New Specialized Epic 8: 120mm, without BRAIN and lighter, more efficient and faster than ever

Mountain bike 25/04/24 07:00 Migue A.

This new generation of the Epic will debut in 2024 with a total renovation that brings us a new frame, geometry, and kinematics, 120 mm of travel without the BRAIN system, SWAT compartment, and the new RockShox Flight Attendant electronic suspensions. The price of the Specialized Epic 8 starts at €5,200 and is available in 4 different setups.

Índice

Key Features of the Specialized Epic 2024
Prices of the new Specialized EPIC 8
What's new in the Specialized EPIC 8
Specialized Epic 8: models, setups and prices

Key Features of the Specialized Epic 2024

120 mm of travel
New frame, geometry, and kinematics
Lighter, more efficient, and faster
No BRAIN system
Customized suspensions with Middle Magic
RockShox Flight Attendant system configured by and for Specialized
SWAT internal storage system
Starting from €5,200

Prices of the new Specialized EPIC 8

S-WORKS EPIC 8	€14,500
Specialized EPIC 8 PRO	€9,500
Specialized EPIC 8 EXPERT	€7,500
Specialized EPIC 8 COMP	€5,200
S-WORKS EPIC 8 FRAME	€6,500

You can find all the models and setups at the end of the article

What's new in the Specialized EPIC 8

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The Specialized Epic is one of the brand's flagship models, it is the full suspension mountain bike that for many and for a long time served as an industry standard, and with this new version, it aims to reclaim that position.

To achieve this, Specialized presents in its Epic 8 a completely renewed mountain bike in terms of philosophy. Without mentioning it, it leaves behind the controversial BRAIN system and has used all the current advances to make it one of the fastest models in current Cross Country.

The RockShox Flight Attendant is the most advanced suspension system of the moment

As usual, Specialized relied on its competition teams for the development of this new model and the first big step was to opt for 120mm of travel after most of the Factory Racing cyclists chose this measurement to compete in almost all World Cup races.

New frame

The first thing that catches the eye is that the Epic 8 features a new, more robust and muscular frame thanks to an oversized diagonal tube. But we could say that this new frame is not the origin, but the result of all the qualities that Specialized wanted to highlight.

The frame of the Epic 8 has been completely redesigned to be more efficient, capable, and faster than ever

The brand has dared to call it the "fastest frame on Earth" and they do so because they claim to have achieved with it the most efficient, capable, and extremely light full suspension mountain bike.

The lightness of this new frame is due to being made with the best carbon from Specialized, the FACT 12M, with titanium hardware and a carbon link. And despite being more capable than its previous version, they have managed to lighten it by 76g (for the S-Works Epic model).

SWAT 4.0: extra storage without adding weight

The SWAT storage system becomes essential for all those who try it, and the new Epic 8 integrates it into its diagonal tube. Just lift its main bottle cage to access an internal compartment where you can carry the essential tools and spare parts for any ride.

For many, the SWAT storage system can influence the choice of a mountain bike, and the new Epic 8 includes it without sacrificing weight or frame stiffness

Being faster implies being better in many things

The days are gone when the stiffest or lightest mountain bike could be considered the fastest. Specialized knows this and to make the new Epic 8 truly fast, they put the Specialized Ride Dynamics team at the forefront of its development. The elite in Off-Road innovation within the brand.

To achieve a fast mountain bike, it has to be light and stiff, but also capable of reducing rider fatigue or having the ability to grip in technical terrain, for example

This team knows very well that to win, it is no longer enough to be the best climber, and the new XC circuits and trends demand mountain bikes capable of both climbing fast and descending through technical sections or being as stable as possible to reduce fatigue. From all this comes the new progressive geometry in the Epic 8.

Progressive geometry and new kinematics

The new measurements of the Specialized Epic 8 have been adapted to the current trends of modern XC and try to place the rider in a firmer and more stable position that allows them to roll fast without having to spend extra energy.

The 75.5° seat angle, a generous 475mm reach, a 66.4° slack head angle, or a low bottom bracket ensure that the bike has optimal traction, control, and acceleration on any terrain

The new kinematics of the Epic 8 have managed to reduce pedaling squat by 20% (compared to the previous version of the Epic EVO) while reducing rider fatigue by improving bump absorption and terrain vibrations.

Specialized Ride Dynamics Tuned: customized and optimized suspensions for the Epic 8

We have already said that Specialized has moved on from the BRAIN and has done so because suspension systems have evolved to a higher level in recent years and are now capable of improving any past technology.

The Specialized Epic 8 may seem to mount catalog shocks and forks, but inside they have been customized by the Specialized Ride Dynamics.

The suspensions of the Epic 8 have three customized positions for the rear shock: open, sprint (closed), and the one where, according to Specialized, the magic happens, the Magic Middle.

Comparison of the progression of the SIDLuxe shock in the pedaling position with the Ride Dynamics Magic Middle customization

The open and sprint positions deliver what they promise, stiffness or maximum absorption capacity. While the Maggic Middle option is what any Epic 8 user will use in 80% of cases.

The Magic Middle adjustment provides a firm pedaling option that remains so even with powerful pedal strokes, but at the same time offers an active and proportionate suspension depending on the obstacle in its path.

RockShox Flight Attendant System by Specialized Ride Dynamics

The presentation of this Epic 8 coincides with the launch of the RockShox Flight Attendant SID system for its lighter range of suspensions.

The Flight Attendant SID system is the biggest evolution of the last decade in MTB suspensions

This new electronic suspension system elevates any mountain bike to a much higher level, and in the case of the new Epic, it has also been customized by the Specialized Ride Dynamics.

