I built this custom cross-country rig to replace my previous Specialized Epic World Cup, which had limited rear travel for my preferred riding style and left me wanting more on technical terrain,” says Trevor Howard, NOBL Wheels Founder.

“The new Specialized S-Works Epic 9 nearly doubles that rear travel. Paired with RockShox Flight Attendant automated suspension, it delivers an incredibly efficient ride that climbs like a hardtail but tracks flawlessly on descents.”

From Ultra-Distance XC to Gravel & Adventure

This isn’t just a short-course XC bike; it doubles as my go-to gravel and adventure bike. It’s built to thrive on long-distance marathon races like the Merritt Crown, a gruelling 120km mountain bike race. Thanks to a few key component tweaks— including swapping in a 150mm dropper post—I rode this setup to a 3rd place overall finish at the 2026 race.

Dialling In the Weight: 20 to 22 lb

Depending on the course profile, the complete bike weight fluctuates between 20.0 and 22.2 lb (with pedals). I fluctuate the build between two configurations:

• The Ultra-Lightweight Setup: Featuring our 993v g NOBL Ethos SL180 wheelset for maximum acceleration and compliance on smoother courses and gravel-heavy routes.

• The Aggressive Trail Setup: My “heavy” mode swaps in the slightly stouter NOBL Ethos XC wheels, a OneUp dropper post, Shimano XTR pedals, and durable Continental tires. I choose this setup when courses demand high-speed descents and technical stability.