Hardtail? Full Suspension? Softail? 2023 Specialized S-Works Epic First Look
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- Blurring the lines between hardtail and full suspension, the 2023 Specialized Epic aims to deliver the ultimate bike for World Cup XC racing and multi day endurance races. Join Henry Quinney for a first look of this new $12,000 super bike.
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Henry has a way of explaining tech that even I can understand 😅
Agreed - excellent explanation for a clueless roadie like me 🤣
Henry and the new editing style is the best thing to happen to the video reviews!
Spend $12k on a mountain bike, doesn't come with a dropper.
(For the record: I ride XC and the first upgrade I did to my bike, after setting up tubeless, was install a dropper. A few extra grams in exchange for both a better climbing and descending seat position is unquestionably worth it)
That was my first observation as well. Big miss.
I was on a ride a few months ago on my Epic Evo and my dropper got stuck with the seat fully extended. Completely changed the bike's character. Even though I've only been riding with a dropper for about 3 years now, it was a very strange sensation to not have access to it during that ride, and left me wondering how I ever lived without one.
After that experience, I think I'd chose a hardtail with a dropper over a full suspension bike without a dropper.
Anyhow, easy enough to take care of it after you buy what seems to be a rad bike.
Looks like a super calibre! New classic, love it. Can’t wait for giants
Lols Trek has been copying everything specialized does for years. I’m so stoked they ripped off the super caliber. Pay back !!
@@323johnnybravo what has trek ripped off specialized?
Would love to see a 100/120mm travel EVO version of this new Epic!!!!
That would be Levy's dream bike.
@@pinkbike Mine also
Me 2! 👍
@@pinkbike Also maybe a bike that mere mortals could afford!
You'll have to wait for the next model update
love the new specialized super caliber
Wow it’s a new supercaliber
Those two water bottle cages are a life-saver! #RideOn #KeepBiking
Going to have to change it from looks like a session to... looks like a supercaliber
that’s like saying the epic evo looks like the blur, it does but simalar tech just like these two bikes
I like the new videoproduction style :)
Tom Richards is our tech filmer. He is on fire this year.
We need a *Trek Supercaliber 9.8 vs S-Works Epic* video :D
S-Works bikes were already at a stratospheric price since 5 years, now this bike will be at a MESOSPHERIC price!
Henry's "scuttle like a beatle" and groan in knee pain was something I instantly understood! 🤣
So they come up with a Supercaliber 🤣
$6500 for a frame is preposterous.
Big S thinks they can defy a down market for bikes I guess, I doubt it though.
I remember back in 1994 john brittan made a race motorcycle in his back yard in NZ, almost everything was made from carbon fiber, wheels, body work, forks, and he said there was only about $300 worth of carbon fiber on the whole bike.
Its $6000 USD and comes with a fork, seatpost, headset, chainguide and multi tool.
@@1speedbrianTreks Supercaliber frame only, comes in $1800 cheaper. a fork, seatpost, chainguide and a cheap multitool is not worth the additional $1800 lol
@@benjy288 Not saying that the frame price isn't absolutely rediculous but, what makes carbon fiber generally expensive is the process to lay up carbon is very finicky and time consuming.
SID fork - enjoy your bushing play (speaking from experience).
What a phenomenal guest and interview. Well done again
2:30 - Convergent evolution ☝️
I think it was Cannondale 30 years a go had a soft tail setup. Short travel shock was behind the seat tube.
I looked for this comment, GT did it first with the 1991 RTS. Cannondale came along around 10 years later with the Scalpel.
It looks like the rear shock is potentially easier to service than the Supercaliber design is, will be curious to see on that. Surprised there isn’t a dropper stock on such a bike.
I think it's because this is made to be the superlight race version of the bike. I'm sure you can slap a dropper on it if you really wanted to.
@@Emolokz it’s just strange that they went so slack and add the rear travel, so a dropper seems obvious. Especially since so many World Cup are now running them. Hell I would want the dropper BEFORE the rear travel.
It is easier to service. But I think the Supercaliber still has the edge because it's stiffer and won't flex as much. Butter design for what they are wanting to accomplish. However, the Specialized does have more travel and is easier to service.
However it is the same with both of these bikes in terms of droppers. You are right that the top end bikes have them in the world cups. Not everyone runs them but many do. But most Supercalibers don't have droppers. But I agree, I would prefer the dropper. But the geometry on both bikes is super close.
Title makes sense, it’s the price of a hardtail + softtail + full sus
Absolute EPIC scripting from the prof, as always 🤘
yes a great and clear presentation
Henry is just the best. Id listen to him talk about anything.
Is that the new EpicSuperWorldCaliber2Girls1Cup !!???
you guys need to start reviewing lower spec options that most viewers can actually afford. Dont get me wrong I enjoy watching all the reviews and such but its always the higher options that a few viewers will buy. I wish reviews were more geared to mid level components bikes.
