Compare/Specialized Chisel vs Epic Hardtail

Head to headMountain

Chisel

Epic Hardtail

Specialized

Starting price

Chisel$1,900

Epic Hardtail$3,600

Claimed weight

Chisel13.53 kg (29.8 lb)

Epic Hardtail10.37 kg (22.9 lb)

Tire clearance

Chisel59.7 mm

Epic Hardtail—

Builds available

Chisel8

Epic Hardtail1

01 / Overview

Overview

03 / Specifications

Where the builds differ.

Comparing our editor's-pick builds side-by-side. Winners highlighted row-by-row — lower price and weight, and the better-spec component, each mark a point.

01Frameset

Chisel

Comp EVO · $3,600

Epic Hardtail

Comp SRAM S-1000 AXS RockShox SID SL · $3,600

Claimed weight

13.53 kg (29.8 lb)

10.37 kg (22.9 lb)

Frame material

Specialized D'Aluisio Smartweld M5 Alloy, hydroformed tubes, Progressive XC Geometry, 110mm travel, internal cable routing, BSA BB, 12x148mm spacing, 30.9mm dropper post compatible

Specialized FACT 11m, Progressive XC Geometry, Rider-First Engineered™, threaded BB, UDH, 12x148mm rear spacing, internal cable routing

Fork

Fox 34 Performance Elite, GRIP2 damper, compression adjust, 130mm travel, 44mm offset, 15x110mm

Rockshox SID SL, Rush RL Damper, Debon Air, 15x110mm, 44mm offset, S-XL: 110mm Travel, XS: 90mm Travel

Tire clearance

59.7 mm

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02Groupset

Shift levers

SRAM GX trigger, 12-speed

Sram AXS POD Controller

Rear derailleur

SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed

SRAM S-1000 Eagle Transmission

Cassette

SRAM PG-1230 Eagle, 12-speed, 11-50T

SRAM XS 1270 Transmission, 10-52t

Crankset

SRAM X1000 Eagle, DUB, 165/170/175mm, 32T chainring

SRAM S1000 Eagle, DUB, 165/170/175mm, 34T

Brakes

SRAM G2 RS hydraulic disc, 4-piston caliper

SRAM Level Bronze 2-piston, Stealth

03Wheelset

Front wheel

Specialized 29 hookless alloy, 30mm internal width, tubeless ready; Alloy, sealed cartridge bearings, 15x110mm thru-axle, 28h; DT Swiss Industry

Specialized 29, 27mm inner width, 28h, tubeless ready; Specialized alloy, sealed cartridge bearings, 6-bolt, 15x110mm thru-axle, 28h; DT Swiss Industry

Rear wheel

Specialized 29 hookless alloy, 30mm internal width, tubeless ready; Alloy, sealed cartridge bearings, 12x148mm thru-axle, 28h; DT Swiss Industry

Specialized 29, 27mm inner width, 28h, tubeless ready; Specialized alloy, sealed cartridge bearings, 6-bolt, 12x148mm thru-axle, 28h; DT Swiss Industry

Front tire

Specialized Purgatory, GRID casing, T9 compound, 29x2.4

Specialized Fast Trak, Control Casing, T7 Compound, 29x2.35

04Cockpit

Handlebar / stem

Specialized Alloy, 20mm rise, 35mm clamp, 760mm width

Specialized Alloy Minirise, 10mm rise, 750mm, 31.8mm clamp

Saddle

Body Geometry Power Comp, steel rails

Body Geometry Power Sport, steel rails

Seatpost

X-Fusion Manic dropper, 30.9mm, 125/150/170mm travel, 0mm offset

Specialized Alloy, Single Bolt, 30.9mm

03.1

Build variants & pricing

Chisel · 8 builds$1,900 – $3,600

Comp EVO

SRAM GX Eagle · Specialized 29 hookless alloy

$3,600

Comp

SRAM Eagle 70 T-Type · Specialized Alloy

$3,500

Comp

SRAM GX Eagle · Specialized Alloy rim

$3,500From$2,500

Chisel

SRAM NX Eagle · Specialized Alloy

$2,700

Chisel

SRAM NX Eagle · Specialized alloy rim

$2,600From$2,000

Hardtail Comp

SRAM NX Eagle · Specialized Alloy

$2,500From$2,000

Hardtail

SRAM NX Eagle · Specialized 29 rim

$1,900From$1,500

Hardtail

SRAM NX Eagle · Specialized Alloy

$1,900

Epic Hardtail · 1 builds$3,600

Comp SRAM S-1000 AXS RockShox SID SL

SRAM S-1000 Eagle Transmission · Specialized 29

$3,600From$3,000

04 / Geometry

How they fit, how they steer.

Reach × Stack · size —mm

Where the handlebar sits relative to the bottom bracket — the single most important fit pair.

Chisel

Epic Hardtail

size —

Reach—

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Stack—

——

Head tube angle—

——

Trail—

——

Chainstay length—

——

Wheelbase—

——

Top tube (effective)—

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04.1

Which size should I buy?

Your height

5'8"173 cm

5'0"5'5"5'10"6'3"6'7"

Chisel

5'6" – 5'10"

Fits riders in this height range.

Epic Hardtail

—

Fits riders in this height range.

→These are starting points. Flexibility, riding style, and preferred position all shift the answer — if you’re between sizes, a professional fit beats a chart.

05 / Reviews