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Specialized Chisel discussion

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#2,581 ·
jonkenny100 said:
I'd say 1.6kg for an xc trail wheelset is pretty respectable. I'm now even looking at aluminium options. Although I may just keep the stock wheels until I can find a set of any of the following at a decent price:
DT Swiss XRC 1200
Roval Control Carbon
Reserve Carbon XC 28
Crankbrothers Synthesis Carbon XC
Hunt Proven XC
I may even look at building a set, DT Swiss 180 hubs would be nice.
Yes expensive, but the ride quality, engagement, acceleration, etc. would be top draw
Click to expand...
My budget is well below those, just wanted a wheelset that's a little better than stock.
Ordered the SL's - the local Fox outlet had these heavily discounted, so I couldn't resist.
 
#2,585 ·
I'm new to the forum. I recently got a Chisel frame for a project, and while searching for information, I came across this forum. Greetings to everyone!

Are there any Chisel v1 (2018-2020) users here, who are on the shorter side and use a size M frame?

I bought the frame online, and the seller had listed it as a size S. However, when it arrived and I compared its geometry, I realized it’s actually an M (it didn’t have the size sticker, by the way).

The issue is that I’m 164 cm tall, and the Specialized website says size M is for 165 cm and up, so I’m just on the edge. However, the few size M bikes I’ve tried felt big for me. Maybe it’s the geometry, but I’ve never felt comfortable on them, and this Chisel has a pretty high top tube.

Right now, I only have the frame and the suspension fork. I still need to buy all the other parts, but I’m a bit concerned about the size. I feel like once it’s fully built, it might feel too big for me. If anyone around my height uses a size M, I’d love to hear how it feels.

By the way, since the frame was used, the paint was in bad condition, so I took it to a great shop in my city for repainting. I’ll leave some photos later. I used the 2025 Chisel color as a reference.

One more question: I entered the frame’s serial number into the Specialized app, and it recognizes it as a 2020 Chisel. Is there any difference between the 2018 and 2020 frames, or are they the same?

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#2,586 · (Edited)
Well the paint job came out great, that's for sure.
You can find the differences between models here. Geometry Geeks
There you can also double check dimensions to make sure what size you have on your hands.
Let me tell you that the bike will fit fine, the stand over hight on this frame is pretty generous, the question is if the fit will work for the type of use it will see. For example, for modern XC and XCM riding the M sized frame should be fine (great bike for that IME). If you are looking for a playful bike to jump at a park or something like that then it will probably feel big.

ps: did you check if the info on Spec's website show the frame size? I'd thought it should. My serial number wiped off pretty quickly from pushing bottles in and out so I can't check that.
 
#2,587 ·
The paint job turned out amazing; I’m so happy and can’t wait to see it fully assembled, even though it will still take a few months since I plan to build it with mid-to-high-end components to bring the weight down to 9–9.5 kg.
As for the type of riding, it’ll mainly be XC with some moderately technical terrain, which is what concerns me (because of the high top tube). However, it won’t be anything too extreme and definitely no jumps.
Regarding the serial number, in my case, it doesn’t show the size, but I was able to quickly verify it by measuring some parts of the frame and comparing them to the geometry on sites like Geometry Geeks. There’s no doubt that it’s a size M frame.
 
#2,590 ·
lloydrm said:
Really? You think 1 cm makes that big a difference?
That turns out to be like .5 cm in stand over hight and less than that on reach.
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Actually, some Specialized sites say 165, others say 168, etc. I haven't really tried it and I can't try it yet, it's going to be a few months before I have it assembled, I say this more with respect to other M sizes in other brands that I've tried, I didn't feel comfortable, but they weren't bikes that I've had either, I just had a few minutes of trouble, maybe getting used to it won't be a problem, the question I'm asking is more oriented to a person of my height who uses size M, I just want to know your opinion hehe
 
#2,591 ·
I won't sell it anyway, I hope the size isn't a problem, I really like the frameset and I live in a country where they aren't sold, it cost me a lot to buy and import this one hahaha, I will sell it if it is really too big for me, otherwise it's not an option
 
#2,592 ·
irockzle said:
I won't sell it anyway, I hope the size isn't a problem, I really like the frameset and I live in a country where they aren't sold, it cost me a lot to buy and import this one hahaha, I will sell it if it is really too big for me, otherwise it's not an option
Click to expand...
You should be fine on a medium or small bike. Your right between sizes. I have same issue between medium and large frames and fit both. My chisel is a medium and my epic is a large and its was just a 20 mm stem change to make either fit just right.
 
#2,593 ·
WobbleEye said:
My budget is well below those, just wanted a wheelset that's a little better than stock.
Ordered the SL's - the local Fox outlet had these heavily discounted, so I couldn't resist.
Click to expand...
Fair enough. I'm going to save up and hopefully catch a sale, I'll ride the stock wheels for a bit, which will make me appreciate the upgrade all the more
 
#2,594 ·
irockzle said:
I won't sell it anyway, I hope the size isn't a problem, I really like the frameset and I live in a country where they aren't sold, it cost me a lot to buy and import this one hahaha, I will sell it if it is really too big for me, otherwise it's not an option
Click to expand...
You could go for a short stem and move your saddle forward, you are pretty much between sizes, but I would say your inseam to height ratio should be factored in. Guy Kesteven did a YouTube series on a Chisel project build where Spesh had sent him an XL although his actual size should be an L, he managed to make the build work for him, and work really well. That paint job looks mint btw

 
#2,595 ·
jonkenny100 said:
Fair enough. I'm going to save up and hopefully catch a sale, I'll ride the stock wheels for a bit, which will make me appreciate the upgrade all the more
Click to expand...
Massive difference - at least hub-wise, 10deg engagement on the stock vs 3deg on the Turbine and it's quieter, which I prefer.

Also, the SL's and tubeless 2.2" Renegade setup is 900g lighter (including sealant) than the stock 2.35" Fastrack with butyl tubes - weighted these tubes at 240g each!

I'll have to put upgrades on hold for next few months, think the fork will be next - tempted to go rigid.

Think my Chisel is gradually becoming a flat-bar gravel unit :eek:
 
#2,598 ·
WobbleEye said:
Massive difference - at least hub-wise, 10deg engagement on the stock vs 3deg on the Turbine and it's quieter, which I prefer.

Also, the SL's and tubeless 2.2" Renegade setup is 900g lighter (including sealant) than the stock 2.35" Fastrack with butyl tubes - weighted these tubes at 240g each!

I'll have to put upgrades on hold for next few months, think the fork will be next - tempted to go rigid.

Think my Chisel is gradually becoming a flat-bar gravel unit :eek:
Click to expand...
Gravel bikes are nice for gravel and not much else IMO. I had a Sirrus X4.0 last year, which is supposedly a gravel hybrid.

I want to go tubeless on the Chisel, but may hold out until I get the new wheelset, as I've heard the stock rims can be hit and miss for tubeless. Wow nearly half a kilo for tubes!! How much sealant are you using? Also, are the 2.2 Renegades the flimsy S-Works version and any noticeable loss of performance going down to 2.2? I was thinking of doing a Barzo 2.35 / Mezcal 2.25 combo.

I think my next upgrade will be a carbon crank, as I really need shorter arms than the 175 that comes stock on the medium, I'm 5'9" but with proportionally short legs (I have a positive ape index if that means anything to you, lol). I had 175 on the Sirrus and I injured my IT band so badly in my right leg that I couldn't stand on it for 2 weeks.
 
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