Ex-Demo: 2020 S-Works Epic AXS Full Suspension Mountain Bike - Large

As this is not a brand new bike, it may not feature the full original technical specification and is subject to change.

To conquer XC race courses, you need a bike that delivers speed, performance and epic handling which is now even faster with SRAM's XX1 Eagle AXS.

With more World Championship titles, Olympic medals, and Cape Epic wins than anyone can count, the S-Works Epic is truly the fastest XC bike on the planet. It has now been made that much faster with XX1 Eagle AXS - SRAM's cutting-edge, wireless, electronic drivetrain. Under pedaling loads, in harsh conditions, every shift on the S-Works Epic AXS is as fast and precise as the bike itself.

Race courses have evolved over the past few years, becoming more technical, steeper, and more challenging to ride. Specialized saw that evolution in racing as an opportunity to evolve the perfect racing machine - a bike that you can instantly feel the benefit from as a World Cup athlete or XC rider.

Confident handling is paramount which is why the Epic's reach has been increased to make it more stable at speed and more comfortable to ride overall. Full-length droppers fit in the Epic's 30.9mm seat tube and the head angle has been slacked out to improve high-speed handling and steep descents, but not without evaluating the overall handling package. The Epic still behaves itself beautifully in tight corners and switchbacks thanks to Specialized pairing a slacker head angle with a custom offset, 42mm fork.

Next comes Brain 2.0. The original Brain changed the way the bike world looked at suspension, both its drawbacks and benefits and it was good. Brain-equipped Epics won countless races and put a flag in the ground. This was the pinnacle of racing performance but Specialized knew they could make this suspension better still.

By moving the Brain closer to the rear axle, it would be in the most sensitive spot. After countless hours with the RockShox team, Specialized achieved much more than an upgraded Brain. This is Brain... reborn. Now, the Brain reacts seamlessly to bump forces, has much more consistent damping performance, and features hoses that are sleekly integrated within the suspension links. This, in turn, improves oil paths, and creates an incredibly sleek package that outperforms anything on the market.

The Epic also has a rider Rider-First Engineered™ design that places complex carbon pieces in all the right places, and this greatly increases stiffness in the front-end for a vast improvement in ride quality and control. To go along with this, each frame size has size-specific tubes that result in the stiffest, best riding XC bike Specialized have ever developed, regardless of frame size.

The Epic's goal is to be the fastest XC mountain bike, so weight was at the top of the priorities list. Specialized started with an efficient frame layout and tube shapes that feature clean cable routing, integrated channels through the shock extension, straight tubes with less curves, and optimised torsion profiles in every section. This weight savings is equivalent to shedding a chainstay and shock extension from the previous Epic (nearly 350 grams).

For this S-Works AXS model, no expense was spared with the build, so it features a custom RockShox SID World Cup fork w/ Brain Fade, SRAM's new wireless XX1 Eagle AXS electronic drivetrain, powerful SRAM Level Ultimate brakes, and hand-built, featherweight Roval Control SL wheels.

• You’re looking at the fastest, best-handling XC bike available. The S-Works FACT 12m carbon fibre frame offers the perfect combination of stiffness, strength, and weight. Specialized have paired that cutting-edge chassis with progressive geometry, innovative Brain shock technology, and 100mm of travel, resulting in stunning efficiency and speed.
• A top-tier bike deserves a top-tier fork. The S-Works Epic AXS is equipped with a custom, Brain equipped, RockShox SID Ultimate fork, featuring a full-carbon upper, top-adjust Brain Fade, and custom offset.
• Lightning-fast, effortless shifts every single time, no matter how hard you crank the pedals or how abusive the conditions. SRAM’s top-shelf XX1 Eagle AXS drivetrain sets the bar with stellar battery life and performance. The integrated QUARQ power meter is lightweight and pinpoint precise, helping you wring the most gains from both your training and race-day performance.