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The new Specialized Epic World Cup: hardtail pop, full-suspension sends

The new Specialized Epic World Cup

Mike Blewitt 21.04.2023

Some say XC is dead, but anyone who has tuned in to top class XC won't agree. Cross-country racing is possibly more exciting than ever, with courses pushing riders and their bikes to the absolute limit. The racing is tight, and the strength and depth of talent in the younger generation means we're set for more action to come. And to that end, brands like Specialized are still refining their top shelf cross-country bikes, to suit the demands of their World Cup riders, and the needs of riders around the world who don't want to compromise when it comes to the performance of their mountain bike. The new Epic WC adds a lighter, short travel addition to the Epic range, sitting alongside the Epic (with a Brain) and the Epic Evo. It is designed around a 110mm travel front fork and a 75mm travel back end, with a flex stay arrangement and a shock seemingly built into the top tube.

Specialized's goals with the Epic World Cup

This is simple – to win races. The design is based on matching the ride feel of a hardtail, but providing the traction and capability of a full-suspension bike. A hardtail has an incredible feel out of the saddle when smashing the pedals; the feedback is instant and acceleration matches that. The Specialized Epic WC has three suspension settings for the tune, and the stiffest has no sag, as 25% sag is built into how the frame loads the shock. As such, it reacts instantly with a hardtail like feel, something their World Cup team wanted.

'“The first time I rode the Epic World Cup, I knewI’d never ride a hardtail again,' said Christopher Blevins, the 2021 Short Track World Champion. 'This thing’s a hardtail killer… it gives me everything I could want from a hardtail, plus the control and capability of full suspension.'

A medium S-Works frame set weighs 1795g, and the bike will be available as an Epic World Cup S-Works model, Epic World Cup Pro, or the S-Works frame set. Sizing runs from XS-XL, although XS will be frame set only.

Geometry and sizing on the Specialized Epic World Cup

Specilized are rolling out similar numbers to the rest of the Epic line up, with a 66.5 degree head angle across the size range, and a 74.5 degree seat angle. The reach on a medium is a moderate 440mm. Each bike can take two full size bottles – even the XS – and has a maximum 2.35" tyre size and 36t chain ring size. This latter may seem limiting, given some World Cup top dogs pushing 38 and even custom 40t chain rings. But it is unlikely to be a concern for the rest of us.

Design detail

Efficiency was the order, and the Specialized designers went to town, specifically around torsional rigidity and bottom bracket stiffness. They went through 100 000 different virtual designs, using what they learnt from other light weight frame projects to optimise every tube shape and junction. While they chased a low weight, Specialized also need the feeling the snap of acceleration when a rider stomps on the pedals and pulls hard on the bars. The rear shock has been designed as a structural member of the frame, with wide bushings to support the load while the top tube helps protect the shock, RockShox have custom build the SID WCID (World Cup Integrated Design). You can set the positive and negative air chambers independently, to help match the suspension performance to the terrain.

There is no Brain in the rear shock, but the concept remains at the core of how the shock is setup for performance. The SID SL forks keep the Brain internals. The three setup options are designed to help riders set the Epic World Cup for the course they are racing.

The Firm setting needs a high impact force to engage, and Specialized claim it acts like a 100mm travel bike, as it is set at zero sag, so you have the full 75mm of travel – like a 100mm bike with 25% sag. The spring rate is near linear through the midstroke while ramping up a lot to avoid a harsh bottom out. This one is for hardpack courses, and would likely suit marathon races and some short track.

The Medium setting runs 2.5mm of sag, or 5%, less force is required for suspension support for better traction and small bump compliance, with great bottom out support. The Active setup has 10% sag (4mm) and is the plushest setting with the lowest initial force needed to actuate. This one is for the chundery courses, as the shock still ramps up for support.

Specialized have also released a one piece Control SL cockpit, with 0 and -12 degree rise options, a 780mm width, and various short lengths. This one clocks 250g and has an integrated computer mount. With Canyon, Trek, Factor and more adding integrated cockpits to their top XC bikes, this is an area that can shave weight, but more importantly gain handling by having a stiffer unit.

Our take

Yes, it looks like a Trek Supercaliber. But there's only so much you can do with a traditional frame design working to integrate a shock into the frame structure. The suspension tune and shock design is completely unique, and it is lighter than the competition. And hey, plenty of suspension bikes have looked like a Specialized 4-bar linkage for decades, right?

This one will suit the racing purist, and may well work best for the privateer who loves a hardtail but can't justify a hardtail and full-suspension bike. Will this bike walk the line balancing weight and performance? Time will tell. And is the hardtail dead? According to Specialized, it's certainly not as relevant in their top tier bike range.