Test winner: The Specialized S-Works Epic 9 – the cross-country cheat code

In size XL, the Specialized S-Works Epic 9 weighs just 9.9 kilos. It’s hard to imagine a lighter frame, lighter wheels and even greater prestige. Right down to the very last carbon fibre, the new Epic has been optimised for modern cross-country cycling. The BIKE test lab has awarded the S-Works top marks. But does this high-achiever deliver on the trail too? We didn’t go easy on Specialized’s new superbike and clocked up an extraordinary number of test kilometres on the new Epic 9. The verdict is clear: never before has a complete bike been this impressive.

​Conclusion

Long, flat, with an epic suspension system and yet unbeatably light: the elite Specialized S-Works Epic 9 goes further than any other race bike before it, securing victory in the test. Tailored to racing with absolutely no compromises, the new Epic defies the imagination of the average person. It’s the cheat code for cross-country cycling and, in the right hands, a shameless competitive advantage. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor

Specialized S-Works Epic 9 in detail

• Intended use: Cross-country / Marathon
• Price: 14,499 euros
• Frame material: carbon
• Available sizes: S / M / L / XL
• Maximum system weight: 120 kg
• Warranty: lifetime
• Special features: Flex-Pivot, SWAT tool, steering stop limiter

Ignition!

The Control World Cup wheels from Specialised’s own brand, Roval, weigh 991 grams bare. Together, the front and rear wheels therefore weigh less than a carton of milk – unbelievable! Fitted with equally lightweight tyres and thin brake discs with aluminium spiders, the Specialised S-Works Epic 9 achieves the lowest inertia values we have ever measured in the BIKE test lab for a fully kitted 29er wheelset. Wheels have never been lighter or faster! In terms of the wheels alone, the S-Works undercuts all high-end competitors on the market by at least half a kilo.

You can really feel this in practice too. The bike accelerates as if from another planet. Faster than your mind can comprehend, the Specialized shoots forwards. It’s as if the bike were swallowed up by a wormhole and only spat back out into the real world at the next braking point. In the final sprint, no other full-suspension bike in the test could match the S-Works. This is partly because the RockShox Flight Attendant automatic system analyses the rider’s pedalling power and locks the suspension fully automatically. Without this clever little helper, the rear suspension is actually not entirely free from the effects of pedalling.

The light overall weight and wheel weight naturally make a difference to the bike’s handling too. Despite its length, the bike can be skilfully swung from left to right and back again. The integration into the wide-spanning frame is well executed and, after a short settling-in period, makes line choice easy even at maximum heart rate. The Specialised takes on every line with ease. Nevertheless, we cannot say that the Epic 9 has an excessive playfulness. The geometry wasn’t designed with riding enjoyment as a priority, but to win races – and you can certainly tell. Size-dependent chainstay lengths and a further increased reach set the dial to ‘serious business’ rather than ‘messing about’.

Reserves galore

The Specialized Epic 8’s suspension was already regarded as the benchmark for cross-country bikes. With this new system, the Californian company’s Ride Dynamics team claims to have significantly reduced friction once again. Indeed, this feat of engineering is evident in practical testing. The rear suspension has a low breakaway torque, absorbs bumps with remarkable sensitivity, yet also handles large bumps with ease. The Epic 9 navigates rough terrain extremely quickly. The suspension’s reserves at race pace are impressive. At the same time, the suspension doesn’t bottom out even during aggressive manoeuvres, and the traction on technical uphill sections is simply superb.

The Epic 9’s formidable suspension is complemented by its long, flat geometry. Smooth and purposeful, the Specialized flies towards the finish line. Despite its nimble handling, the bike runs like it’s on rails on the trail, even with a steep head angle. Speed is its core strength. The S-Works was developed to dominate World Cup events and delivers on this promise uncompromisingly, not only in the sprint but also on the downhill. On extremely challenging terrain, it is at most the narrow tyres and the minimalist brake discs that set the Epic’s limits.

