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Specialized has released new builds and colors for the Chisel FS. For those like me who aren’t keen on pink, there’s also a new frame-only colour!
all the new colours look pretty nice. And the comp has a mechanical T-Type on it. I am still very much enjoying mine. Covers ground so fast!
timely, just been looking at picking up the comp and some carbon roval wheels via the cycle scam scheme!
Not a fan of that lime colour so dull colour it might end up being.
Thats much more palatable! I've been patiently waiting to see if the frame only option ever dropped to a grand in a sale somewhere - it got pretty close, but not *quite* there - I'll go for it if it does as a swap from my hardtail!
Yeah I'm liking that purple Chisel frameset!
I think if they’d released that colour from the start, I’d have bitten the bullet already. Shame used bike prices are so low right now, I’d be lucky to get more than a bag of Quavers for either of my bikes at these prices.
Order placed for 2025 Comp as I think the lake and white is nicer then the 2026 colourways, also ordered some carbon wheels, X01 cassette and chain too. Hoping to pick the bike up in the next week or so once the C2W paperwork is finished.
Will chuck some Code RSC's I have spare on the bike and enjoy over the winter! Pics to follow.
I am really, really loving this bike. I've been trying to keep it stock, but added a longer dropper before I left the shop. They also had Level TL's dirt cheap, so added those too.
Looks like the hamsters are on their lunch break. Anyway.
Nice colour.
Nice. 👌
My BB area's taken a battering (a few direct hits, plus a zillion little stone chips). I'd have got some film onto it in hindsight - you know, because a shiny bike feels faster.
Minehead is good, comp spec. Swapped the drivetrain from SRAM to xt. Had much troubles with gear shifting, only ridden it a few times, one of those was a 24. Taking it to a chap who is going to put a new outer gear cable in but seems that the routing is a little tight round the BB area to the chain stay. Anyone else had similar trouble?
Minehead is good, comp spec. Swapped the drivetrain from SRAM to xt. Had much troubles with gear shifting, only ridden it a few times, one of those was a 24. Taking it to a chap who is going to put a new outer gear cable in but seems that the routing is a little tight round the BB area to the chain stay. Anyone else had similar trouble?
I had troubles too - somehow managed to pull on the outer which messed things up. Tight routing as you say - couldn't push it back in. Ghost shifting no matter what I tried.
Changed the outer then went through everything from hanger to B screw. Got there eventually. 👍
Quite fussy compared to my road/gravel bikes running 11 speed. Dare not touch it now that it's running OK.
Glad I am not the only one. The dealer put a new inner in which improved it while riding around a car park, soon as I was on the first lap of that 24 it all went to crap 😭
Cheers for all the info, was also looking at the base Chisel. Were you able to find a replacement upgrade shock for yours?
Cheers for all the info, was also looking at the base Chisel. Were you able to find a replacement upgrade shock for yours?
@northersouth - I've tried two. I prefer the latter one for my use case.
The stock X-Fusion shock was good, all considered. But no UK parts availability for home servicing, no options to tune it.
1) I first tried a B2 Rockshox Deluxe Select+ off a '23 Epic Evo. Apparently it was a new 'take off', and I have no reason to believe that wasn't the case. It had an "Rx Trail" sticker on it. It wasn't as good as the X-Fusion for pedalling, and it went through the travel very easily. I found the compression tune a bit soft TBH.
2) Then I tried an A1 SidLuxe Ultimate. It matches the Specialized 'Rx XC' tune in every way, apart from the compression tune (L instead of L1). A lot better for pedaling, but lost a bit of pop. I sped up the rebound by two clicks and it suits me better now.
PS With the latter, I ordered it with remote lockout... but I've not felt the need to fit it yet.
Cheers. Is that Sidluxe the one Merlin have for £150? Can you easily adjust the rebound/compression etc. without having to use the remote
Cheers. Is that Sidluxe the one Merlin have for £150? Can you easily adjust the rebound/compression etc. without having to use the remote
I can only adjust the rebound on mine (with a small allen key).
Basically you'd want a 190x40 shock. I assume the one you're referring to at Merlin is this one:
MERLINCYCLES.COM It seems the same as mine (Ultimate, Solo Air RLR), but they say nothing about the tune or chassis... I'd ask them for the tune and chassis at least - then you can compare it to 'stock' tunes to see if it's close.
