In Sram's presentation video for the new groupset, the new Specialized Epic was seen uncovered for the first time. There was no information about the bike, but all the more speculation. Among other things, more suspension travel was predicted, but no Brain system, which Specialized relied on for over 20 years. The latter assumption is half true. The new suspension system on the Epic does indeed manage without a Brain system, which automatically locks or opens the shock depending on the surface. However, "the second half of the brain" lives on in the Rock Shox Sid suspension fork developed especially for Specialized.

Efficient even without a locking system

The Brain system is not required at the rear. The suspension system is so efficient that you won't even find a manual locking system. Instead, Specialized's Ride Dynamics team has developed a new shock technology that offers the rider the efficiency of a hardtail without having to sacrifice the advantages of full suspension. The SID Deluxe WCID damper, developed together with Rock Shox, has independently adjustable positive and negative air chambers. Depending on the route, this allows the Epic to be ridden as firm as a hardtail or more plush on rough trails. In between, the system offers a wide range of settings for the perfect suspension set-up.

The rumour mongers who suspected 120 millimetres of travel may be disappointed with the 75 millimetres. But Specialized promises that the suspension travel of the new Epic feels like more. The suspension system is designed to offer the same positive travel as a bike with 100 millimeters of travel and 25 percent negative travel. At the front, the Sid-Fork offers 110 millimetres of travel.

Will pure hardtails become superfluous?

Weighing just 1765 grams, the Epic World Cup frame is record-breakingly light. The shocks and all the frame hardware were included in this top value. The low weight is not only due to the new suspension system with partially integrated shock. To achieve this, as well as the high torsional stiffness, Specialized's engineers have incorporated the findings from the development of the Aethos, probably the lightest road bike frame ever produced.

For short track world champion Christopher Blevins, it's clear that the new Epic is the reason why he never wants to ride a hardtail again: "This bike offers me everything I could want from a hardtail, plus the control and full suspension options."

Complete bikes and frame kits

The Epic World Cup is equipped with Control SL components from Roval. These include the wheelset weighing just 1240 grams, the handlebar/stem unit weighing just 250 grams and the 180 gram seatpost. However, this is not a variable seatpost.

The Specialized Epic is available in the S-Works World Cup and World Cup Pro versions and as a frame kit. The latter also includes a seatpost and suspension fork. Complete bikes are available in sizes S to XL, XS frames are only available as a kit.

The new Epic bikes are already available from selected specialist dealers, initially in limited quantities.

specialized.com