Strengths: Climbs well, goes down easy, very tough
Weaknesses: a bit of lateral motion in the rear.
Bottom Line:
I bought the frame alone off ebay and built the rest from the ground up. I love this frame. I love my bike. The rear lockout is great, especially when working with the ETA on my fork. This frame can take a beating and doesn't miss a step. A very nice heavy duty xc/light freeride setup.
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2003
Strengths: Smooth ride. When you get it dialed in, there is little to no bobbing at all. Comes with Hayes Hydro.disks, Xtr/xt & Mavic 317's. **Psylo Race Fork**
Weaknesses: Some of the Specialized Stuff, cranks sorta suck.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for someone that loves to ride hard, goof in a city environment, or a larger rider(190+).
this bike can take the beating and laugh at you while doing it!
Similar Products Used: Cannondale Jeckyll, I really wanted one, but the closest Jeckyll in comparison of parts and performance would've set me back another 1k. I have owned other Specialized which is what brought me back to another, they build great bikes.
Bike Setup: Monkeylite CF bar, Titec BigAl, Xtr/xt, Mavic 317's, Hayes Hydro., Psylo Race
Strengths: The weight is nice. the way it rides. the frame style. the psylo fork, the rims
Weaknesses: the headset is always loose. i hate the air shocks I have blown them out twice already. the rims are good but I have almost tacoed them twice
Bottom Line:
This bike is one of the best bikes for a freeride. You can use it for x-country or downhill. It rides very very nice. The only thing thats not good is some of the components. I'm changing them as i get the money too but i would recommend anyone if they get a chance to ride this bike to ride it.
Strengths: Psylo fork (gem), Fox shock (super smooth), Geometry, ride balance and general feel
Weaknesses: Nasty Specialized "Body Confusion" seat. Almost lost my member to that bugger
Bottom Line:
I've just swapped my M4 hardtail with a (great) friend as I prepare to hit Europe for a MTB odessy. I'm seriously Impressed with how much faster in general I feel on this bike, the frame and ride characteristics are absolutely fantastic.. The suspension is soo smooth, the pedalling efficency is A1 and the brakes are a lot more confidence inspiring than my XTR v's. If you get the chance, go out and ride this bike, you will love it!
Great bike. It would be perfect if it had U-turn, bigger tires and the possibility to lower the seatpost. The fenders are not too great. They are too heavy and the rear fender doesn't help at all. It's main purpose trail riding. It's too heavy for XC and too flexy for serious downhilling. Still, it's better than the competition.
Bike Setup: Standard with 5" fork and a flite saddle
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Weekend Warrior
from Salt Lake City ,UT
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2001
Strengths: Light weight for a bigger than average cross country bike. good looking paint spec. good stock components. With some care in tuning before you get serious about riding it the specs of this bike kick.
Weaknesses: have had problems with the seat teaking out on me like most have with the Ritchey post. seems to be clamped down pretty good now though. cable routing could be better, nothing two little plastic zip ties can't fix though, I used two little black ones, hardly notice them.
Bottom Line:
Super bike! I have had a great time with it, it goes anywhere I point it, and for the components I have on it, it weighs in at just over 26 lbs. Get one, tune it up to your liking, and ride!
Purchased At: My bro. works at the Specialized manufacturing plant, hooked up!!
Similar Products Used: Stumpjumper FSR, Trek Y-glide, Gary Fisher X0
Bike Setup: Stock, except: 5' travel on the Psylo, Kore B-52 stem, 8" Hayes rotors, 2.5" Big hit tire up front, 2.3" in rear, XTR Crank, XTR chain, XTR rear cassette,P-brain computer, and a custom rear suspension link, that will fit the new Fox Itch shock, or a Vanilla RC, as soon as i can get either shock!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Laguna Niguel, Calif., USA
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2001
Strengths: Suspension, no need to use lockout on climbs. Ergonomics, feels like I'm on my Honda XR600, feels like you're riding in the bike rather perched on top of it.
Weaknesses: Seatpost, Time Pedals, Specialized tires, I don't care for the Specialized skewers.
