Specialized Chisel FS

specialized_chisel_27inch.jpg


fox36_chisel_275.jpg


I usually avoid the matchy matchy grips to pedals etc. that most people do to their bikes, but the orange fork on this pink bike continues to do my head in so I’m trying everything (in this case some matchy grips and pink alloy bars). Functionally the bike is awesome, but visually I think it looks like balls.

This is 10000% a me problem though lol. I usually get to a place with a build where I think it's "finished", but this pink bike is, at least visually, a farkin challenge. I think at least I'm mostly over the weight weenie thing though. Last ride out I had the insanely light straight carbon bars on, and whilst it was doable I do think bars with a slight rise and proper grips felt more fun. Keen to try some higher riser bars but the rear brake cable is way too short (urgh...), could be even more fun though!
 
Justin Fox said:
View attachment 426181

View attachment 426182

I usually avoid the matchy matchy grips to pedals etc. that most people do to their bikes, but the orange fork on this pink bike continues to do my head in so I’m trying everything (in this case some matchy grips and pink alloy bars). Functionally the bike is awesome, but visually I think it looks like balls.

This is 10000% a me problem though lol. I usually get to a place with a build where I think it's "finished", but this pink bike is, at least visually, a farkin challenge. I think at least I'm mostly over the weight weenie thing though. Last ride out I had the insanely light straight carbon bars on, and whilst it was doable I do think bars with a slight rise and proper grips felt more fun. Keen to try some higher riser bars but the rear brake cable is way too short (urgh...), could be even more fun though!
Click to expand...
I think a you problem, I reckon that looks farkin awesome. Pale yellow with the orange and pink/red definitely works.
 
caad9 said:
Time for the fork lowers to be dipped?
Black or paint matched to frame?
Click to expand...
Yeah I'm not baller enough to buy the shiny black version of the same fork that's for sure. My issue is more with the pink frame than the orange forks though, maybe?! 😅

Then again. If I was going to buy a Bronson. I'd get one in Kalimotxo 😅

Bronson-CC-X0-RSV-Kalimotxo.jpg
 
IMG_6242.jpg

Back out at Loftus today for more testing.

Put 40mm risers bars on and yup. It's pretty much a trail bike now, albeit a really light and poppy one! Comparing Strava data to yesterday's ride on the same loop with Gina's 29er Epic EVO I was more than 2km/hr average faster on the Chisel with the smaller 27.5" wheels. What's interesting is that I got 4 PR's (got none yesterday on the Epic), of note a PR on the 3 minute Kirrawee Burning Legs Climb.

I think the data (I have a lot of it now) is confirming that I just don't make enough power to make the most out of bigger 29" wheels and I especially struggle to crank the bigger wheels (and weight as my Starling Murmur is almost 5kg heavier than my Chisel and the Epic is 2kg heavier) up tech features vs. shifting my body weight to more easily shove the Chisel up the technical stuff with the smaller wheels.
 
workscomponents_angleset_chisel.jpg

Works Components ZS44-ZS56 Angle Headset -1°. OEM headset was 88g + 5g of spacers (this headset has a higher stack so I no longer need to run spacers).

string.jpg

I used a piece of string tied to the seatpost to eye and mark where centre was to align the cups.

workscomponents_angleset_chisel_installed.jpg


workscomponents_angleset_chisel_2.jpg


workscomponents_angleset_chisel_3.jpg


I came home from yesterday's ride to a package from Great Britain. A Works Components Angled Headset which slackens (or steepens!) the head tube angle by 1°.

I thought about not installing it as I’m happy with how the bike rides as is, but it’s here now, and hey I’m all for experimentation so I got it on.

The Chisel now has a 65° HTA (67° stock with 29er wheelset), 75.7° STA (+0.2°), -1.5mm reach, +10.9mm wheelbase and -1.8mm BB Height.

I doubt I’ll feel a radical difference, and if there is a difference I’m sure I’ll adapt to it pretty quickly.
 
Screenshot 2026-07-27 093110.jpg

Screenshot 2026-07-27 093052.jpg


Updated geometry chart before (stock with 29" wheels) vs. after (27.5" wheels, 140mm fork and angleset). Keep in mind I've got 155mm cranks on now vs. the stock 170mm cranks to sort out the BB Height difference.

Angleset didn't make a huge difference out on the trails, but I did feel that climbing on super steep fire roads out of the trails was more shit (light front end which had to be weighed down). No doubt going from zero rise bars, to low rise bars, and now 40mm riser bars added to that though.
 
I went for a ride! Took on Pipeline (fuck that needs some trail fairy visits), Cuss Cuss and Black Snake.

I can confirm that I am much fitter and lighter, but I'm still fiercely below average at mountain biking.

I'm undecided on whether I enjoy it that much to be honest. Sometimes I think I'd rather be taking on a bigger gravel challenge or just trail running..
 
Hambo said:
I went for a ride! Took on Pipeline (fuck that needs some trail fairy visits), Cuss Cuss and Black Snake.

I can confirm that I am much fitter and lighter, but I'm still fiercely below average at mountain biking.

