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Scott Spark RC Expert vs Specialized Epic 8 Expert

Scott Spark RC Expert, side view

Scott

Spark RC Expert

Specialized Epic 8 Expert, side view

Specialized

Epic 8 Expert

High endCross-countryFull suspensionCarbon2027
High endCross-countryFull suspensionCarbon2026

Close on the specs and the list price: here are their 19 differences, line by line.

Scott Spark RC Expert, side viewScottScott Spark RC Expert
Specialized Epic 8 Expert, side viewSpecializedSpecialized Epic 8 Expert

At a glance

  • Specialized Epic 8 Expert is 650 g lighter than Scott Spark RC Expert (brand figures).
  • Specialized Epic 8 Expert has the higher-range groupset: SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission, against Shimano XT Di2, Deore.
  • Scott Spark RC Expert is the newer model (2027).
Key specs8 differences
Model year 2027 2026
Weight 11.8 kg °Value not published by the brand 11.15 kg Best of the comparison−650 g
FrameSame for all Carbon °Value not published by the brand Carbon
As printed

FACT 11m Carbon

Suspension Full suspension, 120 mm °Value not published by the brand Full suspension, 120 / 120 mm
Shock Fox Float Factory Traction Control EVOL °Value not published by the brand RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ Higher range
As printed

RockShox SIDLuxe Select+, ... 190x45mm

Wheelset 29" · Syncros Silverton AL2 °Value not published by the brand 29" · Roval Control SL V °Value not published by the brand
DrivetrainSame for all 1×12 1×12
Groupset Shimano XT Di2, Deore °Value not published by the brand SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission Higher range
Brake model Shimano Deore BR-M6220 4-Piston °Value not published by the brand SRAM Motive Bronze, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc
Seatpost Dropper · Syncros dropper post SP-M100-AL2, 31.6mm °Value not published by the brand Dropper · X-Fusion Manic, 30.9 °Value not published by the brand
Fork model–Not given RockShox SID Select+
As printed

RockShox SID Select+, Ride Dynamics developed 3 position, Debon Air

Prices

Each model's retailers, delivered to your country, and their prices over time.

Scott Spark RC Expert

Scott Spark RC Expert

Specialized Epic 8 Expert

Specialized Epic 8 Expert

Affiliate links: no extra cost for you ♥

Character

The bike at a glance: the ground it is made for, how it handles, its gears and its equipment, beside the other bikes of its kind.

  • Spark RC Expert · Mountain bike very demanding, rather stable, long gearing, rather high equipment.
  • Epic 8 Expert · Mountain bike very demanding, very stable, long gearing, rather high equipment.
Terrain
Scott Spark RC Expert 84%Specialized Epic 8 Expert 91%3 bikes1 bike6 bikes6 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes1 bike2 bikes1 bike4 bikes1 bike3 bikes1 bike3 bikes1 bike4 bikes2 bikes1 bike5 bikes4 bikes · Scott Spark RC Expert2 bikes2 bikes1 bike · Specialized Epic 8 Expert5 bikes2 bikes
EasyDemanding
Handling
Scott Spark RC Expert 77%Specialized Epic 8 Expert 88%4 bikes1 bike2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes1 bike7 bikes1 bike2 bikes4 bikes1 bike2 bikes1 bike1 bike1 bike1 bike2 bikes1 bike1 bike5 bikes · Scott Spark RC Expert2 bikes2 bikes1 bike · Specialized Epic 8 Expert2 bikes3 bikes1 bike
NimbleStable

Gearing

Speed in the lowest and the highest gear at 90 rpm: lower on the left climbs easier, higher on the right goes faster.

  • Scott Spark RC Expert8 km/h - 43 km/h
  • Specialized Epic 8 Expert8 km/h - 43 km/h
Easiest gear (climbing)Hardest gear (descending)
Scott Spark RC ExpertSpecialized Epic 8 Expertother cross-country mountain bikes

Components and specs

Every spec line by line; the higher range of a component is marked. The technical groups are folded.

Ride type
DisciplineSame for all Cross-country Cross-country
As printed

Progressive XC Race Geometry

Frame and fork1 difference
AxlesSame for all Thru-axles °Value not published by the brand
As printed

Spark RC HMF Carbon Gen5, adjustable head angle and fork lock, Syncros Octopus cable integration system Gen2, BSA BB, UDH interface, 12x148mm with 55mm chainlin

 Thru-axles
As printed

12x148mm UDH compatible rear dropout

Bottom bracket Shimano BB-MT501 BSA °Value not published by the brand SRAM DUB Threaded Wide
Cable routing–Not given Internal
As printed

internal cable routing

Seatpost diameter–Not given 30.9 mm °Value not published by the brand
Suspension
Fork travelSame for all 120 mm 120 mm
Rear travel–Not given 120 mm
Drivetrain5 differences
Groupset brand Shimano °Value not published by the brand SRAM
As printed

SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission

ShiftingSame for all Electronic, wireless °Value not published by the brand
As printed

Shimano XT Di2 RD-M8250 12-speed, Wireless Electronic Shift System Shimano Deore Di2 SW-M6250

