the new specialized p slope
A Specialized bike without a four-bar linkage?! Yup, but this beauty has been designed from the ground up as a killer slopestyle bike, and for that you really want to be able to run a singlespeed setup without any kind of chain tensioner…which is exactly what the single pivot around the bottom bracket provides. Say hello to the new Specialized P Slope
The single pivot design produces 85mm of travel and it has a comparatively low leverage ratio so that unlike so many other bikes of this nature you don’t need to run insanely high pressures in the shock to keep the travel firm. You won’t find any fancy linkages either as this bike is really all about simplicity. You’re unlikely to ever get the best performing suspension from a bike with the pivot mounted around the bottom bracket, but seeing as the suspension on this bike is really only there to suck up harsh landings perfect suspension in the traditional sense isn’t really needed.
Here’s a little video that tells you a bit more about the Specialized P Slope and its development.
Although the Specialized P Slope comes as a singlespeed as standard the frame will also come with dropouts that allow the use of gears, and there’s an ISCG mount for a chain device. Specialized reckon this will give riders more options, but we think that this bike is designed for such a specific task that if you really want to run gears on this you’re probably looking at the wrong bike in the first place. Still, I am sure there will be some riders who will make use of this feature.
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Geometry wise it’s a copy of Specialized’s superb P.3 hardtail, a fact which means their team riders should be able to switch between the two bikes with ease, depending on the job in hand. This is definitely a seriously niche bike, but that’s kind of why we love it. It’s not trying to be a jack of all trades, and if slopestyle is your thing then you’ll probably be willing to sell your gran in order to get hold of one of these.
Specialized P Slope Specs
FRAME: Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum, 85mm travel, fully butted w/ tapered HT, forged concentric BB-30 BB shell w/ integrated ISCG 05 tabs, forged horizontal sliding drop-outs w/ integrated chain tensioners (includes both geared and single speed drop outs)
REAR SHOCK: Rockshox Monarch RT3, Air Shock, Slope style tune, Hydraulic with IFP damping, 3 Position Floodgate, Dual Flow Rebound adjustment, 200mm x 50mm
FORK: Rockshox Argyle RCT 26″, Solo Air spring, Alloy 1-1/8″ steer, External Rebound, Motion Control Low Speed Compression, Tooled Floodgate, 32mm alloy stancions and mag lowers, 20mm Maxle® thru axle, 100mm travel
HEADSET: Integrated 1-1/8″ upper and 1-1/2″ lower threadless, Campy-style, full cartridge bearings
STEM: pecialized P.Series MTB, forged alloy, top load, 40mm length, 31.8mm
HANDLEBARS: Specialized P.Series MTB Dirt, 6061 alloy, 750mm wide, 9º backsweep, 6º upsweep, 31.8mm
GRIPS: Specialized SipGrip, half waffle, closed end, lock-on
FRONT BRAKE: Avid Elixir 1, hydraulic disc, G2 Cleansweep 160mm rotor
REAR BRAKE: Avid Elixir 1, hydraulic disc, G2 Cleansweep 160mm rotor
BRAKE LEVERS: Avid Elixir 1, hydraulic lever
FRONT DERAILLEUR: N/A
REAR DERAILLEUR: N/A
SHIFT LEVERS: N/A
CASSETTE: Single speed 1/2 x 3/32″ x 15t Cr-Mo cog
CHAIN: KMC K-810SL, BMX 1/2″ x 3/32″, anti-drop inner links
CRANKSET: SRAM Descendant, BB30, 7050 alloy arms, New 2012 Thin 32t ring, 170mm
CHAINRINGS: SRAM, New 2012 Thin 32t ring, included with crank
BOTTOM BRACKET: SRAM BB30, included with crank
PEDALS: Specialized Benny DH-Race Pedal, Low Profile , 6061 alloy body, sealed cartridge bearing and bushing system, removal 4.5mm grub pins
RIMS: Specialized P.Series, 26″, alloy double-wall, triple void, 36mm, pin joint, 36h
FRONT HUB: Specialized P.Series MTB alloy, disc, Hi Lo flange, 20mm thru axle, sealed cartridge bearings, 36h
REAR HUB: Specialized P.Series MTB, alloy, sealed cartridge bearings, bolt-in design, 36h
SPOKES: Stainless, 2.0mm (14g)
FRONT TYRE: Specialized Rhythm Lite, 26×2.3″, kevlar bead, 60TPI
REAR TYRE: Specialized Rhythm Lite, 26×2.3″, kevlar bead, 60TPI
INNER TUBES: Schraeder valve
SADDLE: Specialized P.Series Dirt saddle, steel rails
SEATPOST: Alloy, two bolt, 30.9mm, 200mm
SEAT BINDER: Forged alloy single blk bolt, 34.9mm
Price: TBC
www.specialized.com
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