Yesterday, during Crankworx Specialized made the official announcement of the new 27.5″ wheeled Demo. The chassis sees an full top to bottom facelift in every aspect from geometry to wheel size, to suspension. Although the bike has been used in World Cup races and Specialized produced a video showcasing the new bike, we’ve only been able to speculate thus far.
As we already knew, the bike takes advantage of an asymetrical design. This helps shed weight where it isn’t necessary while also making shock access easier.
A nice view of the non-drive side.
The new cable routing is all internal and super clean to help keep the bike looking super tidy.
Both frames come with built-in protection under the down tube.
The new demo will be available with two different frames:
– Fact 11m: full carbon, including links.
– Fact 10m: carbon front triangle (identical to the Fact 11m), while the chainstays and the links are made of aluminum.
BB30 is integrated into the joint between the front triangle and rear to have two effects:
1) the 200 mm of travel always remain active and independent relative to pedal and braking forces.
2) The main pivot is at the lowest point bike, thus helping shift the center of gravity as low as possible, although still utilizing FSR technology.
The 135x12mm rear axle has been designed to make the “L7” rear triangle more rigid torisionally: a special squared fitment between axle and rear end helps prevent twisting in the rear end.
The new bikes utilize a completely new geometry set called S3. All sizes are designed around 27.5 ” wheels, a 63.5 ° headtube angle and a 343mm high BB with 430mm long chainstays. As the bikes go up in size they don’t get taller relatively speaking. They just get longer. Specialized believes that people choose DH bikes more based on reach. For instance :a rider could be 5’9″ but like the reach and length of a traditional large bike, and with the new demo would opt for a “long” in lieu of a medium, but the bike won’t feel “too tall”….we like this idea.
A few examples:
Troy Brosnan (5’7″) – uses a Medium. Aaron Gwin (5’8″) – uses a L because he prefers a longer wheelbase and the added stability. Mitch Ropelato (5’8″) – uses a M because he prefers a bike that’s more compact and easy to whip around.
The rear shock is the Ohlins TTX, revised for the Demo’s new chassis:
– The head has an off-set of 5mm in order to help fit into the frame, with new ball bearings.
– The rebound adjuster is shorter for easier removal of the spring.
– Mid Stroke compression was reduced a bit, in order to have more control in the initial phase of the travel.
– The high speed compression has been increased to have more control when under the big hits.
Despite despite it’s new features and characteristics, the new Demo can take advantage of standard components…
– The 12x135mm rear through axle is compatible with several hubs that will be available on the market.
– The shock runs on ball bearings, but has a standard length and bushing size: 9.5 × 3″
– The head tube is compatible with any fork, since it is tapered.
– The standard gearing for the new demo is 7 speed.
– The diameter of the seat tube is 30.9mm.
– The weight of the S-Works frame in M size is 7.6 lbs without shock.
S-Works Demo 8
FACT 11m carbon frame with 650B wheels and geometry S3.
Öhlins TTX shock absorber.
RockShox Boxxer Team fork with 200mm of travel.
650B Roval Wheels with DT Swiss hubs (rear with Star Ratchet).
Specialized Butcher DH Tire front and Slaughter DH rear.
Carbon Demo 8 I
FACT 10m carbon frame with 650B wheels and S3 geometry.
Öhlins TTX shock.
RockShox Boxxer RC, with 200mm of travel.
650B Wheels Roval hubs with Hi Lo.
Specialized Butcher DHSlaughter at the front and at the rear.
Frame S-Works Demo 8
Frame FACT 11m carbon wheel 650B and geometry S3.
Öhlins TTX shock absorber.
Thomson aluminum seatpost.
Prices will follow, as well as the first impressions of riding in the bike park in Whistler. Stay tuned!
