Maybe in appearance, but how they go about it and how they ride on the trail is quite different. There's a detailed comparison in the review if you fancy checking it out; flowmountainbike.com/tests/specialized-epic-world-cup-review-2023/ [Wil]
I have the Sworks version and I must say it all makes sense. It is definitely not the bike for the masses however if you understand the point and pay attention to the setup you will get something very unorthodox, the bike does exactly what you would like it to do without levers. The geometry is top-notch for both up and down. I was selecting between this, oiz, and arc8 (sub8). After extensive testing, I could not think of any gaps in Epic WC. I actually plan not to install my reverb cause I like the comfort and lightness. To everybody pointing to supercalibre you don't know much about it, it is very different bike thanks to shock and geometry (I tested also Gen2 supercaliber)
Great and detailed presentation as always! I think such bike is the dream race machine for many. I has been for me as well. I have looked up to their technological advancements for years but having in mind the price of living in Eastern Europe such bike is way out of our reach. This situation and the flawed design of the current gen bikes made me ask myself how can I fix the problems and for the past 2 weeks I've been creating the 22nd gen mtb. Sadly the 22nd is out my reach right now so I had to settle for 21st: Alpha AirWolf. It should weigh 8.5 kilo top. A full sus ofc. Will keep ya posted bout the beast.
Nice review guys, it seems you have picked my next bike. As I am a hardcore Hardtail fan, pretty much reluctant to buy into full sus, this bike seems to tick the boxes. Perhaps waiting till a frame only option becomes available.
Good news Regan! We've got a detailed comparison between the Trek Supercaliber and Specialized Epic World Cup right here:flowmountainbike.com/tests/specialized-epic-world-cup-review-2023/ And if you're interested in how they compare to the rest, you can see our test of the top-8 best XC bikes on the market here: flowmountainbike.com/tests/best-xc-bikes-cross-country/ Hope that helps! [Wil]
I bought a very similar Specialized FS in 1996 or 1997. It had a non link (mounted directly onto the seat stays) rear shock, around 3 inches of rear travel, and a 100 or 110mm fork. Was a great ride, got stolen a few years later. I liked how hardtail like it was, good to see the design back in the market.
Unfortunately, they don't make a model that mere mortals can afford. With the cheapest model at $9000 US, you will need a sponsor to own one. I do think this is a better design than the similar Trek Supercaliber.
Interestingly, Specialized has just launched an updated 2023 Epic Expert ($10,400 AUD) and Comp ($7,100 AUD). Specialized did say that the Epic World Cup and regular Epic would coexist together for the foreseeable future. My guess is that the Epic World Cup is being rolled out at the top end with the S-Works and Pro models, and below that they'll keep producing the Brain-equipped Epic for the "cheaper" price points. Perhaps down the line that will change and the new Epic World Cup will replace the regular Epic entirely with a bigger range of models and price points? [Wil]
These things have always been an impressive bike. Did a lap of Stromlo once at a demo day on a $15K Epic World Cup. Never ever came close to matching the time I set on that thing up the front to the top and back down skyline and luge. Short travel but it just seemed levitate over the rough. It was odd. So so fast…
Maybe someone can help me with info🤔 1. Has this model now repalced the older model or is it just a model added to the specialized line up? 2. If they have replaced the model then there is def some concerns because if you look at the world cup races the specialized team seems to also be 50/50 with it 😬 some riders are still riding the older model even though they have the option to ride the newer model which makes you wonder 🤔 3. I know the focus is xco nowadays but i wonder how the specialized team will handle the cape epic on this bike 🤔
According to Specialized, the Epic World Cup is an addition to the lineup alongside both the regular 100mm travel Brain-equipped Epic and the 120/110mm travel Epic EVO. That does make things a bit crowded though. My guess is that the Epic WC will eventually replace the Brain-equipped Epic, and that Specialized will introduce an updated version of the EVO to sit alongside the Epic WC. From what I've seen on the World Cup race circuit, some of Specialized's athletes have been racing on the Epic EVO with a remote lockout, while some are electing for the Epic WC, depending on the course. For the likes of the Cape to Cape, I suspect most racers will choose the Epic EVO for the extra travel and comfort. That's exactly what Blevins did earlier this year. [Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeUA-cam okay yeah it will be very interesting to see how they actually do it haha But thanks for the info and awesome jobs with your reviews 💪 love watching your channel 💪
I bought one compact disk it's light n added lights too ride at nite when it gets hot oh its got it all better than walmart I got it at a bike shop I still got itwas expensive more than wally world you get what you pay for😊
Interesting ....looks amazing but not sure i like the limitations of the configuration, only 2.3 tires (most epic riders ride 2.4), the fixed integrated handle bars look good but you only have one position, that you cannot adjust the suspension on the fly in puzzling, and for the pros to be only limited to a 36 front cog when Matt B and co ride 38's in lots of races seems like a strange decision ...also no dropper when most pro are riding droppers in XCO races is surprising, and then finally when most bikes are going to 120 front and rear to go 75/110 seems like they are not listening to the market ...gonna be interesting to see how it sells ….. it’s more like a hard tail. Also the 75mm rear travel is actually 75 mm not 100 even with the negative air pressure …..
Great review, thank you. I own a 2019 S-works Epic and run the rear end on full firm setting 100% of the time. Would this new shock system feel similar to that?
Great review, thanks! I did take the plunge and got an S-Works Epic World Cup, and so far loving it after several fit tweaks, including replacing the integrated handlebar by the traditional stem/bar combination to obtain less backsweep. I have been riding Epics for 10 years now, and did several races on them, including a Cape Epic and two Brasil Ride stage races, and indeed the feeling on the back end is a lot more progressive and smooth than the Brain equipped Epic (riding on the middle gulp setting so far) Nonetheless, the whole bike seems a little bit more jarring on the rougher descents, nothing disconcerting so far but noticeable, I only did one long 4hr ride so far and it was ok, but not a lot of rougher stuff. As I just enrolled to do a second Cape Epic next year, now I keep myself wondering if I should actually go with the Evo, or if it would be bearable to go the 7 days with the new WC. I'm a relatively capable descender, and really like the efficiency of climbing with a platform. As I have never ridden the Evo I wonder if it would lose too much in this aspect to the incredible pedaling platform of the WC or even the regular Epic.Any thoughts? @FlowMountainBikeUA-cam?
Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed the review! Good question on racing the Cape Epic. It would appear that most of the Specialized-sponsored athletes chose to race on the Epic EVO rather than the Epic WC this year, so that should give a good indication as to which would be the better option for an event like that. For me personally, I'd go for the Epic EVO to get the additional comfort and control. If you're able to run a dual remote lockout, then you could still have a rigid platform for smoother climbs and road sections. The Epic EVO is 3-years old now, so I wouldn't be surprised if Specialized had a new version coming out some time soon. Guess we'll have to wait and see! [Wil]
I’m one of the only evo buyers that didn’t like it. I bought the pro model. I have a epic ht that I absolutely love, unless it gets really chunky. Anyway I bought the new Cervelo Zfs120 and love it! It’s got the XO build and it’s really fun. I think it’s a little heavy for racing. I’m one of the people that loves the epic brain. I’d love to have one of those as my race bike. My buddy has the S-Works evo and it seems a lot lighter than the next one down. With bikes being so expensive it’s hard . It would be nice to have four or five bikes in the garage. Maybe one day.
@@coreymclernon I ended up adding an S-Works Evo to the fleet, and it is a very light bike, but I had to do several adjustments to get it to a bike I like to ride, including flipping the flip-switch (steepened the head angle to 67), replacing the flat trail stem by a regular S-works stem with negative 6 degrees with mini-rise carbon bars, switched the tires and got Schwalbes RRalph / RRay, and decreased significantly the sag on the rear shock to around 17/18% so the bike pedals a little more firmly when hammered. Now I'm a happy camper and the bike is really comfortable and pedaling well. But I would love to see it with a platform option at least on the rear, or better yet, with the Flight Attendant electronic susp kit which the team is currently using on some World Cup races
Interestingly, the head of Specialized's suspension development team, Mick McAndrews, had previously worked at RockShox and was involved with the original shock on the Giant NRS back in the late 90's, so it would appear he may have helped revive the 'no sag' concept for the new Epic World Cup! [Wil]
Another spectacular review 👏🏻 🎉. Previously when you reviewed the Supercaliber you mentioned at that moment that it was the most efficient bike tested. When you said that with this Epic review means that is more efficient (pedalking platform) than de Supercaliber? Does the ride feel harsh like you mentioned on the Epic previous model? For me the pedaling efficiency is one of my priorities because of my xco race focus but not to the point of riding something harsh. Does the epic Bottom bracket is below Supercaliber? Thanks 😊
Thanks Jose, and great questions! With the Epic's shock set in the Firm position, it is without doubt the most efficient full suspension bike I've ridden (so far!). It's almost locked-out, giving it a stronger platform than the Supercaliber and the Live Valve-equipped Anthem. It certainly feels closest to a hardtail in that regard. The suspension still works in the Firm position, it just needs a decent impact to get past the initial 'nose' in the spring curve. On bigger and faster hits, the back end feels fantastic. It's surprisingly smooth and effective, and to me it feels more controlled and supportive than the Supercaliber. You will get more small-bump feedback in that Firm position. I wouldn't call it harsh though, and that's helped by the compliant rims, supple tyres, skinny carbon handlebar and carbon seatpost. The beauty about the new WCID shock however is that you can tweak that Gulp setting to give it a slightly smoother off-the-top feel. With the Full Gulp/Active setting, it feels closer to a conventional full suspension bike than the Supercaliber, offering more comfort and grip. It's this tuneability that I think sets the Epic World Cup apart, and it allows it to offer a broader setup base than the Supercaliber. Regarding the BB height, I haven't had too many pedal strikes. The Epic rides high in its travel so the low BB isn't really an issue. It is fantastic from a handling perspective though, and it makes you feel like you're really in the cockpit. Hope that helps Jose, though just shout out if you've got any other questions! [Wil]
Hello, very good review, I loved it. I'm about to buy this bike, I have a new FOX 34 STEPCAST KASHIMA fork, with a 3-position remote control. What do you think about replacing the original rockshox brain with my FOX 34? Would it be a good option? Would I lose benefits? The idea is to make a positive change, otherwise I prefer to leave it original from the factory. Greetings from Argentina.
Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed the review! I think a Fox 34 Step-Cast fork would be a great upgrade for the Epic World Cup. I am personally not a fan of the Brain fork, as I find it isn't particularly smooth on rougher trails. You may have seen some of the Specialized Factory XC racers have moved away from the Brain fork this year, so I think that says a lot too! The Fox 34 SC will offer much better traction, comfort and control, and with a remote lockout you will have the option to firm it up when you need it. Hope that helps! [Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeUA-cam Thank you very much for your answer, one question I have is that the FOX 34 has a total length of 510mm and the ROCKSHOX SID 516mm, how does that 6mm difference influence the behavior of the bicycles?
"Innovation" by imitation. Not a bad bike to ride at all, but compared to my Supercaliber it does not feel as stiff and responsive when climbing or pedaling, even without locking out the supercal. Sure a 66.5 degree headtube angle is slacker and cooler by todays standards, but it's not faster if we're talking XC. And with dropper posts becoming the norm headtube angle in XC is less of an issue.
Top work as usual Wil. Do you think volume spacers will work in the same way as a conventional shocks with a negative air chambers and you'll be able tune a plusher ride quality out of the rear end? I assume that you'd do this in the full gulp setting, any risk that volume spacers might negatively affect the pedalling efficiency or go the other way and make the effect of the nose more pronounced and it doesn't open up the travel unless you're sending a 4-5 foot drop?
