Coastal Crew aboard the Specialized Demo Alloy

It was bound to happen, but it was a wise move on Specialized’s part to ensure it happened so soon: their venerated asymmetrical carbon Demo frame has been released in an alloy version, bringing the world champ’s new bike (not to mention the former world champ’s old bike) within reach of consumers with smaller budgets. Starting at $2,600 US, you can get an Öhlins-equipped Specialized Demo alloy frame. For $4,000 US you can get into a complete bike with a Boxxer RC up front and Fox VAN RC out back. At $6,000 US, you’re back to Öhlins handling rear suspension and a Boxxer Team.

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WHAT’S NEW?
Do you remember when we nearly melted the Internet last year with a crazy, single-sided Demo Carbon that changed the way we look at downhill bikes? Its revolutionary construction, S3 geometry, and completely new FSR layout put it on top of World Cup podiums. Well, the Demo Alloy has the same killer formula, only now, it’s aluminum.

UNIQUE FRAME
Before we’d even released the Demo Carbon, we knew we had to make it in aluminum. Making an asymmetrical, singled-sided frame out of aluminum, however, was no small task, but the engineering team worked hard to apply the signature look of the Demo at a more accessible price. It also has all of the amazing performance benefits of the carbon version, like internally routed cables, new FSR layout, and it’s still fully customizable for the riders with no new crazy standards.

More important than the features is that it has the geometry and handling riders have come to expect from the Demo & Specialized. Its S3 geometry was introduced last year, and it takes all of the sizing woes out of buying a bike. Now, you can buy the size you want based on how you want to ride:

• All sizes have low standover and seat tube heights — no more hoping you can touch the ground. Short & Medium sizes share head tube heights, as do Long & Extra-Longs.
• Each size has its own reach measurement, making them truly unique sizes.
• Most importantly, they all have low BBs, slack head angles, and short rear ends.

Demo 8 I – $4,000 US

No material has earned its keep on the downhill circuit like our M5 aluminum. The reasons for this are stacking, but primarily, it can all be summed up by stiffness, light overall weight, and strength. That’s why you’ll find that our Demo 8 I was constructed from it. Not only that, but it also features a 1.5-inch forged head tube to enhance most of these qualities. As for the ride, the Demo 8 pairs our S3 Geometry with an asymmetric frame design that ensures plenty of access, a roomy top tube for added control, ultra-short, nimble chainstays, a low bottom bracket that keeps you feeling planted, and a slack front end that provides the utmost in responsive handling at speed. For suspension, this Demo features 200mm up front via a RockShox BoXXer RC 650b and 200mm of travel at the rear controlled by a custom-tuned FOX VAN RC. Together, the combo ensures that you’ll be able to rocket over any terrain with confidence. And when you add in a build kit consisting of SRAM’s powerful Guide brakes, a durable one-by SRAM drivetrain, and our legendary Butcher & Slaughter DH tires, you get a bike that wants nothing more than to be pushed harder and faster.

Demo 8 II – $6,000 US

What happens when you combine our World-Cup-proven S3 Geometry, an asymmetric frame design, a revolutionary Öhlins rear shock, and a build kit that serves up nothing but pure performance? You get our Demo 8 II, of course. Its frame is constructed from M5 aluminum, and as stated, it features an unparalleled geometry. You’ll find a plenty of frame access, a roomy top tube for added control, ultra-short, nimble chainstays, a low bottom bracket that keeps you feeling planted, and a slack front end that provides the utmost in responsive handling at speed. For suspension, this Demo features 200mm up front via a coil-sprung RockShox BoXXer Team 650b and 200mm of travel at the rear controlled by a Öhlins rear shock. Together, the combo ensures that you’ll be able to rocket over any terrain with confidence. As for the build, this Demo comes with hand-built Roval 650b wheels for nimble handling, a one-by SRAM drivetrain that’s ultra-precise, and powerful, highly adjustable SRAM Guide RS DH brakes. This bike refuses to compromise when it comes to putting out speed—just like you.

M5 alloy construction works in tandem with our S3 Geometry, an asymmetric frame design, and a 1.5” forged head tube to create the ultimate race machine. The design is relatively compact in order increase maneuverability and responsiveness, while the 200mm of travel at the rear makes the bike capable of taking on the biggest of hits in stride. And to fill out all of the details that make the difference on race day, we’ve included an ISCG ‘05 mount for chain guides and a rear derailleur protector to keep you shifting smoothly through rock gardens and unexpected strikes.

Custom Öhlins rear shock delivers unparalleled DH performance. It offers high/low speed compression adjust that stands independent of the rebound adjust, enabling you to fine-tune the shock for the track at hand. It’s 200mm of coil-sprung travel that stands without rival, and you won’t find it anywhere else.

RockShox BoXXer Team 650b fork is nothing short of legendary. With 200mm of coil-sprung travel with frame size-specific spring feel, a Charger Damper for maximum efficiency, and Power Buldge reinforced lower legs that allow oversized bushings for incredible stiffness, it’s easy to see why it’s such a fan favorite for gravity fiends.

650bx2.5″ Butcher DH tire at the front has prominent shoulder knobs that ravenously grip in any condition, while the center tread is low for minimal rolling resistance. Meanwhile, we positioned a 650bx2.3″ Slaughter DH at the rear for its aggressive tread, stiff sidewall, and tacky grip—ensuring maximum traction and protection through any terrain.

SRAM’s Guide RS DH brakes provide powerful, precise, and highly adjustable braking. Their based on a four-piston caliper design that puts out smooth, dependable stopping power, while the Reach Adjust feature allows you to customize the position for easy, one-finger lever pulls. And with SRAM’s SwingLink technology, the cam system minimizes deadband without sacrificing modulation.

Demo Frame – $2,600 US

Downhill racing requires complete and utter faith in your equipment, and we understand your desire to cherry pick and fine-tune every last component of your dream downhill rig. That’s why we offer our legendary Demo 8 as a frameset. It’s constructed from our M5 aluminum. And while the reasons for this are stacking, it all comes down to stiffness, light overall weight, and strength. Not only that, but it also features a 1.5-inch forged head tube to enhance most of these qualities. As for the ride, the Demo 8 is built off of our S3 Geometry and an asymmetric frame design, ensuring a plenty of frame access, a roomy top tube for added control, ultra-short, nimble chainstays, a low bottom bracket that keeps you feeling planted, and a slack front end that provides the utmost in responsive handling at speed. For suspension, this Demo features 200mm of travel delivered via a game changing custom Öhlins rear shock. Altogether, it’s a blank canvas of performance. Build it how you want it, and race it like you mean it.

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It’s still not chump change, but $4,000 US for a complete bike boasting all that performance is definitely trending in the right direction. We expect to see a lot of these at Whistler this summer.