[slidey]

Kinda wild that they're going with an alloy flex stay. I don't doubt that specialized has done the fatigue testing, but jeez. I hope they keep the rear triangle in stock for quick replacement.

Can you please elaborate on this for people who aren't familiar with the mechanics of FS bikes?

 

[slidey]

Thanks for the in depth response, I’m trying to find a dealer that would let me do something better than a parking lot ride since everything feels good in the lot to me. I really liked the light weight, it felt considerably lighter and more responsive than my current bike. Most of the jump I stick to are table tops so that’s not a big deal. I have a full gx drivetrain I’m going to take off my current bike to swap onto whatever I get since I’ve have zero luck with sx. The sx derailleur I had needed to be adjusted after every single ride. Wheels wise I’d probably run stock and wait for some hunt xc wides once they went on sale. I mostly wanted to comp for the silver color but if I could find a base model that’s what I’d most likely go with since it’s the frame I’m after mostly and the frame only doesn’t count towards the discount I can get. I’m going to borrow my wife’s rockhopper for a few rides while I try to decide what to get. I’m between this and a Roscoe or a fuse (if I can find one)

You're welcome! I think the SX line actually improved since first release but I know it's still heavy and is probably not something anyone ever buys as separate kit. If you're going to replace every part maybe the frame set actually is the way to go, but I think it should have been discounted as well. At least it comes in two pretty interesting looking gray finishes. Are you able to get the complete Chisel at a discount greater than what Specialized offers on their website?

The light weight nature of the Chisel is great but is more of an advantage for climbing than descending. It might just be me but any bike heavier than about 13kg feels dog slow on climbs. Bit if I'm mostly riding flat trails with moderate tech, I would maybe prefer something more composed. The Roscoe seems like a versatile bike and can be spec'd with long travel. I would suggest you to test ride one as well if you can. Roscoe 7 with 140mm entry air Rockshox and a Deore 1x12 drive train is on sale for 1400 USD, a good deal in my opinion.

 

[tippmannrocker90]

Yes I can get it at about 1k off msrp, I’ve done a parking lot ride on both bikes (but in the wrong size). Unfortunately the discount I get doesn’t include the new chisel (which looks excellent with he exception of the xfusion shock). I like the chisel for my local trails, the Roscoe seems like a good middle ground though cuz it’s very beefy and I wouldn’t worry about breaking that frame cuz it’s downright beefy but the chisel seems like a precision tool. I’m gonna wait and research some more while I wait for my other bike to sell unless something good falls into my lap

 

[JanD]

Photo from Bikerumor. I hoped the new Chisel would have the rear triangle straight

 

[msrothwe]

Can you please elaborate on this for people who aren't familiar with the mechanics of FS bikes?

The previous generation Epics (up to ~2020?) used a pivot on the chainstay near the rear dropout, and they eliminated it on the 2021 model to save weight. In its place, they tuned the rear triangle to flex to provide the same function of the pivot. Its not a big deal on that bike because carbon fiber has excellent fatigue characteristics.

I find it odd that they're using a flex stay on this aluminum bike because aluminum does not have the same properties in fatigue as carbon does, every cycle is one cycle closer to failure on an aluminum material. Also, aluminum has a pretty low modulus, and doesn't have great hysteresis (energy return) properties in a spring application, which this flex stay is.

With that said, I'm sure Specialized has done their homework and kept the stress low so its probably not doing much actual springing and its got an almost indefinite fatigue life and this bike is probably fine. The company I work for makes compressors with aluminum impellers (a very fatigue intensive application) and they're designed to keep the stress low enough that the point at which it fatigues is way past the design life of the assembly so we almost never see failures without a material defect. It just seems like the hard way of doing things here, and I'd be surprised to find that they're saving a significant amount of money on the aluminum rear triangle vs just putting the same triangle from the Epic on.

 

[chapppy]

Kind of an apples to oranges comparison, but here are a few side by side geo specs:

	Chisel HT (large)	Chisel FS (large)
Reach	455	470
Stack	619	620
ETT	632	634
Wheelbase	1154	1208
HTA	68	66.5
STA	74	75.5
ST Length	470	450
Chainstay	432	437

This bike looks really cool, I definitely would have considered one if it was available when I was shopping for my Epic Evo.

The Chisel FS appears to have nearly identical GEO to the previous gen Epic Evo, along with some updates to the rear linkage that's closer to the new Epic 8. Which seems like a big win for us budget bike connoisseurs. The previous gen Epic Evo was probably my favorite bike of all time, so I'm pumped to get my hands on the frameset option. Of course I wish I had that Epic Evo 8 money but this thing should do the trick!

 

[DETarch]

The Chisel FS appears to have nearly identical GEO to the previous gen Epic Evo, along with some updates to the rear linkage that's closer to the new Epic 8. Which seems like a big win for us budget bike connoisseurs. The previous gen Epic Evo was probably my favorite bike of all time, so I'm pumped to get my hands on the frameset option. Of course I wish I had that Epic Evo 8 money but this thing should do the trick!

