Two Ride

The Specialized SX Trail came out in 2005, with a revamp in 2006 it has mostly stayed the same with the only modifications being to the swingarm. It was closely related to the Enduro cross country/trail bike but recent changes now see it stand alone as a 'aggressive trail bike', to quote Specialized. The bike has had a lot of press under Specialized's freeride star Darren Berrelcoth, who has used it in many video roles and slopestype competitions.

My requirement for the bike was to replace an aging Santa Cruz Bullit and it fitted right in with Specialized's idea of a 'aggressive trail bike'. The bike can be built up at a decent weight for a bike that excels at going down, but can also be pedalled up. The bike can be ridden in the bike park with no problems, but a season of it wouldn't be it's forte. It doesn't take a lot of research to find stories of broken swingarms on SX trails. Over the years Specialized have redesigned the swingarm to deal with this issue. As I don't intend to spend all day in bike park and won't be dropping in on any large hucks I don't worry about it. If it can handle to the 'Claw' then I'm not likely to bother it.

My main aim was to build a 160mm (6") bike that was lighter and performed better than the Buillit on a wide variety of terrain. As I ride only one bike it really has to be 'all mountain' - dealing with UK trail centres and their climbing, as wel as full on big mountain riding in the Alps.

The Build

The build comes in at around 15.6kg. The Bullit was +17.5kg and the original SX Trail 1 bike at least that. I rode a lot of cross country on the Bullit and as time went on got fed up of the weight. You could get down to 15kg by fitting smaller brake discs, a lighter stem and upgrading the gear set.

The first task was to strip the original SX Trail 1 bike and get it painted. I didn't really like the colour schemes other than the all blue one, which we can't get in the UK, so I had the main frame resprayed and added the custom Two Ride font stickers. I had 1cm taken off the top of the seat tube and fitted a Thompson post that fits flush to the QR to get the seat as low as I wanted.

Taking the frame apart is a lot more complicated than a single pivot bike. The swingarm is joined to the frame in the two places but has a third connection on the top link to the shock. Each connection has a selection of nuts, bolts and bearings and is a tight fit. Refitting the swingarm is a little tricky unless you have a third hand. The shock is also a tight squeeze through the seat tube. Considering the complexity it all went back together ok.

The original build was little basic and way too heavy. Thankfully with Fox Racing Shox and WTB on board the heavy old Marzocchi fork and Mavic wheels were soon replaced.

Rear suspension is a DHX 4. I ran a Vanilla RC on the Bullit from day one and never had any problems so the stock DHX should be a step up. Up front is the VAN 36R, a fork I long wanted to put on the Bullit to replace the unpredictable Marzocchi 66RC. I chose the 36R over the 36RC as I didn't want the extra adjustment or slight weight increase. I like spring based suspension as I plan on a lot of downhill on hot days when air can be less predictable.

WTB have supplied the wheels, tyres, grips and saddle. I have used WTB since the beginning and look forward to a choice of tyres. The saddle is the same I have used for the last couple of seasons and now matches the paint work . . .

The WTB Laserdisc trail wheelset has a 20mm front hub and comes in a a good weight for all mountain wheels. The wheelset and tyres are the single biggest weight saving on the bike and as everyone knows this is the place you notice it. The hubs are very quiet.

I'm using the same stem as before even though the top tube is shorter. I was tempted to go with a slightly longer stem but we will see how it pans out. The bars are carbon oversize to save a few grams. Most components are SRAM and came with the bike. The Juicy 5's look a little basic and feel a little heavy so they maybe on the upgrade list in the future. As the X7, X9 stuff wears out I may try to shed a few grams with X0 depending on how they perform. Having been used to Shimano shifting for many years it will be interesting only pushing forward to change gear.

The crankset is Shimano Hone purely because it's fairly light, not flashy looking and Julia has run it for the past two seasons with no problem. Hone and LX have been merged into SLX this year but as they look a bit like a cheap XTR with the graphics and all, I gave them a miss. The other choice was Raceface Atlas which is twice as expensive and no lighter. The original Truativs where again on the heavy side.

The original bike didn't have a front mech but did have a big heavy chain guide. I first tried a SRAM X7 front mech but it didn't go high enough. Same with other SRAM front mechs. They are all pretty big and the welds on the tube are just in the wrong place. Shimano being the only choice, I settled on a Hone. Took a little setting up and on the stand it always rubs the chain guide in the granny ring.

First impressions

When I first got the original SX Trail 1 bike I was surprised at how quick it accelerated for such a weighty beast. Seemed much faster than the Bullit. I attributed this to the horst link and DHX shock. It also had lot less bob in the rear end and braking was more stable.

