Strengths: Great linkage (Hollow trapezoidal Linkage with Horst link design), nice design, bobmproof, great geometry.
Weaknesses: Weight, Ease of acsessing shock (No big deal).
Bottom Line:
Since I work at a bike shop, I usually get a new bike each season. However, I have been riding my demo for 2 seasons now and am still considering keeping it for a third. It has amazing feel and great geometry.
When I first got the frame, I built it up as a heavy duty FR bike, and it pedals surprisingly well for what it was built for. I especially like launching gaps and hitting drops, and made any trail a jump park. It feels really lively and has decent cornering abilitys. When riding at a gravity park, it almost feels like a dirtjump or slopestlyle bike in the air. It feels stable at high speeds, and is very tough.
This bike also can be built up as a race style bike because of the longer wheelbase. The size SMALL frame almost looks the same size as my size MEDIUM Norco Six 1.
Once on the bike, you have a decent BB height, so the bike actually feels small and playful. I really find that the bike (the way I had it built) is perfect for ski hill runs.
My only complaint is the weight of the bike, especially for a race bike. The weight is hardly noticed while riding though, and feels light in the air.
Another small problem is getting at the rear shock for service. Becuase of the frame design, removing the shock can be a hassle.
All and all, a great bike for anyone who likes bikeparks, but can also be built for the serious Downhill racer.
Submitted by
Ketchup_Boi
a Downhiller
from Kent, England
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2010
Strengths: Everything feels light, strong built and professional.
Weaknesses: It can be a little bouncy when the suspension units aren't locked up.
Bottom Line:
An absolute must if you're a real hard biker. Can take a beating from everything i've given it and all it did was carry on as if to say: "Is that all you've got?"
Submitted by
straussal
a Downhiller
from Denver, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2009
Strengths: good warranty
top of the line suspension
pretty lightweight for a dh bike
good geometry
simple yet effective suspension design
Weaknesses: bad stock tires
to many in house components
crappy wheels
every year the bike is getting more expensive but has the same parts
Bottom Line:
great bike if you can get deal and dont mind replacing a few parts. Solid performer, it has a low center of gravity,no brake jack and has a very sleek/stylish look. Its prolly going to be my last dh bike and i don't regret it at all. the lifetime warranty dosn't hurt either, i cracked my frame and they had a new one for me in two days.
Similar Products Used: kona stab, giant glory, trek session dh, name brand dh bikes
Bike Setup: fox 40s, dhx 5.0 pushed (i highly recommend a pushed shock for this frame), 721 rims, sunline bars, stem, pedals, grips, avid elixer brakes, specialized pinner tires
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
D MILL
a Downhiller
from Woodbury, Minnesota, USA
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2006
Strengths: WELL BUILT FRAME USING AWESOME TECHNOLOGY. LIGHT CONSIDERING IT'S BURLYNESS.
Weaknesses: LOTS OF MOVING PARTS IN THE REAR. NOT A BAD THING BUT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO REPLACEING BEARINGS IT COULD BE SPENDY DEAL.
Bottom Line:
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A BIKE THAT HAS NO BOUNDRIES THIS IS IT. LOW BB AND LOW CENTER OF GRAVITY MAKES THIS THING HANDLE LIKE ITS ON RAILS. ALSO I HAVE RECEIVED COMMENTS FROM ON LOOKERS AT RACES SAYING THAT I HAVE THE QUIETEST BIKE THROUGH ROUGH SECTIONS OF THE TRAIL SUCH AS ROCK GARDENS AND DROPS. WHEN RIDING THIS THING YOUR HEAD CAN INCREASE IN SIZE AS THING GET SCHETCH. SO BE PREPARED CAUSE THIS RIDE COULD TAKE YOU TO THE NEXT LEVEL BY SIMPLT THROWING A LEG OVER IT. AND FINALLY DO NOT BUY THIS BIKE IF YOU WANT TO WIN THE TOUR DE FRANCE. BUY IT IF YOU HAVE DREAMS OF JUMPING OVER THE PELETON.
Bike Setup: BOXXER WC,FUNN DIRECT MOUNT STEM,TRUVATIV BAR,XO SHIFTER & DER,ODI LOCKONS,WTB SADDLE,MAVIC DEE TRACKS,CHUNDER REAR,PINNIT FRONT,JUICY 7'S,SRAM CASSETTE&CHAIN,E13 BASHGAURD (RED),BLACKSPIRE GUIDE WITH MRP ROLLERS, KING HEADSET, CUSTOM PAINT.
