Specialized’s Epic is in the enviable position to claim Olympic medals from both the 2012 London and 2024 Paris Games.
Czech rider Jaroslav Kulhavý rode his Specialized S-Works Epic to a gold medal at Hadleigh Park in 2012.
12 years later, French rider Victor Koretzky also rode a Specialized Epic World Cup to a silver medal position – beaten out by Britain’s Tom Pidcock on his Pinarello Dogma XC – on home soil on France’s Elancourt track.
So how do two bikes at the cutting-edge of XC tech from the same brand separated by 12 years of development compare?
2012 Specialized Epic versus 2024 Specialized Epic World Cup
The biggest (and easiest) difference is the lack of electronic components on the 2012 Epic.
While the 11-speed 1x cable-operated SRAM XX1 was cutting edge, Kulhavý had to 'make do' with mechanical gear changes – via GripShift, no less.
2024’s bike looks so high-tech that it’s like comparing Christoper Columbus’ Santa María to Star Trek’s Enterprise.
Not only has SRAM’s latest XX SL Eagle AXS Transmission drivetrain fitted to Koretzky’s Specialized upped the number of cogs from 11 to 12, but it’s also expanded the gear ratios from 10-42 to 10-52.
SRAM’s other wireless, electronic components are featured throughout the bike.
Most notable is the RockShox AXS Reverb dropper post, boosting descending capabilities beyond Kulhavý’s fixed carbon fibre post.
Cable still prevails elsewhere
The 2012 Epic features Fox/Specialized collaboration BRAIN rear shock.
This automatic lockout (of sorts) remained firm on smooth terrain to provide a stable pedalling platform, but would ‘blow open’ on bigger impacts to improve control and comfort on rough terrain.
While imperfect, the system was (and still is), pretty impressive.
Given the proliferation of electronic components, you’d expect Koretzky’s bike to feature RockShox's automatically adjusting electronic Flight Attendant suspension components – but this isn’t the case.
While the BRAIN’s hydromechanical design has been removed, it’s been replaced by RockShox’s mechanically operated three-position lockout system.
While not quite as fancy as Flight Attendant’s electronic wizardry, clearly the mechanical alternative worked well for the French rider.
More travel up front, less out back
Not only has suspension damper control been vastly improved over 12 years, travel figures have also been tweaked.
Kulhavý’s Epic was fitted with a custom 80mm travel RockShox Reba. This used Specialized’s own carbon fibre crown steerer unit (CSU) and Reba lowers.
Out back, the 2012 S-Works Epic had 100mm of Horst-link travel damped by that aforementioned BRAIN shock.
The modern-day counterpart boasts 30mm more travel up front, with the RockShox SID SL Ultimate getting 110mm of travel.
However, the 2024 Epic World Cup has just 75mm of rear wheel travel thanks to a flex stay design, controlled by a SIDLuxe WCID Ultimate shock.
Carbon fibre luxury
Though composite technology has improved, carbon fibre wheels and frames were common in 2012.
Kulhavý’s Epic was one of the first XC Race bikes to roll on Roval Control SL 29 29in carbon fibre wheels.
Koretzky’s 20424 model has identically named hoops from Roval, even if their smooth and wide deep-dish profile is remarkably different.
Measuring angles
But it’s the geometry where the changes really hit home.
Up front, the 2012 bike’s 70.5 degree head angle is swapped out for a better handling and much slacker 66.5 degree figure on the Epic World Cup.
The inverse is true for the seat tube angle, where the 2024 bike’s figure sits marginally steeper at 74.5 degrees instead of the 74 degrees of the 2012 model.
In keeping with wider trends, reach figures have grown considerably.
The 2024 bike’s size small 415mm reach is the same as a size medium 2012 model.
At the top end, the 2012 bike tops out at 458mm, which is considerably shorter than the 490mm of the 2024 model.
It costs how much!?
In terms of weight, Kulhavý’s bike was said to tip the scales at 9.6kg while the modern equivalent Koretzky rode is 290g lighter at 9.31kg.
If you wanted to buy either of these bikes – or the closest replica available to the average Joe – you’d have to spend a chunk of cash.
Back in 2012, Kulhavý’s closest replica Specialized S-Works Epic Carbon 29er had a retail price of $10,500 – which is roughly $14,300 after adjusting for inflation.
A limited edition run of 250 Specilaized S-Works Epic World Cup Forward 50 LTD – which is a replica of Koretzky’s 2024 silver medal bike – retails for £12,500 / $14,000 / €14,000 making it slightly cheaper than the 2012 bike. A rare occurrence in 2024.
