This bike wants to be neither fully nor hardtail. The Specialized EPIC WORLD CUP PRO tries to blend the best of both worlds with a revolutionary approach to the damper. With only 75 mm travel in the rear, it is significantly more sparsely equipped than, for example, the Scott Spark RC or the Orbea Oiz. About the negative air chamber on the damper, the breakaway torque can be adjusted separately from the spring stiffness. Who chooses the hardest of the three riding modes, brings the damper only at extreme shocks to work. So you can benefit from the direct propulsion of a hardtail on gravel roads or in sprints, but get some support from the rear shock in fast or hard descents. If you don't like this concept, you still have the option of going back to the normal Epic Fully or Epic Hardtail. Although the steering angle turns out flat, the handling remains balanced. The seating position is sporty, but not too extreme. Specialized leaves nothing to be desired in terms of equipment. Even if the S-Works top model is still clearly better there, the EPIC WORLD CUP PRO has everything that makes racers happy. Carbon rims, SRAMs Eagle Transmission drivetrain, and a RockShox SID SL fork with Brain technology and 110 mm travel. A lush warranty promise also testifies to a sustainable management. With 25 years warranty Specialized sets the bar high!