Strengths: Tough, Good looking, Smoothe, excellent bottoming resistance
Weaknesses: From factory it is missing a small washer (spacer) in the front shock eyelet which causes a tiny bit of play in the rear triangle that will drive you crazy when ripping.
Bottom Line:
Best bike I have ever ridden and I especially enjoy the single crown fork. The bike is super tough and doesn't require too much maintenance, but when it does there are several bike shops in Kamloops that really knowledgeable and great about getting you back on the trails.
Bike Setup: 2005 Demo 8 Pro stock except I put a Marzocchi 66 single crown fork on it. This allows for more tricks and still provides excellent strength and still I can't bottom it.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Adam Kessler
a Racer
from Queensland Australia
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2006
Strengths: nice and stiff, comes with the killer 40's light.
Weaknesses: too bulky in the ass end, could be redesigned and engineered a bit better to make suspension a bit more touchy and work better for downhill courses.
Bottom Line:
Kickass bike for freeride if you want to send it off a big drop. the stiff frame gives you the confidence you need, this bike started as a freeride bike and should remain as one.
Strengths: i got the Demo 8 II and it comes with an amazing build, low center of gravity keeps you going fast and smooth. it is also light. AND i got the very last one specialized had:)
Weaknesses: comes with a blackspire chainguide and lightwieght tires
Bottom Line:
awesome bike aimed for racing, or just haulin' ass down a trail
Strengths: the low center of gravity is extremely nice for the smaller riders like me. also the fox 40 really takes 60 footers like nothin. the avid juicy's are really strong and quiet, and the rear suspension gives you endless travel.
Weaknesses: don't really like the colors available but i can live with that.
Bottom Line:
To all you downhillers out there, this is a perfect bike for you. It also fits my budget pretty well. It'll take anything you throw at it and live. Even though i have tried more complex and expensive bikes, they weigh too bloody much. This bike has very little pedal bob and can actually somewhat get up hills. Great bike for the value.
Strengths: Design, build quality and strength, use of Fox DHX which maximises the frame capability
Weaknesses: My riding limits
Bottom Line:
Buy one... I got a killer deal on a new frameset and my friend Adam is chewing over buying one. Make sure you spec the right size and spring, the top tbe guide in the dealer pack is not really accurate - a med has a real top tube of 21 1/2" - ideal if you're like me 6'0". Ended up with a 550lb spring (swapped at LBS for free - this is why they love donuts !!!!)
Similar Products Used: Schwinn straight 8 (still in the loft), Yeti ASX (my other bike), Big hit (LBS test bike), Schwinn straight 6 (sold to a friend - bugger)
Bike Setup: Boxxers with custom tunig (self), hope /saint hubs and hope brakes, saint cranks with custom 32/44 T chain rings, E13 DRS, Saint short mech on a SRAM rocket shifter and I-fly seat and post. All up 38lbs - next is a TI spring
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Isaac Smith
a Racer
from Condon,MT,USA
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2006
Strengths: Low BB height, Fox 40, Geometry, weight (weighs about 40lbs)
Weaknesses: Low BB (pedals hit the ground if not used to riding such a low BB) It is fine after you learn how to position the pedals correctly. The headset, stock hubs, handlebars, and seat and chainguide.
