Specialized has their big wheel game dialed, so rather than hopping on the marketing bandwagon, they chose to sit out the tweener arms race. With the exception of a few gravity oriented models still available in 26″, they stood firmly behind their “bigger is better” mantra, until earlier this year when they quietly released an updated version of their Stumpjumper Evo platform.
The new phrase in town is now “bigger is better – except when it’s not” (what’s currently trendy.) Because despite the sharp handling of their 29er mountain bikes, there will always be a group of riders who consider the wheels size less fun, or too big, or for whatever reason prefer smaller wheels.
So for those consumers, the Big S has released an updated 650B Enduro.
To make this bike available in time for the new model year, Specialized chose to double the utility of their graphics department by giving both the 29er and 650b models shared paint jobs.
For their first entry into the the 650B market, the Stumpy Evo, they utilized a 29er front triangle with a tall crown race to adjust the angles, but this Enduro utilizes a 26″ front end, and gets a completely new rear swingarm and seatstay strut to achieve the correct geometry.
All of the new complete Enduro 650B offerings will only be available with 1x drivetrains.
This Enduro 29er had chain stays that are 5mm longer than the 26″ model, and the 650B bikes have chainstays that are only 3mm longer than the previous iteration.
Further changes to the geometry include a headtube angle that is one degree slacker, a top tube that is roomier, a slightly lower BB, and a steeper seat tube angle for climbing. The 650B model is also roughly half a pound lighter than the the comparable 29er version.
S-Works
All told, the bike will be available at four different price points. The top of the line carbon S-Works model pairs the excellent Rockshock Pike with an Inline Cane Creek DB Air Shock, a SRAM XX1 Drivetrain, the new Carbon Roval Traverse Fattie Wheels, and an array of other in house components. Price is $9,300 USD.
Expert
The Expert model shares the same carbon front triangle and suspension as the S-Works model, but shaves the price by utilizing a SRAM X01 drivetrain, alloy wheels, and more budget friendly cranks. Price is $6,600 USD.
Elite
The aluminum Elite model has Pike RC internals to shave costs, an X1 drivetrain, and shares much of the remaining component spec with the Expert model. Price is $4,900 USD.
Comp
The Comp also uses a Pike RC, but swaps out the the Inline CCDB Air for a budget Fox Float Shock. The drivetrain and wheel duties are shared with the Elite model, but a dropper post does not come standard. Price is $3,600 USD.
All frames are available in a Small, Medium, and Large. Taller riders will find their needs better accommodated by the Enduro 29er, which is available in a Medium, Large, and Extra Large.
Stay tuned to Specialized for more info.
