New Specialized Epic 8 EVO: an XC climbing and a Trail downhill

The new Specialized Epic 8 has just been unveiled, and alongside it comes its EVO version with more downhill capability. The new Epic 8 EVO shares all the innovations of its XCO version and incorporates a custom 130mm fork that makes it behave like a capable XC bike on climbs and respond to the wildest trails on descents.

Key features of the new Specialized Epic 8 EVO

• New frame with 120mm of travel
• Renewed geometry and kinematics
• Lighter, more efficient, and faster
• Customized suspensions with Middle Magic
• FOX Float Factory shock and FOX 34 Factory fork with 130mm of travel and custom adjustment by Ride Dynamics
• SWAT internal storage system
• Starting at €5,200

What's new in the Specialized Epic 8 EVO

Specialized likes to make big headlines with their presentations, and they claim that this new Epic 8 EVO is the "fastest Downcountry bike in the world." This perfectly defines those who will enjoy it the most: cyclists who love to ride hard downhill but also enjoy the climb.

The Epic 8 EVO shares the same new frame as the Epic 8, made of FACT 11m carbon, lighter, more capable, and efficient than ever thanks to its renewed kinematics and progressive geometry. In the rear, it features a 120mm shock that this time does not include the Magic Middle position.

In the EVO version, the shock offers a Sprint-On-Lock position for climbs and flat accelerations, and the Wide Open mode to unleash its full potential on descents. In this open position, the shock is set with minimal compression, giving the feeling of riding a Trail mountain bike.

At the front of the Epic 8 EVO, there is a FOX 34 fork with 130mm of travel, also customized by the Ride Dynamics team, and inside its downtube hides the popular SWAT 4.0 system. A giant compartment where you can carry the tools and spare parts needed for a ride.

Specialized Epic 8 EVO: prices, setups and models

Specialized EPIC 8 EVO PRO - €9,000

• 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: Fox Float Factory, Evol LV, Ride Dynamics Tuned, LSC/ Rebound adjust, 190x45mm
• Fork: Fox 34 Factory, Grip2 Damper, 4 way adjust, 130mm travel, 44mm offset, 15x110mm
• Handlebar: Roval Control Rise Carbon Handlebar, 780mm wide, 20mm rise, 35mm
• Brakes: SRAM Code Silver Stealth, 4-piston
• Drivetrain: SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission
• Wheels: Roval Control, Carbon offset design, 29mm internal width, 4mm hook width, Tubeless ready, 28h
• Weight: 12.12kg
• Price: €9,000

Specialized EPIC 8 EVO COMP - €5,200

• Frame: FACT 11m Carbon, Progressive XC Race Geometry, Rider-First EngineeredTM, SWAT downtube storage, threaded BB, 12x148mm
• SWAT: SWAT internal downtube storage
• Shock: Fox Float Performance, Evol LV, Ride Dynamics Tuned, 2-position compression adjust, 190x45mm
• Fork: Fox 34 Performance, Grip Damper, Compression adjust, 130mm travel, 44mm offset, 15x110mm
• Handlebar: Specialized Alloy
• Brakes: SRAM Code Bronze Stealth, 4-piston
• Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle 12x
• Wheels: Specialized Alloy 29, 30mm internal width, tubeless
• Price: €5,200

EPIC 8 EVO PRO Frame Kit - €4,000

• 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: Fox Float Factory, Evol LV, Ride Dynamics Tuned, LSC/ Rebound adjust, 190x45mm
• Seat clamp: Specialized Alloy 34.9, Titanium Bolt
• Price: €4,000