A1 Premium Aluminium, ORE TT and DT, low centre of gravity Enduro FSR frame, forged HT, pierced seat tube, sealed cartridge bearings, ISCG mount, two forward shock mounts for geometry adjustment, replaceable derailleur hanger, derailleur guard, 138mm travel.
Fox DHX Air 3.0 shock, external rebound adjustment, twin sleeve, 8.5"x2.25".
Marzocchi All Mountain SL fork, coil spring, air assist, external rebound adjustment, 130mm travel, alloy steerer.
3D forged CNC machined stem matched to 8 degree rise Specialized Enduro Mid Rise, 6066 alloy, 31.8 OS bar, 640mm width. Hayes Sole, hydraulic disc brakes with 8"/7” V cut rotors.
Strengths: Riding position not too stretched out. Rear shock & rear suspension. Strong brakes.
Weaknesses: Shock bushin wear. However, only just got a Specialized mini-mudguard to protect it after 1 year of use. Low bottom bracket?
Overall: Great bike to own. Ride only once a week so shock bushing wear could be more of a problem for heavy users. Handling is good, but on rocky terrain the pedals can clash with rocks. But that could be me setting up with too much rear sag.
Strengths: Forgiving handling, great riding position, adjustability, climbing prowess, durable Marzocchi fork. A bike for all occasions.
Weaknesses: Stock brakes could do with an upgrade, rear shock bush wear. The Fox Float could do with more adjustment too, but hey next year's model has the Fifth Element for that...
Overall: Probably my finest ever purchase. I replaced my faithful Rockhopper with a bottom end Enduro and haven't regretted it for a minute.
It's handling is incredibly benign, but remains impressively agile and despite being a full bouncer it climbs like a mountain goat. I upgraded the stock Shimano stoppers with Hope Mono M4s and ditched the pedals for Eggbeater Mallets and am pretty happy with the end result.
I had a few teething issues with the Marzocchi EXR Supra fork needing a heavier weight oil (my 12 stone frame was making the rebound too agressive) and the rebound adjustmer actually fell off, but it's been faultless since - the air preload is fiddly to set though.
Of course, within six weeks of buying it, Spesh have announced an all new Enduro with 20mm more travel... and a £600 price increase in price for the base spec model.
Strengths: This is extreamly light, and is everything you could want out of it. It is great for all types of riding, I use it for Cross Country, Downhill, Dirt, and a little bit of Trails
Weaknesses: The fact that this bike is fairly old, means that it has not got all the latest technology, wich means that it leaves something to be deserd in that dpartment, so u may wish to upgrade a few things
Overall: I love this bike, and replace a few things and it'll be great. Use your common sense like me and you'll pick one up second hand for about £300 to £500. I was lucky and got one in mint condition.
Strengths: Frame: still a great design. Anyone who has ridden one of these for 2 years over all sorts of terrain would not be fooled by subsequent marketing 'upgrades'. Specialized tyres: Loads of respect.
Weaknesses: Out of the box, the wheels and brakes were relatively poor, didn't last very long.
Overall: The frame marches on. Just fitted strong wheels (D521+Hope) and Hope Mini's. The rest of the kit is largely original (but well maintained) Well done, Specialized.
Strengths: Excellent responsive frame. Lighter than the '02. M5 tubing gives the bike an excellent acceleration and is stiff. Cartridge bearings throughout. Anodizing looks great.
Weaknesses: Anodizing has rubbed off where it was on my bike rack.
Strengths: brilliant all things to all men/women design climbs and descends well long may it rule
Weaknesses: gear shifting leaves a little to be desired still suffers from ghost shifting front suspension doesn,t match the back for adjustment and quality of ride
Overall: my best bike to date and god knows there have been a few .will continue to ride it untill the wheels drop off and beyond "brilliant"
Strengths: Superb frame,great do anything bike,cool looks and a decent price.
Weaknesses: Not really a weakness,but although the brakes and forks are good for this price,with a plusher longer travel fork and a set of hopes this bike would be on another level
Overall: Great bike for the money thats perfect for upgrading
Strengths: Excellent frame great all rounder takes massive hits no problem.
Weaknesses: Psylos are crap, so crap that spesh gave me my money back and I put Manitou black super air's on instead. The M 555s were not great either so I put on hope minis instead.
Overall: Lots of fun do anything bike but need a few quid spent to get it up to scratch.
Average Rating: 4 out of 5
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