Intro
When considering a new mountain bike, there are so many similar-looking bikes on the market being made by so many different companies, it is virtually impossible to (1) know where to begin; (2) quickly figure out which one or two products from a given brand might work well for you; and (3) determine what products from other brands might be the most similar and also worth considering.
In our “Blister Brand Guide” series, we provide an overview of the entire product lineup of a brand and highlight how each product stands out from the rest to help you find the best women’s mountain bike or men’s best mountain bike for you.
In our individual product reviews, we go very deep into the details of particular products. With these Brand Guides, the goal is not Depth, but Breadth. Our Brand Guides and full reviews are designed to complement each other — provide a broad overview of entire company lineups, and then also very detailed reviews of individual products. First up on the MTB side is Specialized, and stay tuned as we roll out a ton of other Brand Guides over the coming weeks.
Our mountain bike Brand Guides are presented by CBGTrails. Learn more and start planning your trip today at cbgtrails.com, then download the CBG Trails app for info on the 750+ miles of singletrack and 150+ trails in Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley, Colorado.
About Specialized
Started in 1974, Specialized was heavily involved in early mountain-bike development. As one of the largest bicycle manufacturers, they’ve had a massive influence on the whole industry. They make mountain bikes across the entire price spectrum, so people looking to try out mountain biking for the first time and the fastest racers in the world can all consider Specialized.
They are currently based in Morgan Hill, California, USA.
Current Warranty (for all Specialized products sold after July 1st, 2018)
- Lifetime warranty to the original owner against structural defects in material or workmanship on ALL models of Specialized-branded frames, forks, and Roval wheels (Specialized’s wheel brand).
- Five-year warranty on suspension attachment points and related equipment (pivot points, bushings, chain stays, seat stays, shock links, fasteners) on bikes sold after 2008.
- If you’re the second, or later, owner of a Specialized or Roval product, you are eligible for a two-year warranty from the date of the original retail purchase.
- For more information, visit Specialized.
Specialized’s Suspension Design: FSR (originally stood for Future Shock Rear)
(For more on different suspension designs, see our Suspension 101 article)
Before we get into their specific models and build options, here are some things to keep in mind when deciding on which build level to go with, and why.
First, when looking at complete bikes, suspension and wheels are going to make the biggest difference in how a bike really rides. Spend money on those before other things like higher-end drivetrain parts, cockpit parts (e.g., stem, handlebars, etc.), cranks, etc.
Tires make an enormous difference in performance, but are cheaper and easier to upgrade, especially since they tend to wear down quicker than other components. Upgrading a lower-end front tire to something better — and saving the original for rear-tire use — can be a good way to improve a bike while still making use of the originals, since front tires are generally a lot more important than rear tires when it comes to traction.
Drivetrain parts can be upgraded piecemeal as they wear out, or if you just want to upgrade down the line. Higher-end cassettes are mostly just lighter, while higher-end shifters and derailleurs get lighter, smoother, and sometimes last a bit longer as you go up in price.
We’ll outline here the different models in Specialized’s MTB lineup, organized from most cross-country-oriented (XC) to downhill-oriented (DH). In other words, the bikes at the top of the list are optimized to pedal and climb uphill very well, while the bikes at the bottom are optimized to handle very rough, steep, and challenging descents very well.
We’ve included some notable information for each model:
Available build kits & their MSRP
- Best Budget Build: These are the build kits that we think make the most sense for people trying to spend the least amount without ending up with a build that’s going to immediately break or need to be upgraded.
- Most Performance for the Price: These are the build kits that we think make the most sense for people seeking the best balance of performance and cost. I.e., if you don’t need to get the cheapest bike, but you also don’t need the absolute lightest bike or all the newest bling, this is the build we think makes sense for you.
- Suspension travel (e.g., 100 mm of travel, 130 mm of travel, etc.)
- Wheel size (e.g., 27.5”, 27.5+, 29”)
- Frame material options (e.g., alloy vs. carbon)
- A brief description of what the bike was designed for and any notable design details.