The Flight Attendant fork features a control panel for small adjustments on the crown

The entire wireless SRAM AXS ecosystem (power meter, drivetrain, and suspensions) collects a huge amount of information with which an algorithm is able to almost anticipate any terrain situation, taking into account your fitness level, and in fractions of a second automatically adjust the shock and fork to work as efficiently as possible.

If you are accelerating on a straight, the Flight Attendant will lock the suspensions, but if a technical climb follows, it will adopt an active suspension to improve traction. It can be said that this new system reads your mind and anticipates the terrain.

The entire AXS system frees the new Epic 8 from cables while collecting a wealth of information to make the Flight Attendant suspensions anticipate your mind and the terrain

Specialized Epic 8: models, setups and prices

S-Works Epic 8 - 14,500€

Frame: S-Works FACT 12m Carbon, Progressive XC Race Geometry, Rider-First EngineeredTM, SWAT downtube storage, threaded BB, 12x148mm UDH compatible rear dropout, internal cable routing, 120mm of travel, Optimized for wireless drivetrain and seatpost
SWAT: SWAT internal downtube storage
Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe ULTIMATE Flight Attendant, Ride Dynamics developed 3 position, Solo Air, 190x45mm
Fork: RockShox SID ULTIMATE Flight Attendant, Ride Dynamics developed 3 position, Debon Air, 15x110mm, 44mm offset, 120mm Travel
Saddle: Body Geometry S-Works Power, carbon fiber rails, carbon fiber base
Handlebar: Roval Control SL Integrated cockpit, 60mm X- 12 degree integrated stem, 8-degree backsweep, 1 degree upsweep, 760mm wide
Grips: Specialized Trail Grips
Brakes: SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, 160/180mm rotor
Drivetrain:SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS
Wheels:Roval Control SL, Carbon offset design, 29mm internal width, 4mm hook width, Tubeless ready, 24h
Price: 14,500€

Specialized Epic 8 Pro - 9,500€

Frame:FACT 11m Carbon, Progressive XC Race Geometry, Rider-First EngineeredTM, SWAT downtube storage, threaded BB, 12x148mm UDH compatible rear dropout, internal cable routing, 120mm of travel
SWAT:SWAT internal downtube storage
Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe ULTIMATE, Ride Dynamics developed 3 position, TwistLoc remote adjust, Solo Air, 190x45mm
Fork:RockShox SID ULTIMATE, Ride Dynamics developed 3 position, TwistLoc remote adjust, Debon Air, 15x110mm, 44mm offset, 120mm Travel
Handlebar:S-Works Carbon XC Mini Rise, 6-degree upsweep, 8-degree backsweep, 10mm rise, 760mm, 31.8mm
Brakes:SRAM Level Silver, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, stealth, 160/180mm rotor
Drivetrain:SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission
Wheels:Roval Control, Carbon offset design, 29mm internal width, 4mm hook width, Tubeless ready, 28h
Price:9,500€

Specialized Epic 8 Expert - 7,500€

Frame:FACT 11m Carbon, Progressive XC Race Geometry, Rider-First EngineeredTM, SWAT downtube storage, threaded BB, 12x148mm UDH compatible rear dropout, internal cable routing, 120mm of travel
SWAT:SWAT internal downtube storage
Shock:RockShox SIDLuxe Select+, Ride Dynamics developed 3 position, TwistLoc remote adjust, Solo Air, 190x45mm
Fork:RockShox SID Select+, Ride Dynamics developed 3 position, TwistLoc remote adjust, Debon Air, 15x110mm, 44mm offset, 120mm Travel
Handlebar:Specialized Alloy Minirise, 10mm rise, 750mm, 31.8mm clamp
Brakes:SRAM Level Bronze Stealth, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc 160/180mm rotor
Drivetrain:SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission
Wheels:Roval Control, Carbon offset design, 29mm internal width, 4mm hook width, Tubeless ready, 28h
Price:7,500€

Specialized Epic 8 Comp - 5,200€

Frame: FACT 11m Carbon, Progressive XC Race Geometry, Rider-First EngineeredTM, SWAT downtube storage, threaded BB, 12x148mm UDH compatible rear dropout, internal cable routing, 120mm of travel
SWAT:SWAT internal downtube storage
Shock:RockShox SIDLuxe Select+, Ride Dynamics developed 3 position, TwistLoc remote adjust, Solo Air, 190x45mm
Handlebar:Specialized Alloy Minirise, 10mm rise, 750mm, 31.8mm clamp
Fork:RockShox SID Select, Ride Dynamics developed 3 position, TwistLoc remote adjust, Debon Air, 15x110mm, 44mm offset, 120mm Travel
Brakes:SRAM Level Bronze Stealth, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc,160/180mm rotor
Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed
Wheels:Specialized Alloy 29, 28mm internal width, tubeless
Price: 5,200€

Frame Kit S-Works Epic 8 - 6,500€

Frame:S-Works FACT 12m Carbon, Progressive XC Race Geometry, Rider-First EngineeredTM, SWAT downtube storage, threaded BB, 12x148mm UDH compatible rear dropout, internal cable routing, 120mm of travel, Optimized for wireless drivetrain and seatpost
SWAT:SWAT internal downtube storage
Shock:RockShox SIDLuxe ULTIMATE, Ride Dynamics developed 3 position, TwistLoc remote adjust, Solo Air, 190x45mm
Fork:RockShox SID ULTIMATE, Ride Dynamics developed 3 position, TwistLoc remote adjust, Debon Air, 15x110mm, 44mm offset, 120mm Travel
Price: 6,500€