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One of the raddest things about mountain biking is how the sport can be so many things to just as many different people. However, even with all of the different styles of riding most of us have the same end goal – to get out on the trail. Usually it doesn’t matter what or where that trail is, just that we get out there with enough free time to relax and take it all in.
That spirit is exactly what Specialized is hoping to capture with their new mountain bike launches. Tagging them as #destinationtrail, to Specialized this is why mountain bikes exist. Graeagle, CA was chosen to not only highlight their newest model, but also tell the story of the sport. Basically, if you think of mountain biking in an idyllic setting – this would be it.
After pedaling straight from the Gray Eagle lodge onto the trails (if you need a bike you can rent a Specialized from Howling Dogs Bike and Ski), the reasoning behind the choice of venue was instantly apparent. Just a short drive from the world famous Downieville downhill, Graeagle and the Lakes Basin area is home to a rapidly growing trail network that was a perfect backdrop to introduce the new Specialized Camber…
Just recently at the first #destinationtrail event, Specialized launched the new Stumpjumper FSR. Built to be as capable and as versatile as possible, when push comes to shove, the Stumpjumper FSR is still a big bike for most riders. Seeing the Camber as the most appropriate bike for many trail riders, Specialized opted to combine some of the new features from the Stumpy FSR with features of the Epic to create their version of the ultimate trail bike.
To Specialized, that meant the inclusion of the Brain for the rear suspension but this isn’t just a plug and play from the Epic. Instead, the Camber uses the first position-sensitive Micro Brain from specialized which doesn’t actually engage until you hit the bike’s sag point. Essentially that leaves the first 25% of the travel open for absorbing small chatter, but still provides a firm platform when pedaling hard. Calling it the first Trail Brain, the design also aids in climbing since your weight is shifted back on the bike and the inertia valve is activated. To obtain a better trail feel out of the original Brain the unit has new tuning plus a new Spike valve that is found from here on out on all Brains and even the custom RockShox RS1 for the Camber. If the shim stack can’t keep up with the oil flow during a fast hit, the Spike valve allows oil to dump at a higher speed to prevent hydraulic lock and allows faster cycling of the Brain.
Still a firm believer in active independent suspension and the FSR platform, the Brain equipped suspension package is attached to a Horst Link rear end with a new concentric linkage similar to that found on the Epic. The concentric linkage is said to create a stiffer and lighter rear end with a more connected feeling to the trail. Other similarities to the Epic include the smaller Micro Air can, Auto Sag feature, and the Inertia Valve mounted to the rear of the frame at a 16 degree angle to the trail. On the Inertia Valve itself is a dial that you can use to decrease or increase the effect of the Brain though you can’t completely shut it off.
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- SW Camber FSR Carbon 29 – $9800
- SW Camber FSR Carbon 29 Module – $7300 (frame, fork & wheels)
- SW Camber FSR Carbon 650b – $9800
- SW Carbon FSR 650b Module – $7300 (frame, fork & wheels)
- Camber FSR Expert Carbon 29 – $6200
- Camber FSR Expert Carbon 650b – $6200
- Camber FSR Comp Carbon 29 – $3800
- Camber FSR Comp Carbon 650b – $3800
- Camber FSR Comp 29 – $2500
- Camber FSR Comp 650b – $2500
- Camber FSR 29 – $1850
- Camber FSR 650b – $1850
- Camber FSR GROM – $2200
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First Impressions:
Due to a limited number of bikes, I was only able to ride the Camber for a single ride but it just so happened to be the longest ride of the week so I came away with a solid test for a first impression. Riding a medium Camber 29 for the Mt. Elwell ride, I’ll admit I was happy to have one of the lightest bikes there for the brutal climbs and hike a bike sections.
If you’re looking for the Cliff’s Notes version, to me the Camber seems like the perfect trail bike for the rider coming off an Epic. Anyone looking for a bike that is close the the razor’s edge pedal efficiency of the Epic with a bit more all around performance, the Camber is almost exactly that. While the Brain seems to work as advertised, the point that the Inertia Valve engages is noticeable and to riders that aren’t used to the Brain, it may be a bit unsettling. After awhile you start to get used to the feeling though and you forget everything as you crack the throttle for some wide open downhill fun. While I was happy to be on a Stumpjumper FSR for Downieville, the Camber isn’t far behind in terms of grin-factor.
One of the parts that deserves the most praise is the Specialized Command Post IRcc. I’ve never been a fan of pre-set position dropper posts, but the Command Post manages to hide the fact with so many positions in the middle of the travel. Combine that with the perfect SRL lever (as long as you’re running 1x), and you have a dropper that is supremely easy to use.
While I think it had more to do with the trail than the bike, the only time I flatted the entire trip was on the ripping downhill from Mt. Elwell on the Camber. With a Grid casing out back, it was the Control casing front tire that suffered a cruel death at the hands of a sharp rock with a big slash on the sidewall. The trail was pretty rugged with lots of sharp rocks though, so I can’t really blame the tires. It was at that point that the tube and pump in my bike’s downtube (as well as a packet of GU) came in handy, and kept me rolling.
Compared to the previous generation, the new Camber is a completely different animal. It’s faster, it climbs like a rocket, it seems to be more capable, and with SWAT it’s certainly more versatile. Ultimately, I think the deciding factor for most riders will come down to the Brain. In terms of making a bike that climbs and pedals as well as many XC bikes, the Trail Brain does exactly what it’s supposed to – and it still rips down with the best of ’em. If you’re looking for a super efficient ride that is still able to be rallied down your local trails, the Camber is worth a spin.