Specialized Demo 11 - What do you want to know about it?

Related:
5/14/2026 10:29am

Do they envision the new system having any applicability to non-DH bikes?  Otherwise, it seems like it would be a hell of a R&D investment for what must be a limited market segment (i.e. uber-expensive DH bikes).  

*Not that there would be anything wrong with that.  A company pouring money into hole with the aim of making something cool rather than realizing better Q4 returns is actually quite cool.

2
5/15/2026 10:17am

How is the frame compliance compared to other bikes you have ridden?

2
Evwan
Posts
135
Joined
11/18/2025
Location
Sunnyvale, CA US
Fantasy
5/15/2026 10:29am

Why did they choose a dual chain drive for the jackshaft instead of a timing belt (gates etc.) ?

Also, generally curious what the ride dynamics are like. e.g. is it a plush DH plow (session/commencal), or does it have a decent pedal platform that allows you to pump and be nimble / boost jumps, (v10...)

3
6/23/2026 7:09am

Your questions answered! Thanks everyone who asked a question. We did our best to get them all answered, and Specialized was pretty transparent in their response. And oh yeah, the bike rips 🤤 Enjoy!

16
chriskief
Posts
780
Joined
4/15/2017
Location
New York, NY US
Fantasy
6/23/2026 10:29am
Your questions answered! Thanks everyone who asked a question. We did our best to get them all answered, and Specialized was pretty transparent in their response...

Your questions answered! Thanks everyone who asked a question. We did our best to get them all answered, and Specialized was pretty transparent in their response. And oh yeah, the bike rips 🤤 Enjoy!

Sounds like the team has a lot of linkage options, but none available aftermarket.

Maybe @CascadeComponents will offer something 🤞

3
6/23/2026 11:25am

On the flip side Frameworks bikes are a beautiful exercise in refining, exploring and taking the 4 bar design in making as uncompromised as possible. Both are awesome in there own way. 

4
AndehM
Posts
711
Joined
5/7/2018
Location
El Granada, CA US
Fantasy
6/23/2026 11:52am
AndehM wrote:

How come they didn't design this bike around a Genie shock?

Awww... they didn't answer my troll question.  😁

3
6/23/2026 2:02pm
AndehM wrote:

How come they didn't design this bike around a Genie shock?

AndehM wrote:

Awww... they didn't answer my troll question.  😁

I don't think they answered a few peoples questions. I feel like a lot of people asked about chainstay/stack sizing and are the team members running the next size up chainstays.

4
6/23/2026 3:06pm
chriskief wrote:

Sounds like the team has a lot of linkage options, but none available aftermarket.

Maybe @CascadeComponents will offer something 🤞

I wish it was something that made sense to do. The reality is there aren't that many DH bikes out there. To be able to distribute the development costs enough to have a reasonably priced product we'd need pretty much everyone who owns a new Demo to buy something. It would be a fun project no doubt though.

6
Eae903
Posts
435
Joined
10/20/2023
Location
Laramie, WY US
Fantasy
6/23/2026 3:36pm

I'm wishing I asked why they went 148mm rear spacing instead of 157 

1
chriskief
Posts
780
Joined
4/15/2017
Location
New York, NY US
Fantasy
6/23/2026 3:47pm
chriskief wrote:

Sounds like the team has a lot of linkage options, but none available aftermarket.

Maybe @CascadeComponents will offer something 🤞

I wish it was something that made sense to do. The reality is there aren't that many DH bikes out there. To be able to distribute...

I wish it was something that made sense to do. The reality is there aren't that many DH bikes out there. To be able to distribute the development costs enough to have a reasonably priced product we'd need pretty much everyone who owns a new Demo to buy something. It would be a fun project no doubt though.

If they’re buying this bike, they can probably afford some expensive links 🤣

Would be curious to hear your thoughts on what they’re changing… the dog bone link, the main linkage, both?

3
chriskief
Posts
780
Joined
4/15/2017
Location
New York, NY US
Fantasy
6/23/2026 3:48pm
Eae903 wrote:

I'm wishing I asked why they went 148mm rear spacing instead of 157 

It’s always been 148. Heel clearance, rear wheel characteristics, etc.

