When my trail loyal mates got into downhill a couple of years back I vowed that I'd never go that far. 12 months later I was riding the black run at Aston Hill Downhill course in a xc helmet, no armour and just under 5 inches of travel on a stumpjumper fsr.
10 months back I bought the full face helmet and took my trail bike to the Alps. 8 months the body armour came and then 5 months back after much deliberation i accepted I'd given in and we welcomed the Big Hit III into a biking family that doesn't seem to use any form of birth control, whatsoever.
I had no real idea before I got her what difference it would make having the Big Hit III. I just knew there where things I wanted to do but I wouldn't on my Stumpy. Sometimes it is impossible to see until the present is in perspective of the past. I have since ridden the Ultimate Pursuits of Aston Hill and done the big drop (big to me) that I never thought I could. Taken the ladder drop at Chicksands. Ridden the downhill course of CwmCarn, the W/C course of Fort William and once the Hamsterley course (before it took me out). All sweet.
- The first thing is the only sort of negative. That is she is heavy. . You really cant ride her uphill ( I was convinced I would). . But she isn't made for ups and once you are in descend mode you enter a totally different universe.
- The Marzocchi front fork pre loads and rebounds out amazingly set you up for drops or rocks in quick succesion. Plus the 200mm travel is enormous and you see the difference on drops in a great way. You will be dropping bigger drops and she is smooth and responsive enough to bunnyhop on her straight away. I oftne feel like you land on a sofa which must be down the the rear FOX shock. She is aptly named that's for sure.
- The combination of a short (40mm) Truvativ Hussefelt forged/CNC stem and the Specialized riser handlebar makes you more confident on jumps. It naturally moves your body weight back and into the right position and it just like the bike is in the right position to set off.
- The Avid Juicy 5 brakes are super smooth and the big 200mm rotors give truly amazing stopping power. When I learn to go fast I'll let you know just how good they really are.
- She rides well in all terrains and I'd even argue that the extra weight holds you to the ground more in the wet.
- She corners superbly but this took time as you need to push more weight into the front wheel for her to respond and carve as a trail bike does..
- The Shorter cage Sram rear deraileur gives you good clearage on rocky sections.
- Having fewer gears to play with is great and the Sram trigger is highly reactive and you can brake and change gear at the same time which is very handy.
- She looks really cool. I have had many offers to sell her saddle for some reason.
I'm not a big tech nut but here is the spec:
- FRAME :BigHit FSR, A1 Premium Aluminium ORE TT/DT, full cartridge bearing pivots, ISCG mount, asymetrical rear triangle, 26" F/R wheel, 8.2" travel, adj geometry
- REAR SHOCK :Fox DHX 4.0, 8.75x2.75", adjustable rebound, pro pedal, and bottom out, S:400, M:450, L:500
- FORK :Marzocchi 888 RV, 200mm travel, alloy steerer, external rebound adj, double clamp, 20mm thru axle
- HEADSET :1 1/8" Threadless, 7050 alloy cups with oversize lower cup and bearing
- STEM :Truvativ Hussefelt forged/CNC stem, 5 degree x 40mm, 31.8 clamp, black
- HANDLEBARS :Specialized BH rise bar, 6061 alloy, 31.8mm, 6 degree up, 9 degree backsweep, 680mm width
- GRIPS :Specialized MTB, dual density
- FRONT BRAKE :Avid Juicy 5, hydraulic disc, G2 Clean Sweep 200mm rotor
- REAR BRAKE :Avid Juicy 5, hydraulic disc, G2 Clean Sweep 200mm rotor
- BRAKE LEVERS :Avid Juicy 5
- FRONT DERAILLEUR :N/A
- REAR DERAILLEUR :SRAM X-9, 9-speed, short cage
- SHIFT LEVERS :SRAM X-7, Aluminium trigger 9-speed
- CASSETTE :Shimano HG50, 9-speed, 11/34t
- CHAIN :SRAM PC-951 w /Power Link
- CRANKSET :Truvativ Husseffelt, 36t ring, 170mm, w/ BlackSpire DS-1 guide
- CHAINRINGS :36t, 4 bolt, compact 104mm pattern
- BOTTOM BRACKET :Truvativ Howitzer XR, oversize sealed outboard cartridge bearing, 73mm shell
- PEDALS :Alloy platform, 3mm pressed pins, 9/16" Cr-Mo axle
- RIMS :Mavic EX325 disc, 36h
- FRONT HUB :Specialized disc, 20mm thru axle, 36h
- REAR HUB :Specialized bolt-on 135mm, hollow Cro-Mo axle w/ RD guard
- SPOKES :2.0mm stainless, black, brass nipples
- FRONT TYRE :Specialized Chunder 26x2.3", 60TPI, aramid bead, 2 ply, soft compound
- REAR TYRE :Specialized Chunder 26x2.3," 60TPI, aramid bead, 2 ply, soft compound
- TUBES :Specialized 26x2.3", schraeder
- SADDLE :Specialized Enduro, 8mm hollow Cro-Mo rails, SL foam
- SEAT POST :Alloy microadjust, 30.9 x 300mm
- SEAT BINDER :7050 hard annodized alloy collar w/ QR, 34.9mm clamp ID, black
- NOTES :Protective clear coat, derailleur hanger, reflectors, owners manual
- COLOUR :Brown
- SIZES :S, M, L
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