I have been riding a 120mm fork on my chisel and love it. I probably would never go back to a 100mm fork. That being said I don’t race my bike and use it for general trail rides.

 

Man, I feel the exact opposite. I built mine up with a 120mm and I think the 100mm handles significantly better. Less wheel flop, climbs better and isn't any worse downhill.

 

I put an order down for the manitou R7 pro and the travel can be adjusted at home, but will probably be keeping it at 100mm as a higher front end makes the front lift in steep climbs for me.
Also got to try a team marin with a 120mm fox 34 but didn't really find that the extra 20mm travel to make much difference to me.

In time i can compare the r7 to the sid sl ultimate;

 

When choosing the frame for this specific setup, I opted for a larger size exactly to position myself better, I'm 1.78m and legs 84cm, I would ride perfectly on an M, I even prefer it because it's faster and more agile, but with the Chisel in size L, I managed to find the neutral point by pushing the saddle as far forward as possible and using a shorter stem, this compensated for the higher center of gravity with the 120mm suspension and made it very stable for both descents and ascents.
I'm very used to the Epic's position, which is much more suitable on the climbs, but with a little patience I adjusted the Chisel well.

Not a race machine, it´s a all rounder machine............i loved what she becames.

 

Does anyone run a second wheelset on their Chisel for road rides and if so, what minimum tire sizes are acceptable? 40-44mm okay without BB being too low?

 

Not sure the BB height on my Krampus vs 309mm on the Chisel, but I go from 29x3" to 29x2" on Krampus and still ride trails no problem. Road you should have room to spare.

 

and my sid sl is starting to exhibit increased knocking and clicking on compressions with the left side feeling more loose. Was a late 2021 batch too..

 

After reading this thread, I'm thinking of taking the plunge with our own Chisel. So what's the difference between the Chisel LTD Frameset and the regular Chisel Hardtail Frame...just the fancy paint job on the LTD..?

 

Yes, just the paint scheme. Alloy Frameset is the same layout/welding/geo. Last year the LTD was launched with limited quantities of the following natural elements (Water/Fire/Air/Earth). Those were tough to get, but if anyone is looking for a large in Air I saw one hanging in SAC.

 

are there any short people here? like about 5"6

What length dropper post are you using?

 

Hi, what frame size and stem are you running on your chisel?

 

5’7… currently on a 125mm KS Lev. Definitely should have gone with a 150.

 

I have a 150mm i could borrow to see if it fits.

 

150mm dropper didn't work for me, too much extension even when fully inserted. And it doesn't clear the bottle cage bolts. But I imagine a taller rider who has the post mounted higher might be able to clear the cage bolts.

 

On the topic of 100 vs 120mm fork, I had the chance to try both by swapping the air shaft ona 34SC. Differences feel marginal, but I prefer a 100mm on the Chisel. It puts you in a slightly better position on the climbs and makes it easier to put the power down. Both felt similar going down with a dropper.

 

Hi guys, I am thinking about upgrading my chisel to 120mm of travel with either a SID or Pike. I know this is a recurring topic on this thread, but more feelings about the pros and cons of this switch would be welcome. Also, what do you think of this hastily photoshopped picture of my silver chisel with a silver Pike?

Please let me know if this is a good idea, and if you think a SID or a pike would be better,
Thank you!!

 

Hey @downcountry_hardtail I have an Epic EVO and Chisel. I love them both, but for different uses. Based on your user name and assumption that you want to slacken it out with a longer travel fork, I’m guessing you’re looking for a more of well rounded bike. I appreciate the ability of the EVO to bomb down and easily climb pretty much any trail that I ride locally, and like the speed with which the Chisel carves up XC courses. If I could only have one bike, I would slacken out the Chisel with a Fox 34 or Pike.

What is your use for the Chisel?

 

If you are wanting to buy a sid with a lockout Amazon has the RL version on sale right now for $499. You could also buy the Sid Select + which does have a full lockout. I don't think that any of the high end Pikes are going to have a full lock out them. For the chisel I think that the Sid is a better fit for the bike, but I think that the pike is a more universal fork if you ever get another bike. You can change the travel from 120 - 140 on the pike vs the sid is 100-120. If you ever change frames and move to a Fuse the Pike would be a better fit for that bike. The only negative you have with the pike is that it is 100G heavier.

