A Specialized Epic is a fine place to sit when the intention is a high rate of speed XC style. The last time we were on an Epic for review, a 2013 Marathon model, the bike came across very clearly as a race bike or at least a very high performance oriented XC bike. For 2014, Specialized has taken the Epic platform one step further into hard core race with the World Cup models, one in S Works and this one, the Expert Carbon WC (World Cup). We already mentioned in our first article that World Cup denotes a dedicated 1×11 single ring drivetrain as there is no provision for a front der. On the Epics it also means a more aggressive geometry with 10mm shorter chain stays and a 1/2 degree steeper head tube angle of 71*. It has 95mm of travel at each end.
The Brain is at both ends here and the WC gets a firmer Mini Brain tune on the rear shock. The wheels are carbon, but not the SLs. Still it is darn light and wicked fast feeling when you pedal hard.
I took it down the same trails that I rode all week, all gravity fed single track with lots of rock filled switchbacks and gravely, loose dirt corners, all hashed up from lots of bike travel. The Epics were always a somewhat sedate feeling bike as far as steering response…maybe neutral would be a better word…and that is great for anything endurance based. The WC felt perkier for sure and cut a sharp line when the tiller was turned but it takes a lot to get a 29er skittish feeling and I never got that pucker up feeling that things were out of control. But know that overall the Epic remains a race/performance focused bike line and the WC takes that up a notch. Cruising it along is OK, but you know you are not on a trail bike. But push hard, then harder still…pedal like the devil is chasing you and it just flys.
The Brain(s) on this model felt balanced front to rear, letting you charge hard but taking the hits for you. Is it firmer? I think it is, but I did not test that back to back with a non-WC Epic. Specialized says that it is, so I will agree. As you would expect, the new carbon chassis with M5 alloy seat stays was stiff and the Roval Control Carbon 29 142+ wheels kept it so all the way to the ground.
SRAM XX1 11 speed shifting is fast and will likely have the gear range anyone buying this bike will need. The Magura MTS brakes took a bit to bed in, but by the end of the trail they were smooth and controlled, but not immediately powerful.
If speed is what you value over anything else and the podium beckons (and your wallet does not let an S Works hang in your garage) check out the Specialized Epic Expert Carbon World Cup.
XX1 is pictured, not XO1, which doesn’t exist of course.
@Adam…oops…my bad. It is XX1 but XO 11 speed does exist. It is spec’d on the Camber Expert Carbon Evo 29.
gg
Thank goodness it doesn’t have that stupid lunchbox on it.
Regardless of how it rides that thing is just fugly.
Very interested to hear about the XC Epic Brain tune for 2014. I hear five clicks now but not sure what settings
have been dismissed from the 12/13 versions. The 13 version is pretty perfect. I did read every report that stated the WC 2014 is firmer.
Nice to see Specialized spec’ing thru-axles on an xc bike…about time.
Chsad: I read the clicks make bigger jumps, but they also dropped a bit off the open end.
GR: according to both in house at Spesh and magazine testing, 15mm axles are less stiff than oversized dropouts.
Slim, are you referring to the XC model?
Thanks for the review. But, how do you write a review about a race bike and not mention the weight?
@Richrard DalCanto: This was a “Ride Impression”, not our full review, and was taken at a Press Camp, where often it is not convenient, or even possible to weigh a bicycle.
Had this been in our typical review process you would have gotten a much more detailed “review” including weight, but as it is, we don’t go into such detail with a “Ride Impressions”, (which this was), due to time constraints, etc.
Did some digging on the less clicks for brain adjustment. Apparently S is saying the shock has a more compliant feel to it so you get better small bump and it will apparently have a more “open” feel. That way you can keep the speed going as you glide over the terrain. I am still concerned about loss of the open settings on the shock but I am thinking this was done because the shock has a more “open” tune at least on the XC model. Any confirmation on this GT or GG?
@Chsad…I have also been told that the Mini Brain is tuned for a more seamless transition for closed to open and that seems to be the trend with each successive year model. However I also was told that the WC models are a “more aggressive” tune.
gg
They screwed us on the xc tyres above 2.0 last year… Looking like uk miss out on the WC version this year. Who the hell is running spesh uk product choices??
Why would anyone be bothered about plushness on a World Cup race day Xc RACE bike. Endurance/training stuff is for the normal Epic, which was already racing the worlds and Olympics…
Brain: The 2013 had 6 settings, one less isn’t dropping a lot like they make out. Needed settings 4-6 clicks sacking off and removing and some clicks between 2-3. 2 is super hard til the bumps (just about perfect) 3 is bouncy under throttle pedal bob in 2010’s is unacceptable. 4 5 and 6 pointless settings on a race rig just have 1/2 and 5. Bigger brain gaps was the opposite I feel I need… Some progression between 2 and 3 clicks plzzzzz
Normal epics been fantastic but Gief UK World Cup versions!
What does it weigh?
@Kjetil…did not weigh it.
gg
10,7 probably
…10,7 KG? Large size? Same weight than the Stumpy HT expert carbon? Something wrong…
Specialized advertize the Epic S-Works L @ 8,9KG… It means that the HT Sworks Stumpy should be around 7,8 KG?!
Who can confirm?
RE:Phil (Regardless of how it rides that thing is just fugly.)
Not sure what Phil means because the bike looks Amazing!!
Best value in the current Epic line.
I have see it live on at weight, S-works 8,9 kg in size L
So I’m sure that expert is 10,7 kg. but have not yet see that one live on a weight
Expert Carbon is 11.6 kg with pedals, WC should be about 11 I guess!
We put the Expert WC on the scale at my LBS today. It weighed 23.7 pounds with platform test ride pedals (medium). Interestingly, we put the new S-Works XTR on the scale (large)and it weighed 24.2! It did have the tool box thing on it, but we were shocked it came in heavier none the less.
Weights epic expert wc 10,7 kg – epic sworks wc 8,9 kg ???
I do not believe that there is that Big difference
The wheels diff. Is about 250-300 gr and 1 – 11 xx1 – xo1 1-11 is maybe 150gr max.
Then will the the frame and fork have to be very very lightere
It would be herat if Specialized would tell us exactly how much the frame and fork weigh
I Got a comp with American Classic race wheels and rotor 3D ,xo 9speed
11,3kg
There is an long Way to 8,9 kg + pedal 300gr = 9,2kg
Can anyone explain the gab?