I ended up buying from another retailer (can't see it on their site anymore). The tune was very close (slightly stiffer compression) so I went for it.
PS The 190x40 shocks on offer are just 190x45 shocks with a 5mm spacer. Problem is adding a spacer is a bit involved, so it helps to get a 190x40 from the outset IMO.
I'm selling my pink framest in Large if anyone fancies one of these. Excellent condition.
@northersouth the one I've been lusting after for years appeared on sale. Transition Spur frameset in large with 35% off from Windwave, one only. Swapped everything over except the dropper.
Nice.
Hmmm....
@ogden done 👍
I was waiting to hear from a friend of a friend who may have been interested hence waiting.Pink frame for sale
Incase it's of any use/helps with the sale, Specialized does give warranty coverage to the 2nd owner.
"Subsequent Owners (second or later) are covered by a two year warranty from date of original retail purchase by original purchaser."
It also seems you get free suspension pivot bearings (1 kit per year) from Specialized
That pink is a nice colour! Definitely eyeing one of these up for daughters next bike (assuming she graduates from a small to medium in the near future.
apologies if already answered here (i have the basic chisel fs sram model posted on page 2).
what would you recommend i upgrade first on the bike as it is heavy for sure.
also what rear shock do i need to upgrade to also? no idea about the size etc for the frame.
i do plan on fully upgrading my bike as funds allow.
thank you kindly 🙂
apologies if already answered here (i have the basic chisel fs sram model posted on page 2).
what would you recommend i upgrade first on the bike as it is heavy for sure.
also what rear shock do i need to upgrade to also? no idea about the size etc for the frame.
i do plan on fully upgrading my bike as funds allow.
thank you kindly 🙂
Sometimes an 'upgrade' isn't an upgrade if it's the wrong part - you can end up with a bike that doesn't ride as nicely if you choose the wrong shock for example. Same goes for tyres - if you're used to fast/light tyres, you might not like the feeling of slow/sticky tyres.
But your fork weighs 2.5kg (!!!) and the rebound adjustment is crude. Definitely start there.
Save 900g with a SID select, or 1kg with a SID ultimate (if you want an XC feel). BIG weight saving straight away. You'll need a 180mm front rotor with either of those forks. Select+ is the most adjustable IIRC.
Others fork options are out there too (depending on how you want the bike to ride), you could even convert your bike to a Chisel Evo by going for a 130mm fork - a different personality altogether.
With 1kg potentially removed from the front end, try to remove weight from the rear end too: Cassette + lighter wheel. Worry about middle bits later (chainset, saddle and seat post).
If you're happy with your shock - send it off to be serviced (only one place does them IIRC?). If you want to service it yourself, or fancy something with more adjustment - try to get a shock that works for your riding style. 190x40 (not 190x45).
Various Rockshox 'tunes' are listed on P2 of this thread (some are Trail oriented, others are XC oriented). You'll need the right top bushings to make it fit in the frame (bottom bushings are not needed). Other brands will work, but you'll have to do some research to figure out which tune you want.
As above, changing the fork made the biggest difference in feel to mine, I went for a 34 same as the ones fitted to the evo (only because i got them for a very low price, I had planned to stick at 120mm).
the wheels while not light aren’t actually that heavy, I bought a different set though as I wanted to fit a X0 cassette (saved over 300g against the stock one) and the wheels I bought cost me less than the xd driver and standard 15mm front adapters.
I have changed the chainset too, the standard one isn’t too heavy, but the BB is. I didn’t like the 175mm cranks though, had a fair few pedal strikes so two birds one stone, ended up with lighter cranks the right length (and a power meter too)
I am very tempted by one of these (base spec). Would put a Fox 34 130mm upfront, change drivetrain to Shimano SLX/XT and get some different wheels. Would weigh about 12kg ish.
Basically make an evo, but saving £1k+
I am very tempted by one of these (base spec). Would put a Fox 34 130mm upfront, change drivetrain to Shimano SLX/XT and get some different wheels. Would weigh about 12kg ish.
Basically make an evo, but saving £1k+
It would probably be around 12.5kg or slightly over with pedals (depending on the wheel choice and pedals).
Base spec bike (Small) with the following, now weighs in at 12.6 kg:
-SID Ultimate 120mm fork (biggest saving)
-SIDLuxe Ultimate shock (barely saved weight)
-XT (full drivetrain & BB) (good savings)
-Deore calipers (levers and hoses unchanged) (didn't weigh them)
-180mm front rotor (160mm will not fit new fork) (a fraction heavier).