Bottom Line:
This is an update to a prior review. Since the last review I changed the pedals to some Nashbar units, no longer have problems clicking out, also saved some weight (~3-4oz.). Put on a Thompson seatpost, my seat no longer turns into a prostate probe off big hits. Saved a few more grams with seatpost swap. 86ed Specialized tires for Panaracer Fires (made in Japan). Also had the bike tuned by BikeTech in Aliso Viejo, they did an awesome job. They made adjustments to the control positions that have made a huge difference in rideability and long ride comfort. Now for the ride report, I LOVE THIS BIKE!!!! With the new tires and the steering set at a steeper angle this thing rails. I ride on mostly hard pack with a fine layer of silty dust. The Panaracer Fires really hook up. I am still in awe of the suspension, the bike tracks so well on fast downhills . This past weekend I bested my up and back time on Santiago trail by 10 minutes, it was all on the downhill. There is no reason to look at any other freeride bike, this is the 1.
Bike Setup: Stock other than, Thompson seatpost, Nashbar pedals, Panaracer Fire tires. Psylo is set for 5" and Rear is set at steeper angle and 4.6" travel.
Strengths: Weight, feel, components ( with exception of a few ), value, and anything else i forgot.
Weaknesses: Headset, bb loose from factory, crank, handle bar, seat, seat post. Brake cable routing could be better, or at least stay in place.
Bottom Line:
Excellent bike. I take it everywhere and it handles what ever i throw at it. Yet to take any risks yet but the bike temps you to push yourself. Some componets could be better but there are few bikes that come this loaded for the price. 2800 is the price of the bike with all the mods installed. If you want a bike that can handle everything, this is it!! Go out and try it before you buy anything else.
Similar Products Used: Klein Mantra Stumpjumper FSR Trek Fuel Klein Adept
Bike Setup: Stock except following: -King headset -Thompson stem -2.1 rear tire -Monkey lite handle bar -Seferas seat -Thompson seat post -and soon to come will be crank set, haven't decided which one yet.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Sean Huntley
a Weekend Warrior
from Minnesota
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2001
Strengths: Ummm, Where to start? The suspension, the brakes, the parts. Adjustable geometry, and front and rear travel
Weaknesses: The seat
Bottom Line:
I have ridden this bike since February. It kicks some serious ass. If you are looking for a great all around, go anywhere mountain bike make sure to include this on your list of rides to look into.
Both front and rear shocks lock out, which is great while getting to the trail, but I never use this feature once I hit the dirt. I don't need to. While climbing the rear wheel smoothly rolls over obstacles, keeping the rubber on the ground, while you pedal away with just a hint of bobbing. The bike feels lighter than it's 27.5 pounds. Descending is a blast! Up to five inches of travel in front and 4.6 in the rear make for FAST descents. The fork is amazingly plush. I simply don't notice the rear suspension. That is a high compliment in my book. When you get to that sharp corner at the bottom the hydraulic discs quickly reign in your speed with fantastic modulation.
I just added the Hopey steering damper. I went out on a limb after reading numerous positive reviews. It rocks. YOU decide when you are going to change direction, not the terrain. My most skeptical friends were immediately impressed. If you get a chance, check one out.
The only thing I didn't like was the seat. It was EXTREMELY uncomfortable. I threw a Selle Italia on there and never looked back. Hopefully Specialized will rectify this mistake.
Similar Products Used: 98 Specialized FSR, Klein Mantra, Rocky Mountain RM6
Bike Setup: XTR/XT derailleurs, Psylo Race, Fox float RC, Time ATAC pedals, Hayes disc brakes, Hopey steering damper, Mavic 517 wheels
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Frank Jansen
a Downhiller
from Costa Mesa, CA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2001
Strengths: Climbs and transitions very well. Lightwieght and fast. Handles the big stuff like a free ride bike with out the weight. Handles corners and rutts very well. Lots of smooth travel.
Weaknesses: Could use the 8" disk up front for steeperdown hill.
Bottom Line:
Great over all bike, very adjustable and the front locks out for long climbs. Corners well in switchbacks. Highly recommend a look for any shopping. Not good for beginners, experienced riders will like this bike.