We are running a Value Bike Field Test in May. Stay tuned for that.
I mean the lowest spec option of this new epic is 9k... specialized didn't really give them a low end option to review if they wanted to cover the new tec.
Essa verde a mais linda 😻
Bike leve e responsivo confortável, melhor bike do mundo 🌍 se adapta a todo tipo de terreno muito top recomendo!!!
Woof. 75mm travel is not what I was expecting for them to come out with. Only adding 15mm of travel makes this seem like a supercaliber clone, just 4 years too late. Happy with my 2021 Evo, would consider an upgrade if this was a 120F/100R option, but if they're only at 75mm now, I don't see how they could add another 25mm of travel.
Your Evo and this bike are not in the same league. The Evo was never marketed as a race bike like the non-Evo was, they're totally different platforms.
@@Emolokz The evo is 100% marketed as an XCM bike & used by quite a few pros for that application.
If spec is calling this an iteration of the Epic HT then I could see your point, but it seems as though it's a refresh of the 100/100 platform, which was in the exact same league as the evo. They even share the same front triangle.
@@dvoob the evo is not a race bike, and it has never been used in xco races. It's way considerably heavier.
That will most likely come in the next model update, small incremental changes are what keep bike sales going
@@Emolokz And you just revealed that you are easily swayed by bike brand's marketing budgets. The sworks evo frame + rear shock is lighter than the normal epic's sworks frame + shock because you're not carrying around a 250g brain system. I also mentioned that it's targeted at XCM racing, not XCO. Chris Blevins & Matt Beers ran the Epic Evo at cape epic this year (they won btw), and they're by far the highest profile world cup riders who are on specialized bikes. Russel Finsterwald rides an evo for all of his racing as well.
Do your research dumbass.
The question is when will Canyon come up with a similar design?
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
I rode 2,4 inches on an epic HT. It made the rear end feel like spaghetti. You don't need 2,4 tires on a race bike.
@@fpeter01 I’ll make sure to pass that on to nino schruter and all the other pros running 2.4’s.
Imagine if this frame breaks...
Does the owner also get the typical warranty high gloss black with white decals frame as replacement?
Because I sure did.... Thanks Specialized!
Beautiful video! Can I just ask u where did u film this video, I mean where is that trail?
That's why scott is the best
I think it’s not enough travel for Worldcup XCO. Nino Schuter is racing on an 120/130 bike
Ninos running 120/120 for 2023
Yay! Another carbon copy of another bike. Such innovation just what the bike industry needs 🤩
Ah yes, because every bike should be completely different from every other despite there being literally hundreds of different manufacturers. Not every bike can break the mold, sometimes it’s just the best way to do something… and you don’t need to buy it if you don’t like it.
What bike did they copy?
@@funLad80 Trek Supercaliber
@@moose6790 and what did they copy?
@@funLad80 the rear suspension is nearly identical
This is definitely NOT a bike for the Cape Epic…the Epic Evo is (as evidenced by the most recent winners)
so... reach, HTA, front center is modern-ish trail geo, why is the STA not like 76 or 77? XC courses are turning more into proper 'trails', I wonder if lycra riders just prefer a more traditional, behind the bottom bracket feel?
Waiting for temu version of this frame lol then build it with high end parts
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
So, which is better?
GT did it first with the 1991 RTS. Cannondale came along around 10 years later with the Scalpel.
That’s crazy money!😳
To complicated with all these settings. If the Brain shock was so great -- and in many ways it was -- then why are they doing away with it and replacing it with something where you need a big brain to manage changing the settings for different surfaces?
does weight include tubes, pedals or the 2 bottle cages and swat tool? seems high. my large pro set up tubeless with some cheap plastic pedals weighs 10.6kg, the 2 bottle cages and swat tool together weigh 166g. if assuming you weighed WITH the cages and swat, s work bike only should be around 9.7kg.
This supercaliber so epic
I liked this guy on gcn.
it looks like a copy of Trek's Supercaliber
Separate air chambers? Just like the old reba RL dual air with 2 schrader valves? That forks really pains me to set up because i never got full 100mm travel if i put pressure on the negative chamber.
yep. I had a '120mm' reba that only felt plush with the neg pressure enough to make it more like 105mm
@@AfroTriston currently still using 100mm reba on my 26er hardtail. The comfort zone is when the negative chamber +10 psi more than the positive with travel sucked into 85mm 😅
215 mm eye length is sucks. Finally they gave up the propiretary rear shock size. And they go back one gen later. What a brilliant idea.
My ancient Reba fork , on my retro ht, has separate neg and pos chambers... They used to call it 'dual air'. Nice idea... But too much faff and weight.
So nothing new... Rehash old tech again by RS
7700 Canadian before tax just for the frame. But love the colors
The seatstays are always the first to go and snap
I wonder how it compares to the trek super caliper with similar spec
(Sees its an XC bike, goes to click away...)
