[taiki]

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?

While I agree with the above that wheels and tires will make the biggest difference to the way the bike rides, wheels are an expensive upgrade. If you are looking to upgrade brakes, I would consider the Deore 6100 or Slx 7100. I have the comp with the 6100's and can tell no difference between the XT 8100's I have on another bike, and have no plans to replace them. Also note you can mix and match levers and calipers, so you could just buy the levers.

As for drivetrain, if you are looking to just upgrade one component I would recommend an XT shifter over the derailleur. This will make a more noticeable difference in shifting and will give you the advantage of being able to drop 2 cogs at a time.

 

[Jack_K]

Quick Shimano brakes guide:

BR-MT410
Low quality brakes with low power. Low quality BH-59 hoses, alloy pistons, no ServoWave (more power) function. Only compatible with resin pads. Used in Chisel Base 2021. To be changed if ever used in mountainous terrain.

BR-MT500
Deore class brakes with 2 alloy pistons and lower quality BH59 hoses. Cheapest brakes with ServoWave (more stopping power). Used on Chisel up to 2020. Compatible with metalic pads.

BR-M6100 Deore
Same as MT500 with better BH90 hoses. Compatible with IceTech (heat dissipation) rotors and metalic pads.

BR-M6120 Deore
Four pistons. More stopping power.

BR-M7100 SLX
Same as BR-M6000 but with ceramic (heat dissipation) pistons

BR-M7120 SLX
Four piston version. More stopping power

BR-M8100 XT
Same as SLX with free stroke adjustment (very rarely used) and dimpled lever

BR-M8120 XT
Four piston version

From my few years experience with Shimano brakes, you don't need ceramic pistons (SLX, XT) if you don't live in mountainous area. Ceramic piston don't cope well with low temperatures during winter. I had XT brakes where ceramic pistons failed (probably chipped) after winter season. You can't buy spare parts for them like pistons or o-rings. Shimano exchanges them for new ones if they fail within 2 year warranty. If they fail after that period, you have to buy new calipers.

Correct me if any of this information is wrong.

Full brake guide:
https://off.road.cc/content/buying/...-complete-guide-to-shimano-mountain-bike-disc-brakes-deore-slx-xt-xtr-saint-zee

 

[ChosD]

Max Dropper post size

Does anyone know maximum dropper post size Chisel 2021 (size M) could handle?

 

[mxcobra]

The m 6100 on my chisel, are not the best for stopping power
They got a little better after the pads bedded on rotor. But yes still pretty weak brakes.

 

[Jeremy05]

Would the 6100 levers be a big improvement if I keep the M410 calipers on my bike? I found that I can get the levers for around $60. I also found some 6100 brake sets for around $160. The calipers on the M410 vs the M6100 look very similar.

 

[JTK37]

I'm looking for something I can ride with my boys on varied terrain, gravel, parking lots, paved/gravel trails.

I have a SJ for my trail rides. Is the Chisel too steep for a general light duty play bike? I love the weight vs. the Fuse and the Fuse fork is overkill for what we'll be doing, so I'm really intrigued by the Chisel, just can't figure if its too hard core XC oriented.

Thanks

 

[Jeremy05]

I think that the chisel would be an awesome general purpose bike, but if you don't plan to trail ride the rockhopper will be a lot cheaper option and and probably fit your needs. I test rode both bikes this year and can tell you that the geometry is very similar on both bikes. I don't think that you will feel like the 2021 chisel is to XC oriented. The Chisel is overall a better quality bike that will take more abuse than than the rockhopper, but also cost 20-40% more (depending on model). Right now it is also very difficult to find a Rockhopper in stock.

 

[MTBnewb86]

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?

I think 38t should fit.

 

[hesitationpoint]

I was told by Specialized that the max chainring on the 2021 frame is 36t. On my 2018, I have a 36t and there is probably less than 3mm of clearance. Not sure I would push it to 38 because a tiny bit of frame flex would result in rubbing.

 

[Rokkoko]

I was told by Specialized that the max chainring on the 2021 frame is 36t. On my 2018, I have a 36t and there is probably less than 3mm of clearance. Not sure I would push it to 38 because a tiny bit of frame flex would result in rubbing.

Thanks! My own frame is a 2020. Have someone tried to fit a 38T chainring?

 

[hesitationpoint]

Thanks! My own frame is a 2020. Have someone tried to fit a 36T chainring?

My 2018 frame is the same as 2020. I have a 36T with a 51.5mm chainline. There is probably 2-3mm of clearance to the frame. I suppose you can push the chainline out to 53mm with a spacer to get a little more clearance for an extra margin of safety. But that could negative impact performance in the big cogs if you spend a lot of time in those cogs.

 

[Rokkoko]

My 2018 frame is the same as 2020. I have a 36T with a 51.5mm chainline. There is probably 2-3mm of clearance to the frame. I suppose you can push the chainline out to 53mm with a spacer to get a little more clearance for an extra margin of safety. But that could negative impact performance in the big cogs if you spend a lot of time in those cogs.

Thank you! Then I think I will go for 36T.

 

[flypower]

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.

I now have 3,500 miles on my 2020 Fox 32 SC Boost 110 fork since getting it in May 2019.

