2011 Specialized SX Trail

The last time we posted a bike check some folks missed that the bike was under one of our team riders – despite the provisos top and bottom.  I will try and be a little more emphatic this time. Jerry Willows is one of our team riders and he also works on product development and testing for Specialized – so he often gets bikes first.  This is not meant as an unbiased, objective editorial review – for the simple reason that there is the perception of bias.  It is meant to be informative and to give you some of Jerry’s impressions of the bike.  Please let us know what you think about this using the link at the bottom of the article. Cam McRae

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I’ve been testing the 2011 Specialized SX Trail since early June and I’m pretty sure I got the very first one.   I’ve been on a SX Trail since 05 and very familiar with the model.  It came via courier along with the Demo 8 (sort of stoked) then straight to John Henry Bikes for Buckwheat to work his meticulous magic.  It sure created a buzz getting built up at the local shop and suspension setup at SuspensionWerx.  So what’s all the fuss about ?  Well the bike has been arguably the best all arounder for awhile and it just got better for 2011.  Main highlights for me:

– travel jumped to 180mm (different stroke length on shock which gives a lower leverage ratio)
– 12 x 142mm rear hub spacing (stiffer is better)
– slacker Head Angle (from 66.5 to 65.5)

This bike is supposed to replace the Demo 7 (as well as the previous SX Trail) but I found the bikes are different animals.  The Demo7 felt like a Demo 8 with less travel and the new SX Trail feels like the older SX Trail but better.  More details on riding impressions coming up.

Small details for 2011:
Hydroformed Seat Tube: eliminates forging which reduces weight but keeping the strength.
Eccentric Pivot: stiffer rear end.  There is a pic and explanation further down the article.     Customized SX Trail

I’m not sure what she weighs in at but out of the box it’s 36 lbs.  I have dual ply Maxxis Ardents and the Hammerschmidt to weigh things down a little.  My Lyric is 170mm and the stock fork is 180mm so my H/A is around the 66 degree range.    12×142 mm rear hub spacing

Not another standard !  Here’s the deal on this one:

– This system is supposed to be as fast as a quick release but Specialized has a couple of bolts you need to undo before getting to the thru axle: In my experience it’s not as quick as the QR but the self centering feature is nice.
– supposed to be as stiff as 12mm x 150.  Not sure, feels stiffer than a QR but an engineer could give you the numbers.
– wheel dish is the same and cassette/rotor are in the same relation to the hubs centerline as previous SX.
– works the same as QR for chainline so no need for an 83mm bottom bracket shell.      Eccentric Pivot – Specialized’s linkage system featuring a main pivot with eccentric spindle and wishbone shock yoke.  A true North Shore bike is always dirty BTW.

Sounds like a mishmash of engineer lingo but basically it creates a stiffer rear end by the eccentric spindle using an offset bolt location that can only key in at one position, leaving the two sides of the link no room to twist.  Fancy Schmancy Mr. Chamberlain!    The infamous “Loam Ranger” in his element.  I also hate having my picture taken.

For me it’s a hard bike to peg down in a category as it does everything well but doesn’t stand out in any category.  You’re not going to win any DH races with it (well maybe Sea Otter) and you’re not going to out-climb an All Mountain bike on it but you will keep up.  I would put it in “if you have one bike” category.  I’ve climbed Old Buck in mid ring with it, rode every trail in Whistler Bike Park, Ride Don’t Slide and the best of what the North Shore gnar has on offer.  The only place I wouldn’t take this bike would be the Chilcotins. I’ve logged more saddle time on this bike than the Demo this year which is a first.  I really look forward to my all mountain Seymour rides with it.
   I love bikes !

It definitely likes to go down more than up but it’s capable at both.  With the slacker H/A and slightly more travel it doesn’t climb as well the SXT of 2010 (barely noticeable) but it certainly goes downhill faster.  It doesn’t give a feeling of a DH bike like a Demo but is more nimble and agile especially at the lower speeds which makes it perfect for 95% of the North Shore trails.  At higher speeds the bike really comes to life.    Getting jiggy with it.

    Nothing beats riding the North Shore in the fall.

In the big picture not much has radically changed but what has changed is for the better and you can feel it.  It is currently my true all mountain bike.Cheers,
Jerry Willows

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Jerry rides for team nsmb.com and Specialized.  He’s sponsored.  This is not intended to be a bike review.  If you need more clarity on this please see my note at the top of this article.
What do we have to say this week?  Let’s hear it here…