-M540 pedals (I'm scared of flat pedals)
-Hunt XC Wide (6 bolt) wheels (lighter overall - barely a saving on front wheel, but 6 bolt rotors are lighter than centre lock).
-Tubeless, kept stock tyres (who still runs tubes?)
Approx 1.8kg shaved off.
Nice spec and thanks for the info. Was thinking of those Ghost Carbon wheels (weigh under 1.5kg). I was surprised reading how heavy the stock rekon forks are. Can be a somewhat economic upgrade if you offset costs by selling the old wheels, drivetrain fork etc.
@ogden done 👍
I was waiting to hear from a friend of a friend who may have been interested hence waiting.Pink frame for sale
If someone would buy my brand new Cotic Bfe frame I have for sale, I'd be all over this! @bedmaker you open to posting it?
Yeah, no problem.
apologies if already answered here (i have the basic chisel fs sram model posted on page 2).
what would you recommend i upgrade first on the bike as it is heavy for sure.
also what rear shock do i need to upgrade to also? no idea about the size etc for the frame.
i do plan on fully upgrading my bike as funds allow.
thank you kindly 🙂
For the rear shock, you could look at the shock that comes on the Chisel Comp, its a 190 x 40 Rockshox Deluxe Select, can see plenty on eBay. Do look for the ones from Chisels, as ones of other brands may have a diff tune and not feel great.
For other upgrades, Forks for the weight, and then rear cassette, I think the wheels have a HG driver and I'm not sure what lighter weight cassettes for HG exist, or you could look to get a XD driver and chuck a X01 cassette on there (or wheels with XD driver).
Other stuff I'd replace as its wears such as chain, chainring, cranks, tyres.
EDIT: For the fork, again, if you look at the Chisel Comp, its a Rockshox Sid 120mm Select, can see a few of those on FB marketplace and eBay.
right i have finally started to upgrade my chisel fs (cheapest model). my local bike shop has ordered a rockshox sid fork and a full xt groupset (was on special offer at merlin for 1/2 price inc brakes). i then plan on saving up for a set of the roval xc world cup wheels for it once i have paid off the fork and groupset.
then the rear shock and bar stem and saddle. i hope once i have done all that it will be a fair bit lighter than it is atm (and also hopefully will be lovely summer weather too).
now i just need to start riding my bike again as i haven't due to depression and awful weather here in wiltshire the past month(s).
Frame Sizing?
Sorry if this has been covered. I've been contemplating an FS chisel for ages. I currently have a chisel HT (second gen) in a medium with a 70mm stem. At 5' 6" and a tiny, tall ( or short) it feels just right.
I automatically thought a medium again but not so sure now
How has it sized up in the real world with you folks?
I am 5ft 5 and ride a small chisel fs and it feels fine for me but you might prefer a medium if you are used to a ht medium. I think my inside leg is 31 inches but has been a long time since I measured it I have to admit.
I am 5ft 5 and ride a small chisel fs and it feels fine for me but you might prefer a medium if you are used to a ht medium. I think my inside leg is 31 inches but has been a long time since I measured it I have to admit.
Cheers
well i finally have upgraded the drivetrain and wheels on my base chisel (also got a rockshox sid ultimate fork fitted about a month ago in black)
my bike now has a full xt 12 speed groupset (10 to 51 and a 30t chainring with 170mm cranks) minus the ice rotors and a pair of roval sl carbon wheels with dt swiss 350 hubs/ alu spokes with specialized ground control tires in tanwall.
(have kept the current rotors but plan to upgrade to hope floating rotors once i have paid off the wheels and tires, along with bar and stem and grips. maybe the dropper and saddle also but def the rear shock will be upgraded to a rockshox one).
my bike now weighs 28.10 lbs in small (it was def over 30 lbs maybe 31lbs originally).
i definitely noticed a difference just riding it back on k & a canal back from the bike shop. it felt lighter for sure and the new ratchet freehub is flipping awesome and almost silent which i love (never had a ratchet freehub before).
i cannot wait to start riding it properly hopefully as spring is upon us 🙂
i cannot wait to start riding it properly hopefully as spring is upon us
Ride ride ride. If you're not wearing parts out, ride some more!!
PS No pics = it didn't happen. 😉