I believe I got a 51mm offset on my Fox 32 to match the stock spec 51mm offset forks.

It has been a good fork. Paying top dollar for a fork I figured going with the 110 Boost standard was a good call since I'm a little heavier at 195 pounds, 6'2". I did get a Kashima coat delamination right around the 1 year mark of use @ 2,000 miles, which was disappointing because I broke an arm soon after getting the fork and was out for 3 months. Fox quickly replaced the CSU at no cost and I paid for the damper rebuild while it was in. Turn around was less than a week.

I was close to getting a RS fork but it boiled down the the internals sounding less appetizing, no real experience though.

I was between a rigid fork and the 32, so the 34 was never on my mind. I'm interested in some of the 120mm Fox 34 Chisel "evo" builds going on but for me this is an xc bike. I may have stuck with a rigid fork had there not been a visible delamination in the Salsa fork I got and returned. Glad I went with the suspension fork - I regularly get faster times on downhill sections of the local XC trails than most of the dudes on 6" enduro bikes and I think rigid would have been a completely different bike.

I knew the 32 would be a little flexy going into it but less so than I anticipated. I've always heard they're like wet noodles but it's been good. I was riding a rigid Surly Karate Monkey for a couple thousand miles before the Chisel and a Knolly Endorphin with a Fox 36 before that so my frame of reference is a bit dated.

 

[flypower]

Does anyone know where to get a replacement seatpost clamp? I see that Salsa now has a liplock 30.8mm but am wondering if there is a stock clamp available.

 

[Rokkoko]

Does anyone know where to get a replacement seatpost clamp? I see that Salsa now has a liplock 30.8mm but am wondering if there is a stock clamp available.

If not stock, search for Cruel Components 30,9 mm.

 

[dexcom]

Thank you all for the replies. I finally got the fork this week and took it to our LBS.
Super stoked how it all came out and how much of a difference it does make.

I am glad I went with the Fox 32SC.

Thanks again!

 

[smarki]

View attachment 1378229

I`ve picked 2021 Spec Chisel in Raspbery three days ago. I could choose between 2020 (slightly cheaper) and new model, and went with new one because I like Shimano drivetrain better, and new geo was also important for me.

I`m 187cm and ride large, it fits perfect. So far I did around 80km on my local tracks. Handling is fast and responsive, acceleration is superb. Cockpit feels ok, saddle is pretty comfy, we`ll see on longer trips.
Drivetrain is precise, on my other FS bike I have XT shifter so on Chisel I sometimes miss the option to drop 2 gears with one push.

Bike is stock except I went tubeless with Trezado valves and sealant - it was fast and easy with cheap floor pump.

If you are interested here is weight of:
- front wheel + 180mm rotor - 1070g
- rear wheel + cassette + 160mm rotor - 1950g
- tire - 740g
- tube - 274g

Tomorrow I go for a mountain trip so I can give you more details how this bike handles on steep climbs/descents.

 

[smarki]

View attachment 1378235

I`ve picked 2021 Spec Chisel in Raspbery three days ago. I could choose between 2020 (slightly cheaper) and new model, and went with new one because I like Shimano drivetrain better, and new geo was also important for me.

I`m 187cm and ride large, it fits perfect. So far I did around 80km on my local tracks. Handling is fast and responsive, acceleration is superb. Cockpit feels ok, saddle is pretty comfy, we`ll see on longer trips.
Drivetrain is precise, on my other FS bike I have XT shifter so on Chisel I sometimes miss the option to drop 2 gears with one push.

Bike is stock except I went tubeless with Trezado valves and sealant - it was fast and easy with cheap floor pump.

If you are interested here is weight of:
- front wheel + 180mm rotor - 1070g
- rear wheel + cassette + 160mm rotor - 1950g
- tire - 740g
- tube - 274g

Tomorrow I go for a mountain trip so I can give you more details how this bike handles on steep climbs/descents.

 

[Jeremy05]

Has anyone road the 2021 Fuse and compared it to the 2021 chisel? I know that the fuse is more of a trail oriented bike, but i was wondering how much different it feels than the new geometry of the 2021 chisel.

Also, has anyone changed their forks to 120mm travel vs the factory 100mm? Did it make much of a difference in the ride?

 

[smarki]

I`ve picked 2021 Spec Chisel in Raspbery three days ago. I could choose between 2020 (slightly cheaper) and new model, and went with new one because I like Shimano drivetrain better, and new geo was also important for me.

I`m 187cm and ride large, it fits perfect. So far I did around 80km on my local tracks. Handling is fast and responsive, acceleration is great. Cockpit feels ok, saddle is quite ok.
Drivetrain is precise, on my other FS bike I have XT shifter so on Chisel I sometimes miss the option to drop 2 gears at once.

Bike is stock except I went tubeless with Trezado valves and sealant - it was fast and easy conversion with cheap floor pump.

If you are interested here is weight of:
- front wheel + 180mm rotor - 1070g
- rear wheel + cassette + 160mm rotor - 1950g
- tire - 740g
- tube - 274g

Tomorrow I go for a mountain trip so I can give you more details how this bike handles on steep climbs/descents.