Editor’s Note: This will wrap up our reporting on the recent Specialized Dealer Camp/Press Camp that Grannygear attended in Colorado. Here he has some final tidbits to share on what is coming from Specialized for big wheel fans in 2011.

Press Camp Wrap Up: by Grannygear

As a wrap-up of the Dealer Event, I wanted to toss up some pics and details that are worth mentioning.

Here is a shot of the adjustable drop-outs on the S Works carbon 29er singlespeed frame. I have to admit that carbon is slowly winning me over as companies like Specialized, Santa Cruz, and others begin to offer a reliable and high performance composite frame. Still pricey, but getting awfully good.

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The refinements in the brake, Mini-Brain, and 142+ rear axle is shown in the rear end of this aluminum Epic. Also, notice that the pivot at the dropout has been moved up compared to last year’s Epics.

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In this pic you can see a normal rear hub and a 142+ rear hub. Notice the extra width in the spoke flange area of the hub. More triangulation is a good thing.

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The Stumpjumper 29er Evo is the Rat Rod of 29er hardtails. Black, 1×10, clean looking…it was my favorite looking bike of the week. I am not sure what to think about the Evo approach. I like the creativity and it gives buyers a choice of a bike that is ‘modded’ from the factory without losing any warranty benefits. Will it sell? I dunno’, but I do wonder if the person who is likely to mod their bike may be just as likely to want to do it ‘their way’. In any case, this bike was cool looking and I wanted to take it home. Can you imagine this in carbon? Wow. $2,050.00 brings it home.

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The e thirteen chain guide and short cage XO rear der keep things tidy and check out the cable routing under the top tube.

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Check out this new way of getting the number of handlebar mounted levers under control. This one is a control for the Command Post and is built into the grip clamp. Cool idea.

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Finally, the Rockhopper line offers the buyer a solid bike that is trail capable at a lesser cost then the Stumpjumper line. This one is the Rockhopper SL LTD 29er. Good looking if you want a bolder look to a bike. It is not subtle, graphics wise, what with the matching Reba Recon fork and all. $1650.00 for all that glamour.

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Twenty Nine Inches would like to thank Specialized Bicycles, Nic Sims, and all the great people at Specialized for providing this opportunity to check out the expanded offerings for 2011. Stay tuned for a review of the Rockhopper SL single speed and more 2011 product from Specialized coming soon.