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Specialized 2009 mountain bikes: faster & sharper

The new 'mini Brain' rear shock arrangement completely moves the compression damping functions to the remote unit, shaving 110g in the process.

  • Specialized's new 2009 S-Works Epic is not only startling light but surprisingly capable as an all-around cross-country machine.
  • The new frames sheds approximately 220g from last year's version yet feels noticeably more responsive than before.
  • As expected, the head tube houses a newly tapered and oversized 1 1/8
  • The integrated cranks once reserved only for team riders now find their way on to the consumer versions for 2009.
  • The mountain bike version of Specialized's FACT carbon cranks use a beefier lay-up and slightly revised shape relative to the road-going model.
  • The aluminum chainring spiders are easily convertible between four-arm triple and five-arm two-chainring setups.
  • Available adapter cups will allow the use of standard external-type cranksets.
  • The new 'mini Brain' rear shock arrangement completely moves the compression damping functions to the remote unit, shaving 110g in the process.
  • A neat riveted-on mount secures the rear Brain unit and the BrainFade knob is easier to adjust than before. Goodridge hose connections should make for fewer leaks over time.
  • Air pressure and rebound adjustments are in their familiar locations. The air valve will be slightly rotated on production versions for less interference with water bottles.
  • Mounted up front is the new E100 fork complete with carbon upper assembly and Brain inertia valve for a balanced feel.
  • Specialized's 'Buddy System' houses both spring and damper units in one leg to cut down on redundant internal bits.
  • Naturally, the new Epic retains Specialized's ubiquitous FSR four-bar suspension layout.
  • Last year's asymmetrical aluminum swingarm has been replaced by a new carbon unit.
  • The driveside dropout is now carbon, too, and fitted with an aluminum shield to protect against serrated quick release skewers.
  • The dropout pivots are molded directly into the new carbon swingarm.
  • The minimal upper link is now aluminum instead of carbon but the centralized shock location allows it be made substantially lighter at just 40g.
  • The front derailleur now mounts directly to the swingarm.
  • The DMD-style mounting is based on Shimano's E-Type system but eliminates the bulky bottom bracket-mounted plate.
  • The seat tube makes a distinct detour around the front derailleur as it makes its way to the bottom bracket shell.
  • There's ample clearance out back for mud to pass through, at least up top.
  • Several plates protect the carbon frame from dropped chains and misshifts.
  • Full-length housing seals the system from end-to-end and the down tube routing actually helps protect the frame from damage. Protective tape is also applied to the down tube beneath the housing.
  • The carbon chain stay is protected by a new molded rubber bit that keeps things quiet, too.
  • The top tube, head tube and down tube are now all molded as one piece, meaning the head tube area is far cleaner-looking inside.
  • The lower-slung frame provides more standover clearance than before.
  • Specialized doesn't leave female riders out in the cold, either; the new carbon S-Works Era is a direct analogue of the top-level Epic but with women's-specific tubing and geometry.
  • The specially-tuned E100 fork on the Era uses revised spring and damper rates for lighter-weight riders.
  • Of course, the Era also uses women's-specific componentry such as the Jett saddle and narrower handlebars.
  • Pure racers have a new Specialized carbon hardtail to look into for 2009 that sheds about 100g from last year.
  • The swoopier-looking frame borrows a few design elements from the road-going Tarmac.
  • Specialized beefed up the bottom bracket area to help maintain last year's snappy drivetrain response but the new frame is supposedly markedly more comfortable.
  • The integrated cranks find their way here, too, and as on the Epic, the down tube is now over 80mm-wide to make maximum use of the extra real estate.
  • There's a carbon dropout here, too.
  • The new hardtail also gets the taper-end-oversized front end treatment.
  • The Brain-equipped FutureShock S90 fork uses a carbon upper assembly, magnesium lowers and 90mm travel-specific internals to yield a claimed 1397g weight.

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The new 'mini Brain' rear shock arrangement completely moves the compression damping functions to the remote unit, shaving 110g in the process.

© James Huang