
Bikes up to 60% offWe monitor over 40,000 bikes daily to find the best prices
Today’s DealsS-Works Demo 8
A 27.5″ carbon frame full suspension downhill bike with ultra high-end components.
Compare the full range
Manufacturer Price
$7,500| Frame | Carbon |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Full, 200 / 200mm |
| Fork | RockShox BoXXer |
| Shock | Öhlins |
| Wheels | 27.5″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 7 |
| Groupset | X01, X0 |
| Brakes | SRAM Code RSC 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
A bike that shines on pure downhill
The Specialized Demo 8.1 Alloy looks just as good as its carbon counterpart, but costs 50 per cent less.
Sometimes things just click, as they did on our very first run with the Specialized Demo 8.
Feedback?
View all reviews

Jan 2019 · Bturman
The highly regarded Demo 8 offers immediate confidence and a smooth ride.
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

Sep 2016 · Rob Weaver
The Demo handles the rough stuff without hesitation too, though we can’t help think about just how good it could be with an even better fork bolted in out front.

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 | S-Works FACT 11m, S3 Geometry, carbon front triangle, full carbon rear end, new team alloy link, FACT IS construction, 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 WC 27.5, Charger Damper, air spring, compression adjust, rebound adjust, alloy steerer, 48mm offset, Maxle Lite DH, 200mm of travel Travel: 200mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | Custom Öhlins TTX, Twin-Tube design, high- and low-speed compression adjust, rebound adjust, 9.5x3" Travel: 200mm |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM BB30, 83mm |
| Stem | Specialized Direct Mount DH Stem, two-piece, forged alloy, 45mm |
| Handlebar | Specialized DH, FACT carbon, 6-degree upsweep, 8-degree backsweep, 27mm rise, 800mm, 31.8mm |
| Saddle | Body Geometry Phenom Expert, Adaptive Edge design, hollow titanium rails, carbon fiber base, 143mm |
| Seatpost | Thomson, alloy, straight, 12-degree clamp Type: Rigid |
| Pedals | Specialized Boomslang, 6061 alloy, sealed cartridge bearings |
| Grips | Specialized Sip Grip, half-waffle, S/M: regular thickness, L/XL: XL thickness |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM X01 DH, short cage, 7-speed |
|---|---|
| Crank | SRAM X0 DH, carbon, 104 BCD spider, 165mm crankarm w/ Gamut bashguard, SRAM, 34T |
| Shifters | SRAM X0 DH, 7-speed, trigger |
| Cassette | SRAM X01 DH, 7-speed, 10-24t |
| Chain | SRAM PC1130 chain, 11-speed w/ PowerLink |
| Brakes | Front: SRAM Code RSC, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, metallic pads, 200mm rotor, Rear: SRAM Code RSC, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc, metallic pads, 180mm rotor Type: SRAM Code RSC Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Roval 27.5, alloy, 24mm internal width |
|---|---|
| Spokes | DT Swiss Competition, stainless, black,x2.0x1.8x2.0 |
| Front Hub | Specialized disc, alloy flange & disc mount, sealed cartridge bearings, 20mm thru-axle, 32h |
| Rear Hub | Custom DT Swiss 350, 135mm spacing, SRAM XD driver, 54T ratchet, 12mm thru-axle, 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