Thoughts on Specialized P. Series

ryan/kona29 · Jan 5, 2006

all of the P.series bikes are great! get one

Spunger · Jan 5, 2006

I'll post some pics of mine, just got it built the other day.

Around the block impressions are that it is FAST. I am not use to a hardtail as the other 2 bikes I have are full suspension, but just riding around the thing takes off. I have a Minute 1:00 fork on it turned down to the 4" travel mode and it seems to be the best at 4" rather than 120mm or 130mm (basicly 5"). I had no issues building it up. Once I got the frame prepped by the bike shop everything bolted on as I figured it would. I just have to adjust my skills to using a hardtail for messing around then a full suspension.

Having a bike that sits low is a weird feeling, but I'm growing on it. I bought it to learn how to DJ and BMX on as BMX bikes hurt my knees. I run long cranks as I have a lot of lower leg power and 175's help with that. I have a P1, 2005 frame that I built up custom. I have to shorten the brake lines but ehhh.......haven't gotten around to that yet

I will though, just to make it right.

I got mine (frame and parts) for such good deals no one would have passed it up. I paid $170 for the frame (shipped to my door) brand new. I don't really like the part specs of the lower line P series but the P3 would be fine as it comes. I've adjusted to the nicer end of parts for bicycles so if it isn't of a high quality I don't want it. It's just the way I am with bikes. Too many bad experiences with cheapo parts.

By large forks, you mean dual crown? I dunno, it's pretty hairy riding it in the 5" travel mode. I couldn't imagine a shiver DC or something on one. That'd be real twitchy.

Muuqi · Jan 5, 2006

The P.3 is the top of the P series, and they are great bikes. I rode a second generation (black frame) p3 for two years until I broke it and got a 3rd gen (silver frame), which I eventually broke and got replaced with an 04 P.3 (blue frame). Yes I broke two frames, but they were the older models and they have since been redesigned from year to year and have gotten nothing but better. They do sit rather low, which does take some getting used to as someone stated above, but once you get used to it, you can ralley the bike like no other. I dunno about putting a super long travel fork on a P.3 tho, they're not really designed around much more than 125mm or so, and I usually had about 85 to 95mm forks on mine. I did run a pike on my last one and whenever I cranked the travel up to 145mm the bike felt really weird. Just my two cents worth. . .

Spunger · Jan 5, 2006

P1, P2, and P3 in that order of worst to best (well least expensive to most expensive). P3 is the highest end one, has gears, hydro brakes and such, P2 has cable brakes, cheaper fork and parts and the P1 is a singlespeed with a cheapo fork.

I got lucky finding the frame for cheap. The rest of the parts sorta came cheap too. I have a fairly light build (FSA cranks/Headset/Bottom Bracket/Seatpost, Minute 1:00 fork, XT disc hubs, singletrack rims, Hayes Mag brakes, E.13 SRS, Shimano XT/105 stuff). It's light that's all I know.

The way it's set up is ment for a 100mm fork or around there. I imagine anything over 5" and the steering would get very sketchy. I think on alot of hardtails where you see Boxxers or 888's/shivers on the steering has to be funny. Not only is it tall in the front but probably has a chopper feel to it. The way my P1 is now doesn't feel completly like that, but comming from my other bikes it's a different feel. Just pedaling it around takes a few laps to get use to.

I got the longer of the 2. They offer a short and long on their bike sizes. Short being more for street and long more towards racing I think. The only difference was like a hair longer chainstay I think. So it didn't bother me. The rear wheel is right there under you. That might be the weird feeling as my other bikes it isn't that close to your behind. But I like it. I wouldn't have done it different any other way.

Changleen · Jan 5, 2006

Be sure to get the 06. It's a significant design improvement over the older models.

Spunger · Jan 6, 2006

clandestine said:
what was ure experience with the manitou minute, i hear everyone is raving about the marz dj series.

I am only using the Minute fork because I got it new, and it was $135. I imagine anyone would run it for that price

So far it's pretty stiff, but I have 100psi in it and the air chamber knob turned down 3 turns playing with it. It is definately harder than normal.

If it messes up though I'll either get a gold label or a DJ fork from zocchi

Boxxer · Jan 6, 2006

Ive got an 06 P3, and shes treating me very very well. Got saint brakes and goodridge lines with a few other parts thrown in.... shes sweet

ryan/kona29 · Jan 6, 2006

Boxxer said:
Ive got an 06 P3, and shes treating me very very well. Got saint brakes and goodridge lines with a few other parts thrown in.... shes sweet

you lucky sun of a *****

i want that bike:angry:

boostindoubles · Jan 6, 2006

yea the old p. series bikes were a bit lacking for me to get into them. I havent seen the 06's. maybe theyre better?

Changleen · Jan 6, 2006

There's a piccy in one of the other threads in this (BMX) forum.

