Wow - what a record! Kyle Strait won the 2004 Rampage on the "Demo", freeride heroes Darren Berrecloth, Matt Hunter and Steve Romaniuk performed the biggest stunts in freeride history on the "Demo" and Sam Hill became Downhill World Champion in 2010 on the "Demo" - the bike that many experts claim cannot go "fast". And then there are the many hobby freeriders who have made the "Demo" probably the best-selling big bike on the market and have kept the US manufacturer's coffers ringing over the years.
When Specialized announced a new "Demo" for 2015, the scene rejoiced and feared at the same time: there was a great danger of a bad improvement. Hobby freeriders in particular feared that the bike would be remodelled into a pure racing file under the influence of team riders Gwin and Brosnan. "Don't worry," says designer Jason Chamberlain, giving the all-clear, "we didn't want to change much at all!" Chamberlain reportedly bought twelve competitor bikes and analysed them carefully before setting to work. He converted the bike to 650B wheels, lengthened the chainstays (Gwin had asked for this!), cleared out the massive double-decker rear triangle and gave the new bike this spectacular asymmetrical seat dome - a recognisable feature that marketing experts could not have thought up more beautifully. Firstly, it looks futuristic. And secondly, only this bike has an exposed rear shock.
Although the new "Demo" is made entirely of carbon, it weighs a whopping 16.9 kilos. This is also due to the fact that Specialized once again uses steel spring forks in addition to the Swedish Ohlins shock ("because they respond so smoothly"). We rode the new "S-Works" against the old one, smashing the bikes over the park trails in Whistler - and despite the larger wheels, we only felt subtle differences. Good: The new "Demo" is still a "Demo" with the characteristic "sit on it and feel good" effect. However, it has become more confident, copes a little better with nasty bumps, keeps more speed in the bike and manoeuvres more directly through corners. It reminds us a lot of the Devinci "Wilson", which we tested against the old "Demo" in the last issue. In short: the "Demo" has become more race-orientated. At the World Championships in Hafjell, team rider Troy Brosnan provided the first proof of this: a bronze medal. The new "Demo" will be available to buy from January 2015. Prices: 7999 euros ("S-Works") and 4999 euros ("8.1"). The old "Demos" - jacked up to 650B - will continue to be available as aluminium versions, as the new frame will not be manufactured in aluminium until 2016.
CONCLUSIONSleeker, slimmer, chicer - you can see that immediately. On the trail, you only feel minor differences to its predecessor. The 650B wheels and the longer rear end create a smoother ride. Racers will like that. Nevertheless, the "Demo" is playful and manoeuvrable - which will please freeriders.
PLUS smooth-running progressive rear triangle clean look
MINUS more expensive aluminium models only in 2016
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
