Ladies and gentlemen…
This is my ancient piece of shit- bike. It's a Specialized Enduro Comp from 2011 with enough upgrades to make it very relevant even today and literally unkillable. And trust me, I'm a pretty high skill rider.
I post about it often, but I just always have something more to say! I can't say I've ever been so delighted with a bike before. And I've had a good share of bikes before this one. 😂
Before anything else, let's get the (current) specs out of the way:
Frame: Specialized Enduro M5 FSR Handmade
Fork: BOS Deville 34
Shock: FOX Float RPL 200x57mm
Yoke: BikeYoke #1 Yoke
Rims: Nukeproof Generator AM 26"
Hubs: Specialized Hi-Lo
Tires: Maxxis Highroller II 3C MaxTerra EXO TR 26×2.30
Seatpost: KS Dropzone Dropper
Handlebars: Protaper Answer DH 780mm
Cassette: Shimano XT M8000 11-speed
Derailleur: Shimano Deore Shadow RD+
Shifter: Shimano XT
Cranks: SRAM S-1250 Custom
Brakes: Avid Elixir R SL
Rotors: Avid G3 CleanSweep (203mm front, 185mm rear)
Chainring: OneUp Components Oval 104 BCD Narrow-Wide
Chain: Shimano Deore XT CN-HG701 11-speed
… And in case you were wondering, the valve caps are from BLOX. And yes, that's a prayer rope tied next to the stem. ☦
Now this bike has seen some shit. Including some better days. 😂
But despite that it's still in excellent condition visually and mechanically. Bearings spin fine, no noises, no creaking, nothing. Only makes sounds that any bike would make after hard constant use. But mechanically everything works fine, hell, even the brakes don't rub.
I've had this bike for a while now, as one would assume. I bought it stock, in fact. For basically dirt cheap as the seller was fed up of it, and considered it a one-foot-in-the-grave grandpa bike. Not in terms of condition, in terms of parts. But not anymore, now it punches much above it's weight…
I am very surprised and pleased by the way it handles. It's a monster, no doubt, with large travel, and it also has small diameter but tough and bombproof rims and tires that give it nice and playful handling without any fear in my mind about any feature, of any size. I know the bike can survive it. Maybe I can't, but the bike can. 😂
Geometry is "outdated"-ish, but it's definitely a lively feeling bike, and it's on rails on high speed descents. And that's coming from a guy who used to have a 29"er.
Now, the suspension:
EXCELLENT!!!
The BOS Deville is easily the best fork on the market for 26" wheels, and one of the best on the market for any other size. I have never ridden a more adjustable and precise fork than this! It tracks every little bump yet feels absolutely bottomless. I do urban, tech, and hard trail riding and it surpasses in every single setting without any changes needed in adjustment. The front wheel is always planted, returns fast, and you can always predict what it's going to do. It's stiff enough to do 2 foot bunnyhops and endo 180s, fakies and whatever else you may have in mind, yet plush enough to feel dreamy when it needs to.
The shock is also pretty nice; the propedal settings are pretty nice. Shame it doesn't have compression damping, but that's nothing a few tokens couldn't fix. Rebound adjustment is sensitive and precise. Tracks pretty nicely and is also quite progressive. Not quite like the fork, but a solid contender nonetheless. No issues with it!
A sensitive topic: The brakes!
Too strong. Yeah, believe it or not. I guess I got blessed with a good pair. They bite hard, predictably, no wandering bite point issues or fading. With semi-metal pads they stop you on a dime, and excel in bucking anyone inexperienced off the bike. 😂 I haven't had any issues with it, and the only thing I had to do was keep them bled and take apart the calipers and clean the pistons once.
As for everything else:
The handlebars are stiff and precise, nice feeling and tough.
Derailleur is consistent and tough. And don't ask about the length, they didn't have a shorter one in stock.
Dropper is almost a blessing to have in such a bike. It used to have a cable actuated one, but this one is tidier. And it matches the fork stanchions. 😁
Hubs are invincible, roll smooth and engage quick-ish. Reliable and problem free, no complaints. If I had any, I'd change them. 😁
These tires are excellent and definitely some of the best I've ridden. The bike stops on a dime, rides like it's on rails, and doesn't wash out or lose grip even in the most difficult of situations. Definitely would recommend, I'd just get a little wider front tire. But that's coming soon. 😁
This bike is the only one of it's kind in my country. It's very recognizable and always a pleasure to ride. It's the best bike I've ever ridden, and I've gone through multiple bikes before this one. Such is the pleasure of building your own bike, I guess. 😂
Either way, share your thoughts! Your opinions! Your comments on this interesting and quirky ride of mine.
There's just so much more I'd like to say but no one would read a Reddit post that long, would they? 😂
I love this bike.
by FinishCommercial