Specialized Chisel FS - Any feedback yet?

The specialized chisel comp is 12.86kg

The cheap 2023 epic evo is 12.72kg

It would be very hard to notice 140g

I have been riding a chisel comp for a month now and it’s fantastic. The rear shock tune is very good, great balance of efficient but still enough suppleness for rougher stuff. I don’t bother with the lock out now, even on road.

Downhill performance is better than I expected, helped a bit by the slightly higher stack I think and the Sid fork is more controlled through its stroke than I thought it would be.

Components all seem good, brakes aren’t the strongest but I am used to TRP with 223 rotors on my big bikes so a bit of an unfair comparisons. Stock grips are awful, the specialized power saddle is a comfort revelation so will be getting that for my other bikes now.

Reason for ordering over an epic evo was the slightly more modern and trail orientated geo, especially the higher stack, shimano slx rather sram nx and the newer sid suspension rather than a very old design low spec rockshox Reba.

The epic evo makes sense if you are going to upgrade it to lighter parts later or go for a higher spec one

https://www.mtbr.com/threads/chisel-fs-thread.1232352/page-2

here you go @coconut - a couple on there who have ridden it and listed build weights.

https://www.mtbr.com/threads/chisel-fs-thread.1232352/page-2 < here you go @coconut – a couple on there who have ridden it and listed build weights.

a couple of bloody lovely builds in there. Once the frames are in stock i will be buying one. I have toyed with the Epic Evo options, but i want aluminium and the updated geo. Will be a few weeks or so, but will report my findings back.

I'm fairly set on getting a Chisel Comp. Might have to wait until next year though unfortunately.

Still can't seem to be able to quote but following the reply above and my post on a previous thread, the chap I spoke to in the specialized Store in Harrogate reckoned that the better Chisel was a touch lighter than the cheapest Epic Evo 8 according to their scales.

What's the deal with the '8' in the epics? I know the difference between normal Epic and Evo...not sussed what an 8 is though? (Apologies if it's incredibly obvious, I don't really follow bike stuff much.....I know, peak STWer!)

8 = 8th generation I believe

further to my earlier post about pre ordering the cheapest chisel fs bike. i know that it isn't light etc but just wanted to get one before the middle of next year (as i have a ride planned hopefully for it).

i do plan on lightening it as funds allow but the base model will keep us riding as i'm doing so. just very much looking forward to February 2025  now 🙂

I'd sooner have an epic 8 base model over the chisel tbh

But the base epic is about 40% more expensive than the most expensive chisel.

as an aside, my local specialized dealer which is owned by specialized, no less has 2 high end epic evo 8’s and a couple of stumpjumpers at over 11,000 Canadian, but they have no plans to stock the Chisel FS.

I guess they know their market, but the chisel isn’t that far from the epic evo and they already have the new status, do it isn’t the “cheapness”. That said, an inexpensive park bike probably appeals to a bigger market than a similarly priced xc bike.

My thoughts echo what Farmerguy said. I've had my FS comp a couple of weeks now, did two 40 miles rides this week and each time I ride it I'm convinced I made a good choice! My reasoning against a reduced epic was that I preferred the spec list of the chisel comp and didn't want to have to upgrade or swap parts.

It's done really well on and around the ridgeway so far.

What price are these base spec Epics? Give me £3k and I bet I can build a nicer bike on one of the Chisel FS frame only deals.

Definitely looks like the last Cannondale Scalpel (circa 2018) with the flex seat stay.

I wonder how it's ride compares to a four bar design.

Odd that Specialized have moved to a single pivot/faux bar from a four bar, where Cannondale have done the opposite with their Scalpel design.

Would you not prefer a Cannondale Scalpel? I bet it's a good bit lighter than an alloy Chisel FS.

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Cannondale/Scalpel-4-mountain-Bike-2024/12MZ7

well they said that my chisel wouldn't arrive until feb 2025, but when i emailed the manager saying that i would be in next week to pay another installment towards the bike (am selling my guitar and mini amp) Dave the manager replied the bike has turned up early 😀

i plan on going in tomorrow afternoon to see it (paying the next installment as well). will take some pics of it if i can.

feels like crimbo has come early lol.

@racefaceec90 - remind me, what model and colour did you go for? And size?