Cheers Sandy! I suspect adding volume spacers and running more sag will negatively affect the pedalling performance. The air spring 'nose' sits quite early on in the leverage curve, so you'd be bypassing that nose by running more sag. I do think it'll provide more supple performance, though the other concern I have is with the BB height, which is already quite low. More sag will see it get lower, so pedal strikes could become an issue. I'll get tuning that shock ASAP to find out! [Wil]
HI Wil - thank you for the detailed review. I know you said you would look elsewhere for a marathon / ultra bikepacking rig - but Im sold on the spec / looks of this thing. Would you say absolutely not, or yes it will do it fine, but just not as "comfortably" as a 120mm XC bike? Also, is one of the Brain forks 5 settings a full lockout? Thank again, Steve A, Scotland
Thanks for watching and for the question Steve! It will really depend how rough the terrain is as to how much comfort the Epic will offer. With the rear shock set in the active setting you'll get a reasonable amount of sensitivity and bump absorption, but it won't give you as plush of a ride quality compared to the Oiz or Spark for example. As mentioned in the video, I think there would be options to run more sag and add a volume spacer or two, if you were chasing a plusher ride quality. On the Brain fork; no, the firmest setting still doesn't provide a full lockout. The Brain damper is position sensitive and only kicks in at the 15mm travel mark. That means the first 15mm of travel is fairly normal, before you hit the firm Brain platform. However, on the firmest setting, it takes a pretty solid impact before it opens up the remaining 95mm of travel. Hope that helps mate! [Wil]
Should I buy this bike with an extra kilo of weight compared to the sworks version or get the s-works world cup and save around $3500dlls? Im very undecided in between each of the 2. I can probably buy any of the 2 but I just want to get the best deal on the money I will spent.
If I was spending my own cash, I'd get the Pro model and upgrade it with a dropper post. I think the spec is superb from a performance perspective, and it's not really that much heavier than the S-Works bike. Guess it depends how sensitive you are to weight! [Wil]
To my eyes, I have no doubt that this is a good-lookin' mountainbike. Too bad for me, it's gonna be pocket-drainin' if I intend to acquire even only the lower tier one. Lots'a love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from tropical Philippines! #RideOn #KeepBiking
It went together easily in less than an hour. ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Make sure the front fork is forward or the pedals will hit the front tire. Tires are both a little soft so it needs air before I ride it. The rear wheel didn't come with a clamp regular bolts hold it on. The front had the clamp. No scratches out of box. Rims are a little off with a slight wobble. They could have spent more time with the spoke tool fixing the run out. So far out of the box I'm happy with it. I did replace the pedals with a nice aftermarket set. After riding it a bit my A$$ is a bit sore so I ordered another seat. Overall I'm nearly 60 and didn't ride a bike in 30 years. I like my new 29" Schwinn. It will be used for casual rides with my friend.
Potentially, but it depends on what terrain you'd be riding and what you want out of the bike. For the most part the Epic WC is more of a short track specialist, with its suspension being quite firm and supportive. If you value efficiency above all-else, than it doesn't get much better. If comfort, traction and descending control are more important to you, then looking at something with a bit more travel (like the Epic EVO for example) will get you a more versatile bike. For me personally, if I was doing a variety of racing including long distance marathon events, I'd go for the Epic EVO. Hope that helps! [Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeUA-cam thanks for the input! I’ve narrowed it down to the epic WC or Evo, cervelo zfs5 and orbea oiz. Because my LBS can easily get hold of these. (And the threaded BBs make me happy). I’ve done all my racing on hardtails the past few years but looking to make the jump to a full sus for the first time.
Great question! We've actually got a detailed comparative feature on the top XC bikes we've reviewed, which includes the Scott Spark, Merida Ninety-Six and the Giant Anthem. Those are three of the plusher XC bikes we've tested, and if you're interested, you can see how they compare to the likes of the Epic World Cup in our group test here; flowmountainbike.com/tests/best-xc-bikes-cross-country/ Hope that helps! [Wil]
No dropper post? In todays pro racing field a bike should be weighed with a dropper post. Then it will come in on 10.65kg. Post depending. Guess a BikeYoke or something. Spez brain was never good. That little swing link...it will flex and be high maintenance. Trek has that dialed with out over complicating things. My fave Xco racers are; Trek, New Bmc, Ibis and i must say even the new Orbea all though based on a very old geo design seems to work well. Do like the idea of the new shock and the adjustability of it.
Appears way too complicated (the rear damping) for minor comfort benefits. If I lift my „lower back“ for a sec or two when on rougher terrain with my hardtail I have „suspension“ for zero money and no additional and nerving maintenance. Love the K.I.S.S. principle: Keep It Simple Stupid.
Not quite - the two bikes look quite similar, but in our back-to-back testing they performed very differently on the trail. You can check out our comparison here if you like; flowmountainbike.com/tests/specialized-epic-world-cup-review-2023/ As for price, the Supercaliber 9.9 XX1 AXS sells for $16,799 AUD, which is two grand cheaper than the S-Works Epic World Cup. The Supercaliber does come with a Reverb AXS dropper, but the Epic gets the new XX SL transmission with a power meter. Of course the Supercaliber is now a 4-year old design, so Trek can likely afford to sell it a bit cheaper. Given its age, we'd expect there'll be an update coming soon. [Wil]
@@gweflj This bike is marketing BS junk. Its a step backwards. Limited rear tyre width choice, limited rear shock choice, internal headset routing, have to send bike away just for a rear shock service and no lock out! You must be new to the sport because experienced seasoned bikers (apart from sponsored who have no choice) will not touch this tosh with a barge pole. This guys gets paid to say good things about it whatever. Wake up!
