First Rides: Specialized Status 2
Swinging a Leg Over the Big S' Budget DH Bike
Words by Morgan Taylor. Photos by Morgan Taylor.
Date: 2012-01-12
First Ride: 2012 Specialized Status 2
New for 2012, the Status replaces the BigHit in Specialized's lineup as the less expensive alternative to their Demo series. Slacker, lower, and smoothed out compared to its predecessor – all traits that bring it closer to the Demo in design – the Status is a ready-to-rock race, bike park, and shuttle machine.
Replacing the long-tenured BigHit series, the Status gives Specialized's budget DH bike a fresh look and updated geometry: a full degree slacker head tube at 64.5º, a 10mm lower bottom bracket, and 1/2" more rear travel.
The Status takes cues from Specialized's top end DH bike, the Demo, in both aesthetics and geometry. Its head tube angle sits right between its big brother's high and low settings. With this in mind, the Status keeps its wheels planted firmly on the ground, soaking up trail bumps like kitty litter on motor oil... or something like that.
Controlling the Status' 200mm of FSR travel – half an inch more than the BigHit – is an 8.75" x 2.75" Fox Van RC shock.
The Status retains the BigHit's 135x10 bolt on rear wheel. This may be a compromise in terms of stiffness, but simplicity and replacemant part availability are your payback, as well as the lower sticker price. On the trail, rear end stiffness doesn't seem to be an issue so this may be a moot point.
The crank arms have been shortened to 165mm, offsetting the lower bottom bracket height. On the two rides this bike has seen so far, pedal strike has not been an issue except on a couple of heavy landings—probably a good sign for the potential buyers of this bike who want it long and low.
The build is decidedly gravity-oriented, with an 11-28 cassette, 165mm cranks, and 300mm seatpost. In the bargain DH/park bike category, durability wins out over weight savings. The Status isn't a lightweight by any means, with 32mm wide 36 spoke wheels, dual ply Butcher DH tires, and the steel-stanchioned Domain dual crown – traits that speak to your inner beefcake.
The Status was designed to plow, and plow it does. A little warmup on 7th secret before some old school DH lines on Fromme. Mouseover for mini-gif action. Photo ~ Lyle Vallie
A welcome update from the BigHit is the full 1.5" headtube, allowing the use of any fork you like. The Status 1 uses a 170mm X-Fusion single crown with a tapered steerer, while the Domain dual crown is a 1-1/8" steerer, which allows you to use an angle set to tweak the geometry.
The RockShox Domain R dual crown is a popular fork on budget-conscious DH bikes for 2012. With Boxxer lowers and steel stanchions with coil spring internals, this should prove to be a reliable, albeit heavy fork. An eventual upgrade may be an RC cartridge to match the shock's compression adjustment.
Avid Elixir 5 brakes sit on a 750mm riser bar, and a 9-speed X5 shifter moves an X7 derailleur out back. These are trustworthy mid-range components, though it would be nice to see the Elixir 5S levers spec'd to allow tool-free reach adjust and MatchMaker compabitibility.
With one of the longest names in the industry, Specialized is able to create a full length zebra stripe downtube on the Status.
| Frame |
M4 hydroformed tubing, 1.5" forged HT, ISCG mounts, 135mm rear spacing, full cartridge bearing pivots, 200mm travel |
| Rear Shock |
Fox Van RC, coil w/piggy back, compression and rebound adj., 8.75x2.75", S:450, M:500, L:550 |
| Fork |
RockShox Domain Dual Crown R, 200mm travel, Coil oil, Rebound adjustable, alloy steerer, 20mm Maxle |
| Headset | Semi-integrated alloy cups for 1.5" HT and 1-1/8" steerer, cartridge bearings |
| Rear Der. | Sram X7, 9 Speed, short cage |
| Shifters | Sram X5, 9-speed, Trigger Shifter |
| Levers | Avid Elixir 5 hydraulic |
| Brakes | Avid Elixir 5, hydraulic disc, metallic pad, HS-1 rotor, 200mm F / 180mm R |
| Cranks | FSA Gravity Moto-X MegaExo, forged solid arms, 165mm, 36T steel chainring |
| BB | FSA MegaExo, outboard cartridge bearing, 73mm shell |
| Chainguide | Specialized Status |
| Bar | Specialized Demo low-rise bar, 750mm wide, 9º backsweep, 6º upsweep |
| Stem | Specialized Direct-Mount stem, 40mm length, 31.8mm, 4-bolt, forged |
| Pedals | Alloy platform (not shown in photos) |
| Post | 6061 alloy, two bolt micro adjust, no offset, 30.9mm, 300mm |
| Saddle | Specialized DH, 8mm steel rails |
| Front Hub | Specialized Hi Lo disc, sealed cartridge bearing, 20mm thru-axle, 36h |
| Rear Hub | Specialized Hi Lo disc, sealed cartridge bearing, 10mm bolt-on, 36h |
| Chain | SRAM 9-speed w/ PowerLink |
| Cassette | Sram PG-950, 9-speed, 11-28 T |
| Spokes | Stainless, 2.0mm (14g) |
| Rims | P-Disc, 32mm, 36h |
| Tires |
Specialized Butcher DH, DH casing, wire bead, soft dual-compound, 26x2.3" |
With its 64.5º head tube angle and 8" of FSR suspension out back, the Status is a very stable and confident descender. Specialized tells us the leverage curves have been flattened out to make the Status a more plush riding and race-worthy bike than the BigHit. This brings us further toward a bike that rides itself on slow tech, and handles fast steep sections without inducing pucker.
