"Instant" brakes, 110 mm stem, and a bib number with history: this is how Adrien Boichis configures his Epic 9

Adrien Boichis has become one of the main protagonists of the 2026 XCO World Cup season. The Frenchman from Specialized Factory Racing has definitely made the leap among the best riders in the Elite category, and a good part of his results are being achieved on the new Specialized Epic 9, a bike that he has configured in a very particular way to adapt it to his preferences.

Adrien Boichis's Specialized Epic 9 in detail: 110 mm stem, 700 mm handlebar, and customized suspensions

Boichis himself has shown all the details of his new Epic 9 and has explained some of the adjustments he uses in competition. A configuration in which an especially long position on the bike stands out, the suspension setup depending on the circuit, and brakes adjusted to provide immediate response.

An extreme position with a 110 mm stem and 700 mm handlebar

Adrien Boichis uses a Specialized Epic 9 frame in size L, but one of the most striking aspects of his bike is its handlebar.

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The Frenchman mounts a practically flat 700 mm wide handlebar combined with a 110 mm stem. A configuration far from the current trend of using shorter stems on XCO bikes. Boichis explains that he prefers the flat handlebar for the sensations he gets when pedaling standing up:

“Personally, I prefer the feeling of a flat handlebar when I'm out of the saddle. I feel like I can pull more on the handlebar.”

The choice of such a long stem responds to his intention to achieve a very stretched position on the bike. In fact, the rider acknowledges that, even with this configuration, his Epic 9 still feels short compared to the road bike he usually uses.

This search for a longer position also affects the saddle. Boichis uses a model that is very narrow at the back, allowing him to sit further back and increase the effective setback.

“I try to go as long as possible on the bike. This way, I can sit very far back on the saddle, have a bit more setback, and use my glutes and hamstrings more.”

How does he set up the suspensions?

Adrien Boichis's Specialized Epic 9 mounts a RockShox SID Ultimate FA fork where he adjusts the pressure between 67 and 73 psi depending on the characteristics of the circuit. He also modifies the fork's progressiveness using between one and two tokens.

On the RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate FA rear shock, Boichis uses between 145 and 160 psi and a small token in the air chamber.

The Frenchman has also explained some details of the electronic configuration of the suspensions. He usually uses a Bias adjustment of +1 and sets relatively low power zones, around 300, 500, and 700 watts.

The goal is to ensure that the suspension changes behavior quickly and that the bike offers a firm platform almost immediately when it needs to sprint or apply a lot of power on the pedals.

SRAM Motive brakes with an extremely direct feel

Another component that Adrien Boichis configures in a very personal way is the SRAM Motive brakes. The Frenchman uses a 180 mm disc in front and another 160 mm in the back, but the most interesting part is the position and feel of the levers.

Boichis explains that he has very long fingers, which is why he places the levers quite far from the handlebar. In addition, he seeks an extremely quick response from the moment he starts braking.

“I like to feel the brake from the beginning. I don't want to pull the lever, keep pulling, and wait for the brake to respond. I like it to act immediately and be very precise.”

He also places the levers quite inward on the handlebar. This position allows him to move his hands towards the center during climbs and continue to operate the brakes comfortably with his fingers.

170 mm cranks and up to 40-tooth chainring

In the drivetrain, Boichis maintains a configuration he has been using for about a decade. The Frenchman mounts 170 mm cranks on all his bikes and has no intention of changing this measurement.

“I have been using 170 mm on all my bikes for at least ten years. I change a lot from one bike to another, and I prefer to keep the same measurement for consistency.”

He usually uses a 36-tooth chainring, although he can increase it to 38 or even 40 teeth depending on the circuit and whether he is competing in a Short Track event.

The drivetrain is completed with a 10-52 cassette and a SRAM XX Eagle AXS rear derailleur, a component that Boichis defines as solid, consistent, and reliable.

The number 2, a bib number with special meaning for Adrien Boichis

The bike also includes some personal details. Among them is a small white bus that Boichis uses as a talisman and that, as he explains, he likes to look at before races or during the most challenging moments in climbs.

But the most important detail is the bib number 2. In Leogang, he achieved his first Elite victory in the XCO World Cup, the same venue where he had previously achieved his first victory in the U23 World Cup, and after that triumph he was able to choose a bib number and decided to keep number 2.

“It’s the number with which I won my first U23 World Cup, also in Leogang. Also, I was born on January 2nd, and I just really like the shape of the number. I want to wear it on my jerseys and compete with number 2 throughout my career.”

This choice adds even more personality to a Specialized Epic 9 configured down to the last detail for one of the riders who is standing out the most this season in the XCO World Cup.