Unveil the hidden, exclusive Specialized singletrack shredder unavailable for purchase in the UK.
Revamped Write-up:
Sizzling XC Ripper on the Horizon: Specialized Chisel Comp Evo
(Image Courtesy: Specialized)
Down-to-Earth Cycling with a Kick, Wish the UK Got a Taste Too!
Stepping into the budget-friendly realms of Specialized mountain bikes, we find the ebullient Chisel - a short-travel down-country/XC ripper that cuts right to the chase without compromising on the ride quality. And now, there's a subtly beefed-up Chisel Comp Evo to tantalize the taste buds of those who yearn for a Chisel that excels on tougher terrain. Too bad it's only available Stateside!
The new Chisel Evo harks back to the venerable days of mountain biking, with a minimalistic and purposeful design.
Keen to know what we're missing out on? Read along! The regular Chisel sports 120mm travel up front with 110mm at the back, but the Chisel Comp Evo sports a longer travel fork while retaining the same rear travel. Specialized has fitted a 130mm travel Fox 34 Performance Elite fork with the Grip 2 damper - a rather lavish specification that offers four-way adjustability of rebound and compression damping. It comes coupled with a Fox Float Evol inline shock with twin compression settings and rebound adjustment. Other highlights include beefier brakes - moving from two-piston calipers to four-piston SRAM GS RS brakes with a larger 180mm rear rotor. Specialized has also stepped up the front tyre with a 2.4in Purgatory in stickier T9 compound, and there's a longer dropper post for tackling steeper descents. Specialized claims that this added oomph adds 700g to the complete bike weight, upping it from 12.8kg to 13.53kg. When we reviewed the more budget-friendly Specialized Chisel FS, it weighed in at a hefty 14.47kg - somewhat above Specialized's claimed figure for that model.
It's safe to say that Guy was suitably impressed with that £2k entry-level bike, stating that it's "a truly quick, nimble, and spine-tingling bike," and that "even in this base spec, it makes for a fantastic starting point for fast/far riding." While Specialized's high-end Stumpjumper 15 and Epic 8 have monopolized the limelight and received all the press since their launch, the humble Chisel deserves just as much attention.
A major factor contributing to the Chisel’s success is its D'Aluisio Smartweld frame, which uses state-of-the-art alloy hydroforming to create an incredibly lightweight chassis. Grams are shed further thanks to the flexstay design that does away with a traditional Horst Link.
The longer-travel fork shaves 0.5° off the head angle and adds 4mm to the bottom bracket height.
The entire bike gets a stylish black finish with golden decals, eliciting memories of the livery of old Lotus F1 cars. Will Specialized ever bring the Chisel Comp Evo to the UK? We'll definitely inquire - with a price point likely to be close to £3k, it's still a stretch from the cheapest Epic Evo at £4,250. Click here to check the Chisel Comp Evo on the Specialized US website.
Note: Though currently unavailable in the UK, interested cyclists can check availability with local Specialized retailers or the official UK Specialized website for updates.
In essence, the Specialized Chisel Comp EVO is a svelte, agile, and capable aluminum full-suspension mountain bike designed for downcountry riding, boasting 130mm travel front suspension, a lightweight frame, and advanced geometry features, but for UK cyclists, the wait continues!
- Besides its budget-friendly counterpart, the Chisel Comp Evo, a more robust version of the Chisel, is designed for tackling tougher terrain, with a longer travel fork and advanced suspension system, making it suitable for sports enthusiasts.
- The Specialized Chisel Comp Evo, featuring 130mm front suspension, advanced geometry, and a lightweight frame, is a sports bike for downcountry riding, though it's only available in the US at the moment.
