Specialized Epic 8 and Evo XC bikes get more downcountry
Spesh brings burlier tyres and an updates geometry to its XCO and marathon platform.
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A mid spec cross country thoroughbred with fancy Brain system
Brand new S-Works EXOS EVO shoes and motocross inspired tyres make their way into the line up
And it looks awfully like a Trek Supercaliber
The XC racer with trail flavour
A significant frame redesign has saved weight and enhanced rider comfort, says Specialized, with the new Epic 8 delivering more trail capability than before, configured with 120mm of suspension travel front and rear.
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The Epic 8 frame is cited to be 76g lighter than its predecessor and features titanium pivot hardware but the real story is its frame angles. Geometry numbers include a steep 75.5-degree seat angle, to keep riders in a powerful climbing posture when grinding up those challenging singletrack climbs.
Balancing the seat angle geometry is a slack 66.4-degree headtube angle, which is 1.1-degrees more relaxed than before and places the Epic 8 into the downcountry category.
Big improvements, big claims
Specialized engineers benchmarked suspension technology to reduce rider fatigue while enhancing overall grip by integrating the latest active suspension technology from RockShox, courtesy of the Epic 8 S-Works having a SIDLuxe Ultimate shock.
Three rear damper settings function as part of the Specialized’s Dynamic Trio suspension set-up for the Epic 8: Wide Open, Magic Middle and Sprint-On-Lock. These compression functions claim to be true to their naming conventions, with Specialized product planners estimating that most riders will be in the Magic Middle setting for 80% of their saddle time on an Epic 8.
2024 specialized epic hero.jpg, by Liam Mercer
For those pro and amateur racers who don’t wish to risk a fumbled suspension setting when running close to their maximum heart rate, the RockShox Flight Attendant’s electronic compression select system continuously analyses kinematic inputs on the Epic 8’s rear triangle and adjusts the suspension accordingly. The result is a bike that has 20% less pedal bob than the Epic it replaces and generates 12% less rider fatigue, according to the brand.
True to its purpose as a Cape Epic winning machine, the Epic 8 S-Works build kit is a curated blend of lightweight, efficiency and durability. It rolls Roval SL 29mm wide rims, spinning on hubs with DT Swiss 180 internals. Tyres are Specialized’s Fast Trak 2.35in front and a similar-sized Renegade at the rear.
2024 specialized epic shock.jpg, by Liam Mercer
It wouldn’t be an S-Works-worthy bike with the most advanced drivetrain and the Epic 8 S-Works shifts via a SRAM XX SL T-Type AXS transmission, linking a 34T chainring with a 10-52T cassette.
The S-Works Epic 8 might only weigh a claimed 10.24kg (22lb), but Specialized has equipped its 760mm wide flat carbon fibre handlebars with SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth stoppers. These four-piston brakes, have been included for fade-free stopping power whether you are training and racing XCO or marathon events.
What about the Evo?
If the Epic 8 has geometry numbers that are so authentically downcountry, what’s the point of Specialized longer travel, more aggro cross-country bike? Fear not, because the Evo has developed in synergy with the new Epic 8, with its longer travel fork making it slacker and more downhill-biased.
With 130mm of front, while retaining the same 120mm rear travel, the new Epic Evo is slightly slacker than the Epic 8, with a 65.4-degree head angle, which trims the overall reach on a size large by 5mm, to 470mm. How does that compare to the 2023 Evo? Well, the new one is 1.1-degree slacker and has a 10mm longer reach.
2024 specialized epic evo hero.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Unlike the Epic 8 S-Works, the Evo doesn’t feature RockShox’s Flight Attendant damper, with a Fox Float 2-position shock offering riders the Wide Open and Sprint-On-Lock settings.
The trail-biased build kit for Specialized Epic Evo Pro means heavier components, accounting for its claimed 12.12kg weight. But you get SRAM Code four-piston brakes, a longer travel Fox 34 fork, and larger volume tyres with more sidewall reinforcement.
2024 specialized epic swat.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Rolling Specialized Purgatory 2.4” tyres front, and Ground Control 2.35” rear, the Epic Evo Pro rolls on Roval carbon rims, with a 28h spoke count compared to the Epic 8 S-Work’s 24h configuration. There’s also a difference in hub specification with the Evo Pro spinning on Industry 9 1/1 hubs.
Dedicated trail riders value having a touch more steering leverage when navigating fast, technical trails, and as such the Epic Evo Pro’s handlebar is slightly wider, at 780mm, with some rise.
Both the Epic 8 and Evo derivatives feature the SWAT 4.0 system downtube cavity storage system, with an integrated steering stop guard, to prevent handlebar impact damage to the frame, during a crash.
Pricing
Pricing for Specialized’s new Epic 8 and Evo range starts at £4,250 for the Comp versions, £6,000 for an Epic 8 Expert, and £8,000 for the Epic 8 and Evo Pro versions. The Epic 8 S-Works is priced at £12,000. Frame-only options are available, with the Epic 8 S-Works positioned at £5,500 and the Evo Pro at £3,500.
We managed to get our hands on the bike ahead of the launch so be sure to read our thoughts by heading over to the 2024 Specialized Epic Comp first ride review.
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