I can't say for the exact reasons, but Specialized and SRAM have always had a close relationship, and in the case of the Epic with the custom-built SIDLuxe shock and Brain-equipped SID SL, it would appear it's a mostly SRAM-affair for these two models. [Wil]
@@gweflj 😂 As someone whos been riding and racing mtbs (dh and xc) for 35 years I will not touch sram. Shimano is less ‘glitz’ but it just works quietly and faultlessly and reliably (cant say that for sram)
Рік тому
@@wenlambotomy6231 This is interesting, as to me is exact opposite :)
Definitely a similar silhouette and both bikes use a short travel concept. But the way they go about the suspension design and how they feel on the trail is quite different. There's a detailed comparison in the review if you fancy checking it out; flowmountainbike.com/tests/specialized-epic-world-cup-review-2023/ [Wil]
Not very practical cos once the shock spoilt cannot get from outside market hv to straight to specialised, use to hv a old epic but shock spoilt n only specialised hv but now no more manufacturing so the frame is totally useless
It depends on your preference I reckon - if you're into remotes and on-the-fly adjustability, then a bike like the Scott Spark is a great option. But riders that prefer a clean cockpit with less cables, and an automated pedal platform that they don't have to think about, the Epic will be a more appealing bike. [Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeUA-cam only takes up to 2.3 rear, impossible to work on cabling and rear shock (that requires whole bike sending away for a rear shock service) and no lock out! And that price! Whos buying this backwards, marketed bs crap. Not real seasoned bikers but noobs with too much cash. Fools are easily parted with their money.
Are you talking about the Epic Wen? Max rear tyre clearance is 2.35in, which is what the stock bikes come fitted with. There's a good deal of mud clearance, so I'd expect that 2.4in Maxxis WT tyres will fit fine. Cabling isn't a big issue given there's just a single brake hose on both models of the Epic World Cup. If you find it difficult to work on, then you might have bigger issues in terms of setup and maintenance! The shock on the Epic World Cup can easily be removed from the frame - it took me about two minutes to do with just a 4mm and a 5mm hex key, and you'll see the removed shock in the video at 1:13. The WCID shock is a proprietary design, and while we've not had any issues with our test bike, durability is yet to be proven in the mass market. However, because it shares a number of spare parts with the regular SIDLuxe, air sleeve and damper servicing are much the same. Most competent bike shops can perform suspension servicing in-house, though air sleeve servicing is pretty easy for riders to perform in their home workshop. The lockout is an interesting one. I think if you really want a lockout, then the Epic World Cup won't be the bike for you. For example, something like the Canyon Lux World Cup may be a better option; flowmountainbike.com/tests/canyon-lux-world-cup-review-2023/ The whole concept behind the Epic, and every model since the original was launched back in 2002, is that that the suspension has an automated platform that removes the need for a lockout and the associated cables and remote in the first place. That's kind of the appeal. In my experience, with the shock setup in the Firm position, there's no need for a lockout as the rear suspension is pretty much locked out anyway. But even in the Active position, the rear suspension is plenty stable under power. You have a good point about the cost of these bikes - they are certainly not cheap! Thankfully there are plenty of other options at lower price points - the aforementioned Canyon Lux World Cup and the alloy version of the Orbea Oiz are two options that immediately come to mind. Specialized is also continuing to produce the Brain-equipped Epic at cheaper price points too, having recently introduced updated 2023 Comp and Expert models. [Wil]
Man you guys do the best reviews on new bikes! Well done Wil and company.
Thank you very much mate! [Wil]
Even though I’m on the other side of the world, Flow content is great - first discovered with Wil’s custom Chisel review. 👍🏻
Cheers mate, glad you discovered us and thanks for watching! [Wil]
No one knows this but how much air you put in your tires is the best suspension treatment. And you save a lot of money in the process.
Basically, a Trek Supercaliber
Maybe in appearance, but how they go about it and how they ride on the trail is quite different. There's a detailed comparison in the review if you fancy checking it out; flowmountainbike.com/tests/specialized-epic-world-cup-review-2023/ [Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeUA-cam Thank you. I will check it out. I appreciate it.
Trek is better
Different geo
@@mrgrey9584lmao trek is crap
I have the Sworks version and I must say it all makes sense. It is definitely not the bike for the masses however if you understand the point and pay attention to the setup you will get something very unorthodox, the bike does exactly what you would like it to do without levers. The geometry is top-notch for both up and down. I was selecting between this, oiz, and arc8 (sub8). After extensive testing, I could not think of any gaps in Epic WC. I actually plan not to install my reverb cause I like the comfort and lightness. To everybody pointing to supercalibre you don't know much about it, it is very different bike thanks to shock and geometry (I tested also Gen2 supercaliber)
Glad to hear you're enjoying the new bike!
Out of interest, what made you choose the Epic WC over the Oiz, Arc8 and Gen2 Supercaliber?
[Wil]
Great and detailed presentation as always! I think such bike is the dream race machine for many. I has been for me as well. I have looked up to their technological advancements for years but having in mind the price of living in Eastern Europe such bike is way out of our reach. This situation and the flawed design of the current gen bikes made me ask myself how can I fix the problems and for the past 2 weeks I've been creating the 22nd gen mtb. Sadly the 22nd is out my reach right now so I had to settle for 21st: Alpha AirWolf. It should weigh 8.5 kilo top. A full sus ofc. Will keep ya posted bout the beast.
"Just $13,900"....what a time to be alive 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I was thinking of getting two. One for trail riding and one for commuting and running errands.
With an Orbea Oiz you can save 10k for a very if not more capable experience 😀
@@theymademepickaname1248 i got a Specialize Turbo Levo Comp Alloy G3 for commuting with friends, trust me that battery makes a big difference.
Another incredible review.
NOBODY tests and informs like Flow.
Good on ya (did I say that right?).
Thanks for the kind words Eric, much appreciated! Yep, you got it right cobber! [Wil]
Nice review guys, it seems you have picked my next bike. As I am a hardcore Hardtail fan, pretty much reluctant to buy into full sus, this bike seems to tick the boxes. Perhaps waiting till a frame only option becomes available.
Still wish they had of integrated it within the frame completely like the new Scott Spark which I think is the cleanest FS XC bike.
Definitely the best overview today good job as always guys 👍
Much appreciated Aaron, thanks for the feedback! [Wil]
That’s a good looking trek
An amazing detailed review, and I'm such a nerd. I would probably listen to it three or four times ...It's that good! A+
Stoked you enjoyed the review mate, thanks for watching and for the feedback! [Wil]
The difference between the Epic WC and the Supercal is that the shock on the Epic WC is circumcised while the one on the Supercal is uncircumcised
could you make a video comparing this bike to the Trek Supercaliber ?
