"The lightest and fastest XC in the world": the new Specialized Epic 9 drops to 8.5 kg without compromising on anything

"We knew we could make an Epic even faster", this is how Specialized began the presentation of its new Epic 9. A bike that was born with the goal of eliminating all factors that slow down the cyclist in real race conditions, and whose result is "the lightest, fastest, and most capable XC bike in the world" according to the brand. A statement that is not far off if we tell you that its lightest build comes in at 8.5 kg, without compromises, ready for a World Cup.

Key Features of the Specialized Epic 9

• The lightest full-suspension XC racing bike ever created by the brand
• Frame weighing 1,589 g with shock and hardware
• S-Works Ultralight LTD complete at 8.5 kg (110mm)
• Frame optimized through FEA to save grams without losing performance
• 120 mm of front and rear travel adjusted for modern XC circuits.
• 11% less friction in the suspension system
• Dynamic Trio damping: Wide Open, Magic Middle, Sprint-On-Lock
• Refined geometry with Body Geometry data

Specialized Epic 9: less friction, less weight, and a new benchmark in modern XC

The development of this new version is based on more than two decades of evolution within high-level cross country, and Specialized started with the idea of transforming a greater part of the cyclist's energy into effective forward motion. To achieve this, the brand has worked on three critical areas that condition performance on modern circuits: total mass, friction losses in the suspension, and dynamic stability on uneven terrain.

A frame below 1,600 grams and a real structural reduction

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The most striking figure is the weight of the frame, which stands at 1,589 grams in size M with shock included. A figure that the brand boasts as the lightest dual-suspension XC frame ever created, which is 129 grams lighter than its direct competitor. This saving has not been achieved with spot solutions, but through a complete redesign based on FEA modeling, a simulation tool that allows predicting how a structure behaves before manufacturing it, and optimizing each section of the frame to eliminate material where it does not contribute to performance.

The mass reduction is distributed across all key areas. The front triangle loses 110 grams compared to the Epic 8, the main pivot reduces 15 grams, the seat tube another 17 grams, and the rear triangle 37 grams. This approach allows maintaining the necessary structural rigidity without penalizing power transfer or control.

In the most exclusive build, the S-Works Epic 9 Ultralight LTD is around 8.5 kg in size M, a figure that places it directly at the extreme end of current XC for a production bike ready to compete.

Less friction and a revised kinematics for modern XC

The second major development axis is the suspension. Specialized claims an 11% reduction in suspension system friction, which translates into greater initial sensitivity and better terrain reading capability. This improvement is not limited to small impacts but directly affects overall efficiency by reducing energy losses in each compression cycle.

The kinematics have also been adjusted at the sag point, reducing the initial leverage rate to increase pedaling support. This allows the bike to remain more stable under load without resorting to constant lockouts, which is key in modern circuits where technical sections and accelerations alternate continuously.

From that point, the operating curve maintains behavior very close to that of the Epic 8 in the mid and end of the travel, ensuring control in repeated impacts and resistance to bottoming out in large compressions. It is a clear balance between efficiency and capability, avoiding sacrificing one for the other.

Jason McDonald, the lead engineer of the project explains it this way:  “The Epic 9 maintains the proven 120 mm front and rear travel, but is smoother and more flexible thanks to a robust design of the link, pivot, and frame that reduces suspension friction by 11%. We also reduced the leverage at the sag to improve efficiency while pedaling, while maintaining the proven leverage curve of the Epic 8 through the bump zone and the end of the travel to maintain control and manage large impacts. The result is more support while pedaling and more controlled speed when the terrain gets rough.”

Three damping positions designed for real racing

The damping system maintains the well-known three-position scheme, but integrated with the new kinematics. In open configuration, traction and absorption are prioritized in descents or technical areas, while the intermediate mode seeks an automatic balance between firmness while pedaling and absorption capacity when the terrain demands it.

The firmest mode is designed for very specific situations such as sprints, climbs, or asphalt sections, where minimizing suspension movement allows taking advantage of every watt generated. The key here is that these modes do not work in isolation, but as part of a system that combines frame behavior, shock, and geometry.

