Specialized Epic 9 Bikes
The Specialized Epic 9 represents the evolution of the world's fastest XC race bike, building on 24 years of World Cup, World Championship, and Olympic-winning innovation. Developed by the Specialized Science Club, Epic 9 starts with the lightest full-suspension XC frame ever made at just 1,589 grams, with the complete S-Works Ultralight LTD model tipping the scale at a remarkable 8.5 kg (18 lb 14 oz) in size medium. Featuring 120mm of front and rear travel tuned for modern XC race courses, an 11% reduction in suspension friction, and refined kinematics, the Epic 9 converts more rider energy into forward motion than any predecessor. Race-proven geometry, validated by thousands of Body Geometry fit data points, delivers technical-terrain capability alongside the climbing efficiency that earned Christopher Blevins both XCO and XCC overall World Cup titles.
View our Specialized Epic 9 collection
Shop our Specialized Epic 9 collection
Super Light
The Epic 9 claims the title of lightest full-suspension XC race bike ever produced, with a frame weight of just 1,589 grams—a full 129 grams lighter than the nearest competitor. This achievement comes from full-frame FEA (Finite Element Analysis) optimization and what composite engineer Ansley Barnard calls a "no lazy grams allowed" philosophy. Engineers shed 110 grams from the front triangle, 37 grams from the rear triangle, 17 grams from the seat tube, and 15 grams from the main pivot, while a forged 57-gram link with 10-gram-lighter hardware completes the picture. Size-specific seat tube layups feature variable wall thickness optimized for weight, strength, and stiffness. The integral top-tube shock mount uses continuous fiber paths, and the optimized downtube includes an external SWAT storage box with zero gram penalty.
Super Capable
Modern XC racing demands composure when speeds climb and lines turn ugly, and the Epic 9 delivers it through a redesigned suspension system that retains 120mm of travel front and rear while reducing friction by 11%. A robust link, refined pivots, and a tuned frame design produce a ride that feels simultaneously plush, supple, and sharp. The bike's Dynamic Trio damping system—Wide Open, Magic Middle, and Sprint-On-Lock—gives racers three precise tools for any course condition, from long technical descents to smooth paved transitions and sprint finishes. Lower leverage at sag improves pedaling efficiency, while the proven Epic 8 leverage curve through the bump zone and end stroke maintains control and manages big impacts. The result is a chassis that stays composed at race speed while letting riders push harder with confidence.
Super Efficient
Old thinking says stiff and light is enough to make a fast race bike, but the Epic 9 proves efficiency is a system rather than a single feature. Kinematics, leverage, chassis behavior, and damper performance work together to keep riders in their optimal pedaling position while reducing pedal-induced bobbing and maintaining active suspension to absorb bump forces. The geometry stays faithful to the proven Epic 8 numbers, with slight revisions informed by thousands of real-world Body Geometry fit data points and racer feedback. A flip-chip allows BB-height adjustability for stability or clearance, and chainstay lengths scale by frame size—435mm for S/M, 438mm for L, and 442mm for XL—delivering optimized handling across the range. The Small size now features a shorter stack to better serve XS and small riders.
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