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Wa(h)re LiebeSpecialized Demo 8 S-Works

Laurin Lehner

 · 11.10.2014

Wa(h)re Liebe: Specialized Demo 8 S-WorksPhoto: Lars Scharl
Wa(h)re Liebe: Specialized Demo 8 S-Works
Seen it - in love! That's how we all felt. The luxury version of the big-bike classic "Demo" is true "eye candy", as the Americans say.
Mmmmh, wouldn't the "demo" be something for our fastest German downhiller? Or what else is this gesture supposed to tell us? The 388 spring in the Öhlins shock was too soft for the Worldcupper when the track got fast. We mere mortals were happy about the comfort in the rear.Photo: Lars Scharl Mmmmh, wouldn't the "demo" be something for our fastest German downhiller? Or what else is this gesture supposed to tell us? The 388 spring in the Öhlins shock was too soft for the Worldcupper when the track got fast. We mere mortals were happy about the comfort in the rear.

An elegantly finished carbon frame with bright red paint and matt black, plus the curved tubes and organic-looking shapes - 100 per cent sexy! We don't know the numbers, but we estimate that the "Demo" (not this one!) is probably the most ridden big bike in the world. This is no coincidence. In addition to its race qualities (world champion 2010), the bike has a feel-good geometry that hobby freeriders in particular love.

Deadly chic: Anyone who sees the luxury version of the "Demo" immediately wants to plunder their building society savings account or rob a bank. Why do beautiful things always have to be so expensive? By the way: A completely newly developed "Demo" is already in the starting blocks for 2015.Photo: Daniel Simon Deadly chic: Anyone who sees the luxury version of the "Demo" immediately wants to plunder their building society savings account or rob a bank. Why do beautiful things always have to be so expensive? By the way: A completely newly developed "Demo" is already in the starting blocks for 2015.

Long reach, short chainstays, low top tube - that fits and has proven itself in many tests. Thanks to the low bottom bracket (434 millimetres), you stand comfortably on the bike. The short rear end (1 centimetre shorter than the Devinci) gives the bike extremely agile handling. The "Demo" accelerates like a pinball out of tight turns and conserves speed. Fighter jet feeling compared to the Reichmann airliner. When the going gets rough, the "Demo" irons over boulders, terrain steps and root loops so skilfully that the rider's grin is visible despite the full-face helmet.

But enough gushing, a decision has to be made: Which of the two superbikes has the edge? Specialized "Demo" or Devinci "Wilson"? Opinions were divided. The fact is: both bikes are 10-point bikes - the rest is purely a matter of taste.

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ConclusionThe "Demo" (once again) manages the balancing act between freeride and race. It is manoeuvrable, playful and still damn fast and safe on angry downhills. For € 8000 you get the Ferrari of big bikes.


StrengthsChassis, running smoothness, optics
Weaknesses: none


Johannes Fischbach (26): "The 'demo' riding experience is great. You're literally standing in the bike. Nevertheless, I enjoy the Devinci more. The 388 series spring was too soft for me. I felt that especially when it got fast - then I even made the rear end bottom out."


Manufacturer information


Distribution Specialised Europe B.V. wwww.specialized.com
Material/sizes Hybrid/S,M,L
Price/weight without pedals 7 999 Euro/16.5 kg


Measurement data


Front/rear suspension travel 200 mm/200 mm
Rear suspension system Four-bar linkage


Equipment


Fork/damper RockShox WC/Öhlins Custom TTX22M
Cranks/gears Truvativ XO/SRAM XO
Brake system Avid Code
Impellers vo: Specialized Hi-Lo hub, hi: DT-Swiss 350 hub, Specialized Roval DH wheels Specialized Butcher 2.5 tyres

Legendary: The FSR rear triangle is awesome! The typically short "Demo" chainstays make the bike manoeuvrable and playful - but there is still no lack of smoothness.Photo: Daniel Simon Legendary: The FSR rear triangle is awesome! The typically short "Demo" chainstays make the bike manoeuvrable and playful - but there is still no lack of smoothness. Moto influence: For the first time, the Americans installed an Öhlins shock absorber. The 388 series spring worked well, the harder 434 spring even better. Good: the stone guard on the down tube.Photo: Daniel Simon Moto influence: For the first time, the Americans installed an Öhlins shock absorber. The 388 series spring worked well, the harder 434 spring even better. Good: the stone guard on the down tube.
FREERIDE RANKING: The number (maximum 10 points) reflects the overall impression and is not an addition of downhill and bike park points. The rating only refers to the respective test field.Photo: FREERIDE Magazin FREERIDE RANKING: The number (maximum 10 points) reflects the overall impression and is not an addition of downhill and bike park points. The rating only refers to the respective test field.

Downloads:

Noble Downhiller (pdf)

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.

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