The spread of 29ers continues, with Specialized giving its race-focused S-Works Epic the big wheel treatment for 2011.
Specialized actually released a 29in version of the Epic last year but with the release of the S-Works model, a race-ready bike if ever there was one, it shows the company’s commitment to the 29er movement.
While from a distance the Epic looks the same as last year’s 26in model, there’s actually quite a lot of change. The carbon fibre frame has been remodeled with a new one-piece top tube, tapered headtube (1 1/8in-1.5in), Pressfit 30 bottom bracket bearings and a 142x12mm thru-axle, which because the dropouts aren’t open-ended means carbon can be wrapped all the way around, reducing the weight.
And the weight? It is claimed to be just 21.27lb (9.66kg) for the all-out S-Works model.
Stops haven’t just been pulled out with the frame. The Roval Control SL Carbon 29 wheels get carbon fibre rims for a weight of just 1400g, and they’re tubeless compatible. For the fork Specialized hooked up with RockShox and the result is a custom Reba 29. It makes use of carbon for the crown and steerer tube and inside there’s Specialized’s Brain gubbins.
All in, an impressive package.
Share