[punkassean]

I picked up my new frame today. I was surprised to find the color different from the pics Specialized advertises but I actually like the real color better so I am stoked. This thing is unreal, the bottom bracket, main-pivot and lower half of the seat-stay is all a one-piece forging and there are ISCG tabs integrated as well. Every little detail is top-notch, from the Enduro-specific Cobra head-tube, to the interchangeable front shock-mounts that allow for 1º of head-angle adjustment. This thing is beefy, the tubes are large diameter and although the frame is not exactly light, it most definitely isn't heavy either. I'd guess around 7-7.5lb for the frame and shock. The only bummer is waiting for the Fox 36 RC2 and Deemax wheels which won't be here until early January .

I already bought a Saint short-cage rear der. and some XT 2-piece cranks as well as most everything else I need to finish it up. I still haven't decided on brakes but I think I'll go Saint there too. I am somewhat skeptical of the 5th rear shock and because it is a funky size (8.75x2.5") it could be hard to replace, but if it doesn't feel right I might try a 8.5x2.5" ti-sprung coil-over. If I run that with the steep shock shuttle, I don't think the geo would get thrown off. I am soooo excited!!!

 

[SirChomps-a-Lot]

Cobra head-tube

huh huh huh...

huh huh...

Specialized needs to fire their whole marketing dept.

 

[punkassean]

You don't like G.I. Joe







seriously though, the name is cheesy but if you look at it from the front it does resemble a big nasty cobra that's about to kill you.

marketing hype aside this thing is siiiiick!

 

[Toshi]

congrats on getting a non-kona

 

[punkassean]

congrats on getting a non-kona

It was hard but they just don't have the bike I wanted this year.

 

[FlipSide]

Sweet frame! Wow!

Did they effed up the writing on the downtube? Shouldn't it say "Forged ISCG BB" instead of "Forged ICSG BB"?

I guess the ICSG is the correct engrish orthograph for ISCG... ;

It reminds me of that "Iron Hoser" bike box...

 

[Ruprick]

Suh-weet!
I'm thinkin' along the same lines for a ride all day kind of bike.
Why are you skeptical about the shock?

 

[Beyr]

Wow, that is a awesome bike. Specialized has really stepped it up. Used to 'dislike' them, but I would love a demo 9 or a Enduro.

 

[Curb Hucker]

Looks nice Sean, too bad specialized spelled ISCG wrong

And dont worry about the shock size, just ask Brian what replacement shock you should get

 

[The Kadvang]

That color is amazing. Beautiful.

 

[DHS]

i like the new 5th air shock, definatly try it before you get rid of it.

 

[punkassean]

I will try out the stock shock for sure. I already have a Fox Vanilla RC in 8.5x2.5" from my Stinky Primo that I might bolt up for DH, I will also probably have it Pushed. Plus the .25" shorter eye-to-eye will slacken the steep-ish head-angle perfectly for that type of riding. I will check for proper clearance at full compression though before riding it with that shock.

I am just a little bit skeptical of the 5th because they had reliability issues when their air shocks first came out. I think they figured it all out by now but I can't help but be somewhat apprehensive.

Mostly I am dying to build this puppy up! I have thought of buying a Sherman Firefly just to tide me over 'til the 36 arrives. An urban camo Sherman would look really nice with the charcoal anodized.

 

[punkassean]

Funny about the ICSG thing . I think I can deal with that though!

 

[scurban]

Hmmm, I can't wait to see that thing in action. If you can ever get away from work to go ride! J/K. Seriously, that is going to be an Insaine set up with the fox/deemax/saint set up.... why no Saint cranks? What are you planning on putting up front? DRS, or SRS?

I am looking forward to seeing that thing built up in person!

 

[The Kadvang]

Wow... its gonna be beautiful. I'll have to make it over the hill to ride with you/check that baby out.

 

[punkassean]

Hmmm, I can't wait to see that thing in action. If you can ever get away from work to go ride! J/K. Seriously, that is going to be an Insaine set up with the fox/deemax/saint set up.... why no Saint cranks? What are you planning on putting up front? DRS, or SRS?

I am looking forward to seeing that thing built up in person!

I went with XT's over Saint since I had Saint's on my DH bike and never had a problem with them. That told me I didn't quite need that much crank! Plus XT's are about 150 or so grams lighter and I am trying to walk the line between durable and light with this build. Saints would have only cost me about $15 more but i really want to keep it trim. I did opt for the Saint derailluer though for it's ultra-gnar strength. The trickiest part of the build will be actually getting time off to ride the damn thing!

 

[punkassean]

Wow... its gonna be beautiful. I'll have to make it over the hill to ride with you/check that baby out.

werd up.

Anytime man. Well I should say anytime except from about 9am-7pm daily. Damn I work too much. I will have some time off over Xmas but not much

I want to head up to those jumps/drops I saw in the link in your sig, I forgot where exactly but somewhere on the peninsula.

 

[The Kadvang]

werd up.

Anytime man. Well I should say anytime except from about 9am-7pm daily. Damn I work too much. I will have some time off over Xmas but not much

I want to head up to those jumps/drops I saw in the link in your sig, I forgot where exactly but somewhere on the peninsula.

Haha... I'll hit you with a PM if I'm coming over. That stuff might be carlmont?

 

[surfinguru]

sean, you suck.....

Seriously though, that's gonna be one sweet setup. Can't wait to see it when you get it finshed.

