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