Specialized Plans Confirmed On 29″ers
May 14th, 2007 by Guitar TedIt is being reported in the latest Bicycle Retailer and Industry News that Specialized will indeed have three hardtail models with 29 inch wheels available in June. These models include the already seen Stumpjumper, and two Rockhopper models starting out at $650.00
They also are reporting that Specialized will indeed be introducing “full-suspension models” later this year, indicating that their will be more than one full suspended 29″er hitting the bike shops with Specialized decals in the fall.
These bikes are going to be available in five different sizes starting with a 15 incher and going up to a 23 inch size. Sizes step up in two inch increments.
In an effort to keep the wheelbases as short as they could to mimic the 26 inch hardtails, Specialized has also used a bent seat tube design. This has an effect on the posistioning of the front derailluer, which Specialized claims will “work properly with a higher chain”. (Editors note: This is a quote from the BRAIN article, which I find curious. It may not reflect the actual intent of Specialized)
All of this coincides with rumors we have heard of Specializeds entry into the 29″er market. It’s our belief that the two full suspension models will include an Epic and something in the 4-5″ travel range. More as we learn it!
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Let’s hope that they have a geared rigid model. Have you noticed that no one makes one? I’d rather have a rigid cheap bike than one with a really cheesy, heavy suspension fork.
LOL, how about a steel one, like in their (to me) good days?
Seriously, it’s good to see a big company is hitting the 29″ market with something else than a half-assed entry. No 2 years on a sole SS model to test the waters (like that’s ever realistic). Cheap, bling, hardtail, FS, doing their thing with it, claiming market share from the get-go, if they can intrigue enough 29″ newbies.
Those will like the short chainstay argument, although for rolling XC I’m getting more and more warmed up to really long CS’s myself. Tested it on my horizontal dropout Redline once, and 464mm rode great. Note to self : when buying a new chain and chainring, use 2 powerlinks from the get-go so I can switch!
Would Sp dare to make a semi-afordable 5″ bike right away? That would make them marketLEADER early on in that segment…
George Krpan: That’s a great idea. The companies doing such a model could upsepec the wheels instead, which would be a far smarter thing to do when it comes to a 29″er than having the suspended front end. Especially for the upcoming Rockhopper and Diamondback Overdrive, both bikes to be about $650.00.
Cloxx: And in referance to that 5″ travel 29′er, I wonder if it’ll have the home grown Specialized suspension fork/damper. I’m betting it does and that will kill the “semi-affordable” part of it right there.
So…just saw the Specialized 08 Dealer Preview book the other day. The three hardtails are there is all their glory, along with some other cool entries including a singlespeed tricross!
I think the only reason there is a crappy suspension fork on any bikes is because the bikes at Wal- Crap have them and if a $200 bike has them, the $650 better too in order to appease the masses who don’t really know the total difference. Seems silly for us, but then again we’re posting on a dedicated 29er mountain bike site! I do agree with upgraded wheels…I hate heavy wheels with crappy hubs that can’t handle off road trails.
I bet if a big company commited, they could make affordable wheels that are also light. It just takes a bit more effort, but the quantities would be there.
What’s a tricross?
Any news on what fork offset and head tube angle they’re using, yet?
michael: I didn’t see the geometry charts on these bikes but they are using the Tora 29″er and the new Dart 29″er from Rock Shox, so I’m guessing the head angle is about 71.5-72 degrees and the fork offset to be about 38mm.
No no no no no!
They have a very new secret geometry, haven’t you heard? The best bike company spent years developing this, don’t you humble shop rat think you know it all
The short rear ends (Origin 8 Scout will have 425mm) don’t seem to intrigue me. I want them, and I do not want them.
Time for some extensive long vs short chainstay shoot-out. Hurray for the singlespeeds.
Also, a 23″ specialized frame should be pretty big fitting. A good thing for the megaclydes out there that still have little choice.
Especially if Sp don’t follow the long-offset, short top tube stream. Let’s just hope they don’t spec these bikes like most do with road bikes : ever steeper HTA’s on larger frames, only because it’s technically possible.