At the end of July, Specialized let the cat out of the bag: the new Epic HT. The Americans want to break the weight record with this hardtail and create the lightest MTB hardtail in the world. The S-Works frame is said to weigh just 828 grams. This makes the carbon fibre chassis the lightest frame Specialized has ever built - including road bikes. However, the advertised weight has yet to be verified in the BIKE lab, as Specialized has not yet been able to deliver a frame. However, even the somewhat simpler carbon frame used in the Comp, Expert and Pro models is said to be lighter than the S-Works frame of the old Stumpjumper hardtail. We were able to test the Epic HT Pro Carbon World Cup for the first time at the Roc d'Azur in Fréjus. The bike has now also passed the measurements in the BIKE lab. And lo and behold: the frame of the Pro Carbon version in frame size L weighs 1317 grams. Measured with thru axle and seat post clamp. This means that the new Specialized hardtail undercuts the values of its S-Works predecessor (1336 grams).
Impact protection on the down tube
However, it's not just the name that has changed on the new Epic HT, Specialized and developer Peter Denk have created a completely new bike that no longer has much in common with the old Stumpjumper hardtail. The development team spent a long time tinkering with the tube shapes alone in order to save weight. Added to this are the integrated cable routing without continuous outer sleeves or guides in the frame, lightweight thru-axles and a lightweight headset with a flat end cap that paves the way for a low cockpit. In addition, each frame size has its own carbon layup. In this way, Specialized wants to ensure that the bike has the same riding characteristics across all frame sizes and that taller riders, for example, have a chassis that is just as stiff as cross-country fleas. Specialized also relies on Boost for precise handling and increased stiffness. If you ride the Epic HT without a front derailleur, you benefit from a clean seat tube, as the adapter for mounting the front derailleur can be unscrewed. However, the most striking detail on the Epic HT is probably the fork crown stop on the down tube, which prevents a brake lever from drilling into the top tube in the event of a fall. The impact protection made of a nylon/rubber mixture is designed to distribute the energy between the two bolts in an emergency, so that the frame remains undamaged. If the going gets tough, the replaceable stop should also break. When designing the frame, emphasis was also placed on keeping the chainstays as "slim" as possible so that you have plenty of heel clearance when pedalling to avoid rubbing against the stays.
Too much comfort makes you slow
In recent years, BMC and Trek have presented so-called "softtails", which give the hardtails a minimum of rear suspension. Canyon also relies on a super-comfortable leaf spring seat post for the Exceed CF for more comfort. Specialized did not want to go down this route with the new Epic HT. "We carried out a study in collaboration with McLaren, which showed us that too much comfort makes you slow. That's why we don't want the saddle to flex too far backwards," says Peter Denk. For this reason, special comfort seat posts, elastomers or joints in the rear triangle were not used. At the heart of the study, which also provided important findings for the new Roubaix road bike, were simulations of bikes and riders rolling over obstacles and the effects. All Epic HT models use seatposts with a diameter of 27.2 mm without offset.
New geometry
As the Stumpjumper hardtail was getting on in years and modern cross-country trails demand a significantly higher level of riding technique, the Specialized engineers were keen to create a modern geometry. The reach was significantly longer (441 instead of 432 mm), the steering angle was slackened by 1.4 degrees and the wheelbase was extended to 1131 mm. The 426 mm chainstays are among the shortest currently available on the 29er market. With this geometry, the new Epic HT should climb better than the previous version, but above all be much safer and faster on technically tricky descents. We can't wait to see whether fully advocates like Jaroslav Kulhavy and Annika Langvad will switch to a hardtail at one or other World Cup next season. The climbing-heavy course in Albstadt would be an obvious choice.
Geometry data of the Specialised Epic HT (size L)
Reach: 441 mm
Stack: 622 mm
Steering angle: 69.8 degrees
Seat angle: 74 degrees
Chain stays: 426 mm
Head tube length: 110 mm
Wheelbase: 1131 mm
Bottom bracket height: 310 mm
With the Epic HT on the race track at the Roc d'Azur
As part of the Roc d'Azur festival in the south of France, we had our first opportunity to test the new Specialized race file. On Thursday, we took part in a marathon (40 km/800 m elevation gain) on the dusty and rocky marathon track, and on Friday we rode a lap in the neighbouring Esterel mountains. Our test bike - the Epic HT Pro Carbon World Cup for 4999 euros - weighed in at 9.59 kilos (in size L). The reach is pleasantly long and positions the rider in a sporty, stretched position between the large wheels. Compared to the Stumpjumper hardtail, the Epic has a lower front end and the 720 mm handlebars provide a lot of confidence downhill. Over the washed-out gravel tracks, which are peppered with nasty ramps, a few metres in altitude quickly add up. What stands out: The bike doesn't climb surprisingly easily, but the grip is impressive. The front wheel sticks to the ground, even on the sky scrapers, and you can concentrate on spinning the cranks. This is also thanks to the Brain fork, which doesn't need a handlebar remote and - depending on the setting - still hardens when pedalling out of the saddle. Thanks to the Sram X01 Eagle with 50 sprocket, you can get up even the nastiest stretches. But the Epic hardtail is no comfort miracle, the 27.2 mm aluminium seatpost only flexes as much as absolutely necessary to avoid sitting on the saddle like a rodeo cowboy.
Downhill, the marathon route at Roc d'Azur leads through washed-out stream beds, at high speed over rocky, dusty gravel tracks and angular rock steps. Although most hobby racers would reach for a fully here, the Epic HT feels right at home. The race hardtail whizzes smoothly over rough gravel tracks, and it cycles directly and confidently through the glowing red stone fields. The geometry is harmonious and always gives the rider a secure feeling - no matter how rough or fast the descent. The Fast Trak's own tyre combination, which we rode tubeless, is also tough. The 2.2 inch wide tyres on our test bike were mounted on hookless Roval carbon rims.
Conclusion on the Specialized Epic HT
The Epic HT is a worthy successor to the legendary Stumpjumper hardtail. It's a genuine race hardtail that doesn't mess around. Stiff, modern geometry and superior downhill characteristics. The Pro Carbon World Cup version doesn't have to hide from the competition in terms of price/performance either. With carbon wheels, 1x12 drivetrain and SID Brain fork, you get a race bike for 5000 euros that is well placed in the front of the marathon starting block. Unfortunately, the orange frame will not be available in Germany, only the matt black one.
