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The Demo 9 and 8, the revitalized Big Hit, the SX Trail, and the P.Series |
Words and photos by Stuart Kernaghan
The Specialized 2006 product launch happened a while ago, and although I could have just put up an article with a few pics of the new bikes, I wanted to wait. Wait for something more. So I was patient. I bided my time, and wrote about other things. And then one day, there it was in my Inbox - the spec sheet for the '06 bike line. Now that's cool. And worth waiting for.
The media was allowed to turn some quick laps on the new bikes at Wilder Ranch, located on the central California coast. I'd ridden at Wilder before, so I knew there were some unpleasant hills to tackle, without an adequate reward on the way down. So I chose the Enduro for the test ride, rather than one of the bigger bikes. But that is neither here nor there.
The fog blew in off the ocean and onto the hills at Wilder. It was dry, dusty, and there were mountain lions
roaming the trails. Supposedly.
There were lots of impressive bikes to see at the '06 product launch, but since we are North Shore Mountain Biking and not a road or XC site, I'm going to focus on the types of bikes that will find their way into our readers' quivers: the Demos, the all-new Big Hit, the SX Trail, and the P.Series bikes.
Specs for each of the bikes have been nailed down by this point, and that's what you're getting here. Most of the parts are the same for U.S. and Canadian markets, but some of the Canadian models are sporting different parts. Those different parts are bolded. Prices are always a bit of an issue with new product and international markets, so the best thing to do is to talk to your local Specialized dealer to find out how much green you're going to come up with.
And with those details out of the way, we now bring you a number of really cool rides.
DEMO 9
The Demo series of bikes has been earning props from big-name riders, and
has really made a mark for itself. There aren't any major changes for the new
year, just refinements.
The frame boasts a low center of gravity and standover with sub-seatstay actuated shock, full cartridge bearing pivots, and a 6061 aluminum frame. As before, you get 9" of travel with full chainguide and front derailleur compatibility and 26" wheels on the front and back.
Other features include a 12mm rear axle, ISCG mount, rear derailleur protector, 26 and 24" wheel compatible with two geometry settings, 16.7" chainstay length, and the forged and CNC'd oversized headtube. The 9 is available as a frame-only, if you want to build your own ride.
| Demo 9 Pro (* not available in Canada) |
Frame: DEMO FSR frame, forged and CNC'd OS HT, ORE TT/DT |
| Demo 9 |
| US Specs / Canadian Specs |
Frame: DEMO FSR frame, forged and CNC’d OS HT, ORE TT/DT. |
| Demo 9 Frame |
Frame: Demo 9 FSR frame, 26" F/R wheel, 9" of travel with full chainguide and front derailleur compatibility |
DEMO 8 Spec on the bikes generally reflects the intended usages, which isn't quite as intense as the 9. The 8 is available as a frame-only, as well. |
 A handy little guide telling you what happens when you change rear wheels |
| Demo 8 II |
Frame: Demo 8 FSR frame, forged/CNC'd OS HT, ORE TT/DT |
The Demo 8 II with a Fox 40 and all the other high-end goodies
| Demo 8 I |
| US Specs / Canadian Specs |
Frame: Demo 8 FSR frame, forged/CNC'd OS HT, ORE TT/DT |
| Demo 8 Frame |
Frame: Demo 8 FSR frame, 26" F/R wheel, 8" of travel with full chainguide and front derailleur compatibility,ISCG mount, rear derailleur protector, 26 and 24" wheel compatible with two geometry settings, 16.7" chainstay length, forged and CNC'd OS HT, Super ORE TT/DT |
BIG HIT
The Big Hit has been
around for a number of years, and it got a significant make-over for '06 - namely a ground-up frame re-design.
The frame is made of A1 premium aluminum, uses full cartridge bearings on pivots, comes with an ISCG mount and asymetrical rear triangle, adjustable geometry, and most importantly, the option of running a 26" rear wheel.
Big Hits get full cartridge bearings, 135mm rear ends to make life simple, and the higher-end models can be run at 8.2" or 7.5" travel settings.
There's also a Big Hit Grom, for the little shredders out there. The single-pivot bike is spec'd with 24" hoops on the front and rear, 5" of rear travel, and a Marzocchi Dirt Jam Pro with 130mm of travel on the front.
The all-new Big Hit with matching 26" wheels, sitting quietly at Wilder
| BigHit FSR III |
Frame: BigHit FSR, 6061 ORE TT/DT, full cartridge bearing |
 A close-up of the new Big Hit linkage |
The '06 Big Hit isn't a total departure from earlier versions, and the things that made the bike good in the first place are still there, including the solid chassis, shorter stays, and proven suspension design. One thing that you'll notice on a lot of Specialized bikes this year is Blackspire guides. It's nice to see that a big American company is choosing products from a smaller Canadian company. |
Adjustability is always a cool thing, and it's possible on the Big Hit. Change the shock mount position, and you change the head angle on the bike. And to make it easy to choose the right setting, helpful labels have been included on the linkage. |
 Slack or steep - take your pick, and whip out the 5mm Allen wrench |
| BigHit FSR II |
Frame: BigHit FSR, 6061 ORE TT/DT, full cartridge bearing |
 The front end of the '06 Big Hit III |
The Big Hit is more a price point-oriented bike, so it doesn't get the same high-end treatment that the Demo bikes do. Components are similar, but even on the high-end Big Hit front and rear suspension parts are a half- or full step down from the high-end Demos. Also missing is the CNC'd oversize headtube found on the Demos. But that doesn't mean this bike is any less capable on the trails. |
| BigHit FSR I |
Frame: BigHit FSR, 6061 ORE TT/DT, full cartridge bearing |
| Big Hit III Frame |
Frame: BigHit FSR, A1 Premium Aluminum, ORE TT/DT, full cartridge bearing, ISCG mount, asymetrical rear triangle, 26" F/R wheel, adjustable geometry |
There
are more bikes!?! You betcha!
Take me to the SX Trail and P.Series...
