Specialized Epic 9 (2026) — PPF Frame Protection | Tectora Bike Protection
Applies to the entire range: Epic 9 Expert, Pro, S-Works and S-Works Ultralight LTD (from 2026)
The Specialized Epic 9 isn't just another XC bike — it's the lightest full-suspension frame ever made. 1,589 grams in size M, including the rear shock, hardware, and all bolts. That's 206 g lighter than the Epic 8 and 129 g lighter than the nearest competitor. A complete S-Works Epic 9 Ultralight LTD weighs 8.5 kg. There's no luck or magic behind that number — it's the result of a full FEA analysis of the frame, in which Specialized stress-mapped every gram of carbon and removed material everywhere it wasn't essential. That's exactly why at BikeProtection we developed a Tectora PPF kit cut specifically for this frame.
Why does the lightest frame in the world need the most protection?
This is the key point most riders overlook. When Specialized removed every unnecessary gram of carbon through FEA optimisation, it means one thing: the carbon walls are thinner precisely where maximum strength isn't needed for riding loads. The frame is perfectly dimensioned for the forces of pedalling and descending — but a random rock strike, a fall on the trail, or an impact during transport are not "riding loads." They're unpredictable, point-source forces.
On a heavier frame with thicker carbon, a scratch or chip has more material reserve beneath it. On the Epic 9, where every gram has been removed with surgical precision, that reserve is minimal. STEK PPF film acts as a sacrificial layer — it adds protection exactly where Specialized had to sacrifice it in the name of weight. You're protecting not just the paint, but the structural integrity of the ultra-light carbon itself.
The shock zone — what Specialized kept and what Tectora adds
The Epic 9's rear shock is partially hidden inside the frame — a new placement that helped reduce weight and clean up the silhouette. Around the shock is an exposed zone that the Tectora (STEK PPF) kit from BikeProtection covers. It's an area in contact with mud and gravel that would otherwise collect damage right at the heart of the frame.
The Epic 9 also completely removed the SWAT storage compartment that the Epic 8 had — saving 110 g and replacing it with an external bolt-on box. The result is a cleaner frame without a large opening in the down tube. The frame is also designed exclusively for wireless drivetrains, so it has no cable ports — the surface is smoother and more continuous, ideal for precise PPF application.
The factory film on the down tube — two application options
The Epic 9 comes from the factory with a protective film on the underside of the down tube. The Tectora (STEK PPF) kit from BikeProtection is designed for this area to give you a choice:
Option A — replace the original with our single-piece part. You peel off the factory film and apply our pre-cut piece. The result is clean, with no step in height anywhere. The catch: peeling off the original film takes time, and it usually leaves adhesive behind that must be thoroughly cleaned from the frame — it can leave residue that requires patience.
Option B — apply our piece over the original film. Faster, and you get double protection on the most exposed spot. The catch: at the transition from the original film to the bare frame there's a step the thickness of the film, where water is harder to squeegee out and bubbles can form.
The choice is yours — a cleaner result with more effort, or faster installation with a small cosmetic compromise at the transition.
What does the Tectora (STEK PPF) kit from BikeProtection protect on the Specialized Epic 9?
The kit is laser-cut specifically for the Epic 9 frame — not a universal sheet. It covers the complete carbon frame:
— Down tube (full surface) — primary impact zone, with two application methods available on the underside — Zone around the partially hidden shock — exposed area at the heart of the frame — Top tube — contact during transport and in the service area — Seat tube — rub and leg contact on climbs — Chainstays — chain slap, mud abrasion — Rear triangle — coverage of stays and pivot surrounds
The Tectora film is 208 microns thick with a self-healing top coat — light scratches disappear with gentle heat from a hair dryer. Available in matte and gloss.
Protection without a weight compromise
For an XC racer, weight is sacred — and the Epic 9 is the lightest frame in the world precisely because every gram counts. So the question is: how much does PPF add? The answer: approximately 80–100 g for the whole frame. That's less than the water in a single bottle, less than one energy gel. For that price you get protection for a frame that starts at €6,999 and up — one whose repair after a deep chip into ultra-thin carbon would cost many times more than 100 g of added weight.
Installation: the kit uses a wet application method. Clean the frame with isopropyl alcohol, wet both the surface and the film backing, slide the pieces into position, squeegee out the water and leave to cure. Hair dryer to seal the edges at the end. Total time: 2–3 hours. A full video guide is available here:
Buy the Tectora (STEK PPF) kit from BikeProtection for Specialized Epic 9 — €105 → SPECIALIZED / S-WORKS EPIC 9 – Frame Protection Kit – STEK PPF | TECTORA – BikeProtection
Frequently asked questions
Why should I protect the lightest frame in the world with PPF film? Precisely because it's the lightest. Specialized removed every unnecessary gram of carbon through FEA analysis — the carbon walls are thinner where strength isn't needed for riding loads. That means less reserve against a random rock strike or fall. The Tectora (STEK PPF) kit from BikeProtection at €105 adds a protective layer exactly where Specialized sacrificed it in the name of weight. It carries a 10-year guarantee against yellowing and cracking.
Should I peel off the factory film on the down tube, or apply our piece over it? You have a choice. If you peel off the original and replace it with our piece, you get a cleaner result with no step — but peeling takes time and the original film leaves adhesive that must be cleaned. If you apply our piece over the original, you get double protection and faster installation — but bubbles can form at the film transition. Both methods work.
Does the kit cover the shock zone on the Epic 9? Yes — the shock on the Epic 9 is partially hidden inside the frame and the zone around it is exposed to mud and gravel. The Tectora (STEK PPF) kit from BikeProtection covers this area.
The Specialized Epic 9 is the culmination of 24 years of XC race bike development. One Tectora (STEK PPF) kit from BikeProtection, applied once before the first ride, and the lightest carbon frame in the world stays protected even after hundreds of race kilometres.