Similar Products Used: GT Idrive XCR 3000 and Kona Stinky Deluxe
Bike Setup: Off the floor, just bigger tires.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Nathan
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2001
Strengths: I love the Psylo. Hayes. Efficient Climber
Weaknesses: Seatpost bites, Hayes are a bit noisy when hammering up hills, front derailleur hits the frame when going into the small ring- limits adjustment.
Bottom Line:
This was a replacement after some fine folks broke into my house and stole my 99 FSR and a Sugar. I was really wondering if I needed the extra travel and disc brakes but now that I've got them I know how much fun I've been missing. I really don't think climbing has suffered at all compared to the shorter travel FSR. I find that I don't really use the rear lock out that much as it's a bit tough to get at. For the long grinds up Harkin fire road it's nice to have though. I totally love the Psylo, I find that picking a line now involves looking for tougher sections rather than just getting down the hill. The longer travel and slack head tube angle took a bit of getting used to. I'd slide the front end in loose sections. If you weight the front a bit more it bites in better. The discs are great now that I actually have them installed. The brake lever had been stripped at some point. My LBS sorted it pretty quickly though after the requisite finger pointing (at me). On the first substantial downhill section about 2miles in the rear disc came loose. Check your little alien tool. No, it doesn't have a torx 25! A little loctite solved that and I haven't had the problem since. Seems like something Specialized should be catching. The seatpost problem that you've heard about here is weird but true. My old FSR had the exact same Ritchey post but never had a problem with it. The first time I demoed this bike up in Seattle we never could get the clamp tight enough to keep from slipping. Maybe it's due to the laid back angle of the seat tube? Finally got used to the Time pedals after eating it about a dozen times. SPD's on my old bike were great for releasing but would sometimes come undone when I flailed about. Now that I'm used to the Times they're a dream. RTFM that comes with the Time pedals. I didn't know that there are two ways to install the cleats. Explained my riding partner's rather ugly wipeouts every time out.
I ride here in CA and WA where there are plenty of good long hills. This thing is a dream going down them and still gets me to the top at the same time as my buddies riding hardtails. If you're wondering whether to take the weight hit and go with a bit more beef and discs, do it! The fun meter goes off scale.
Bike Setup: 69 deg 4.6 inch travel. Pretty much stock except for Thompson seatpost and a Lizard Skin on the chainstay to keep the noise down back there.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Phil K
a Cross Country Rider
from Gaithersburg, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2001
Strengths: Sweet tunable frame geometery. Fox Float RC rear Psylo Race front Hayes Disc strong wheelset fixed 2000 BB height problem can take a 10 plus foot drop with no problem (guy I work with did that)
Weaknesses: im not used to TIME ATAC pedals seatpost seat is a bit uncomfortable (but i will deal) seatpost is long and if set wrong can cut a cable or dent your shock (gotta cut it off)
Bottom Line:
this bike is amazing. Hayes Disc stood up to a 2 mile decent going about 40 or 45 MPh with no hook up. I didnt use the fork lockout because I am used to not using it. this think climbs like nothing even w/ the lockout off. the lockout knob was a bit touchy and slipped to the "locked" position when I dropped a flite of stairs, that was fixed with a simple twist of a screw. this thing is lighter than my full rigid bike (it weighs 28 LBS, the Medium Enduro is about 25 or 24 LBS). I am buying this bike as soon as I get my job at Hudson Trail Outfitters (about 1 or 2 weeks at most). gotta love employee discounts. anyone that is a mountain biker should get this thing. 2600 might be alot to lay down but it is worth it. this bike can climb fully active better than a hardtail and can decend better than many DH bikes. this thing is also good for Dual Slalomn too. buy this bike now. definately 5 flamin' rats.
Bike Setup: swapped pedals to SPD before I took it out Loctited rear disc before I took it out Sanded discs before I took it out (shop guy did this stuff)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ben Raynor
a Cross Country Rider
from London, England
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2001
Strengths: Psylo forks, Fox Float Rc, lockout and hayes discs. Flexibility of adjusments. General ridability.
