[Trail Weapon]

That looks AMAZING!!!
Which Maxxis tires are you running on there?

 

[SSsteel4life]

That looks AMAZING!!!
Which Maxxis tires are you running on there?

Rekon 2.4 front, Ardent Race 2.35 rear

 

[j102]

Build complete and long shakedown ride done! So far impressed with the ride quality from this aluminum frame. Seems to be snappy yet rear end is pretty compliant.

With my burly I35 wheelset on it for now and no really light weight parts, is 26.01lbs with pedals. Medium frame. Cannot image what this thing will be like with lighter wheels.....Rocket!

Nice!

 

[Bob P]

That is the fork I just ordered. But I did go with boost 15 x 110 thru axle.

 

[Bob P]

Due to my dislike with the fork, I am out and about shopping for a new one, but I am torn on what offset to go with.

What would you guys recommend?

I been looking at the FOX 32 Step-Cast Factory Suspension Fork - 29", 100 mm, 15 x 100 mm, 44 mm Offset, Shiny Black, FIT4, 3-Position.

That is the fork I just ordered. But in a boost 15 x 110 thru axle.

 

[dexcom]

That is the fork I just ordered. But in a boost 15 x 110 thru axle.

Thats the one I ended up with, Not sure why I was looking at the 100.

Thanks.

 

[mxcobra]

I don't know what all the fuss, is on here about the stock wheels. That's one of the best parts on the bike in my opinion. They are super tough fairly light. Nice hubs, offset spokes. I like the wheels alot actually. Now the seat on the other hand very very uncomfortable...

 

[Jack_K]

Up to 2020 these wheels used Formula DHT-148 rear hub. It is a cheap chinese hub, that can be bought for 40 Euro. Pair, front and rear 60 Euro. It doesn't last long. Mine with regular servicing lasted 10000 km. Spare parts for this hub are a problem. Set of wheels from this bike are being sold for 150 Euro, aftermarket, locally here. And this is what they are worth. They are neither super tough or "fairly light".

Middle of the road, high quality wheels, DT Swiss X 1700, are being sold for 500 Euro. DT 350 hubs, they are using, cost 200 Euro, so nearly half price of these wheels. I consider them "pretty light" at around 1700 grams and they are much tougher than stock wheels, what you can check in crash tests done by independent testing. They use sealed cartridge bearings, that can be bought without any problems as well as spare parts like freehubs. Factories are in Europe, USA and Asia.

Slightly cheaper are Fulcrum Red Zone 5, I just bought. They retail for around 300 Euro. I consider them "fairly light" at 1815 grams. They have an opinion of being super tough with Campagnolo quality behind them. They use sealed cartridge bearings, that can be bought without any problems as well as spare parts like freehubs. Factories are in Europe and Asia.

 

[beardi]

I actually think Specialized do a pretty good job with their stock wheels as well but there's no doubt an upgrade in this area would be very noticable. I've been surprised by the judy gold after extremely low expectations

 

[beardi]

I actually think Specialized do a pretty good job with their stock wheels as well but there's no doubt an upgrade in this area would be very noticable. I've been surprised by the judy gold after extremely low expectations

 

[Jack_K]

@beardi
I slightly disagree. These are not horrible wheels. But absolutely nothing special. I would call them slightly below average. We could expect above average quality from premium brand selling premium aluminium bike. If Fulcrum sells their pretty descent wheels for 300 euro, Specialized could probably get them as OEM for 150 and make customers happy. But I guess making customers happy is not part of their strategy.

Few years ago Specialized fitted pretty good carbon road bikes with some junk Axis wheels. Later on, they were changed to some OEM, pretty descent Fulcrum wheels. In 2021 we have wheels with descent DT Swiss R470 rims, descent DT Spokes and a lousy hub again.

When you search through some wheels threads, you will find thousands of complaints. Why don't they sell the bike without wheels then, if they don't want to supply descent ones?

 

[beardi]

I hardly think they're alone in this. Even spending $5-6k doesn't guarantee a good set of wheels on a bike these days from most manufacturers.

Also I don't really consider low end wheels from wheel manufacturers like fulcrum or mavic worth having either. They're a massive pain in the neck with proprietory everything. Personally i'd replce them too so if it meant the bike was $150 more expensive that would seem like a waste to me.

I definitely take your point though and it would be nice if we could get bikes with a good set of wheels these days

 

[MTBnewb86]

My Chisel "Evo"

Long-time lurker, first time poster. First of all, I wanted to say thanks to the members of this thread who's insight and feedback has made my first bike build a mostly easy experience and helped inform many of my decisions.

I hit 1,000mi on my 2018 Specialized Chisel over the summer and decided it was time for a refresh. As a heavier rider who likes stability and speed riding down more than pure XC efficiency climbing up, I wanted to tailor the bike more for downhill hijinx. I dumped the 2x10 Deore drivetrain and 2-pot brakes and upgraded the 100mm Rockshox Judy fork and 720mm alloy handlebars. Throw in a shorter stem, a dropper post, and some more aggressive tires and I now have a lightweight "down-country" Chisel.

Of all the bikes I've ridden and own this is still my favorite and most versatile, especially now.

Specialized Chisel "Evo"

• RockShox Sid Select Charger RL Fork 120mm (2021 Model)
• Shimano XT M8000 1x11 Drivetrain (11-46 Rear)
• Absolute Black XT Oval Chainring 1x32t or 1x36t
• KMC X11SL Chain
• Shimano XT 8120 4-Piston Hydraulic Disc - 203mm Front / 180mm Rear
• IBIS Carbon Low-Fi Handlebar 750mm Wide / 10mm Rise
• Specialized Trail Stem 60mm / 6° Rise
• CrankBrothers Highline 3 Dropper Post 125mm
• ODI Elite Pro Grips
• RaceFace Chester Pedals
• Specialized Purgatory Control 29x2.3 (F)
• Specialized Ground Control Grid 29x2.3 (R)

 

[Rokkoko]

MTBnewb86: Very nice! One question. How much space do you have if you use the 36t chainring? Would it be possible to go for 38t?

 

[terriblyghetto]

MTBnewb86 - Damn that's a good looking Chisel you got there.

 

[Hompie]

tires

do the tires make a big difference? or trivial improvement.

 

[Jack_K]

MTBnewb86
Nice setup. I will be looking for a SID on Black Friday. But I've been told by people in the know, to get one with Charger 2.1 dumper.

 

[Jeremy05]

I purchased a 2021 base chisel and absolutely love the way the bike rides. The base model came with the m4100 brakes. Is it worth upgrading to the M8100 txt brakes? Also thought about upgrading the derailer to the Shimano xt. Is it a worthwhile upgrade?

 

[mxcobra]

Boo I got the Silver Judy on my 2021 chisel, and my LBS is being a pain in the ars over it...

 

[dischucker]

I purchased a 2021 base chisel and absolutely love the way the bike rides. The base model came with the m4100 brakes. Is it worth upgrading to the M8100 txt brakes? Also thought about upgrading the derailer to the Shimano xt. Is it a worthwhile upgrade?

My personal opinion is, No. Read up on reviews where they compare XT, SLX & Deore and you'll find that the differences are quite minimal in the most recent generation. Not worth upgrading IMHO. Better off spending the $$ on lighter wheels and better tires.