Equipped with an 80mm-travel RockShox Silver TK fork, the aluminum Carve Expert 29 is ready for action and features Shimano hydraulic disc brakes and versatile Specialized The Captain 2.0-inch tires.
Fully butted, smooth-welded M4SL alloy frame is superlight, stiff, and efficient, with 29er XC geometry, integrated, tapered head tube for front-end stiffness, plus bridge-less seatstays for compliance over bumps
80mm-travel RockShox Recon Silver 29" air-sprung fork with alloy, tapered steerer, external rebound adjust, and lockout delivers light weight plus more versatility and tunability over varying terrain
Light and stiff, double-walled alloy rims for added stiffness; front hub has cartridge bearings and oversized dropout interface for front-end rigidity
Light and efficient 29" Specialized The Captain Control tires are 2Bliss Ready with aramid bead for fast and predictable speed and control on the trail
Shimano forged alloy, 10-speed triple crankset with Hollowtech arms and Octalink-splined BB interface is stiff and light for precision shifting performance
Shimano hydraulic disc brakes use 180mm front rotor for increased leverage on 29" wheels, while 160mm rear rotor keeps weight low
Shimano Deore XT Shadow 10-speed rear derailleur for lightweight, pro-level shifting, and improved clearance
Strengths: Geometry, Power transfer, Rigidity, Air fork.
Weaknesses: Triple chainring
Bottom Line:
Previous bike: 2004 Giant NRS2
(5'9, 17.5 frame) This thing is unreal. First thing I noticed was how fast it wanted to go. Its great to be on a bike that you can't outride.........yet. I have only been out on it for a few hours, but it has impressed me THOROUGHLY. The 29er's crawl through the rock garden, laughing all the way. I converted to tubeless right away, and was pleasantly surprised to discover 24mm wide rims. I can lay it right down in the corners without fear of washout, and the climbing and acceleration are spectacular. My only complaint is that they could have done without the triple chainring. I love this bike and will enjoy it for years.
Strengths: I am super happy with the drivetrain components, brakes are excellent, tires are great, and the geometry is unbelievable!
Weaknesses: I would like to see better wheels & hubs. The drivetrain could be 2x10 instead of 3x10.
Bottom Line:
I am putting about 75 to 90 miles a week out on the trails on my new Carve Expert. I have finally gotten used to the larger wheels and adjusting to the hardtail after riding a GT LTS 1 for the last 6 years or so. I have had it for about 3 months now and have not had any problems with it. Shifting is nice, crisp and predictable. I am 6' tall and got the 17.5", it has a nice standover height with plenty of room for comfort. The 19" was ok but the top tube was a little close for comfort to me. I am still running tubes but it is ready for tubeless. Overall I am super happy with the bike, how it handles & the quality of components it came with. I would buy this bike again and I would definitely recommend this bike to anyone.
Duration Product Used: River Legacy Park & Cedar Hill
Purchased At: Bikes Inc. Hurst, TX
Bike Setup: So far off the shelf. XT and Deore drivetrain and brake components. Specialized The Captain tires. Looking to upgrade wheels & hubs, saddle, stem and crankset soon.
Weaknesses: Hard to fault other than high rolling resistance, which is down to tyre choice
Bottom Line:
I had a Scott Scale 29 Team until it was stolen (my review of that is just slightly less positive than of this bike). I really wanted a straight replacement but there were no Scale 29 Teams coming into the UK, so I plumped for the Specialized Expert. Had to pay a bit more to upgrade, but wasn't happy with the Comp.
My first reaction was that the frame is beautifully made. Not quite as elegant in shape as, say, the Scott but the welding and lines are very nice indeed. I took it out for first ride and was thrown first by the rolling resistance, which is much higher with the Captain Controls (please please change that awful name, reminds me of Bleach) than with the Rocket Rons I was used to.
I took the bike off-road and it hit me that this setup is committed to off-road, and that riding on tarmac is a secondary priority. It absolutely rocks off-road. It's like being a kid again with a BMX - it's possible to throw around much more than my other bikes, and it doesn't make a single squeak or sound.
I'm tall at 6'5" and it has been a long while since I had this much fun on a bike.
Drivetrain, brakes both work wonderfully and shifting has got over its initial grumps and is solid as heck - even shifting out of the saddle now, something I had tried before and thought 'nope'. The wheels are stiff and there is no hint of frailty in the wheelset at all - great for a 29er.
The saddle from my previous bike went straight in the bin it was so uncomfortable, but this is OK. It can live for the time being.
The tyres give lots of traction in mud, and have not had a single iffy moment even at high speed.
In short, I think Carve is a great name for this bike - the geometry plus the lower 80mm air shock (compared to the Scott Scale 29 Team 100m coil) means the bike tears through corners, losing the wobbly feeling from the Scott. Lots of fun! Hit those chicanes at speed and it just does what you imagine!
I think the feature I wished was there was the Poploc remote, but as a £50 upgrade, that's OK - at least it is possible. Next upgrade is going to be a forgiving carbon seatpost. I love the hardtail feel, and the micro suspension tricks work well - I think I can live with a hard saddle with just a little more help.
Wish there was less branding on it though. Electrical tape does the job temporarily.
Bike Setup: Specialized Carve Expert, Shimano MX30
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
SPRaiderFan
a Weekend Warrior
from Belmont, NC
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2011
Strengths: Comfortable geometry and components.
Weaknesses: None to speak of at the moment.
Bottom Line:
First 29er. I can push a bigger gear with this bike and it takes off in about three pedal strokes. Climbs better than my previous bike. The wider handlebars are nice with the geometry, it makes for a more comfortable ride. I have easily knocked off several minutes at my local trails.
Submitted by
barrjesu
a Cross Country Rider
from Laredo, Tx
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2011
Strengths: Component Package-XT Rear D, Deore Front D, Deore Shifters, Nice Shimano Hydraulic Brakes, RockShox Recon Silver front Shock
Weaknesses: Foot rubs front tire on tight turns
Bottom Line:
This is an excellent quality bike. Definitely worth the price. The component package works great together, and the front shock is very responsive. This is my first time on a 29er, and I don't think I'm ever going back. My 26er had me riding my everyday trail in just over 30 minutes, and I could not break this mark no matter how hard I tried. My 2nd try on the Carve put me at 27:20, and the 3rd at 27:10; a 10% improvement just by changing bikes! This bike just powers over sand as if it was not even there, prior to this I was fishtailing from side to side. Small bumps are also much less noticeable thanks to the large tires. The only issue I've encountered, probably due to the frame being the small 15.5" is that my shoe rubs against the front tire on very tight turns. This however, has not been a big issue, since the rubbing is minor and seldom happens. Anyone hoping to get into the 29er world should definitely try this bike, the angles on the bike make the rider feel comfortable, and the bike is easy to maneuver on tight switchbacks and tight sections of single track. The bike is an excellent climber and feels solid on the downhills.
Submitted by
Larry Gerszewski
a Weekend Warrior
from Sunnyvale, CA
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2011
Strengths: Excellent ergonomics, comfortable, quick steering, great quiet brakes, superb handling, stable at speed, climbs well. Fast bike when you want to go fast! Responds to input instantly.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
Excellent 29er! Well balanced, comfortable, fits me perfectly, hard to believe I'm on a hardtail. Easy to go fast. I am 5'9" tall and weigh 165 and have the medium or 17.5" frame. The large or 19" frame was too big for me when I tested it.
