Just a couple of months after the release of the ultra-lightweight Specialized Epic 9 cross-country bike, the California-based brand is trickling down its best race tech to a lower price point. Now, complete Epic 9 Comp and Sport bikes are priced starting at $4,700 with low weights and surprisingly capable specs.
The Specialized Epic 9 Sport weighs 26.25lb with wireless shifting, 4-piston brakes
The new Specialized Epic 9 Sport is designed to give budget-conscious racers a competitive starting point. At 26lb and change claimed for a size medium, it weighs seven pounds more than the S-Works Epic 9 Ultralight Limited — and it costs $10,000 less, too.
Still, 26.25lb is quite light by today’s mountain bike standards. Like the pricier Epic 9 models introduced in April, the carbon Sport and Comp frames forgo SWAT internal frame storage to save weight. However, the Sport build still features MTB must-haves like 4-piston brakes, a dropper post (up to 150mm travel on large and extra large sizes), and 120mm of suspension travel front and rear. Curiously, while the bike ships with tubeless tires and rims, the spec sheet lists Specialized Turbo Tube inner tubes, which riders will surely remove for immediate weight savings — and peace of mind.
The Specialized Epic 9 Sport features a RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ shock, Reba fork, and a SRAM S1000 Eagle Transmission wireless electronic drivetrain. In fact, we recently learned that Epic 9 frames are designed for wireless drivetrains only, so if you really want to run a cable-actuated derailleur, you’ll need to zip-tie the cable housing to your frame.
Comp models upgrade the fork to a RockShox SID Select and the brakes to SRAM Motive Bronze, for an overall weight just below 26lb. The Comps also get slightly longer-travel dropper posts across the size range.
The Specialized Epic 9 Sport and Comp models feature FACT 11m Carbon frame construction. This is a step down from the FACT 12m Carbon used on S-Works frames, though it’s unknown how the weight compares between the two frames. Singletracks has reached out to Specialized to learn the weight of the FACT 11m Carbon frame.
Epic 9 Sport and Comp bikes are available in four frame sizes from small through extra large. Specialized uses a traditional sizing system for their cross-country mountain bikes, unlike their trail, enduro, and downhill bikes, which use a number-based system.
The Epic 9 Sport is priced at $4,699.99 USD, and Comp builds are priced at $5,699.99. Both are currently available in two different colorways.
How does the price and weight compare to other bikes?
The $5,499 Canyon Lux World Cup CF 9 is priced $200 less than the Epic 9 Comp, and has a claimed weight that’s about half a pound lower. However, the Lux World Cup CF 9 ships with a mechanical SRAM Eagle 90 drivetrain rather than the electronic S1000. Like the Lux World Cup CF 9, the new Scott Spark RC Team Bike is also priced at $5,499, though the 27.56lb claimed weight is heavier than both the Canyon and Specialized bikes.
A Trek Supercaliber SL 9.6 costs $100 more than the Epic 9 Sport and has a claimed weight that is two pounds heavier.
The Epic 9 Sport fits nicely in the brand’s line of cross-country mountain bikes. Compared to the $3,499 aluminum-alloy Specialized Chisel Comp, the carbon-fiber Epic 9 Sport adds upgrades like electronic shifting, more powerful brakes, and 10mm of additional rear travel at a weight that’s almost two pounds lighter.
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