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Today’s DealsDemo 8 I Carbon
A 26″ carbon frame full suspension downhill bike with upper mid-range components.
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| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 200 / 200mm |
| Fork | RockShox BoXXer |
| Shock | Cane Creek |
| Wheels | 26″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 10 |
| Groupset | X9, Truvativ Descendant |
| Brakes | Avid Hydraulic Disc |
5'2" – 5'7"
5'6" – 5'11"
5'9" – 6'2"
🐐 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
All New Specialized FSR Design with Concentric Bottom Bracket Introduced at Crankworx Whistler, 27.5-inch wheels are infiltrating the DH scene for 2015, including one of the industry’s last holdouts of the ‘tweener wheel size in general - Specialized. In addition to their recent 27.5-inch Enduro model introduction, next year’s Demo will now be available with 27.5” wheels, too.

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

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

Jun 2012 · Jake Ireland
Improves on a bike that was one of the best anyway. Fast and furious fun
| Frame | FACT 10m front triangle, bonded alloy-insert BB and headtube, 150mm spacing M5 rear triangle, 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 Cane Creek Double Barrel, coil over w/ piggy back, high/low speed comp and reb adj. 9.5x3"", S: 350, M: 400, L: 450 Travel: 200mm |
| 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, L: 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 2,537 days