SPECIALIZED EPIC HARDTAIL COMP

UUnlike Cannondale, who are only selling the top-spec model of their F-Si locally, Specialized has three variations of their Epic Hardtail, to appeal to a wider range of buyers: the S-Works, the Expert, and this one, the least pricey in the range. Most of your money is going towards the frame, which borrows road-bike technology for optimal rigidity, weight and responsiveness. The carbon lay-up is different across the sizes so that the bike handles as intended, regardless of whether you ride a small or a large. As is the trend in all disciplines of mountain biking, the head angle has been slackened and the top tube has been lengthened to get you more planted on the dirt. The rest of the components are mid-range: a RockShox Reba RL fork with 100mm of travel, and a SRAM Eagle NX drivetrain. It’s light, fast and fun to ride, whether you’re racing on the weekend or riding your local trail before work.