Link: http://www.redbull.com/en/bike/stor...lized-s-works-demo-dh-2015-uci-world-cup-gwin More info: http://dirtmountainbike.com/fresh-produce/unveiled-new-2015-specialized-demo.html#!bqcI3J Pretty cool to see him ripping it up at Snow Summit in the video. The bike looks pretty ugly to me, but I'm sure Gwin won't have a problem riding it. We'll see how he does with it this weekend! :bang:
The lower swing arm pivots directly around the BB. That probably shortens the CS length a bit. Nice bike.
I think the new bike looks rad. Also the CS is longer according to vital it puts it at 16.9" vs 16.5 on the current demo. I do think it's interesting they are running a 135mm rear axle. Not sure about the chainstay pivoting around the bb, I would like to try one to see how it feels. This better not mess up gwin and brosnan this weekend.... both are on my fantasy dh team.
Isn't specialized the one who forced the 12x142mm rear on everyone? Also, how does switching bikes in the middle of world cup DH season help? Hopefully they've had lots and lots of riding time to get used to it. . .
Now they're doing a square 12x135. The 7mm difference in spacing lightens up the bike by .000001 grams and the square stiffens up the rear end by 1,000,000%.
It wasn't a secret that gwins style didn't jive with the existing demo so a newer more "gwin specialized" demo may make him more comfortable. Brosnan on the otherhand is a different story, He has been riding the demo for years. For him to change mid season to an all new rig could be problematic.
That's an interesting frame design. I'm not sure if I'm digging the exposed rear shock on one side. I do imagine, it'll be easier to service though.
I hate it, because it looks awesome! Friggin' Specialized.... I actually hope it works great for Gwin.
Now Gwin and Brosnan's right turns will be stronger than their lefts!!! Or, maybe the single-sided seat tube will act as a leaf spring and catapult them out of left turns! (Note: The above is meant in humor. I am guessing Special Ed did their testing to make sure the frame didn't respond differently one direction than the other).
It will be interesting to see if the Specialized product launch will yield similar results to Yeti's recent product launch. To do so, we would need to see Gwin in first and Brosnan second at MSA this weekend to equal what Yeti pulled off last weekend. ORRRR, perhaps we could see a repeat of what happened to Contador's Special Ed... Dare to dream! (not really - I don't wish ill will on any rider or bike company. OK, I do wish a little ill will towards a certain special bike company. Can I say special? Or is use of that word a patent, trademark or copyright infringement?)
Though I H8 Special Ed, I have to admit they do make some nice stuff but not nice enough for me to ever buy one... Unless it was super cheap and I could flip it to make a profit. I do hope it's what Gwin needs to get out of his slump.
He won in South Africa, got 4th in Cairns and Ft. William and won US Nationals. I think he is out of his slump. Not the results of 2011 and 2012, but definitely an improvement over 2013.
