Quiver

2021 Specialized Epic Hardtail Pro vs 2022 Santa Cruz Highball

The M is the Santa Cruz Highball size closest to your M Specialized Epic Hardtail Pro. We match frame stack and reach. This is a geometry comparison, not a fit recommendation; stem, spacers, handlebars and saddle setup also affect your riding position.

What changes on the Santa Cruz Highball

Compared with the Specialized Epic Hardtail Pro in M, the Santa Cruz Highball in M places the top of the head tube at about the same height and about as far forward, relative to the bottom bracket.

Frame stack
−2 mm
About the same height
Frame reach
±0 mm
About the same reach
Wheelbase
−1 mm
About the same
Head angle
+1.0°
Steeper: sharper steering
Chainstays
−4 mm
Shorter: livelier

The two frames

2021 Specialized Epic Hardtail Pro (M) and 2022 Santa Cruz Highball (M), lined up at the bottom bracketBoth frames drawn to scale. The Specialized Epic Hardtail Pro is drawn in full with its measurements, and the Santa Cruz Highball is the colored outline on top.J 1117

Specialized Epic Hardtail Pro, MSanta Cruz Highball, MDrawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementSpecialized Epic Hardtail Pro MSanta Cruz Highball MDifference
Reach430mm430±0 mm
Stack608mm606−2 mm
Head tube angle68.5°69.5+1.0°
Seat tube angle74°73.0−1.0°
Chainstay length430mm426−4 mm
Wheelbase1117mm1116−1 mm
BB drop63mm56−7 mm
BB height309mm314+5 mm
Standover792mm715−77 mm
Seat tube length430mm430±0 mm
Fork length506mmnot listed
Head tube length95mm100+5 mm
Effective top tubenot listed615

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

Where each sits in its class

Specialized Epic Hardtail ProSanta Cruz Highball

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.

PartSpecialized Epic Hardtail ProHardtail ProSanta Cruz Highball
ForkRockShox SID SL BRAINnot listed
ShifterSRAM AXS Eagle Controllernot listed
DerailleurSRAM X01 Eagle AXSnot listed
CassetteSRAM X01 Eaglenot listed
ChainSpecialized SRAX X01 Eaglenot listed
CranksetSRAM X1not listed
Bottom bracketSRAM DUBnot listed
TireSpecialized Fast Traknot listed
HubDT Swiss 350not listed
RimRoval Controlnot listed
BrakeSRAM TLMnot listed
SaddleSpecialized Power Expertnot listed

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