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Test downhill bikes 2023Specialised Demo Race

Dimitri Lehner

 · 28.11.2022

Test downhill bikes 2023: Specialised Demo RacePhoto: Dimitri Lehner
Test downhill bikes 2023: Specialised Demo Race
Motocross feeling! The Specialized Demo has always been a powerhouse, an ego booster that dispels any doubts. The drop too high? The jump too far? The rock gardens too angry? Don't worry, the Demo Race downhill bike can handle it!

We've never felt so confident on a bike. You can literally hide behind the massive Öhlins fork of the Specialized Demo Race and get right into the mess. Loic Bruni has just become world champion on the Demo, Finn Iles won his first World Cup; the fast guys have discovered that "Mullet" works particularly well on the Demo. In other words: big wheel at the front, small wheel at the back.

Comfort saddle: You have to pull hard on the reins of the Specialized to get some airtime, otherwise it sticks to the ground.Photo: Lars ScharlComfort saddle: You have to pull hard on the reins of the Specialized to get some airtime, otherwise it sticks to the ground.

You can find an overview article on our three tested downhill bikes and the other individual tests here:

We liked the mix of wheels - the Demo Race is easy to pull onto the rear wheel. However, you also sit a little "in the back". The soft rear end reinforces this feeling. In fast cornering and jumps, we would have liked a little more counter-pressure from the Specialized. Tip: stiffer spring! We mostly rode the 3-stage compression damping in the centre position. On rough terrain, the Demo is clearly the fastest downhill bike. The Specialized Demo Race irons everything out - on the trail: rocks, roots, edges. And in your head: insecurities, lack of skills, wrong timing. The other side of the coin of super traction: In tame passages, the bike with its slack steering angle requires a lot of effort to keep momentum in the bike.

STRENGTHSComfort chassis, massive reserves, fast

WEAKNESSES: expensive

Conclusion FREERIDE test team:

What a moped! What a chassis! The Specialized Demo Race is damn fast, super safe and still manoeuvrable enough. Unfortunately very expensive in this version.
Low centre of gravity: The Öhlins shock with its bright yellow spring is located just above the bottom bracket. We would have liked the spring (411 lbs) to be a little firmer. Great: the 3-stage compression damping.Photo: Dimitri LehnerLow centre of gravity: The Öhlins shock with its bright yellow spring is located just above the bottom bracket. We would have liked the spring (411 lbs) to be a little firmer. Great: the 3-stage compression damping.
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Steam hammer: The Öhlins fork with two air chambers generates a lot of riding comfort. We rode the fork softer than recommended. 94 instead of 110 psi. This harmonised better with the soft rear end.Photo: Dimitri LehnerSteam hammer: The Öhlins fork with two air chambers generates a lot of riding comfort. We rode the fork softer than recommended. 94 instead of 110 psi. This harmonised better with the soft rear end.

Statement by Dimitri Lehner, FREERIDE editor-in-chief:

"Typical Specialized Demo! The motocrosser among the downhill bikes. Lots of speed, lots of comfort, lots of safety. I would have liked a slightly stiffer shock spring. My tip for racers: frame size S4 with more reach."
Dimitri Lehner (height: 1.79 m), FREERIDE editor-in-chiefPhoto: Andreas ViglDimitri Lehner (height: 1.79 m), FREERIDE editor-in-chief

Technical data and grades of the Specialised Demo Race

Manufacturer information

  • Distribution: Specialised GmbH
  • Material / Sizes: Aluminium / S1, S2 (tested size), S3
  • Price / weight without pedals: 9200 Euro / 17.1 kg

Measurement data

  • Front / rear suspension travel: 200 mm / 200 mm
  • Rear suspension system: four-link

Equipment

  • Fork / shock absorber: Öhlins DH38 M.1 / Öhlins TTX 22 M (411 lbs)
  • Cranks / gears: Sram X01 DH / Sram X01 DH
  • Brake system: Magura MT-7
  • Wheels: Specialised alloy hub; Royal DH rim
  • Tyres: Specialized Butcher GridGravity T9 2Bliss 2.3
  • Reach: 439 mm
  • Stack: 638 mm
  • BB drop: -7 mm
Specialized Demo Race - Geometry dataPhoto: FREERIDE-TestabteilungSpecialized Demo Race - Geometry data
Specialized Demo Race - Riding behaviourPhoto: FREERIDE-TestabteilungSpecialized Demo Race - Riding behaviourSpecialised Demo Race - Characteristics and gradePhoto: FREERIDE-TestabteilungSpecialised Demo Race - Characteristics and grade

Dimitri Lehner

Dimitri Lehner is a qualified sports scientist. He studied at the German Sport University Cologne. He is fascinated by almost every discipline of fun sports - besides biking, his favourites are windsurfing, skiing and skydiving. His latest passion: the gravel bike. He recently rode it from Munich to the Baltic Sea - and found it marvellous. And exhausting. Wonderfully exhausting!

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