Specialized Epic Expert EVO in review

The Epic is Specialized’s no-nonsense lightweight XC racer. But just like the Stumpjumper, the Epic is also offered in a more progressive EVO spec. Burlier, more versatile and with a trail-focussed build, it promises to be a short-travel ripper. However, with its skinny shock and long 70 mm stem, can the Epic Expert EVO shake off its XC DNA on the trails?

For an overview about the test field click her: The Best Short-Travel Trail Bike – 6 Mountain Bikes in Test

Specialized’s EVO models aim to transform the character and personality of the ‘original’ bike, with major geometry alterations changing the personality of the bikes. While it may share the same 100 mm travel frame as the non-EVO model, the EVO has a wider 2.3” Ground Control front tire and rear Fast Trak with the sturdier Grid Casing which is normally reserved for harder-hitting models, along with a longer travel Fox Step-Cast 34 Performance 120 mm fork and an X-Fusion dropper post. The frame forgoes the usual chainstay pivot, relying on the carbon fibre stays to flex up to 3 mm at full compression. However, the biggest talking point on the Specialized Epic Expert EVO is the skinny RockShox shock which uses a Micro Brain inertia valve at the rear axle, reacting to how quickly the rear wheel is moving up and down to open and close the compression damping automatically to keep the bike as efficient as possible. You can adjust the threshold at which the inertia valve releases, allowing you to choose either a very firm or plush feel. It doesn’t take long to understand what Specialized Epic Expert EVO is designed for. The 750 mm bar and 70 mm stem feel low and racy, which is also reflected in the firm, supportive suspension kinematics. The slack 73.8 degree seat angle should feel slow on the climbs but the long stem and zero offset X-Fusion dropper pull your weight forward resulting in rapid climbing. On paper, the € 5,599 Expert specification is expensive and while the fork may only be the Performance model and the drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle, we were pleased to see the lightweight and fast Roval Control carbon wheels. However, the SRAM Level TL brakes with 180/160 mm rotors lack bite and power on steeper trails.

The XC cockpit of the Specialized Epic Expert EVO had our trail testers scratching their heads. A 70 mm stem and narrow bars limit the capability of this bike.

The Specialized Epic Expert Evo in detail

ForkFOX Step-Cast 34 Performance 120 mm
Shock Custom RockShox Micro Brain 100 mm
Brakes SRAM level TL 180/160 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle
Seatpost X-fusion Manic 125 mm
Stem Specialized XC 80 mm
Handlebar Specialized Alloy Minirise 750 mm
Wheels Roval Control Carbon rims, Specialized hubs
Tires Specialized Ground Control / Fast Trak 2.3″

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	400 mm	434 mm	470 mm	520 mm
Top tube	571 mm	599 mm	626 mm	650 mm
Head tube	95 mm	105 mm	120 mm	140 mm
Head angle	68.5°	68.5°	68.5°	68.5°
Seat angle	73.8°	73.8°	73.8°	73.8°
Chainstays	438 mm	438 mm	438 mm	438 mm
BB Drop	32 mm	32 mm	32 mm	32 mm
Wheelbase	1103 mm	1132 mm	1159 mm	1186 mm
Reach	398 mm	423 mm	446 mm	465 mm
Stack	595 mm	605 mm	619 mm	638 mm

The Specialized Epic Expert Evo on the trail

No sooner do the Roval Control carbon wheels start spinning do you feel that the Evo has been made to excel on gentle trails. Power transfer is instantaneous and the bike leaps forwards willingly. The long stem and narrow bars keep your weight forward over the bars, resulting in a feeling of riding on top of rather than integrated with the bike which not all our testers enjoyed. However, the steering is very precise and the Epic Expert EVO loves to be hustled fast down flow trails, carving from one turn to the next. When you hit rocky terrain, the old-school cockpit makes the Specialized Epic Expert EVO more of a handful, where it feels more nervous and requires strong steering inputs. Setting the 5-position ‘Brain Fade’ adjustor to the harder setting transforms the bike into a firm and racy machine, the automatic inertia valve only giving up travel when absolutely necessary.

Efficiency is king, comfort and traction are secondary. However, when you hit an impact or compress into a turn you can feel a noticeable delay and clunk as the inertia valve releases the rear shock, which feels very strange. We chose to run the ‘Brain Fade’ at the oft end of the adjustment range which offered more grip and fun. In this setting the Epic Expert EVO proves to be effortlessly fast and efficient over undulating mellow flow trails. While we cannot argue that the Brain Fade inertia valve works, we would leave the ‘firm’ setting to those in Lycra.

Conclusion

The Specialized Epic Expert EVO is a light and fast whippet. It doesn’t completely escape its heritage and would not look out of place on the startline of an XC race, but is just as happy galloping down flowing trails. The Micro Brain shock really works, but you have to get used to its delayed response. However, versatility is not the Stumpjumper Epic Expert EVO’s forte and when the terrain gets tougher, the XC cockpit and firm suspension make it a handful.

The test field

For an overview about the test field click her: The Best Short-Travel Trail Bike – 6 Mountain Bikes in Test

All bikes in test: Canyon Neuron CF 8.0 | Merida ONE TWENTY 8000 | Trek Top Fuel 9.9 | Whyte S-120C RS | Yeti SB100 C GX

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