I'm undecided on whether I enjoy it that much to be honest. Sometimes I think I'd rather be taking on a bigger gravel challenge or just trail running..
Click to expand...
Wrong thread Hambo? But keep at it man! MTB is life for me right now!
 
IMG_6300.jpg


IMG_6301.jpg


Tested out a mullet setup on the Chisel today. Felt really fast, but not as playful as a full 27.5" setup. Strava says I'm slower up the big techy climb out (was a bit slippery today though), but faster everywhere else.
 
fox_float_sl_weight.jpg

Dropped in to CCACHE today to pick this up.

fox_float_sl_chisel.jpg

Decals are upside down sadly lol. I don't mind tbh.

betterbolts_fox_top_cap_2.jpg

Also some orange bling from Better Bolts.

betterbolts_fox_top_cap.jpg


Better bolts Fox fork top caps in orange and a FOX Factory FLOAT SL EVOL SV 190 x 40mm which I picked up from CCACHE today. The FOX is 88g lighter than the RockShox Deluxe Select+, should be a bit more plush too!
 
Asininedrivel said:
Just need a Kashima Transfer dropper post now ;)
Click to expand...
I thought about it, but they're heavy! There is an SL version that only has 2 positions, but it's only 100mm of travel which kinda blows. Would work OK though if I ever decide to keep it as an XC/weenie/29er setup, but then I'd have to take off the orange fork lol.

Right now this bike is so confused. I'm not sure if it's a he, she or they/them lol.
 
IMG_6306.jpg


IMG_6324.jpg


Went out to Loftus today and did Cliffs Trail, Bobcats and 24/7 to test out the new FOX rear shock. I just used my weight in pounds for the initial setup which looked to give me around 25% sag. I also set the rebound pretty fast. O ring suggests that I was using up most of the travel.

The ride generally feels pretty similar to how it felt with the Rockshox rear shock, but less "crashy". It doesn't at all feel plush like Gina's Epic 8 EVO did (120mm rear travel), so I'm thinking it's probably not possible to make a 110mm shock feel plush. IE: Such a short amount of travel = amazing efficiency when getting the power down, full stop.

Happy with the weight savings though.

The 29" front wheel definitely gave me a lot more confidence and helped to roll down techy stuff pretty easily. I did have a 29" on the rear last night, but with the 140mm fork the bike sits up so high and I have no standover clearance at all, so I thought better of it and put the 27.5" wheel back on for today's ride. To counter the larger front wheel the weight weenie flat bars went back on for today's ride, and a weenie saddle (which was comfortable enough). Bike now weighs in at 11.04kg's with pedals, a multitool and mud which I'm pretty chuffed about!

I do still have a lighter 27.5" carbon front wheel on the way (ZEN Carbon Bike to match my rear wheel) which will drop the weight down to sub 11kg's but until it gets here I'm going to leave it set up over-forked as a mullet (though the temptation to get a 130mm FOX 34 SL to keep it mullet and drop another 265g is strong!).

PS: Also packed the hub with DT Swiss Special Grease in hopes to quieten down my noisy AF hub (I want to become one with nature and stop scaring the wallabies away!). In the stand it was quiet as! Post ride it's back to being super loud again. I think the DT grease is way too thin. Might have to drop in to Bunnings and try out some boat grease?!
 
Justin Fox said:
View attachment 426566

View attachment 426567

Went out to Loftus today and did Cliffs Trail, Bobcats and 24/7 to test out the new FOX rear shock. I just used my weight in pounds for the initial setup which looked to give me around 25% sag. I also set the rebound pretty fast. O ring suggests that I was using up most of the travel.

The ride generally feels pretty similar to how it felt with the Rockshox rear shock, but less "crashy". It doesn't at all feel plush like Gina's Epic 8 EVO did (120mm rear travel), so I'm thinking it's probably not possible to make a 110mm shock feel plush. IE: Such a short amount of travel = amazing efficiency when getting the power down, full stop.

Happy with the weight savings though.

The 29" front wheel definitely gave me a lot more confidence and helped to roll down techy stuff pretty easily. I did have a 29" on the rear last night, but with the 140mm fork the bike sits up so high and I have no standover clearance at all, so I thought better of it and put the 27.5" wheel back on for today's ride. To counter the larger front wheel the weight weenie flat bars went back on for today's ride, and a weenie saddle (which was comfortable enough). Bike now weighs in at 11.04kg's with pedals, a multitool and mud which I'm pretty chuffed about!

I do still have a lighter 27.5" carbon front wheel on the way (ZEN Carbon Bike to match my rear wheel) which will drop the weight down to sub 11kg's but until it gets here I'm going to leave it set up over-forked as a mullet (though the temptation to get a 130mm FOX 34 SL to keep it mullet and drop another 265g is strong!).

PS: Also packed the hub with DT Swiss Special Grease in hopes to quieten down my noisy AF hub (I want to become one with nature and stop scaring the wallabies away!). In the stand it was quiet as! Post ride it's back to being super loud again. I think the DT grease is way too thin. Might have to drop in to Bunnings and try out some boat grease?!
Click to expand...
You could go all out and get rid of that sound completely https://www.williamsracingproducts.com/shop/p/zero-drag-dt-swiss-internals


Sent from my moto g75 5G using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top