2023 Specialized Epic World Cup Review | This Super-Light XC Bike Has Character-Bending Tuneability

Trek Supercaliber?

If someone was looking for a do it all XC race bike, from short to marathon style events, would this be a good choice?

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)

you mean the sworks supercaliber?

Bicycle prices are retarded now Grew up riding mt bikes as a kid started riding motorcycles got fat and wanted to get a pedal bike so I could loose some weight walked into a bike shop and the pedal bike I wanted costed more then my dirt bike and motorcycle put together. there is no Engine. There is no transmission. There is no ECU batteries wires nothing it’s just a frame with fucking tires 😡 so Fucken dumb any ways I ended up buying a rock hopper for like 800 bucks and it’s always breaking from me simply pedaling it the one i really wanted was 15,000 for pedal bike 😡

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.

Big question for me, is cabled xtr possible?

Linda bike parabéns.

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.

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 🤔

Oh trek makes Fram for them but one company makes fall n put there name on it

Black with bright green it's a hard rock

It's $2,000lastyear

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😊

A lighter n more expensive 😮 some cost a car or truck

You forget to mention that this is HT bike. New fully epic is coming out soon

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.

did't you test the bike with the volume spacers

"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.

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

Sponser review

Very nice review, as usual:-) How do you feel about the SID 110 compared to the older one?

Just $13900 😅😅😅

Look it’s a trek supercaliber with a specialized logo!!😅

What’s it like compared to the Canyon CFR?

Mad money over priced

SWORKS Supercaliber!!

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

not super light🙃 9.5kg tg M

Trek supercaliber 🤣🤣🤣🤣

seems trek's supercali is still better

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.

Another cracking review Will. Well done brother.

Did they copy Trek Supercaliber?

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 😊

Specialized claims it’s the “Fastest in the world”, it has to be the best.

What is the most plush and compliance bike with good pedaling efficiency you have reviewed?

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.

Another incredible review.
NOBODY tests and informs like Flow.
Good on ya (did I say that right?).

You guys are truly professional ! So detailed and useful descriptions, and this bike will surely be my choice this year. Well done man!

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 …..

XC bike should get the XX SL not XO?

So 14000 dollars is NOT "eye watering " .
living in out chosen bubble can be comforting until one goes bankrupt

proprietary again? omg

Always the best review out there.

lol 2000's Giant NRS called to see how your going with that suspension setup 😉😆

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+