SPECIALIZED DEBUTS CARBON FIBER S-WORKS–JULY 17

SPECIALIZED DEBUTS CARBON FIBER S-WORKS–JULY 17

R.Cunningham


Carbon Fiber Epic: Specialized uses a carbon fiber swing link to compliment the S-Works composite front triangle. Its rear suspension is aluminum. The ?Az-1? construction method makes for a very light weight chassis, but it is very labor intensive

Specialized has a new carbon fiber process that it calls FACT. “Functional Advanced Composite Technology.” It’s a building technique that starts with seperate tubes and parts that are laid up by hand from carbon fiber, then cured seperately. The individual parts are glued together, and the frame junctions are reinforced afterwards by “taping” it together with carbon fiber strips. The journals are then cured with heat and pressure in a second mold where the frame emerges into what Specialized calls “Az-1” (say: “as one”) technology. Az-1 means that the carbon frame reacts as if it was laid up, molded and cured in one piece.

The Epic has the new carbon technology, but the big news is that the top Stumpjumper gets it too. The new Stumpy may be the best bicycle in Specialized’s off0road range for 2006. It has 130mm of rear wheel travel and a remote reservior Brain Shock that has been tuned to react more smoothly than the made-for-racing Epic’s inertia-valve pedaling platform. The Carbon Epic with disc brakes will run near $7000 and the frame and shock weigh 2350 grams.


The best Specialized next year (for those who can afford its hefty price tag) will be the Brain-equipped Stumpjumper FSR Carbon. It climbs like a racer, rolls over just about anything and descends at speed with ease and conviction. Less pricey aluminum versions will be available for regular folk.

The Stumpjumper’s bottom bracket has been raised slightly (that is good) and its head angle has been kicked out (slacker) by a half degree from the original 71-degrees. The end result is a 25-pound trailbike that pedals like a racing sled, but handles so much better that nobody in their right mind would want to trail ride on anything else. Don’t get too excited; only the top three Stumpy’s get Brain Shocks. The rest get Fox Triad Pro-pedal shocks. The top Stumpy will also cost around $7000.

While we are on the subject of shocks, the ’06 Enduro, while it chassis is unchanged, gets the new Fox DHX-Air damper that incorporates all of the adjustability of Fox’s DH racing coil/over shock, with less than half the weight. Another addition to the Enduro is a dual-crankset with a Black Spire roller guide and a lightweight Specialized “bash guard.” This has been long in coming–the Enduro is too heavy to take advantage of a 44-tooth chainring anyway. The modification puts the Enduro squarely in its intended realm as a big-drop machine that is trail capable. Fox “36” forks will show up on the top bike. The mid-priced Enduro has Marzocchi’s six-inch single-crown slider and a less-expensive version of the Enduro will be offered with the Fox TALAS fork.


Specialized is a world leader in the female-specific cycling market. The Stumpjumper FSR Expert is tailored for women: with smaller grips; narrower handlebars; lower, and shorter frame numbers; and other nuances.

Specialized may have the best female-specific line. The female road and mountain bikes have been designed around matching helmets, clothing and other accessories. It’s an impressive lineup–but not completely impressive. The missing link is at the top end of its range. The best bicycle that a woman is allowed to buy is the aluminum Stumpjumper “Expert,” and is doesn’t have a Brain! Specialized may be able to spell the word, but expressing their committment to female cyclists is still forthcoming. Either you are in or out. Give the girls a Brain and let them ride carbon!


The Deviant full face helmet is a truly lightweight lid for the big-drop crowd. Anyone who has face-planted wearing a skate helmet will appreciate the extra protection and better ventilation of Specialized’s new head saver.

Downhillers and freeriders will appreciate the new Carbon fiber full-face helmet. Specialized calls it the Deviant. It is mega light weight and heavily ventilated. No problems with your helmet obscuring your view mid-stunt either, because it incorporates the adjustable Pro-Fit retention device. The new lid costs $350 in carbon and $130 in fiberglass.