Bottom Line:
I have been racing for a couple of years now and I have not ridden a faster bike. For me (because everybody is different) the geometry is near perfect. The bike feels like it is on rails and the suspension is unmatched, including the FSR design. I feel it has now been perfected by specialized compared to any other FSR design out there. It has no play and is extremely stiff. The bike is super fast when it comes to pedaling and the center of gravity is perfect. The Fox 40 is the best fork out there for racing and only complements the bike further. I have looked into any DH bike out on the race circuit today and I chose the Demo. Everybody is different and rides different so find out how you ride and what you want in a bike. If you want to just plow through everything and not have to worry about hopping and flicking the bike around, I would probably recommend a V10. But, if you like to hop around things and always find the best line, I would go with the Demo. It Will be the fastest bike for you if that is how you ride. Hands Down
Similar Products Used: Turner DHR, Rotec, Iron Horse SGS Pro
Bike Setup: Demo 8 Pro, Mavic Dee Maxx rims, syncros handlebar clamp, Selle Italia Flite seat, Crank Brothers Mallet C, Maxxis DHR and DHF tires, Lock on grips, upgraded brake levers by GRC, Titanium spring
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Tomo
a Downhiller
from Adelaide, Sa, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2006
Strengths: Weight, Easy To Rail On Corners, Very Flickably, Stable In The Air, Basicly Everything
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Bottom Line, Buy This Bike I Used To Have A Demo 9, There Awsome, But Wow, They Really Did It With The Demo 8, There Amazing, For Everything,
Basicly If Uve Got A Demo 9 And Thinking About A Demo 8, GO FOR IT, ULL BE VERY PLEASED
Similar Products Used: Demo 9 Pro, Big Hit, VP Free,
Bike Setup: 2006 Demo 8 II, Fox 40RC2, SRAM X.0, Raceface Diablous Cranks, Protapers, Juicy 7's, Fox DHX 5.0,
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Chandler Berty
a Downhiller
from Indianapolis, IN, USA
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2006
Strengths: Low center of gravity. This bike totaly rips through turns and technical stuff. You can come flying into rock gardens or rooty sections and stay confident and in control on the bike. The bike also jumps like a champ, the low center of gravity help that alot too. It also gives you all 8 inches of travel. I've ridden several other DH bikes, and nothing I have ever ridden felt like this.
Weaknesses: The stock spec on the bike is good, but there are definately some weak points that kinda make you turn your head and wonder why your getting a "so-so" component on your $5000 bike. Such as the headset, rear hub, and HFX-Mags. The same 5k w/ a santa cruz vp-free gets you a king headset, a nicer wheelset, and juicy's. Given that the demo frame is 1500 more than the vp free, but still...
Strengths: Bombproof frame, that begs for more, and the geometry is wicked. Mine is a custom build. Ti Spring is dope. 888Rx2x is everything you could want in a fork.
Weaknesses: Shock mount - I had a Demo9, now a Demo8, and have never been a fan of getting to the shock. Thats about all you can complain about on this bike, and its not that big of a deal. Also, I heard they fixed the cracking frame issue, that plagued so many 2005 Demo8's. So lets hope that stays true.
Bottom Line:
This review will kind of be comparing it to the Demo9, as thats what I moved from. I am 6'4 and weigh about 220. If there is a perfect bike, this is it. I came from a 49lb Demo9DH, and started seeing the advantages of lighter bikes, when I picked up a 2006 SX Trail2, so I decided to get a Demo8. I was a little skeptical at first, cause I heard that bigger people should stay with a Demo9. What a big difference dropping 6 lbs makes. This bike rocks. Jumping on this bike became twice as fun. It just launches you off kickers, where as the Demo9 seemed to get sucked down by gravity more. You dont need as much speed, however its easier to get up to speed, so it works! If you know how to ride smooth, this bike is even better. It just hugs the ground, like you are on a hovercraft. I feel in control in the air on this bike, when moving the bike around. Much easier to get the bike flat. I love the new 888Rc2x. The lower ride height makes a huge difference, and I think its perfert for this bike. The rear ends 10x135 Bolt, feels just as stiff, as the Demo9's 12x150 thru. Its a dream on the bumpy stuff. Feels just as stable as the 9, however probably doesnt have quite the appetite. With the 9, you could run over whatever you wanted, without even thinking about it, however with the 8, you can still run that stuff over, you just need to be a little more skillful about it. You cant just close your eyes and pedal....like you could on the 9.
Basically the Demo8 is everything the Demo9 is, but lighter, and more manouverable.
I heard that there wont be a Demo9 for 2007. Maybe a Demo6? If you have ever wondered why people rave so much about the Demo8, get one and find out. You wont regret it. If you have a Demo9, and have been thinking about the 8, just do it!
Strengths: amazing strength without the weight penalty. very agile, performs well. Specialized backs their stuff, lifetime warranty on frame.
Weaknesses: tolerance is slightly out for the shock mount, feels like DU bushing problems. They like to crack just under the linkplate pivot on the front triangle.
Bottom Line:
This bike is the one you want if you like going out freeriding but want to stay competitive and race. It is not a compromise between the two but simply one of the best for both! It can take what you throw at it and beg for more, and when you demand from it, it delivers.