4
amanitas
Posts
5
Joined
5/12/2026
Location
Bellingham, WA US
6/23/2026 7:04pm

@Jason_Schroeder gets a gold metal for calling out no cable routing on the Stumpy. Chef’s kiss

11
TEAMROBOT
Posts
1484
Joined
9/2/2009
Location
Los Angeles, CA US
Fantasy
6/23/2026 7:36pm

Hey @Jason_Schroeder wanted to say the video was great. Thanks for asking my question at 12:27!

4
brash
Posts
953
Joined
4/24/2019
Location
AU
6/23/2026 7:54pm
Eae903 wrote:

I'm wishing I asked why they went 148mm rear spacing instead of 157 

chriskief wrote:

It’s always been 148. Heel clearance, rear wheel characteristics, etc.

not always, they tried 135mm for a generation and it was the dumbest shit. I kept DT swiss stock prices us when I raced that model.

1
chriskief
Posts
780
Joined
4/15/2017
Location
New York, NY US
Fantasy
6/23/2026 8:04pm
Eae903 wrote:

I'm wishing I asked why they went 148mm rear spacing instead of 157 

chriskief wrote:

It’s always been 148. Heel clearance, rear wheel characteristics, etc.

brash wrote:

not always, they tried 135mm for a generation and it was the dumbest shit. I kept DT swiss stock prices us when I raced that model.

Ah that’s right, was that when everyone was at 142 and they stuck with 135? Then folks went to 157 and they went to 148?

I sense a trend…

2
TwinTurbo
Posts
23
Joined
1/1/2023
Location
Munich DE
6/23/2026 11:28pm
TEAMROBOT wrote:
Hey @Jason_Schroeder wanted to say the video was great. Thanks for asking my question at 12:27!

Hey @Jason_Schroeder wanted to say the video was great. Thanks for asking my question at 12:27!

Same from me - despite no clear answer on the Enduro Smile

2
bizutch
Posts
1479
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
Fletcher, NC US
Fantasy
6/24/2026 7:49am

Does it come in Root Beer?

 

2
6/24/2026 9:12am
chriskief wrote:
If they’re buying this bike, they can probably afford some expensive links 🤣Would be curious to hear your thoughts on what they’re changing… the dog bone...

If they’re buying this bike, they can probably afford some expensive links 🤣

Would be curious to hear your thoughts on what they’re changing… the dog bone link, the main linkage, both?

Without looking at any numbers for it, I'd assume the link primarily gets used to control leverage curve and the dog bone primarily gets used to correct geo. You may very well have combos where the alterations to the link would produce undesirable geo on their own so a dog bone has to be used with it to get the geo right.

6
chriskief
Posts
780
Joined
4/15/2017
Location
New York, NY US
Fantasy
6/24/2026 9:22am
chriskief wrote:
If they’re buying this bike, they can probably afford some expensive links 🤣Would be curious to hear your thoughts on what they’re changing… the dog bone...

If they’re buying this bike, they can probably afford some expensive links 🤣

Would be curious to hear your thoughts on what they’re changing… the dog bone link, the main linkage, both?

Without looking at any numbers for it, I'd assume the link primarily gets used to control leverage curve and the dog bone primarily gets used to...

Without looking at any numbers for it, I'd assume the link primarily gets used to control leverage curve and the dog bone primarily gets used to correct geo. You may very well have combos where the alterations to the link would produce undesirable geo on their own so a dog bone has to be used with it to get the geo right.

Makes sense. The flip chip in the dog bone then allows for minor geo changes without affecting the leverage curve.

1
Sherbet
Posts
31
Joined
11/5/2014
Location
CA
6/24/2026 11:12am

I felt the answer about the price was a little weird. They're not trying to recoup any costs, so they're implying it's a construction/materials thing that makes the price. Again, 350s on a bike of that price doesn't sound like it's a spec choice, and hearing that price isn't a reflection of R&D just makes it raise the question further;

Where on earth is this price coming from if NOT R&D and pro-team economics? It certainly isn't the spec.

Loved the video otherwise, thanks a ton Jason. 

