2020 Specialized Epic Hardtail Expert | In-Depth Review 

Miha K thanks!

Mal Dito absolutely. I have some on the way currently!

Pat Yongpradit that’s a good question. Definitely a balancing act. The SL wheels are going to be nicer than any wheels you get up until the sworks level. That said , the rest of the package is going to be a fair amount lower end compared to even the expert reviewed here. Do you plan on doing more upgrades long term (such as cranks, brakes, etc)? As i said in the video, I’m pretty content with the Expert model which retails for $400 more than your final price(prior to taxes). I personally knew I wouldn’t be content with the brakes on the lowest end model which would have been another cost. If you’re not worried about the brakes, cranks, etc, then your plan sounds sweet. If those things will bother you long term, I’d probably go up to the expert. The wheels with the expert are solid. I wish I could give you a more directional answer but it really comes down to your end goals and contentment level. Shoot anymore questions you might have!

@@TJonesMTB I'm not ever going to be riding anything too hairy since I haven't ridden mtn bikes in 20 years. And I'm not picky or skilled enough to notice brake/crank differences. Only other thing I'd be getting is a dropper at some point. Would you have stepped up to the pro if you could have and why? And is the base level shock so different that I'd want to upgrade pretty soon? would a novice be able to tell? Thanks for the help.

Pat Yongpradit if the Pro was available in the retro paint job, that is what I would have gone with simply for the paint job. The carbon bars, seatpost, and cassette would have been nice upgrades but for the price difference, it’s cheaper to aftermarket upgrade the bars and post which is what I will eventually do for my bike. I think the red one will be good if you’re still getting into it and figuring out what stuff. The Reba on the Comp is a good fork. I can’t comment on the fork that is on the base model. I’m sure it works and will get the job done though. The Comp with the mentioned wheel and cassette upgrade might be the way to go. The Reba is a fork that you can take to any ride or race. I’d upgrade the fork on the base model due to my needs but that’s for high level racing. Either bike will be a great option!

It was a size Large frame. Cheers

Hey there! The matte doesnt generally clean up as well as gloss unless you use the right cleaners and cloths. Personally, I just use a little squirt bottle with water and a old towel. Generally it looks pretty good. Maybe not showroom ready, but still pretty darn good. For me, that is enough, otherwise I’d be spending more time cleaning than riding… Enjoy the new bike!

@@TJonesMTB Thanks for the reply!

Oh no! I’m sorry to hear that! Hopefully you’re able to find one soon!

Inventory right now is brutal! I haven't been making videos because I haven't even be able to get anything new worth reviewing!😭

Hey Talos353, I’m away from the bike right now but believe I have it measured at 755 or 760mm from center of bottom bracket to middle of top of saddle. Cheers!

What do you mean by “traces”? If you got the same bike as mine, then maybe you’re referring to the raw carbon? There are parts of the frame that have little paint and when the sun hits it you can see the different carbon layers. If that’s what you’re referring to, then yes it’s natural! Let me know if it’s something different. Cheers!

Dont know if you guys cares but if you guys are bored like me during the covid times you can stream all of the new movies on InstaFlixxer. I've been streaming with my gf for the last few weeks :)

@Dawson Crosby definitely, I have been using Instaflixxer for since november myself :)

There’s literally no music in this video...

​@@TJonesMTB😅

Honestly it’s hard to say as I haven’t ridden the Cannondale. Both are great hardtails and on the leading end of light compared to other brands. Depending what model level you’re looking at I’d say you have to evaluate how you feel about the Lefty as well as any proprietary designs cannondale has. I believe they still do an offset proprietary crankset/bottom bracket, but I could be wrong on that. Both are great bikes and super light. I like my Epic a lot but I’m sure the Cannondale is sweet too! Cheers

So I don’t currently have the bike setup in a way that I can weight it (it’s on my trainer and I’ve changed some parts since this video) but I wanna say it currently is at 22lbs (9.98kg) ready to ride. Hope that helps! I think I maybe mentioned the weight in my other video on the bike. Cheers!

Any 30.9mm dropper post will work! You should have tons of options out there as that is a pretty standard size. Cheers!

@@TJonesMTB Thank you so much for the reply. Hopefully I will get my Specialized Epic Expert next week and I want a dropper Post on it 😎 did not see many reviews on this bike and thanks again for taking the time to make this review.