(Sees its Henry presenting... Immediately returns to video.)
Our strategy has worked.
@@pinkbike Just that smooth, subtly sultry voice... Be careful he doesn't start some kinda MTBing personality cult. I'd ride through a brick wall for em.
So advanced and so expensive but no pedals? Where you aloud to touch it?
So it is a duplicate Super Caliber but 3 years late. Nothing wrong with doing what others have done (if it works) but dont make it out like they came up with something new.
PB are reviewing gravel bikes now! Odd it doesn’t have drop bars.
Specialized epic good desing 2023 2024
Looks awesome
Like the new epic
Insane, I’m sure there’s a market for it tho.
this price tag is drunk. but its a fine looking bike!
Hahaha Trek always tips off Specialized. I love the fact that they copied Trek for once but it looks so much sexier.
S-Works Epicaliber
12k 😂😂😂😂
That epic WC would look so sick kitted out with bontrager RSL 😂😂😂
Those are horrible
I’m picking the alt-country genre is going to be the next big thing with the kids
I can’t help but think of a less capable but more expensive Digit Datum bike suspension system
😂
Supercaliber with s works slapped in top
That intro 🤣
for me it ticks all the boxes.....apart from the price
Until next year, when they create the softduro or downtrail or uphill bikes
So, this one is not good for climbing?
No sag, dual air SID , like a 1990s giant nrs...
Beautiful … but really looks like a Trek Supercaliber
I've been riding this bike for 7 years now! th-cam.com/users/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L It was a great bike the day I got it, put it together, and went on my first ride; more importantly it's an even better bike today. I've ridden trails, street, and skatepark all on this bike. I have replaced almost every part on the bike. Some stuff has broken: derailleurs, wheels, shifter. Everything else were upgrades. The only ramaing original parts are the frame, bottom bracket, and crank set. BB and cranks will be upgraded soon. The geometry isn't great but that is really the only draw back to how good a value this bike is. Even after all the money I've spent upgrading it's still a more affordable bike than I'd have bought from a proper bike shop, especially with full suspension. I've also learned a lot about bikes working on it over the years. It really is one of the best perchases I've ever made and hopefully it'll still be around for another 7 years.
Not for me. I looked at a supercalibre and the travel wasn't great in the rear. I buy a full squish to get the travel.
How long before China can start selling unbranded version?
The best part of this video - is Henry!!
Another over priced bike on the market. Wonder how many will sell 😴
cheers crovelato
The thing has the same head angle as my short travel trail bike, when are manufacturers going to settle on geometry? when every single bike has the same head angle as a downhill bike?
Bruh this bike is insane... i dont even own a mtb yet(trek fx2 for commuting) and i can tell why this costs $10k lol
Looks like a session
"Softtail" bikes are new again? Moots has had their YBB for ages, Trek used to have their STP, etc.....only difference nowadays is the shocks used, frame material, and most of all, the price $$$$$$$$$$
Oh yeah gotta love those Moots YBB for their affordability 😂
@ComradeMorozov A Moots complete bike is cheaper than this Specialized, but you're right, it ain't budget friendly
@@johnnydoe66 yeah I mean not by much. The YBB starts at over $8k
@@johnnydoe66 but yeah I sure as hell know which bike I’d prefer.
"Similar" he says 😂
Looks like a supercaliber
More like Focus if anything. And suspension is completely different design to Trek. Did you watch this video?
@@funLad80 of course not
@@funLad80 Flex stays, proprietary shock technology, overhyped marketing. I don't see the difference between the trek and the spec tbh.
@@dvoob watch the video then to find out
@@b00tyEater so put the glasses on
This is the supercaliber no.?
No single sourced components for me, especially nowadays.
Bikes sitting there. You gotta ride it.
You guys got the name wrong. It’s: fail-tail or break-tail
Henry looks like he needs some joint care supplements
scientific investigation: Q: Does it have a shock at the rear? A:Yes! Conclusion: It's a full suspension. You are welcome!
슈퍼칼리버
Let me guess how much it is.
$10000000000000000000000000000
As soon as I saw the steer tube routing I wanted burn this thing to the ground along with all of specialized. We do they keep doing this to us it’s so dumb
so specialized "invented" dual-air spring from back in the day?
Specialized does not make sense, it's a marketing company first
$12k, nice work bike industry nobody is buying these no matter how good it is
Except that they will! S-Works epics sold out fast last year… at £12,500
This is the lowest priced model with deore derailer!
Doesn't even have a dropper post
This bike is for XC racers that don’t buy their own bikes. And a few silly dentists
Bette than an Oiz ?
i want/need one real bad!
Not enough Lycra in video.
12 grand - I think I’ll buy 5…
You didn’t touch the bike😂