Shop Specialized Epic 8
Specialized's Epic is synonymous with top level cross country racing - not only is it one of the most high performing bikes, but it's also won countless races with its cutting edge, lightweight platform. Specialized is known for positioning itself at the cutting edge of bike technology, and as a World Cup race platform, the Epic has always been at the forefront of that.
The Epic 8 then is their most technologically advanced XC bike yet, and while everybody expects it to be lighter, faster, more efficient, Specialized has focussed a lot of energy on also making it ultra-capable when it comes time to descend, because modern XC races are not just won on the way up.
Epic 8
XC Weapon Dressed to Kill
When Specialized noticed that their team racers were taking their Epic Evos to the start line more often than their regular Epics, they knew they had to get to work. The Epic 8 blows the previous Epic Evo out of the water in terms of capability, while still remaining a deadly weapon when it's time to lay down the power. Specialized focussed on three key areas for the Epic 8: capability, efficiency, weight, balancing them all to create the fastest XC bike on the planet.
Frame
Despite making the Epic 8 faster and more capable than before, they also managed to shave 76 grams off an already svelte chassis, making this their lightest full fat Epic ever. On top of that, Specialized also managed to use their technical expertise to add a SWAT Box for in-frame storage, and steering stops to prevent the shifters/brake levers from damaging the top tube in the event of a crash.
Specialized use their hand-laid FACT 12M carbon to create some of the strongest yet lightest frames, creating an unmatched stiffness to weight ratio. Not only this, but the new Epic uses different stiffness profiles across the range of frame sizes to build in the same ride characteristics no matter of size. Using titanium hardware and a carbon shock extension further drop the weight, for an unbeatably light frame.
Weight isn't everything though, and Specialized instead focussed on superior ride performance to give the Epic the edge over the competition.
As for frame standards, the Epic 8 uses most of the normal standards we've come to expect and love, such as a UDH derailleur hanger, boost axles, threaded BB, tapered head tube, two bottle mounts, internal cabling, with only the S-Works running cables through the headset. So far so good.
Suspension
Suspension and geo are where the Epic is going to make up time on its competitors, because modern XC racing is about shredding gnarly descents as it is about sprinting up the climbs. Featuring 120mm of suspension travel, the Epic 8 bumps the travel up by 20mm at each end, for a truly capable ride.
The old mantra used to be that stiff is efficient, but Specialized are throwing that out the window. Efficiency comes from maintaining an efficient pedalling position, reducing pedal-bob in the suspension, while maintaining active suspension through the rough stuff in order to reduce fatigue.
Specialized Ride Dynamics, their team of suspension experts, reworked the Epic 8's kinematics for 20% less pedal bob compared to the team favourite Epic Evo, thanks to an optimized anti-squat rate, while also maintaining an active ride for effective bump force management. As a result, the Epic 8 transmits 12% less bump and vibration force to the rider, meaning less fatigue and an overall faster ride.
Specialized Ride Dynamics isn't just for the pro level riders though - the team has waved their magic wand over all models of the new Specialized Epic 8. Rather than just using stock damping settings with different compression rates, they instead custom valved forks and shocks for their specific purpose, tailor made for the Epic 8. The "Wide Open" setting has minimal compression damping, for a supple, active ride for ripping rough, fast descents. "Magic Middle" delivers an efficient yet supple platform, perfect for most racing scenarios where you need to be laying down the power, while still soaking up fatiguing bumps. "Sprint" mode firms up the rear end, for laying down maximum power, say on a sprint finish, or a smooth, sustained climb.
For those ultra-race-focussed riders, the top level Flight Attendant build features custom tuned by Specialized Ride Dynamics electronically controlled Rockshox suspension. Instantaneously reacting to changes in the terrain and adjusting the suspension to suit, the Flight Attendant is the ultimate race bike - doing all the thinking, so you're free to do what you do best. Shred.
Geometry
Again, we know that XC racing isn't just about the climb these days - you're not hanging with the big guns unless you can hold your own on the descent. That's why the new Epic 8 shares more with the old Epic Evo in the geometry department. Long and slack has more to gain on the way down than it has to lose on the climbs. That's why the Epic 8 features progressive XC geometry for the win.
Geometry highlights include a slack 66.4º head tube angle, 75.5º seat tube angle, 333mm BB height, and 475mm reach in the large size, high setting with 435mm chainstays across the board. Flipping the geometry adjustment lowers that head angle to 65.9º and drops the BB to 328mm. Long, low, and slack is fun. And fun is fast.
Shop Specialized Epic 8
Build & Spec
The Epic 8 comes in four build specs, all of which are ready to race right out the box. The S-Works Epic 8 is the flagship, with full Flight Attendant suspension - a SID Ultimate fork and SIDLuxe shock, SRAM Level Ultimate stealth 4-piston brakes, XX SL AXS Transmission, and Roval Control SL wheels, for the ultimate in lightweight performance.
The Epic 8 Pro features Ultimate level suspension with twistloc, FACT 11M carbon frame, Level Silver 4-piston brakes, XO AXS Transmission drivetrain and Roval Control carbon wheels. The Expert level build comes with Select+ suspension, Level Bronze 4-piston brakes, GX AXS Transmission, FACT 11M frame and Roval Control carbon wheels.
The entry level comp build comes with Select+ SID and SIDLuxe, FACT 11M frame, GX/NX Eagle mechanical groupset, Level Bronze brakes, and alloy wheels. All builds come with 4-piston brakes and dropper post, lightweight carbon frame and Specialized Ride Dynamics tuned suspension, for the ultimate in performance up, down, and across the race track.
Epic 8 Evo
Shop Epic 8 Evo
Downcountry Shredder Dressed to Thrill
The Epic 8 Evo is the evil twin to the Epic 8. Designed for downcountry shredding, it's the dark horse of the lineup - looks like an XC bike but don't count it out on the gnarly trails, because the Epic Evo can shred.
The Epic 8 Evo shares the same frame as the regular Epic, with 120mm travel and lightweight carbon construction, but focusses more on light, fast, fun, adding a 130mm fork up front for extra capability and a burlier component spec. Still an agile race machine for somebody considering just one bike, the Epic Evo is the trail shredder for those that want a bit more travel for the optional 'fun' lines, but still want to pedal hard or go all day.
The Epic Evo 8 removes the complexity from the pure-bred race machines and simplifies the program. Ditching the remote lockouts and 3-position switches, the Epic Evo uses a two position adjuster, still tuned by Specialized Ride Dynamics. Wide Open and Sprint. Because once you get to the top, you don't want anything slowing you down on the descent.
Geometry
The Epic 8 Evo, as you would expect, is a little slacker than the regular Epic. Sharing the same frame as the Epic, the longer fork knocks about half a degree off the head tube angle for 64.4º. The BB is about 3mm higher at 331mm in low, with a 75.1º seat tube angle, and 470mm reach in the size large. The chainstays stay the same at 435mm.
Build & Spec
The Epic 8 Evo comes in two spec levels, both of which are burlier than the regular Epic 8, including Code brakes and a 130mm fork. The Epic 8 Evo Pro comes with a custom tuned Factory Fox 34 fork and Float Factory shock, Code Silver Stealth brakes, SRAM XO AXS Transmission drivetrain and Roval Control carbon wheels. The Epic 8 Evo Comp model comes with Fox 34 Performance fork and Float Performance shock, Code Bronze brakes, GX/NX Eagle mechanical drivetrain and alloy wheels.
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