2019 Epic Hardtail Expert
4.9
7 Reviews
With all of the growth in full-suspension XC bikes, we found that hardtails were…
Product Details
With all of the growth in full-suspension XC bikes, we found that hardtails were starting to become a little same old, same old. So we thought to ourselves, 'What better time then now to shake things up with a modern, revolutionary design?' Say hello to the Epic Hardtail Expert.
It's one of the lightest frames we've ever made, tipping the scales around 1175g. And to make it this light, we built the entire frame from our superlative FACT 11m carbon fiber, and then we took some cues from our road bikes. We borrowed the Rider-First Engineered™ concept that originated with the Tarmac. Now, the frame design applies specificity to every tube size and carbon layup for every frame size. This creates the optimal balance of rigidity, weight, and responsiveness, so every frame, regardless of size, performs just as we intended.
We've also tweaked the geometry for more speed and stability by slacking-out the head tube angle, lengthening the top tube, and correcting the seat tube angle. This way, it feels more planted then ever, and frankly, it's stupid fast. We also widened the rear spacing to 12x148mm and included internal split-housing cable routing.
For the build, this Epic Hardtail successfully balances value with performance, with a custom-tuned RockShox SID fork with Brain, SRAM GX Eagle™ 12-speed shifting, and quick-to-accelerate Roval Control Carbon wheels.
By pairing a FACT 11m carbon fiber frame with our XC 29 Geometry, this Epic places a focus on revolutionary tube angles and light overall weight for explosive speed and nimble handling on the race circuit.
SRAM's 12-speed GX Eagle groupset, with its 10-50t cassette, provides a wide gear range that lets you spin up the climbs, yet have plenty of top end for the descents. One-by setups also decrease weight and make it next to impossible to drop a chain.
Roval's new Control Carbon wheels have many of the hallmarks of the Control Sl wheels, like a 25mm internal width, and a new shape—making traction, low weight, and durability all top priorities.
Technical Specifications
FRAMESET
FRAME
Specialized FACT 11m, XC Geometry, internal split-housing cable routing, PF30 BB, 12x148mm rear-end, triangulated post-mount 160mm brake
SUSPENSION
FORK
RockShox SID 29 w/ Brain, bottom-adjust Brain Fade, 15x110mm Maxle® Stealth thru-axle, 51mm offset, (S: 90mm, M-XL: 100mm of travel)
COCKPIT
HANDLEBARS
Specialized Alloy Minirise, 10mm rise, 750mm, 31.8mm clamp
STEM
Specialized XC, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 6-degree rise
GRIPS
Specialized Sip grip, half-waffle, S/M: regular thickness, L/XL: XL thickness
SADDLE
Body Geometry Phenom Comp, hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm
SEATPOST
Specialized, alloy, single-bolt, 27.2mm
SEAT BINDER
Specialized Alloy, 30.0mm
BRAKES
REAR BRAKE
SRAM Level TL, hydraulic disc
FRONT BRAKE
SRAM Level TL, hydraulic disc
DRIVETRAIN
SHIFT LEVERS
SRAM GX Eagle, trigger, 12-speed
REAR DERAILLEUR
SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed
CASSETTE
SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed, 10-50t
CRANKSET
Truvativ STYLO, DUB
CHAINRINGS
SRAM Eagle, 32T
BOTTOM BRACKET
SRAM, DUB, PF30
CHAIN
SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed
WHEELS & TIRES
RIMS
Roval Control Carbon, 25mm internal width, tubeless-ready
FRONT HUB
Specialized, sealed cartridge bearings, 15x110mm spacing, 28h
REAR HUB
Specialized, sealed cartridge bearings, 12x148mm thru-axle, 28h
SPOKES
DT Swiss Industry
FRONT TIRE
Fast Trak, GRIPTON® compound, 60 TPI, 2Bliss Ready, 29x2.3"
REAR TIRE
Fast Trak, GRIPTON® compound, 60 TPI, 2Bliss Ready, 29x2.1"
INNER TUBES
Presta, 60mm valve
ACCESSORIES
PEDALS
Specialized Dirt
* Weights based on production painted frames as pictured. Actual weights will vary based on colorway, frame size, and component variation. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Geometry
| S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crank Length | 170mm | 175mm | 175mm | 175mm |
| Handlebar Width | 750mm | 750mm | 750mm | 750mm |
| Stem Length | 60mm | 70mm | 80mm | 90mm |
| Saddle Width | 143mm | 143mm | 143mm | 143mm |
| Seatpost Length | 350mm | 400mm | 400mm | 400mm |
| Stack | 599mm | 608mm | 622mm | 637mm |
| Reach | 395mm | 418mm | 441mm | 462mm |
| Head Tube Length | 95mm | 95mm | 110mm | 125mm |
| Head Tube Angle | 69.8° | 69.8° | 69.8° | 69.8° |
| BB Height | 309mm | 309mm | 309mm | 309mm |
| BB Drop | 61mm | 61mm | 61mm | 61mm |
| Trail | 82mm | 82mm | 82mm | 82mm |
| Fork Length, Full | 496mm | 506mm | 506mm | 506mm |
| Fork Rake/Offset | 51mm | 51mm | 51mm | 51mm |
| Front Center | 650mm | 676mm | 705mm | 731mm |
| Chainstay Length | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm | 430mm |
| Wheelbase | 1073mm | 1099mm | 1128mm | 1154mm |
| Top Tube Length, Horizontal | 568mm | 595mm | 623mm | 649mm |
| Bike Standover Height | 760mm | 790mm | 814mm | 845mm |
| Seat Tube Length | 400mm | 430mm | 470mm | 520mm |
| Seat Tube Angle | 74° | 74° | 74° | 74° |
Manual Downloads
Rider Reviews
4.9
7 Reviews