Consolidated and refined geometry with real data

The Epic 9 maintains the geometric base introduced in the previous generation, but with adjustments based on Body Geometry positioning data and competition feedback. In numbers, the steering angle is set at 65.9° in low position and 66.3° in high, while the seat angle remains at 76°, seeking an efficient climbing position without compromising control on descents.

The chainstays vary by size, from 435 mm in S and M to 442 mm in XL, allowing for a consistent weight distribution across the range. The reach in size M ranges from 450 to 455 mm depending on configuration, with a stack of 604 mm, figures that fit with the current standard of technical XC.

The set is completed with a flip-chip that allows adjusting the bottom bracket height and dynamic behavior, adapting the bike to different types of circuits without altering the geometric base.

Efficiency as a system, not as an isolated characteristic

One of the most interesting points of the Epic 9 approach is that efficiency is not addressed as a single factor, but as the sum of multiple elements that interact with each other. The rigidity of the frame, the kinematics, the reduction of friction, and the position of the cyclist work together to maintain speed even when the terrain breaks the rhythm.

This translates into a bike that is not only fast in ideal conditions but also maintains inertia better in technical areas, where speed losses are usually greater. It is precisely in that type of terrain where much of modern XC is decided.

Specialized Epic 9: builds, weight, and prices of the range

The Epic 9 range consists of five models that share the same 120 mm platform and geometry, but with clear differences in materials, suspensions, and build level. In the European market, the price range starts at €6,999 for the Expert version and reaches €14,499 for the complete S-Works, with a weight range from 10.95 kg for the Expert build to 9.66 kg for the S-Works, while at the most exclusive end is the S-Works Epic 9 Ultralight LTD, a special edition available on request that reduces weight to 8.66 kg thanks to a selection of components aimed at maximum performance in competition.

S-Works Epic 9 Ultralight LTD — €13,999

• S-Works FACT 12m carbon frame, 120 mm of travel
• RockShox SID SL Ultimate fork (110 mm)
• RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate Ride Dynamics suspension fork
• SRAM XX SL Eagle drivetrain with power meter
• Trickstuff Piccola brakes, 2-piston calipers, titanium hardware
• Roval Control World Cup wheels with carbon spokes and ceramic bearings
• Specialized Air Trak 29x2.35 tires
• Roval Control SL integrated cockpit
• Bike Yoke Divine SL seatpost
• Claimed weight 8.66 kg

S-Works Epic 9 — 14,499 €

• S-Works FACT 12m carbon frame, 120 mm travel
• RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant + SIDLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant suspension
• SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS drivetrain with power meter
• SRAM Motive Ultimate brakes, 4-piston
• Roval Control World Cup wheels with DT Swiss 180 hubs
• Specialized Fast Trak / Air Trak 29x2.35 tires
• Roval Control SL integrated cockpit
• RockShox Reverb AXS seatpost
• Claimed weight 9.66 kg

S-Works Epic 9 Frameset — 6,999 €

• S-Works FACT 12m carbon frame, 120 mm travel
• RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant + SIDLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant suspension
• Integrated SWAT system
• Progressive XC Race Geometry
• Compatible with wireless drivetrains (UDH)
• Claimed weight: 3.49 kg, including fork

Specialized Epic 9 Pro — 9,499 €

• FACT 11m carbon frame, 120 mm travel
• RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant + SIDLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant suspension
• SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission with shifter
• SRAM Motive Silver brakes, 4-piston
• Roval Control SL wheels with DT Swiss 350 hubs
• Specialized Fast Trak / Air Trak 29x2.35 tires
• Roval Control SL cockpit
• Bike Yoke Divine SL seatpost
• Claimed weight 10.39 kg

Epic 9 Expert — 6,999 €

• FACT 11m carbon frame, 120 mm travel
• RockShox SID Select+ fork
• RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ rear shock
• SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain
• SRAM Motive Bronze brakes, 4-piston
• Roval Control SL wheels with DT Swiss 370 hubs
• Specialized Fast Trak / Air Trak 29x2.35 tires
• Specialized aluminum cockpit
• X-Fusion Manic dropper post
• Claimed weight 10.95 kg

You can check out the complete builds on the Specialized website.