Same same but different but still the same 😂
Same idea but more expensive and about 2lbs heavier.
Great review though!
Supercaliber is lighter, more travel, easier shock tune, less expensive.
Good news Regan! We've got a detailed comparison between the Trek Supercaliber and Specialized Epic World Cup right here:flowmountainbike.com/tests/specialized-epic-world-cup-review-2023/
And if you're interested in how they compare to the rest, you can see our test of the top-8 best XC bikes on the market here: flowmountainbike.com/tests/best-xc-bikes-cross-country/
Hope that helps!
[Wil]
I bought a very similar Specialized FS in 1996 or 1997. It had a non link (mounted directly onto the seat stays) rear shock, around 3 inches of rear travel, and a 100 or 110mm fork. Was a great ride, got stolen a few years later. I liked how hardtail like it was, good to see the design back in the market.
Very nice review, as usual:-) How do you feel about the SID 110 compared to the older one?
Unfortunately, they don't make a model that mere mortals can afford. With the cheapest model at $9000 US, you will need a sponsor to own one. I do think this is a better design than the similar Trek Supercaliber.
well i guess they made it for pro racing, so there's no need to, either way there'll be lot's of lawyers and doctors willing to pay for one anyways
Interestingly, Specialized has just launched an updated 2023 Epic Expert ($10,400 AUD) and Comp ($7,100 AUD).
Specialized did say that the Epic World Cup and regular Epic would coexist together for the foreseeable future.
My guess is that the Epic World Cup is being rolled out at the top end with the S-Works and Pro models, and below that they'll keep producing the Brain-equipped Epic for the "cheaper" price points.
Perhaps down the line that will change and the new Epic World Cup will replace the regular Epic entirely with a bigger range of models and price points?
[Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeUA-cam Thanks.
Only sponsored riders would ride it (because they have to) and suckers would buy/ride this marketing bs trash.
You guys are truly professional ! So detailed and useful descriptions, and this bike will surely be my choice this year. Well done man!
Thanks very much Billyham, we appreciate the feedback and the support! [Wil]
Always the best review out there.
These things have always been an impressive bike. Did a lap of Stromlo once at a demo day on a $15K Epic World Cup.
Never ever came close to matching the time I set on that thing up the front to the top and back down skyline and luge.
Short travel but it just seemed levitate over the rough. It was odd. So so fast…
Another cracking review Will. Well done brother.
Maybe someone can help me with info🤔
1. Has this model now repalced the older model or is it just a model added to the specialized line up?
2. If they have replaced the model then there is def some concerns because if you look at the world cup races the specialized team seems to also be 50/50 with it 😬 some riders are still riding the older model even though they have the option to ride the newer model which makes you wonder 🤔
3. I know the focus is xco nowadays but i wonder how the specialized team will handle the cape epic on this bike 🤔
According to Specialized, the Epic World Cup is an addition to the lineup alongside both the regular 100mm travel Brain-equipped Epic and the 120/110mm travel Epic EVO.
That does make things a bit crowded though. My guess is that the Epic WC will eventually replace the Brain-equipped Epic, and that Specialized will introduce an updated version of the EVO to sit alongside the Epic WC.
From what I've seen on the World Cup race circuit, some of Specialized's athletes have been racing on the Epic EVO with a remote lockout, while some are electing for the Epic WC, depending on the course.
For the likes of the Cape to Cape, I suspect most racers will choose the Epic EVO for the extra travel and comfort. That's exactly what Blevins did earlier this year.
[Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeUA-cam okay yeah it will be very interesting to see how they actually do it haha
But thanks for the info and awesome jobs with your reviews 💪 love watching your channel 💪
Great review. So much want! The S-Works in the red looks incredible.
Thanks Josh! [Wil]
Sickest long travel gravel bike on the market.
Excellent reviews as always but what happened to Will's stache?
Merci pour cette présentation bien détaillée et bien mise en images
I bought one compact disk it's light n added lights too ride at nite when it gets hot oh its got it all better than walmart I got it at a bike shop I still got itwas expensive more than wally world you get what you pay for😊
Black with bright green it's a hard rock
Interesting ....looks amazing but not sure i like the limitations of the configuration, only 2.3 tires (most epic riders ride 2.4), the fixed integrated handle bars look good but you only have one position, that you cannot adjust the suspension on the fly in puzzling, and for the pros to be only limited to a 36 front cog when Matt B and co ride 38's in lots of races seems like a strange decision ...also no dropper when most pro are riding droppers in XCO races is surprising, and then finally when most bikes are going to 120 front and rear to go 75/110 seems like they are not listening to the market ...gonna be interesting to see how it sells ….. it’s more like a hard tail. Also the 75mm rear travel is actually 75 mm not 100 even with the negative air pressure …..
Great review, thank you. I own a 2019 S-works Epic and run the rear end on full firm setting 100% of the time. Would this new shock system feel similar to that?
That would look so sick kitted out with bontrager RSL 😂😂😂
Would you say this is the most efficient and fastest (theoretically) full suspension bike right now?
Best review as always
Thank you Jarek! [Wil]
Proprietary shocks suck. Designed obsolescence to the max.
Hi Will - What gulp setup did you use when you mentioned that the WCID behaves similarly to a brain damper without the clunk sound?
Trekcialized epicaliber
Lol
You forget to mention that this is HT bike. New fully epic is coming out soon
Great review as always
Great review, thanks! I did take the plunge and got an S-Works Epic World Cup, and so far loving it after several fit tweaks, including replacing the integrated handlebar by the traditional stem/bar combination to obtain less backsweep. I have been riding Epics for 10 years now, and did several races on them, including a Cape Epic and two Brasil Ride stage races, and indeed the feeling on the back end is a lot more progressive and smooth than the Brain equipped Epic (riding on the middle gulp setting so far) Nonetheless, the whole bike seems a little bit more jarring on the rougher descents, nothing disconcerting so far but noticeable, I only did one long 4hr ride so far and it was ok, but not a lot of rougher stuff. As I just enrolled to do a second Cape Epic next year, now I keep myself wondering if I should actually go with the Evo, or if it would be bearable to go the 7 days with the new WC. I'm a relatively capable descender, and really like the efficiency of climbing with a platform. As I have never ridden the Evo I wonder if it would lose too much in this aspect to the incredible pedaling platform of the WC or even the regular Epic.Any thoughts? @FlowMountainBikeUA-cam?
Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed the review!
Good question on racing the Cape Epic. It would appear that most of the Specialized-sponsored athletes chose to race on the Epic EVO rather than the Epic WC this year, so that should give a good indication as to which would be the better option for an event like that.
For me personally, I'd go for the Epic EVO to get the additional comfort and control. If you're able to run a dual remote lockout, then you could still have a rigid platform for smoother climbs and road sections.
The Epic EVO is 3-years old now, so I wouldn't be surprised if Specialized had a new version coming out some time soon. Guess we'll have to wait and see!
[Wil]
I’m one of the only evo buyers that didn’t like it. I bought the pro model. I have a epic ht that I absolutely love, unless it gets really chunky. Anyway I bought the new Cervelo Zfs120 and love it! It’s got the XO build and it’s really fun. I think it’s a little heavy for racing. I’m one of the people that loves the epic brain. I’d love to have one of those as my race bike. My buddy has the S-Works evo and it seems a lot lighter than the next one down. With bikes being so expensive it’s hard . It would be nice to have four or five bikes in the garage. Maybe one day.
@@coreymclernon I ended up adding an S-Works Evo to the fleet, and it is a very light bike, but I had to do several adjustments to get it to a bike I like to ride, including flipping the flip-switch (steepened the head angle to 67), replacing the flat trail stem by a regular S-works stem with negative 6 degrees with mini-rise carbon bars, switched the tires and got Schwalbes RRalph / RRay, and decreased significantly the sag on the rear shock to around 17/18% so the bike pedals a little more firmly when hammered. Now I'm a happy camper and the bike is really comfortable and pedaling well. But I would love to see it with a platform option at least on the rear, or better yet, with the Flight Attendant electronic susp kit which the team is currently using on some World Cup races
lol 2000's Giant NRS called to see how your going with that suspension setup 😉😆
Interestingly, the head of Specialized's suspension development team, Mick McAndrews, had previously worked at RockShox and was involved with the original shock on the Giant NRS back in the late 90's, so it would appear he may have helped revive the 'no sag' concept for the new Epic World Cup! [Wil]
that's one good looking bike
in theory 75mm travel is in fact around 90/100 on a normal xc shock?
Another spectacular review 👏🏻 🎉. Previously when you reviewed the Supercaliber you mentioned at that moment that it was the most efficient bike tested. When you said that with this Epic review means that is more efficient (pedalking platform) than de Supercaliber? Does the ride feel harsh like you mentioned on the Epic previous model? For me the pedaling efficiency is one of my priorities because of my xco race focus but not to the point of riding something harsh. Does the epic Bottom bracket is below Supercaliber? Thanks 😊
Thanks Jose, and great questions!
With the Epic's shock set in the Firm position, it is without doubt the most efficient full suspension bike I've ridden (so far!). It's almost locked-out, giving it a stronger platform than the Supercaliber and the Live Valve-equipped Anthem. It certainly feels closest to a hardtail in that regard.
The suspension still works in the Firm position, it just needs a decent impact to get past the initial 'nose' in the spring curve. On bigger and faster hits, the back end feels fantastic. It's surprisingly smooth and effective, and to me it feels more controlled and supportive than the Supercaliber.
You will get more small-bump feedback in that Firm position. I wouldn't call it harsh though, and that's helped by the compliant rims, supple tyres, skinny carbon handlebar and carbon seatpost.
The beauty about the new WCID shock however is that you can tweak that Gulp setting to give it a slightly smoother off-the-top feel. With the Full Gulp/Active setting, it feels closer to a conventional full suspension bike than the Supercaliber, offering more comfort and grip.
It's this tuneability that I think sets the Epic World Cup apart, and it allows it to offer a broader setup base than the Supercaliber.
Regarding the BB height, I haven't had too many pedal strikes. The Epic rides high in its travel so the low BB isn't really an issue. It is fantastic from a handling perspective though, and it makes you feel like you're really in the cockpit.
Hope that helps Jose, though just shout out if you've got any other questions!
[Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeUA-cam thanks you… amazing response. You’re the best!!! I admires your professionalism
Hello, very good review, I loved it. I'm about to buy this bike, I have a new FOX 34 STEPCAST KASHIMA fork, with a 3-position remote control.
What do you think about replacing the original rockshox brain with my FOX 34?
Would it be a good option? Would I lose benefits?
The idea is to make a positive change, otherwise I prefer to leave it original from the factory. Greetings from Argentina.
Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed the review!
I think a Fox 34 Step-Cast fork would be a great upgrade for the Epic World Cup. I am personally not a fan of the Brain fork, as I find it isn't particularly smooth on rougher trails. You may have seen some of the Specialized Factory XC racers have moved away from the Brain fork this year, so I think that says a lot too!
The Fox 34 SC will offer much better traction, comfort and control, and with a remote lockout you will have the option to firm it up when you need it.
Hope that helps!
[Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeUA-cam Thank you very much for your answer, one question I have is that the FOX 34 has a total length of 510mm and the ROCKSHOX SID 516mm, how does that 6mm difference influence the behavior of the bicycles?
"Innovation" by imitation. Not a bad bike to ride at all, but compared to my Supercaliber it does not feel as stiff and responsive when climbing or pedaling, even without locking out the supercal. Sure a 66.5 degree headtube angle is slacker and cooler by todays standards, but it's not faster if we're talking XC. And with dropper posts becoming the norm headtube angle in XC is less of an issue.
