Pics!!!

 

Hi
I've been drooling with all 4 pages so far and I'm about to order a Chisel myself, but I need some sizing help.
I know best way is to go to the store and try it but here in Argentina that's not possible due to lack of availability. I can only pay a reserve for the store to order it and then get stuck with whatever size I choose.

I'm 187cm tall (that's between 6'1" and 6'2"), so I'm at the bottom of XL. I'd really like to get a L so the top tube is not too long and the overall bike size is the smallest possible. I'm actually riding a 29er MTB with the top of the seat at 79cm from the center of the BB, with a 500mm seat tube, a 400mm seat post and a Prólogo Kappa Evo Pas. At this setup the seat post still has extra 70mm before hitting the "minimum insertion warning". Would I be able to set the seat that high on a L size with its 470mm seat tube, 400mm seat post and same saddle? Maths tell me I would, and would end up with 40mm before hitting the "minimum insertion warning", but someone else's opinion might help. BTW, "minimum insertion warning" is 100mm away from post end on my seatpost.


Thanks for your help!
Mariano

 

Been lurking on this thread while I decide on my next mtb. The Chisel Expert has been the top of my list for many reasons. One of my hesitations is the SRAM Level TL brakes, It seems like they get mixed reviews...

I test rode one last weekend and really liked it overall.

So I was trying to check out a few more options on the Spec site this morning and it was down. But now it's back up with a totally revamped design. Now they show a Chisel Expert 2x model with all Shimano SLX/XT build with the new MT500 Deore brakes. There is not a price listed, but I am really considering this model now.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/mens-chisel-expert--2x/p/133925


Ive ridden both SRAM and Shimano over the years and don't really have a preference. Anyone care to share thought on the component spec of this new model?

 

I cannot speak for a lot of other brakes out there, but once the pads bedded in on my Level TL's the brakes feel damn good. I do have some Gorilla copper kevlar pads on the way. Those should help with more bite.

 

My local shops hate the SRAM brakes over the last couple of years due to the amount of warranty work they are having to do. Basicly from what I am told that a number of the brakes are failing once the brakes get hot, the levers get stuck closed. We haven't had an issue on my son's Chisel but he also hasn't been doing any long downhills as he uses it for XC only.

 

Heavier riders generally post more about brake issues and brake quality. I never have those issues on various bikes with xt, xtr, and sram brakes.

 

I haven't had a problem with my SRAM brakes but they do suck relative to the Shimanos on my other bike. Less power and more spongy. I had to move the brake levers inward on the handlebars to get more leverage to use one finger braking.

 

MY Comp's brakes are just fine. So far it's just been a fun bike for me short of technical sections.

I recently demo'd the $5200 red/gold sparkle Epic (2018) and, ridiculous colors aside, it's a fantastic bike but still doesn't FEEL as fun as this bike. If that bike goes used for under $3k it's a good deal. Some come with seat droppers, which to me would make it a perfect XC and a darned good trail bike for my local trails which are Mountain Bike Trail lite.

For those interested: December's issue of Mountain Bike Action has a review of the 2018 Epic Comp. They say "this new hardtail can keep up with the best" on the cover and inside (p54-58) and summarize it isn't a "do it all" but is an "XC trail ripper".

They say upgrades would be:
1) 2x11->1x11 (for me this is a no since I like the greenway higher gear but the hill climbing granny gears)
2) Felt it needed a shorter stem (I'm new to this sport, but isn't this really a personal body/sizing issue, not a bike issue? Are these Large guys >6' but with short arms or something?!?)
3) Go tubeless

They say the thinned out seat stay helps with smoothing out rides; the rear derailleur being Shimano XT is what makes the stock bike, the brakes are good enough for entry level XC and light trial riding, and it flies uphill with as stiff a frame as any bike they've tested, and with the 2.3" front tire, descends with stability, and the slack head angle can maintain high speeds with stability.