The built bike feels light and flickable. The proportions are different to the Bullit, a slightly higher and shorter top tube take a little getting used to. The bars feel a bit close perhaps. The bike doesn't wheelie like the Bullit but takes off better over little jumps.

I had 1cm taken of the seat tube as with the seat post all the way down I wasn't happy with clearance, but once riding I have the seat up a bit even for steep downs. I guess it's something you get used to.

The bike is really quiet. The hubs make next to no noise and the chainset and gears are also smooth. The shifters are a little clunky and take a big thumb movement to work. They feel a little agricultural. The brakes are a bit wooden but work fine. Perhaps a few miles will improve matters but I don't think they are ever going to be great, as expected.

Took me a while to get the brake/shifter to feel right on the bar. First I tried the shifter closer to the grip but it kept getting in the way and I could only 1 finger brake. Luckily it just sits in the gap in the brake lever/cylinder and although it's not 100% perfect for me it's close enough. Initially the bars felt high but after a few miles they don't. Perhaps you just adjust to these things.

The suspension is still bedding in. The DHX is fine from the off and I'll keep tweaking it to suit the terrain. I haven't messed with the Pro pedal much yet but as the hills beckon I will be looking forward to better climbing. The 36VAN is a lot different to the Marzocchi's I have had. They were soft and buttery from the off. Of course they feel a bit worn after a season and mine fell apart. The VAN's are firmer and have a little stiction. They get better with every ride though. They remind me a little of the old Rockshox Boxxers in that way.

Next stop real mountains and real riding. Check back in May.

All years

A1 premium aluminum frame with patented FSR technology
Forged HT
Sealed cartridge bearings
ISCG mount
Adjustable geometry
Replaceable derailleur hanger
Derailleur guard

2005

150mm (6") travel
Custom Progressive 5th Element coil-over shock with remote reservoir, CV-T position- sensitive damping, adjustable CV-T air pressure for pedal platform and progressivity, adjustable rebound

2006

167mm (6.6") travel
Custom Fox DHX 5.0 or 4.0 Coil, 9.0 x 2.75"

2007

170mm (6.7") travel
Custom Fox DHX 5.0 or 4.0 Coil 9.0 x 2.75"
Modified swingarm

2008

170mm (6.7") travel
Custom Fox DHX 5.0 or 4.0 Coil 9.0 x 2.75"
Modified swingarm

Qty	Item	Size/notes	Item weight (kg)	Build weight (kg)
1	Specialized SX Trail Frame	Medium	3.059	3.059
1	Specialized QR seat clamp	34.9mm	0.200	0.200
1	Fox Racing Shox DHX 4.0 rear shock	167mm travel, 9.0 x 2.75" spring	0.849	0.849
1	Fox Racing Shox VAN 36R fork	160mm travel (steerer cut)	2.305	2.305
1	WTB LaserDisc Trail front ld superduty	20mm - 28h	0.850	0.850
1	WTB LaserDisc Trail rear laserdisc lite	28h	0.951	0.951
2	WTB Stout race tyre	26x2.3	0.868	0.868
2	WTB Prowler XT race tyre	26x2.3	0.928	0.928
2	WTB Prowler MX race tyre	26x2.5	0.999	n/a
2	WTB technical trail grips		0.041	0.082
1	WTB Pure V SLT Saddle	Ti rails	0.250	0.250
1	SRAM X9 rear mech	9sp	0.272	0.272
2	SRAM X7 trigger shifters	9sp	0.291	0.291
1	SRAM cassette PG970	9sp 11-34	0.400	0.400
1	SRAM chain	9sp	0.297	0.297
2	SRAM Avid Juicy 5 brakes	203mm discs	0.582	1.163
1	Easton Vice stem	50mm, 10 Deg, 31.8	0.231	0.231
1	Easton EC70 MonkeyLite CNT DH Riser	711mm, 2" Hi Rise, 31.8	0.231	0.231
1	Cane Creek headset	1 1/8	in frame weight	n/a
1	USE Safe-T Headlock	Cut down	0.044	0.044
1	X-Lite rear QR Tech 9		0.052	0.052
1	Thompson Elite inline seatpost	30.9mm -cut down	0.196	0.196
2	Atomlab Aircorp pedals		0.250	0.500
1	Shimano Hone front mech	Top swing dual pull 31.8/34.9mm	0.172	0.172
1	Shimano Hone Chainset HollowTech II M600	170mm 4-Bolt, 22.32.44, 73mm BB	0.914	0.914
			Total	15.676