![]() Compared to other Epics, it also has less suspension travel-95mm versus 100mm, and a firmer suspension tune. The steering geometry is quick and reactive (compared to the 2013 Epic, the chainstays are 10mm shorter, and the headtube angle is a half-degree steeper), reminiscent of a hardtail. It rips around switchbacks, especially when you’re climbing, and transfers your pedaling effort directly to the rear wheel. The Epic, a two-time winner of our Editors’ Choice award for best race bike, has always felt fast and aggressive, and this variant feels faster and more aggressive. If you frequently enter XC, short-track, or marathon races, choose one of the two World Cup models (there are S-Works- and Expert-level models). The S-Works Epic World Cup has tighter geometry and works only with single chainring drivetrains, just the thing for serious racers. All Epic models feature the BRAIN automatic shock lockout system and AutoSag, which greatly simplifies shock setup. The two bikes are similar, but not identical, which makes each better for a certain kind of rider. The World Cup is a sharply honed race machine that improves on the already fast platform, while the standard Epic has the same geometry and travel as 2013’s model. There are now two different editions of the Epic, both with new frames and many updates. ![]() On my own trails, I got a solid first impression of the new bike in only a few days of riding. I had a chance to check out the new bike with Specialized’s engineers during several days of riding in Durango, Colorado-which happens to be my hometown. You wouldn’t notice many of the changes at first glance, despite the fact that Specialized said this year’s model was designed by the largest team of engineers the company had ever assembled for a single project. For the 2014 model year, Specialized made some subtle-yet-effective improvements to its dual-suspension XC 29er.
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