Now in its eighth iteration, the Specialised Epic retains its cross-country race heritage evident however expands its capabilities with an much more aggressive EVO mannequin.
These two new bikes, referred to as “Epic 8”, give Specialised three full-suspension XC bikes beneath the Epic moniker, becoming a member of the shorter-travel Epic World Cup that debuted in April 2023 with an inline shock. The concept is to provide racers three choices – the Epic Hardtail (which is probably going due for a refresh itself), the Epic World Cup, and the Epic S-Works – plus an Epic EVO mannequin for riders who need one thing extra playful however nonetheless quick.
Earlier than we get to the particular fashions and their variations, let’s take a look at what’s new with the body and why they modified what they did…
What’s the TL;DR on the brand new Specialised Epic?
There are lots of phrases and footage under this, however in the event you solely need the highlights, right here ya go:
- Epic 8 has extra journey – 120mm rear with 120-130mm forks
- Frames are lighter regardless of including SWAT storage and being longer & slacker
- It’s quicker due to new kinematics, no BRAIN shock wanted
- Sure, the S-Works mannequin is ridiculously costly
Curious? Seize a espresso and let’s dive in…
Why have so many Epic choices?
With a mannequin that’s been within the line so long as the Epic, you must ask, what’s left to vary?
The higher query could be, how have riders and programs modified? And what wants to vary on a motorcycle to maintain up?
Earlier, Specialised launched the Epic World Cup (WC, proven above), with a semi-integrated rear shock, quick 75mm rear journey, and the lightest potential body. IMO, it eliminates any want for a hardtail altogether, probably giving Specialised a single mannequin for each XC race.
So it was a little bit of a shock to see two extra new Epics launch simply months later, however Specialised says these two new choices give riders the precise instrument for the job, it doesn’t matter what kind after all they’re up towards.
Justification for the Epic 8
The prior Epic had 100mm rear wheel journey with a BRAIN-equipped shock, which meant it was extra complicated but with barely extra journey than the brand new WC mannequin within the rear. And with 100mm forks, it had 10mm much less journey than the brand new WC.
The brand new Epic 8 bumps as much as 120mm rear wheel journey with matching 120mm forks, making it a way more succesful bike than the WC when issues get rowdy. It’s purpose-built for contemporary UCI XCO tracks, the place effectivity and weight can’t come on the expense of functionality.
Of their phrases, the brand new Epic 8 is “Quickest for XC Racing”, which can look like an odd declare when the World Cup mannequin exists, so let’s again up a sec. The Epic World Cup is “Quickest on SMOOTH XC tracks”, which implies two issues. For prime execs who’ve to make use of the identical bike for each quick monitor and XC programs, it’s a great compromise between a hardtail and a full suspension bike when the XC course isn’t too aggressive.
For these of us and not using a group truck and a six-figure racing funds, it’s an incredible possibility for novice racers who reside in flat terrain and wish suspension however don’t want a lot of it and wish the lightest potential bike.
Justification for the Epic 8 EVO
The prior Epic EVO had 110mm rear journey with 120mm forks. The brand new Epic 8 EVO has the identical body as the usual Epic 8, with the identical 120mm rear wheel journey, however fork journey will increase to 130mm.
The place the usual Epic is for racers, the Epic 8 EVO is for individuals who may sometimes race however largely need a quick bike that’s additionally enjoyable. Specialised suspects most riders wanting a brief journey bike will likely be finest served by the EVO mannequin, and I agree. You’ll see why additional down on this put up.
2024 Specialised Epic 8 tech particulars & options
Impressively, the brand new S-Works degree Epic 8 body is 76g lighter than the prior S-Works Epic. The body, with all {hardware}, together with the rear axle (which threads into the T-Kind derailleur, therefore the open dropout within the pic) and a non-Flight Attendant shock is simply 1.81kg (3.99lb).
They usually might have made it lighter in the event that they had been making a motorcycle that was solely for racing. However they wished one thing that’s very succesful and instills confidence. And handy…the SWAT system provides a little bit of weight, but it surely’s value it.
And it has extra journey than earlier than, with an extended, slacker body, and an built-in steering cease so your handlebar gained’t smash your prime tube. Which makes the sub-4lb weight very spectacular!
The Epic 8 EVO frames are as much as 120-130g lighter than earlier than, relying on measurement, however are general a bit heavier for causes you’ll quickly see.
So, how did they drop weight?
To chop weight throughout all frames, they eradicated all compression-molded carbon elements, which are sometimes used for thicker sections like shock mounts. These elements add weight and normally have to be bonded on, which provides filler (aka extra weight).
As a substitute, Specialised designed the ahead shock mounts immediately into the layup and bladder-molded prime tube, then machine away the spots the place they connect the mounting {hardware}. This part alone saved ~24g, permitting extra steady fibers for a stronger tube. For S-Works, they went additional and made a carbon fiber shock extension on the yoke, plus a titanium shock mount, extension bolt, and inner pivot {hardware}.
