Another great riding Specialized aluminum frame is the Chisel XC hardtail, especially in the 2019-2020 variant with the 27.2 seat tube. It's full on XC geometry, but with a smooth suspension corrected rigid carbon fork like the Cutthroats' and some drop bars makes a fantastic gravel bike that will fit big, fast 29x2.2 rubber like the Conti Race Kings. They stiffened it up for 2021 with some small (slacker) geometry changes and a 30.9 seat tube for better dropper compatibility, but from what I hear is still a great riding, great pedaling platform.
May 29, 2023, 7:54 a.m. - jeffp
Another great riding Specialized aluminum frame is the Chisel XC hardtail, especially in the 2019-2020 variant with the 27.2 seat tube. It's full on XC geometry, but with a smooth suspension corrected rigid carbon fork like the Cutthroats' and some drop bars makes a fantastic gravel bike that will fit big, fast 29x2.2 rubber like the Conti Race Kings. They stiffened it up for 2021 with some small (slacker) geometry changes and a 30.9 seat tube for better dropper compatibility, but from what I hear is still a great riding, great pedaling platform.