I'm anxious to see what people think of this as well.

I've been wanting a smart weld full suspension for a while and just never ended up getting one of those epics that were DSW back in the day (2019 i think?)

This one being build around a 120mm fork i like too.
Curious to see the builds people come up with as i think this one with a 130mm fork or even a 120mm fox 34 as a light trail bike/XC rig would be killer.

 

Well I just put a frameset on order and I should have it built up in the next couple weeks. It will compliment my current Chisel HT built up rigid as a flat bar gravel/light XC machine. I think this duo will manage the gravel and XC we have available here in North TX well. I'll update with pics when it comes together

 

This one being build around a 120mm fork i like too.
Curious to see the builds people come up with as i think this one with a 130mm fork or even a 120mm fox 34 as a light trail bike/XC rig would be killer.

Same. Am not in a rush to buy, but this one is on my short list. Hoping my LBS gets the green $3400 in soon. Very curious to see it in that color. I like the blue lower end Shimano build, but suspect the higher end build is the better buy for me.

 

Following. Keen to hear how flexy this bike is for riders 200+ lbs. It’s intriguing.

 

Let the build begin 🤘🏼

 

Yep, nice!

 

Ok it’s mostly built up. I have a few more things to iron out, but it looks like a bike! This color looks really good in person. I’ll update with the build list and weight once I get it dialed in.

It’s an XL frame and I’m about 225lbs, so should be able to answer a few questions for you guys asking in here 🤙🏼

 

Build list:

XL Chisel FS
SID Ultimate 120mm
Roval Control Alloy wheels
OneUp V3 Dropper 180mm
X01 AXS Der/Shifter
X01 Cassette
XX1 Chain
Sram G2 RSCs
Sram HS2 Rotors 180/160mm
Enve M7 Bars
I9 A35 stem 50mm
Specialized Power Saddle
Rekon Race 2.35s f/r

27lbs even - Pretty happy with that for an alloy “budget”-esque build.

 

How this thing pedals? Low anti squat or snappy and fast? No need for rear shock lockout? Just curious...

 

Such a good question Juhis! We have a ton of bikes in my family for a slew of very active riders and trail builders. One of them is an Intense Sniper T. We have it rigged with very light Stans race carbon wheels w/o a dropper and it only weighs 22.5 lbs. But...that's not the thing here...the thing is it pedals so much better than the 2021-2024 Epic Evo (who's frame is over a full pound lighter) that it is the choice of nearly all of us for the days we want speed.

Yea...the weight of the full suspension Chisel is a bit over the norm for a carbon frame. But how does it pedal? That is a very important factor. I'm a weight focused guy, I've got quick legs but I'm not powerful. But I've learned, I've learned that pedal efficiency is far more important than a pound if you want a satisfactory ride on a cc bike.

 

This guy in his review says the Chisel has "very little pedal bob".

 

And this guy too says it climbs well even when standing.

Google Search

 

Haven’t gotten a ride on it yet, still tinkering with it and we just got a bunch of rain in DFW. Will report back 👍🏼

 

Got this thing out for a shakedown ride today, and all I can say is the bike feels amazing. Extremely quiet and composed. The suspension platform is bang on too. My local trails are rough, raw and rocky, with a lot of steep downs and technical climbs. It handled it all with ease. I’ve been riding a full rigid Chisel HT the past few months, so I figured I’d be sensitive to the pedal bob of a full suspension bike, but i honestly didn’t notice it at all. When I got on the pedals the bike just goes. It accelerates really well and holds a line really well. It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden my Epic Evo, but it felt more composed in the rough stuff in a way. I think the added 10mm of reach and wheelbase, along with the couple extra lbs over my EE build are what’s giving me that feel. I’m 225lbs, so I think a little more intertia from the extra weight helps.

Overall I couldn’t be more pumped. My previous EE was my favorite bike of all time and this bike feels just as good, if not a little better. Can’t wait to put some more miles on it 🤘🏼

 

Hi Chappy,
Any chance you could take a photo showing how the cable housing exit the main frame into the rear triangle? Thanks

 

Took the chisel on a very short demo loop yesterday. I must say, I walked away impressed. Close fit to my Stumpy so I was immediately at home on it.
The suspension was set up too soft with 35% sag but it still climbed pretty well, even out of the saddle.
It’s on my short list for my next frame.

 

I built one of these up for my wife and now I think I want one for next summer’s BCBR. Rides great overall, very quiet. I know they said it won’t but I think it’ll take a longer stroke shock as well, will do some testing with a 42.5mm and a 45mm and report back. Nice cable management on the back half of the bike and comes with foam tubes for the downtube. Right now it’s at 26.75lbs ready to ride, but with some real XC tires and analog components it could be in the ~25lbs range for a medium anyways. I was a huge fan of the regular Stumpy and while this bike isn’t quite that bike I do think it pedals better, obviously more XC oriented. The value is pretty insane, only 1lbs heavier frame vs the carbon. I was going to get the Epic 8 Evo frameset but I’m having trouble justifying the 1800 bucks extra for that 1lbs savings. Don’t care for the swat box so not really sure it’s worth it for me. Anyways, that’s my 0.02. I don’t think anyone would be disappointed with this bike.


@Odd Kiwi tried to answer your question on cables. Let me know if that helps or not.

