OK, maybe I can get the words right without misleading anyone.....After riding the Chisel ten miles today on a somewhat rooty somewhat rocky trail today I am feeling that the bike does ride differently than the 3 Stumpjumper hardtails I owned. It is more subdued-- meaning calmer-- on the bumps than the SJ--- given the same fork pressure, tire pressure, etc. I'm guessing the longer wheelbase is involved along with the head angle being more relaxed. The bike seems really solid. The wheelset is heavier than the ones I have been using for years (Stan's Crest; Stan's Race Gold, Stans Arch....I have all three available for my 2014 SJ Evo Expert 29er full suspension)--- but the wheelset is solid and I do not feel the flex that I feel with the Stan's wheels.

The one thing I particularly like about the bike is how it feels when I stand and hammer the pedals. The cockpit feels roomier than the SJ 29ers; I can move around more without getting too far forward so easily. The bike is (to me) obviously/significantly better downhill than the SJ's.

That's all for now.

 

OK, maybe I can get the words right without misleading anyone.....After riding the Chisel ten miles today on a somewhat rooty somewhat rocky trail today I am feeling that the bike does ride differently than the 3 Stumpjumper hardtails I owned. It is more subdued-- meaning calmer-- on the bumps than the SJ--- given the same fork pressure, tire pressure, etc. I'm guessing the longer wheelbase is involved along with the head angle being more relaxed. The bike seems really solid. The wheelset is heavier than the ones I have been using for years (Stan's Crest; Stan's Race Gold, Stans Arch....I have all three available for my 2014 SJ Evo Expert 29er full suspension)--- but the wheelset is solid and I do not feel the flex that I feel with the Stan's wheels.

The one thing I particularly like about the bike is how it feels when I stand and hammer the pedals. The cockpit feels roomier than the SJ 29ers; I can move around more without getting too far forward so easily. The bike is (to me) obviously/significantly better downhill than the SJ's.

That's all for now.

Good feedback! Thanks!

 

Does anybody know how much the stock wheels weigh on the Chisel and if it's possible to save weight on a wheelset that costs less than $800?

 

I would assume the stock wheels are around 1800 grams (thats usually pretty accurate on their lower level builds like this)

Any stans set should do you pretty well. You could also probably score some lightly used carbon rovals for about that much.

 

My digital scale hit the skids so I could only manually compare my Chisel wheels to my various Stans wheels, Arch, Crest, Race Gold. The wheels are heavier than my Arch wheels which of course are my heaviest wheelset. I never weighed my Arch wheelset as weight wasn't as important. But my guess is the Chisel wheels will be around 2000 grams.

 

Do you guys think it's worthwhile to just upgrade to the Epic Hardtail Comp ($2500) instead of buying the Chisel and a new wheel set? It seems that the price difference is quickly absorbed by a decent wheel set.

 

I think most of the price difference is due to the carbon frame rather than any significant upgrades to the wheelset.

 

I defer this question to those who know more about the wording and details/specifics of wheels for the Specialized bikes.

 

The 2018 Epic hardtail comp comes with Roval control alloys.

 

hesitationpoin it looks (and I am not the expert) that the Epic Comp uses the Control rims but not the Control hubs.

From reading the website it looks to me as if Specialized is using a variety of different combinations of their wheel and hub components on their lower end Epic bike and ones like the Chisel. Not sure the wording is consistent on some of these.

 

hesitationpoin it looks (and I am not the expert) that the Epic Comp uses the Control rims but not the Control hubs.

From reading the website it looks to me as if Specialized is using a variety of different combinations of their wheel and hub components on their lower end Epic bike and ones like the Chisel. Not sure the wording is consistent on some of these.

I think you are right. The $3800 epic clearly states roval hubs but not the $2500 version (I have a printout for the 2018 which sells for $2500).

Specialized also emailed me and told me the 2017 Epic hardtail for $2600 weighs 24lbs for a large. hmmmm....decisions.

 

Tyrich88 I might add to my discussion that I have been around the circle as to mountain bikes, going from 26 hardtails all the way to the full suspension 29er. When I finished racing 3 years ago I was on a 23 lb full suspension Specialized bike that literally ate the trail while I pedaled as if I were in a spin class. The trail in most cases no longer was challenging. The really light 29er hardtail SJ had been surpassed by the new precise dual suspension technology. I quit racing; I love simplicity; I am delighted with the Chisel because it is simple, inexpensive, and the weight is reasonable. The GX groupset is at least one pound heavier than the best available 1x11 groupset; the wheelset is at least one pound heavier than many upper end wheelsets; the frame is about a pound heavier than the Epic carbon hardtail; etc. But I like the ride of a 25 lb hardtail and I love the ride of a 25 lb hardtail with a slightly slacker front end with a tad more suspension. With the exception of going uphill in a race...to me a 25 lb hardtail rides far better than my former 22 lb racing hardtails--- particularly those older hardtails with 71 degree front ends. So I ride the bike by choice. I'm older, the exercise is great for me.

 

I can absolutely understand where you're coming from. I have a rigid single speed that I had down to about 18 lbs a while back and i've since added some other parts to it and have it around 20+ right now and it rides so much better! Doesn't bounce around on top of the rocks as much, stays planted and handles better because of it.

I'm coming off of a 22lb carbon Epic WC, so i'm very excited to see how this bike fills that void.

I've got a really good build lined up for it so i've got some high hopes!

 

Here's my medium Chisel set up tubeless, no pedals. Everything else is stock.

 

Here's my medium Chisel set up tubeless, no pedals. Everything else is stock.

Did you weigh it stock? I just weighed a Med Chisel Comp model at the LBS yesterday and it was right at 26lbs.. Tubed and plastic pedals.

Must be the 1x11 that dropped the weight..

 

Hi guys, very nice all Chisel!

I'm interested in this bike, but I have doubts about the 1x11 (30t 11-42), is it possible to put this bike a cassette sunrace 11-46?

Thanks

 

Didn't see anyone answer you. The free hub body on the 1x11 is a standard "shimano" type. The sunrace should fit just fine.

Hi guys, very nice all Chisel!

I'm interested in this bike, but I have doubts about the 1x11 (30t 11-42), is it possible to put this bike a cassette sunrace 11-46?

Thanks

 

^^That is amazingly light for an aluminum bike that retails for under $2000. Can you confirm whether the wheels are boost or whether it's just a 148 thru axle with the ability to accommodate boost wheels?

 

148/110 is Boost. Specs clearly call out; 15x110 and 148x12 hubs.

 

It actually says 12x148 thru axle which is different from saying that the hubs are 148. If you look at the higher end Epic and Epic hardtails, the wording actually says the hubs have 148 spacing rather than a 148 thru axle.

I am wondering if anyone that has a Chisel in the garage can tell me if the hubs are boost or whether it's a 142 with a boost conversion kit.

If you look in the specs, the hubs are listed as 110/148. Also, very unlikely that Specialized would ship a converted 142 wheelset with a Boost spec'd bike.

And FWIW, my Santa Cruz Hightower is a "boost" bike, but actually uses a 142 thru axle. The way they did the der hanger allows them to do that. I have 3 different Boost wheel sets and they all fit perfectly fine on the SC.

 

If you look in the specs, the hubs are listed as 110/148. Also, very unlikely that Specialized would ship a converted 142 wheelset with a Boost spec'd bike.

.

I got suspicious because of the slight difference in wording in the high end epic builds. Plus, Giant has pulled this crap in the past so I wouldn't put it past anybody. Check out the discussion starting at about the 4:00 mark in this youtube review of the Giant Anthem.

 

^good info. I was wondering about the weight difference between the two builds.

 

Weighed stock in the shop includes tubes, front reflector, rear reflector, the plastic chain retention thingy that liters up the inside of the cassette, and those plastic pedals. My bike the 1x11 Expert model, tubeless with those 740 gram Fast Trak tires, two bottle holders, Crank Brothers Eggbeater 3 pedals (266 grams), and a couple of Allen wrenches fixed under the seat weighs 25 lbs. The bike without pedals will - as poster ExhaustPipe displayed - come in just over 23.5 lbs tubeless and a tad over 24 lbs with tubes ex those plastic reflector/chain retention parts that you take off to keep from being embarrassed.

So running Renegade 2.3's should get the bike weight down to about 23 without pedals.

By the way, for anyone considering the bike, I consider the 1x11 GX SRAM drivetrain easily the best I've ever had. I have XTR, various years older stuff, on all my 5 other bikes.

 

My medium 1x11 without pedals and with a bottle cage is 24.69lb (with tubes).

Front wheel with tire and tube - 1980g
Front wheel - 975g
front tire - 720g

 

Holy cow! Did you weigh the rear wheel?? That's one heavy front wheel!

 

Here we go: No pedals or bottle holders, tubeless with a boat load of Stan's liquid...23 lbs 11 oz

 

hesitationpoin wrote:
I am wondering if anyone that has a Chisel in the garage can tell me if the hubs are boost or whether it's a 142 with a boost conversion kit.

Answer:

Boost, not a conversion kit.

 

Thanks!

 

Mine also came with a 2.3 in the back, not a 2.1 like stated on the website.

 

From reading the wording on Specialized's website I can't help but think it is a tad scrambled eggs as to what words are used or omitted.

 

Actually Spesh has been less than honest in recent past about their boost wheels.
I forget which model but a few folks got non boost wheels on their new boost bikes.

 

How's the ride quality on the Chisel over roots, rocks etc? Notice much chatter?

Does it come with a 2017 or 2018 Reba fork?

 

Ive enjoyed reading everyones planned builds for the new Chisel. I am still patiently waiting for the frame only to become available. Sounds like it will still be another week or so. Anyways my current build list is:

Rockshox SID RLC
Sram GX Eagle w/ Raceface Turbine
crank
SLX M7000 brakes
Stans Crest MK3 w/ Hope Pro4 hubs
Sworks bar and seatpost
Sworks Phenom saddle.

Cant wait to see everyones finished builds!

 

The purple disco frames are available now...late august for the Cali fade.

 

As to saving weight- the cassette to GX level seems to be the most productive dollars-to-grams outlay.

 

Not if you buy a used cassette! But since it's not on an XD driver you'd have to buy wheels as well.

 

Finally......

Finally completed my chisel built. Got my wheels laced today. It was way off the 10kg mark. Very happy. Can't wait to ride it this weekend. Carpark test didn't say much, except I feel the stem Abit long at 80mm. I tested the small stock that comes with a 70mm, should have gone with a 70mm.. Well here it is.. 8.86kg with pedals! Disco disco

 

Omg!

S

Finally completed my chisel built. Got my wheels laced today. It was way off the 10kg mark. Very happy. Can't wait to ride it this weekend. Carpark test didn't say much, except I feel the stem Abit long at 80mm. I tested the small stock that comes with a 70mm, should have gone with a 70mm.. Well here it is.. 8.86kg with pedals! Disco disco

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Straight Sexy!

 

Thats awesome! Thats a fantastic weight for an aluminum hardtail!
Stock Sworks Epic HT isn't much lighter than that!

 

Makes my 3000 dollar s WORKS frame look stupid

 

Please take a pic of your bike out where we can really see the colors without a busy background of a bike shop!