@@malditomalo619 hey thank you. It’s a sweet bike and the 2021 is even improved upon the one I tested and own. Enjoy!

Endo Ally (Colorado)

We should ride sometime... U got insta?

@@coolircarey1665 maybe in the spring once trails open up again! I do but I don’t publish it on RU-vid. You can find me easy enough if you’re local. Cheers!

Check out my video for the 2021 Stumpjumper Evo. I’ll do a proper review once I have more time on the bike, but I can currently say it’ll satisfy those cravings! Cheers

Anthony HT haha just depends on the course

Christian Bay hate to say I don’t think I got it on a scale out of the box (no pedals or anything). I bought a scale after making this video so future videos will have more specific weights, as opposed to waiting until I can get to the bike shop. I want to say it was around 22.9lbs with pedals and cages in the stock build. I would guess completely stripped probably around 21.8-22.5. The new version is likely lighter and comes with X01 as well as the new SID, which feels great on my full suspension.

Sebastian Wikenczy Thomsen as shown I believe it was about 22.5lbs. I made some changes and have it rolling at 21.6lbs currently with 2 bottle cages with multitool, garmin and mount, saddlebag with tube and tire lever, little rear blinking light and pedals. Cheers

@@TJonesMTB Thanks, wow you responed fast! Great video!

Central Florida Lawncare this model retails for $4300 I believe, but you can get the same level of frame with different parts for as low as $2000. Cheers

@@TJonesMTB just bought one!!

Central Florida Lawncare awesome, congrats! I literally just finished a 6 hour ride on mine. You’ll enjoy it!

@@TJonesMTB I found one for $2,100 ,just like you said.. can't wait to ride it.

Central Florida Lawncare is it a 2020 or earlier? Congrats again. New bike day is always awesome regardless of bike, level, or cost

Thanks, that means a lot!

This would be a great bike for those uses! It doesn’t have to be exclusively a race bike. It should work well for bike packing and I know it is great on singletrack. Obviously theres places where the full suspension is preferred but overall this bike does a great job. It should meet your needs

That’s awesome! Enjoy!

Steven Peyton I will say those are two very different levels! The expert has been great, which leaves me wondering how amazing the Sworks is! 9.5k amazing? Not sure... If you’re a serious racer and can afford the Sworks without killing your overall finances, maybe go that way. Otherwise the Expert is a rad bike and saves you thousands of dollars...

@@TJonesMTB No, I'm just an old man who has a lot of big burly bikes, looking for a climber to get me from Telluride to Moab on the San Juan Hut trails.

-TRIPLE A- glad to head you’re enjoying it! As I said in the video, I think the base model is a great starting point for many riders. And as you said, chip away at the upgrades as you can. It’s a great bike in the stock build too. Enjoy it! You’ll get used to the 29er wheels quickly. If you’re not jelling with the 29er wheels after a few weeks I would recommend maybe a professional bike fit. Cheers!

I fully agree! I’ve actually been using a second set of wheels set up with 42c Pathfinder gravel tires for road and gravel riding. Only thing is I’d recommend upsizing your chainring. But definitely can double as a gravel bike!

@@TJonesMTB hi I love your videos I have the same bike (Red) what's the limit size chainring you can add to this bike for gravel?

@@EDMLuigiRS i think Specialized claims a 38t is the largest chainring that can be installed. I think I’ve seen people install a 40t though. Cheers!

@@TJonesMTB Awesome thanks for the info, any new upgrades on the bike? On my part I been racing gravel and XC races, Ihave the 2021 Epic Comp with many upgrades like Enve seatpost carbon, Raceface Next Handlebar carbon , 70mm 17-negative stem, XTR 12 speed 10-45T cassette and derrailer, XX1 36T chainring, the rest is stock now thinking on getting new wheels Roval Control SL and SID fork 🤙🏻

@@EDMLuigiRS awesome! My bike is not stock anymore. I’m running Roval Control SL wheels (prior generation), SID SL ultimate, X01/XX1 AXS drivetrain with XX1 Quarq power meter, special brakes, and SWorks cockpit/seatpost. Pretty fun bike on the right terrain. Hardtails will always have a place