Appreciate this is going to have a very limited selection of people who can help, and I should just go and test ride, but personal opinions are always helpful.

Back in 2006 I had one of the first carbon S-Works Epics. I’m looking to buy a current S-Works Epic World Cup (lucky enough to get a decent bonus this year), but I’m unsure on size.

My old one was a Large, but obviously 26in and geometry styles have changed since then. Comparing the geometry chart for that bike to the current seems to put it between the current Large and XL sizes. The XL seems similar to my XL 650b Orange Five, but one thing I don’t like about the Five is the standover. I’d like to reduce that by about an inch. The XL Epic has the same standover as the XL Five, and the Large Epic is my required 20mm lower. But the Large Epic appears to be shorter in reach than the Five, and that’s already on the short side for me. I’m running a 110mm stem on the Five.

Can’t comment on sizing, but the new S-works Epic is incredible.
One of the guys in our riding club has one. It’s unbelievably light, yet stiff and direct, feels like much more travel. The geometry and components makes it so easy to gather speed. I wish I could afford one. I wouldn’t do the bike justice, but it’s one of the only bikes that has left me speechless after riding it.

I’m very jealous. Enjoy!

That aligns with my memories of my 2006 one, glad to hear they’ve kept the DNA as it were. Really regret selling it.

I don’t have one though I really do want one. All I would say is wrong size is wrong size regardless of how wonderful the bike is. It’s for this reason I have a Spearfish and not a Czar. I really want a Czar but the large is too short and the XL is too tall.

That is a very strong point. Will be arranging test rides as soon as I can, likely on the standard model though. Hopefully dealers will be able to get a XL test bike. The local Specialised Concept store does have a bike fitting rig though, so could conceivably have them replicate both bikes on that for me to try.

I have a 2015 S Works Epic World Cup – it’s the S Build in Gallardo Orange. It is the most stunning mountain bike that I’ve ever ridden; the RS1 fork is great too.
I’m 6ft tall but ride a medium. I bought it from Denmark so didn’t do any kind of test riding… just a lot of staring at geometry tables and a quick sit on a medium Camber. I do like my frames to be quite compact – it’s pretty much the same size as my hardtail – but there hasn’t been a point where it’s felt wrong. I suppose that a large would have been okay too but I wanted it to match the HT in size.
I ride it regularly in the Peaks throwing it down some of the tougher stuff and it’s ace! Probably not what it was designed for but you can’t wrap these things in cotton wool.

Useful to know, thanks. I’m 6’2″ with a 33″ inside leg. Medium would be out of the question in any bike, but it does make Large sound possible.

I’m luckily enough to be in exactly the same situation, currently scouring the globe trying to find one for a reasonable price.

After doing the ‘stare at sizing chart’ thing between all the manufacturers I’m convinced a size L is right for me being 6’2” and 34” inside leg; will probably run a 90cm stem to get the fit I want.

Let me know if you come across any ‘two for one’ deals 😆

I bought my S Works Epic WC from these people and they were good to deal with. They were the only place in Europe that had any of the orange S-Build models. They still have stock… and discounted!
http://www.bikesport.dk/specialized-s-works-epic-carbon-29-world-cup-hvid-2014.html

Thanks for the tip but I only want the frameset.

Been offered a 2014 Epic Expert Carbon WC frameset for £2k so far; but no S-Works.

I’ve had to shelve my desire for one of these. The economy just doesn’t stack up. Not sure if I could face using it training on Chilterns doubletrack, 6hr races I use my HT and I only do 1 or 2 12hr races a year.

If its one with the USD RS 1 fork,

http://www.cenci-bikes.ch/index.html

Despite their poor website, its in the store.

Have one, its a natural carbon colour and pretty good price against the German shops. They speak English.

I have been walking past the shop regulary and popped in as they have Fatbikes in store too.

Hi Rick, complete bike or just the frameset? Pricetag?

Complete bike.
They had the one with the RS fork and perhaps the one below with a conventional fork, both in the shop,

Think it was circa Chf6k

Im going past again this week…

Easyjet fly to Basel…

2015 bikes are now sold.

New 2016 frameset is CHF 5’599.00.

Did you call the shop ?

I am going to Basel tomorrow and can drop in as I walk past.

email in profile…

I went for a Large in the end after lots of pouring over the geometry charts and setting up a spreadsheet that compared the old Epic, the new Epic, my current ’15 Five, and the ’16 29er Stumperjumper XL that I got a test ride from.

There’s no hope of getting into an XL S-Works in the UK this year now anyway according to Specialized. My L was one of a batch that came in on 28th on Jan and have all sold. I got it through Leisure Lakes because their 5% stored credit for being a VIP member was £375 on this bike…

Arrives on Friday and I feel like it’s every bike I’ve ever got for a birthday all rolled into one. Can’t wait.

Wow – enjoy it!

I had some emails with Marco at the shop to get the info.

Congrats on the new purchase; homing in on one myself now…

Any chance you could email me that spreadsheet as having last min doubts now 😕

Bream wrote:

Any chance you could email me that spreadsheet

Happy to. My email is in my profile, once you’ve deciphered it, drop me a line and I’ll send it over.

Hope it works out bream. There are some Basel residents on here too, but if I can help, shout.

Easier way to give you the sheet Bream…

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/987853/Geometries.xlsx

Thanks and thanks.

It arrived today, and it really is all kinds of awesome. Some notes on sizing though… for me it’s spot on. With the standard 100mm stem the reach to the bars is just right. However, the measurement for me top of saddle to centre of pedal axle is 96cm. This puts the seatpost with 12cm of post remaining in the frame. The minimum for the frame is 10cm. So if your inside leg is longer than mine, you may struggle to get the seat high enough even if the bar reach is ok. In which case, then you’re definitely an XL.

For the curious, below is my old 2006 Epic. Although I’ve only done a quick ride up the road the new one actually feels a lot like how I remember the 2006. But it looks a lot more in proportion with the 29er wheels. It’s bloody quick. Will get it properly dirty on Sunday.

How’s the new ride Ben?

I’ve found the deal I was looking for with a 30% discount on a 2015 model. So this arrives in a couple of days: