The new Specialized S-Works Epic 2023 has been spotted. Goodbye to the BRAIN system?
We knew there was an Epic 2023 in the works because Specialized leaked a picture of it a few weeks ago. But we just confirmed it at the Super Cup Massi de Banyoles, where some Specialized Factory Racing riders are riding a prototype that hides the shock.
![](https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/48489/conversions/drc03549-drc03549-300.jpg 300w, https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/48489/conversions/drc03549-drc03549-620.jpg 620w, https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/48489/conversions/drc03549-drc03549-1000.jpg 1000w, https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/48489/conversions/drc03549-drc03549-1600.jpg 1600w)
First images of the new Specialized Epic 2023
The pictures were taken at the Specialized box in Banyoles, it is Haley Batten's bike and there is no doubt that it is a new model. In addition to the casing that hides the rear shock, it has new internal cable routing from the headset. You can also see that it has the new SRAM Level brakes, in black.
![](https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/48492/conversions/drc03555-drc03555-300.jpg 300w, https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/48492/conversions/drc03555-drc03555-620.jpg 620w, https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/48492/conversions/drc03555-drc03555-1000.jpg 1000w, https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/48492/conversions/drc03555-drc03555-1600.jpg 1600w)
Since last season, some Specialized Factory Racing riders were opting to ride their Epic without the brand's exclusive BRAIN system on either the fork or the shock. But precisely on this prototype being tested by Haley Batten we can see that the American does indeed ride the 100mm BRAIN fork, although there is no trace of the former rear reservoir.
![](https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/48501/conversions/specialized-brain-specialized-brain-1600-specialized-brain-specialized-brain-1600-300.jpg 300w, https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/48501/conversions/specialized-brain-specialized-brain-1600-specialized-brain-specialized-brain-1600-620.jpg 620w, https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/48501/conversions/specialized-brain-specialized-brain-1600-specialized-brain-specialized-brain-1600-1000.jpg 1000w, https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/48501/conversions/specialized-brain-specialized-brain-1600-specialized-brain-specialized-brain-1600-1600.jpg 1600w)
This could mean that under the canvas there is an evolution of the BRAIN that doesn't need the left chainstay reservoir until now, or that Specialized is dropping this system on the rear shock of its next Epic, or that we're just looking at the BRAIN-less version of the Epic 2023.
RECOMENDADO
![What bike size do you need? Here's how to find out](https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/29062/conversions/talla-de-bicicleta-620.jpg)
What bike size do you need? Here's how to find out
![We look back at all the results at the MTB events in the Olympic Games, from Atlanta 1996 to Tokyo 2021](https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/24928/conversions/mtb-atenas-2004-mtb-atenas-2004-1600-620.jpg)
We look back at all the results at the MTB events in the Olympic Games, from Atlanta 1996 to Tokyo 2021
![Pogacar is the highest paid cyclist of 2024 and is proving why](https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/28335/conversions/pogacar-ciclismo-brujula-bike-pogacar-ciclismo-brujula-bike-1600-620.jpg)
Pogacar is the highest paid cyclist of 2024 and is proving why
![How much money a cyclist can make in the Tour de France 2024?](https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/7799/conversions/1-620.jpg)
How much money a cyclist can make in the Tour de France 2024?
![This is how they erase the penises that are drawn on the roads of the Tour de France](https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/8402/conversions/1-620.jpg)
This is how they erase the penises that are drawn on the roads of the Tour de France
![Scott Foil RC Ultimate 2023, we test in depth the new model of the brand](https://cdn.brujulabike.com/media/39730/conversions/joc2491-620.jpg)
Scott Foil RC Ultimate 2023, we test in depth the new model of the brand
With the season starting, we are sure that in the coming days and weeks we will have more images and information about the news from Specialized.