Top work as usual Wil. Do you think volume spacers will work in the same way as a conventional shocks with a negative air chambers and you'll be able tune a plusher ride quality out of the rear end? I assume that you'd do this in the full gulp setting, any risk that volume spacers might negatively affect the pedalling efficiency or go the other way and make the effect of the nose more pronounced and it doesn't open up the travel unless you're sending a 4-5 foot drop?
Cheers Sandy!
I suspect adding volume spacers and running more sag will negatively affect the pedalling performance. The air spring 'nose' sits quite early on in the leverage curve, so you'd be bypassing that nose by running more sag.
I do think it'll provide more supple performance, though the other concern I have is with the BB height, which is already quite low. More sag will see it get lower, so pedal strikes could become an issue.
I'll get tuning that shock ASAP to find out!
[Wil]
@Flow Mountain Bike Thanks Wil, that makes sense and hence why you talked about upping the fork to 120mm to raise the bottom bracket at the same time.
This is the supercaliber no.?
HI Wil - thank you for the detailed review. I know you said you would look elsewhere for a marathon / ultra bikepacking rig - but Im sold on the spec / looks of this thing. Would you say absolutely not, or yes it will do it fine, but just not as "comfortably" as a 120mm XC bike? Also, is one of the Brain forks 5 settings a full lockout? Thank again, Steve A, Scotland
Thanks for watching and for the question Steve!
It will really depend how rough the terrain is as to how much comfort the Epic will offer. With the rear shock set in the active setting you'll get a reasonable amount of sensitivity and bump absorption, but it won't give you as plush of a ride quality compared to the Oiz or Spark for example.
As mentioned in the video, I think there would be options to run more sag and add a volume spacer or two, if you were chasing a plusher ride quality.
On the Brain fork; no, the firmest setting still doesn't provide a full lockout. The Brain damper is position sensitive and only kicks in at the 15mm travel mark. That means the first 15mm of travel is fairly normal, before you hit the firm Brain platform. However, on the firmest setting, it takes a pretty solid impact before it opens up the remaining 95mm of travel.
Hope that helps mate!
[Wil]
Should I buy this bike with an extra kilo of weight compared to the sworks version or get the s-works world cup and save around $3500dlls? Im very undecided in between each of the 2. I can probably buy any of the 2 but I just want to get the best deal on the money I will spent.
If I was spending my own cash, I'd get the Pro model and upgrade it with a dropper post. I think the spec is superb from a performance perspective, and it's not really that much heavier than the S-Works bike. Guess it depends how sensitive you are to weight! [Wil]
To my eyes, I have no doubt that this is a good-lookin' mountainbike. Too bad for me, it's gonna be pocket-drainin' if I intend to acquire even only the lower tier one.
Lots'a love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from tropical Philippines! #RideOn #KeepBiking
trek's posted some spicy marketing on their insta lol
You heard it here first folks.... "Just 13,900 dollars.. " grab a bargain while you can ...
Big question for me, is cabled xtr possible?
It went together easily in less than an hour. ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Make sure the front fork is forward or the pedals will hit the front tire. Tires are both a little soft so it needs air before I ride it. The rear wheel didn't come with a clamp regular bolts hold it on. The front had the clamp. No scratches out of box. Rims are a little off with a slight wobble. They could have spent more time with the spoke tool fixing the run out. So far out of the box I'm happy with it. I did replace the pedals with a nice aftermarket set. After riding it a bit my A$$ is a bit sore so I ordered another seat. Overall I'm nearly 60 and didn't ride a bike in 30 years. I like my new 29" Schwinn. It will be used for casual rides with my friend.
SWORKS Supercaliber!!
did't you test the bike with the volume spacers
If someone was looking for a do it all XC race bike, from short to marathon style events, would this be a good choice?
Potentially, but it depends on what terrain you'd be riding and what you want out of the bike. For the most part the Epic WC is more of a short track specialist, with its suspension being quite firm and supportive. If you value efficiency above all-else, than it doesn't get much better.
If comfort, traction and descending control are more important to you, then looking at something with a bit more travel (like the Epic EVO for example) will get you a more versatile bike.
For me personally, if I was doing a variety of racing including long distance marathon events, I'd go for the Epic EVO.
Hope that helps!
[Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeUA-cam thanks for the input!
I’ve narrowed it down to the epic WC or Evo, cervelo zfs5 and orbea oiz. Because my LBS can easily get hold of these. (And the threaded BBs make me happy).
I’ve done all my racing on hardtails the past few years but looking to make the jump to a full sus for the first time.
you mean the sworks supercaliber?
What is the most plush and compliance bike with good pedaling efficiency you have reviewed?
Great question! We've actually got a detailed comparative feature on the top XC bikes we've reviewed, which includes the Scott Spark, Merida Ninety-Six and the Giant Anthem. Those are three of the plusher XC bikes we've tested, and if you're interested, you can see how they compare to the likes of the Epic World Cup in our group test here; flowmountainbike.com/tests/best-xc-bikes-cross-country/
Hope that helps!
[Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeUA-cam thanks for the answer, btw can i ask the same question but about trail and enduro bike?
Specialized claims it’s the “Fastest in the world”, it has to be the best.
No dropper post? In todays pro racing field a bike should be weighed with a dropper post.
Then it will come in on 10.65kg. Post depending. Guess a BikeYoke or something.
Spez brain was never good.
That little swing link...it will flex and be high maintenance.
Trek has that dialed with out over complicating things.
My fave Xco racers are; Trek, New Bmc, Ibis and i must say even the new Orbea all though based on a very old geo design seems to work well.
Do like the idea of the new shock and the adjustability of it.
Appears way too complicated (the rear damping) for minor comfort benefits. If I lift my „lower back“ for a sec or two when on rougher terrain with my hardtail I have „suspension“ for zero money and no additional and nerving maintenance. Love the K.I.S.S. principle: Keep It Simple Stupid.
XC bike should get the XX SL not XO?
Linda bike parabéns.
What’s it like compared to the Canyon CFR?
