Specialized epic review

Cast your mind back 22 years ago, when the Specialized Epic debuted on the race scene with its iconic Brain shock.

All good things come in twos. Can this concept work? And why do we still prefer the thoroughbred Epic 8? To better cope with the increasingly demanding cross-country tracks, both the Epic 8 and the Epic 8 EVO have been made significantly more capable, with the EVO variant now specced with a mm fork, paired with mm travel at the rear. The Pro model on test weighs Since both bikes share the same frame, there are a lot of similarities between the Specialized Epic 8 and the Epic 8 EVO.

Specialized epic review

Replacing the Brain with AI and algorithms? At least as it relates to the Specialized Epic 8, which relies on the newly introduced electronic RockShox Flight Attendant suspension. What kind of speed do you enjoy most? Fast trail rides? Or marathon races? Or preferably a mix of everything? Probably not. Besides that, cross-country racing itself is changing — the bikes and the riders are becoming increasingly capable. This is reflected in the Specialized Epic range, giving you a choice of four different models. To meet the requirements of modern cross-country bikes, both models have become significantly more capable. Both the Epic 8 and the Epic 8 EVO rely on an identical frame, which offers mm of travel, paired with a mm fork on the The new Specialized Epic 8 introduces one of the biggest changes in the history of the Epic: bye-bye Brain. The new RockShox Flight Attendant suspension opens up completely new possibilities. However, only! The Specialized Epic 8 is and will remain a cross-country bike designed for racing.

Why didn't they compare Sarah and Mike's lap times? No new Enduro in a short time, but not longer than a year. I asked Brian Gordon, the Epic product manager, whether a size-specific approach had been considered, specialized epic review.

Mar 12, You must login to Pinkbike. Don't have an account? Sign up. The Specialized Epic has a long history of being one of the fastest bikes out there, with a specific bent towards racing, long efforts, and efficient travel over terrain.

Originally launched back in , the Specialized Epic debuted as the very first full suspension bike on the market to feature a fully automated lockout system. That early Epic and every model since was built around the Brain — an inertia-valve shock damper that could transition from fully locked out, to fully open whenever the rider hit something hard enough. Mike McAndrews, the director of suspension technology at Specialized, came up with the concept as a way to woo racers off of their hardtails. XC racing has of course progressed significantly over the past two decades, and so too has the Epic. For , Specialized is launching an entirely new Epic and Epic EVO, and both represent a stunning leap forward in terms of suspension performance, geometry and handling. For more info about the EVO, check out the full review here.

Specialized epic review

After months of teasing, the Specialized Epic World Cup has finally arrived! A brand new model for , the Epic World Cup cuts a striking, hardtail-like figure that immediately draws parallels with the Trek Supercaliber. Instead it utilises an all-new shock with an innovative air spring that aims to provide a highly efficient pedalling platform while maintaining a clean, cable-free cockpit. And how does it compare to the best XC bikes on the market? Watch our Specialized Epic World Cup video review here:. This delivers just 75mm of rear wheel travel, which sees this bike slotting somewhere in between the Epic HT and the regular mm travel Epic. As for the future of the regular Epic with its Brain damper? Featuring a 40mm stroke and a whopping mm eye-to-eye length, it is considerably longer than a conventional XC shock. This provides room for a bigger air can and a high volume air spring.

Recent 911 calls near venice fl

Two decades and many revisions later, Specialized is launching the latest version of the Epic and, for the first time ever, there is not a Brain damper in sight. You'll have to subscribe to my premium channel. For all the homies that work for Big S, sorry about your benefit cuts these past few months. You have to carry speed into every climb on an XC trail, punchy climbs require momentum, fire road climbs just require you to stay awake and keep spinning. Everything seems to be pushing up the travel range. What's it for? Caliwcm 3 days ago. That frame feels decidedly focused on the Epic as a platform, though I'm sure plenty of people will spring for the more descent-focused build kits on the EVO. This requires some re-engineering with each new layup schedule, and hopefully yields a better ride for each person in the range. If you still want to intervene despite all the smart algorithms, you can use the Override function via the left AXS Pod, which, as the name suggests, overrides the auto function for a short time and switches to a predefined Override setup. A few…. A basic and also a rather heavy alloy seatpost is fitted with a Specialized Power Comp saddle on top, which I found comfortable and suited to the style of bike.

Rocketship fast when you hit the pedals; far more capable and confident than the amount of travel might suggest; covers ground incredibly quickly. Specialized gave the Epic and Epic EVO a makeover for , stretching both bikes out and lowering and slackening them. Travel is increased from mm to mm and, unlike the Epic, the EVO forgoes the use of the auto-adjusting Brain shock — which places a remote reservoir containing an inertia valve down by the rear drop out, connected via a hydraulic that runs through the shock yoke and down the seatstay.

Weight aside, there are some features that racers will undoubtedly love, including the ability to hold two bottles on all frame sizes except the XS. That means in the Magic Middle mode you get an efficient pedalling platform at both ends of the bike, which Specialized says is ideal for racing. That head angle sits at Was that just soft new paint and something attached to the bike? For all the homies that work for Big S, sorry about your benefit cuts these past few months. You'll have to subscribe to my premium channel. The new FACT 12m Epic S-Works carbon frame with Specialized's Brain-controlled suspension is said to be over grams lighter than its predecessor, and according to Specialized the size medium frame now weighs just 1,grams. It also runs contrary to your philosophy of using the dropper on the Lux. You could perhaps lower the pressure to gain more movement, but in doing so, you would also change the characteristics of the bike, which is essentially designed to be raced. The Epic has been in the range for almost 20 years featuring the BRAIN, a rear suspension system that uses an inertia valve to automatically open and close the suspension based on trail bumps. Despite the incredibly low weight, the Control SL wheelset have handled some serious whacks to the rims. BeardlessMarinRider Aug 4, at Additionally, the rear centre length is a touch shorter at mm and the BB sits a bit lower than before.