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2022 Santa Cruz Highball vs 2021 Specialized Epic Hardtail Pro

The Specialized Epic Hardtail Pro size closest to your M is the M. Compare the M instead

What changes on the Specialized Epic Hardtail Pro

Compared with the Santa Cruz Highball in M, the Specialized Epic Hardtail Pro in S places the top of the head tube at about the same height and 25 mm further back, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 24 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.

Frame stack
+2 mm
About the same height
Frame reach
−25 mm
Shorter frame reach
Wheelbase
−24 mm
Shorter: quicker to change direction
Head angle
−1.0°
Slacker: calmer steering
Chainstays
+4 mm
Longer: more planted

The two frames

2022 Santa Cruz Highball (M) and 2021 Specialized Epic Hardtail Pro (S), lined up at the bottom bracketBoth frames drawn to scale. The Santa Cruz Highball is drawn in full with its measurements, and the Specialized Epic Hardtail Pro is the colored outline on top.J 1116

Santa Cruz Highball, MSpecialized Epic Hardtail Pro, SDrawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementSanta Cruz Highball MSpecialized Epic Hardtail Pro SDifference
Reach430405mm−25 mm
Stack606608mm+2 mm
Head tube angle69.568.5°−1.0°
Seat tube angle73.074°+1.0°
Effective top tube615not listed
Chainstay length426430mm+4 mm
Wheelbase11161092mm−24 mm
BB drop5663mm+7 mm
BB height314309mm−5 mm
Standover715762mm+47 mm
Seat tube length430400mm−30 mm
Head tube length10095mm−5 mm
Fork lengthnot listed506mm

Differences are the Specialized Epic Hardtail Pro minus the Santa Cruz Highball. Full charts: 2022 Santa Cruz Highball, 2021 Specialized Epic Hardtail Pro.

Where each sits in its class

Santa Cruz HighballSpecialized Epic Hardtail Pro

AggressivePositionUpright
CalmSteeringQuick
PlayfulBalancePlanted

Each bike is ranked against the other XC bikes on Quiver, on frame geometry alone. Not your hand position or ride feel.

What each ships with

The stock build of each bike's first listed trim. Parts that match are dimmed.

PartSanta Cruz HighballSpecialized Epic Hardtail ProHardtail Pro
Forknot listedRockShox SID SL BRAIN
Shifternot listedSRAM AXS Eagle Controller
Derailleurnot listedSRAM X01 Eagle AXS
Cassettenot listedSRAM X01 Eagle
Chainnot listedSpecialized SRAX X01 Eagle
Cranksetnot listedSRAM X1
Bottom bracketnot listedSRAM DUB
Tirenot listedSpecialized Fast Trak
Hubnot listedDT Swiss 350
Rimnot listedRoval Control
Brakenot listedSRAM TLM
Saddlenot listedSpecialized Power Expert

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