Looking forward to seeing some pics 🙂

@v7fmp am going for one of these in the red colour small   https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/chisel/p/4221775?color=5382740-4221775

ha they uploaded woohoo.

love the bike when i saw it i have to say (well i would say that).

it is heavy no doubt about that (reckon 30lb or so at a guess). but i will call it resistance  training when i get to ride it.

i do plan on upgrading it when funds allow.

cannot wait to ride it now (in around 6 months time or so lol).

@racefaceec90 - lovely looking bit of kit!

@v7fmp thank you am very much looking forward to riding it 🙂

Just leaving this here...

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/rocky-mountain-element-a50-mountain-bike-greyblack__9115

£1,999 from £4,499

in around 6 months time or so

Bet before end of the week you'll be working out how to get that out on the trails earlier.....?

Did they supply it with the front hose routed that way? Very nice colour

@dlr i think so but not sure tbh.

Yep, I'd be whipping that caliper off and routing the hose correctly inside the fork. 2 minute job.

Oh and - the colour is wonderful!

Always amazing how customers phone pics often make the bikes look better than the PR shots on the websites!

will be picking the bike up tomorrow so hope to do a short video when out on it (i have ridden it up and down the side road by the shop and it felt very nice).

@coconut - this is going to blow your mind.

https://www.specialized.com/au/en/chisel-comp-evo/p/4274939?color=5436775-4274939

So glad I stumbled on this thread. Was trying to justify £2700 of debt for the posh Chisel when I saw a 2023 Epic EVO for £2k. Can't fkn wait ?

I’ve been pondering a chisel fs to replace my chisel ht.

thought I would wait until the new year, but balfes sent out a 10% off everything code, so placed an order earlier for a chisel fs comp.

whilst I agree there are great prices on the old epic evo, the chisel has better geo and spec in my opinion and it’s not made of plastic, so will compliment my Raaw Madonna well.

same boat tho…. Can’t ruddy wait!

Was looking at getting the Frame only and swapping some parts over from a current rigid set up. Possibly try the DT Swiss F232 which gets some good reviews and can be had for a reasonable price.

Then Specialized confirmed they will be bringing in the new Chisel FS Comp - Evo spec in the new year.......... looks like some great upgrades for an extra £300. Weight still looks very good. Decisions ... decisions.....

Chisel Comp Evo

Was looking at getting the Frame only and swapping some parts over from a current rigid set up. Possibly try the DT Swiss F232 which gets some good reviews and can be had for a reasonable price.

Then Specialized confirmed they will be bringing in the new Chisel FS Comp – Evo spec in the new year………. looks like some great upgrades for an extra £300. Weight still looks very good. Decisions … decisions…..

Chisel Comp Evo

I was looking at the frame as well but i still think you could build something nicer for £3k with the frame only with all the deals about at the moment. Also doesn't look as great a deal at full RRP when the Epic 8 has already been reduced as low as £3.2k recently. Given the recent pattern with Specialized sales it'll be reduced 30-40% in less than 6 months.

I was looking at the frame as well but i still think you could build something nicer for £3k with the frame only with all the deals about at the moment. Also doesn’t look as great a deal at full RRP when the Epic 8 has already been reduced as low as £3.2k recently. Given the recent pattern with Specialized sales it’ll be reduced 30-40% in less than 6 months.

Yes, in no rush, likely a project for the Spring. When they discount the frame that's probably the time to go for it.

Had mine a few weeks now, XL size Chisel FS base, it's 15kg with pedals and bottle cages etc

I'll be making some upgrades over the next year, starting with those forks, I weighed them at just over 2.5kg and the cassette, it's 711g (will be going on the kickr though so not a complete waste).

Initial thoughts are that I want the bars lower (stack is higher than my XL sonder Evol) and the grips were too thin for my taste. Just need to put the miles in now.

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Got myself a base Chisel FS Shimano in August last year, and covered 200 miles on the stock bike which (in size S) weighed 14.4kg with pedals and one bottle cage. Here it is in stock form:

I decided to take some weight off, and improve transmission etc. Opted for a 2021 SID Ultimate Raceday fork, which shaved 1kg off the front. I then went for an XT drivetrain which shaved 400g off the bike. Both upgrades were worth it. Here's what it looks like now at 13kg after covering an additional 50 mies:

Going for the 'comp' is a very sensible option. It's already lighter, has a slightly better drivetrain, better fork, and a shock that can be serviced in most places. There aren't many places that will service the X Fusion O2 Pro rear shock - plus if you want to tune it, I'm not sure the knowledge or parts are out there. The comp is worth the extra £700 if those things matter to you. A few things to point out:
1- Base 'Shimano' model isn't totally Shimano - cranks and BB are 'Prowheel' branded. YMMV as far as getting a replacement or different chainring for it. Going to a full XT drivetrain, it's a lot quieter/smoother so I'm pleased.

