Specialized Epic Evo 8 Pro 2024: The new Epic Evo in the BIKE test - more race or trail bike?
Jan Timmermann
· 13.03.2024
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The evolution of cross-country fullys continues. Specialized has also given its Epic racing bike 120 millimetres of travel and a long, flat geometry in the eighth expansion stage. It thus occupies the former territory of the Epic Evo. It seems that down country is the new cross country.
But Specialized is not giving up on the Evo model. On the contrary: with slightly more suspension travel at the front, larger brakes, grippier tyres and a wider cockpit, the Epic Evo 2024 has mutated into a trail bike. It is astonishing that the downhill bike is based on the same frame as the race version without the name suffix.
Can such a concept work and can the genetic relationship be felt in practice? We subjected the Specialized Epic Evo 8 for the 2024 model year to an extensive test.
Specialized Epic Evo Pro 2024: top model without frills
At 9000 euros, the Epic Evo Pro model marks the top end of the Specialized portfolio. While the Race brother Epic goes to astronomical heights of € 14,500, the Evo trail bike remains just about on the ground. Instead of the weight-optimised FACT 12M frame of the S-Works, the two available models of the Epic Evo are based on the slightly cheaper and 190 gram heavier FACT 11 M carbon frame. At 1872 grams (BIKE measurement, size L, without shock), it is still light for a trail bike and can even compete with the frame weight of many race bikes.
The cables run classically through the head tube into the frame and the SWAT box for transporting luggage is located in the down tube. This also works remarkably well on the Evo and is not as clunky as some of its competitors' frames. Where today many clumsy closures of various storage compartments are widespread, opening and closing the Specialized solution via an ergonomic lever is a real pleasure.
Just as practical is the mini-tool, which sits rattle-free in the steerer tube. In terms of details, Specialized has definitely done its homework. Particularly nice: Two bottle cages in the frame triangle also equip the Epic Evo 8 for particularly extensive trail tours and offer real added value on a 130-millimetre trail bike, for example on multi-day tours or a Transalp. The equipment and workmanship quality of the Pro model leaves nothing to be desired. Due to the inflated stroke, the top model does without the new Rockshox Flight Attendant System for cross-country bikes and comes with Fox suspension of the highest factory quality class.
Specialized Epic Evo 8 in the field test: sports car for the trail
The close relationship between the Specialized Epic Evo and the racing cross-country bike becomes clear as soon as you sit down. The rider sits stretched out on the trail bike. The flat, wide handlebars also ensure a sporty riding position. In general, the Evo climbs competently towards the summit. However, the fact that it stretches its rider out over the frame is also noticeable on technical trail climbs, where the bike needs to be steered precisely at low speeds. Then the long bike needs to be managed and is not quite as easy to manoeuvre as many other trail bikes. The front wheel tilts quickly due to the slack steering angle, which doesn't make the task any easier.
Meanwhile, the rear suspension of the Epic Evo hardly bobs at all. With very little influence from the drivetrain, there is usually no need to reach for the platform lever. Thanks to the lightweight carbon wheels, the Specialized trail bike accelerates well and quickly gets into a good mood when the pedal pressure is high. Even under load, the Sram X0 Eagle AXS Transmission groupset shifts gears reliably. The company's own tyres roll extremely well, but traction on the rear wheel is limited in muddy conditions. Although the Evo is less sporty than the standard Epic, it still has the soul of a kilometre-hungry athlete when riding uphill and on flat terrain.
Light, firm, fast: trail bike with race DNA
Even downhill, the Specialized Epic Evo 2024 makes no secret of its origins. Although the suspension elements respond well and react reliably to small and large bumps, they tend to be high in their travel. The result is a rather firm ride feel, which suits the sporty riding position well but does not achieve the best comfort values. The suspension by no means smoothes out the trail, but still gives a lot of feedback to the rider. This can lead to earlier fatigue on long descents than you are used to from other trail bikes, but it suits a fast, more aggressive riding style.
This behaviour is most fun on fast but less rough trails. If you want to set a new best time on the local flow trail, the new Epic Evo will be a good accomplice. The racy Specialized feels equally at home on the varied forest trails of the German low mountain ranges, where shorter descents are repeatedly interrupted by counter-climbs. We already recognised a lot of marathon genes in the discontinued predecessor of the Evo trail bike.
Specialised Epic Evo downhill: Long run!
With a high reach of 477 millimetres (in size L) and a slack head angle of 65.4 degrees, the Specialized Epic Evo 8 can handle a lot of speed on the descents. At high speeds, the trail bike is smooth and secure on the course. On steep descents, the roomy chassis with its low-slung dropper post conveys a great sense of security. However, more work is definitely required for active pulling or pushing through tight corners, despite the 432 millimetre short chainstays and a good amount of support in the suspension.