As in, the Lux World Cup? [Wil]
wow basically a supercaliber that costs 3 times the price of a supercaliber 😂
Not quite - the two bikes look quite similar, but in our back-to-back testing they performed very differently on the trail. You can check out our comparison here if you like; flowmountainbike.com/tests/specialized-epic-world-cup-review-2023/
As for price, the Supercaliber 9.9 XX1 AXS sells for $16,799 AUD, which is two grand cheaper than the S-Works Epic World Cup.
The Supercaliber does come with a Reverb AXS dropper, but the Epic gets the new XX SL transmission with a power meter.
Of course the Supercaliber is now a 4-year old design, so Trek can likely afford to sell it a bit cheaper. Given its age, we'd expect there'll be an update coming soon. [Wil]
Even dumber that they want to kill off the xc race hardtail
It is a bit of a bummer given the Epic HT is one of, if not the lightest hardtail frames on the market! [Wil]
Hardtails are junk.
@@gweflj No they are not if have the skills to ride them .
Full suspension are way overrated you watch to much GMBN Marketing crap
@@FlowMountainBikeUA-cam Very dumb
@@gweflj This bike is marketing BS junk. Its a step backwards. Limited rear tyre width choice, limited rear shock choice, internal headset routing, have to send bike away just for a rear shock service and no lock out! You must be new to the sport because experienced seasoned bikers (apart from sponsored who have no choice) will not touch this tosh with a barge pole. This guys gets paid to say good things about it whatever. Wake up!
hi, nice video. why they pick sram instead of shimano? the price is also epic :)
I can't say for the exact reasons, but Specialized and SRAM have always had a close relationship, and in the case of the Epic with the custom-built SIDLuxe shock and Brain-equipped SID SL, it would appear it's a mostly SRAM-affair for these two models. [Wil]
Because Shimano is 3-5 years behind SRAM MTB.
@@gweflj 😂 As someone whos been riding and racing mtbs (dh and xc) for 35 years I will not touch sram. Shimano is less ‘glitz’ but it just works quietly and faultlessly and reliably (cant say that for sram)
@@wenlambotomy6231 This is interesting, as to me is exact opposite :)
@@wenlambotomy6231 seriously? How do you account for 1x12 then?
Trek Supercaliber?
Did u say" just" $13900? Wow u guys must be wealthy. Peanuts for you guys... Not many of these models will sell... Also Clear cut carbon copy of trek
You may have missed the Aussie sarcasm 😉
Wait, is that a Trek?
Look it’s a trek supercaliber with a specialized logo!!😅
Oh trek makes Fram for them but one company makes fall n put there name on it
Did they copy Trek Supercaliber?
So Supercaliber copy?
Definitely a similar silhouette and both bikes use a short travel concept. But the way they go about the suspension design and how they feel on the trail is quite different. There's a detailed comparison in the review if you fancy checking it out; flowmountainbike.com/tests/specialized-epic-world-cup-review-2023/ [Wil]
instead of innovate, they immitate! they should have called it Specialized/S-Works Immitate😅😂🤣
So 14000 dollars is NOT "eye watering " .
living in out chosen bubble can be comforting until one goes bankrupt
It's $2,000lastyear
C'mon, a copy of the Trek Supercaliber released 2 years ago.
Not very practical cos once the shock spoilt cannot get from outside market hv to straight to specialised, use to hv a old epic but shock spoilt n only specialised hv but now no more manufacturing so the frame is totally useless
No on the fly settings. JUNK!
It depends on your preference I reckon - if you're into remotes and on-the-fly adjustability, then a bike like the Scott Spark is a great option.
But riders that prefer a clean cockpit with less cables, and an automated pedal platform that they don't have to think about, the Epic will be a more appealing bike.
[Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeUA-cam only takes up to 2.3 rear, impossible to work on cabling and rear shock (that requires whole bike sending away for a rear shock service) and no lock out! And that price! Whos buying this backwards, marketed bs crap. Not real seasoned bikers but noobs with too much cash. Fools are easily parted with their money.
Are you talking about the Epic Wen?
Max rear tyre clearance is 2.35in, which is what the stock bikes come fitted with. There's a good deal of mud clearance, so I'd expect that 2.4in Maxxis WT tyres will fit fine.
Cabling isn't a big issue given there's just a single brake hose on both models of the Epic World Cup. If you find it difficult to work on, then you might have bigger issues in terms of setup and maintenance!
The shock on the Epic World Cup can easily be removed from the frame - it took me about two minutes to do with just a 4mm and a 5mm hex key, and you'll see the removed shock in the video at 1:13.
The WCID shock is a proprietary design, and while we've not had any issues with our test bike, durability is yet to be proven in the mass market. However, because it shares a number of spare parts with the regular SIDLuxe, air sleeve and damper servicing are much the same. Most competent bike shops can perform suspension servicing in-house, though air sleeve servicing is pretty easy for riders to perform in their home workshop.
The lockout is an interesting one. I think if you really want a lockout, then the Epic World Cup won't be the bike for you. For example, something like the Canyon Lux World Cup may be a better option; flowmountainbike.com/tests/canyon-lux-world-cup-review-2023/
The whole concept behind the Epic, and every model since the original was launched back in 2002, is that that the suspension has an automated platform that removes the need for a lockout and the associated cables and remote in the first place. That's kind of the appeal.
In my experience, with the shock setup in the Firm position, there's no need for a lockout as the rear suspension is pretty much locked out anyway. But even in the Active position, the rear suspension is plenty stable under power.
You have a good point about the cost of these bikes - they are certainly not cheap! Thankfully there are plenty of other options at lower price points - the aforementioned Canyon Lux World Cup and the alloy version of the Orbea Oiz are two options that immediately come to mind. Specialized is also continuing to produce the Brain-equipped Epic at cheaper price points too, having recently introduced updated 2023 Comp and Expert models.
[Wil]
A lighter n more expensive 😮 some cost a car or truck
proprietary again? omg
not super light🙃 9.5kg tg M
Just $13900 😅😅😅
Trek supercaliber 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Copied Trek. Very lame.
Mad money over priced
Sponser review