New Specialized Chisel…

Just out a few hours ago!… The new Speialized Chisel looks an interesting XC/downcountry bike, 120mm front & 110mm rear. I think this is priced well (£2K for standard with a Recon, or £2.7k for the SID build)

https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/c/chisel

That’ll be good value at 50% off in 6 months. 😉

It’s a full metal epic – same geo as epic 8

That’ll be good value at 50% off in 6 months. 😉

I dunno, looks to me like that’s pretty keenly priced and well specced right out the gate for specialised, bit of a correction vs the last couple of years.

and they seem to be on a bit of a run this year with keenly priced alloy bikes that are at very respectable weights. See also the crux gravel bike that’s sold out already.

When I returned to MTB last year I couldn’t work out why all the ‘normal’ bikes were 140mm travel. This looks an excellent mid level full Susser that will suit many to me.

I think this looks pretty decent value. Seems almost identical geo to the Epic Evo, which is a good thing.

That looks like my ideal bike. for my sort of riding that would work anywhere

Also specced with Shimano unlike my current Chisel which did have SRAM. Happy about that

that is defo on my radar, would be a great addition to my enduro bike and be a bit more comfy than my Chisel HT.

Its just a shame its not available in brushed aluminium.

When I returned to MTB last year I couldn’t work out why all the ‘normal’ bikes were 140mm travel.

I’ve set PBs on my recent 140/150 bike that had previously stood for a decade from when I was XC racing on those segments. Why not have 140mm travel if you’re no slower than a hardtail or 100mm bike?

Having said that, I do like the look of this! 😃

Also specced with Shimano unlike my current Chisel which did have SRAM.

I’m another one who bought the Chisel Comp HT at near 50% off – I appreciate that it’s pretty entry level SRAM and definitely not the lightest but actually it’s been faultless so far. Definitely ripe for upgrade as and when it wears out though.

The new Chisel FS looks very good. Same with that new aluminium Crux as well.

Didn’t the Chisel name used to be their alloy race hardtail?

Looks a great option as a Uk trail bike for 90% of rides. I wonder if there is any chance of a review or article on here or is that been left to the competition

@devash still is, I believe; this is “Chisel FS” to distinguish it, though no idea if they are retiring it.

I’m another one who bought the Chisel Comp HT at near 50% off – I appreciate that it’s pretty entry level SRAM and definitely not the lightest but actually it’s been faultless so far. Definitely ripe for upgrade as and when it wears out though.

The new Chisel FS looks very good. Same with that new aluminium Crux as well.

To be fair the mech was OK but the shifter broke so I replaced both

@infovore naming convention makes sense as they also have the Epic HT

I don’t need an XC bike at all but this looks bloody brilliant.

Especially the pink one that they (appropriately) sent to Pinkbike:

Agree, really like the look and price of that. Don’t need a bike though. Hope they continue with the Chisel HT too. I think the D’Alusio tubing/welding method of making these frames has worked very well. Agree it’d be nicer as a frame only in brushed alu.

Nice. Reminds me of my old Tallboy 3 which I ran with a 120/130mm fork (with the same 110mm rear as this) but with better geometry. Probably the type of bike I should have rather than my 130mm trail bike, but I like the sizing/angles of mine.

Flex alloy seat-stays seems like a really bad idea, is this a common design feature?

Nice to see a frame price starting with a 1.  1400 for the frame feels like the current sale price after the last few years of nonsense

It looks nice, but isn’t it just an alloy version of the carbon Epic? (Which can also be had with sids for £2.7k)

It looks nice, but isn’t it just an alloy version of the carbon Epic? (Which can also be had with sids for £2.7k)

Are you talking about the new Epic 8? Or the old one? As Geo is very similar to the new 8. Not sure how it compares to the older one.

Flex alloy seat-stays seems like a really bad idea, is this a common design feature?

I see this comment quite often. I know nothing about metal flex or fatigue, but i am guessing someone at Specialized does, otherwise they wouldnt bring a bike to market that has the potential to fail. Wouldnt be great business sense.

There are also other manufacturers that employ the same tech.

I believe Merida (biggest frame maker in the world?) do a 160mm alu frame with flex stays.

So this 110mm frame should be fine.

I see this comment quite often. I know nothing about metal flex or fatigue, but i am guessing someone at Specialized does, otherwise they wouldnt bring a bike to market that has the potential to fail. Wouldnt be great business sense.

To be fair, they didn’t seem too bothered about multiple e-mtb motor failures on Levos and Kenevos, though I get that it’s a slightly different thing.

I think if the following would work well:

– Base model at £2,000.

– Swap out the Recon fork, say £100 sale on ebay. Upgrade to a Fox 34/SID 120mm, say £300. (£2,200)

– Swap out the stock wheelset, say £150 sale on ebay. Upgrade to Hunt XC wheel set @ £290 (£2,290)

Then you have a great all round bike for £2,300.

Are you talking about the new Epic 8? Or the old one? As Geo is very similar to the new 8. Not sure how it compares to the older one.

The current Epic 8 is basically the Epic 7 Evo with a steeper seat tube (replicating the high chip position yet keeping slacker HA and 120mm out back.

Looks like the perfect bike for me! Still probably a bit over budget though tbf!

Currently riding a 2013 Trance X 29er which is 120mm travel. I’m assuming that this would be a noticeable upgrade? I’ve not ridden a ‘modern’ geometry 29er

Were there comments of here recently where people with the Epic Evo 8, found the stack on the low side ?

What are the cost differences in producing this as opposed to the carbon model given the r&d and tooling costs that will have been incurred. I wonder if with the contraction of the market this is a way of preserve the profit margins on the carbon models while not loosing out on sales to people who can’t afford them.

Also be interested in the weight difference between this and the carbon frame.

I’m happy riding around on the south downs on my rigid bike and have no need for one but I still rather fancy one 😂

Also be interested in the weight difference between this and the carbon frame.

I believe it’s around 650gms difference in frame weight.

Guy Kesteven review…. he seems to like it. I note the large he tested (basic model @ £2K) is certainly heavy at 14.7kgs, I imagine most of that’s in the Recon fork, SRAM SX drivetrain and possibly he weighed it with inner tubes in (?)

https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/full-suspension-bikes/specialized-chisel-fs-review

Why do companies cut steerers so short that you have only 5mm or something of height adjustment grr

Guy Kesteven review…. he seems to like it

Woo hoo! Of course he does!

Woo hoo! Of course he does!

Someone should pay him for all those positive reviews really 😉

14.7kgs, I imagine most of that’s in the Recon fork, SRAM SX drivetrain and possibly he weighed it with inner tubes in

Wheels look basic and lardy too.

If Guy is writing for MBR then it’s not sponsored content and should be objective.

Whether he has tarnished his own reputation is another issue though.

If you want Shimano it sounds like you’ll have to make sure you get in early from his review, shifting to SRAM for the second batch

If Guy is writing for MBR then it’s not sponsored content and should be objective.

If you want the sponsors version there is always the YouTube version out. Perhaps that’s why he has one to test and not STW

Separate GK review on bikeperfect too! Of the same test bike of course….

Over on pinkbike Kaz has built one of the lairy pink frames up into a 26lb bike. It’s not a budget spec by a long shot though

14.7kg is heavy, my 2011 Stumpjumper Comp was 12.5kg and around the same price, but came with a Fox rear shock and RS Revelation forks.

Pinkbike’s article headline is Aluminium Done Light, i guess that doesn’t extend to everything else attached to the frame.