We avoid superlatives, but the in-house brain damper system seems to us to be the perfect suspension for marathon riders. This is because the rear shock only opens when it has to compensate for uneven ground. If you climb on tarmac or fine gravel, the fork and damper lock automatically. The lightweight carbon wheels on the Specialised S-Works Epic emphasise the good climbing genes, and even the unusual gear mix convinced us. The electronic Shimano XTR Di2 rear derailleur is super precise. Whether snow, mud or dry volcanic dust, it allows the chain to glide over the Sram XX1 11-speed cassette so accurately that conventional cable-operated derailleurs must be green with envy. We covered over 480 kilometres and 16,000 metres of altitude in the Colombian Andes on the Epic and didn't have a single problem with the electronics. Even the battery hidden in the seat tube was still three-quarters full after a week. Compared to Sram's Eagle drivetrain, however, the range of the drivetrain has to be compromised. Here the Giant scores with its additional twelfth sprocket. On the descents, the Brain on the fork works a little less cleanly than on the shock, which is why we almost switched it off. On the other hand, the 2.3 inch wide tyre on the front wheel provides a lot of grip on singletrack. The long head tube allows you to sit almost comfortably behind the handlebars. Thanks to the mini-tools integrated into the bike, there is more space in the jersey pockets for energy bars.
Test summary of the Specialized S-Works Epic 2018:
The new Brain shock works so perfectly that the fork can't quite keep up. Specialized has only made minor changes to the geometry compared to the old Epic. No wonder, given the success of its predecessor. However, after our extensive race test, we are certain that the 2018 Epic is a worthy successor.
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