Is the new Specialized S-Works Epic 8 the fastest MTB ever??

Specialized are making some big 'fastest ever' claims for their new S-Works Epic 8 race bike. It's combination of outstanding superlight yet stiff frame, progressive geometry, punchy pedalling, perfect race spec and RockShox new Flight Attendant Ai suspension might mean they're right though!

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[thegravelist]

Pretty slick! What’s your take on comparing it to a Blur? They look close-ish in geometry. Albeit that super slacked ht angle on the epic…

[djcordes]

At 6’5” I was really interested in a Super Caliber for my next purpose built race bike, but this Epic 8 gives me pause to rethink that. Which would you choose for race day Epic 8 Pro or Trek Super Caliber 9.9?

[sdurst]

Guy, perhaps a goofy question with the FA on the 8. But how does the 8 compare to the previous epic EVO all things equal? Cheers mate👍

[tiagoweyne]

What a great review, wonder how the evo stacks up against the regular epic

[madeira-de-vento]

Fernando’s channel is really nice. I’ve been following him, and you, for a long time now. Great contents in Portuguese and in English. I thank you both for your efforts. Let’s keep the riding on 🤘🏽🚵🏼

[markcsete]

thanks for the vid!
I am after a xc mtb mainly for easier forest trails without rocks and for ultracycling events where usually a hardtrail is the most efficient. Should I still pick the supercaliber (more space for bags in the triangle) or go for an EPIC 8?

[marksandoval]

A few years ago I thought of XC bikes as a dead category because the geometry was so bad. Only XC racers wanted an XC bike. However, when you make the geometry more progressive the XC category opens up to non-racers. Now, I could reasonably recommend a 2024 Epic 8 or Epic 8 Evo to a Trail rider.

[connorcampbell]

Nice one Guy! Where did you get those 661 knee pads from? I’ve been trying to get a reset helmet but they’ve been out of stock in the uk for 3 years

[MrVrob]

Reckon the FA will come to the Epic WC next year?

[daveatlossie]

What's the first bet? £14K. Cheers G.Kes - top review as usual.

[carltonholmes]

As an ex-XC racer of 34 years racing, this is the one for me i think. Not this expensive one though, i think the comp one which i can upgrade when needed.

[SamEdwards-gl]

Do you feel anti squat is necessary with flight attendant? Current bike is scott spark and looking for more of a zippy pedal feel like the epic or cervelo has.

[benbrindle]

Love the reviews. Always interested in reviews or mentions of expert level bikes though. Epic WC and Epic 8 particularly. Maybe Comp, possibly Pro but S-Works means absolutely nothing to me. It's not on the average Joe's radar. It's most of a house deposit. The only time I'll afford this is when I'm past it and wouldn't justify it for racing :P Be interested to know about the Epic 8 as a bike. If you're able to get flight attendant, you're likely not in need of buying advice. Look after us poor folk, have you got experience with the epic 8 models without FA, what's your no-Bull Gen on them? :D

[gravelDave]

Its starting at 5K for the comp. Decent enough spec but were Specialized not struggling to clear the old Epic comp with 40% off? It seems they are very much paying the premium card with this bike.

[Paganiproductions]

We did Specialized ditch the crapstain suspension earlier

[mathieufiore]

one question mate how do you get invited or how do you know where these events (launch events) are hold? cheers

[rfents]

The bar kills my hands, braking fingers go numb I end up just resting my hands on the grips. Really need new bars, I think its the backsweep and the negative drop.

[junglist_matty]

As XC bikes become more and more capable it might not be long before a lot of trail bikes are confined to the history books

[ferencvarju]

This superbike, with all the crazy electronic assistance on it, just kinda made me love my dead simple mechanical alu Chisel even more.
Good thing the new Epic frame itself is so high quality, seems like it would ride almost as well with coventional suspension on it. And that’s exactly how I would buy it if it were my money.

[crazybaker]

It's hard to believe specialized, are still making XC bikes, and just got back on my XC hard tail. The bike is still up there apart from me 😅 f.. Mud and I feel dead after 90 minutes of hills and mud 😊 just waiting on sun like you have in Chile 😀 laters