Additionally they lower weight with smaller dropouts and slimmer seatstays (diminished diameter), which is okay as a result of a lot of the stiffness comes from the chainstays.
The S-Works frames use their top-level FACT 12M carbon, which they are saying is extremely costly, but it surely’s stiffer and stronger to allow them to use much less of it. Inside, there aren’t any inner tubes for cable guides aside from the rear brake, which saves weight from the tubes and likewise the additional bonding required to attach them.
Beneath the S-Works degree are FACT 11M frames, which have a bit extra carbon, however are designed to have the identical actual trip high quality and stiffness. These do have inner guides for mechanical rear derailleur and dropper put up routing, which provides a bit extra weight, too.
And commonplace Epic 8 frames are as much as 120-130g lighter than earlier than, relying on measurement.
What about trip high quality?
All frames have size-specific layups and tube shapes, letting them optimize for various rider sizes and weights. They are saying the layup schedule and plies are practically the identical throughout the scale vary, however the sizes of every ply and precise tube shapes and diameters change as sizes go up.
The general body and torsional stiffness all through the body carry over unchanged. They had been proud of the way in which the prior body was, so nothing’s modified there.
Like all trendy bikes, it retains getting longer, decrease, and slacker. It comes with actually quick stems and a bit longer attain. They examined loads, with a custom-built take a look at mule body that allow them strive completely different head angles, attain, and many others. They pushed it till it was ‘loopy”, then dialed again a bit earlier than bringing within the group riders for his or her enter. Past modernizing the geometry and growing journey, the true trip high quality enhancements come from the suspension…
Difficult suspension tuning FTW
Behind the scenes, their Experience Dynamics engineers begin with the specified kinematics and trip efficiency, then determine methods to make it occur. A few of that comes from the body, and a few from the fork and shock. Specialised works with the suspension manufacturers to get {custom} tunes on each. That is considerably distinctive – most manufacturers get {custom} tunes for the rear shock, however not many manufacturers go to the difficulty to do {custom} tunes for the fork.
It’s not simply completed by really feel. Their group has backgrounds in F1 and Trophy Vehicles, plus among the identical testing gear utilized in these industries to confirm efficiency enhancements and apply all of that to their full-suspension bikes.
The rear shock has three modes, like most shocks. The lockout mode may be very stiff like racers need, however the “Magic Center” Pedal Mode setting is the place, effectively, the magic occurs.
First, they tuned the damper with extra low-speed compression damping to withstand pedal inputs and assist the rider when cranking by way of little rollers and small bumps. However the high-speed compression damping matches the Open mode in order that it may well rapidly and totally react to large bumps.
Then, they eliminated the entire shock’s quantity spacers and the bottom-out bumper to provide them much more air quantity. This offers it a luxurious really feel that may simply get deeper into the stroke for a extra bottomless really feel. The mixture means good pedaling assist and a shock that’s additionally very lively whenever you want it to be. Magic, certainly, and so they say this center setting is the place you’ll need to be 80% of the time throughout a race.
The highest fashions get Flight Attendant to handle all these modes for you, and decrease fashions use a three-position TwistLoc distant. As handy because the TwistLoc is, on a multi-hour or multi-day race, that’s nonetheless lots of psychological processing to handle, in order that they made that center mode a candy spot that works nice for nearly all the things. That means, you possibly can kinda set it and overlook it.
All variations of the Epic 8 have the identical shock and fork tunes throughout all value factors, no matter how they’re managed. The Flight Attendant bikes simply offer you extra customization choices, which I lined on this put up.
It’s barely completely different for the EVO fashions.
The Epic 8 EVO suspension loses the Magic Center mode, it’s simply Open and Lock. These bikes additionally don’t have any distant lockout, counting on a custom-tuned, two-position Fox Float shock. The Open mode has minimal compression damping, and the Dash (Lockout) mode retains it actually agency. Each work fairly effectively.
No matter which model and shock you get, the brand new Epic 8 has 20% much less pedal bob within the “open” shock setting than the prior mannequin, however with out diminishing the suspension’s capability to stay lively when pedaling. They are saying it’s additionally 12% smoother, with the body in a position to take up extra vibration and bump forces, which implies fewer of these forces attain the rider, so that you keep more energizing.
There’s additionally adjustable geometry
For the primary time, the Specialised Epic will get adjustable geometry by way of a flip chip on the rear shock mount. It adjustments the pinnacle angle by about 0.5º and BB peak by 5mm. Click on both geometry chart to enlarge the picture.
The flip chip is invisible, hiding contained in the entrance of the shock yoke. Simply take away the rear shock mount bolt, flip it round, and reattach the shock to vary it.
About that stealth cable routing…
For the reason that S-Works mannequin has a unique carbon and mould (missing the inner cable administration), they might give it completely different entry ports and went with semi-integrated routing by way of the headset. It appears to be like nice, however any time you’re operating brake hoses or cables by way of the headset bearing, there are considerations. Retailers hate to work on them, and the holes within the headset cowl introduce alternatives for water and mud ingress.
