FIRST LOOK : Specialized 2014 | Off-Road Lineup | SBR.ph Exclusive

Smoother, Stiffer, Lighter… FASTER! Specialized gives us an exclusive first look of the 2014 Specialized Off-Road lineup. Read on and see below, the stunning S-Works Epic 29 (our choice!), S-Works Stumpjumper 29, Camber 29, and the rest of the Specialized 29’er fleet.

Part 2 of 2: Off-Road


What started with the groundbreaking Stumpjumper has grown into full blown lineup of mountain bikes custom engineered to take on any trail. Whether used for tearing up the world Championships or just flowing along a singletrack, the 2014 line of Specialized mountain bikes are further improved with lighter and stiffer frames, 29er geometry, and various high-end details to make the rider enjoy the ride even more.

S-Works Epic 29

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The 2014 S-Works Epic is an all-new FACT IS 11m full carbon frame with dedicated 29er geometry, full SWAT integration, sealed cartridge bearing pivots on every FSR point, and 142mm dropouts to create a race-winning 100mm-travel XC bike.

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It’s fitted with a FOX/Specialized remote Mini-Brain inertia valve shock with AUTOSAG, Kashima coating and new, lighter 2014 tune to seamlessly transition from efficient pedaling on smooth terrain to fully active on rough terrain.

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The fork is a 100mm air sprung Custom RockShox SID World Cup 29 with Specialized Brain inertia-valve damping, carbon steerer tube, and 15mm thru-axle. The drivetrain is Shimano XTR 10speed with an 11-36 cassette, all-new Specialized FACT PF30 carbon crankset with integrated spider and 38/24 chainrings. Brakes are Magura MT8 hydraulic discs with a carbon master cylinder, carbon lever blade and adjustable reach. Finally, it’s fitted with carbon hookless Roval Control SL 29142+ wheels using DT Swiss spokes and internals.

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The S-Works Epic World Cup 29 is fitted with a 95-mm FOX/Specialized rear shock remote Mini-Brain inertia valve shock with AUTOSAG. The front fork is a 95mm-travel, air sprung Custom RockShox SID World Cup 29 fork with Specialized Brain inertia-valve damping, carbon steerer tube, and 15mm thru-axle. It’s also exclusively equipped with SRAM XX1 1×11 drivetrain and an all-new, super light and stiff Specialized FACT OSBB, PF30 carbon crankset with a one piece spider/arm combo for the ultimate in power transfer.

The Epic will also be available in Marathon, Expert, and Comp spec.

S-Works Stumpjumper 29

Sporting an all-new frame, the SW Stumpjumper 29 is a super light and fast bike that’ll tear up the trails. The FACT IS 11m carbon frame features dedicated 29er geometry, full SWAT integration, internal cable routing, PF30 BB, and 142mm dropouts. The fork is a 90mm-travel air sprung Custom RockShox SID World Cup with Specialized Brain inertia-valve damping, carbon steerer tube, and 15mm thru-axle.

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Magura MT8 hydraulic disc brakes with a carbon master cylinder, carbon lever blade and reach adjust provide consistent and reliable stopping power.

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The Shimano XTR 10-speed drivetrain comes with an 11-36 cassette and is paired with an all-new, lighter and stiffer Specialized FACT OSBB, PF30, carbon crankset with a one piece spider/arm combo. The standard wheels are light and stiff carbon hookless Roval Control SL 29142+ complete with 142mm spacing and DT Swiss spokes and internals.

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World Cup models use SRAM XX1 1×11 gearing with the Specialized FACT OSBB, PF30 carbon crankset and one piece spider/arm combo.

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It will also be available in Marathon, Expert, Expert WC, Comp, Evo, Singlespeed variants and as a frameset.

Camber 29

It’s the perfect bike for everything from weekend trail rides to all-day epic excursions. With the perfect blend of performance, capability, and value, the 29-inch-specific, 110mm travel Camber delivers lightweight alloy and FACT carbon frame options, tubeless-ready Roval wheelsets, and a trail-specific build and geometry for confident riding at speed.

 photo CamberExpert_zps49c786ff.jpgThe S-Works model has a new FACT 11m full carbon FSR frame with 29er-specific geometry, 110mm of travel, 142+ dropouts, and all-new concentric sealed cartridge bearing shock links with internal cable routing for the Command Post IR for a light and responsive trail weapon.

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The Custom-tuned FOX Float CTD Factory shock with Specialized proprietary AUTOSAG, Boost Valve, and Kashima coating features three compression settings: Climb, Trail, and Descend. It’s fitted with the FOX Float CTD Factory Series 29 fork with Kashima coating, rebound, and compression adjust, lockout, tapered steerer tube, and 110mm of travel. The SRAM XX1 1×11 drivetrain saves weight while maintaining a huge gear range.

Expert Carbon Evo, Expert Carbon, Comp Carbon, Carbon Evo, Comp, and aluminum variants will also be available.

