Chisel
Origin
The Chisel debuted in mid-2017 for the 2018 model year as Specialized's most accessible XC race hardtail and the first time the brand brought D'Aluisio SmartWeld technology — pioneered on its high-end alloy road frames — to mountain bikes. The frame weighs just 1,350g (one of the lightest alloy hardtails in production), uses size-specific tube butting and stiffness tuning, and shares its progressive XC geometry (68° head angle) with the carbon Epic Hardtail. The Chisel exists as a deliberate value proposition: racy geometry, modern build, RockShox Judy fork, and a price point under €3,500 that gets entry-level XC racers and budget-conscious singletrack riders on a serious bike without carbon-frame markup.
Specifications
- Frame
- Specialized M5 premium aluminium, D'Aluisio SmartWeld hydroformed tubing, size-specific tube butting. Hardtail frame ~1,350 g; threaded BB, internal cable routing. The 2024+ Chisel FS adds a one-piece flex-stay rear triangle (no rear pivot bearings) with ~2,920 g frame in size L.
- Weight
- kg
- Drivetrain
- Shimano Deore M6100 1x12 (base) / Shimano SLX 1x12 (Comp). Some builds/markets spec SRAM SX/GX Eagle 1x12 (11-50T cassette). Earlier generations offered both Shimano and SRAM at the same price.
- Brakes
- Hardtail: Shimano hydraulic disc (MT500/MT200 depending on build). Chisel FS / some builds: SRAM Level (Level T) hydraulic disc — criticized as adequate but underpowered for racing.
- Wheels
- 29" alloy wheels, Boost spacing, 15×110 front / 12×148 rear. Rim internal width 25–27 mm (24 spokes front on some builds); narrow rims and front-wheel flex noted under hard riding.
The verdict
- Exceptional value: World Cup Epic-derived geometry and a sub-1.35 kg alloy hardtail frame at a fraction of carbon-frame pricing
- Lively, fast-accelerating ride — thin-walled SmartWeld tubing gives a 'whip-spring' liveliness and electrifying acceleration for the weight
- Compliant frame conforms to the trail, delivering excellent traction and a forgiving, fatigue-reducing ride where stiffer bikes get deflected
- Genuinely light for an alloy bike (~11.8–11.9 kg) — Chisel FS claimed ~18.4% lighter than its closest alloy full-suspension rival
- Practical frame details: threaded BB, internal dropper routing, good mud clearance
- Noticeable frame and front-wheel flex under max-effort sprints — twists visibly; power-meter racers wanting a stiff, direct platform won't like it
- Narrow rims (25–27 mm) make the light Control-casing tires squirm in hard cornering; tires are thin and best run tubeless on sharp terrain
- Brakes on SRAM-equipped builds (Level T) are adequate but underpowered/'lifeless' for racing
- Basic fork and shock damping — overly sensitive rebound that's fiddly to set up, no bar-mounted remote lockout on lower builds
- Limited travel and light tires punish sloppy line choice; not suited to aggressive trail/enduro riding — precision is mandatory
- Hardtail's 27.2 mm seat tube restricts dropper-post options
Who it’s for
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