Also, one more thing to consider is that specialized only allows a 10% increase on their fork travel. So if you are concerned about warranty you can only technical put a 110mm fork on the chisel without voiding the warranty. You can buy a 110mm air shaft for the SID, but the pike will only go down to 120mm. And if you are concerned about wheel flop the 110 will have slightly less flop. When I changed my chisel to 120mm fork I did feel more wheel flop, but after I bought a FS trail bike I don't notice the flop in the chisel anymore. The chisel now feels twitchy compaired to my trail bike.

 

Well I just pulled the sid sl ultimate off the bike, can feel the bushing play even by hand between the stanchion and lower legs... About 6 months of use. Waiting on lower legs from the shop.

Fork weights 1296g with 190mm steerer without the axle.

 

Hello, i found this discussion when desparately searching for a used M size chisel 2021. Awsome discussion. The plan was to custom paint it as my Rockhopper, which was fully upgraded and move all the parts. Needles to say its hard finding a chisel these days at a nice price so... i got a brand new Chisel at my local bike shop. Can't stop improving the bike when I saw what it can do whithout high end wheels or fork.

 

As I've mentioned here previously, I'm childless but maintain a slew of bikes for my extended family. We have build two major trails locally and we stated a bike club and have run through well over 100k into our local partks/trails. But anyway, given I'm 68 I tend to need a lot of downtime/recovery but also very much need vigorous effort exercise. I find without a doubt that riding my hardtails (we have Epic and Chisel versions) for a 45-minute to one hour jaunt, with lots of standing pedaling - well, this is incredible exercise for an older person. Zero injury, zero next-day pain or soreness, and lots of abdomen, thigh, torso exercise that keeps you able to to all the other things in life.

Sitting on the SJ? Yea I sit down and pedal those bikes too especially on longer rides with others where if I took the hardtails I'd be worn slap out. But on the day-to-day thing I'm always going for the hardtails which to me are the most simple and well-designed exercise machine available.

It isn't always about avoiding this or that, sometimes it is about "I want the most lively thing I can get." And that my friends is riding a 29er hardtail like the Chisel. Super bike bar none, and not expensive.

 

What is the maximum steerer tube length that can be used above the headset? Looking to install a new fork and raise the bars a bit vs. the stock setup (2022 Chisel, size L) but don't want to go too high such that I compromise the headset.

Thanks in advance.

 

I have ran 25-30mm of spacers without any problems. Much more than that and I would get a higher rise bar. The bar that came stock on the chisel is fairly flat, so if you want some height you could just look at a new bar.

 

The R7 rides heaps better than the sid sl, much more compliant.

 

New Chisel owner checking in!

Wanted something that wouldn't be redundant of my trail bike (YT Jeffsy) & something that would be light'ish/quick for lunch rides & when I ride with some of my XC buddies that don't leave the ground. Chisel looks like it should fit the bill. Found a medium 2021 on Pinkbike (which is as new as new can get) & am going to build it with mostly spare parts.

Build will be as follows (to start):
Frame: Medium 2021
Fork: Likely a SID for the 35mm stanchions, undecided on travel...but thinking 120mm
Cockpit: Nukeproof carbon bars & whatever stem I have in the parts bin
Brakes: Deore 4 pots
Saddle: Specialized Phenom
Dropper: Not sure...have to see what fits...but probably a PNW or OneUp
Cranks: GX Carbon 170's
Shift/Der: GX Eagle 12spd
Cassette: NX (boat-anchor, but it's an extra part I have)
Wheels: RaceFace Arc 30's on i9 1/1 (overkill for this bike, but it's what I have)
Tires: Bontrager XR4's or Vittoria Barzo/Mezcal combo (probably the later to keep weight down)

That's a bout it...will post the build when I'm done...just waiting on the RideWrap & a few bits to arrive.

 

A

New Chisel owner checking in!

Wanted something that wouldn't be redundant of my trail bike (YT Jeffsy) & something that would be light'ish/quick for lunch rides & when I ride with some of my XC buddies that don't leave the ground. Chisel looks like it should fit the bill. Found a medium 2021 on Pinkbike (which is as new as new can get) & am going to build it with mostly spare parts.

Build will be as follows (to start):
Frame: Medium 2021
Fork: Likely a SID for the 35mm stanchions, undecided on travel...but thinking 120mm
Cockpit: Nukeproof carbon bars & whatever stem I have in the parts bin
Brakes: Deore 4 pots
Saddle: Specialized Phenom
Dropper: Not sure...have to see what fits...but probably a PNW or OneUp
Cranks: GX Carbon 170's
Shift/Der: GX Eagle 12spd
Cassette: NX (boat-anchor, but it's an extra part I have)
Wheels: RaceFace Arc 30's on i9 1/1 (overkill for this bike, but it's what I have)
Tires: Bontrager XR4's or Vittoria Barzo/Mezcal combo (probably the later to keep weight down)

That's a bout it...will post the build when I'm done...just waiting on the RideWrap & a few bits to arrive.
View attachment 2018713
View attachment 2018712

New Chisel owner checking in!

Keep us posted on on how the RideWrap installation goes please; I am considering the same. Did you go with the dedicated Chisel RideWrap option or generic hardtail steel option with about 60% coverage?
Wanted something that wouldn't be redundant of my trail bike (YT Jeffsy) & something that would be light'ish/quick for lunch rides & when I ride with some of my XC buddies that don't leave the ground. Chisel looks like it should fit the bill. Found a medium 2021 on Pinkbike (which is as new as new can get) & am going to build it with mostly spare parts.

Build will be as follows (to start):
Frame: Medium 2021
Fork: Likely a SID for the 35mm stanchions, undecided on travel...but thinking 120mm
Cockpit: Nukeproof carbon bars & whatever stem I have in the parts bin
Brakes: Deore 4 pots
Saddle: Specialized Phenom
Dropper: Not sure...have to see what fits...but probably a PNW or OneUp
Cranks: GX Carbon 170's
Shift/Der: GX Eagle 12spd
Cassette: NX (boat-anchor, but it's an extra part I have)
Wheels: RaceFace Arc 30's on i9 1/1 (overkill for this bike, but it's what I have)
Tires: Bontrager XR4's or Vittoria Barzo/Mezcal combo (probably the later to keep weight down)

That's a bout it...will post the build when I'm done...just waiting on the RideWrap & a few bits to arrive.
View attachment 2018713

Keep us posted on the

 

Good move on waiting for the wrap. I wish I would have put PPF on my frame. Seems like my Chisel is much more susceptible to surface scratches and marring than my other frames. Oh well. I may tear it down and see if I can polish some of it out and then wrap it, but unsure.

 

Looks like the epic ht will be discontinued, wonder if the chisel line will be updated.

Wouldn't mind a 120mm with 66 deg head angle front end.

 

Looks like the epic ht will be discontinued, wonder if the chisel line will be updated.

Where did you see this?

 

Suppose I should cheekily suggest people go out to try the manitou R7.

 

Has anyone seen the Lapis special edition frame in person??? How does it look? Chisel LTD Frameset | Specialized.com

 

Upgrade time
Enve fork, XT 11spd, White Ind. XMR Stan's Barons.
Rekon 2.6"f / 2.4"r. Tried a 2.6 in the rear, but it was very close to rubbing. Likely would've rubbed on out-of-saddle climbing.
haven't ridden it yet, waiting on trails to dry. So maybe June lol

 

Upgrade time
Enve fork, XT 11spd, White Ind. XMR Stan's Barons.
Rekon 2.6"f / 2.4"r. Tried a 2.6 in the rear, but it was very close to rubbing. Likely would've rubbed on out-of-saddle climbing.
haven't ridden it yet, waiting on trails to dry. So maybe June lol
View attachment 2020247

View attachment 2020248

View attachment 2020249

Looks nice - I'm thinking of building up a Chisel with some nice parts I have been hoarding!