Ned Overend used a Specialized S-Works Epic at last weekend's Iceman Cometh Challenge in Michigan.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The carbon front triangle includes a burly front end.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The frame boasts minimal filler material, no paint, and sparse decaling.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Specialized's FSR rear suspension design…
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
…is augmented by its Brain-equipped AFR rear shock.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Overend is currently testing Rock Shox's new SID fork.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Specialized team riders get to use MTB versions of its otherwise road-only S-Works FACT Carbon integrated crankset.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The carbon fiber arms are said to be both super stiff and ultralight.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Overend uses a coated NoTubes aluminum rotor out back…
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
…but prefers the better modulation of the Carbon-Ti titanium rotor up front.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The Magura Marta SL is Overend's brake of choice.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Overend's S-Works Epic was equipped with the Specialized Roval Contrôle XC Race Disc wheelset.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The front hub uses a 2:1 lacing pattern to help equalize spoke tension.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Overend used the fast rolling Fast Trak LK tread pattern on the fast two-track Iceman course.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
How much does that weigh again?
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Specialized Sidewinder grips are the lowest profile option in the company's catalog.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
A sturdy aluminum bar plug allows Overend to run bar ends on the carbon bar.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The tried-and-true Shimano PD-M959 pedals keep Overend securely attached.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
SRAM's X.0 rear derailleur knocks off shifts out back.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The clever stem mount computer sits out of the way but remains visible.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
A pair of cages keeps 'The Lung' well hydrated.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
WTB's neoprene chain stay protector is thick enough to dull out chain slap.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Overend raced the Iceman Cometh Challenge for the first time this year.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Even pro racers have to fend for themselves from time to time.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The double seat collar clamps the seatpost itself and the top of the frame.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Jeremey Horgan-Kobelski ran a special Gary Fisher Superfly for the Iceman.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
One-off carbon fiber tubular wheels graced both the front…
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
… and the rear of his machine.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
The carbon fiber rim is both lightweight and strong.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Big, fat 45mm-wide Dugast tubulars fought hard for grip in Michigan's sandy terrain.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Plenty of tire clearance here…
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
…but not much crankarm clearance here!
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
JHK ran just two chainrings.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Little bits of rubber on the Crank Brothers Egg Beater pedals add a bit of grip and quiet things down.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Heather Irmiger also ran a 29er for the Iceman…
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
… with narrow 1.8" wide tires.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Four-time winner (and Michigan native) Kelli Emmett ran her usual Giant Anthem Advanced.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
A beefier front tire kept Emmett upright in the corners…
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
…but a faster rolling tread out back helped keep her ahead of the field.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Fox Racing Shox may not make its F80X fork anymore but that doesn't mean pros can't have one if they want one.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Emmett's bike wore the number plate of the defending champion.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Ross Schnell opted to run just one chainring on his homemade Trek 69er…
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
…and a retro skinsuit borrowed from Travis Brown.
(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
