2020 Specialized Epic Hardtail Ultralight vs 2022 Santa Cruz Highball
The Santa Cruz Highball size closest to your M is the M. Compare the M instead
What changes on the Santa Cruz Highball
Compared with the Specialized Epic Hardtail Ultralight in M, the Santa Cruz Highball in S places the top of the head tube 12 mm lower and 25 mm further back, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 28 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.
- Frame stack
- −12 mm
- Lower front end
- Frame reach
- −25 mm
- Shorter frame reach
- Wheelbase
- −28 mm
- Shorter: quicker to change direction
- Head angle
- +1.0°
- Steeper: sharper steering
- Chainstays
- −4 mm
- Shorter: livelier
The two frames
Specialized Epic Hardtail Ultralight, MSanta Cruz Highball, SDrawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.
Geometry side by side
| Measurement | Specialized Epic Hardtail Ultralight M | Santa Cruz Highball S | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 430mm | 405 | −25 mm |
| Stack | 608mm | 596 | −12 mm |
| Head tube angle | 68.5° | 69.5 | +1.0° |
| Seat tube angle | 74° | 73.0 | −1.0° |
| Chainstay length | 430mm | 426 | −4 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1116mm | 1088 | −28 mm |
| BB drop | 63mm | 56 | −7 mm |
| BB height | 309mm | 314 | +5 mm |
| Standover | 792mm | 708 | −84 mm |
| Seat tube length | 430mm | 405 | −25 mm |
| Fork length | 506mm | not listed | |
| Head tube length | 95mm | 90 | −5 mm |
| Effective top tube | not listed | 587 |
Differences are the Santa Cruz Highball minus the Specialized Epic Hardtail Ultralight. Full charts: 2020 Specialized Epic Hardtail Ultralight, 2022 Santa Cruz Highball.
Where each sits in its class
Specialized Epic Hardtail UltralightSanta Cruz Highball
Each bike is ranked against the other XC bikes on Quiver, on frame geometry alone. Not your hand position or ride feel.
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