Specialized Epic 9 S-Works

The Specialized S-Works Epic 9 is a full-suspension XC race bike built for riders chasing World Cup pace on increasingly technical courses. Specialized shaved 206 grams off the Epic 8 platform to land at 9.66 kg (21 lbs 4.7 oz) in a size medium, making this the lightest full-suspension XC race bike in the current catalog. 120mm of travel front and rear, paired with an 11% reduction in suspension friction, keeps the bike driving forward whether you're punching up a fire road or threading a rooted descent.

The S-Works FACT 12m carbon chassis uses Progressive XC Race Geometry with Rider-First Engineered tuning across sizes, and includes a threaded bottom bracket, 12x148mm UDH rear dropout, and internal cable routing optimized for wireless drivetrains. SWAT BOX 2.0 storage lives in the downtube for tools and spares. Suspension comes from a RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant fork (120mm travel, 15x110mm axle, 44mm offset, Debon Air) and a RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant shock (190x45mm, Solo Air), both running Ride Dynamics 3-position logic that adjusts compression on the fly based on terrain and rider input.

Shifting runs on SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS Transmission with a 12-speed 10-52t CS-1299 cassette, a SRAM/Quarq XX SL Eagle power meter crankset (34T, 165mm on SM, 170mm on M through XL), and SRAM AXS POD Ultimate controllers. Stopping comes from SRAM Motive Ultimate 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes with a 180mm front rotor and 160mm rear. Roval Control World Cup carbon wheels use a 28.5mm inner rim width with DT Swiss 180 internals and carbon spokes, wrapped in 29x2.35 Specialized Fast Trak (front) and Air Trak (rear) tires with Flex Lite casings and T5/T7 compound. A RockShox Reverb AXS dropper (125mm on S, 150mm on M/L, 175mm on XL), Roval Control SL integrated carbon cockpit with 760mm bar and 60/70mm stem, and S-Works Power EVO Mirror 3D-printed saddle round out the spec. Point the Epic 9 at a marathon start line or a midweek XC lap and it rewards every watt put through the cranks.