Specialized Epic 8: suspension setup & specs
The Specialized Epic 8 is a cross-country full-suspension bike with 120 mm of fork travel and 120 mm at the rear. Below you will find all 4 current builds with fork, shock and shock size, plus SAG values in millimetres and a tyre pressure table.
Calculate the setup for your Specialized Epic 8 →
All builds
Fork, shock, shock size (eye-to-eye length × stroke) and rear travel, weight and price according to the manufacturer. Wheel size: 29.
| Build | Fork | Shock | Shock size | Rear travel | Weight | RRP | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | RockShox SID Select+ (120 mm) | RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ | 190x45 | 120 mm | – | €5,849 | Setup → |
| Expert Di2 | RockShox SID Select+ (120 mm) | RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ | 190x45 | 120 mm | – | €5,849 | Setup → |
| Pro | RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant (120 mm) | RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant | 190x45 | 120 mm | – | €7,599 | Setup → |
| S-Works | RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant (120 mm) | RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant | 190x45 | 120 mm | – | €11,599 | Setup → |
How it compares
120 mm at the fork almost exactly matches the 120 mm median of the 23 bikes in the “cross-country full-suspension bike” category in our database. Front and rear both work with 120 mm of travel. Within Specialized’s mountain bikes, it sits between the Specialized Epic Hardtail and the Specialized Stumpjumper 15 on travel. Specialized builds the frame from carbon.
With a starting price of €5,849 (Expert), the Specialized Epic 8 is above the category median (€4,350). The top build, S-Works, costs €11,599. Specialized uses RockShox suspension throughout. In total, 2 different forks are used, from the RockShox SID Select+ to the RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant.
Setup notes for this spec
- Fork (RockShox SID Select+): air goes in through the valve on top of the left leg. After every change, compress the fork firmly a few times before measuring SAG.
- Rebound: on RockShox suspension the rebound adjuster is red. Always count clicks from fully closed (clockwise to the stop) so you can return to any setting.
- Shock (RockShox SIDLuxe Select+): get on the bike in your normal riding position, step off carefully and read the O-ring. Always cycle the shock a few times after pumping.
Target SAG for the Specialized Epic 8
Instead of percentages, this table gives SAG directly in millimetres, measurable with the O-ring on the stanchion and on the shock shaft. Change the pressure step by step until you reach the value; if Specialized gives its own target SAG, use that.
120 mm fork, 45.0 mm shock stroke (all builds)
| Riding style | Fork SAG | Shock SAG |
|---|---|---|
| XC / touring | 17 % = 20 mm | 24 % = 10.8 mm on the shock shaft |
| Trail | 20 % = 24 mm | 28 % = 12.6 mm on the shock shaft |
| Enduro / rough | 22 % = 26 mm | 30 % = 13.5 mm on the shock shaft |
| Bike park | 20 % = 24 mm | 27 % = 12.2 mm on the shock shaft |
How to measure SAG is explained in our guide SAG setup.
Tyre pressure starting values
Basis: 2.35″ tyre width, tubeless, trail casing. If you run tubes, add about 0.2 bar (2.9 psi); with an insert, about 0.1 bar (1.5 psi) less is enough. Stock tyres: Fast Trak / Air Trak 2.35; Fast Trak 2.35.
| Ready-to-ride weight | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 1.43 bar (21 psi) | 1.63 bar (24 psi) |
| 70 kg | 1.55 bar (22 psi) | 1.75 bar (25 psi) |
| 80 kg | 1.67 bar (24 psi) | 1.87 bar (27 psi) |
| 90 kg | 1.79 bar (26 psi) | 1.99 bar (29 psi) |
| 100 kg | 1.91 bar (28 psi) | 2.11 bar (31 psi) |
| 110 kg | 2.03 bar (29 psi) | 2.23 bar (32 psi) |
| 120 kg | 2.15 bar (31 psi) | 2.35 bar (34 psi) |
Air pressure in the fork and shock
You will find a suitable starting pressure on the sticker on the fork stanchion (or on the shock) or in the suspension manufacturers’ setup charts. Our calculator gives you a starting value including rebound for your weight and riding style. What matters afterwards is the measured SAG from the table above.