THINK FASTER: The Epic World Cup is the fastest XC race bike in the world, from smooth to technical courses, thanks to its unmatched combination of efficiency, control, and lightness. World Champion Christopher Blevins put it this way: “This bike gives me everything I could want from a hardtail, plus the control and capability of full suspension.” Creating this racing machine required a fully integrated development approach, the creation of a new shock concept, and four decades of experience in Cross-Country victories.

REFERENCE FRAME: To deliver maximum speed through unprecedented power transfer efficiency and extremely precise handling, our engineering team set and achieved new standards in torsional and bottom bracket stiffness. This goal required an integrated development approach that combined a structurally superior dual-diamond design with its shock nestled inside the top tube, topped off with the most sophisticated carbon layup in Specializeds history.

A NEW FORM OF SUSPENSION IS BORN: The Specialized Ride Dynamics team conceived and invented a revolutionary shock technology for the Epic World Cup that provides the rider with the efficiency and quick response of a hardtail PLUS the control, capability, and momentum of full suspension, all with simple setup. Co-developed with RockShox, the SID Deluxe WCID shock uses independently adjustable positive and negative air chambers to deliver the much sought-after hardtail feel, combined with terrain-gobbling damping, and the ability to easily customize the setup for a specific course or adjust it to the riders preferences and sensations. Use the firm setting, and it rides like a hardtail, or use the more active setting, and it will absorb every bump without losing efficiency or acceleration. But youre not limited to just open and closed; the simple nature of its setup allows the rider to adjust it anywhere across the spectrum between firm and plush.

OUTPERFORMING ITS OWN CATEGORY: The 75mm rear travel of the Epic World Cup delivers the control and capability of a longer travel bike. Because its designed to run with very little sag, it provides the same effective travel as a 100mm bike with 25% sag. To further optimize suspension performance, the Specialized Ride Dynamics team has tuned the air chambers calibration to be relatively linear in the mid-travel, allowing it to absorb big hits like a longer travel bike. Due to its large size, the Mega Jounce Bumper is an “industry first” and plays a crucial role in absorbing hard impacts when bottoming out.

HAVE WE LOST OUR HEAD? Kind of: While the new and revolutionary SID Deluxe WCID shock provides the unique combination of suspension and stiffness in the rear, the BRAIN is still alive and well in the fork. Its Position-Sensitive technology makes the first 15 mm of travel very plush to avoid losing traction on small bumps, while the rest of the suspension remains firmer to prevent pedaling interference. All of this without the need for a remote lockout or lever.

WEIGHT IS TOP TIER: With a frame weight of just 1,765 grams (painted, with shock and all hardware), the Epic World Cup outperforms the lightest of its competitors. It accelerates faster, climbs efficiently, and handles better in any circumstance. All that translates to speed. We achieved the featherweight and monstrous stiffness of the Epic WC by applying what we learned in the development of our Aethos, the lightest mass-production road frame ever made, all thanks to the distribution of carbon layups and tube shapes.

• The new Epic World Cup frame incorporates Ride Dynamics Developed suspension technology and 75mm of optimized rear travel. Thanks to its shock system, the Epic World Cup offers unmatched pedaling efficiency and is ready for the most demanding descents, with no need for a remote lever to open and close the shock.

• The new Control SL seat post is one of the lightest on the market, further reducing weight so riders can climb with less effort.