2- Switching to the SID forks required a new front rotor - stock is 160mm (despite what the sales blurb claims), and I had to replace it with a 180mm rotor.

3- Base model brakes are fine, but not sinter pad compatible. Apparently, to go sintered, new calipers and rotors are required. Bear that in mind.

4- Headset lasted 200 miles. No rubber seals on the top or bottom. I replaced it with an FSA headset and keep an eye on it. Could be user error, but worth mentioning.

5- Rear axle has come loose once or twice - not sure why. User error? I have greased it etc to avoid corrosion, so I might try something else.

6- VERY easy to setup as tubeless. It took minutes using a track pump, and has been trouble-free. 

Having had 13 years off riding a MTB, previously owning a HT with only 90mm travel, I can't give you any realistic feedback on how it rides/performs compared to other FS bikes.

So far, it's been great though - but it'll take time to get used to how it performs going up VERY steep stuff. I might change the position of the flip-chip and/or bars for a better position when climbing.

There's a chap on mtb-news forum who built up the frameset with the whole bike weighing 9.95kg. Albeit without a dropper. Still, that's lighter than my Swerks Epic!

i have a comp in the garage. had it for a while now... yet to ride it 🙁

I have swapped some parts onto it (carbon wheels) and am awaiting an XX drivetrain for it. So once that arrives i am looking forward to munching some miles on it!

3- Base model brakes are fine, but not sinter pad compatible. Apparently, to go sintered, new calipers and rotors are required. Bear that in mind.

It's just the rotors usually.  You might die, maybe from brake failure, maybe from something else.  IIRC they're just not as hard as or ground flat after cutting like the more expensive ones so wear faster with sintered pads or may not stay as straight. 

4- Headset lasted 200 miles. No rubber seals on the top or bottom. I replaced it with an FSA headset and keep an eye on it. Could be user error, but worth mentioning.

Not-glad to see nothings changed at Specialized.  I remember my Pitch which would have been a similar value price-point had a open ball headset and the rear hub had an awful design that ate bearings (I seem to recall it might have been like a shimano hub with only 2 bearings but they were cartridges, and a sealed freehub you could neither service nor get a replacement for. 

It* was enough to put me off ever buying a complete bike from them ever again.  The headline spec was OK, but really you had to judge the value of it as a frameset and fork, most of the rest was junk.

*along with the SRAM brakes that failed, the horribly flexy stem, the downgraded cassette that was raw unplated steel (I've never seen one so heavy!) 

Look closely at the wheels. I bet there is a huge weight saving on those. If they are anything like the HT then the rims are light enough but the hubs way an absolute ton. I replaced the shimano stock ones with 350's (SH) that weigh less combined that the OEM rear. Add the change from SP to butted spokes then wheels are now considerably lighter.

Posted by: bitmuddytoday

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the whole bike weighing 9.95kg

I remember seeing the article/thread - VERY light. I have a Euro Millions ticket for tomorrow night though - you never know. 😉

Posted by: v7fmp

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i have a comp in the garage

Good choice. I honestly wasn't sure I was going to take to mountain biking again, hence getting the poverty spec. Comp is the way to go IMO.

Posted by: thisisnotaspoon

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It's just the rotors usually.

That's exactly what I thought - can't imagine why a caliper wouldn't be sinter compatible, unless it's something to do with the seals? I'll look into it again.

Posted by: nixie

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Look closely at the wheels. I bet there is a huge weight saving on those.

Totally agree - I have full carbon wheels on my road bike, but I'm a bit on the fence about carbon on the MTB. I was thinking of an Alu set, that will put up with my future mistakes. 

The other thing I forgot to mention in my OP, is how the definition of XC has changed. I was never that brave back when I was riding regularly on my short travel HT. All I remember is it trying to spit me off.

I'm quite glad to have a FS bike to make up for how things have moved on, and the bike hasn't tried to buck me off (yet). 🤞

PS Riding a 29'er feels like riding a penny farthing compared to my old 26" bike on very tight or very steep stuff. I just need to get used to it.

