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The American model has offered the eighth enchancment to the Epic lineup, with the S-Works Epic setting you again £12,000
In case you’re a fan of world-class cross-country racing, you don’t must look far to see a Specialised Epic within the combine. For years it’s been considered a fairly apparent alternative for World Cup racers – at the same time as instances moved from hardtails to full-suspension. And final yr, the American model found that because the programs grew to become extra technical, sponsored riders had been reaching for the Epic Evo – its down-country possibility.
So, the Epic has been up to date for the eighth time in its historical past – and Specialised has launched the Epic 8 as its flagship race mannequin, and you may examine the way it rides right here. Simply as apparently although, there’s additionally a wholly new Epic 8 Evo, which isn’t actually an XC bike in any respect, as we discovered once we rode it on the launch.
In order for you World Cup racing efficiency it’ll price you, the Epic 8 S-Works will set you again a cool £12,000, which is £1,000 greater than the Specialised S-Works Epic World Cup we reviewed again in December. It’s additionally up towards some fairly robust competitors to be the finest cross-country bike, so let’s see the way it stacks up.
The Specialised Epic 8 makes use of RockShox suspension and Flight Attendant, while the Evo utilises Fox
Specialised Epic 8 and Epic Evo must know:
- 4 new Epic fashions devoted to XC racing and light-weight builds
- Priced from £4,250 to £12,000 for the S-Works mannequin
- Two new Evo fashions with burlier builds, relaxed geo and path bike intentions
- Priced from £4,250 to £8,000 for the Evo fashions
- Utilises Specialised’s Trip Dynamics, and RockShox Flight Attendant on Epic
- Epic Evo makes use of Fox suspension
Specialised Epic 8
The Epic 8 Comp makes use of the identical carbon fibre body because the Evo, however makes use of pretty mid-level parts
In earlier years XC racers have prioritised weight over functionality – assume again to just a few years in the past the place the controversy between hardtail and full-suspension raged on. However like every bike model price it’s salt, Specialised has introduced the Epic into the fashionable XC racing period, with the brand new era – which the model claims is “extra succesful” than the earlier Epic Evo.
What precisely does this imply? Effectively, for a begin the brand new Epic body encompasses a slacker head tube angle (66.4° on the 8 versus 66.5° on the earlier mannequin), to match the longer journey. To the untrained eye the adjustments are fairly delicate, however in case you’re a geometry buff you’ll know the way a lot of a distinction the little issues could make to the way in which a motorcycle rides. The brand new Epic 8 additionally encompasses a longer high tube, which Specialised says has improved the bike’s total functionality and dealing with.
The body itself can be lighter – the brand new S-Works body is claimed to weigh a full 76g lower than the earlier mannequin. It won’t sound like so much, however making an allowance for the brand new frames include SWAT 4.0 integration and an built-in stopper to guard the highest tube from bar injury – it’s extra spectacular.
On the Epic 8 you’ll discover Specialised’s Trip Dynamics 3-position dampers and RockShox’s Flight Attendant suspension tech
The place the Epic 8 actually involves life although is with the suspension. Specialised has used all its self-proclaimed nerds to give you a motorcycle that they are saying has 20% much less pedal bob and is thus extra environment friendly. The Epic 8 fashions use Trip Dynamics 3-position dampers – as a reminder these positions are ‘large open’, ‘magic center’, and ‘sprint-on-lock’. The S-Works Epic 8 additionally makes use of RockShox’s Flight Attendant suspension, which homes a custom-tuned damper within the forks and shock.
With out getting all technical on you, and I’m certain Man covers it in nice element in his first trip evaluation, the newest Epic’s suspension is claimed to be extra environment friendly, and adjustable. All this, with longer journey than the earlier fashions. It’s blurring the strains between XC and downcountry, however retaining issues racey.
Specialised Epic 8 costs:
- S-Works Epic: £12,000
- Epic Professional: £8,000
- Professional Epic: £6,000
- Comp Epic: £4,250
- S-Works Epic body: £5,500
Specialised Epic 8 Evo
The Epic 8 Evo makes use of the identical body because the Epic, however comes with 130mm forks slightly than 120mm
The Epic Evo remains to be the downcountry possibility – and comes with a 120mm and 130mm setup in addition. It does, nonetheless use the identical carbon fibre body because the Epic 8, albeit with a very completely different suspension setup. It does imply there is no such thing as a ‘center floor’ suspension setting – it’s both all out or under no circumstances with this. The Evo additionally utilises Fox suspension slightly then RockShox, with a 130mm Fox 34 fork. It does use the identical options just like the SWAT 4.0 and built-in steering cease, nonetheless.
Two Epic Evo fashions make up the newest assortment: the Evo 8 Comp and Evo 8 Professional. The previous makes use of SRAM’s GX 12-speed groupset, when you get an X0 Eagle transmission on the latter.
It even has room for the SWAT 4.0 compartment
Specialised Epic Evo 8 costs:
- Professional: £8,000
- Comp: £4,250
- Professional Evo body: £3,500
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