The second part of our trip merged us with the 2014 Specialized Dealer Event on Copper Mountain, Colorado where we got to play on the latest from the Big S and as usual they didn’t fail to disappoint.
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We ran into a couple of old mates from Australia, Mick Ross (Flow MTB Magazine ) and Patty Young ( Specialized Australia )[/caption]
There was everything from the new S Works Trail shoes to the 150mm travel full carbon S Works Enduro 29. That and breakfast with
Ned Overend The man behind the latest edition to the Specialized line up, the FATBOY.
http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/07/15/2014-specialized-brings-back-the-fatboy-as-a-fat-bike/
Perhaps the best part beyond the travel and the fresh new trails is knowing we are selling the most innovative product available. Speaking with members of the 20 person strong production team about the new 8.9 kilo Specialized Epic World Cup makes you realise that this company is more about making the best than just making money.
These guys push themselves on the bike, in the office, and on the world stage to be the best. I use the example of the Specialized Epic for the following reasons. These include
*Reducing the bikes “large size” weight by 1.1 kilo’s and making it stiffer
*Introducing a second waterbottle cage, a custom fitting mutli tool into the frame and a hidden chain breaker in the steerer tube
*Tuning the Brain suspension to an all time low of 5 clicks with a broader range of adjustment all whilst maintaining the trail eating, responsiveness that is EPIC
And that’s just the Epic!!! But this does bring us to address the big question… why no 27.5 from Specialized?
When we see other manufacturers embracing the 27.5 standard, Specialized simple response is why go backwards? It was interesting to read some of the other “Big Brands” Press releases that came out around the same time quoting weights for their top of the line racers that came close to the Epic yet were also an entire wheelsize below and away from the 29.
Just a few points to remember when looking at this. Specialized 29” frame bottom brackets are identical to the 26” bikes they were producing only 2 seasons ago. Their chainstays and wheelbases are some of the shortest on the market all whilst accommodating trail friendly head angles and their frame weights are significantly lower than the competition. They achieve this by spending serious amounts of money and time in R&D custom making their tubesets and frame designs to produce designs that work around 29” wheels.
But aside from Specialized and Drift Bikes believing in the product you need to ride one to be convinced. In 2014 we will have our biggest ever in house demo fleet and beyond that we are on track to host yet another Test the Best in 2014.
We are committed to delivering you the opportunity to ride what we sell so be sure to ask in store about how to get on board what we know to be the very best.
And remember, you don’t have to buy a bike from us, but your crazy if you don’t try one.
