New Specialized Chisel, an Epic 8 in aluminum?

The Specialized Chisel arrives in the brand's catalog as the most capable and lightweight double suspension aluminum mountain bike on the market. It is an advanced XC model that many will surely associate as an aluminum Epic 8.

Key features of the Specialized Chisel

• The lightest aluminum XC double suspension frame in its segment
• 110mm of Specialized Ride Dynamics travel
• Kinematics and geometry inspired by the Epic 8
• Weight: 2,720kg for the frame
• Price: €2,600 - €3,300 plus a frame kit

Specialized Chisel 2025: an aluminum XC bike that could pass for a World Cup MTB

The new Specialized Chisel is presented as the lightest and fastest double suspension aluminum XC mountain bike in the world. And it does so because Specialized ensures that the Chisel is 18.4% lighter than its closest competitor (the SCOTT Spark aluminum according to the brand) and also shares the geometry and kinematics of the Epic 8.

The lightest, strongest, and most capable aluminum

Specialized takes its aluminum bike models very seriously, and if they recently presented the Crux DSW gravel bike, now we see that they use the same technology to achieve a high-performance aluminum XC bike.

The key is in a completely new way of welding aluminum bikes, called D'Aluisio Smartweld (DSW) and patented by Specialized.

The traditional construction of aluminum frames joins the tubes with high-stress point welds during riding, while D'Aluisio Smartweld uses hydroformed tube joints to move connections away from high-stress areas and place welds in less critical areas.

For example, the Specialized Chisel saves weight with a one-piece hydroformed seat tube that integrates the seat tube pivot, main pivot, and bottom bracket. In a more traditional bike, the seat tube is usually just a "tube" with the pivots and bottom bracket welded on.

In addition, each of the frame tubes has specific thicknesses and shapes that provide stiffness where needed - for greater efficiency - and "absorption" in key areas - for greater comfort and optimal control.

World Cup DNA and performance

Just take a look at the new Chisel to realize that we are facing a bike very similar to the new Specialized Epic 8. Something that is not accidental and that Specialized assumes from the first moment. The new Chisel has the DNA of the Epic 8, such as advanced suspension kinematics, the tuned Ride Dynamics suspension, or the progressive geometry perfected on technical World Cup circuits.

The rear triangle has flexible stays just like the high-performance carbon models. With this single pivot system, weight is saved while obtaining the advantages of a more complete system. Specialized claims to have achieved the impossible: the efficiency, control, and lightness of a flexible stay design with an advanced aluminum alloy.

Progressive geometry for modern XC and Downcountry

With the advanced kinematics and geometry of its big sister, the Epic 8, combined with the cutting-edge D'Aluisio Smartweld technology, the Specialized Chisel offers optimal performance for modern XC.

With the Specialized Ride Dynamics concept, the brand ensures that this Chisel behaves reactively on climbs, thanks to its lightweight and efficient kinematics that help it fly on climbs, while its suspension and geometry make it a mountain bike capable of everything on the fastest and most technical descents.

Specialized Chisel: models and prices

Specialized Chisel Comp Shimano - €3,300

• D'Alusio Smartweld hydroformed tube frame 110mm travel.
• RockShox SID 120mm fork
• Rockshox Deluxe Select shock with Ride Dynamics
• Tranzx dropper post
• Shimano SLX 12-speed transmission

Specialized Chisel Comp - €3,300

• D'Alusio Smartweld hydroformed tube frame 110mm travel.
• RockShox SID 120mm fork
• Rockshox Deluxe Select shock with Ride Dynamics
• Tranzx dropper post
• Sram GX Eagle transmission

Specialized Chisel Shimano - €2,600

• D'Alusio Smartweld hydroformed tube frame 110mm travel.
• RockShox Recon 120mm fork
• X-Fusion shock with Ride Dynamics
• Tranzx dropper post
• Shimano Deore 12-speed transmission

Specialized Chisel - €2,600

• D'Alusio Smartweld hydroformed tube frame 110mm travel.
• RockShox Recon 120mm fork
• X-Fusion shock with Ride Dynamics
• Tranzx dropper post
• SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed transmission

Specialized Chisel Frame Kit - €1,700

• D'Alusio Smartweld hydroformed tube frame 110mm travel.
• Rockshox Deluxe Select shock with Ride Dynamics