Specialized Chisel - Good Stuff?

Discussion in 'Bike Reviews' started by Cyclotourist, Oct 18, 2018.


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  1. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    I want to get a new bike for my son, and keep coming back to these. He races un-competitively in the NICA league, as well as rides with me in Big Bear or elsewhere very occasionally. I'm looking for a lightweight hardtail with Boost spacing, 68-69^ HTA, somewhat long/low modern geo that is XC but heading towards trail. I'm reluctant to go to crabon fibre with him ($$$ plus he's hard on stuff). The Chisel Expert seems to tick off a lot of the boxes: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/mens-chisel-expert/p/154335?color=239070-154335

    Any feedback on these? Good choice, bad choice, something better? Similar options I haven't considered?
    I'd be looking for a gently used large size if you happen to have a line on one.

    91719-32_CHISEL_DSW-EXPERT-29_STRMGRY-RKTRED_HERO?hei=600&wid=920&$hybris-pdp-hero$}.jpg
     
    Luis, mtnbikej, Danmtchl and 7 others like this.
  2. HBkites

    HBkites Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Huntington Beach
    Name:
    Sharone
    Current Bike:
    Why S7, Revel Rascal, Spark RC
    Luis, mtnbikej, Danmtchl and 5 others like this.
  3. rossage

    rossage iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    East Sacramento
    Name:
    Ross Lawson
    Current Bike:
    Highball
    I might know a guy that rides one...
    IMG_20180828_071043.jpg

    Excellent hardtail. Lot of fun to ride. Won't find this parts spec on the Specialized site, I built this up from the frame.
    Get one!
     
  4. DangerDirtyD

    DangerDirtyD iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    CA
    Name:
    Chicken Nugget
    Current Bike:
    2018 Guerrilla Gravity SMASH
    For 2k, get him a dual suspension bike to unleash the most potential from his abilities.
     
  5. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    I'll probably end up w/ a used one (There's one FS right now on CL and another on ebay), so would need to find a used Exceed for a possibility. I'm reluctant to go with CF for him... he crashes too much. I literally need to keep rear derailers and hangers on hand for when he inevitably twists one off. I was looking at a used Highball, and eventually walked away from it for the same reason. I wish SC had the new Highball out in an aluminum frame, that would probably be my go-to.

    He's already fast enough on a hard tail... I'd hate to see his potential unleashed! I've poked around with short travel FS bikes as well, but value is in the HTs.

    I was thinking about you when I posted this, hoping for some input! Do you see any holes in my thinking? Other similar bikes that I can consider?
     
  6. rossage

    rossage iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    East Sacramento
    Name:
    Ross Lawson
    Current Bike:
    Highball
    The other bike I would mention would be a Highball too. That's my other bike...
    The Chisel has slacker angles, Boost, and more tire clearance the Highball. It's also lighter and more flex than the Highball, but that adds to the unique feel. This is a smooth Al bike.
    The spec is solid. Not a fan of the fork but it works. Can easily lighten it up. The 4lb frame helps. Mine weighed 3.99 out of the box.
    There are a lot of good hardtails out there. I would make sure they check all your boxes, but I think you are on the right track.
    Highball currently rigid.
    IMG_20180923_171132.jpg
     
  7. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    My only gripe about the aluminum Highball was the tuning fork qualities of the frame. It translated every rock into vibrations that passed through my soul. Maybe a little hyperbole there... maybe not. The plastic Highball is a magic carpet in comparison.

    Thankfully the Lizard does not share those frame characteristics...

    I've never ridden a bike with a big S on the front... Can't help there.
     
  8. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    I don't know where the ad-hype ends, and the actual characteristics begin, but reviews have the Chisel being fairly compliant.
    Nobody is saying it's harsh at least!
     
  9. Cornholio

    Cornholio iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    CA
    Name:
    B
    Current Bike:
    Huffy
    That’s a good bike for what you describe in my opinion. My Stumpy HT is way more dated (‘13) and that thing took me down the Luge a bunch, one trip down Telonics, Waterfall and Chutes at Oaks, etc.
     
