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Today’s DealsFuse Expert 29
A 29″ aluminum frame hardtail trail bike with upper mid-range components.
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Manufacturer Price
$2,700| Frame | Aluminum |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Hardtail, 130mm |
| Fork | Fox Rhythm Float 34 |
| Wheels | 29″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | SLX |
| Brakes | Shimano Deore Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
156cm – 166cm
163cm – 174cm
171cm – 182cm
179cm – 189cm
185cm – 195cm
🐐 Estimated
Summary
The Specialized Fuse is a versatile trail hardtail that defies typical hardtail expectations with its slack geometry, 130mm fork, and plus-size tire compatibility, offering a fun and confident ride on rough terrain. It's praised for its efficient climbing, comfortable ride, and premium feel, though some note limitations in descending capability and front-end height.
130mm fork for tackling rough terrain
Slack geometry enhances descending confidence
Plus-size tires provide excellent traction
Efficient climbing with steep seat angle
Premium feel at a reasonable price
Low front end limits descending potential
Plus-size tires increase steering friction
Some cable rattle and chain slap reported
Most hardtails are cross-country-focused these days, but we wanted Fuse to be the perfect trail riders’ hardtail and excel in rough, steep, and technical terrain similar to a full-suspension bike but at a fraction of the cost.Bicycling
The Specialized Fuse 27.5 is the Big S’s cheapest hardcore hardtail.
A fast, fun and efficient alloy hardtail, but best of all it doesn't shake the life out of you on rougher trails
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May 2021 · Alex Evans
A premium-feeling bike that’s most at home cruising comfortably around trail centres
Comfortable contact points improve overall ride feel
Impressive fork that handled everything I could throw at it
Low front end limits descending potential
Not as capable on the trail as its geometry hints at on paper

Mar 2020 · Riley Missel
Credit to the slack geometry, ample maneuverability, and a fork with plenty of travel.

Jan 2020 · Alan Muldoon
The new Specialized Fuse Expert 29 lends a lightweight alloy frame with 29in wheels and a 130mm fork. Ther most aggro trail hardtail.
High-tech frame design
Front end is too low

Nov 2019 · McCoy
Far from entry-level performance

Aug 2019 · Pat Donahue
The all-new Specialized Fuse Expert 29 is a stellar hardtail mountain bike at a reasonable price. This sleek, silver, shredder features dialed geometry...
High value
Fun on a wide range of terrain
Dialed geometry
Poor fork specification
Less compliant frame compared to outgoing model

Jun 2019
The newly modernized Fuse hardtail just got a more aggressive spec, geometry and price point ... but not too aggressive.

Jun 2019
Specialized's Fuse Comp 29 is a 130mm trail hardtail that blends balanced handling with some very neat features. It's got a very respectable spec list for a shop bought bike, but dedicated distance sluggers will find it too heavy and those after techy thrills will find the geometry a bit tame. The best mountain bikes you can buy for under £1,500 - full sus and hardtails Is it worth converting your mountain bike to tubeless?
Jun 2019 · Wil Barrett
The 2020 Specialized Fuse Comp is a new-school hardtail ripper with a 130mm travel fork, 2.6in tyres, and modern trail-oriented geometry.
| Frame | Specialized M4 Premium Aluminum, 148mm thru-axle, adjustable dropout, SS compatible, tapered head tube, internal cable routing BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded Color: Satin Brushed Alloy / Redwood |
|---|---|
| Fork | FOX FLOAT 34 Rhythm, GRIP damper, two position Sweep adjustment, 15x110mm Kabolt axle, 44mm offset, 130mm of travel Travel: 130mm Spring Type: Air |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano, BB-MT800, Threaded |
| Stem | Stout 3D-forged alloy, 31.8mm, 6-degree rise |
| Handlebar | Stout Riser, double-butted alloy, 9-degree backsweep, 5-degree upsweep, 15mm rise, 750mm / 780mm width, 31.8mm |
| Saddle | Bridge Comp, Hollow Cr-mo rails, 155/143mm |
| Seatpost | TranzX dropper, 34.9mm, XS-S: 100mm, M: 120mm, L/XL: 150mm Travel Type: Dropper |
| Pedals | Specialized Body Geometry Fitness, platform, plastic |
| Grips | Specialized Trail Grips |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano SLX M7100, SGS, 12-speed |
|---|---|
| Crank | Shimano SLX, M7120 12spd, 30T |
| Shifters | Shimano SLX, M7100, 12spd |
| Cassette | Shimano SLX, CS-M7100, 12-speed, 10-51t |
| Chain | Shimano SLX, M7100 w/Quicklink |
| Brakes | Front: Shimano Deore, M6100 4-piston, 180mm, Rear: Shimano Deore, M6100 4-piston, 160/180mm Type: Shimano Deore Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Alloy SL, disc only, double-wall, 29mm internal width, 28h, tubeless ready |
|---|---|
| Spokes | Stainless, 14g |
| Front Hub | Shimano MT410-B, Centerlock 28h, 15x110 Boost |
| Rear Hub | Shimano MT510-B, Centerlock 28h, 12x148 Boost, Microspline |
| Tires | Front: Butcher, GRID, GRIPTON® compound, 2Bliss Ready, 29x2.6", Rear: Purgatory, GRID, GRIPTON® compound, 2Bliss Ready, 29x2.6" |
First added 26 March
Last updated 2 July
Not listed for 1,432 days