The lightest alloy full-suspension XC bike in its class
The Specialized Chisel Comp Mountain Bike takes the geometry and suspension design from Specialized's World Cup–winning Epic 8 and puts it into an alloy frame that weighs 18.4% less than anything else in its category.
If you race XC, ride trail centres at pace, or spend your weekends chasing Strava segments on local singletrack, this is a Specialized XC mountain bike worth a close look.
Frame and construction
Specialized's D'Aluisio Smartweld process shapes each tube with continuously varied wall thicknesses, putting stiffness where you need it for power transfer and compliance where it helps with comfort and control. The one-piece hydroformed seat tube integrates the seat tube pivot, main pivot, and bottom bracket shell into a single unit, saving weight that would normally go into separate welded-on parts.
The rear end uses a flex-stay design rather than traditional pivots, which cuts weight and removes maintenance. Flex stays are common on high-end carbon frames, but Specialised has managed to make it work in alloy here, giving you 110mm of rear travel with the efficiency and low weight you'd expect from a race bike.
A flip-chip geometry adjustment lets you tweak the ride depending on your terrain. Steeper for flat, fast courses; slacker for rougher, more technical trails.
Suspension
Up front, a RockShox SID fork with 120mm of travel and a Rush damper handles roots, rocks, and compressions without wallowing. At the rear, a Ride Dynamics tuned RockShox Deluxe Select+ shock provides 110mm of travel with kinematics borrowed directly from the Epic 8 platform. Anti-squat is well controlled, so you lose very little power to pedal bob when you're pushing hard on a climb.
Drivetrain and cockpit
The SRAM Eagle 70 T-Type rear derailleur runs smoothly and shifts cleanly under load. A TranzX dropper post is fitted as standard, which is a welcome addition on a Specialized alloy mountain bike at this price point. You'll use it more than you expect, even on XC courses.
Who is the Specialized Chisel Comp for?
This is a Specialized XC bike built for riders who want race-level performance without paying for a full carbon frame. It suits XC racers, fast trail riders, and anyone who values light weight and pedalling efficiency above all-mountain capability. The 110mm of rear travel smooths out rough ground and keeps the tyre planted on technical sections, but this is still a short-travel bike, best suited to cross-country terrain and trail centre reds.
If you spend most of your time on steep, rocky enduro tracks, a longer-travel bike will serve you better. But for UK trail centres, XC racing, and quick after-work loops, the Chisel Comp is a seriously capable option.
The Emerald Metallic finish looks sharp. It's a deep, rich green that catches the light well and doesn't show trail grime as quickly as lighter colours.
At a glance
- D'Aluisio Smartweld alloy frame with flex-stay rear, 110mm travel
- RockShox SID 120mm fork with Rush damper
- RockShox Deluxe Select+ rear shock, Ride Dynamics tuned
- SRAM Eagle 70 T-Type rear derailleur
- TranzX dropper post
- Flip-chip geometry adjustment
If you're after a Specialized Chisel mountain bike in the UK and want to check sizing, come into one of our shops. We've been fitting riders to the right bike since 1977.