No other bike has collected as many World Cup points, World Championship titles and Olympic medals as the Epic from Specialized. However, the test wins and judgements of the BIKE test crew that the Epic has collected over the past eleven years count for far more than racing success. A total of 37 different models of the Epic - from Marathon to S-Works to Evo - have passed through the BIKE test lab since 2003 and collected praise and recognition by the dozen. The thoroughbred racer has also had to prove itself time and again in endurance tests. The "Brain" shock absorber has been the centrepiece of the classic from day one. The unique shock absorber uses an inertia valve to ensure that nothing bobs when pedalling, but that the full suspension travel is available when the bike is hit. This makes the Epic one of the most efficient racefullys on the market and interesting for hobby racers and difficult race tracks. However, the intelligent shock absorber was initially the weak point. In the first endurance test Epic (BIKE 12/2003), the Brain shock failed after 1200 kilometres.
Better Brain shock for the Specialised Epic
As a result, Specialized and Fox put a lot of work into the Brain, making it better and better every two years and easier to tune. Along with the frame, the Brain was refined again in 2011 and from then on left nothing to be desired. Even in the relevant internet forums, (almost) no Epic owner complains about defective shocks. Since the 2013 model year, Specialized has given the Epic an Autosag shock, which makes adjustment easier, but is not absolutely necessary. More important for second-hand buyers are probably the stiffer, lighter frames with thru-axles, which have been available on the Epic since model year 2011. Since last year, the Epic has only been available as a 29er, while the 26-inch bikes from previous years - such as the Epic Comp (right) from BIKE 8/2010 - are available second-hand at favourable prices.
Specialized Epic Carbon Comp 29: used from 1500 euros
The Epic has been available as a 29-inch model since 2010 and the frame was revised in 2011. We recommend the 2011 model of the Epic Comp Carbon, which has a carbon main frame and is available second-hand on the internet for as little as 1500 euros.
New prices 2003: 2495 to 4100 Euro
New prices 2014: 2699 to 8499 Euro
Driver profile: Right from the start, the sporty, taut Epic was aimed at racers, marathon riders and hardtail converts.
Strengths: Seating position, geometry, riding behaviour, efficient kinematics
Problems: Brain struts of the first generation, bearing kit costs 100 euros without assembly (special tools required)
Our recommendation: If you can get your hands on a second-hand S-Works version of the Epic at a favourable price, go for it! But the Comp and Comp Carbon models from 2011 onwards are also reliable second-hand bikes.