 

I built one of these up for my wife and now I think I want one for next summer’s BCBR. Rides great overall, very quiet. I know they said it won’t but I think it’ll take a longer stroke shock as well, will do some testing with a 42.5mm and a 45mm and report back. Nice cable management on the back half of the bike and comes with foam tubes for the downtube. Right now it’s at 26.75lbs ready to ride, but with some real XC tires and analog components it could be in the ~25lbs range for a medium anyways. I was a huge fan of the regular Stumpy and while this bike isn’t quite that bike I do think it pedals better, obviously more XC oriented. The value is pretty insane, only 1lbs heavier frame vs the carbon. I was going to get the Epic 8 Evo frameset but I’m having trouble justifying the 1800 bucks extra for that 1lbs savings. Don’t care for the swat box so not really sure it’s worth it for me. Anyways, that’s my 0.02. I don’t think anyone would be disappointed with this bike.


@Odd Kiwi tried to answer your question on cables. Let me know if that helps or not.

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Looks Awesome! Nice job.

I own the previous gen Stumpy and on the short demo ride I had on the Chisel, there is definitely enough separation between the two bikes to justify both. I think if you’re trails aren’t north shore type, a light build chisel and a burly stumpy makes sense as a 2 bike quiver. For more rugged terrain, Chisel + new stumpy (or other AM bike) makes sense too. And, I 100% agree that the $1800 savings over the Epic can be spent elsewhere on the Chisel to make up for the added pound.

 

Hi R3D2,
Appreciate you taking the extra photos around the pivot point. Would you have time to take a photo from underneath the bottom bracket area ? Are the cable housing held in place by a rubber grommet or a clamp system from the front triangle ? Unfortunately my local bike store doesn't have any in stock to look at and try for size, How tall is the rider ? Thanks for your help

 

Hi R3D2,
Appreciate you taking the extra photos around the pivot point. Would you have time to take a photo from underneath the bottom bracket area ? Are the cable housing held in place by a rubber grommet or a clamp system from the front triangle ? Unfortunately my local bike store doesn't have any in stock to look at and try for size, How tall is the rider ? Thanks for your help

There is a rubber piece that lines the hole out of the lowest part of the seat tube/bb area (3rd photo) but that's it, no clamp system. You thread your brake line or shifter cable into the built in tube that brings it though the chainstay on either side. I haven't noticed any noise and I'm pretty sensitive to that stuff. I'm 5' 8" and this medium would be what I would buy, my wife at 5' 5" rides it fine also, it's a smaller medium if you ask me, which I welcome.

 

How are people enjoying the Chisel FS? I have the HT and want to change to the FS (just awaiting frameset to hit UK shops).

Although there is a small part of me that keeps getting drawn to the heavily discounted previous generation Epic Evos..... despite the chisel have better geo and being aluminium (which is my preference).

 

Looking pretty good Speshy! An Epic EVO that can be ridden in rocky terrain without the threat of rock strike destruction. Love all the tube shapes and manipulation.


@R3D2 how is seatpost insertion for the medium?
What length dropper and what's the saddle height? Thanks!

 

Maximum seat post insertion is 230mm for a medium, that will fit a OneUp 180mm dropper if desired (for a 715mm saddle height). I'm going with a 150mm and saving a teeny bit of weight as well.

Really impressed with the packaging. 2 small plastic bags, and three pieces of masking tape. The rest is a minimal amount of cardboard and the little sleeve for the parts box is awesome!
No zip ties, no foam, no staples, no tons of plastic bags and tape.

Great box to reuse as well. Box designer gets a high five for actual innovation!✋

 

I had a similar thought, really really well executed packaging. Mine survived two shipments, from Specialized to IBD and IBD to me, it was in near-perfect condition. Broke down really easily for recycling too.

 

Wrong wheels, wrong stem, fork still at 140mm.
But couldn't resist, and the paint looks killer in the sun! This is going to be a fun one.

 

Wrong wheels, wrong stem, fork still at 140mm.
But couldn't resist, and the paint looks killer in the sun! This is going to be a fun one.

View attachment 2116057

And how aerodynamic you will be steering from your stem!

 

I've had mine for about a month now and LOVE it! Got the $2600 entry level build with Sram and it's Heavy, but after a few rides I swapped the forks, cranks, wheels from my beloved Rithey Ultra hardtail and dropped about 3 lb off it. Even before I swapped parts I was seriously impressed how well it pedalled and climbed. Now the hardtail is only going to see trail action when it's muddy and at Rays Indoor Bike Park! Rear suspension feels plush and at the same time it is incredibly efficient. I've owned FS carbon bikes like the Scott 930, BMC Fourstroke, Norco, and Felt. Never felt any of them climbed that well unless you toggled the lockout constantly and only the Felt rode as plush, but that plush ride was always a lot of bobbing when climbing hard or sprinting, etc. The Chisel does not need locked out at all! I let my buddy ride mine this week and he was saying all the same things and is shopping for a deal rn. If you can afford to, I would get the comp model with SLX. Otherwise just get the base model and upgrade when you can. Cheers!

 

Does anybody have an idea what is the the smallest chainring size Chisel will support, with 10t in the rear? I hope it can clear 28t, like Stumpy and StEvo.
26t is even better, but likely not with this chainstay design. Thx!

 

To answer my own question, Sumpy and StEvo user manuals spec 28t-34t chainring and Chisel specs 30t-34t. A bit disappointing it does not support 28t. At least not officially.

 

delete

 

Would a Pike at 130 be too much on this frame?

 

That's what I'm going for.

66 HA, 440 Reach and 610 stack for a medium.
Should be fun!