Cape Epic Bike Check: Matt Beers S-Works Epic 8
The pairing of Matt Beers and Keegan Swenson as Team Outride | Toyota | Songo didn’t go as planned at the 2025 Absa Cape Epic. Keegan battled back problems throughout the race which meant that the team had to settle for a single podium finish, placing third on the final stage. Despite the setbacks, the […]
First Look: Specialized Epic 8
The Specialized Epic has been a mainstay of World Cup XCO tracks, and the marathon stage racing scene here in South Africa since it was launched in 2006. Having spent many a happy hour in the saddle of both the Epic and Epic EVO, there was no way I was passing up the chance to […]
First Look: Specialized Epic 8 EVO
With the launch of a more capable Epic 8, the Epic 8 EVO moves deeper into ‘downcountry’ territory than it’s predecessor. The update sees a return to a shared chassis with the Epic, with the travel increasing from 120mm to 130mm front, and 110mm to 120mm on the rear, along with geometry updates, and burlier […]
The Specialized Epic WC wants to kill the hardtail
Press Release The Epic World Cup is a purpose-built machine; and its purpose is to win. We challenged ourselves to eschew the conventional understanding of what it takes to be the fastest and rose to that challenge with an unprecedented integrated system approach to chassis engineering, revolutionary shock design, and peerless ride dynamics. The result? […]
Review: 2021 Specialized S-Works Epic
It has been just three years since the launch of the previous Epic but Specialized’s engineers have not been idle. The all-new 2021 Epic boasts a complete rethink on the bike’s geometry as well as changes to the Brain system to improve reliability and extend service intervals. Updated Geometry The greatest impact on how the […]
Review: 2021 Specialized S-Works Epic Evo
The new Specialized Epic Evo has been given its own unique identity in the Epic range. Where the previous Epic Evo was a straightforward specification change, the new Epic now has its own rear triangle, suspension layout, and no Brain! These changes aim to create an Epic that is more capable and comfortable on the […]
Epic Bike Check: Alan Hatherly’s S-Works Epic
After a last minute team change, Alan Hatherly paired up with his training buddy Matt Beers to form SpecializedFoundationNAD. The under 23 XCO World Champion, now riding for the Specialized trade team, is competing in his first Cape Epic aboard his S-Works Epic. Take a closer look at Hatherly’s bike below. Alan Hatherly’s Specialized S-Works […]
Review: Specialized Epic Expert EVO
The Epic EVO range boasts influences from the trail bike scene bringing some everyday practicality to Specialized’s out-and-out race machine. But how much of the original Epic’s speed is lost in this transformation, if any? The Epic is a race bike built with few compromises in mind as it aims to be the fastest endurance […]
Specialized launch the Epic EVO
Specialized today announced the launch of the Epic EVO. A 120mm fork, dropper seat post, wider handlebars, and a burlier front tyre are a distinct departure from the race-bred Epic. Take a look at our full review of the Specialized Epic Expert EVO. The Specialized Epic Expert Carbon EVO. Specialized’s EVO models typically feature beefed […]
Review: 2018 Specialized Epic Comp Carbon
Last week, we spent two days on the tranquil Boschendal Farm Estate being introduced to the Specialized Bicycles 2018 range which recently landed in South Africa. Having ridden and thoroughly enjoyed the previous generation Epic, and watched the 2017 Specialized S-Works Epic turn my colleague into an uncontrollable race snake after just a few rides, […]
Specialized introduce the 2018 Epic
Our history with cross country mountain bikes is steadfast. From Ned Overend winning the first Worlds in 1990 to Jaroslav Kulhavý riding his way to Olympic Gold to Annika Langvad and Sam Gaze most recently taking the Rainbow Stripes in Nové Mesto, our goal has always been to make the fastest, best-handling, podium-topping XC bikes […]
The new Epic Hardtail is Specialized’s lightest frame yet
It might have been 10 years ago, or maybe just yesterday, but it all started with just wanting to finish. Over time, the goals evolved to not getting dropped, then finishing with the front group, and now, feeling the podium under your feet. They evolved with a strengthening in commitment—a commitment to riding early, riding […]