Issue: March 2002, pg. 40
Price: $3460 (frame only - $1510)
Purpose: Full suspension trailbike
Contact: Specialized (408) 779-6229
A Value
B Weight: 23.6 pounds
A Frame design
B Fork performance: RockShox SID Race w/lockout, 3.1" travel
B Rear Suspension: Fox Float RL w/lockout, Adjustable 3" or 3.5" travel
A Component selection
A Climbing performance
A Cornering ability
B Descending prowess
Test highlights: The Specialized is ready to race and win off the showroom floor. It's handling is nearly flawless. At speed the bar input is minimal and the FSRxc steers lightly. The Horst Leitner-designed, fully active rear suspension reacts to bumps even under hard pedaling and braking. The bump sensitivity of the Sid Race is easy to adjust and the fork is a perfect match for the Fox-sprung rear end. The S-Works doesn't work the trail, it FLOATS across it. With the fork and shock set to the fully active position the rider never feels that the suspension is costing pedal power. The Specialized Rockster tubeless tires are the lightest on the market and add horsepower to the riders spin. Our biggest complaint was that the oddly bent, 645mm bar felt too wide and steered too slow at grinding climbing speeds.
Best quote: "There's not a cross-country bike out there that will take you from point A to point B faster than the FSRxc. If you want to experience the benchmark full-suspension cross-country bike, this is it.
MBA's Bottom line: If you bought the best full-suspension frame and hand selected the components you'd be lucky if the bike was as good as the S-Works. You would have also spent at least twice as much money. At a going price of $3460 the Specialized is double the bike for the money.
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