Specialized S-Works Epic Hardtail

Specialized S-Works Epic Hardtail
  • Color: Gloss Carbon/Rocket Red
  • Color: Gloss Mint/Tarmac Black
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Call it a healthy disrespect for the status quo, but we were getting bored with hardtail designs. So instead of playing along with a glued-on smile, we opted to turn the cross country world on its head with a bike that's not only the lightest mountain frame we've ever made. It's our lightest frame—period. Introducing the S-Works Epic Hardtail.

Over the last decade, cross country racing has evolved into a completely different animal—the courses are rowdier, more technical, and overall, they're inherently different. Because of this, we realized that the best bike for the job needs to not only be lightweight and stiff but also be able to descend and climb with equal prowess. Determining the best geometry was the easier of the two, as we took our current XC race geo and added some trail DNA to the mix. This equates to a longer top tube, a shortened head tube, and a slacked-out front end, the result of which is a tremendous increase in downhill stability, plus a wider fit range. And just as importantly, this doesn't require any sacrifice of climbing proficiency. The weight aspect was more complicated, though. We were posed with the question, "How do you take weight out of something that's already so light?" But the answer was relatively obvious: you get the best mountain bike engineers together in one room and let the magic come out.

Up until now, there were two ways to lighten up a frame—use less of the same grade of carbon or use less of a higher-grade carbon. Option one is never a viable solution as it sacrifices stiffness and strength, two attributes that shouldn't be tampered with. And while we did end up using option two, we weren't content with the amount of weight we could cut out by just using a different grade of carbon. So how else do you cut weight? Well, we began looking at our layup schedules to see if they could be improved, which shed light on a new discovery—layup inefficiencies.

Beginning with our Rider-First Engineered frame technology, each size Epic Hardtail is specifically tailored to size—every carbon layup and tube are exclusively selected based upon hundreds of hours of collected ride data. What does this mean for you? It not only creates the optimal balance of rigidity, weight, and responsiveness across every frame size, but it led us to the discovery of how to save weight through the studying of the layup.

Through extensive layup studies, we made the discovery that, by further controlling the construction and layup schedules, we could drastically decrease weight, all while maintaining the ride characteristics that you'd expect from a top-level XC race bike. With this discovery, each frame now features complex cut carbon plys that allow difficult junctions to be covered with less overlap. And while this does complicate the carbon frame puzzle by adding more pieces to the mix, it allows us to design and place them more intelligently. The result of this is a lighter frame, stronger junctions, and a drastic increase in stiffness. We then took the weight savings one step further by using Japanese military ballistic-grade carbon, which we now call 12m, to create the lightest mountain bike we've ever made. How much lighter of a frame, you ask? Less than 900 grams for a size Large frame—the same weight as a full 24oz Purist water bottle.

For the build, the S-Works spares no expense, opting for a custom RockShox SID World Cup fork with Brain, SRAM XX1 Eagle 12-speed shifting, SRAM Level Ultimate hydraulic disc brakes, and hand-built Roval Control SL carbon wheels.

- To provide the optimal blend of stiffness, crazy light weight, and strength, we constructed the frame from our S-Works FACT 12m carbon fiber. And when combined with our XC 29 Geometry, this Epic is guaranteed to deliver uncompromising, blistering speed and agile handling come race day—no matter the course.

- The RockShox SID World Cup 29 fork with Brain provides 90/100mm of efficient travel. It features Brain technology that distinguishes between terrain and rider input in order to maximize your power, while a Brain Fade adjusts the oil flow when not hitting bumps.

- The 1x drivetrain is controlled by SRAM's venerable XX1 Eagle components to form the ultimate in efficiency and intuitive feel, while also having the added benefit of significant weight savings and minimal required maintenance.


Frame Specialized S-Works FACT 12m, XC Geometry, internal split-housing cable routing, PF30 BB, triangulated post-mount 160mm brake
Fork RockShox SID World Cup Brain 29, Solo Air, Top-Adjust, 51mm offset, S: 90mm, M-XL: 100mm
Axles Front: 15x110mm thru-axle
Rear: 12x148mm thru-axle
Rims/Wheels Roval Control SL, hookless carbon, 25mm internal width, tubeless-ready, hand-built
Hubs Front: Roval Control SL, sealed cartridge bearings, 24h
Rear: Roval Control SL, DT Swiss Star Ratchet, 54t engagement, SRAM XD driver body, 28h
Spokes DT Swiss Competition Race
Tires Front: Fast Trak, GRIPTON compound, 60 TPI, 2Bliss Ready, 29x2.3"
Rear: Fast Trak, GRIPTON compound, 60 TPI, 2Bliss Ready, 29x2.1"
Crankset SRAM XX1 Eagle, Boost 148, DUB, 170/175mm
Chainrings SRAM Eagle Alloy 32T
Bottom Bracket SRAM, DUB, PF30
Chain SRAM XX1 Eagle, 12-speed
Rear Derailleur SRAM XX1 Eagle, 12-speed
Cassette/Rear Cogs SRAM XG-1295 Eagle, 12-speed, 10-50t
Shifters SRAM XX1 Eagle, trigger, 12-speed
Handlebars S-Works Carbon Mini Rise, 6-degree upsweep, 8-degree backsweep, 10mm rise, 750mm, 31.8mm
Stem S-Works SL
Brakes SRAM Level Ultimate, hydraulic disc
Pedals Specialized Dirt
Saddle Body Geometry Phenom Pro, carbon fiber rails, carbon fiber base, 143mm
Seat Post S-Works FACT carbon, 0mm offset

* Subject to change without notice.

Part Numbers

Option UPC MPN
Gloss Carbon/Rocket Red / Small 888818428076 91319-0002
Gloss Carbon/Rocket Red / Medium 888818428939 91319-0003
Gloss Carbon/Rocket Red / Large 888818427376 91319-0004
Gloss Carbon/Rocket Red / X-Large 888818426904 91319-0005
Gloss Mint/Tarmac Black / Medium 888818428434 91319-0103
Gloss Mint/Tarmac Black / Large 888818429455 91319-0104