Ned Overend’s old Specialized S-Works Ultimate was proudly put on display at this year’s Sea Otter ClassicJames Huang/BikeRadar
The titanium lugs were made for the project by Merlin MetalworksJames Huang/BikeRadar
The bridgeless chainstays on Ned Overend’s old Specialized S-Works Ultimate leave little surface area on which mud can accumulateJames Huang/BikeRadar
Ned Overend’s old Avid Tri-Align cantilevers have certainly seen better adjustment days but they were state-of-the-art back in the day. Despite not being close to centered, you can still tell how upright Overend ran the armsJames Huang/BikeRadar
Specialized’s own skewer clamps a Hugi rear hub – a precursor to the current DT Swiss design with the same star ratchet driverJames Huang/BikeRadar
The titanium lugs and carbon fiber tubes of Ned Overend’s old Specialized S-Works Ultimate yielded one of the lightest frames of its timeJames Huang/BikeRadar
This is what Shaun Palmer used for downhill racing in 1996James Huang/BikeRadar
Downhill racing has certainly changed since Shaun Palmer raced this bike in 1996. Check out the huge gearingJames Huang/BikeRadar
A stiffening rib running nearly the entire length of the seatstay was required to keep the tube from collapsing under braking loadsJames Huang/BikeRadar
Shaun Palmer’s 1996 Specialized FSR used a custom machined upper shock linkageJames Huang/BikeRadar
Shaun Palmer’s 1996 Manitou fork may have dual crowns but the stanchions are still tiny as compared to modern optionsJames Huang/BikeRadar
Direct-mount stems have certainly gotten more elegant since those daysJames Huang/BikeRadar
First-generation Hayes hydraulic disc brakes were fitted to Shaun Palmer’s 1996 Specialized FSRJames Huang/BikeRadar
Check out the sketchy front brake mount on Shaun Palmer’s 1996 Specialized FSRJames Huang/BikeRadar
The chain guide on Shaun Palmer’s 1996 Specialized FSR is decidedly primitive looking but in fairness, such technology barely existed back thenJames Huang/BikeRadar
Grip Shift on a downhill bike? Yes, sirJames Huang/BikeRadar
Shaun Palmer couldn’t see the “win, win, win!” note on the underside of the down tube when riding but perhaps it was encouraging just knowing it was thereJames Huang/BikeRadar
Specialized weren’t showing much of anything new at this year’s Sea Otter Classic, aside from the elusive Demo Carbon downhill bikes, which were tough to nail down. However, they did have two retro racers from the mid-1990s on their stand which were arguably more interesting.
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Ned Overend’s old Specialized S-Works Ultimate was a stunning machine back in its day (and still is), built with custom carbon fiber tubing bonded into titanium lugs TIG-welded by Merlin Metalworks. Barely two inches of travel came courtesy of the Specialized Futureshok – a variant of RockShox’s Mag 21 – and braking power was provided by a set of machined aluminum Avid Tri-Align cantilever brakes. Down below, Shimano’s eight-speed XTR derailleurs and cassette were matched to a pair of Grip Shift shifters.
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Shaun Palmer’s Specialized FSR shows how downhill racing has changed since 1996. Back then, all-out speed was often a deciding factor rather than the ability to navigate treacherous and steep terrain. As compared to contemporary downhill rigs, the gearing is inordinately tall and the spindly stanchions on the dual-crown Manitou fork likely wouldn’t even survive a modern World Cup course. Nevertheless, Palmer won a silver medal at the 1996 World Championships on this machine.
Shaun palmer’s 1996 manitou fork may have dual crowns but the stanchions are still tiny as compared to modern options:James Huang/BikeRadar
