2019 Specialized S-Works Epic Hardtail Frameset
There's not much that matches the feeling of powering up a pitch on a featherweight bike, and we designed the new S-Works Epic Hardtail frame with this in mind. It's less than 900 grams, exceptionally stiff, and it features a Rider First Engineered™ design. It's the perfect jumping off point to begin creating your dream build.
Over the last decade, cross country racing has evolved into a completely different animal—the courses are rowdier, more technical, and overall, they're inherently different. Because of this, we realized that the best bike for the job needs to not only be lightweight and stiff, but also be able to descend and climb with equal prowess. Determining the best geometry was the easier of the two, as we took our current XC race geo and added some trail DNA to the mix. This equates to a longer top tube, a shortened the head tube, and a slacked out the front end, the result of which is a tremendous increase in downhill stability, plus a wider fit range. And just as importantly, this doesn't require any sacrifice of climbing proficiency. The weight aspect was more complicated, though. We were posed with the question, "How do you take weight out of something that's already so light?" But the answer was relatively obvious: you get the best mountain bike engineers together in one room and let the magic come out.