With a 190 and a 170 centimetre tall test rider, we had the opportunity to test two different body sizes on the same L frame size bike. While the handling was still uncomplicated, the length on winding trails seemed too extreme overall. Our 170 centimetre tall tester on the L bike felt the same way. If you want agile and playful handling from a trail bike, you need to be careful when choosing the size of the Specialized and should definitely opt for the high position of the flip chip.
Also because many modern cross-country bikes with 120cc suspension are so extraordinarily good and versatilethe Specialized Epic Evo 8 Pro has strong competition. The long bike quickly feels too bulky in tight bends and when cornering at speed. However, since nowadays many trail bikes gain a lot of weight in favour of their downhill capabilities and fall behind in terms of efficiency, it's nice to see that the powerful Specialized remains pleasingly light at 12.36 kilos. Many touring bikers have probably been waiting for exactly this kind of bike.
A grippy front tyre is also a very good choice for a sporty trail bike. The Specialized Purgatory shines with grip and good-natured handling. Meanwhile, the powerful Sram Code brakes in the Stealth version, especially with the 200 millimetre brake disc at the front on the 130 trail bike, offer a whole lot of confidence in technical downhill sections. A nice detail: even in the bumpiest rocky terrain, the Specialized remains remarkably quiet. Nothing rattles, nothing creaks. This fits in extremely well with the unagitated, professional overall impression.
Details of the Specialized Epic Evo 8 Pro 2024
- Front suspension travel: 130 mm
- Rear suspension travel: 120 mm
- Frame material: FACT 11M Carbon
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Price: 9000 Euro >> available here
- Available from: Specialist retailers
As the latest version of the Specialized Epic Evo is still positioned on the borderline between race and trail bike, it is still likely to be very popular among fans of long MTB tours and demanding trails. The biggest threat to its existence comes from what used to be its own territory: where the new Epic with 120 mm suspension is already suitable for 90 per cent of trails, the EVO can cope with 100 per cent of off-road challenges thanks to its extra reserves. However, modern cross-country and down-country bikes offer more agility. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
Equipment
- Fork: Fox Float 34 Factory
- Shock: Fox Float Factory
- Gear system: Sram X0 Eagle AXS Transmission, 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-52 / 520%
- Brakes: Sram Code Silver Stealth, 200 / 180 mm
- dropper post/stroke: Fox Transfer Factory, 170 mm
- Wheels: Roval Control Carbon on Industry Nine 1/1
- Tyres: Specialized Purgatory Grid T9, 29 x 2.4" / Ground Control Grid T7, 29 x 2.35"
Measured values
- Total weight: 12.36 kg (without pedals)
- Frame weight: 1872 g (without shock absorber)
- Fork weight: 1606 g
- Weight damper: 366 g
- Weight of wheels: 3534 g
- Impeller inertia: 3541 kg x cm²
Conclusion from BIKE Test editor Jan Timmermann
With a large portion of sportiness and valuable details such as the SWAT box and two bottle holders, the Specialized Epic Evo 8 2024 is recommended for bikers who enjoy long trail tours with many kilometres. The suspension and riding position clearly speak the language of the race bike base. The Evo prefers it fast and with a lot of pressure on the pedals. Slow and leisurely is less its thing. Then the geometry is too extreme and the comfort too low.
Pro
- Added value of bottle cage holders and storage compartment
- Powerful, sporty character
- Sovereignty at high speeds
- Quiet bike
Contra
- Long, flat geometry limits agility
- More downcountry than trail bike due to firm suspension
Top 10: The lightest MTBs 2023 & 2024 - frame weights in comparison
Cross-country bikes are the supreme discipline for MTB engineers. A huge amount of development work is required to continually raise the supposedly optimised models to a new level.
In order to achieve maximum range of use and minimum weight with full race track suitability, special carbon fibre, innovative frame construction and cleverly composed equipment are used to combat every superfluous gram.
The basis for a super light mountain bike is a super light frame. Filigree damper linkages and the elimination of everything that is not really necessary will enable frame weights of well under 2000 grams in 2024. Including the shock, mind you. And with very good stiffness.
These are currently probably the lightest and most expensive mountain bikes we have tested - the top stars will be competing with them in the 2024 Olympic year. The bare figures.
Overview: The 10 lightest MTB frames 2023/2024 - weighed & tested by BIKE
- Arc8 Evolve FS (size L): 1536 g
- Trek Supercaliber (size L): 1672 g
- Canyon Lux CFR (size L): 1675 g
- Specialised S-Works Epic 8 FACT 12M (size L): 1682 g
- Cannondale Scalpel Series 0 (size M): 1775 g (on test: Series 1, size L, 2052 g )
- Scott Spark RC World Cup (size L): 1780 g (in the test: Scott Spark RC Pro for 6799 euros)
- Pivot Mach 4 SL (size M): 1845 g
- Specialised Epic EVO 8 FACT 11M (size L): 1872 g
- Simplon Cirex 120 (size L): 1880 g
- MMR Kenta SXC (size L): 2125 g
Close behind:
Without integration, as without BIKE test & without BIKE measurement
Jan Timmermann
Editor
