News - Specialized's New Bike: The Epic

It's been four years since Specialized engineers and Fox Racing Shox began developing a project bike originally dubbed "The Holy Grail." Now the bike is ready for production.

The goal was to develop a cross-country full-suspension bike that "took the next step" in design: becoming active over demanding terrain, yet hardtail firm on flat surfaces -- with no weight penalty. A dream? Not any more. Meet the Specialized Epic.

THE TECHNOLOGY
The frame resembles a current FSR, but has been revised to accept a revolutionary Fox air shock utilizing Brain Technology. Suspension travel is a tad more than three inches. Rather than going from the seat-tube to the linkage, the rear shock extends from a seat-tube-mounted compression strut all the way down to another pivot just forward of the rear axle. It is at this lower mounting point that you'll find a large cylinder and the key behind the Brain Technology -- an inertial valve. According to Specialized, suspension packaging needed to be revised since it is critical to place the inertial valve componentry of the shock as close to the rear-wheel axle as possible.

Understanding the inertial valve concept is the key to comprehending how the Epic's suspension performs. Bump forces from the ground activate the inertial valve inside the Brain, which activates the air shock, giving you suspension compliance. When the bike is rolling across flat ground, the air shock valving is closed, essentially "locking out" the rear suspension.

Think of it this way: Imagine there is a spring-loaded BB inside the cylinder. When this BB is at rest, it blocks the compression valving in the shock, locking out the suspension. When the bike hits a bump, the BB bounces out of place, opening up the compression valve and allowing suspension compliance. Because the BB is spring loaded, it wants to return to its original place; once the bike gets back on smooth ground, it does. It's important for the Brain (or inertial valve) to be as close to the rear axle as possible for the most sensitive reaction to the terrain, but minimal sensitivity to pedaling forces.

The Brain shock is mounted to the frame with spherical bearings (or ball joints) so it is no longer a stressed member of the frame -- isolating it from side loads on the shock, usually transferred from frame flex or a crash. This should result in increased durability. Also, all frame bearings are cartridge-type.

The mainframe on the top-shelf S-Works version uses M5 ORE metal matrix tubing with titanium and aluminum hardware, while the rear triangle has new seatstay and chainstay yoke forgings and a beefed-up shock linkage. New geometry has a longer toptube and slightly higher bottom bracket height compared to current FSRxcs. Weight will be comparable to existing Specialized FSRs, but the bottom line -- its retail price -- will eventually be noticeably higher.

Longtime Specialized pro Ned Overend has done extensive testing on the Epic. He also had to ride with the BIKE staff.

THE RIDE
The American media was limited to one day on the bike, but it was enough to form some initial impressions. Yes, the bike does what the companies claim it does. Hammer up a hill, it feels like a hardtail; hit the rough, the valve opens up and it feels like a fully active FSR. It's a weird sensation to come into a turn with the suspension moving nicely, then, as you pedal out of the corner, it bobs for a pedal stoke or two then firms up like hardtail. The bike is fast on the climbs and descends smartly. If, when climbing, you get yourself into a rocky or uneven section, the inertial valve will open, keeping the rear wheel in contact with the ground rather than skipping off bumps and rocks like a hardtail. Once the ground gets smooth, the suspension locks out. In a nutshell, Specialized has solved the inherent problems of past suspension designs by developing a bike that gives the rider the best of both worlds without locking up under braking or skipping over bumps while pedaling.

Our complaints were minor. First, the inertial valve on the prototype bike was set to displace at 1g. This is almost too touchy, as throwing the bike from side to side on climbs activates this valve. The setting will be nonadjustable, so Specialized is looking into raising it. Second, there is about a one- to two-second delay between opened and closed valve positions. This might be considered picky, but it's a problem that exists. That's it -- pretty minor in the grand scope of things.

Initial tests look very promising and we can't wait to get our hands on a production bike for long-term testing. As a serious trail bike or race machine, Specialized has hit the nail on the head. If our one day on the Epic is any indication, Specialized has succeeded in finding the cross-country full-suspension Holy Grail. -- Mike Cushionbury

S-Works frames will be available in late July for $2,170. A full range of complete bikes will start at $2,060 and will be on sale in mid-August.