Specialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise |
| Handlebar | Specialized Alloy Minirise, 10mm rise, 750mm, 31.8mm clamp |
| Saddle | Body Geometry Power Sport, steel rails |
| Seatpost | X-Fusion Manic, 30.9, 100/125/150 Travel, 0mm offset Type: Dropper |
| Grips | Specialized Trail Grips |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed |
|---|---|
| Crank | SRAM X1000 Eagle, DUB, 170/175mm 34T, 34T |
| Shifters | SRAM GX, trigger, 12-speed |
| Cassette | SRAM XG-1275, 12-speed, 10-52t |
| Chain | SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Brakes | Front: SRAM Level TL, 2-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, Rear: SRAM Level TL, 2-piston caliper, hydraulic disc Type: SRAM Level TL Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Specialized 29, 27mm inner width, 28h, tubeless ready |
|---|---|
| Spokes | DT Swiss Industry |
| Front Hub | Specialized alloy, sealed cardridge bearings, 6-bolt, 15x110mm thru-axle, 28h |
| Rear Hub | Specialized alloy, sealed cartridge bearings, 6-bolt, 148mmx12mm thru-axle, 28h |
| Tires | Front: Specialized Fast Trak, Control Casing, T7 Compound, 29x2.35, Rear: Specialized Renegade, Control Casing, T5 Compound, 29x2.35 |
First added 1 October
Last updated 4 June