There has hardly been a test that we have awaited with greater excitement: Can Specialized outperform its own aluminium models with the use of carbon? With the "Epic S-Works" we had our first opportunity to get to the bottom of the truth. First test: stiffness and weight. The frame of the carbon "Epic" weighs 1,965 grams naked, i.e. without shock absorber, and on our test bench it delivers a stiffness of 56.72 Newton metres per degree of deflection. This makes the frame around 60 grams lighter and almost 1 Nm/° stiffer than the frame of the "Epic Marathon" made of "M5" aluminium. The bottom line is: par, because you can't feel the difference.
What you can feel, however, is the significantly more powerful function of the entire chassis - compared to last year's "Epic". Specialized has responded to the call for more suspension travel and has now given the racer 100 millimetres at the front and rear. At the same time, the "Brain" function is now adjustable. In the closed position, the rear suspension works as usual: the mass/inertia valve only opens on big hits, otherwise you get that hardtail feeling. In the open position, you hardly notice anything of the automatic lock-out - the negative suspension travel builds up faster than in the closed position and the rear suspension feels more sensitive without bobbing - this should also convince the previous "Brain" opponents. Otherwise, the new "Epic S-Works" is fitted with everything that is good and expensive. And at eleven kilos, this bike is more than suitable for competition. You can see in every detail that Specialized has not only worked with "brains" on the shock. The Americans work with the controversial Dual Control levers, but with a conventional rear derailleur. This means that you shift to the lower gears using traditional manual force.
CONCLUSIONS: Carbon on the "Epic S-Works" primarily brings visual appeal. The suspension is a noticeable improvement. The "Epic" in this configuration is certainly one of the best cross-country and marathon bikes in the world. And one of the most expensive.
