Bex tries out the men's Epic (Photo-Mike Davis)
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Specialized have pulled out the stops this year for their 2007 range of bikes, recently launched to the press in Bavaria.
The top end bikes in the Enduro, Stumpjumper FSR and Epic ranges incorporate new Specialized shocks and forks. Rather than buying in suspension components, Specialized has opted to design and manufacture its own forks and shocks. For 2007 the current Enduro platform lives on only in a range of SX Trail light freeride bikes, all with coil shocks and burly specs but without having the word "Enduro" on them. And slotting in next door is the all-new Enduro SL, which at first glance appears to be occupying the same sort of space as the Scott Ransom and Santa Cruz Nomad but upon closer inspection looks like it could be about to move the all-mountain goalposts clear off the field.
For more information about the Enduro range go to the
BikeMagic article
Specialized shock on Epic (Photo-Mike Davis)
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The men's Stumpjumper FSR and Epic are both available in super lightweight carbon fibre and for 2007, the new Specialized suspension guru, Mike McAndrews has completely redesigned the Brain shock - the higher models in the Epic and FSR range will have the new Specialized Brain shocks, while lower ones retain the Fox Brain.
The Epic hasn't seen many changes beyond the shock, although the carbon frame moves a step further down the range and will be found on the Epic Marathon model. The Stumpy FSR has had a considerable makeover. Again, there are carbon frames at the top end, but the M5 aluminium frame on the rest of the range has been revised. It's smoother looking and lighter, thanks largely to the Super Bridge - an impressive single forging that incorporates the BB shell, main swingarm pivot, bottom part of the seat tube and the struts either side of the shock. The first weld you encounter is between the top of the struts and the bit of the seat tube that the post actually fits in. FSRs will have bearings in the shock mounts across the range, which should put an end to frequent bushing replacements. See the BikeMagic article for more details
Bex on the Womens Stumpjumper FSR (Photo-Mike Davis)
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The range includes more female specific mountain bikes than previous years and a broadening of their non women specific full suspension range too. There will be women-specific versions of the Stumpjumper FSR and Epic, although not in carbon fibre - we did ask Specialized when carbon would filter through and we were told it was in their thought pipeline. Finger's crossed we'll see some carbon fibre women's frames for 2008.
There'll be no word on pricing, spec or availability until September, so don't go holding your breath... for info on the 2007 Specialized road bikes check out http://www.shecycles.com/man/news/addarticle.asp?UAN=645&cont=0
Womens Stumpjumper FSR (Photo-Mike Davis)
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Womens Epic - new for 2007
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Men's Stumpjumper FSR (Photo-Mike Davis)
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Gill Pratt