Supernatural

When we first had the chance to take the Specialized S-Works Epic 9 for a spin, we described it as a “glitch in the Matrix” after our maiden ride. The combination of generous geometry, high-performance suspension, brutal acceleration and low overall weight has once again led to the odd ‘aha’ moment during our in-depth test and in direct comparison with the world’s best cross-country bikes. It’s a combination that, in its absurdity, defies all reason – it almost feels unnatural. Time and again, the testers remarked: “Actually, that shouldn’t be possible”. We’ve rarely experienced such riding capabilities combined with such a light weight in the race full-suspension bikes of recent years.

This can also be overwhelming for inexperienced riders. Just hop on and ride your way to a gold medal – it’s not quite that simple. The radical S-Works rides differently to an average mountain bike. Whilst all testers praised its stability on soft, root-strewn forest ground, the Epic didn’t appeal to everyone, particularly on hard, built trails. This is likely due in large part to the feather-light wheelsets. With their thick carbon spokes, these are very stiff. The Flex-Lite casing of the latest generation of Specialized tyres, on the other hand, certainly lives up to its name. Time and again, we found ourselves lacking grip on the tread. Larger and heavier riders in particular will need to experiment with tyre pressure to achieve the optimal riding feel. The same applies to the suspension. When it comes to finding the perfect set-up and the ideal trim for the ‘Flight Attendant’ automatic suspension, a bit of experience and a few test rides won’t go amiss to help the Epic 9 reach its full potential.

Even finding the right frame size can be a challenge. Specialised has dropped one size in the transition from the previous model to the current version. To ensure it still caters for the full range of riders, the sizes at either end of the range have been adjusted in particular. Our XL test bike looks huge, but fits perfectly with the manufacturer’s recommendation for our 1.90-metre-tall test rider. At 150 millimetres, the head tube is significantly longer than on any other road bike. The stack height is correspondingly high. At the same time, the seat angle is noticeably steep. It takes several attempts to find the preferred riding position by adjusting the handlebar height and saddle position. The unusual design certainly takes some getting used to, but once you’ve got the hang of it, the high front end offers a noticeable advantage: on transition sections and even on downhills, you can conserve energy by keeping your upper body upright. Despite the bike’s length and height, the steep seat angle ensures plenty of pressure on the pedals and front end when riding off-road. The riding position almost gives you that trail bike feel.

​Measurements from the BIKE test laboratory

• Total weight: 9.94 kg (size XL, excluding pedals)
• Frame weight excluding shock absorber: 1590 g
• Weight of shock absorber: 358 g
• Fork weight: 1673 g
• Weight of wheels: 3017 g (including tyres, brake discs and cassette)
• Wheel inertia: 2337 kg/cm² (the lower the value, the faster the acceleration)
• Frame stiffness (front/rear): 5.6 / 17.4 N/mm
• Customer service rating: 8 out of a maximum of 15 points (average)

​Facilities

• Fork / Shock: RockShox SID / SIDluxe Ultimate Flight Attendant
• Drivetrain / Gear ratio: SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS transmission (1 x 12), 34; 10–52 (520 per cent)
• Brakes: SRAM Motive Ultimate, 180 / 160 mm
• Dropper post: RockShox Reverb AXS, 175 mm
• Wheels: Specialized Roval Control World Cup
• Tyres: Specialized Fast Trak / Air Trak Flex Lite T5 / T7, 29 x 2.35”

​Strengths and weaknesses

Pro

• Top marks in the lab: super-light frame, super-light wheels
• a bike with exceptional sprinting power
• effortless handling
• plenty of traction
• Generous suspension and geometry travel allow for high downhill speeds

Cons

• Complexity in Fitting and Set-up
• not very playful
• painfully expensive as a top-of-the-range model

BIKE rating

​The BIKE rating system is independent of price and is based on the school grading system.

What do you think: is the Specialized S-Works Epic 9 currently the most impressive full-suspension cross-country bike? Let us know what you think in the comments!