Working away in the shadows of the successful Specialized Demo line of downhill and black-diamond bikes is the Specialized 7.5-inch-travel BigHit. Totally redesigned for 2009, the BigHit is available in three models that range in price from the $2000 BigHit FSR 1 to our $3000 BigHit FSR III. Developed to be a solid-performing park bike at an entry-level price, the BigHit’s role is to fall in line between the Specialized Demo 8 downhill racer and the versatile 6.7-inch-travel SX Trail. The 2009 BigHit FSR III features a rocker link suspension, a lower standover height, and more seatpost adjustment.



RELIABLE BUILD
The BigHit FSR III features a RockShox Domain 318 single-crown fork with a 20-millimeter thru-axle and tapered alloy steerer tube. The attractive, white BigHit frame has blue highlights, is equipped with a Fox DHX 4.0 coil shock, and utilizes full-cartridge bearings and ISCG chainguide mounts. The cockpit consists of Specialized’s own BigHit 26.7-inch-wide handlebar, 35-millimeter Aggro stem, Enduro saddle and thin lock-on grips.


The new BigHit frame features a tapered head tube.

SUSPENSION SETUP
Dialing in the coil-sprung front and rear suspension of the BigHit III is a snap. The size medium frame comes with a 450-pound spring, which is perfect for a rider weighing around 170 pounds with gear. For optimum suspension performance, give yourself 20-percent sag in the shock. This will provide quality traction, small-bump performance, and the ability to hold corners at speed.

Last year, we were impressed with the performance of the budget-minded RockShox Domain 318 fork; however, we felt the stock spring was on the soft side. This time around, the spring was spot on, and most likely due to a slightly raised oil height for 2009. For aggressive riding, our best results came with the compression wide open. And when trail riding, we added a couple of clicks of low-speed compression atop the right fork leg.


The BigHit's supple suspension soaks up trail obstacles with ease.

SHUTTLE TIME
Ergonomics: Your first time aboard the new BigHit you’ll appreciate the inviting 29.5-inch standover height, but the 26.7-inch-wide handlebar feels a bit narrow for aggressive riders.

Pedaling: The BigHit FSR pedals well for a bike with nearly eight inches of travel. The Fox DHX 4.0 coil shock is custom-tuned for the BigHit's FSR telemetry and has 15 clicks of ProPedal platform adjustment. For optimum suspension performance, we ran five clicks of platform. On a bike like the BigHit with a single chainring and chainguide, the downhill suspension performance ultimately trumps pedaling efficiency.


MBA's Ryan Cleek takes to the air aboard the BigHit 3.

Braking: Specialized has the clout to ask component suppliers for modifications to production products. They used this clout with Avid. The Avid Elixir R SL brakes on the BigHit feature hydraulic calipers, plus an eight-inch front and a seven-inch rear rotor. The “custom” aspect of the Elixir R SLs is that they use a mix of metallic and organic pads and a color specific to Specialized.

The Elixir brakes are downright awesome. They have a new lever-reach dial on the perch that’s easy to use, and they have the power to stop a downhill-like rig, yet are light enough for trailbike use.

Descending: Air shock technology continues to improve; however, when it comes to going big and riding downhill, the supple feel of coil suspension still gets you the most suspension performance for your dollar. Over extremely technical downhill terrain at speed, the BigHit’s FSR suspension conjures up sensations of Specialized’s impressive Demo downhill bike line. When coming into a rocky section, or hitting braking bumps entering a corner, the rear end stays active when on the binders. The RockShox Domain fork broke in and was very supple after a couple hours of ride time. And after proper sag was set in the shock, the front and rear of the bike cycled through travel in harmony.

It is important to note that long-travel, single-crown forks are twitchier at speed, especially when riding technical terrain. It requires more rider concentration to ride the same trails with a single-crown fork that one can rip down with a dual-crown downhill fork. Dedicated downhillers interested in the BigHit III might want to slap on a wider handlebar for improved downhill performance.

For 2009, Specialized introduces their SX line of tires. These are aggressive, dual-ply treads, lighter than their downhill-specific tires, and are ideal for aggressive riding on shorter travel bikes. The Chunder SX tires offer good braking bite and are fast rolling. The Chunder downhill-specific tires are some of our favorites and are underrated. We rode the SX Chunders as hard as the downhill versions and barely noticed a difference.


From berms to switchbacks, the BigHit's nimble feel makes changing direction a cinch.

Cornering: One of the perks of a seven-inch-travel, single-crown fork is the ability to clear tight singletrack switchbacks. We were able to make several corners on our favorite downhill shuttles that usually give us fits. The supple front and rear suspension performance, combined with the quality side knob bite of the Chunder tires, gives a rider confidence to lean the bike over and let it hang out when changing direction.

NICKS AND NOTES
A bike that is built to handle gnarly downhill trails at bike parks needs a handlebar wider than 26.7 inches. Throwing on a 28-inch handlebar would slow down the BigHit’s steering slightly, taking away the jerky tendencies of the long-travel, single-crown fork and making the bike more stable on steep trails.

According to Specialized’s spec, the BigHit FSR III is sold with their new Clutch tire; however, ours featured the Chunder. The Chunder has a more versatile tread pattern.

Our out-of-the-box test bike didn’t have a chainstay protector, and it took a beating in that area. The Specialized website shows the BigHit III with a protector, so check with your local shop and make sure a chainstay protector is included.

IT’S A HIT
Specialized’s BigHit FSR III is likely going to be just what its name implies. Riders looking for a rugged, downhill-capable bike with durable components and proven suspension performance need look no further, and racers could easily slap on a dual-crown fork like a RockShox Boxxer Race, and be pleased with the bike’s performance every weekend.
Kudos to Specialized for giving riders a premium long-travel “resort” bike at a reasonable price. Instead of buying a two-year-old used downhill bike for about the same price as the BigHit III, someone can get their hands on a new bike with proven components and Specialized’s warranty.

SPECIALIZED BIG HIT FSR III
Price  $3000
Country of origin  Taiwan
Weight  40.4 pounds
Hotline   (877) 808-8154
Frame tested  Medium
Bottom bracket height 14.5"
Chainstay length 17"
Top tube length  21.8"
Head tube angle   65.5°
Seat tube angle  71.5°
Standover height  29.5"
Wheelbase  46"
Suspension travel (front)  7"
Suspension travel (rear)  7.5"
Frame material  Aluminum
Fork  RockShox Domain 318
Shock   Fox Shox DHX 4.0
Rims   DT Swiss F550
Tires   Specialized Chunder SX
Hubs   Specialized Hi-Lo disc, Specialized disc (r)
Brakes   Avid Elixir R SL
Brake levers   Avid Elixir
Crankset   Truvativ Hussefelt
Shifters   SRAM X-7
Rear derailleur   SRAM X-9
Chainrings   Truvativ 36T
Cassette   Shimano HG5011-34
Pedals   Specialized Lo-Pro alloy