 

Does anybody have any coment about fitting a 187 cm, less than 90kg guy on a L instead of a XL? I just need to get the top of a Prólogo Kappa Evo Pas seat top at 79 or 80 cm from the BB center, maximum. Other than that the bike should be a perfect fit geometry-wise.
Is there any L size owner that could check if it's safe to set the seat at that height?

I'm pretty sure I'm going for an expert 2x.

Thanks!

 

I'm 183cm, about an 1.5" shorter than you. I'll see tomorrow morning if I can hike my seat post up that extra 1.5" safely and get back to you.

 

Wish I could help but I am not your size. You might want to see the Epic HT thread. There is some discussion of sizing there and the frame geometry is very similar between the Chisel and the Epic HT.

 

I think you can make a legit argument to go with the Trek over the Comp but I think the Chisel Expert is unique in the market place. You just won't find a ~24lb hardtail with those components for less than $2000 in the market. And it's a legit ~24lb because the wheels, tires, and tubes are heavy, unlike some "lightweight" bikes that are using the thinnest flimsiest tires to shave weight.

 

Well, Expert is a bit over my budget. Sry but i am from Malaysia and our currency is very weak now. maybe stretching USD 350 is not much to all others but it is quite a lot here. Furthermore i like a 2x11/2x10 set up more. haha.

 

i'm about to buy a chisel (they're currently 15% off at one of the online retailers over here) but i can't decide on the size i'm right between the L and XL. It was much easier when bikes came in one size and one size wheel. I'm 6'2 and ride a 58 tarmac/Langster/Diverge a 18" Stumpjumper and a 19" Kona Lava Dome. I've taken measurements off the old 2005 Stumpjumper but they mean nothing on a 29" frame.

Any advice from anyone who has older bikes welcome!

 

i'm about to buy a chisel (they're currently 15% off at one of the online retailers over here) but i can't decide on the size i'm right between the L and XL. It was much easier when bikes came in one size and one size wheel. I'm 6'2 and ride a 58 tarmac/Langster/Diverge a 18" Stumpjumper and a 19" Kona Lava Dome. I've taken measurements off the old 2005 Stumpjumper but they mean nothing on a 29" frame.

Any advice from anyone who has older bikes welcome!

I'm 6'1" and just went through this whole sizing thing too.. much different on the new geometry and 29" bikes!! I had Treks previous to my new bike and being sized on both Trek Roscoe and a new 2018 Rockhopper somehow I fit better on an XL.. They had to order one for me too so it's not like they were trying to see what they had in stock.. I got it last week and I love it.. plenty of room to get full extension and just enough nut room over that top tube? definitely try them out at the shop if you can.. On the large frame the seat had to go so high for me to get good leg extension it felt like I was getting ready to do a handstand!! Crazy thing is I went in to buy the large and was disappointed and annoyed it didn't fit!! Lol good luck!!

 

I'm 6 1 and I ride a large Epic hardtail (same numbers) I don't feel like I want an XL, that would be huge IMO. a XL is a bike thats probably fit for a guy about 6' 4" - 6' 6" Ive been on a 21" trek lower end hardtail and the top tube nearly touched my nuts and felt giant overall, the trek also had a short stem, the Epic XL has a 120mm added into that!

 

thanks! I'm all about saving my nuts! Large it is!

 

After a long search for a new mountainbike, i finally made the decision

Been test riding a lot of models lately (friends / test days etc).
After riding a Chisel Comp, i fell in love with how the bike handles and feels while riding.

Decided to order a Chisel Expert 1x in black / hypergreen.
Getting a remote lockout / tubeless tires and pedals fitted at the LBS for my budget to spend on the bike

Can't wait to get the call to pick it up!

 

The fast trak are 2 bliss ready. I recommend shimano XT pedals, usually on sale at backcountry!

 

Finally book my Chisel at LBS. I select the Chisel Comp with an upgrade on the groupset. Change the Shifter, Cassette, RD, and Chain from Deore to SLX, RD is XT. manage to get this with the cost of USD 1627.00

 

Help me please. What value Q-factor (mm) for Expert 1x?

 

Thanks Mattyb83 for checking that for me.