 Electronic, wireless
ChainringsSame for all 1 °Value not published by the brand 1
Gears at the backSame for all 12 °Value not published by the brand 12 °Value not published by the brand
Chainring teeth Shimano XT FC-M8200, 34T °Value not published by the brandHigher range SRAM GX Eagle, DUB, 165/170/175mm, 34T °Value not published by the brand
Cassette Shimano Deore CS-M7200, 10-51T °Value not published by the brand SRAM XG-1275 T-Type 12-Speed 10-52
Rear derailleur Shimano XT Di2 RD-M8250 12-speed, Wireless Electronic Shift System °Value not published by the brandHigher range SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission °Value not published by the brand
Shifters Shimano Deore Di2 SW-M6250 °Value not published by the brand SRAM AXS POD Controller °Value not published by the brand
Brakes
BrakesSame for all Hydraulic disc °Value not published by the brand
As printed

Shimano Deore Disque hydrauliqueTige de selle

 Hydraulic disc
As printed

SRAM Motive Bronze, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc

Front rotor–Not given 180 mm
Rear rotor–Not given 160 mm
Wheels and tyres2 differences
Wheel sizeSame for all 700c / 29" °Value not published by the brand 700c / 29"
As printed

Specialized Fast Trak ... 29x2.35

RimsSame for all Carbon °Value not published by the brand Carbon
As printed

Roval Control SL V, Hookless carbon, 29mm inner width

Rim inner width–Not given 29 mm
Tubeless readySame for all yes °Value not published by the brand yes
Tyres Maxxis Aspen 29x2.4", 120TPI Foldable Bead, tubeless ready, EXO °Value not published by the brand Specialized Fast Trak, Flex Lite Casing, T5/T7 Compound, 29x2.35, Rear: Specialized Air Trak, Flex Lite Casing, T5/T7 Compound, 29x2.35 °Value not published by the brand
Tyre width fitted 61 mm °Value not published by the brand 60 mm °Value not published by the brand−1 mm
Cockpit and seatpost3 differences
Handlebar width 740 mm °Value not published by the brand 750 mm °Value not published by the brand+10 mm
Handlebar Syncros IC-M100-AL2, -10° angle, back sweep 7°, 740mm °Value not published by the brand Specialized Alloy Minirise, 10mm rise, 750mm, 31.8mm clamp °Value not published by the brand
Stem–Not given Specialized XC, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 6-degree rise °Value not published by the brand
Seatpost model Syncros dropper post SP-M100-AL2, 31.6mm °Value not published by the brand X-Fusion Manic, 30.9 °Value not published by the brand
Weight
Weighed in size–Not given M
As printed

Poids Taille MD

Mounts and storage
In-frame storage–Not given yes

° Value not published by the brand

Geometry

A size per bike (the nearest to the first one's at first), the differences measured from the reference bike.

Spark RC Expert · MEpic 8 Expert · M
  • Spark RC Expert · M
  • Epic 8 Expert · M

Stack and reach

560570580590600610620630420430440450460470480490↖ UprightAggressive ↘Reach (mm)Stack (mm)Spark RC Expert · M — Reach (mm) 455 · Stack (mm) 591Epic 8 Expert · M — Reach (mm) 450 · Stack (mm) 598
  • Spark RC Expert · M Spark RC Expert · M — Reach (mm) 455 · Stack (mm) 591
  • Epic 8 Expert · M Epic 8 Expert · M — Reach (mm) 450 · Stack (mm) 598
Geometry12 differences
SizeSame for all M M
Reach 455 mm 450 mm −5 mm
Stack 591 mm 598 mm +7 mm
Top tube (effective) 610 mm 605 mm −5 mm
Seat tubeSame for all 410 mm 410 mm
Head tube 88 mm 95 mm +7 mm
Head angleSame for all 65.9° 65.9°
Seat angle 75.3° 75.5° +0.2°
Chainstays 434 mm 435 mm +1 mm
Wheelbase 1,180 mm 1,179 mm −1 mm
Front centre 750 mm 747 mm −3 mm
Standover 0 mm 760 mm +760 mm
BB dropSame for all 44 mm 44 mm
BB height 333 mm 326 mm −7 mm
Fork offsetSame for all 44 mm 44 mm
Trail 115 mm 117 mm +2 mm
StemSame for all 60 mm 60 mm
Handlebar width 740 mm 750 mm +10 mm
Crank lengthSame for all 170 mm 170 mm
Fork length (axle to crown)–Not given 530 mm

Where to buy them

Compare the whole Scott Spark rangeCompare the whole Specialized Epic range

Frequently asked questions

Which is lighter, Scott Spark RC Expert or Specialized Epic 8 Expert?

Specialized Epic 8 Expert weighs 11.15 kg, Scott Spark RC Expert 11.8 kg, as their brands give them.

What groupset do Scott Spark RC Expert and Specialized Epic 8 Expert come with?

Scott Spark RC Expert: Shimano XT Di2, Deore. Specialized Epic 8 Expert: SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission.

How do Scott Spark RC Expert and Specialized Epic 8 Expert compare on geometry?

In size M, Scott Spark RC Expert has a stack of 591 mm for a reach of 455 mm; in size M, Specialized Epic 8 Expert has 598 mm for 450 mm. More stack for the reach means a more upright position.

Other comparisons

Compare other models