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Specialized 2009 mountain bikes and bits

The Rhythm Lite is purpose-built for the dirt jumper crowd.

  • The revamped SX Trail platform sports more standover clearance and seatpost adjustment range along with improved performance in square-edged hits.
  • The new shock linkage eliminates wear on the rear shock bushing and improves rear-end sensitivity by transferring that movement to cartridge bearings.
  • How many cartridge bearings can you count here?
  • The two sides of the link are rigidly tied together simply by moving the mounting hardware away from the center of rotation.
  • As usual, Specialized uses a sizeable helping of aluminum forgings in putting together the SX Trail.
  • The new Big Hit also gets a new rear suspension layout that allows for lower standover heights and more seatpost adjustment than before.
  • The 40mm-diameter steel stanchions on the RockShox Domain fork and the newly tapered-and-oversized 1 1/8
  • Cartridge bearing pivots keep things running smoothly.
  • The 2009 Enduro SL platform is essentially unchanged for 2009.
  • Revised internals in the E150 fork should improve reliability for 2009.
  • Complete 2009 Enduros will also include a new telescoping Command post.
  • Unique collet-type internals allow for 35mm and 110mm drops.
  • The bar-mounted remote includes a large paddle for easy access in dicey terrain.
  • 2009 Enduros will also be fitted with dedicated routing hardware for use with the Command Post.
  • The 2009 Demo is also essentially unchanged for 2009.
  • Last year's superb Stumpjumper chassis carries on for another year but gets some significant componentry changes.
  • New for 2009 is a completely revamped FSR XC chassis which upgrades to the Stumpjumper's rocker link-type suspension layout and upgrades to 120mm of travel.
  • The FSR XC's new double-bend one-piece seat tube is lighter than last year's split design and also allows for far more seatpost adjustability.
  • The FSR XC (and many other models) will come with Shadow-style rear derailleurs.
  • Juicy brakes on the FSR XC are custom-configured for Specialized and include handy tool-free reach adjustments.
  • The women's-specific Myka gets the same basic suspension layout as the new FSR XC but sticks with 100mm which Specialized feels is more appropriate for the segment's typically shorter and lighter riders.
  • This preproduction seat tube was a welded two-piece unit but will ultimately be a double-bent one-piece tube as on the FSR XC.
  • Custom-tuned RockShox forks should make for better ride quality for lighter riders.
  • The new Roval Contrôle SL wheelset drops 40g from the standard Roval Contrôle.
  • The carbon-tubed front hub can now bear the world championship stripes courtesy of Christoph Sauser.
  • Specialized claims the massive 28mm-diameter end caps on the Roval Contrôle front hub yield a lighter and stiffer front end than a 15mm quick-release setup. The caps can be swapped for smaller ones for use with other makes of 9mm quick-release forks.
  • Last year's grippy Captain tread is fast and grippy…
  • …and now it's available in a meatier 2.2
  • The all-mountain Eskar tread is now offered in 29
  • Specialized aims its new Purgatory tread at muddier and wetter conditions.
  • The Rhythm Lite is purpose-built for the dirt jumper crowd.
  • The new Clutch downhill tyre sports big and widely spaced knobs to clear mud.
  • The Pro MTB shoe has been thoroughly revamped this year with a new upper and a new full-length carbon sole similar to the S-Works version.
  • The grippy outsole wisely includes a patch in the middle of the foot in case you miss a pedal.
  • The new Tactic helmet is just US$60 retail but sports a far more expensive-looking appearance.
  • The full-coverage rear is aimed squarely at the off-road crowd.
  • Specialized moves into the casual arena with its new Strafe optics.
  • Female riders will likely appreciate the flattering lines of the new Roulette.
  • You'll be seeing a lot more of this ribbon on Specialized D4W (Designs for Women) product in 2009; the company plans to raise US$250,000 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
  • Specialized will expand its range of pink ribboned products to include bikes, shoes, gloves and other women's-specific gear. Ten percent of all applicable sales will be donated to the Komen foundation.
  • Specialized pledged a minimum US$10,000 for the Susan G. Komen foundation last year through this special edition helmet but steps things up big time for 2009.
  • Like pink? Now your colour preferences can have a bigger impact as ten percent of sales of specially-labeled Specialized items will be donated to the Komen foundation.

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The Rhythm Lite is purpose-built for the dirt jumper crowd.

© James Huang