Specialized Chisel Comp
HOW DOES IT PERFORM?
Moving out: Swinging a leg over the Chisel, we noticed that the sizing was accurate. The size large we tested did not make our taller test riders feel crowded in the cockpit. The stock 90-millimeter stem was a touch long, but the 740-millimeter-wide bars felt just right for all-around riding.
Suspension setup: The Judy has an air spring and external rebound adjustment that doesn’t require a degree in engineering to set up. We ran the sag at 20 percent in the fork. This setup felt just right and gave us all the support we needed during our testing.
Climbing: The Chisel has a surprisingly stiff frame that our test riders noticed on the first steep climb we hit. Out of the saddle the frame responded, and the rear triangle felt as stiff as that of any carbon frame we have ridden. The double crankset gave us plenty of gearing to crush long grinds and steep sections of singletrack comfortably. The compression adjustment on the Judy fork allowed our test riders to stiffen up the travel and transform the Chisel into a rigid hardtail for long, smooth climbs.
Quality stoppers: Shimano has a broad range of disc brakes, including the MT500s that came stock on the Chisel. Even though these brakes are considered entry-level, they pack more than enough power for XC and light trail riding.
Descending: Opening up the fork, the Chisel could rip down any groomed singletrack. On smooth, flowing trails, the Chisel had confident handling, especially with the wider 2.3-inch front tire, giving us a little extra confidence. The slacker head angle gave the front end a comfortable amount of stability to let us ride at higher speeds.
Braking: Shimano makes some of the best brakes in the business, and the MT500s delivered plenty of power during our testing. The rear 2.1-inch tire didn’t hook up quite as well under hard braking efforts but rolled quickly on smooth terrain.
Smooth it out: The Chisel has thinned-out seatstays to help absorb rougher sections of trail. Road bikes and hardtails rely heavily on frame manipulation to provide more vertical compliance.
TRICKS, TIPS OR UPGRADES?
The stock tires are tubeless compatible, which is a quick way for riders to drop some weight and gain more traction. Our test riders were in agreement that a shorter stem would improve the handling and comfort of the Chisel. Riders who have a little more experience will be interested in converting the drivetrain to a 1x setup to shed some weight.
BUYING ADVICE
The Chisel has quite a bit of value built into the price tag with the Shimano drivetrain and brakes, which will be appealing to any rider with budget constraints. Even dedicated riders looking to dabble in cross-country riding and racing will have enough bike to give them a feel for the sport without making too big of a commitment. While this hardtail isn’t a do-it-all trail machine, it is a solid choice to go out and rip on your local XC trails.
