2014 Specialized Camber – All New Carbon Expert EVO
The 110mm 29er platform has proven capable in a wide variety of environments, and while Specialized markets the Camber as a Trail bike, it’s fast enough to be XC raced or taken on an all day adventure. The Camber family moved to 29″ only in the 2013 model year and saw an updated aluminum frame and rear end, but the carbon model remained unchanged – including its aluminum rear end.
For 2014 the carbon Camber sees big revisions with a completely new frame. Specialized has taken a full pound out of the top end frames with carbon front and rear, and half a pound out of the front end on mid-range models. Highlights include a new yoked shock mount with concentric pivots and internal cable routing for shifting and the new Command Post IR.
Along with the new carbon frame comes the introduction of a number of new models in the range, including two 120mm EVO models – Comp and Expert – and an XX1-equipped S-Works trim. Having ridden the 2013 Camber Pro Carbon for most of this year, I was excited to see the changes to the platform. The Expert EVO and S-Works models are each evolutions in a direction I could see myself modifying the bike to.
Camber EVO models get a slightly longer stroke shock for 120mm of rear travel and a 120mm fork. The EVO Expert model as seen below sports a PIKE while the EVO Comp runs a Revelation. With that adjusted geometry comes a 69º head tube angle and 333mm bottom bracket height.
The 2014 carbon front triangle drops half a pound over the 2013 model, and gains a slightly more streamlined appearance.
As with the aluminum Camber last year, the all new carbon frame sees a yoked shock and concentric pivots for increased stiffness and decreased weight.
The sleeker look continues through the front triangle with aesthetically pleasing shapes and Specialized’s new SWAT bottle cage which holds a multi tool.
Internal cable routing for the new Command Post IR and shift cables, and foam tubes inside to keep everything quiet.v
Dropper cable exit and the FACT 9m carbon bottom bracket area.
Black on black on black… Rockshox’ new Charger damper could only mean…
The Camber Expert EVO gets a 120mm PIKE. Nice choice. If you felt a 120mm bike wasn’t deserving of the EVO title, think again.
SRAM’s new XO1 narrow-wide ring.
And continuing the black on black theme, even the cassette of the XO1 kit goes along.
Graphics that pop on the Camber EVO.
Silhouette of a 69º, 120mm 29er. Your future trail shredder?
I had the chance to pedal the S-Works Camber up into the alpine, and will wrap up that grueling experience in a future story. Let’s just say I was happy to have such an efficient steed underfoot.
Mid-travel 29ers are sure to be a popular platform in years to come. Could the new Camber be your trail shredder or do you still like a bit more squish?
Comments
boomforeal
10 years, 8 months ago
bet they had to twist your arm to get you out on an sworks camber morgan 😉
that evo looks pretty badass
Reply
Morgan Taylor
10 years, 8 months ago
As I said, the S-Works (prefer to pronounce as one word, sworks) and the EVO are two directions that I would consider modifying my test bike, but the 2013 Pro Carbon has actually been a really good spec out of the box save for tire and bar/stem changes. Both of the new bikes have improved aesthetically though…
Reply
Pete Roggeman
10 years, 8 months ago
Hot damn! Pike on a Camber EVO sounds like a perfect 'little' bike. Morgan does that removable seatpost cable entry point allow for a larger diameter (ie. hydraulic) dropper post cable to pass through? That would be a meaningful improvement over last year (and hopefully carried over to some other platforms like Stumpy and Enduro).
Reply
Morgan Taylor
10 years, 8 months ago
That is a good question, Pete. Given that the entry points are made of plastic and are removeable, I suspect they can be drilled to 5mm if they currently only accommodate 4mm housing. Last year's bikes with tight fitting 4mm entry points right in the carbon could not be drilled.
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