Following the recent launch of its re-designed Epic 8, Specialized has now also introduced the Chisel, an aluminium full-suspension 29er marathon and cross-country bike that’s priced from under R50 000.
Specialized claims in its press kit that the new Chisel is the ‘lightest, fastest alloy full-suspension mountain bike in the world’. Quite a claim for a brand-new model of bike! We’re currently test-riding it, so will let you know about ‘fastest’. In terms of weight, Specialized has compared it to similar-level aluminium models from rival brands. The frameset weighs 2 720 grams, which Specialized says is 18.4% lighter than its closest competitor.
Specialized says it has developed a new way to weld aluminium bikes that it calls D’Alusio Smartweld. According to Specialized: “Traditional alloy frame construction joins tubes with welds at the highest stress point. D’Alusio Smartweld delivers the highest strength at the lowest weight by using hydroformed tube junctions that allow us to move the joint away from the area of the highest stress and create a ‘valley’ for the weld bead to lay in.”
Another standout feature, which contributes to the lighter weight, is the single piece seattube and bottom bracket, which also integrates the seattube pivot and the main pivot. And finally, Specialized points out that each tube has varying wall thickness and shaping to deliver stiffness where needed and compliance where needed.
The geometry is the same progressive XC geometry used on the new Epic 8, with a 66.5-degree headtube angle and a 75.5-degree seattube angle. As with the Epic 8, there’s also a flip-chip that steepens the headtube angle by 0.5-degrees and raises the BB height by 6mm. As with the Epic 8 and Epic 8 EVO, the Chisel also accommodates two large water bottles inside the frame.
There are currently two models of the Chisel: The Chisel Shimano and the Chisel Comp Shimano. The former, which is Shimano Deore-specced with a Fusion-X rear shock, will retail in South Africa for R49 000, while the latter, which is Shimano SLX/Deore-specced with a RockShox rear shock, will start selling at R59 000. Both models have 1×12 drivetrains and both include dropper seatposts.
With significant success following the recent launch of the new Epic 8 and Epic 8 EVO, carbon-fibre-framed bikes, Specialized says that the Chisel will offer a high-performance mountain bike at a very affordable price to the South African market.
“Specialized has incorporated Epic 8 DNA into the new Chisel to ensure it’s a light, fast, efficient race bike. Yes, it’s a little heavier than the Epic 8, but at this price point, it’s a lot of bike for your buck. We’re expecting the Chisel to appeal to younger racers and ambitious newcomers, but really, it’s a solid allround rig at a very respectable price that will appeal to many,” said Ray Cox of Specialized Bicycles Africa.
The Chisel Shimano at R49 000 and the Chisel Comp Shimano at R59 000 are available at Specialized dealers in South Africa now. SRAM-specced models will be added to the line-up.
HIGHLIGHTS
FRAME: D’Alusio Smartweld hydroformed aluminium tubes and engineered tube junctions, with Flip-chip geo adjust.
SUSPENSION: RockShox SID 120mm fork, featuring the Rush Damper and Ride Dynamics Tuned RockShox Deluxe Select+ 110mm rear shock (on the Chisel Comp Shimano) | Ride Dynamics Tuned X-Fusion 110mm rear shock (on the Chisel Shimano).
DRIVETRAIN: Shimano SLX/Deore 1×12 (on the Chisel Comp Shimano) | Shimano Deore 1×12 (on the Chisel Shimano).
OTHER: TranzX dropper seatpost | Specialized Body Geometry Power Sport saddle | Specialized Ground Control 29×2.35 (Control Casing) front tyre | Specialized Fast Trak 29×2.35 (Control Casing) rear tyre.
THE RIDE
We have done one short ride on the new Specialized Chisel Comp Shimano so far. Our first impressions are very positive. We’re still making minor set-up adjustments for longer rides and will report back with a full test in a couple of weeks.
Click here for full details on the new Specialized Chisel Comp Shimano and Specialized Chisel Shimano.
