Evolution of the
Fastest
The All-New Epic 8
Introduing the new Epic 8, the fastest XC race bike on the planet.
We redefined the formula of fastest with double the capability, extra efficiency, and less mass.
The Fastest Mountain Bike on Earth. Period.
Capability
The most capable 120mm bike on the planet
Efficiency
The most efficient pedaling suspension bike we've ever tested
Light Weight
76 grams lighter than previous S-Works Epic
Thank God Some
Kids Stayed in
Science Club
Evidence-Based Performance for Riders
While you were cutting school to ride your bike, some kids stayed in science class. A few of those kids rode their bikes, too. They grew up to be members of Specialized Science Club, creating evidence-based performance for riders. The Ride Dynamics team is an elite part of Specailzied Science Club that relentlessly focuses on holistically developing the chassis, geometry, kinematics, spring curves, and damping performance of our bikes to achieve a singular, elevated ride. Thanks God, indeed.
Meet the entire team behind the creation of the all new Epic 8.
Capability
The Epic 8 punches way above its class, because as tracks get more technical, capability makes the difference between winning and crashing. On top of that, the more composed the bike in technical terrain, the more the rider can recover on the descents so they're ready to attack on the next climb.
Geometric
Capability
Progressive Geometry for Modern XC
The Epic 8's progressive geometry delivers technical terrain capability alongside fast and efficient climbing and acceleration performance. The generous cockpit centers the rider on the bike for optimal traction and corner contorl. The low bottom bracket and slack headtube keep things composed in the rough.
Stay Tuned
Specialized Ride Dynamics
Developed Dampers
Custom valving on the Epic 8 shocks and forks is developed together with the chassis, leverage rate, and kinematics, to elevate the ride of the bike beyond the sum of its parts.
Thank God Some Kids
Stayed in Science Club
Evidence-Based Performance for Riders
While you were cutting school to ride your bike, some kids stayed in science class. A few of those kids rode their bikes, too. They grew up to be members of Specialized Science Club, creating evidence-based performance for riders. The Ride Dynamics team is an elite part of Specialized Science Club that relentlessly focuses on holistically developing the chassis, geometry, kinematics, spring curves, and damping performance of our bikes to achieve a singular, elevated ride. Thanks God, indeed.
Meet the entire team behind the creation of the all new Epic 8.
Capability
The most capable 120mm bike on the planet
Efficiency
The most efficient pedaling suspension bike we've ever tested
Light Weight
76 grams lighter than previous S-Works Epic
Capability
The Epic 8 punches way above its class, because as tracks get more technical, capability makes the difference between winning and crashing. On top of that, the more composed the bike in technical terrain, the more the rider can recover on the descents so they're ready to attack on the next climb.
Capability
The most capable 120mm bike on the planet
Efficiency
The most efficient pedaling suspension bike we've ever tested
Light Weight
76 grams lighter than previous S-Works Epic
Geometric Capability
Progressive Geometry for Modern XC
The Epic 8's progressive geometry delivers technical terrain capability alongside fast and efficient climbing and acceleration performance. The generous cockpit centers the rider on the bike for optimal traction and corner contorl. The low bottom bracket and slack headtube keep things composed in the rough.
Capability
The most capable 120mm bike on the planet
Efficiency
The most efficient pedaling suspension bike we've ever tested
Light Weight
76 grams lighter than previous S-Works Epic
Stay Tuned
Specialized Ride Dynamics
Developed Dampers
Custom valving on the Epic 8 shocks and forks is developed together with the chassis, leverage rate, and kinematics, to elevate the ride of the bike beyond the sum of its parts.
Capability
The most capable 120mm bike on the planet
Efficiency
The most efficient pedaling suspension bike we've ever tested
Light Weight
76 grams lighter than previous S-Works Epic
Epic 8's Dynamic Trio
Wide Open
This is the setting for a long descent or a technical section. Its minimal compression damping delivers a super supple, active ride that makes the Epic 8 feel like a bike with way more travel.
Magic Middle
Epic 8's Magic Maddle setting is ideal for 80% of race situations. A balance between a firm platform for pedaling, and active suspension in the rough. Truly set it, and forget it.
Sprint-On-Lock
When all that stands between you and victory is a 50 meter sprint, or when there's a smooth, extended climb, lock the shock and go. Easy as that.
Magic Middle
Set it and forget it, Goldilocks
The Magic Middle setting delivers support under pedaling and active suspension in the rough.
Under rider inputs, the dampers give more resistance, causing the shock to move less - providing more support for efficient pedaling.
When the trail gets rough, the suspension moves more freely to soak up bumps - delivering more control and a smoother ride.
It's the best of both worlds for XC riders.
Magic Middle
Set it and forget it, Goldilocks
The Magic Middle setting delivers support under pedaling and active suspension in the rough.
Under rider inputs, the dampers give more resistance, causing the shock to move less - providing more support for efficient pedaling.
When the trail gets rough, the suspension moves more freely to soak up bumps - delivering more control and a smoother ride.
