![]() The line also includes a chain tool in headset pre-load cap. This multitool, integrated into the linkage pivot, is another SWAT accessory. It also simplified the linkage’s layout-instead of a rear eyelet, the shock attaches to the linkage with a wishbone-shaped extension, which pivots on concentric upper-link bearings and more strongly joins the front and rear triangles. Specialized stiffened the bottom bracket, both by tuning frame shape and updating materials. The shock has been raised up into the top tube, which creates enough space for two water bottles-letting you leave your pack at home for some rides or carry more water on the race course, without increasing stand-over height. On both the standard and World Cup Epic, the shock has been raised to make room for a seat tube-mounted water bottle.Įvery 2014 Epic received some important upgrades and improvements: To make the bike feel balanced, I used the most open setting on both the front and rear suspension, but that sacrificed much of the quick feel that I love about the Epic. Without the BRAIN fork, the bike felt a bit unbalanced-and I couldn’t find a threshold setting on the RockShox fork that complemented the rear suspension. Even so, this is an excellent bike that railed harder than I expected it would. The Carbon Comp has an aluminum rear triangle, and does not have a BRAIN fork. It’s now a half-pound lighter, and incorporates many of the same features of the carbon bikes). (There’s also an aluminum Epic Comp, which costs $3,300. The Carbon Comp is the least expensive carbon Epic at $4,200. Both the S-Works World Cup and standard Epic come at a premium price of $10,500-or $5,500 for the frames. It did feel a little quicker, and cornered better than last year’s Epic in technical terrain. The new bike’s travel is also more progressive: During my limited time aboard, I was never able to use the suspension’s entire travel. One of the biggest improvements: While the old bike had a bit of a trap-door effect, a sudden dive through the mid-stroke when the BRAIN opened, the transition is controlled much better on the ’14 model. This higher threshold means that the bike feels snappy on smooth terrain, but the new tune also rides more smoothly in rough terrain. After spending a lot of time on last year’s S-Works model, I noticed that the 2014 bike has a BRAIN that’s more responsive, and transitions even more seamlessly from locked to open. If you don’t always race, opt for one of the regular (non-World Cup) Epics. This version of Epic is a focused tool for racing, not one I'd chose for a day of cruising trails. With no derailleur, Specialized was able to make the chainstays bigger and stiffer, helping to improve power transfer. The World Cup is intended for use only with a single-ring set up-there’s no provision for a front derailleur. Compared to other Epics, it also has less suspension travel-95mm versus 100mm, and a firmer suspension tune. ![]() The steering geometry is quick and reactive (compared to the 2013 Epic, the chainstays are 10mm shorter, and the headtube angle is a half-degree steeper), reminiscent of a hardtail. It rips around switchbacks, especially when you’re climbing, and transfers your pedaling effort directly to the rear wheel. The Epic, a two-time winner of our Editors’ Choice award for best race bike, has always felt fast and aggressive, and this variant feels faster and more aggressive. If you frequently enter XC, short-track, or marathon races, choose one of the two World Cup models (there are S-Works- and Expert-level models). The S-Works Epic World Cup has tighter geometry and works only with single chainring drivetrains, just the thing for serious racers. All Epic models feature the BRAIN automatic shock lockout system and AutoSag, which greatly simplifies shock setup. The two bikes are similar, but not identical, which makes each better for a certain kind of rider. The World Cup is a sharply honed race machine that improves on the already fast platform, while the standard Epic has the same geometry and travel as 2013’s model. There are now two different editions of the Epic, both with new frames and many updates. On my own trails, I got a solid first impression of the new bike in only a few days of riding. ![]() I had a chance to check out the new bike with Specialized’s engineers during several days of riding in Durango, Colorado-which happens to be my hometown. You wouldn’t notice many of the changes at first glance, despite the fact that Specialized said this year’s model was designed by the largest team of engineers the company had ever assembled for a single project. For the 2014 model year, Specialized made some subtle-yet-effective improvements to its dual-suspension XC 29er.
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