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Specialised Epic EvoThe better Epic?

Max Fuchs

 · 23.06.2020

Specialised Epic Evo: the better Epic?Photo: Max Fuchs
Specialised Epic Evo: the better Epic?
Curtain up for the Specialized Epic Evo. For the 2021 model year, Specialized is once again presenting a more comfortable Epic version with 120/110 millimetres of travel alongside the revised race full-suspension bike.

Bikes with the promising abbreviation Evo have been an integral part of Specialized's mountain bike model range since 2011. These are bikes with the same main frame as the standard model. More downhill-oriented components, wider tyres and more suspension travel breathe more pronounced downhill genes into the Evo models. This is how Specialised next to the thoroughbred racer Epic a comfortable, touring-orientated Evo variant for the 2021 model year.

The Epic Evo shows its best side on undulating single trails.Photo: Max Fuchs The Epic Evo shows its best side on undulating single trails.

The main frame remains the same. The head tube houses a suspension fork with 120 millimetres of travel and a 35 millimetre chassis. The developers optimised the rear triangle to make the original cross-country bike more downhill-oriented. As a result, the rear of the Epic Evo now squeezes 110 millimetres of travel out of the shock. The chunky 2.3 inch wide Ground Control tyres on the front wheel, the Vario seat post, a shorter stem and four-piston brakes even position the new Epic Evo a tick further in the direction of a trail bike. Nevertheless, the more massive setup in no way conceals the race genes of the original racing machine. Quite the opposite: the unchanged main frame still holds two large water bottles - a powerful argument for long distances or extended trail tours. With the practical SWAT mini-tool at the bottom of the bottle cage, you can carry out minor repairs to the bike in a relaxed manner while on the move.

The short stem allows the rider to stand safely behind the bike even on steep descents.Photo: Max Fuchs The short stem allows the rider to stand safely behind the bike even on steep descents. The Rockshox SID Select+ with 35 mm stanchions gives the Epic Evo a lot of security on rough terrain and ensures riding stability.Photo: Max Fuchs The Rockshox SID Select+ with 35 mm stanchions gives the Epic Evo a lot of security on rough terrain and ensures riding stability.
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The powerful Sram G2 RS four-piston brakes bring even heavy riders to a precise halt.Photo: Max Fuchs The powerful Sram G2 RS four-piston brakes bring even heavy riders to a precise halt. The dropper post with 150 millimetre stroke adds a good deal to the riding fun.Photo: Max Fuchs The dropper post with 150 millimetre stroke adds a good deal to the riding fun. The SWAT mini-tool has the most important tools for the tour.Photo: Max Fuchs The SWAT mini-tool has the most important tools for the tour. Specialized hides the mini-tool in a small plastic holder at the bottom of the bottle cage.Photo: Max Fuchs Specialized hides the mini-tool in a small plastic holder at the bottom of the bottle cage. In accordance with the downhill-heavy application range, the in-house Ground Control front tyre provides plenty of grip.Photo: Max Fuchs In accordance with the downhill-heavy application range, the in-house Ground Control front tyre provides plenty of grip.

The facts about the new Specialized Epic Evo

  • Frame material: Carbon
  • Suspension travel: 120 millimetres front / 110 millimetres rear
  • 29-inch wheels
  • Weight from 11.35 kilos in size L (BIKE measurement)
  • Frame weight without shock 1742 grams (BIKE measurement)
  • two models for 4499 euros and 6599 euros
Too bad: If you want to lock the fork or shock, you have to take your hands off the handlebars. A handlebar remote control would have been more efficient.Photo: Max Fuchs Too bad: If you want to lock the fork or shock, you have to take your hands off the handlebars. A handlebar remote control would have been more efficient.
In our opinion, the handlebars (750 millimetres) could have been a little wider.Photo: Max Fuchs In our opinion, the handlebars (750 millimetres) could have been a little wider. The cap for the internal cable routing came loose after just a few kilometres.Photo: Max Fuchs The cap for the internal cable routing came loose after just a few kilometres.

The geometry of the new Specialized Epic Evo

Specialized has extended the chainstays to 438 millimetres for a smoother ride. The bottom bracket height can also be adjusted by six millimetres using a flip chip. In the low position, this lowers the head angle from 67 to 66.5 degrees. Due to the sporty geometry, the rider adopts a more stretched and front-heavy riding position. This is where the Epic Evo lives up to its name.

The geometry of the Epic Evo Expert at a glance.Photo: Hersteller The geometry of the Epic Evo Expert at a glance. The geometry can be adjusted with an Allen key using the flip chip on the damper rocker.Photo: Max Fuchs The geometry can be adjusted with an Allen key using the flip chip on the damper rocker.

Models and prices

According to our laboratory measurements, the top model Epic Evo Expert we tested weighs 11.35 kilos. For € 6499, the suspension on the Expert model is equipped with a SID suspension fork and the SIDluxe shock, both in the medium Select+ version. The 150 millimetre travel dropper post comes from X-Fusion. The DT Swiss hubs are surrounded by high-quality Roval Control carbon rims with a rim width of 25 millimetres.

Even when stationary, the <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=15695&awinaffid=471469&clickref=B+Specialized+Epic+Evo+Expert&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fahrrad-xxl.de%2Fspecialized-epic-evo-expert-p00057228m001" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Epic Evo Expert</a> * makes it clear that its range of use extends far beyond the racetrack. Price: 6499 eurosPhoto: Max Fuchs Even when stationary, the Epic Evo Expert * makes it clear that its range of use extends far beyond the racetrack. Price: 6499 euros The in-house Roval Control wheels are a must on the top model.Photo: Max Fuchs The in-house Roval Control wheels are a must on the top model. For the drivetrain, Specialized uses Sram's X01 range.Photo: Max Fuchs For the drivetrain, Specialized uses Sram's X01 range. DT Swiss 350 hubs.Photo: Max Fuchs DT Swiss 350 hubs. The cables are protected by a rubber tube and run from the chainstay into the main frame.Photo: Max Fuchs The cables are protected by a rubber tube and run from the chainstay into the main frame. 4499 euros are due for the Epic Evo Comp.Photo: Specialized 4499 euros are due for the Epic Evo Comp.

The Epic Evo Comp is available from 4499 euros, is based on the same frame, is equipped with Rockshox suspension and a Shimano SLX groupset with 1x12 gears.

Driving impression

So-called sport tourers are designed to combine the efficiency of a full-suspension race bike uphill with the confident handling of a trail bike downhill. Like our Test in BIKE 7/2020 only very few manufacturers manage this balancing act. Specialized, on the other hand, skilfully balances this act with its Epic Evo. It's amazing how Specialized transforms its Race-Fully into a lightweight touring bike with guaranteed fun in just a few simple steps. We'll tell you how the new Epic Evo performs in the tough BIKE test in 9/2020.

The detailed test and ride report on the Epic Evo Expert can be found in BIKE 9/20.Photo: Max Fuchs The detailed test and ride report on the Epic Evo Expert can be found in BIKE 9/20.
Max Fuchs

Max Fuchs

Editor

Max Fuchs hat seine ersten Mountainbike-Kilometer bereits mit drei Jahren gesammelt. Zunächst Hobby-Rennfahrer und Worldcup-Fotograf im Cross-Country-Zirkus, jetzt Testredakteur und Fotograf bei BIKE. Sein Herz schlägt für Enduros und abfahrtsstarke Trailbikes – gern auch mit Motor. Bei der Streckenwahl gilt: je steiler und technischer, desto besser.

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