Specialized Epic Comp Carbon 29er 2012 Review

I recently had the pleasure of a couple of seasons riding and racing a 26” wheeled Epic Comp, a bike I came to both love and respect. Now, a couple of years on, I was offered and seized the opportunity to try out the carbon framed version with the increasingly popular 29” wheels.
I admit to having been a little skeptical when the 29” wheel first started appearing on mountain bikes, I could see the benefit of a larger wheel better covering the ground, but was just so happy with the 26” wheel format, reasoning that as a rider of average size, a “medium” frame always seemed to fit the bill so perfectly and everything seemed to balance. Perhaps the 29er would better suit a larger rider?
However, from the time I first rode a 29er I was hooked, and now ride a hard tail Stumpjumper Evo 29 as my regular steed.
The Epic I have here is a lovely machine, the black carbon fibre frame set off with bright red decals, the colour scheme of this year’s test bikes from Specialized. The black frame remains on the retailed bike, but the decals are cyan and orange. The bike weighs in at 26.5lbs. 
A gimic perhaps, but rather a nice on just the same, the Epic was fitted with autosag rear suspension; The rider simply pumps the rear shock to 300psi, removes the cap on the release valve, sits on the bike, presses the release valve allowing the rear suspension to find its own level.
This is late November, it is very wet and the bike is kitted out with Specialized’s own S Works Fast Trak tyres, which look better suited to dry summer trails, never mind, they will do.
I believe it takes a few rides to get the feel of a bike, but this one simply felt right from the moment I saddled up, it is such an easy yet rewarding bike to ride. As soon as I entered the first section of single track, I was splashing through the puddles and railing through the corners as if the bike was an extension of my body.
Half way down that first trail I started becoming aware of how utterly silent the bike was, the Rockshox Reba front suspension and Fox rear combining with the carbon fibre frame to swallow all the trail clutter and create a beautifully plush ride. The Magura discs provided progressive control and ample braking.
The next section included some climbing and I was surprised to find myself out of the saddle with the bike climbing like a hard tail, that magnificent and innovative brain, the cylinder mounted in front of the rear brake disc, countering almost all the bob of the rear suspension, smoothly transmitting the drive of the pedal stroke to the rear wheel whilst allowing the rear suspension to react to the trail.
Riding the Epic it would be easy to forget the rear supension, it is so efficient, but follow the bike when ridden by another and witness the amount of work the rear unit does to keep that back wheel firmly on the ground. Remarkable.

This bike really is a great all rounder, Specialized describe the Epic as an “ideal bike for racers, it’s also appealing for riders who want a short-travel bike that shreds rugged single track”

It certainly is very fast and fun, a simple to use cross country ride, it climbs beautifully, inspires confidence when thrashing down sections of single track (even in wet conditions with so little tread on the tyres!) This bike can deliver a comfortable and relaxed ride, yet is ready to race in standard form.

Testimony to this racing ability, despite our local circuit being awash with the recent rainfall, my team mates Stuart and Mike, neither of whom had ridden this bike before, each achieved personal best times riding the Epic on trails regularly ridden on their own bikes.
If that doesn’t convince you of the Epic’s pedigree then let’s not forget; this summer saw Jaroslav Kulhavy win Olympic gold at the Hadleigh Farm mountain bike event, on an Epic 29er. This was on a very technical course, littered with rock gardens and steep drop-offs, linked by energy sapping climbs. The field was dominated by 29er’s, but almost all of them were hard tail, yet the Epic prevailed, and Kulhavy had the win.

I find it difficult to criticize this bike, from my point of view it is close to perfect. However, why on earth does it come complete with an inner chainring? The 38 tooth outer ring combined with a 10 speed 11-36 rear cassette and the 29” wheel format provided all the gearing I needed. To lose the inner ring and derailleur would further un-clutter the already clean lines of this bike, help prevent mud build up at the bottom junction of the frame, and also reduce the price.

In conclusion, I would go as far as to say this is probably the best cross country bike I have ridden. But all that comes at a price, in this case £3200.