- Some of the bike’s most direct competitors from other brands
- Which Specialized bike it’s most similar to
- Reasons why you should buy it
- Reasons why you should not buy it
Specialized Mountain Bikes
(Most Cross-Country-Oriented to Most Downhill-Oriented)
- Front: 80/90/100 mm (XS, S, M-XL)
- Rear: Hardtail
- 26", 27.5", or 29"
- Alloy
Specialized’s entry-level XC hardtail. Size-specific front suspension on each model (smaller sizes get less front travel and vice-versa). XXS size available with 26” wheels, XS-M sizes available with 27.5” wheels, and S-XXL sizes available in 29” wheels.
Consider If:
- You are a beginner looking to get into the sport
- You plan on riding relatively mellow, smooth trails
- You are on a tight budget
Don’t Bother If:
- The trails you plan on riding are rough, steep, and/or loose
- You want a bike that is forgiving on the downhills
- You’re willing to spend more for more all-around performance
- Rockhopper 26: $600
- Rockhopper 27.5: $600
- Rockhopper 29: $600
- Sport 26: $700
- Sport 27.5: $700
- Sport 29: $700
- Comp 27.5: $850
- Comp 29: $850
- Elite 27.5: $1,050 – Best Budget Build
- Elite 29: $1,050 – Best Budget Build
- Expert 27.5: $1,250 – Most Performance for the Price
- Expert 29: $1,250 – Most Performance for the Price
- Trek Marlin & X-Caliber
- Giant Talon
- Kona Hardtails
- Cannondale Trail / Tango
- Scott Aspect
- Rocky Mountain Fusion & Soul
- Norco Storm & Fluid HT
- Front: 100 mm (80 mm on XS sizes)
- Rear: Hardtail
- 29"
- Alloy
Specialized’s budget-oriented XC race hardtail. A great option for those who are looking for an efficient XC race bike, but the Epic Hardtail is out of your price range. Each model is compatible with a 30.9 mm dropper post.
More like the Epic Hardtail than the Rockhopper.
Consider If:
- You are a beginner looking to get into the sport
- You are looking to race XC and want an entry-level race bike
- You are on a budget
Don’t Bother If:
- You want to ride or race steep, technical, and bumpy trails
- You like a bike that is forgiving on descents
- You are willing to spend some more money for more overall performance
- Chisel: $1,600 – Best Budget Build
- Comp: $1,900 – Most Performance for the Price
- LTD Frameset: $1,500
- Trek X-Caliber
- Giant Fathom 29
- Kona Kahuna
- Scott Aspect
- Front: 100 mm (80 mm on XS sizes)
- Rear: Hardtail
- 29"
- Carbon
Specialized’s XC Race Hardtail was redone for model year 2020 to be lighter, faster, and more forgiving.
More like the Epic than the Chisel.
Consider If:
- You appreciate a lightweight hardtail that climbs well
- You ride or race XC-style on relatively smoother trails
Don’t Bother If:
- You often ride or race steep, technical, and bumpy trails
- You want a bike that is forgiving on descents
- Epic Hardtail: $2,200
- Comp: $2,800 – Best Budget Build
- Expert: $4,500
- Pro: $5,800 – Most Performance for the Price
- S-Works: $10,000
- S-Works Frameset: $2,700
- Trek Procaliber
- Scott Scale
- Giant XTC
- Pivot Les
- Santa Cruz Highball
- Canyon Exceed
- Cannondale F-Si
- Ibis DV9
- Norco Revolver HT
- Mondraker Chrono & Podium
- Front: 100 mm
- Rear: 100 mm
- 29"
- Carbon
Updated for the 2021 lineup, the new Epic is lighter and features updated suspension kinematics and more descent-friendly geometry. Features Specialized’s proprietary “BRAIN” shock and fork, designed to distinguish between trail and rider input to increase suspension efficiency.
More like the Epic EVO than the Epic Hardtail.
Consider If:
- You appreciate a full-suspension bike that climbs well
- You ride or race XC-style for long distances on trails that are more bumpy and / or technical
Don’t Bother If:
- You often ride steep, fast, technical, bumpy trails
- You like a bike that is more forgiving on descents than it is a good climber
- Expert: $6,200 – Best Budget Build & Most Performance for the Price
- Pro: $8,200
- S-Works: $12,000
- S-Works Frameset: $6,000
- Scott Spark RC
- Giant Anthem 29
- Cannondale Scalpel
- Pivot Mach 4 SL WC
- Santa Cruz Blur
- Intense Sniper XC
- Norco Revolver FS 100
- Canyon Lux
- Rocky Mountain Element XCO
- Mondraker F-Podium
- Front: 120 mm
- Rear: 110 mm
- 29"
- Carbon
A more downhill-capable version of the Epic. Updated for 2021, the new Epic Evo is lighter, has 10 mm more rear travel, updated suspension kinematics, and more progressive geometry. The Epic EVO also no longer features Specialized’s “BRAIN” technology.
