Fast XC mountain bikes don't get much more Epic than this. The Women's S-Works Epic features all the very best tech and design processes we can bundle into one package, from the Rider-First Engineered frame to the updated Brain suspension technology, this all-new model is quite frankly the fastest and most capable women's specific bike we've ever made.

The XC community has noticed an evolution in terms of race courses in recent years, becoming more technical and challenging. In order to provide everyone from World Cup superstars to enthusiastic amateurs with the tools to advance, we responded to these recent changes in the discipline and focussed our attention on the Epic's handling. Anything we thought we could possibly improve was added to the upgrade list, starting with increasing the reach to foster a more controlled and comfortable experience. Next, we looked at dropper posts and made the frame versatile enough that it would accommodate not just a short-travel option, but also a full-length post that will fit the 30.9mm seat tube. To maintain its confident and agile personality, we slackened out the head tube and gave it a custom offset 42mm fork so it performs excellently on even the most technical sections.

To improve the already ground-breaking Brain technology, we joined up with the guys from RockShox to develop the new Brain 2.0. This new technology reacts seamlessly to changes in terrain with significantly improved dampening performance. By moving the suspension closer to the rear axle and having a female-specific tune for the Women's S-Works Epic, we have designed a system which not only increases its performance capability, but also makes the bike more comfortable to ride. To complete the sleek and streamlined look, the hoses are integrated into the suspension links, improving oil paths and surging ahead of everything else on the market.

The super lightweight FACT 11m carbon frame is Rider-First Engineered to maintain consistency in performance attributes no matter the frame size, and the design of the frame has been altered to reduce drag and weight while still giving an increase stiffness. You'll notice that the tubes are straighter with fewer curves than before, with optimised torsion profiles in every section. Within the frame, we've added complex carbon pieces to key places where you might expect flexing, improving the stiffness and stability at speed. This all adds up to a weight saving of about 350 grams, or the equivalent of shedding a shock extension and chainstay from the previous model.

We've spared no expense in making the Women's S-Works Epic the best it can be. It is equipped with a custom tuned RockShox SID World Cup fork, a 12-speed XX1 Eagle groupset, dependable SRAM Level Ultimate brakes and super light Roval Control SL hand-built carbon fibre wheels.

• S-Works FACT 12m carbon fiber frame is the best combination of stiffness, strength, and light overall weight, resulting in the utmost efficiency and speed. Meanwhile, the new geometry, RockShox Brain shock, and 100mm of travel, make the Epic the best handling, fastest XC bike you've ever been on.
• Our custom RockShox SID WC fork with Brain features a full-carbon upper, top-adjust Brain fade, and a custom offset, making it the perfect match to the new Epic.
• SRAM XX1 Eagle bits handle the shifting duties, providing a wide range of useable gears that make climbing and descending equally doable.