It's the best of both worlds for XC riders.
Ruthless
Biomechanical
Efficiency
20% Less Pedal Bob
The new Epic 8 is the most efficient pedaling suspension bike we've ever tested, while maintaining traction and absorbing bumps. By optimizing the kinematics of the suspension, Specialized Ride Dynamics was able to create a bike that reduces inefficient pedal-induced bobbing by 20%, maintains active suspension for effective bump force management, and ensures the rider remains in the most efficient pedaling position.
Give Fatigue
The Finger
Push While the Field Suffers
By instrumenting our bikes with accelerometers, we compare the forces coming into the bike at the wheels with the forces experienced by the rider. The new Epic 8 absorbs 12% more bump and vibration forces than the previous generation, leaving the rider less fatigued and more powerful over time. Additionally, because the bike soaks up the bump and vibration forces, the rider can recover from the last climb or stay in the saddle to power down.
Lightweight
Of course the new Epic 8's are lighter than their predecessors. In fact, we shaved 76 grams off of the new S-Works while boosting efficiency and capability. On top of that, we added features like SWAT and steering stops. How'd we do it? Simple, obsessive attention to detail, engineering, and composites wizardry.
Every Fiber
of Our Being
Our Premium FACT 12M Carbon Fiber
Like parents, we're quite proud of the bikes we've brought to life. And while it's generally frowned upon to play favorites, we'd be lying if we said we weren't most proud of the all-new S-Works Epic8. One reason is the FACT 12M chassis, with its unrivaled composite materials laid up by hand in a painstaking and meticulous schedule to deliver unmatched stiffness and strength-to-weight stats.
Who Says You Can't
Get Somethin'
For Nothin'?
A Helping of Features, Hold the Weight
Well whoever said it is wrong, because with the Epic 8 you don't need to spend a single gram to get mega capability, SWAT 4.0 to carry all your essential "stuff" in your downtube, and an integrated steering stop to prevent the ubiquitous top tube scar the first time you crash and your bars spin.
Epic 8 EVO
Fastest for Downcountry
Epic 8 EVO models are special builds for riders who hunt downhill KOMs on monster loops. Speccing the same Epic 8 chassis with 130mm forks, bigger brakes, aggressive tires, riser bars and shorter stems, EVO models are singletrack-devouring machines like the world has never seen.
Geometric
Capability
Progressive Geometry for Downcountry
The Epic 8 EVO's slacker geometry delivers stable and confident descending with fast and effcient climbing. The more neutral cockpit places the rider in a position favoring long days on the bike, through rougher terrain.
Epic 8 EVO's
Dynamic Duo
Two Positions; Pick your Poison
Specialized Ride Dynamics provided a custom, dialed tune to awaken Epic 8 EVO models to slay downcountry terrain. There is no middle ground. And so, there is no Magic Middle on the EVO dampers, just Wide Open and Sprint-On-Lock settings.
Wide Open
When you made it to the top and it's time for your reward, open it up and let it fly. The Wide Open setting has minimal compression damping, delivering such a supple ride, you'll swear you're on a trail bike.
Sprint-On-Lock
For a lot of downcountry terrain, keeping it active as you sit and spin is the way to go on the climbs. But sometimes it's real smooth. And sometimes you wanna' get out of the saddle and pedal like you're chopping wood. Those are the times to lock it out and hammer away. Hell, it's cheaper than therapy.
Free Your Mind.
Focus on Fast
Specialized Ride Dynamics Tuned
RockShox Flight Attendant
The Specialized Ride Dynamics tuned RockShox Flight Attendant system frees your mind to focus on fast by simplifying decision making in the heat of the moment, instantaneously changing to the optimal Dynamic Trio setting. Flight Attendant leverages SRAM AXS Wireless technology to collect real-time data from you and the terrain to determine optimal compression settings to deliver an unmatched experience for the rider.
Ruthless
Biomechanical
Efficiency
20% Less Pedal Bob
The new Epic 8 is the most efficient pedaling suspension bike we've ever tested, while maintaining traction and absorbing bumps. By optimizing the kinematics of the suspension, Specialized Ride Dynamics was able to create a bike that reduces inefficient pedal-induced bobbing by 20%, maintains active suspension for effective bump force management, and ensures the rider remains in the most efficient pedaling position.
Give Fatigue
The Finger
Push While the Field Suffers
By instrumenting our bikes with accelerometers, we compare the forces coming into the bike at the wheels with the forces experienced by the rider. The new Epic 8 absorbs 12% more bump and vibration forces than the previous generation, leaving the rider less fatigued and more powerful over time. Additionally, because the bike soaks up the bump and vibration forces, the rider can recover from the last climb or stay in the saddle to power down.
Lightweight
Of course the new Epic 8's are lighter than their predecessors. In fact, we shaved 76 grams off of the new S-Works while boosting efficiency and capability. On top of that, we added features like SWAT and steering stops. How'd we do it? Simple, obsessive attention to detail, engineering, and composites wizardry.
