Specialized Epic
As capable bikes go, the Epic is right up there. Able to cut it with the fastest on the World Cup level but equally at home during a XC ride a bit nearer to home and at more realistic speeds, the Epic is borne out of Specialized’s desire for a light, fast and efficient climbing and handling bike.
Built up in S-Works guise the Epic hits the scales at a tantalising 21.27lb (9.66kg). Behind that incredible low weight is a frame built around an aggressive geometry that uses a short rear end, low bottom bracket and stretched top tube for a centred ride position but with a head angle that won’t put off non-racers.
The FSR suspension has been refined constantly since the Epic first launched, and this latest incarnation uses a Mini Brain shock, developed by Specialized and manufactured by Fox, to control the rear wheel over the bumps. It works by using an inertia valve to allow oil flow, and hence the shock to become full active, only when a bump is ridden over. An external Brain Fade dial lets the point at which the Brain activates be customized.
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