Specialised acknowledges this, so their cowl has a small rubber port with flaps to information large stuff away, and so they say they haven’t had an issue with water ingress except you’re “pushing it in there” when washing your bike.
As for service, the one time you’d have to chop or separate the brake hose is that if it’s essential to change the higher headset bearing. And the steering is restricted internally to maintain the bar from spinning round into your prime tube or twisting up the cables inside.
There’s a brand new SWAT 4.0, too
The newest SWAT inner storage will get a brand new cowl and latch with faster, simpler opening and closure. Simply flip the lever open and pull off the duvet (which doubles because the downtube’s bottle cage mounting spot). The prior model used a hinged clasp to shut it, which took longer to function and was heavier.
The brand new SWAT door additionally holds a CO2 and tire plugger on its cowl, making these instruments rapidly and simply accessible. A Specialised mini-tool may be mounted on the base of a bottle cage in order that all the things you want for emergency repairs is straight away at hand.
2024 Specialised Epic 8 S-Works
For riders wanting (and prepared to pay for) the easiest, the highest Epic 8 S-Works bike rings in at a whopping $14,500. It’s outfitted with the brand new RockShox Flight Attendant XC suspension, which partially explains the pricing however can be what makes this a purebred race machine with a singular give attention to successful.
All Epic 8 fashions include Rockshox suspension entrance and rear, all with the {custom} tunes and modes talked about above. And all include Specialised Quick Trak 2.35″ (entrance) and Renegade 2.3″ (rear) tires.
The S-Works mannequin will get the Roval Management SL built-in cockpit and, at launch, Roval Management SL wheels with DT180 hubs and ceramic bearings.
The drivetrain is SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS T-Kind w/ Reverb AXS (125/150/170mm journey relying on body measurement) and SRAM Stage Final Stealth brakes. It’s additionally the primary bike they’re transport with their top-of-the-line S-Works Energy 3D-printed saddle with carbon rails and base.
Claimed weight is 10.24kg (22lb 9.2oz) for measurement medium. Accessible in two colours. It’s additionally obtainable as a frameset (3.67kg – 7lb 15oz) that features the SWAT, Roval Management SL seatpost, SID Final fork, and SIDLuxe Final shock (together with the grips with Twist-Loc distant), seat binder with ti bolt.
2024 Specialised Epic 8 Professional / Skilled / Comp
The remaining Epic 8 fashions all have flat handlebars with conventional stems. The Epic 8 Professional will get Roval Management wheels, SRAM XO AXS Eagle Transmission, S-Works carbon handlebar, Bike Yoke Divine SL dropper, and Energy Skilled saddle. Claimed weight 10.87kg (23lb 15.4oz), MSRP $9,000.
The Epic 8 Skilled will get SID Choose+ suspension, GX Eagle AXS Transmission with SX cassette, X-Fusion Manic dropper, and Energy Sport saddle. Claimed weight is 11.1kg (24lb 7.5oz), MSRP of $7,000.
The Epic 8 Comp (not proven) retains the Choose+ SID suspension however drops right down to GX Eagle 12-speed mechanical and alloy wheels. Claimed weight is 11.7kg (25lb 12.7oz), MSRP is $5,000.
2024 Specialised Epic 8 EVO
It’s value noting that that is the primary time the EVO mannequin shares the identical body as the usual Epic. That means, you possibly can throw lighter, quicker tires on it (and possibly a 120mm fork) and have an excellent race bike, too. Or purchase the usual Epic 8 to get the three-mode “Magic Center” rear shock, then put larger tires and an extended fork on it.
It’s additionally value noting that the prior Epic EVO was their racers’ bike of selection for many XCO tracks in 2023, which additionally explains why the non-EVO bikes bought an enormous increase in journey and functionality.
However meaning the brand new Epic 8 EVO can focus extra on enjoyable, aiming squarely on the mild path/downcountry rider. As such, it will get larger, extra aggressive tires – Purgatory 2.4″ (entrance) and Floor Management 2.35″ (rear).
Proven above, the Epic 8 EVO Professional headlines with SRAM XO Eagle Transmission, Roval Management wheels with carbon rims and Business 9 1/1 hubs, Fox Switch dropper, 34 Manufacturing unit fork, and FLOAT Manufacturing unit Evol LV rear shock, Roval Management Rise carbon handlebar, Race Face stem, and Specialised Energy Skilled saddle. Claimed weight is 12/12kg (26lb 11.5oz), MSRP is $8,500.
An Epic 8 EVO Professional frameset will get you the body and shock for $3,800 (claimed weight 2.2kg – 4lb 14oz). Not proven, the US market can even get a $7,000 Epic 8 EVO Skilled mannequin, too.
The Specialised Epic EVO Comp bike will get you Fox Efficiency suspension, SRAM GX/NX mechanical drivetrain, Code brakes, fundamental alloy wheels, and an X-Fusion Manic dropper for $5,000. Claimed weight is 12.61kg (27lb 12.8oz).