Bicyclist · Jan 7, 2006

Definately get the long. The short is ridiculously short and there is mad toe overlap.

Changleen · Jan 7, 2006

Bicyclist said:
Definately get the long. The short is ridiculously short and there is mad toe overlap.

Unless you used to ride BMX in which case you'll probably prefer it.

Each to their own.

Bicyclist · Jan 7, 2006

I used to ride BMX and still prefer the long. To me, the short is just too cramped. The long actually feels more manuverable because I've got space to move around. Plus, the long isn't really very long.

MOTODH · Jan 7, 2006

Boxxer said:
Ive got an 06 P3, and shes treating me very very well. Got saint brakes and goodridge lines with a few other parts thrown in.... shes sweet

pics?

Boxxer · Jan 7, 2006

MOTODH said:
pics?

Hurricane Wilma and my digi cam didnt mix well.... :help:

Im shopping for a new one, maybe a DSCH1 from sony.

Weaver · Jan 7, 2006

Changleen said:
Unless you used to ride BMX in which case you'll probably prefer it.

Each to their own.

i come from bmx and i prefer the long... have the SX in long too... short Pbike seemed tiny.... i run a 21.5TT on my bmx with an XL or XXL stem though... (6 foot)

just bought a complete P1 from a guy that never rode it... immediately stripped it and spray painted it black... and prepared to "make it my own" with my parts...

Long '05 P1 frame
Fox float 100R
profile cranks, mrp boomerang, imperial 37t chainwheel
atomic pedals
hadley trials rear hub on singletrack rim
ultegra road cassette
ultegra short cage rear der
XT shifter
ODI lock ons
ritchey bars/truvativ stem
thomson post/nirve seat
Holy rollers

light, stiff, and fast

pbr · Jan 8, 2006

I just picked up an 06. I'll have more stuff posted on my site soon. here's a pic.

to see images of the stock P.3 go to Specialized's website.

Weaver · Jan 8, 2006

here is my current build... almost done... ultegra der and cassette... XT shifter... and shimano chain to be added... plus two perty little orange rollers on my MRP chainguide that is hiding in flat black...

it will get my larsens on race days... and a hope mini rear brake when i get the chance... other than that its pretty good to go

Bicyclist · Jan 8, 2006

Weaver said:
here is my current build... almost done... ultegra der and cassette... XT shifter... and shimano chain to be added... plus two perty little orange rollers on my MRP chainguide that is hiding in flat black...

it will get my larsens on race days... and a hope mini rear brake when i get the chance... other than that its pretty good to go

That build looks awesome. I really like the way that thing looks.

Weaver · Jan 8, 2006

thanks...im happy with it so far... ill post some pics when its done in the next couple days...

Bicyclist · Jan 9, 2006

clandestine said:
hey what is the price range
$1200+ 15% tax CAN. reasonable for a P.2?

nice build btw

For a 2006 or a previous model? New or used? The range could be $400-$1000 USD.

pbr · Jan 10, 2006

clandestine said:
hey im really interested in the P.Series
looking at the new 06 P.2
comments on any P's would be appreciated
pics would help as well.
has anyone put larger forks on it, if so how did it go? any dents in frame, etc.

I posted a bit on my website about my new 2006 P.3. Hope it helps.
As for forks, I'd recommend a Pike or Talus 36. I would recommend running the travel at around 90-110mm. I would't recommend a dual crown fork at all. That's so 1997.

http://www.ihatebikes.net/pages/P3_firstlook.html

surfinguru · Jan 10, 2006

Picked up a long '06 P2 about 6 - 8 weeks ago. Put a Talas RLC on there and am loving it. Bought it for urban and to learn to dj a little better. (It's not much fun trying to urban a 44lb fully)

Spunger · Jan 10, 2006

I'll get some pics of my 05, I just finished building it

05 long P1 (sand color)
04 Minute 1:00 fork with the newer minute internals set at 100mm
FSA Pig Pro headset, FSA cranks, FSA Seatpost (the dh one), FSA BB
Sic 50mm stem
Protaper Bars
Shimano XT shifter, 105 rear short cage
XT disc hubs laced to Sun Singletracks
IRC Kujo tires (just what I had around)
Hayes 6" Mag Hydros
E.13 guide

How do the Hollyrollers fit in the rear? My 2.25 kujo's cut it close. I know maxxis run small but what's the clearence like?

Bicyclist · Jan 11, 2006

Spunger said:
How do the Hollyrollers fit in the rear? My 2.25 kujo's cut it close. I know maxxis run small but what's the clearence like?

I think they'd be fine, my friend runs an Intense Worldcup 2.5 on the rear with no problems.

MOTODH · Jan 11, 2006

damn that 06 looks awesome :drool:

Weaver · Jan 13, 2006

almost done.... ive got the wrong 6 cogs on the back... and need some major linkage out of the chain... but its feelin good so far...

Thoughts on Specialized P. Series

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