The all-new Epic 8 evolves the formula of fastest through capability, efficiency, and lightweight integration. Modern XC tracks demand more and more capability by the day. Enter Epic 8. Its improved kinematics make it the most efficient pedaling bike weve ever tested, while custom valved (and tuned) shocks soak up every bump. Its a wolf in wolfs clothing.

If youre an XC racer or prioritize all-out speed in your ride, the Epic 8 is the bike for you.

UNMATCHED CAPABILITY: The most capable 120mm bike on the planet. Youll be blown away by how Epic 8s progressive geometry delivers technical terrain capability alongside fast and efficient climbing and acceleration performance. The absurd lateral and torsional rigidity of the chassis translates to some seriously precision handling, too.

WHAT BUMP?: Compared to the previous generation, the new Epic 8 absorbs 12% more bump and vibration forces than the previous generation, leaving you less fatigued and more powerful over time so you can still push while they suffer.

RIDE DYNAMICS TUNED: The Specialized Ride Dynamics team developed custom valving for Epic 8s new shock. Our unique Ride Dynamics-prescribed damping characteristics holistically elevate the riding experience. By tuning the dampers alongside the chassis leverage rates and new kinematics, were able to deliver a bike that rides beyond the sum of its parts.

BIOMECHANICAL EFFICIENCY: By optimizing the kinematics of the suspension, Specializeds Ride Dynamics team reduced inefficient pedal-induced bobbing by 20%, while maintaining active suspension for effective bump force management, to ensure you remain in the most efficient pedaling position. Its the most efficient pedaling suspension bike weve ever tested.

MORE WITH LESS: With the Epic 8, we didnt spend a single extra gram to get mega capability from the frame. All models now feature SWAT 4.0 to carry all your trail essentials, and an integrated steering stop to prevent the ubiquitous top tube scar the first time you crash and your bars spin. In fact, the new S-Works Epic 8 frameset has even lost weight (76 grams to be exact) while gaining these new additions.

• 68mm threaded bottom bracket, flat mount disc brakes, and no-hassle seamless integration — the S-Works Tarmac SL8 Frameset is the ultimate starting point for your dream build.
• AERO IN EVERYTHING: We’re putting aero where it matters - the leading edge - not just where it looks good. In the process we’ve created our most aerodynamic road bike ever. Yes, it’s more aero than the Venge. Clean air is optimized for maximum advantage with the Tarmac’s new nose cone - the Speed Sniffer. By moving the steer tube back - the tube that determines head tube width - the leading edge of the head tube can be much sharper, delivering a much lower drag shape. Utilizing new UCI rules, the Tarmac SL8 has the narrowest, most aero seat post we’ve ever made ensuring fast moving, dirty air around the legs can flow back more cleanly. Doesn’t victory smell sweet?
• BEYOND GENDER: There can be more difference between two male cyclists than between a male and female. Gender alone doesn’t provide nearly enough data to specialize and that means creating male or female bikes is arbitrary and outdated. Every rider can get the next level advantage of Tarmac SL8. It’s time to go Beyond Gender.
• GOES LIKE HELL, RIDES LIKE HEAVEN: With massive gains in stiffness-to-weight - an improvement of 33% over the SL7 - the Tarmac SL8 takes legendary handling, aggressive responsiveness and World Championship proven geometry to the next level. The bike is stiffer at the pedals, more precise at the bars, and combines it with a compliant ride in the saddle that sets a new benchmark for race bike comfort. Thanks to our Rider-First Engineering, every rider, regardless of size, gets the same unprecedented ride quality and handling. In the saddle the Tarmac SL8 delivers 6% more compliance, floating over rough road with a supple feel unique in the high strung world of race bikes. Tarmac’s proven geometry and 32mm tire clearance are identical to the SL7, ensuring easy adaptation and the versatility to run higher volume tires when needed.
• MINIMUM WEIGHT, MAXIMUM AERO: Tarmac SL8 took learnings from Aethos to be easily built at the UCI minimum with a full aero set up. The team delivered a mind bending, scale tickling 685 gram frame - 15% lighter than the Tarmac SL7 and lighter than anything on else on the World Tour*. With the ability to make lightweight a top priority in the down tube, seat tube, and rear of the bike lessons from Aethos were applied. The frame’s shape carries load so efficiently that extra carbon stiffness layers become redundant. *Unless of course you count the time Kasper Asgreen raced our 585 gram Aethos frame during a Tour stage.