More like the Epic than the Fuse.
Consider If:
- You are looking for a bit more fun and capability out of a full-suspension cross country bike
- You race or ride cross-country style on bumpy, steep, and technical trails
- You like to ride or race for very long distances
Don’t Bother If:
- You often ride very steep, fast, technical, bumpy trails
- You like a bike that is more forgiving on descents than it is a good climber
- Epic EVO: $3,800 – Best Budget Build
- Comp: $4,400
- Expert: $6,300 – Most Performance for the Price
- Pro: $8,800
- S-Works: $12,300
- S-Works Frameset: $3,900
- Trek Top Fuel
- Santa Cruz Blur TR
- Scott Spark
- Giant Trance 29
- Yeti SB115
- Pivot Mach 4 SL
- Kona Hei Hei
- Transition Spur
- Rocky Mountain Element
- Cannondale Scalpel SE
- Intense Sniper Trail
- Norco Revolver FS 120
- Mondraker F-Podium DC
- Evil The Following
- Banshee Phantom
- Front: 130 mm
- Rear: Hardtail
- 27.5"+ or 29"
- Aluminum
Specialized’s most downhill-capable hardtail. Comes with either 29” or 27.5”+ wheels and tires, but all models can accept either size.
More like the Stumpjumper than the Epic EVO.
Consider If:
- You appreciate hardtails, but want one that has slightly more aggressive geometry
- You often ride trails that are slightly steep, bumpy, and technical
- You are looking for a bike with plus-sized tires
Don’t Bother If:
- You often ride very steep, fast, technical, bumpy trails
- You like a bike that is more forgiving on descents than it is a good climber
- You are looking for a lightweight, XC race-style hardtail
- Fuse 27.5: $1,500
- Comp 29: $1,900 – Best Budget Build
- Expert 29: $2,600 – Most Performance for the Price
- Trek Roscoe
- Santa Cruz Chameleon
- Kona Honzo & Big Honzo
- Nukeproof Scout
- Rocky Mountain Growler
- Devinci Kobain HT
- Norco Fluid HT
- Front: 140 mm
- Rear: 130 mm
- 29"
- Carbon or Alloy
Specialized’s best Quiver Killer. New for 2021, this bike effectively replaces both the Stumpjumper ST and classic Stumpjumper. The new Stumpjumper got the standard updated bike treatment with more progressive geometry, as well as 10 mm less travel front and rear. The bike’s suspension design also got changed – it no longer uses a Horst-link design. Instead, carbon models now have a single-pivot design with a flex-pivot in the seat stays (alloy models still utilize a Horst-link design). Features high/low adjustable geometry via a flip-chip on the rear shock and internal “SWAT” storage in the downtube, as well as a multi-tool in the headset. This bike is also no longer available in the 27.5” wheel size.
More like the Stumpjumper EVO than the Fuse.
Consider If:
- You want a bike that is relatively well-rounded in terms of climbing and descending
- You appreciate a good, fast, technical, and / or steep descent, and are willing to climb for it
- You ride a mix of terrain and styles
Don’t Bother If:
- The trails you ride are mostly smooth and flat
- You’re looking for a bike that is very capable and forgiving in steep, technical, fast, bumpy descents and are willing to give up some climbing efficiency
- Alloy: $2,400
- Comp Alloy: $3,400 – Best Budget Build
- Comp: $4,200
- Expert: $4,800
- Pro: $7,200 – Most Performance for the Price
- S-Works: $9,800
- S-Works Frame: $2,900
- Trek Fuel EX
- Pivot Switchblade
- Giant Trance X 29
- Yeti SB130
- Santa Cruz Tallboy & Hightower / Juliana Joplin & Maverick
- Kona Process 134 29”
- Norco Optic
- Rocky Mountain Instinct
- Intense Primer 29
- Devinci Troy 29
- Evil The Following MB
- Cannondale Habit
- YT Jeffsy 29
- Canyon Neuron
- Front: 160 mm
- Rear: 150 mm
- 29"
- Carbon
This is the more downhill-capable, slacker sibling of the Stumpjumper. Updated for 2021, the Stumpjumper EVO has 10 mm more travel front and rear over the previous Stumpy EVO, more fit / geometry adjustability, and is no longer available in alloy or 27.5”-wheeled models. This bike’s geometry can be changed into 6 different configurations thanks to a headset insert and chainstay flip-chip.
