Specialized Chisel
92/100
BikeRide Score
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Facts
Type
Release Year
Brand
Wheel Size
Number of Gears
Gearing Type
Weight
30.6, 30.3, 28.4 lb
Suspension
Brake Type
Frame Material
Summary of Reviews
We have read all expert and user reviews on the Specialized Chisel. In summary, this is what cyclists think.
11 reasons to buy
- This bike comes in two tiers and three builds: SRAM SX (Chisel), Shimano Deore (Chisel Shimano), and SLX/Deore (Comp Shimano).
- Experts agree the geometry, which is shared largely with the Epic, makes the Chisel a great XC race bike.
- Testers appreciate how well the suspension balances pedaling performance with a supple ride.
- The 2.35" Specialized tires are lightweight, “quick,” and have great traction.
- Reviewers say that despite its weight, the Chisel doesn’t feel heavy while riding, thanks in part to the super-light Specialized tires.
- There’s room for two bottle cages inside the frame.
- Specialized’s attention to detail impresses experts who cite the size-specific crank length and dropper stroke, Torque Cap hub end caps, and “quality” dropper lever, grips, and saddle.
- An expert says the suspension provides a lot of traction and floats smoothly over small chatter.
- Specialized’s Smartweld process results in an aluminum frame that is clean, light, and comfortable.
- The cables are routed outside the headset, making the Chisel easy to service and upgrade.
- A reviewer calls the Shimano SLX/Deore components a highlight of the Comp Shimano build, underscoring the shift performance.
7 reasons not to buy
- Reviewers describe the SRAM SX groupset (Chisel) as heavy and basic.
- The “overly sensitive” rebound adjustment is hard to set up on both the RockShox Recon Silver RL fork and X-Fusion 02 Pro shock (Chisel, Chisel Shimano), says an expert.
- The SRAM Level T brakes (Chisel) are effective but a reviewer calls them lifeless, lacking the power needed for racing.
- Experts recommend setting the tires up tubeless as the "paper thin" Control casing is unlikely to survive hard riding on sharp trails.
- One expert complains that the narrow 27mm rims result in the tires squirming when they absorb impacts in corners.
- Aluminum doesn’t take kindly to bending. Only time will tell how durable the Chisel’s alloy flex stays are.
- The Shimano Chisels don't have a choice of color, and the Chisel SRAM build only offers two options.
Bottom line
Specialized's Chisel is a full-sus alloy XC race bike that borrows much of its geometry from its carbon-fiber cousin, the Epic. The energetic handling, excellent traction and pedaling performance, and supple ride impress experts. Build-kit quality, especially on the Shimano builds, wins praise. Complaints are mostly minor. The SRAM brakes (Chisel) aren't up to the demands of racing and the suspension on the two base builds is fiddly to set up. The suspension and lightweight tires aren't well-suited to aggressive trails. Nonetheless, experts deem the Chisel, especially the higher-end Comp build, fantastic value as an affordable race-ready XC steed.Expert Reviews
88/100 based on 3 rated expert reviewsI Tested the New Specialized Chisel FS and It’s an Awesome ‘Economy Epic’ XC Mountain Bike for Cash-Strapped Speed Fiends
Specialized’s New Chisel Blends Price and Performance
First Impressions: Specialized Chisel Full Suspension
New Specialized Chisel Lightweight Alloy XC Bike | First Ride
Specialized Chisel FS: Not an Entry-Level Full Suspension Alloy Mountain Bike
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