Overall the Status 2 is a decently equipped gravity machine that is a refreshing update from the BigHit. The biggest difference will likely be felt in the lower bottom bracket and modified suspension curve, a move that makes the Status feel more like its successful big brother, the Demo.
The Status was unveiled at Crankworx last year; Matt Dennison shot a video with Joe Buckley of Specialized giving us an overview of the bike:
MSRP for the 2012 Specialized Status 2 is $2999 CDN; its more modestly-equipped sibling, the Status 1, goes for $2399 CDN; and a frame only with Van RC shock is $1799.
We'll be doing a more involved review of the Status 2 in the coming months. Do you like the look of it? Could this be your budget DH race bike for 2012? What's your status on the Status?
Comments
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It's certaintly a very good looking bike. As someone who is looking at a Demo 8 but doesn't necessarily agree with the price tag and doesn't race competitively, I'm very interested to see future articles about this bike.
curious what the weigh ended up actualy being ???
thats a sexy bike thou, nice job big S.
The BB looks slightly higher than the Demo. I'm considering a swop as pedal strikes are a right pain.
I really like the look of this bike. Great shots as usual too Morgan.
Do you know if this bike will be offered as a frame only?
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Originally Posted by Cheez1ts
(Post 2607282)
Do you know if this bike will be offered as a frame only?
|
Lol. Rookie:
"MSRP for the 2012 Specialized Status 2 is $2999 CDN; its more modestly-equipped sibling, the Status 1, goes for $2399 CDN; and a frame only with Van RC shock is $1799."
Other than the horrible name looks like another sweet ride from Specialized. Status? Do they have a rapper naming these things now?
Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww
seems Specialized have done it again with their new Status!
the influence of the original Big Hit here in the UK cannot be denied, SBC UK sold 100s of frames and bikes every season starting in 2002, they literally could not get enough stock to satisfy demand
the 2002 Big Hit frame (with Fox Vanilla RC) shock cost me just GBP£600 (approx $940 CAN)
even the dealer had to double check with SBC UK that they didn't have the retail and trade prices confused??
considering the nearest quality FSR four-bar was probably the Intense M1 selling at GBP£2000 for the frame....
...the Big Hit was crazy cheap and allowed me to put together a tricked out big travel bike for less than GBP£2000 with Marzocchi super t pro fork, custom wheels, Hayes brakes, Easton and Race Face finishing kit, etc.
amazing rig for FR stunts
http://lp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb342965/p4pb342965.jpg
and for DH racing, won some trophies on my Big Hit
http://lp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb2905480/p4pb2905480.jpg
any affordable long travel bike with solid warranty like the Status, that gets new riders into the sport, and helps existing riders add an affordable big travel bike to their stable, gets a huge thumbs up from me!
good value as a complete.....
as a frame, not so much.....
doe this frame made in USA ???
Nice looking bike...but $3100 US for the Status or $3300 US for a Kona Operator with a Boxxer, Code's & MTX's with a 12x150 rear axle?
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Originally Posted by IFO
(Post 2607280)
curious what the weigh ended up actualy being ???
|
is this really a big deal when most companies have offered a <$3500 DH option forever?
Especially when the bikes that are currently available are the same frames as the expensive builds.
I would much rather buy say a lower model Aurum and then upgrade the parts as they break.
Most companies have crash replacement/upgrade programs anyway.
Sorry gang this bike/concept is a no sale for me. I am not surprised that the big S is masking their desire to sell more bikes in the form of "helping" out the consumer.
How long are the parts on the $2400 model gonna last if you ride it as intended?
I'm sure the wheels are amazing!
Sorry kids, but maybe elsewhere in the world but not around here where after 6 months you can buy a top line Sam Hill bike used for $3000.
The frame only option may be a good idea, we will see if it holds up first!
It's a Sx trail more than a demo maybe?
Interesting bike. Departmentstorepricing for a Taiwanese Sweatshopoffering is way off...
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