2025 Specialized Epic World Cup vs 2026 Santa Cruz Highball
The M is the Santa Cruz Highball size closest to your M Specialized Epic World Cup. 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 World Cup in M, the Santa Cruz Highball in M places the top of the head tube 5 mm higher and about as far forward, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 5 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.
- Frame stack
- +5 mm
- Higher front end
- Frame reach
- ±0 mm
- About the same reach
- Wheelbase
- −5 mm
- Shorter: quicker to change direction
- Head angle
- +0.5°
- Steeper: sharper steering
- Chainstays
- −4 mm
- Shorter: livelier
The two frames
Specialized Epic World Cup, MSanta Cruz Highball, MDrawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.
Geometry side by side
| Measurement | Specialized Epic World Cup M | Santa Cruz Highball M | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 440 | 440 | ±0 mm |
| Stack | 600 | 605 | +5 mm |
| Head tube angle | 66.5 | 67° | +0.5° |
| Seat tube angle | 74.5 | 73.5° | −1.0° |
| Effective top tube | 612 | 619 | +7 mm |
| Chainstay length | 430 | 426 | −4 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1150 | 1145 | −5 mm |
| BB drop | 57 | 60 | +3 mm |
| BB height | 313 | 313 | ±0 mm |
| Standover | 764 | not listed | |
| Seat tube length | 410 | 430 | +20 mm |
| Fork length | 516mm | not listed | |
| Head tube length | 95 | 105 | +10 mm |
Differences are the Santa Cruz Highball minus the Specialized Epic World Cup. Full charts: 2025 Specialized Epic World Cup, 2026 Santa Cruz Highball.
Where each sits in its class
Specialized Epic World CupSanta Cruz Highball
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.
| Part | Specialized Epic World CupS-Works | Santa Cruz Highball90 |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Specialized S-Works FACT 12m | Santa Cruz Highball |
| Fork | RockShox Sid SL Ultimate | RockShox Sid SL Select+ |
| Rear shock | RockShox SIDLuxe WCID Ultimate | not listed |
| Shifter | SRAM Pod Controller Ultimate | SRAM 90 Eagle Transmission |
| Derailleur | SRAM XX SL Eagle Transmission | SRAM 90 Eagle Transmission |
| Cassette | SRAM CS-1299 | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission |
| Chain | SRAM XX SL Eagle | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission |
| Crankset | Quarq XX SL power meter | SRAM 90 Eagle DUB Transmission |
| Chainring | SRAM XX SL Eagle | SRAM 90 Eagle |
| Bottom bracket | SRAM DUB | SRAM DUB |
| Wheelset | Roval Control SL | DT Swiss + Raceface DT Swiss 370 / RaceFace AR Offset 27 |
| Tire | Specialized S-Works Fast Trak, Specialized Renegade | Maxxis Rekon Race |
| Brake | SRAM Level Ultimate | SRAM DB 8 |
| Rotor | SRAM Level Ultimate | SRAM HS2 |
| Handlebar | Roval Control SL | SRAM Atmos Flat Bar |
| Stem | Roval Control SL | SRAM Atmos Stem |
| Grips | SRAM Slip | SRAM Standard |
| Seatpost | Roval Control SL | Race Face Next |
| Saddle | Specialized S-Works Power | SDG Bel-Air V3 Lux-Alloy |
| Hub | not listed | DT Swiss 370 |
| Rim | not listed | Race Face AR Offset 27 |
| Headset | not listed | Cane Creek 50 IS Integrated Headset |
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