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Today’s Deals2018 Specialized
Demo 8 I Alloy
A 27.5″ aluminum frame full suspension downhill bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price
$3,500| Frame | Aluminum |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 200 / 200mm |
| Fork | RockShox BoXXer |
| Shock | Fox Van Performance |
| Wheels | 27.5″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 10 |
| Groupset | Truvativ Descendant, GX |
| Brakes | SRAM Guide R Hydraulic Disc |
Summary
The Specialized Demo is a downhill bike that excels in gnarly terrain with its supple suspension and planted handling, making it a favorite for steep and technical tracks. However, it faces criticism for its pedaling efficiency and suspension that can feel wallowy or bottom out under hard use. The bike's design, including its asymmetric frame and low bottom bracket, contributes to its confident ride but can also lead to some handling quirks.
Super-supple, traction-rich suspension isolates your feet from the roughest terrain
Low bottom bracket and short chainstays make for a connected, planted feel in steep tech and turns
Asymmetric frame design for easier access to the shock and cool looks
Impeccable finish and true internal routing leaves the bike rattle free
Great geometry and progressive sizing mirrors the more expensive carbon design
Linear suspension can hamper front wheel grip when cornering hard
Pedalling efficiency is compromised
Feet dragging on the insides of ruts due to low bottom bracket
Suspension is easy to bottom out
Basic fork internals and components are lacking compared to competitors
Awesome in gnarly terrain, but a little wallowy when pedalling or cornering hard
BikeRadarA bike that shines on pure downhill
Dirt MountainbikeThe Specialized Demo 8.1 Alloy looks just as good as its carbon counterpart, but costs 50 per cent less.
MBRSometimes things just click, as they did on our very first run with the Specialized Demo 8.
Vital MTBFeedback?
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Jan 2019 · Bturman
The highly regarded Demo 8 offers immediate confidence and a smooth ride.
Sep 2018 · Seb Stott
Awesome in gnarly terrain, but a little wallowy when pedalling or cornering hard. Buy if you want a bike for the roughest, steepest, most technical tracks around
Super-supple, traction-rich suspension isolates your feet from the roughest terrain
Low bottom bracket and short chainstays make for a connected, planted feel in steep tech and turns
Linear suspension can hamper front wheel grip when cornering hard, especially on the XL size
Apr 2017 · Smurf
2015 downhill bike of they year, 2016 downhill bike of the year, 2017…? The Specialized S-Works Demo 8 is bike we chose to run at the World Championships simply because we couldn’t find a frame that beat it. We’ve now got a National Championships and Worlds podium on the beast that probably prove we were […]
Jan 2017 · Alan Muldoon
Great geometry and progressive sizing give the Specialized Demo 8 Alloy an edge. Everything about the Demo’s parts package is pretty much bombproof.
Great geometry and progressive sizing give the Demo 8 an edge
Basic fork internals put the brakes on an otherwise rapid package
Dec 2015 · McCoy
The Specialized Demo 8 Carbon is worth a look for serious downhill riders and racers
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 · 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
| Frame | M5 alloy, S3 Geometry, carbon seatstay, BB30, full internal cable routing, 135mm dropouts, lipped and sealed cartridge bearing pivots, replaceable derailleur hanger, 200mm of travel BB Standard: BB30, 83mm, Press Fit |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox BoXXer Team 27.5, coil spring, S: Extra soft spring, M: Soft spring, L: Medium spring, XL: Firm spring, 200mm of travel, Charger Damper, compression adjust, rebound adjust, alloy steerer, 48mm offset, Maxle Lite DH Travel: 200mm Spring Type: Coil |
| Shock | FOX/Specialized Van RC, rebound & compression adjust, 9.5x3.0" Travel: 200mm Spring Type: Coil |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM BB30, 83mm |
| Stem | Specialized Direct Mount DH Stem, two-piece, forged alloy, 45mm |
| Handlebar | Specialized DH, 7050 alloy, 8-degree backsweep, 6-degree upsweep, 27mm rise, 800mm, 31.8mm clamp |
| Saddle | Body Geometry Phenom Comp, hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm |
| Seatpost | Specialized, 6061 alloy, 2-bolt clamp, 0mm setback, 30.9mm Type: Rigid |
| Pedals | Specialized Bennies, 6061 alloy body, sealed cartridge bearings, 4.5mm removable pins |
| Grips | Specialized Sip Grip, half-waffle, S/M: regular thickness, L/XL: XL thickness |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX, Type 2.1, short cage |
|---|---|
| Crank | Custom SRAM Descendant, BB30, 7050 alloy arms w/ Gamut bashguard, 165mm, Steel, 30T |
| Shifters | SRAM X7, trigger |
| Cassette | SRAM PG-1030, 10 speed, 11-36 last three cogs removed |
| Chain | SRAM PC-1031, 10-speed w/ PowerLink |
| Brakes | Front: SRAM Guide R, hydraulic disc, organic pads, Guide S4 4-piston caliper, 200mm rotor, Rear: SRAM Guide R, hydraulic disc, organic pads, Guide S4 4-piston caliper, 180mm rotor Type: SRAM Guide R Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Roval 27.5, alloy, 24mm internal width |
|---|---|
| Spokes | DT Swiss Industry, stainless, 3-cross, 2.0" |
| Front Hub | Specialized disc, alloy flange & disc mount, sealed cartridge bearings, 20mm thru-axle, 32h |
| Rear Hub | Specialized, sealed cartridge bearings, 12x135mm spacing, 32h |
| Tires | Front: Butcher, DH casing, 27.5 b x2.5", 60 TPI, wire bead, Rear: Butcher, DH casing, 27.5 b x2.3", 60 TPI, wire bead |
First added November 6
Last updated November 6
Not listed for 2,411 days