More like the Stumpjumper than the Enduro.
Consider If:
- You get along with bikes that have long, low, and slack geometry
- You appreciate a good, fast, technical, and / or steep descent, and are willing to climb for it
- You occasionally race Enduro and / or enjoy riding lift-served bike parks or shuttling to the top of descents
- You like to tweak and adjust your geometry
Don’t Bother If:
- You want a bike that is a quick, lightweight climber
- The trails you ride are mostly smooth and flat
- You don’t like the idea of relatively long, low, and slack geometry
- Comp: $4,300 – Best Budget Build
- Expert: $5,000
- Pro: $7,500 – Most Performance for the Price
- S-Works: $10,000
- Commencal Meta TR 29
- Transition Sentinel
- Rocky Mountain Altitude 29”
- YT Capra 29
- Norco Sight 29”
- Ibis Ripmo
- Front: 170 mm
- Rear: 170 mm
- 29"
- Carbon
Specialized’s dedicated 29” enduro race bike. New for model year 2020, the updated Enduro features a linkage design inspired by the Specialized Demo, more travel, a slacker head angle, longer reach, and steeper seat tube angle compared to the previous version of the Enduro. Also features SWAT integrated downtube storage.
More like the Stumpjumper EVO than the Demo.
Consider If:
- You want a bike that is capable and forgiving on the descents
- You race Enduro, like to shuttle to the top of descents, and / or ride lift-served terrain
- You enjoy pushing your limits on fast, steep, chunky, and technical terrain
Don’t Bother If:
- You ride mostly smooth and flat trails
- You are looking for an XC-style bike that climbs very well
- You want a more freeride style long-travel bike, rather than an enduro racer
- Comp: $4,700 – Best Budget Build
- Expert: $6,100 – Most Performance for the Price
- S-Works: $10,500
- Frameset: $2,900
- S-Works Frameset: $3,400
- Santa Cruz Megatower
- Yeti SB150
- Trek Slash
- Pivot Firebird
- Giant Reign 29
- Rocky Mountain Altitude 29”
- Scott Ransom
- Intense Carbine
- Commencal Meta AM 29
- YT Capra 29
- Devinci Spartan 29
- Evil The Wreckoning
- Nukeproof Mega 290
- Norco Range 29”
- Canyon Strive
- Mondraker SuperFoxy Carbon
- Front: 200 mm
- Rear: 200 mm
- 29" Front, 27.5" Rear
- Carbon or Alloy
Released June 2020, this version of the Demo comes stock with a mixed-wheel configuration with a 29″ front wheel and 27.5″ rear wheel for race-ready speed on downhill trails. This bike has an adjustable rear end via a flip-chip so it can run a 29″ wheel in the back if desired.
Consider If:
- You often ride lift-served bike parks or like to shuttle to the top of descents
- The trails you ride are fast, steep, technical, rocky, rooty, and / or have large jumps
- You race downhill
- You can't decide between a 29" or 27.5" downhill bike
Don’t Bother If:
- You plan on climbing to the top of descents
- The trails you ride aren’t very fast, steep, technical, and bumpy
- Expert: $5,300 – Best Budget Build
- Race: $7,000 – Most Performance for the Price
- Alloy Frameset: $2,700
- Commencal Supreme DH 29/27
- Santa Cruz V10 MX
- Though many DH bikes from other brands can be configured to run a “mullet” 29″ front and 27.5″ rear setup, this bike is unique because it is available as a mixed-wheel setup with no changes necessary. That said, the similar bikes listed below for the Demo 29 are in the same general category as the mullet Demo, just without the stock mixed-wheel configuration.