Santa Cruz Highball 3 vs Specialized Epic 9: geometry and fit comparison
Matched sizes, stack and reach deltas, and a fit check against your own body instead of guessing from two separate size charts.
The Santa Cruz Highball 3 is built as a cross-country geometry frame, the Specialized Epic 9 as a cross-country geometry frame. The Santa Cruz Highball 3 stack is slightly taller, about 6 mm, which is not enough to change the position by itself. Reach is nearly identical across matched sizes.
Switching from a Santa Cruz Highball 3?
Your closest Specialized Epic 9 size, and what will still feel different about the position.
| You ride the Santa Cruz Highball 3 in | Take the Specialized Epic 9 in | The position will feel |
|---|---|---|
| S | S | 2 mm lower · 5 mm longer |
| M | M | 1 mm lower · 10 mm longer |
| L | M | 10 mm lower · 10 mm shorter |
| XL | L | 15 mm lower · 10 mm shorterDifferent position |
Which one fits you better?
Run the same measurements through both frames. The likely size and the full fit report can differ more than the spec sheets suggest.
What Santa Cruz Highball 3 size fits you?
Get an instant frame estimate, then continue into the full fit report to check cockpit reach, bar drop, and setup risks before you buy.
No account needed for this check. The full report keeps this bike preselected.
What Specialized Epic 9 size fits you?
Get an instant frame estimate, then continue into the full fit report to check cockpit reach, bar drop, and setup risks before you buy.
No account needed for this check. The full report keeps this bike preselected.
FAQ
Which has the taller front end: Santa Cruz Highball 3 or Specialized Epic 9?
The Santa Cruz Highball 3 stack is slightly taller, about 6 mm, which is not enough to change the position by itself.
Can the same rider take different sizes on these two bikes?
Yes, and it happens often: frame labels are not standardized. Use the matched-size table for geometry, then run the fit check below with your own measurements for each bike.
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