I weighed the wheels while setting them up tubeless, just over 1800g for the pair, so not terrible considering they have a steel freehub. Forks, cassette and chain set will make the biggest difference to weight. 
I’ve got a new pair of pistons on order for the Guide RSCs that have been languishing in my parts box for the last few years, they’ll be going on in place of the levels.

That's exactly what I thought - can't imagine why a caliper wouldn't be sinter compatible, unless it's something to do with the seals? I'll look into it again.

My Vitus came with 4+2 pot MT500 brakes, I've paid no attention to any warnings about pad types if there were any.  Although I did swap the rotors as I had some nicer ones in the spares box. 

I'm 99.99% sure the warning only applied to the rotors. 

PS Riding a 29'er feels like riding a penny farthing compared to my old 26" bike on very tight or very steep stuff. I just need to get used to it.

I never really found this, the improved rolling more than made up for the longer wheelbase in anything technical, it might take slightly more input to get a modern bike to corner, but it won't get stuck on a root/rock/pothole halfway round the berm either so you don't need to make as much/many inputs either.

Where it was noticeable is on flat out bike-park style sections where the added weight and gyroscopic effect makes itself felt.  But again, the flipside of that is the bike if far more stable and sticks to the corners like it's glued to the floor compared to old skittish bikes. 

There's a few sections of local trails that used to absolutely terrify me, steep, loose, muddy, chutes that ended in tight bends across the slope etc and were just a case of rolling into them and hoping. Modern bikes let you actually attack them.  And I'm not sure I've got any better at riding, I'm certainly more risk adverse!

Waiting on my cycle2work voucher to come through.  Tredz have reserved me a Base.  Would go Comp but voucher limit is 2500.  

Recent review from Brink:

Wil, formally of this parish, has built one up here:

https://flowmountainbike.com/tests/specialized-chisel-frameset-2025/

And there is a mainly US based thread on MTBR that has a bit more traction than this:

https://www.mtbr.com/threads/chisel-fs-thread.1232352/

Just serviced the air can (250 miles is roughly 20 hours). Just a clean and re-lube. Feels lovely - a little service goes a long way. May as well keep this X-Fusion shock going for as long as possible (service parts are like hen's teeth in the UK).

Posted by: momo

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I weighed the wheels while setting them up tubeless, just over 1800g for the pair

Thanks - that's good to know. I saw another post (not on this forum) suggesting they're just over 2kg, but they were off a Chisel HT IIRC.

Posted by: thisisnotaspoon

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I'm 99.99% sure the warning only applied to the rotors. 

Good to know - I'll look into it. Had to go to a 180mm rotor to accommodate the SID fork, so it's just a case of changing the rear rotor when I'm ready.

Posted by: heavy_rat

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Tredz have reserved me a Base.  Would go Comp but voucher limit is 2500.

I've seen a few discounted (though base models), so you *might* be able to get your hands on one (depending on size). 

Here's a UK based store, with a shop soiled bike for sale (not sure if it qualifies for the scheme):
https://www.certini.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/shop-soiled-specialized-chisel-comp-shimano-mountain-bike--x-large__99228?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=93825-5105%20SS%205707V&srsltid=AfmBOop0TBPf3toVMhScczXmGMAK4fVCChMMcuz8vOJKigCX1ncotQcDvVg

These guys are local to me. Cracking lads. You might be able to add accessories upto the value of £2500 on a new one. A fork maybe?
https://www.bicyclechain.co.uk/shop/bikes/sub/mountain/specialized-chisel-90841266/option/

I think Will at flow reallly likes his

Posted by: thisisnotaspoon

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My Vitus came with 4+2 pot MT500 brakes, I've paid no attention to any warnings about pad types if there were any. 

Posted by: thisisnotaspoon

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It's just the rotors usually. 

Just an update - after calling my LBS and searching for answers, here's the Shimano compatibility chart:
https://productinfo.shimano.com/en/compatibility/C-192

There's no sinter option for the BR-MT410 calipers... despite the marketing bumph suggesting there is. I'm not picking on this particular retailer - various web sites suggest they are compatible... but it conflicts with Shimano's chart:
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Shimano-BR-MT410-Deore-2-pot-Calliper-without-adapters-Front-Rear_234186.htm

So it looks like there's no OEM offering... it's either aftermarket, or a different set of calipers.

Another reason to go for the Chisel FS Comp (avoiding the base spec Shimano) - it comes with the M6100 series brakes (various pad options available from Shimano) and absolute clarity regarding the use of sintered pads. 👍