Mountain Frames

The all-new Epic 8 evolves the formula of fastest through capability, efficiency, and lightweight integration. Modern XC tracks demand more and more capability by the day. Enter Epic 8. Its improved kinematics make it the most efficient pedaling bike we’ve ever tested, while custom valved (and tuned) shocks soak up every bump. It’s a wolf in wolf’s clothing. If you’re an XC racer or prioritize all-out speed in your ride, the Epic 8 is the bike for you. UNMATCHED CAPABILITY: The most capable 120mm bike on the planet. You’ll be blown away by how Epic 8’s progressive geometry delivers technical terrain capability alongside fast and efficient climbing and acceleration performance. The absurd lateral and torsional rigidity of the chassis translates to some seriously precision handling, too. WHAT BUMP?: Compared to the previous generation, the new Epic 8 absorbs 12% more bump and vibration forces than the previous generation, leaving you less fatigued and more powerful over time so you can still push while they suffer. RIDE DYNAMICS TUNED: The Specialized Ride Dynamics team developed custom valving for Epic 8’s new shock. Our unique Ride Dynamics-prescribed damping characteristics holistically elevate the riding experience. By tuning the dampers alongside the chassis’ leverage rates and new kinematics, we’re able to deliver a bike that rides beyond the sum of its parts. BIOMECHANICAL EFFICIENCY: By optimizing the kinematics of the suspension, Specialized’s Ride Dynamics team reduced inefficient pedal-induced bobbing by 20%, while maintaining active suspension for effective bump force management, to ensure you remain in the most efficient pedaling position. It’s the most efficient pedaling suspension bike we’ve ever tested. MORE WITH LESS: With the Epic 8, we didn’t spend a single extra gram to get mega capability from the frame. All models now feature SWAT 4.0 to carry all your trail essentials, and an integrated steering stop to prevent the ubiquitous top tube scar the first time you crash and your bars spin. In fact, the new S-Works Epic 8 frameset has even lost weight (76 grams to be exact) while gaining these new additions. - Ride Dynamics developed RockShox SIDLuxe ULTIMATE shock and SID ULTIMATE fork - Custom tuned shock features 3 unique damper settings - Light weight and stiff Roval Control SL carbon seatpost - SWAT 4.0 in downtube to carry trail essentials

THINK FASTEST: The Epic World Cup is the fastest XC race bike in the world on smooth to moderately technical courses thanks to its unmatched combination of efficiency, control, and light-weight. World Champ Christopher Blevins said it best, "This thing gives me everything I could want from a hardtail, plus the control and capability of full suspension." All it took to create this speed machine was a totally integrated development approach, inventing a radical new shock, and four decades of off-road winning experience. FRAME OF REFERENCE: To deliver maximum speed through ruthlessly efficient power transfer and precision handling, our engineering team set and achieved new standards in torsional rigidity and BB stiffness. This feat required an integrated development approach that merged a structurally superior double diamond layout with its shock cradled inside the top-tube, and finished off with the most sophisticated composite layup in Specialized history. SHOCKINGLY FAST: The Specialized Ride Dynamics team conceived of and invented a revolutionary shock technology for the Epic World Cup that gives the rider the efficiency and snappy response of a hardtail PLUS the control, capability, and momentum-carrying of full suspension-all with a simple setup. Co-developed with RockShox, the SID Deluxe WCID shock utilizes a unique independently adjustable positive and negative air springs to deliver the sought-after hardtail "snap", combined with terrain-devouring forgiveness, and the ability to easily personalize set-up for a specific course or tune for rider preference and feel. Set it firm and it rides like a hardtail or open it up and you have a chunk-squashing ripper. But you aren't just limited "open and closed," the simple nature of its setup allows the rider to set on a spectrum of firm to soft. PUNCHING ABOVE ITS CATEGORY: The Epic World Cup's 75mm of rear travel delivers control and capability of a much longer travel bike. Because it's designed to be ridden at or close to topped-out, it yields the same positive travel as a 100mm travel bike set up with 25% sag. To further optimize suspension performance, the Specialized Ride Dynamics team tuned the spring-rate to be relatively flat through the mid-stroke to handle the majority of bump forces like a longer travel bike. Due to its large size, the custom Mega Jounce Bumper is an "industry first" and plays a crucial role in smoothly managing bottom-out on the biggest impacts. HAVE WE LOST OUR MINDS? SORT OF: While the new, and groundbreaking SID Deluxe WCID shock provides the unique blend of support and compliance in the rear, the BRAIN is still alive and well in the fork. Its Position-Sensitive technology allows riders to sag into the fork 15mm for a balanced ride, providing supple small bump compliance and a firm pedaling platform without the need for a remote lockout or levers to flip. THE WEIGHT IS OVER: With a frame weight of just 1,765 grams (painted with shock and all hardware), the Epic World Cup edges out the lightest of competitors. This translates to faster acceleration, more efficiently climbing, and more agile handling. And all of that adds up to speed. We achieved the featherweight and monster stiffness of the Epic WC by applying what we learned in the development of our Aethos, the lightest production road frame ever made, specifically the advanced composite layup and tube shapes. THE BIGGEST FLEX IS NO FLEX: The Epic World Cup Frameset sports the 180-gram Roval Control SL seat post, boasting peerless light-weight, stiffness, and control on the World Cup today. - The all-new Epic World Cup frame features Ride Dynamics Developed suspension technology and 75mm of optimized rear wheel travel. Thanks to its shock technology, Epic World Cup delivers unmatched pedal efficiency and is ready for the roughest descents you can throw at it–no lockout switches required. - An all-new Control SL seatpost is amongst the lightest off road seatpost in market, further shaving grams to get riders up the climbs as effortlessly as possible. - An all-new SID SL BRAIN fork provides 110mm of bump muting performance while discerning inputs from the ground or rider to provide ultimate efficiency.