WebreaderShopNewsletterTop dealers & workshops

Specialized Status 160 on testMore freeride bike or enduro after all?

Laurin Lehner

 · 19.09.2022

Specialized Status 160 on test: more freeride bike or enduro after all?Photo: Lars Scharl
Do you remember the Specialized Status? For a long time, the bike with a double bridge was considered an entry-level downhill bike and an alternative to its big brother, the Demo - then it disappeared from the range. Now we were able to test the new Specialized Status 160.

The Specialized Status 160 is still not available on the manufacturer's website. Specialized is pursuing a different strategy with the aluminium mountain bike: "The customer should decide on the intended use," says Dennis Rankl from the US bike label, "We don't want to commit ourselves to one category." So we quickly recruited the Specialized bike for our freeride test - despite the short travel (160 mm). There is only one model of the Specialized Status: the Status 160 relies on a wheel mix (29/27.5 inch), simple Fox suspension, Sram Code R brakes and Sram's affordable NX Eagle drivetrain. For a brand like Specialized, 3300 euros is a reasonable price.

Specialised never offers as much bike for the money as the Status. For 3300 euros, you get a robust freeride or enduro bike that can do a lot.Photo: Georg GrieshaberSpecialised never offers as much bike for the money as the Status. For 3300 euros, you get a robust freeride or enduro bike that can do a lot.

We liked the Status 160 from the very first turn: Feel-good geometry (in the low setting of the flip-chip), a wide cockpit that inspires confidence - the bike wants to play, is easy to pull onto the rear wheel, steers willingly through corners and develops a lot of pop for jumps - very good! However, when the trail speed increases and the ground gets rough, the Specialized Status doesn't flutter as confidently and smoothly over berms, rubble and roots as the Propain in our test. Freeride bike comparison test. But it remains predictable, reaches the limit in a controlled manner and signals to the pilot: That's it! Uphills are easier than the competition thanks to the lower weight and efficient platform function.

StrengthsHandling, range of use, feel-good geo

WeaknessesSimple suspension elements, chassis / tyres do not build up quite as much grip.

How do you like this article?

Test summary of the Specialized Status 160:

The Status enduro bike from Specialized wants to play - we were impressed by this, as well as its direct ride feel. The Status is more of a robust enduro bike with slopestyle genes than a smooth-running bike park freerider.

Laurin Lehner, deputy editor-in-chief: "It remains a mystery why the status is treated so neglected by the US manufacturer. You get a fun bike for relatively little money. The suspension is simple and not a revelation, but harmonises well front and rear."Photo: Dimitri LehnerLaurin Lehner, deputy editor-in-chief: "It remains a mystery why the status is treated so neglected by the US manufacturer. You get a fun bike for relatively little money. The suspension is simple and not a revelation, but harmonises well front and rear."

>> You can download the complete test with all data and grades at download here.

The alternative: The Specialized Stumpjumper Evo may only have 160/150 millimetres of travel, but it is fully trimmed for stability. The entry-level model costs 4200 euros. Weight: 15.8 kilos (manufacturer's specification).Photo: Hersteller The alternative: The Specialized Stumpjumper Evo may only have 160/150 millimetres of travel, but it is fully trimmed for stability. The entry-level model costs 4200 euros. Weight: 15.8 kilos (manufacturer's specification). For a little more: The Bigbike Demo now starts at 5200 euros (Expert model). It has Rockshox Select suspension. With the Demo you only want to ride downhill. Weight: 17.4 kilos (manufacturer's specification).Photo: Hersteller For a little more: The Bigbike Demo now starts at 5200 euros (Expert model). It has Rockshox Select suspension. With the Demo you only want to ride downhill. Weight: 17.4 kilos (manufacturer's specification).

Technical data for the Specialized Status 160

General information

Measurement data

  • Weight without pedals: 15.6 kg
  • Front / rear suspension travel: 160 mm / 160 mm
  • Rear suspension system: four-link

Equipment

  • Fork / Shock: Fox 36 Float Rhythm/ Float X Performance
  • Cranks / gears: Sram NX Eagle / Sram NX Eagle brake system Sram Code R
  • Wheels: Specialized hubs, rims (aluminium)
  • Tyres: Specialized Butcher Grid Trail T9 2.3,Specialized Butcher Grid Trail T9 2.3
Specialised Status - Geometry dataPhoto: FREERIDESpecialised Status - Geometry data

Download:

Test freeride bikes 2022 (FREERIDE 2/2022)

Laurin Lehner

Born in South Baden, Laurin Lehner is, by his own admission, a lousy racer. Maybe that's why he is fascinated by creative, playful biking. What counts for him is not how fast you get from A to B, but what happens in between. Lehner writes reports, interviews scene celebrities and tests products and bikes - preferably those with a lot of suspension travel.

Home
FREERIDE

Most read in category Bikes