Meet the New Specialized Brain

For over a decade, Brain has been the only shock that can differentiate between rider and trail inputs, so it rides firm on smooth terrain and opens when encountering trail/bump force impact. And our newest Brain, found on the all-new Epic, moves closer to the axle for even more responsiveness. Oil porting and flow paths are reengineered to reduce oil turbulence and better damping, while new hose fittings eliminate frame rub and unnecessary curves and fittings. It does the thinking for you, and it's smarter than ever.

[durianriders]

I got my new S-Works Epic from my local store in May super excited to have a bling xc race sled...but the shock blew out literally on the first ride home. It was a paved road and I rolled off a gutter at speed. Got the second shock and it started bleeding air after a couple of days. The fork never worked from day 1 either. Sent it back to Specialized and a month later they sent it back with a 'race tune' but both shocks feel as soft as they did when I sent them in.

The brain has never worked like advertised. Im not a noob Epic rider either as Ive been owning one ever since 2003. I loved that hardtail feel but active suspension when you need it. The latest Epic is just active suspension all the time and it feels like a superlight cheap full suss bike from some website.

[lobsterboy]

My 2014 Epics brain worked flawlessly for 4 years untill my bike was stolen. Got a new 2018 Epic, and after 8 months the rear shock began saying loud squishy sounds. I got it swapped 4 weeks ago, and enjoyed silence up until today, when the new shock has also gone squishy. I think this new brain 2.0 has a serious reliability problem.

[Fluterra]

I have the Brain 2.0 and it’s awesome. Apparently way more reliable than the first gen. And you can always swap it with a conventional shock (which would be stupid).

[ownyourworld]

I was lucky enough to ride a carbon epic with the old brain and it works so well . Shame I'll never be able to afford one myself even though I'm quicker than most people on my £500 rockhopper on and off road . All I wanted to do was ride xc

[hillfar]

Mine stopped working after 4 months sucks! Really upset I will sell my S-WORKS and buy something that is more marketable.

[mitchwarren]

Funny stuff and then when it's gone for six weeks servicing it and you may not even get it back 😀🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[rafalvfr]

My new Epic purchased in 2018.
Since then, mini brain has already aired 6 times (9.2020)
Despite all the sympathy for this system - it is terrible.
The old Epic was free from this problem

[SKBKER]

If you could reduce the weight of the shock that would be great .

[rafaelsegui]

Got replace it by andreani kit. So many issues with it and no response from specialized at all.

[Leo-ftgy]

Great concept, stupid in practice. Too much maintenance. Vendor depending. Simpler is better.

[lukeo]

Anyone else swap this broken piece of shit out with a Bike Yoke?