 

[ioscope]

That's a beautiful bike! I think that true xc bikes are TOO light. What kind of trail could you ride down on a 20lb scandium bike with 1.8 tires and 3 inches of front travel and rims made out of one pop can each?

Gotta have at least 4 inches of travel, 25lbs 2.1 tires and 70-69 geo to get a bike ridable!

RANT about that guy who won a short track race on a crit bike!

 

[punkassean]

Rich,

Thank you. I dig the avatar monkey boy!

ioscope,

I agree except I'll go even further and say 28-30# is the minimum otherwise the bike feels squirrelly like a mo'fo'!

 

[Metal]

So do I get to dirt jump this one next time I bump into you.

 

[Incubus]

That frame is hot. And sounds like the build is going to be pimp.

 

[Tarpon]

That's a great looking frame. I'll be interested to hear how it rides.

 

[narlus]

i like the new 5th air shock, definatly try it before you get rid of it.

how does it compare w/ a pushed fox float? i've got an older enduro and i am thinking of getting the shock pushed.

 

[Gelbwurstbrot]

Does anybody know the exact frame weight with rear shock?

 

[Bikael Molton]

How much did that run you?

-rob in NY

 

[punkassean]

So do I get to dirt jump this one next time I bump into you.

HAHA!

Of course, I know I won't be transferring the big DJ packs at Whistler anytime soon, so it's only fair that the bike get put to use by someone with skills!

In fact I already have rough tentative dates for next year's trip. July 8-20th-ish

 

[punkassean]

How much did that run you?

-rob in NY

Retail on this puppy ain't cheap ($2,200) but Specialized's suggested prices are always higher than what the dealer actually sells them for. I got a special deal for which I am stoked!

 

[Zark]

So nice Sean, too bad you won't get to ride it in Nisene Marks. That sucks about the loss there. I guess Braille trail is a gonner then?

 

[punkassean]

So nice Sean, too bad you won't get to ride it in Nisene Marks. That sucks about the loss there. I guess Braille trail is a gonner then?

I just saw that thread, what bologna! The thing about SC is that all of the trials are illegal and people ride them anyway. I don't see how they think Niscene (specifically Demo) will be any different! This just ups the ante...Vive le resistance! :nuts:

 

[Jimmy_Pop]

dude, that frame rocks. i was at the LBS last night and was checking out the S-works Epic and Enduro. they are works of art and i agree that Specialized has really step'd up!

Your parts selection is top shelf and is gonna be the dopest one around.

joel

 

[punkassean]

I called Mavic today and it looks like Deemax will be in on Monday of next week. That means as soon as the fork gets here I can build this puppy up! I already have,

Saint rear derail.
Deore front derail.
XT 2-pc cranks
Thomson post
XTR shift cables
XTR chain
XT 11-34 cassette
King Headset

I think all I need to get now is,

E.13 DRS
24t 4-bolt ring
36t 4-bolt ring

Now all I have to do is decide if I should reuse any parts from my current bike or just go all new. If I go all new I could sell my bike complete and make things easy but if I part it out I will most likely get a little more money out of it. If I do get new parts, here's what I want,

Specialized Flatboy sealed pedals
Specialized Enduro 2bliss 2.4 tires
Saint Calipers w/XT 8" rotors
Saint levers (are these available yet?)
Shimano 9-speed pods
31.8 Pro-Tapers (any other suggestions, carbon maybe?)
31.8 50 or 70mm Thomson stem

 

[Curb Hucker]

31.8 50 or 70mm Thomson stem

31.8 is for sallies, buy my 70mm Thomson stem

 

[punkassean]

I thought it was sold? My buddy will trade my 90mm Thomson for his 70mm already, I want 31.8!

Do you know of any good 31.8 bars?

 

[Curb Hucker]

I thought it was sold? My buddy will trade my 90mm Thomson for his 70mm already, I want 31.8!

Do you know of any good 31.8 bars?

Buyer backed out. www.SICUSA.com has great 31.8 Bars. Ive got the LLs on my new bike, the geometry they use on their bars makes for a very stable feeling. Get a SIC stem while youre at it

 

[scurban]

I just saw that thread, what bologna! The thing about SC is that all of the trials are illegal and people ride them anyway. I don't see how they think Niscene (specifically Demo) will be any different! This just ups the ante...Vive le resistance! :nuts:

Every once in a while I run into this guy on the trials. He rides a SC Blur and is always sporting spandex. He shouts the same thing at me every time I see him, "Smoke Dope, Ride Illegal Trails!" I must admit, I dig his riding philosphy.

Theres not enough rangers to stop us. Bush is in office, and regardless what your opinions are on him, it means less money is going towards parks and rec. There probably won't be any new hires in the way of park rangers in the near future.

Sean I think you'll have no problem riding your Enduro where ever you Want!

By the way Lets ride Sonora when you get it built up.

 

[punkassean]

perret's ferry

I have been dreaming ever since the pics you guys posted!

 

[dlb]

To bad you didnt watch ebay, I just sold a set of Saint calipars, XT levers and rotors for $275.00. I sold them mainly because of there weight, about 650g a wheel, IMHO, just to heavy. Hope M6's weigh a little over 550, and the M4's I just got weigh less than 500g. Just changing the brakes my bike lost a hair over 1/2 pound of needless weight. Now if the Saints perform much better than than the Hopes, then maybe I could live with the extra mass, I never gave them a try though.

 

[punkassean]

Wow, I didn't know they were that heavy. I might be looking for something else then too. But not Hopes!