4
bizutch
Posts
1479
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
Fletcher, NC US
Fantasy
6/24/2026 12:39pm
chriskief wrote:
If they’re buying this bike, they can probably afford some expensive links 🤣Would be curious to hear your thoughts on what they’re changing… the dog bone...

If they’re buying this bike, they can probably afford some expensive links 🤣

Would be curious to hear your thoughts on what they’re changing… the dog bone link, the main linkage, both?

Without looking at any numbers for it, I'd assume the link primarily gets used to control leverage curve and the dog bone primarily gets used to...

Without looking at any numbers for it, I'd assume the link primarily gets used to control leverage curve and the dog bone primarily gets used to correct geo. You may very well have combos where the alterations to the link would produce undesirable geo on their own so a dog bone has to be used with it to get the geo right.

As someone who is easily butt hurt, how does a company like yours not see a custom machined part out in the market from a bike brand & not immediately think "Bro...we coulda made that for you....???"

 

5
Kizzard_Ling
Posts
4
Joined
8/28/2022
Location
Asheville, NC US
6/24/2026 6:08pm
Sherbet wrote:
I felt the answer about the price was a little weird. They're not trying to recoup any costs, so they're implying it's a construction/materials thing that...

I felt the answer about the price was a little weird. They're not trying to recoup any costs, so they're implying it's a construction/materials thing that makes the price. Again, 350s on a bike of that price doesn't sound like it's a spec choice, and hearing that price isn't a reflection of R&D just makes it raise the question further;

Where on earth is this price coming from if NOT R&D and pro-team economics? It certainly isn't the spec.

Loved the video otherwise, thanks a ton Jason. 

Same thing crossed my mind. The way it was worded made me wonder where exactly the price tag is coming from other than just paying for the "big S". Sure, a 14k bike is ridiculous, but for a brand with the unlimited resources that Specialized has, buying this bike is just a drop in the ocean of their team budget. This is a Specialized Gravity project that got taken over by Specialized bicycles so it got the OEM treatment and is now a distant cousin of the actual bike the team races, so even if your excuse for buying this bike as a "privateer" is to be on the fastest bike out there you'd be paying 14k to not really be on it.

3
6/24/2026 7:04pm
Sherbet wrote:
I felt the answer about the price was a little weird. They're not trying to recoup any costs, so they're implying it's a construction/materials thing that...

I felt the answer about the price was a little weird. They're not trying to recoup any costs, so they're implying it's a construction/materials thing that makes the price. Again, 350s on a bike of that price doesn't sound like it's a spec choice, and hearing that price isn't a reflection of R&D just makes it raise the question further;

Where on earth is this price coming from if NOT R&D and pro-team economics? It certainly isn't the spec.

Loved the video otherwise, thanks a ton Jason. 

He is implying that the development of the demo is more seen as marketinf and development of the brand as a whole.  And that 6500 price tag on a frame really probably just pays for the high drive, features, plus a little extra margin.  It’s not indicative of trying to recoup the incredible amount of money spent to develop the bike.  Especially considering they aren’t selling demos by the 1000s let alone 10,000s like they do other models.

They will make the profits from the demo in that it’s marketing for their brand and the tech will trickle down to bikes they do intend to truly be profitable.  But it’s a halo product for the brand and customers.  It’s not intended to be a big profit maker.

4
Rob25001
Posts
44
Joined
9/24/2025
Location
Hamilton NZ
6/24/2026 10:27pm

I’m going to buy a simple basic FW and then spend the price difference on riding lessons and fitness. 

7
1 day ago
chriskief wrote:

Sounds like the team has a lot of linkage options, but none available aftermarket.

Maybe @CascadeComponents will offer something 🤞

I wish it was something that made sense to do. The reality is there aren't that many DH bikes out there. To be able to distribute...

I wish it was something that made sense to do. The reality is there aren't that many DH bikes out there. To be able to distribute the development costs enough to have a reasonably priced product we'd need pretty much everyone who owns a new Demo to buy something. It would be a fun project no doubt though.

I don’t think it needs to be reasonably priced for a $15k bike

2

Post a reply to: Specialized Demo 11 - What do you want to know about it?

The Latest