  10. rossage

    rossage iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    East Sacramento
    Name:
    Ross Lawson
    Current Bike:
    Highball
    That's why I run the Highball with carbon bars, fork, and until yesterday, a compliant carbon seatpost. I can take the big hits, it's the millions of little ones that gets me numb...hands.
     
  11. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    Is that 28 tooth up front?
     
  12. rossage

    rossage iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    East Sacramento
    Name:
    Ross Lawson
    Current Bike:
    Highball
    Yep. Wolftooth. 11-46 XT cogset. Solid set-up. I run it with the clutch off and haven't dropped a chain, yet.
     
  13. Voodoo Tom

    Voodoo Tom MTB Addict

    Location:
    Castaic
    Name:
    Tom Kokkinakis
    Current Bike:
    Mango one, black one, Ti one
    Have you seen the sh!t he climbs? He’s embarrassed me more than once.
     
    Tom the Bomb, Luis, mtnbikej and 6 others like this.
  14. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    I know you're stronger than that but I can appreciate the uber low granny combo for them silly steep San Gabes. :thumbsup:
     
  15. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    Ross is an alien. He's not from here. He has super powers. I once saw him hovering above the ground by about a foot and there was a bright white light glowing below his feet.

    Go ahead, have another beer Sssnake...
     
  16. Derkderkall

    Derkderkall iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Monrovia
    Name:
    Derek Allison
    Current Bike:
    2020 Specialized Fuse 29
    I think you been into @rossage 's stash...
     
  17. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    ;)
     
  18. rossage

    rossage iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    East Sacramento
    Name:
    Ross Lawson
    Current Bike:
    Highball
    Not him but I sure have!
     
  19. mike

    mike iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Western US
    Name:
    Mike O
    Current Bike:
    HT, FS
    We're still talking about good stuff, right?

    28 x 11-46 (or 9-46 :cool:) on a 29er is what I'd call perfect do-it-all gearing. Low enough first gear to be a bailout, and 2-4 can be used a lot while climbing.
     
  20. rossage

    rossage iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    East Sacramento
    Name:
    Ross Lawson
    Current Bike:
    Highball
    Oh yeah, @mike! Keep preaching the gospel!
     
  21. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Those are Treks.
     
  22. Sidewalk

    Sidewalk iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    The road is where I call home
    Name:
    Josh
    Current Bike:
    N+1
    Lots of good reviews on the Chisel.

    I'm looking to let go of my large F-Si soon. Yes, it is all carbon though (minus the fork) at sub 21 pounds race ready (cages, pedals, etc). I've tossed it down many trail. But...the derailleur bit would concern me.
     
    Tom the Bomb, Danmtchl and mtnbikej like this.
  23. DangerDirtyD

    DangerDirtyD iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    CA
    Name:
    Chicken Nugget
    Current Bike:
    2018 Guerrilla Gravity SMASH
    OK, here’s a D rail. I couldn’t find any other specialized threads, and I didn’t want to start another one.

    2021 Specialized stumpjumper or stumpjumper Evo?
     
  24. Derkderkall

    Derkderkall iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Monrovia
    Name:
    Derek Allison
    Current Bike:
    2020 Specialized Fuse 29
    Only bike? For who?
     
  25. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Triple D-rail.
     
  26. DangerDirtyD

    DangerDirtyD iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    CA
    Name:
    Chicken Nugget
    Current Bike:
    2018 Guerrilla Gravity SMASH
    My cousin. He has an older Stumpjumper EVO and just sold his Epic EVO. He’s on the fence. I told him when in doubt, go EVO.
     
    Tom the Bomb likes this.
  27. Derkderkall

    Derkderkall iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Monrovia
    Name:
    Derek Allison
    Current Bike:
    2020 Specialized Fuse 29
    I think both are probably great... Hard to go wrong. He might just have to go based on what is available in his size right now?

    I think they are more comparable to the new tallboy and hightower now. Either choice will have an extremely capable bike.
    More pedally up down, longer days.. Then regular.
    Long slow climbs to epic descents... Occasional park or shuttle duty, evo.

    Either way both could serve as a one stable machine I think.
     
    Tom the Bomb and DangerDirtyD like this.
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As a former Amazon Associate I continue to get screwed trying to stay qualified as an Amazon Affiliate. So I quit!


Want to donate to imtbtrails?