The 2010 Demo was the first race orientated long travel bike from Specialized for a number of years. Although aesthetically similar to the previous Demo’s that we’ve seen before, the 2010 model was a real game changer. Apart from the ‘factory’ paint job, the geometry refinements implemented as a result of their involvement with the Monster Energy team changed the bike into a real racer.

Specialized went back to the drawing board for 2011 to create a purpose built race winning machine. The 2011 Demo 8 is a bike with a race pedigree earned following a great first season in 2010, helping Brendan, Sam and Troy get multiple podiums and two gold medals at the world championships.

With the proven geometry package released on the 2010 edition, this next evolution of the Demo gets some major refinements to further enhance this already capable race machine. Thankfully the designers opted to drop the draconian 135mm rear, 73mm BB shell and ‘Old’ ISCG tabs and brought the new beast into the light with a 150mm rear, 83mm future proof BB30 compatible BB shell (threaded adapters are included for a regular BB) and introduced the now standard ’05’ ISCG chainguide tabs. This is going to make changing from your old frame to a Specialized, far easier and cheaper.

Dripping in Sram’s ‘Black Box’ parts, this is a pretty special bit of kit!

The headtube has been lowered 8mm over the 2010 model to keep the front end nice and low increasing compatibility for smaller riders. The tubes are also hydroformed, allowing the designers flexibility to customize the shape of the tubes and maximize welding surfaces.

It doesn’t matter how light your frame is if it’s a mud magnet, so Specialized removed any excess material reducing the overall weight by 3/4 pound and in doing so also removed the areas where mud can collect and fester while out riding and racing. The designers have also made the overall appearance much sleeker removing any sharp edges.

Rock Shox Black Box Boxxer with ‘slippery’ DLC coating.

The new 3-piece upper link with colour coordinated graphics keep things stiff and sleek. Notice the new ‘Y’ piece shock extension too, this will be available after market to fit most shocks available like the Vivid.

The new Demo has a unique insert in the shock eyelet that allows the BB to be raised 10mm and the head angle steepened by half a degree.

The shock sits in a ‘Y’ shaped extension that moves it closer to the rear tyre, in doing so the engineers at Specialized were able to tune the leverage ratio and give the new Demo a slightly more progressive spring rate over the 2010 model.

We spent a great deal of time on a 2010 Demo and found the geometry utterly amazing and would recommend anyone struggling with ‘modern’ geometry on downhill bikes to stick with it and adapt to it. Once you’ve got used to it, you’re in for some fun!

Rock Shox Vivid Coil shock with Titanium spring. Notice the the ingenious use of the Rock Shox cable guides. Potential Demo owners take note.

Specialized x E13 x DT Swiss x Sram Prototype 1 x 6 Drivetrain

With the bikes getting lower and lower, interactions between the bike and the ground below become more frequent, ultimately resulting in the bike being damaged, or even worse, the rider getting chucked off. The advantages of a low centre of gravity are obvious for everyone, but getting closer to the ground is an issue the designers at Specialized and their team sponsors are tackling head on. Specialized got together with DT Swiss, E13 and Sram, to develop a new compact drivetrain for the specific needs of downhill bikes.

This prototype compact drivetrain consists of a Sram Powerdome 6 speed cassette with a 9 – 17 gear ratio and a 30 to 32 tooth chainring up front, ultimately giving the feel of a regular 11 – 26+ cassette and a 36 tooth ring up front. With fewer cogs, there is obviously a small weight saving to be had, but other than addressing the clearance issue, they have increased the ‘step’ between gear shifts, reducing the number of shifts required to get to the gear needed. When the top guys are all on the same second, little touches like this make a lot of sense.

Custom E13 chainguide and Truvativ Black Box cranks

The compact set up requires a new custom chainguide from E13. Based on the SRS+ system and machined down for the small 30 tooth ring. The 165mm Black Box cranks are now available under the Truvativ Descendant banner and available now from your local Sram dealer. Lighter than the rest, the Descendant has functionality and looks that will no doubt be a success for Sram. Compact systems took off in BMX years ago, and are now pretty standard, hopefully the mountain bike industry will look more closely at the requirements of downhill bikes.

Custom Sram X0 shifter paddle and Matchmaker keep things nice and simple

Sexy chrome Black Box brake levers and Renthal cockpit

SDG Storm saddle for extreme weather.

The SDG Storm saddle is a joint development between the Monster Energy team and SDG to address the issues of saddle slippage in the wet. When your saddle is more than something to rest your rear on, and something you need to help control the bike, its really important you don’t slip off the damn thing. There’s been some wet world cups over the past few years, and as the tracks get steeper. Prior to this saddle, Sam and Brendan’s mechanics glued and taped old strips of tyre treads to their saddles, a technique used in MX to stop riders from slipping off the back of their bikes. SDG rolled with it and they are now available to the public.

Man and Machine

Sam Hill has always had nice bikes, and this one is no different. Great geometry and a great looking bike that will be another successful and popular bike at the races in 2011. For more on the Demo check out Specialized.com and if you want to see some Monster action, head to I Am Specialized for footage of the Monster Energy/Specialized team through 2010. The Demo’s are starting to arrive at dealers around the world (December 2010) with a few options available depending on your location, so go hassle your dealer!

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