Specialized S-Works Epic

Overview

Here's a bike we're going to be seeing a lot more of, as it's staying in the Bespoke family. This is Barry's new full-sus Epic, and you can read his first race report on the blog.

The Epic is a natural choice for someone with a road background - 29in wheels roll fast, the geometry is very much focused on speed and precision, and the seemingly modest 100mm of front and rear suspension provides a remarkably plush ride.

This being the top of the range it is of course tricked out with an impressive range of components. At the heart of the transmission is SRAM's XX1 Eagle 1x groupset, giving a whopping 500% gear range despite shedding the weight and complexity of a front mech.

The RockShox SID WC fork has beem tweaked by Specialized with the latest version of their BRAIN technology, and the rear shock too has been optimised specifically for this bike.

The S-Works carbon seatpost is a sensible choice for XC racing, but dropper posts are becoming more and more common even on the Pro circuit, and the Epic is of course dropper-ready when the time comes to change things up.

Key Features

S-Works Epic FACT 12m carbon frameset
RockShox SID WC Brain 29 fork, with top-adjust Brain Fade, tapered carbon crown and steerer, 15x110mm Maxle® Stealth thru-axle, 42mm offset, 100mm of travel
Custom RockShox Micro Brain rear shock w/ Spike Valve, AUTOSAG, 51x257mm
SRAM XX1 Eagle, 12x1 gruppo
SRAM Level Ultimate, hydraulic disc brakes
S-Works Carbon Mini Rise bars, 6-degree upsweep, 8-degree backsweep, 10mm rise, 750mm, 31.8mm
S-Works FACT carbon seatpost, 30.9mm
Roval Control SL 29er carbon wheelset, 25mm internal width
Specialized Fast Trak GRIPTON tyres, 29x2.3" front, 29x2.1" rear
Body Geometry Phenom Pro saddle, carbon fibre rails, carbon fibre base