|
The SX Trail and the P.Series |
And on to the smaller-travel bikes in the '06 Specialized line...
SX TRAIL
The SX Trail made a big splash last year,
and this year it's back for more. That year has led to a few refinements -
including a little more travel in the rear. Another new feature on these frames
is the cold forged aluminum at key stress points, to increase strenght and
stiffness.
The Trail frame has a low center of gravity, and is part of the Enduro series of bikes. According to Brandon Sloan of Specialized, it's a different frame from the other Enduros, though, with its own unique geometry and more rear travel.
It gets a forged headtube, pierced seattube, sealed cartridge bearings, ISCG mount, two forward shock mounts for geometry adjustment, a replaceable derailleur hanger, a derailleur guard, and 6.6" (167mm) of rear travel. That's mated with a 160mm front fork, which means a slightly higher BB than last year.
Head angle changes from 68.5° to 69.5° by changing the front mounting shuttles. The bike can also be set up for serious Shore or park riding, with enough room for a 2.4" Specialized rear tire (which is wider than many 2.5s). Both of the bikes in this series get full SRAM drivetrains.
The '06 SX Trail II, with Fox suspension on the front and rear. And yes, it
does only have one front ring
| SX Trail II |
Frame: A1 Premium Aluminum, ORE TT/DT, forged HT, 6.6" travel |
The Trail has been quite popular with people who are looking for that characteristic four-bar ride without a ton of weight or travel. nsmb team rider Ryan Newman rode his to a first-place victory at the Crankworx 4X event, and Darren Berrecloth won two Slopestyle events on his custom baby blue Trail. |
 Close-up of the Trail rear linkage |
| SX Trail I |
| US Specs / Canadian Specs |
Frame: A1 Premium Aluminum, ORE TT/DT, forged HT, 6.6" travel |
Bearclaw all dressed up in his official Specialized outfit, telling the media
how much he likes the Trail
| SX Trail Frame |
Frame: A1 Premium Aluminum, ORE TT/DT, forged HT, 6.6" travel |
 The Trail rear end, complete with derailleur protector |
One of the things that gives me a big, warm fuzzy feeling about the bike industry is when manufacturers make refinements to their products that will improve performance and benefit the user. Case in point - Specialized's rear derailleur protector. It's not the first one out there, but it's a good idea for so many reasons, not the least of which are added stiffness and keeping your derailleur from getting knocked off. |
P.SERIES
The venerable P.Series DJ / park / urban bikes still kicking it in '06, but they get a new frame design, most noticeably a different seattube / toptube junction that now has a large gusset for added support and strength.
Other features of the frame include double butted downtube and headtube, the forged/releived "Cobra" headtube, an ISCG BB, 6mm offset rear triangle, and forged horizontal drop-outs with integrated chain tensioner and replaceable derailleur hanger.
There's also a Cr-Mo steel frame available, with double butted toptube / downtube, a machined headtube, ISCG BB, 6mm offset rear traingle with forged horizontal drop-outs, and a CNC'd replacable alloy derailleur hanger.
The P.3, looking a little out of place on the grass at Wilder
| P.3 |
Frame: 6061-T6 alloy, double-butted downtube / toptube, forged/releived
headtube |
| P.2 |
Frame: 6061-T6 alloy, double-butted downtube / toptube, forged/releived
headtube |
I love the thoughtful touches from manufacturers, but I also dig the proverbial tips of the hat to coolness. Take, for example, the skulls on the downtube of the new P.3. Everybody knows that bikes go faster when they have skulls on them. Right? |
 Relax, Mom, it's just a picture |
| P.2 Cr-Mo |
Frame: 100% Cr-Mo, double butted TT/DT, machined HT |
| P.1 |
| US Specs / Canadian Specs |
Frame: 100% Cr-Mo, 26" front/24"rear, double
butted DT/TT |
| P.Series P.Street |
Frame: 100% Cr-Mo, 24" wheel, double butted and
manipulated toptube / downtube, Internally relieved head tube with weld
on rotor plate, 110mm rear spacing and 3D forged horizontal drop outs
for
14mm
axles |
I'll finish with this. Three days at Specialized gives you a good idea of how committed these people are to building a quality product. Everyone believes in what they are doing, and are serious about offering people the best riding experience possible. They also cut loose on occasion. We celebrated Ned Overend's 50th birthday while we were down there, and everyone had a great time - journalists and Specialized people alike. I'll stop there before I get too sentimental.
Specialized founder and president Mike Sinyard shares a laugh
with brand manager Ben Capron (inventor of the Marinovate brake, a precursor
to the V-brake). And
that was
before they'd had beers.
My carbon lust isn't a big secret. I seem to mention it with great frequency, considering this is a freeride site. But how could I resist when there are bikes like this S-Works Epic carbon full suspension bike lying around? Definitely a thing of beauty...
The S-Works Epic carbon - for those with a serious carbon fixation, and really,
really deep pockets
So there you have it - a sampling of the Specialized 2006 bike line. Talk to your local dealer for prices and availability, and go to the Specialized site if you want even more details.
Cam and I are getting set to head off to Lost Wages on Sunday for the annual Interbike show. We'll be posting daily updates (or near-daily updates if there are too many late nights). So stay tuned for other new bikes and gear.
Until then...