Every time my eye wanders toward a new XC bike, I ride my Epic Evo and I’m reminded how much I enjoy it. Really can’t think of anything I’d change! Love that there is an aluminum version to make it more accessible and durable 🤘🏼

 

[lloydrm]

I find it interesting that people tend to see alloy as the cheap alternative.
Personally, I enjoy the feel, look, and performance of a well made alloy frame. It also has environmental advantages that are not irrelevant to me, like durability, recyclability and relatively clean sourcing. No hate for carbon at all. I like my sidi's carbon soles, and the looks of carbon handlebars, bottle cages, crank arms and some wheels are awesome. Personally, I did enjoy the carbon handlebars I used to ride on the road, but not so much for mtb and to be honest, I don't think carbon bars have that much to offer.
Anyways, just saying, a nice alloy frame paired with a decent fork, tires and wheels is a treat. I enjoy my Chisel. So much so that I was eying a zfs for my next bike. Not anymore. Now just planning a setup for a chisel fs. (not fond of the color options, I have an AIR version of the chisel, now that would be nice

 

[slidey]

I find it interesting that people tend to see alloy as the cheap alternative.
Personally, I enjoy the feel, look, and performance of a well made alloy frame. It also has environmental advantages that are not irrelevant to me, like durability, recyclability and relatively clean sourcing. No hate for carbon at all. I like my sidi's carbon soles, and the looks of carbon handlebars, bottle cages, crank arms and some wheels are awesome. Personally, I did enjoy the carbon handlebars I used to ride on the road, but not so much for mtb and to be honest, I don't think carbon bars have that much to offer.
Anyways, just saying, a nice alloy frame paired with a decent fork, tires and wheels is a treat. I enjoy my Chisel. So much so that I was eying a zfs for my next bike. Not anymore. Now just planning a setup for a chisel fs. (not fond of the color options, I have an AIR version of the chisel, now that would be nice

The color option for the SRAM Chisel FS is nice (who doesn't love red?) but the SX group is bottom of the barrel. The Chisel FS definitely could use more (or better) color options. Even the comp only comes in one color and it's sleek but in my opinion way too understated.

Aluminum is seen as the cheaper option only because generally the most expensive bikes are made of carbon. The industry has basically moved on. In a world of steel bikes, aluminum ones were seen as a luxury. Today, carbon bikes are better than ever and are lighter and stiffer, so naturally the top end of XC is going to involve carbon frames. But I definitely agree with you that a good aluminum bike is amazing to ride. It may not be as hassle free as steel, but hey, it's pretty darn close to being as worry free. I'm not knocking carbon either but I do prefer aluminum for the reason that it's less likely to crack if it makes contact with the ground and/or rocks. Aluminum frames are also quite compliant if they're designed to be, such as the Chisel hardtail is. That said, aluminum does not take well to extreme repeated stress, so I have to wonder about the alu flex stays that Specialized has implemented. I would feel better if they just agreed to the small weight penalty and put a pivot there instead.

 

[lloydrm]

I would feel better if they just agreed to the small weight penalty and put a pivot there instead

Very true. But then Epic owners would want that as well (they pay less and get better) and then they'd have to explain a lot ... that'd be a mess.

 

[slidey]

Very true. But then Epic owners would want that as well (they pay less and get better) and then they'd have to explain a lot ... that'd be a mess.

The flex stay might work fine with carbon.

 

[sa12]

Merida has been making aluminum frames with flex stays for a few years now. Will it work for Specialized? Only time will tell.

 

[Jayem]

How did we ever survive on aluminum handlebars and forks?

 

[lloydrm]

The flex stay might work fine with carbon.

Yes, but that needs explaining and people listening and not thinking "this must be BS to sell me something that will need an expensive repair down the line" or "why they pay less and get better?, that would make my bike better, give it to me".
Just imagine how many less top line forks sell if kashima made it to lower end forks and shocks.
Perhaps a better example is from my local Ibis and Santa Cruz dealer. He says a client of his got upset when he saw a Ripmo AF walking out the door with a maxxis Assegai as a front tire and his top tier Blur came with rekon race or something like that. What pissed him off was knowing that those tires are more pricey, but mostly that the Assegais were new in the market and he couldn't get hold of them. The LBS owner ended up giving him an Assegai as a gift, and that was a tire he got through a friend and business partner, just to make his (top tier) customer happy.

We often think of marketing as BS but managing people's expectations, aspirations and putting a price to things is not that simple.

 

[sselhtrim]

Interesting the fs chisel is made in taiwan, the ht chisel was made in vietnam..
just a pic i grabbed from one of the local shops

 

[lloydrm]

Interesting the fs chisel is made in taiwan, the ht chisel was made in vietnam..
just a pic i grabbed from one of the local shops

My HT has an almost identical sticker.

 

[JacekPL]

Have any of you bought Chisela at Bikeinn/TradeInn?

https://www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/pl/specialized-chisel-ht-29-rower-gorski/138267698/p

Most of them came with a Power saddle and I have a Rivo - did any of you have a similar experience?

 

[slalomnorth65]

Can anyone tell me on the newer model chisel hardtail frame what is the max chainring size with a non boost shimano crank (MT-8100). From what I can gather seems like 34t is a little tight but maybe the newer frames have a bit more clearance. I’m kind of wanting to run the non boost crank as the chain line/qfactor will be a bit better but it would also be cool to run the 34t and potentially even a 36t.

 

[Preso]

Can anyone tell me on the newer model chisel hardtail frame what is the max chainring size with a non boost shimano crank (MT-8100). From what I can gather seems like 34t is a little tight but maybe the newer frames have a bit more clearance. I’m kind of wanting to run the non boost crank as the chain line/qfactor will be a bit better but it would also be cool to run the 34t and potentially even a 36t.

Hello, i have the last HT. I ran XTR Mt9000 1x with 34T not oval. I thing there was a little clearance for 36. Now im with MT-8100 with 34 garbaruk oval chainring and there is a lot of clearace.

 

[Preso]

The SID SL 110 travel makes a lot of differance.