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2003
Specialized Big Hit DH First rides msrp CDN$5500 Cam McRae |
For the better part of last year there was a BigHit comp kicking around between our various testers, team riders and those left bike-less by broken frames. It started off life stock and then gradually morphed into the eight-inch version with a Boxxer and a telescoping seatpost. You name it and this bike was put through it and it kept climbing back into the ring. I tightened a few bolts after all of this abuse and then took a mitt-full of rear wheel and saddle to see how much lateral play there was and I was impressed. It didn't have the stubborn rigidity of a brand new bike but it also didn't feel like the bike that put in thousands of vert at Whistler and Sun Peaks, took trips to Pemberton and Squamish regularly and was raced hard and put away stinky and wet. I knew from riding it that the bike was still tracking well but the lack of play spoke volumes about the quality of the workmanship and design.
| I checked out the '03 Big Hit DH late in 2002 and I had one of my best rides of the year on it out at the Woodlot. Needless to say, I was anxious to continue that experience and when the test bike arrived I eagerly slapped it together and took a quick spec inventory. |
 The 2003 Big Hits continue with the Asymmetric Rear Triangle that allows for a dish less rear wheel and ample tire clearance. |
One of the first things I noticed disappointed me some. While I was happy to see Hayes Mag disks, rather than the new, Taiwanese made HFX 9s, which are getting some mixed reviews - (we are testing a set now and will give you a preliminary report soon). I was disappointed and surprised to see a six-inch rotor on the rear. A smaller rear rotor may make sense in theory but if you have ever tried a big plate you know that the advantages are immediately felt. I have never seen a top level DH racer who doesn't run a large rear rotor and the reasons are pretty clear; more stopping power with less lever effort as well as better modulation. This is one of those modifications that could easily be made in the shop and it shouldn't cost you much. Do it before you head out the door though, because once that rotor is scored you won't get credit off the new one.
The frame is very similar to last year's model with the exception of the shock linkage. The beautifully crafted aluminum plates that together make up the DH link are much longer than last year's version and rather than mounting to external tabs at the main frame, the pivot bolts securely to the monocoque structure where it rotates on cartridge bearings. The configuration of the 02 bike made for a much more linear spring rate and I had a hard time finding the right weight. I started off with the stock 500 and then tried a Mountain Speed 550 and eventually settled on a 450 from the same company. The 550 was perfect for large hits but it didn't feel plush enough through low frequency bumps. The 450 felt great going fast but my 175lb frame and my ham-fisted riding style allowed me to push through the travel with relative ease. The new link with a 550 worked better than the combined efforts of the 450 and 550 on last year's bike.
| Last year's model would allow you to switch
between six and eight inches of travel if you could spare 10 minutes, a
few tools and CDN$800. This year those options are available in minutes
with an Allen key - and without changing out the shock and link plate. There
are a total of four settings that alter the BB height, rear wheel travel
and head angle of the bike. There is also a handy little schematic so you
don't have to remember or figure out (guess!) which setting does what. Despite
being a mathematical genius I have a hard time deciphering these things
without a cheat sheet. For each setting you can also choose between three
'progressivity' positions at the other end of the shock making this a very
tunable bike.
|
  Choices! |
| If you had any doubt that this is a balls-out downhiller get a load of the cranks. These 170mm monsters are the burliest I have ridden. These suckers are heavy, stiff and confidence inspiring. I assumed that the MRP Bones were paired with an MRP chainguide but it is actually a Specialized branded unit (the Fatty World Cup System 2, no less!). It runs as quietly as a bike with no guide and has worked flawlessly thus far mated with the A-Line eating 44-tooth ring. Part of this success must be attributed to the ISCG mounts in the BB shell |  |
| I had an '01 Boxxer and I loved it. It worked smoothly over a two-year period and it always seemed to do what I asked. The one downside to the fork was that it was difficult to adjust - particularly the rebound damping. The Taiwanese made '03 Rock Shox Boxxer Team solves the adjustability problem but there seem to be some glitches. The fork on this bike stiffens up when it has been sitting for some time until there is only three inches of travel (with both wheels on the ground) but it gradually comes to life when cycled a few times. This doesn't seem right to me. I haven't been happy about the high-speed performance either. More time on the hill is needed before I can decide what I think about this fork. It may just need some more tweaking. |  |
There are some notable weak links in the spec including cheap flat pedals, (without replaceable pins) and a no name, Titec copy saddle. Overall though the details are well thought out and nice touches like an oversized Specialized bar mated to a nice, short Truvativ stem, ultra tough Sun Double Track 36 hole rims, DT stainless spokes and an LX shifter and XT changer mean you get a lot of bike for your buck. The weakest link so far is the rubber. Last year's comp was equipped with tires that I thought were actually hazardous for the wet, rooty riding conditions here on the Shore so I was cautiously optimistic when I saw that the DH came wrapped in S Works Evil Twin Soft compound 2.4" boots. While they are better than those offered last year, these tires were far less sticky than I hoped and they don't seem to corner aggressively which is why I am eager to swap them out. DH tires are expensive and can no longer be overlooked in the spec of a top of the line bike.
Black beauty. I have added an Axiom telescoping
post, Lock-on grips and a Titec saddle.
One of the nicest features of the bike is the smoky, anodized finish. That's right - there is no paint to chip. The link plates are also anodized a steely grey and the final presentation of the bike is about the nicest I have seen this year. Everybody comments on the stealthy appearance of the bike when they see it for the first time. Thus far there is very little not to like about this machine. The frames are about as tough as they come and the beautiful "transform monocoque" portion has the look and feel of a frame that would set you back almost as much as the BigHit DH complete. Despite their modest weight I only know of one BigHit frame that failed here on the Shore - and it was an '01 model.
Overall I am very impressed with the bike but I have already said too much for a preview. I'll be back with full report after more vert all over our fair province.
For more info on the BigHit DH go to specialized.com
