Specialized Epic 8 EVO Pro – Flight Attendant vs. Stock

Full breakdown of the Specialized Epic 8 EVO Pro in both its stock 120/130mm configuration and a custom 120/120mm RockShox Flight Attendant setup.

🎯 Check the Price on Specialized

📸 Most of the Epic 8 shots on this page? Matthew Trabold, Trabold Photography. Shot on drool-worthy old-school film. If this bike had a dating profile, this would be the shoot.

Specialized Epic 8 EVO Pro – Race-Tested Review

I’ve logged over 4,000 miles and 24 races on this bike in two very different configurations — the stock EVO 130/120mm Fox build, and a custom 120/120mm setup with RockShox Flight Attendant that more closely resembles the S-Works model. If you’re weighing EVO vs. non-EVO builds, or trying to decide whether Flight Attendant is worth the upgrade, this breakdown’s for you.

🧠 Why I Picked the EVO Pro

When I bought the bike in March 2024, I wanted something that felt like a natural transition from trail bike to XC racer. I test rode the Epic 8 Expert and it felt like a big leap — aggressive body position and race-focused geo. The EVO Pro felt like a really fast Stumpjumper — just slack enough to feel familiar, but plenty quick when pushed hard. The components on the pro model are also top notch and you won’t feel the need to upgrade anything right away.

Also: I’ve always had great support from the Specialized team in Austin, including a past Stumpjumper frame replacement under warranty after a crack from an impact with a rock — so I felt confident sticking with the Specialized.

🔧 Build Overview

Component	Spec
Frame	Specialized Epic 8 EVO Pro↗️
Fork	Stock: 130mm Fox 34 w. Grip 2↗️ Current: 120mm RockShox SID Ultimate FA↗️
Shock	Stock: 120mm Fox Float Factory↗️ Current: 120mm RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate FA↗️
Wheels	Roval Control Carbon↗️
Hubs	Industry Nine Hydra↗️ / 1:1↗️
Drivetrain	SRAM XO Transmission AXS↗️
Brakes	SRAM Code Silver Stealth↗️ (180/200mm)
Tires	Constantly changing — check out the collection of tires I run
Pedals	Shimano XTR↗️
Cockpit	Roval bars↗️ , RaceFace 70mm stem↗️ , Ergon grips↗️
Dropper	Fox Transfer Factory↗️
Saddle	Specialized Power↗️
Computer	Garmin Edge 1040↗️

🎯 Not sure what tires to go with?

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📸 Gallery

Epic 8 w. RockShox Flight Attendant.

📸 Trabold Photography

⚙️ Flight Attendant Conversion

The EVO and non-EVO share the same frame geometry — the difference is in build kit, travel, and a slight weight difference due to construction (e.g., the EVO uses an aluminum shock yoke vs. carbon on the S-Works).

I used SRAM’s FA Kit Builder Tool to confirm compatibility and ordered the necessary parts. The swap was straightforward (taken care of by Specialized Austin), and I’ve left the FA settings on defaults — letting Adaptive Ride Dynamics handle the tuning on the fly.

📖 Full review of Flight Attendant ↗️

🏁 Race-Tested – Real Differences

130/120mm FOX (EVO Build)

Descends incredibly well, especially on rough high-speed Colorado terrain (Breck Epic was a highlight)
More “trail bike feel” — floaty, planted, plush
SRAM Codes provide a ton of braking confidence
Great for long, rough days where comfort matters

120/120mm RockShox FA

Snappier, more efficient — better on climbs, flats, and tight, technical trails
Still plenty capable on descents (Moab Rocks, Puzzler, etc), but less forgiving
More direct feel under power — great for racing
A bit harsher on long, rough descents like Porcupine Rim in Moab

🧪 Epic 8 vs. EVO – Which Should You Get?

Want a versatile, trail-capable rocket? Go EVO - it’s such a fun bike that absolutely rips!
Want an absolute race weapon? Go standard Epic 8 or S-Works.
Want the best of both worlds? Start with the EVO and add FA later if you want it like I did — it’s quite a bit cheaper than an S-Works frame and then you can switch modes.

💡 Note: If you want an integrated cockpit, the EVO frame won’t support it — that’s an S-Works frame only thing.

2025 Epic 8 Pro - Flight Attendant Included 🦾

2025 Specialized Epic 8 Pro Flight Attendant build

Check the Price on Specialized

Want the Flight Attendant setup without piecing it together yourself? The 2025 Epic 8 Pro now ships with RockShox FA, XO Transmission, and a premium Bike Yoke dropper — all stock.

It’s the closest factory build yet to the FA setup I’ve been racing — no parts hunt, no DIY build, and no eye-watering S-Works price tag.
If I were buying today, this is the one I’d pick.

Comparison - 2025 Pro v.s. S-Works

Feature	Epic 8 Pro (2025)	S-Works Epic 8
Frame	FACT 11m Carbon	FACT 12m Carbon
Suspension	RockShox SID & SIDLuxe ULTIMATE Flight Attendant	RockShox SID & SIDLuxe ULTIMATE Flight Attendant
Drivetrain	SRAM X0 Transmission (w/ power meter)	SRAM XX SL AXS (w/ power meter)
Brakes	SRAM Motive Silver 4-piston	SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth 4-piston
Cockpit	Alloy stem + S-Works carbon bar	Integrated Roval Control SL carbon cockpit
Dropper Post	Bike Yoke Divine SL	RockShox Reverb AXS
Saddle	Specialized Power Expert (Ti rails)	S-Works Power (carbon rails)
Wheels	Roval Control SL VI (DT Swiss 350 hubs)	Roval Control SL (DT 180 hubs, TyreWiz)
Tires	Fast Trak / Air Trak (T5/T7)	Fast Trak / Renegade (T5/T7)
Weight (MD)	10.82 kg (23 lb 13.7 oz)	10.24 kg (22 lb 9.2 oz)
MSRP	$10,499.99	$14,999.99

🏁 Final Thoughts

If I could snap my fingers and get 130mm travel just for a big descent? I’d do it. But overall — the 120/120mm FA setup is faster and more efficient, and that’s what I’m chasing on race day. That said, it’s really nice to have both suspension kits for swapping depending on the adventure.

Big thanks to Specialized Austin and the folks at Austin Bike Farm for helping make this setup possible.