Weaknesses: Clasp on the seatpost bent when adjusting it. Too weak. Disks sometimes make a slight rubbing sound out pads. Bottom bracket needs regreasing already - probably not greased properly in factory. Cables scratch paintwork (solved with anti scratch stickers)
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike. The harder you push it the better it rides. It climbs well too. The brakes are great but lack the modulation of a good set of v-brakes, which takes some getting used to. The disks went loose after first ride. Solved by tightening them as shop/Specialized should have. The lock out is not a strict lock out but then it suffices on climbs and on the road which is the purpose of it. The psylos are unbelievably plush and easy to use. Time atac pedals have caught me out a few times - hard to uncip compared with SPD system, but not a massive problem. The seat is a little incomfortable. I changed it for a heavier but spongier gel seat. A great bike but expensive - you can get a brand new 50cc Aprilia moped in London for less - but who wants a moped? I'm picking at straws...a super all rounder. They only imported a few into the UK so I got mine in the USA. Not a problem. I'm loving it.
Overall a good bike but expect to replace a lot of parts and work through several tweaks in the first two months.
Save yourself some trouble and get a different seat post before you leave the shop. The seat clamp slips and I bent the seat post..I only weigh 165!
Expect to replace several bushings and spacers on the Fox shock, so far I've been through 3. The lock out lever on the fox tends to move into locked out position over rough terrain. I had to zip tie it in place. It could also use better seals. They get dirty very quickly and the shock has to be torn down and cleaned.
Both disks came loose and the bolts had to be loctite'd. The rear Hayes has had to be bled 3 times already. Once the bugs are worked out the consistent stopping power of disks is more than worth the extra hassle.
The stock Specialized cranks are way flexy and will not stay tight.
The Specialized tires would probably work well for XC racing but on rocky trails they just don't hooks up and since they are thin to save weight they puncture easily. I put an inch long hole in the rear tire.
The cable routing near the rear suspension linkage is bad(cables are being cut by the seat tube bottom).
I've had no problems with the Psylo. It works perfectly.
The pedals I changed out because of my own preference.
If Specialized would spec the bike with better parts and get Fox to work out its bushing problems, I would easily give this bike 4-5 chilies.
Bike Setup: 4.6"/69 deg head angle, 80mm fork travel, Thompson seat post, shim 858 pedals
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brett
a Cross Country Rider
from Ventura County
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2001
Strengths: Good components (mostly)Time ATAC, XT pods, XTR rear der. XT rear cogs, XT front der. Hayes Disks, Psylo Race. Light weight bike for the travel (XL is 28 lbs with some slime in the tires). Psylo is very tunable, lockout on the front and rear is nice but this is a good fully active climber too so try that before locking it all out.
Weaknesses: It feels like the bottom bracket is too far forward, sliding the seat way forward helps but scares me a little (don't want to bend the rails). The lockout on the Psylo failed (but was fixed quickly) the rear hub was a bit notchy Seatpost is junk. Paint on frame chips easily. Cable routing could be better. . . . nothing that should stop you from buying this bike though!!!!!!
Bottom Line:
Overall this a great bike to take on all your rides, up hill, XC, downhill. . .and freeride if you are a lighter rider. I am 265 lbs and find this a pretty solid rig, that climbs well, descends well, and does everything in between pretty darn well too. Initially I found it was tough to keep the front end on the ground when climbing steep hills, but moving the seat forward, removing some spacers under the stem and a more aggressive body position fixed that. The suspension is always active, and can be dailed in to suit you well enough that you might not use the lockout as often as you think. I would advise you to avoid using the lockout at first so you can see that this bike climbs well when fully active, and in many cases, even better than a hardtail. The Psylo remains active enough even under hard braking, to keep you from eating dirt during a critical moment. The Hayes disks can stand up to 25 miles of 40 MPH fire road descending without much fade(and I am probably larger than you are, at 265 lbs.)The bike is excellent when completely stock, with the exception of the Ritchey seatpost which should be swapped before leaving the store to a stronger one. The Time ATACs are excellent no matter what conditions you are in, The Psylo is light for its long travel (80, 100, or 125 mm travel)and I love the seat, it seems like a Body Geometry Flight to me. I would reccomend this bike to heavy XC riders (with a new seatpost of course), hardcore XC riders, most real world downhillers who have to ride up a hill before going down it, just about everyone really. If you want an FSR with disks, get an Enduro, upgrading an FSR XC is pricey.