Just when I was about to order the L size Chisel I came across a Diverge, which looked far more focused to what I'm doing right now with the bike so I decided to give it a try. Diverge E5 Comp at 58" it is, and it feels like it was designed for me.

I would still appreciate having a Chisel for some hooning around but can't afford 2 good bikes at the moment, and I have already had a 29er MTB for 2 years that didn't get out of tarmac more that twice.

 

I have an e5 DSW Diverge too.. Love it!

 

Finally my bike is ready. just finish making all the final adjustment.

 

nice color!

 

thanks

 

After the black Friday sale i finally ordered the Chisel. Not been out on it yet because after a fair amount of time doing sums i need the 2x so I'll wait until after xmas and buy almost a complete XT groupset and then take off and sell the unused sram bits n pieces. I figure they've got to be worth more completely unused so that's what I'm doing.


I'll include the reasoning behind my gear choice here if anyone's interested.
all numbers from bikecalc.com (if any of you go for a shot remember to change the wheel/tire size as you go!)

For the last 20 or so years i've ridden triple chainsets on mountain bikes, i use the full range all the time. My 26" stumpjumper is 44/32/22 11-32 on 2" tyres/tires, 95 Kona Lava dome is the same.

Biggest gear then is 44x11 and the lowest is the 22x32.

44x11 at 90rpm = 25.32mph
22x32 at 90rpm = 4.8mph

Chisel expert comes 30t, 11-42 on 2.3 or 2.1 29" (I'll use 2.2 as an average)

30x11 at 90rpm = 21.2mph
30x42 at 90rpm = 5.49mph

So running the single ring I give away quite a bit of top end speed and can't climb as steep. Also i miss the ability to drop gears faster when cresting a hill for example. ie dropping from the big ring to the wee one.

The plan is to swap to the XT 38/28 11-40

38x11 at 90rpm = 26.69mph
28x40 at 90rpm = 5.41mph

So i get a faster top end speed and only loose a wee bit off the bottom.

 

Just weighed my stock Chisel front wheel bare except for valve stem and it is 850 grams.

 

Took my Chisel out on a downhill flow trail with berms and sizable jumps. The bike handles remarkably well at high speeds and corners like it's on rails around berms. The only downside is that the bike deflects a bit after a hard landing from a jump and I had to make a lot of body adjustments to keep it on the trail. I may have to slow the rebound down the next time I hit that trail. But overall, I didn't feel like I was giving away much on a trail dominated by full suspension bikes which was confirmed by strava. It's a remarkable bike.

 

I found the rear really rebounds on jumps if you're not prepared for that. Coming from suspension, it crashed and literally tore myself up from ankle to shoulder. Felt like I was going into shock, haha (heavy breathing, feeling all of a sudden weak)

Anywho, it's not my single trail bike, but I needed to learn some weight shifting and it did the trick.

The tires work well except when it's wet. Then I slip on roots like crazy. And compared to my full suspension, I gain ground and lose ground in different areas. On Strava I can just beat out my suspension on a good day, but I put myself at much greater risk of a crash because it bobbles much more on rocks/roots and in turns can slide on those roots. So I have to take certain sections more carefully than my wider tired FS (it's got 2.4" on both.

Since that crash, back in October, I haven't crashed since, but I haven't taken this bike on Single Tracks either. It's not why I bought it and if you can have FS, why not? It makes the ride much easier on my almost 50 yo joints, and I have superb control. All the Chisel brings me is better acceleration and crazy fun climbing for a "mountain bike".

 

Put an old S-Works seatpost on from a road bike; an old Toupe Saddle (I ride Toupe's on all my bikes); bought some carbon bars; Crest MK3 front wheel; Arch MK3 rear wheel; GX cassette; and so on.

22 lbs now.

 

Has anybody weighed their frame? The only comment I saw in this forum indicated a frame weight of 1525g. Claimed weight was supposed to be 1350g, and I am curious as to what people have found to be the "real weight."

 

My XL Cali fade was right at 1600g