Crave Pro 29

Designed as a light, aluminum 29er that can also be raced, the Crave has a new, fully butted and smooth welded M4 Premium Aluminum frame with integrated headset, tapered headtube for front-end stiffness, and bridge-less seatstays for compliance over bumps. The 100mm-travel FOX Float Evolution Series 29 fork with CTD damper, rebound adjust, and tapered steerer tube is lightweight, plush, and tunable to help smooth technical terrain.

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The Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes use a 180mm front rotor for increased braking power, while the 160mm rear rotor keeps the weight low. Shimano levers are adjustable for reach. The standard drivetrain is a Custom SRAM 10-speed XC double-ring crankset with 29er gearing and GXP bottom bracket for low weight and durable performance with a Shimano Deore XT Shadow Plus 10-speed rear derailleur. The Specialized Stout SL Disc 29” wheels feature double-wall rims with sealed bearings.

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It will also be available in Expert, Comp, and SL (singlespeed, rigid fork) variants.

Rumor

It’s true: the first women’s full suspension 29er has arrived. This XC Trail bike will give women the opportunity to head into uncharted singletrack territory. From flowing trails to technical descents, the Rumor is engineered using ground breaking technology to give women the best-fitting, most capable full-suspension 29er.

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The Rumor Expert uses an all-new M5 manipulated alloy, 110mm-travel frame with Women’s XC Trail 29er Geometry and tubesets, tapered headtube, sealed cartridge bearing pivots, and DMD derailleur mount make the Rumor a tough and lightweight trail machine.

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It’s fitted with a FOX Float CTD Evolution shock with AUTOSAG and custom tune features with 3 compression settings: Climb, Trail, and Descend, plus ProPedal.

The FOX Float CTD Performance Series 29 fork with CTD damper, custom tune, rebound and compression adjust, lockout, tapered steerer tube and 110mm of travel smoothens out technical terrain. The Custom Formula T1 S hydraulic disc brakes with reach adjustment, metallic pads and SRAM compatible MiXmaster shifter mounts provide dependable braking, while the SRAM drivetrain features XO Type 2, 10-speed mid-cage rear derailleur for crisp and reliable gear changes.

The standard wheelset is the Roval Control Trail 29 142+ with butted DT Swiss spokes and a wider rim profile and 12mm thru-axle for lightweight toughness.

It will also be available in Rumor Comp and Rumor 29 variants.

Fate

Designed specifically for women, the carbon 29er Fate is the pinnacle of women’s XC performance. New for 2014 are additional variants including the value-packed Comp Carbon and the race-ready S-Works.

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The S-Works Fate uses a FACT 11m carbon frame with Women’s Performance XC 29er Geometry and carbon layup for a great fit and outstanding stiffness-toweight for ultra-quick performance, with a tapered headtube and internal cable routing.

The fork is a Custom RockShox SID World Cup 29 with Specialized Brain inertia-valve damping with 80mm of air-sprung travel, Brain Fade adjust, and a carbon steerer tube. Magura MT8 hydraulic disc brakes with a carbon master cylinder, carbon lever blade, and reach adjust provide consistent and reliable stopping power.

The Specialized FACT OSBB, PF30, carbon crankset with 36/22 chainrings and new SRAM Shadow Plus XTR mid cage 10-speed rear derailler provides the ultimate in power transfer and crisp gear selection. Standard Roval Control SL 29 wheels use carbon rims, carbon humbs with alloy flanges, DT Swiss Star Ratchet, and TI quick releases for premium, lightweight XC performance.

It will also be available available in Expert Carbon and Comp Carbon variants.

S-Works XC Shoe

Developed with World Cup racing in mind, the S-Works XC shoe delivers the same performance attributes of the S-Works Road shoe in a dirt-friendly platform. It is the stiffest, most efficient, lightweight, mountain bike shoe Specialized has ever developed. The S-Works XC uses the same last technology as the S-Works Road shoe.

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Over ten years of collaboration with athletes and designers, combined with adaptive fit construction, has led to a true, performance enhancing fit. Body Geometry analysis was used to understand power inputs and create an asymmetrical carbon sole that’s stiff in the power zone and carved out where it is non-essential. The tread lugs out on the sole create a wider, more stable footprint with the added benefit of improved dirt and mud clearance. The BOA dial allows an infinite degree of fine tuning with quick, on the fly adjustments.

S-Works Trail Shoe

An ideal trail shoe should be a perfect combination of efficiency, light weight, durability, grip, and protection. The all-new S-Works Trail is stiffer than its EVO predecessor with added protection and armor at the same low weight.

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The Medial Collar Protection uses an asymmetric design for ankle protection, while the full-rubber tread delivers superior traction while hiking. The tread is also designed for a damping effect on vibrations from the pedals to reduce foot fatigue on long rides. A channel allows for mud clearance. The upper has a protective armor coating to increase cut and scuff resistance from rocks and other trail obstacles. The BOA dial allows for an infinite degree of fine tuning.


Article Courtesy of Dan’s

Photos courtesy of Specialized

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SBR.ph Team

A triathlete making a comeback and a true blue Scorpio. That sums it up quite nicely :)

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