2026 Specialized Epic World Cup Expert vs 2026 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 World Cup Expert in M, the Santa Cruz Highball in S places the top of the head tube 4 mm lower and 25 mm further back, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 31 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.
- Frame stack
- −4 mm
- Lower front end
- Frame reach
- −25 mm
- Shorter frame reach
- Wheelbase
- −31 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 Expert, MSanta Cruz Highball, SDrawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.
Geometry side by side
| Measurement | Specialized Epic World Cup Expert M | Santa Cruz Highball S | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 440mm | 415 | −25 mm |
| Stack | 600mm | 596 | −4 mm |
| Head tube angle | 66.5° | 67° | +0.5° |
| Seat tube angle | 74.5° | 73.5° | −1.0° |
| Effective top tube | 612 | 595 | −17 mm |
| Chainstay length | 430mm | 426 | −4 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1150mm | 1119 | −31 mm |
| BB drop | 57mm | 60 | +3 mm |
| BB height | 313mm | 313 | ±0 mm |
| Standover | 764 | 708 | −56 mm |
| Seat tube length | 410mm | 405 | −5 mm |
| Fork length | 516mm | not listed | |
| Head tube length | 95mm | 95 | ±0 mm |
Differences are the Santa Cruz Highball minus the Specialized Epic World Cup Expert. Full charts: 2026 Specialized Epic World Cup Expert, 2026 Santa Cruz Highball.
Where each sits in its class
Specialized Epic World Cup ExpertSanta 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 Cup ExpertExpert | Santa Cruz Highball90 |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Specialized FACT 11m | Santa Cruz Highball |
| Fork | RockShox Sid SL Select+ | RockShox Sid SL Select+ |
| Rear shock | RockShox SIDLuxe WCID Ultimate | not listed |
| Shifter | SRAM Pod Controller | SRAM 90 Eagle Transmission |
| Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission | SRAM 90 Eagle Transmission |
| Cassette | SRAM GX Eagle | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission |
| Chain | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission |
| Crankset | SRAM GX Eagle | SRAM 90 Eagle DUB Transmission |
| Chainring | SRAM GX 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 Fast Trak, Specialized Air Trak | Maxxis Rekon Race |
| Brake | SRAM Motive Bronze | SRAM DB 8 |
| Rotor | SRAM Level Ultimate | SRAM HS2 |
| Handlebar | Specialized Mini Rise | SRAM Atmos Flat Bar |
| Stem | Specialized XC | SRAM Atmos Stem |
| Grips | SRAM Slip | SRAM Standard |
| Seatpost | Specialized Alloy | Race Face Next |
| Saddle | Specialized Power Sport | 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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