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Today’s DealsDemo 8 I
A 26″ aluminum frame full suspension downhill bike with upper mid-range components.
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| Frame | Aluminum |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 200 / 200mm |
| Fork | RockShox BoXXer |
| Shock | Fox Van Performance |
| Wheels | 26″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 10 |
| Groupset | X9, Truvativ Descendant |
| Brakes | Avid Hydraulic Disc |
4'11" – 5'5"
5'2" – 5'7"
5'4" – 5'10"
5'7" – 6'1"
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
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Summary
The Specialized Demo is a downhill bike designed for World Cup racing, featuring a distinctive asymmetrical frame, lower center of gravity, and improved stiffness. It offers a custom TTX shock for superior suspension performance and internal cable routing for durability. While it excels in responsiveness and maneuverability, some riders may find the top tube short for taller frames and the FSR suspension system less optimal on hard hits.
Distinctive asymmetrical frame design
Lower center of gravity for improved handling
Custom TTX shock with high- and low-speed compression adjustments
Internal cable routing for durability
Lightweight and responsive
Top tube may be short for taller riders
FSR suspension system can hang up on hard hits
Expensive, especially custom builds
Rear derailleur vulnerable to damage
The Specialized Demo 8 has been an eye-turner since the original with its distinctive twin seatstays and spider web shock enclosure.
The new bike was designed from the ground up as a thoroughbred race machine built for the speed and rigors of World Cup Downhill, and it shows with its clean, simple lines, aggressive stance and low center of gravity.
The Öhlins TTX shock is a top performer that offers a massive amount of composure when the terrain starts to get ugly.
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View all reviews

Aug 2014 · Ian Collins
During Crankworx in Whistler, I had the fortunate opportunity to take a new Specialized Demo Carbon 27.5” bike out for a day and gather some thoughts on the bold, cutting edge new design. While one day certainly isn’t enough time to do a full length review on a complete DH bike, if there was any single place to ride for JUST one day and gather as much feedback as possible it would be in Whistler. demo test session from MTB MAG on Vimeo. At 6′ tall, I was pretty dead set on riding a long. Why did I call it

Aug 2014 · Charles Bryer
Specialized’s latest release is the Demo 8 Carbon – a downhill bike designed to have a lower centre of gravity and improved stiffness according to

Aug 2014
The Specialized Demo 8 has been an eye-turner since the original with its distinctive twin seat stays and spider web shock enclosure. The bike has gone through several redesigns since then, but none as transformative as what you see here.
Aug 2014 · Dave Jaquin
We take a deeper look at the all new 2015 Specialized Demo 8
Aug 2014 · Don Palermini
Specialized's all-new Demo Carbon 650b features a radical asymmetric frame design, 27.5-inch wheels, and a new FSR suspension layout. Plus the low, lean racing machine just looks flat-out fast. - Mtbr.com

Jul 2014 · Rob Weaver
Wishlist kit, a superb shock and a great frame. Tall riders need not apply though – and that price would keep anyone awake at night

Jan 2014 · MBA Action
When Specialized began testing the carbon version of their Demo 8 in 2011, downhill racers world-wide became like the paparazzi, trying to be the first to

Oct 2012
At its inception in 2004, the Specialized Demo was a 9.5-inch travel, huckster-oriented freeride bike. Today, the name is all that remains. The Demo has steadily evolved from the once overbuilt, ultra burly 48-pound rig into a maneuverable 8-inch travel downhill race bike.
| Frame | M5 manipulated alloy, 1.5"" forged headtube, 150mm rear spacing, compact race design, ISCG '05 mount, cartridge bearing rear shock mount, rear derailleur protector, 200mm travel BB Standard: PF30, 83mm, Press Fit |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox Boxxer RC, alloy steerer, compression and rebound adj. 20mm Maxle DH thru-axle, XS/S: extra-soft spring, M: soft spring, L: medium spring, 200mm travel Travel: 200mm Spring Type: Coil |
| Shock | Custom FOX VAN RC, coil over w/ piggy back, compression and reb adj. 9.5x3"", XS: 300, S: 350, M: 400, L: 450 Travel: 200mm Spring Type: Coil |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM PF30 DH, 83mm shell |
| Headset | 1-1/2"" integrated for 1-1/8"" steerer, cartridge bearings |
| Stem | Specialized Direct Mount, 6061 alloy, 4-bolt, 31.8mm clamp |
| Handlebar | Specialized Demo, low-rise, 7050 alloy, 780mm wide, 8-degree backsweep, 6-degree upsweep, 31.8mm |
| Saddle | Body Geometry Phenom Comp, hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm |
| Seatpost | Specialized 6061 alloy, 2-bolt micro-adjust, no offset, 30.9mm, 300mm Type: Rigid |
| Pedals | Specialized Bennies, 6061 alloy body, sealed cartridge, 4.5mm removable pins |
| Grips | Specialized Sip Grip, light lock-on, half-waffle aramid-infused, S/M: regular, Others: XL thickness |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM X9 Type 2, 10-speed, mid cage |
|---|---|
| Crank | Custom SRAM Descendant, PF30 spindle, 7050 alloy arms, w/ Gamut P-30 chain guide |
| Shifters | SRAM X7, 10-speed, aluminum trigger, w/ MatchMaker clamp |
| Cassette | Shimano Tiagra, 10-speed, 11-25 |
| Chain | SRAM PC 1031, 10-speed, PowerLink |
| Brakes | Front: Custom Avid Elixir 7 Trail, 4-piston caliper, steel backed metallic pad, 200mm rotor, Rear: Custom Avid Elixir 7 Trail, 4-piston caliper, steel backed metallic pad, 180mm rotor Type: Avid Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | Custom Avid Elixir 7 Trail, hydraulic disc, tool-less reach adj. |
| Rims | Roval DH 26, alloy disc, 30mm wide w/eyelets, 32h |
|---|---|
| Spokes | DT Industry Stainless, 3X front/rear 2.0 |
| Front Hub | Specialized Hi Lo disc, sealed cartridge bearings, 20mm thru-axle, 32h |
| Rear Hub | Specialized Hi Lo disc, 150mm, hollow 12mm Cr-Mo axle w/ RD guard, 32h |
| Tires | Front: Specialized Butcher DH, 26x2.5"", wire bead, soft dual-compound, 60 TPI, Rear: Specialized Butcher DH, 26x2.5"", wire bead, soft dual-compound, 60 TPI |
First added July 9
Last updated July 9
Not listed for 2,521 days