Every Fiber
of Our Being
Our Premium FACT 12M Carbon Fiber
Like parents, we're quite proud of the bikes we've brought to life. And while it's generally frowned upon to play favorites, we'd be lying if we said we weren't most proud of the all-new S-Works Epic8. One reason is the FACT 12M chassis, with its unrivaled composite materials laid up by hand in a painstaking and meticulous schedule to deliver unmatched stiffness and strength-to-weight stats.
Who Says You Can't
Get Somethin'
For Nothin'?
A Helping of Features, Hold the Weight
Well whoever said it is wrong, because with the Epic 8 you don't need to spend a single gram to get mega capability, SWAT 4.0 to carry all your essential "stuff" in your downtube, and an integrated steering stop to prevent the ubiquitous top tube scar the first time you crash and your bars spin.
Epic 8 EVO
Fastest for Downcountry
Epic 8 EVO models are special builds for riders who hunt downhill KOMs on monster loops. Speccing the same Epic 8 chassis with 130mm forks, bigger brakes, aggressive tires, riser bars and shorter stems, EVO models are singletrack-devouring machines like the world has never seen.
Geometric
Capability
Progressive Geometry for Downcountry
The Epic 8 EVO's slacker geometry delivers stable and confident descending with fast and effcient climbing. The more neutral cockpit places the rider in a position favoring long days on the bike, through rougher terrain.
Epic 8 EVO's Dynamic Duo
Two Positions; Pick your Poison
Specialized Ride Dynamics provided a custom, dialed tune to awaken Epic 8 EVO models to slay downcountry terrain. There is no middle ground. And so, there is no Magic Middle on the EVO dampers, just Wide Open and Sprint-On-Lock settings.
Wide Open
When you made it to the top and it's time for your reward, open it up and let it fly. The Wide Open setting has minimal compression damping, delivering such a supple ride, you'll swear you're on a trail bike.
Sprint-On-Lock
For a lot of downcountry terrain, keeping it active as you sit and spin is the way to go on the climbs. But sometimes it's real smooth. And sometimes you wanna' get out of the saddle and pedal like you're chopping wood. Those are the times to lock it out and hammer away. Hell, it's cheaper than therapy.
Three Faces of Fastest
Three Faces of Fastest
FASTEST FOR SMOOTH XC
EPIC WORLD CUP
Fork: RockShox SID SL ULTIMATE BRAIN 110mm travel
Shock: Co-developed Specialized-RockShox SIDLuxe WCID Ultimate
Brakes: SRAM Level Ultimate
Tires: Specialized S-Works Fast Trak front 2.35"/ Specialized Renegade 2.35"
Cockpit: Roval Control SL Integrated cockpit
FASTEST FOR XC RACING
EPIC 8
Fork: RockShox SID 120mm travel
Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe 3-position with custom Ride Dynamics tune
Brakes: SRAM Level 4-piston
Tires: Specialized Fast Trak 2.35" front / Renegade 2.35" rear
Cockpit: Roval Control SL Integrated cockpit on S-Works, flat carbon bars on other models
FASTEST FOR DOWNCOUNTRY
EPIC 8
Fork: FOX 34 130mm travel
Shock: FOX FLOAT 2-position with custom Ride Dynamics tune
Brakes: SRAM Code 4-piston
Tires: Specialized Purgatory 2.4" front / Ground Control 2.35" rear
Cockpit: Riser bars and shorter stems for iincreased control when descending
Which Epic Is Right
For You?
Three Faces of Fastest
FASTEST FOR SMOOTH XC
EPIC WORLD CUP
Fork: RockShox SID SL ULTIMATE BRAIN 110mm travel
Shock: Co-developed Specialized-RockShox SIDLuxe WCID Ultimate
Brakes: SRAM Level Ultimate
Tires: Specialized S-Works Fast Trak front 2.35"/ Specialized Renegade 2.35"
Cockpit: Roval Control SL Integrated cockpit
FASTEST FOR XC RACING
EPIC 8
Fork: RockShox SID 120mm travel
Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe 3-position with custom Ride Dynamics tune
Brakes: SRAM Level 4-piston
Tires: Specialized Fast Trak 2.35" front / Renegade 2.35" rear
Cockpit: Roval Control SL Integrated cockpit on S-Works, flat carbon bars on other models
FASTEST FOR DOWNCOUNTRY
EPIC 8 EVO
Fork: FOX 34 130mm travel
Shock: FOX FLOAT 2-position with custom Ride Dynamics tune
Brakes: SRAM Code 4-piston
Tires: Specialized Purgatory 2.4" front / Ground Control 2.35" rear
Cockpit: Riser bars and shorter stems for iincreased control when descending
Which Epic Is Right
For You?
Your Ride
Depends on This
Tires Worthy of the Epic Name
All the technology built into a bike isn't worth a hill of beans if the contact of the tire to the ground is compromised. The first product to hear the Specialized brand was a tire, and since then Specialized tires have delivered an optimized combination of rolling resistance, flat protection, and grip.