The Specialized Epic Pro Is a World-Class XC Bike
The Takeaway: The Epic Pro offers nearly identical ride qualities as the S-Works Epic at a fraction of the cost.
RockShox Brain 2.0 Suspension
SRAM X01 drivetrain
Lightweight carbon frame with carbon, tubeless-ready wheels
Price: $6,520
Weight: 24 lb. (size XL)
The Epic Pro is a less expensive version of Specialized’s much-vaunted S-Works Epic full-suspension XC bike, which has won multiple Editors’ Choice awards for its exceptional performance. That bike is on virtually every list of the five best cross country bikes money can buy. The Epic Pro, however, is $3,500 cheaper, giving what feels like a world class XC bike for 60 percent of the price of the S-Works. It’s not cheap, but is a real value if you’re looking for an elite race weapon.
The Brain 2.0 suspension system makes this bike feel tight, nimble, and fast when you really want to step on it at race speed. On smoother terrain the suspension tightens up so you don’t feel excessive bounce, while becoming more active when you encounter rougher terrain. It has a unique ability to climb like an XC tuned short travel bike yet descend like a long travel trail bike. The trick are sensitive inertia valves that open to let fluid flow (and the suspension compress) when a bump, even something as slight as narrow washboard, jars your wheels.
The components and the carbon frame are a step down from the S-Works, but they barely detract from the performance (other than adding some weight), and they’re very good for the price. Compared to full-suspension bikes I’ve recently tested— the Norco Revolver FS 1 100 and the BMC Fourtstroke 01 Three, for example—this one feels racier. With the Epic pro, Specialized gives you carbon wheels and a SRAM XO1 drivertrain, neither of which are found on those other models (though the BMC does give you dropper post, which may be an advantage on rougher terrain). The Epic Pro, in contrast, delivers a faster, sharper ride. If you want a fast full-suspension bike with few compromises, this one is hard to beat.
Nearly as Good as the S-Works
For $6,520 you should expect a stellar bike, and the Epic Pro delivers. In most cases we like to make comparisons to bikes in the same price range, but to underscore the exceptional value, in this case, it helps to compare it to the $10,020 S-Works Epic.
The Pro has a carbon frame, just like the S-Works, but the FACT 11m carbon frame is a slight step down (and slightly heavier) than the FACT 12m on the higher-end bike. Both bikes use Specialized’s Brain 2.0 suspension system and the RockShox Micro Brain shocks are identical between both bikes. The 100mm RockShox SID Brain 29 fork on the Epic Pro features the same damper as SID Brain Ultimate fork found on the S-Works model, but the Pro model’s Brain 29 weighs a little more because it has an aluminum crown (the S-Works’ fork has a carbon crown).
The wheels are also very similar. The Epic Pro and the S-Works both offer carbon hoops, however the Roval Control rims on the Epic Pro are a smidge heavier than the Roval Control SL rims on the S-Works. The DT Swiss 350 rear hub found on the Epic Pro has a 36-tooth star-ratchet engagement, which is impressive, but less than the 54 teeth on the S-Works. But you likely won’t feel much difference; both engage super quickly.
Specialized Epic Pro Details
Style: Cross country
Material: Carbon
Travel: 100mm
Wheel Size: 29-inch
Fork: RockShox SID Brain 29
Shock: RockShox Micro Brian with spike valve
Drivetrain: SRAM X01 Eagle
Cranks: Truvativ STYLO Carbon
Chainring: 32t
Cassette: SRAM XG 12-speed, 10-50
Brakes: SRAM Level TLM
Wheels: Roval Control Carbon, tubeless ready
Tires: Specialized Fast Trak (2.3-inch front, 2.1-inch rear)
Saddle: Specialized Body Geometry Phenom Expert
Seatpost: Specialized Carbon, 30.9mm
Handlebar: S-Works Carbon Mini Rise
Stem: Aluminum Specialized XC
Max tire size: 29 x 2.3–inch
On paper there are some noteworthy differences between the Epic Pro and the world-beating S-Works Epic, but the functional difference is minimal. The SRAM X01 drivetrain isn’t quite as refined as XX1 Eagle, but you'll be hard–pressed to recognize a difference on the trail, although it is a little heavier than its more expensive sibling. Even so, the Epic Pro feels very lively and quick when climbing, especially out of the saddle. After all, despite the extra grams tucked away here and there it’s still a 24-pound (size XL) full-suspension cross-country bike. Not only is it a joy for attacking over hills but it also excels on the trip back down, even on steep, rocky trails where you’d think a short-travel XC bike would quickly be outpaced by a longer and slacker trail bike.
Epic Family
The Epic family is extensive. Along with the Epic Pro, there are six other models ranging from the drool-worthy S-Works Epic all the way down to the Women’s Epic Comp Carbon at $3,800.
5 Things We Love About The Specialized Epic Pro
The Epic Expert offers what is arguably the strongest value proposition of the whole family. For $5,020 you get the same second-tier Fact 11m carbon frame, RockShox Brain fork and shock, as well as Roval Control Carbon hoops (although with Specialized instead of DT Swiss hubs) as this Epic Pro. It also comes with an aluminum cockpit, but you'll have a tough time noticing a true performance difference. There is, however, a very perceptible difference when it comes to the SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain. GX offers reliable shifting that you can push really hard, but the shifting is clunkier and less precise than X01 Eagle. It also adds noticeable weight, most of which comes from the cassette, which adds 97 grams on its own, and the aluminum Truvativ STYLO cranks. But that move saves you $1,500.
If 100mm of travel isn’t enough, the Epic EVO gives you the same Epic frame, but swaps out the 100mm Rockshox Brain fork for one with 120mm. The Epic EVO bikes are also outfitted with dropper posts. Those range in price from $9,920 fo the S-Works Epic EVO down to $3,220 for the aluminum Epic Comp EVO.
Lively Climbing, Smooth Descending
Undoubtedly the coolest part about this bike is its Brain 2.0 suspension. The Autosag function takes the guesswork out of getting the sag just right on the shock, and the Brain Fade adjustment on both the fork and the shock lets you easily regulate the responsiveness of the suspension with four settings ranging from firm to open. Inertia valves located at the rear hub and inside the fork sense forces coming up from the wheels and adjust the suspension on the fly by regulating oil flow within the shock. Essentially the valves lock the shock out on smooth terrain, and open it up almost instantly when you encounter a bump. Past iterations haven’t been incredibly smooth. But this one is highly effective—it feels firm when you need it for efficient climbing on smooth terrain, yet opens almost immediately to absorb repeated impacts while ripping downhill. On some other full-suspension XC bikes, I rely heavily on remote lockout levers to achieve that balance, but the Brain 2.0 does it immediately on its own.
Within a single ride you get the benefit of the softer suspension that’s needed for low–speed seated climbing, as well as the firmer platform needed to stand up and smash it. In all scenarios you feel as though the wheels are more connected to the trail, and the bike’s handling certainly benefits. It’s a beautiful thing to feel the tires biting into the trail as you carve through rough and rocky turns at full speed
Lively yet smooth, the Epic Pro is one of the most well balanced XC bikes I’ve tested.
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