Is the Specialized Epic 9 the Fastest XC Bike Yet?

In 2025, the Specialized Factory XC Team swept the World Cup podium. USA’s Christopher Blevins claimed both the XCO and XCC overall titles and finished first overall in UCI points aboard Specialized’s outgoing model, the Epic 8.

So, how could Specialized make a better bike than the Epic 8? The brand claims the new Epic 9 is ‘more capable, more efficient and calmer on modern World Cup courses’ than any previous Epic.

At a claimed 1,589g, Specialized also says it’s the lightest full-suspension cross-country bike ever made. But what makes it different? And how can the ‘winningest’ bike of 2025 get even better?

Unpacking the new Specialized Epic 9

Specialized product manager Brian Gordon explains:

‘We kept Epic 8’s proven benchmark, then advanced the suspension with 11% less friction and refined kinematics to improve efficiency, capability and momentum carry. The result is more speed on real XC terrain, validated in our internal testing.’

But what does that actually look like on a bike?

The S-Works Epic 9 Ultralight LTD complete bike weighs an incredible 8.5kg (size medium), despite running 110mm of suspension front and rear. 8.5kg? I’ve owned road bikes that weigh more than that.

Within the new Epic platform, the claimed 11% less friction relates to revised linkages, pivots and frame design that reduce suspension resistance while lowering leverage at sag to improve pedalling efficiency. The result is a supportive pedalling platform for laying down the watts, paired with compliance through the mid-stroke and composure on larger impacts and high-speed terrain.

Supporting this is the same three-position shock concept seen on the Epic 8, featuring Open, Middle and Lock settings. Combined with improved kinematics and reduced friction throughout the frameset and hardware, the Epic 9 aims to be ultra-efficient – turning every watt into forward momentum, exactly what cross-country racers demand.

Frame-wise, Specialized has shaved 128g from the Epic 8, with most savings coming from the front triangle (-110g), while the seat tube, pivots and rear triangle also drop a few grams. Specialized has also incorporated an external SWAT storage box, alongside an integrated top-tube shock mount that contributes to overall weight reduction – a design approach becoming increasingly common.

Geometry of Specialized Epic 9

Geometry-wise, there’s no reinvention of the wheel with the Epic 9. With a 65.9º head tube angle and a 76º seat tube angle, it’s slack enough to handle modern technical terrain while maintaining an efficient climbing position.

Specialized has also increased bottom bracket height to 335mm (compared with 318–328mm on the Epic 8), providing additional pedal clearance through rough terrain.

Adjustable geometry isn’t just reserved for enduro rigs either, with the Epic 9 featuring adjustable bottom bracket drop from 35mm in the high setting to 40mm in the low setting, allowing riders to prioritise either sharper handling or improved pedalling efficiency.

With a 420mm reach in size Small, Specialized has addressed fit concerns for smaller riders while still accommodating two bottle cages within the main frame — essential for marathon racing. At the larger end of the size range, Large and Extra Large frames receive increased stack heights, bucking the traditional “lower is faster” mantra but offering more proportional rider positioning and improved power delivery. For example, the XL frame features a substantial 150mm head tube.

To maintain balanced handling across all sizes, chainstay lengths are also size-specific on the Epic 9.

Builds and Options

Specialized is launching the Epic 9 in four complete builds plus a frameset: S-Works, S-Works Ultralight, Pro and Expert.

The two flagship models differ slightly in travel and intent. The Ultralight runs 110mm front and rear travel, SRAM Eagle XX AXS, ultra-light Trickstuff brakes and Roval World Cup wheels. The Epic 9 S-Works moves to 120mm travel with RockShox Flight Attendant suspension and swaps to SRAM Motive Ultimate brakes.

The Pro model uses a FACT 11m frame while retaining SID Ultimate and SIDLuxe Flight Attendant suspension, paired with SRAM Eagle XO AXS, Motive Silver brakes and a Roval Control SL VI carbon wheelset. The Expert build rounds out the range with RockShox SID/Deluxe Select+ suspension, SRAM GX AXS drivetrain, Motive Bronze brakes and Roval Control SL V carbon wheels.

Epic 9 S-Works Ultralight – $20,900

Frame: S-Works FACT 12m Carbon
Fork: RockShox SID SL Ultimate, 110mm
Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate
Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle XX AXS
Brakes: Trickstuff Piccola, 2-piston
Wheels: Roval Control World Cup with Specialized Air Trak tyres

Epic 9 S-Works – $22,500

Frame: S-Works FACT 12m Carbon
Fork: RockShox SID Ultimate w/ Flight Attendant, 120mm
Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate w/ Flight Attendant
Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle XX AXS
Brakes: SRAM Motive Ultimate
Wheels: Roval Control World Cup with Specialized Air Trak tyres

Specialized Epic 9 Pro – $15,500

Frame: FACT 11m Carbon
Fork: RockShox SID Ultimate w/ Flight Attendant, 120mm
Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate w/ Flight Attendant
Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle XO AXS
Brakes: SRAM Motive Silver
Wheels: Roval Control SL VI carbon, DT Swiss 350 hub with Specialized Air Trak tyres

Specialized Epic 9 Expert – $11,000

Frame: FACT 11m Carbon
Fork: RockShox SID Select+, 120mm
Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Select+
Drivetrain: SRAM Eagle GX AXS
Brakes: SRAM Motive Bronze
Wheels: Roval Control SL V carbon, DT Swiss 350 hub with Specialized Air Trak tyres

Our Take

With the launch of any new Specialized Epic comes significant expectation – and the stakes are particularly high following the brand’s record-breaking 2025 season. For riders wholly dedicated to cross-country speed, Specialized’s commitment to marginal gains is clear, evident in the weight savings, geometry refinements and suspension optimisation promised by the Epic 9.

For the rest of us, however, entry into the Epic 9 platform comes at a premium price. We’re keen to get proper ride time on the new machine to see whether those optimisations translate into full-gas speed between the tape.