I am up at Snowbird Ski and Summer resort for the 2010 Specialized Global Press Launch mountain bike presentation. Yesterday I saw the new Stumpjumper, the new Epic 29er, the new Safire and era women’s bikes, and the new 27 pound S-Works Enduro. I also got to ride the carbon S-Works Stumpjumper and the Epic 29er. I’m hoping to ride the Enduro today. I’m not going to be able to give you all the details on the new bikes right now because I have another presentation to run off to. But I will leave you with some photos of new bikes and the event here at Snowbird.

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Review by Sharon Bader (some additional comments by Lee Lau)

Introduced in 2008 and following Specialized’s catch phrase of “Innovate or Die”, the Pitch Series of All Mountain Bikes complements its big brother the M5 Enduro. While both have 150mm rear travel the Pitch comes equipped with the proprietary 140mm Rock Shox Pike Coil U-turn fork and Juicy 4 brakes. Specialized’s buying power has allowed this company to create this bike as an affordable, uncompromised option to its higher end Enduro line.

The Bike

This bike was obtained by Obsession: Bikes in North Vancouver, Canada and loaned to us for this review.

Using similar characteristics as the Enduro SL M5 frame, this M4 frame offers a more cost effective bike. While lacking the finer frame construction of the Enduro it shares some of the same forging and offers a better value frame. Specialized’s ability to order large quantities of components allows it to equip their bikes with parts unique and specific to each frame. The Pitch shares the same patented FSR suspension which separates braking and chain forces from the suspension to prevent brake jack and ensure control on steep descents.

The slack 67 degree head angle and low standover provides confidence on steep rough descents. Paired with the 140mm to 95mm adjustable travel Rock Shox Pike, fork height was easily selected for efficient climbing or confident descending. Even in the high travel mode, the Pitch was an apt climber. Riding over large roots and rocks would result in impacts with the big chainring and cranks despite the 14inch bottom bracket height and 175mm cranks. The tires were great in dry and wet conditions. They climbed with confidence over dry roots and would only slip on the steepest of wet rooty terrain. Maintaining good climbing posture and consistent pedaling allowed the bike to climb through a slipping rear tire. The tires did loose grip on wet steep rock face descents.

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BIG FLATS, N.Y. – Nov 12, 2008 - On September 15, 2008, NoTubes.com® filed a lawsuit against Specialized Bicycle Components Inc. (“Specialized”) alleging that certain rims and wheels of Specialized infringe U.S. Patent No. 7,334,846 (the “‘846 patent”). This lawsuit, styled K.G. Motors, Inc. v. Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc., is currently pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York.

As set forth in NoTubes’s complaint, Specialized is alleged to infringe the ‘846 patent by making, using, selling, offering for sale, and/or importing into the United States certain tubeless wheels and rims, including without limitation Specialized’s Roval brand wheels. The technology disclosed and claimed in the ‘846 patent was invented by NoTubes’s founder and owner, Stan Koziatek, while pursuing a better solution for tubeless bicycle wheels and rims.

http://www.notubes.com/

source: Stan Koziatek

June 10, 2008-

Sho-Air International and Team Big Bear are pleased to announce that Specialized Bicycles and Primal
Wear will be official Co-Sponsors of the 2008 American Mountain Classic MTB stage race, set to run
August 21-24 in Brian Head, UT. The A.M.C. is set to be America’s Richest MTB stage race with over
$20,000 in cash and prizes.

Specialized, a world leader in bicycle and bicyle component technology will raffle off a brand new 2008
Specialized Expert Epic bicycle. Anyone who registers on or before July 15th for the A.M.C. will be eligible for the drawing. This includes all A.M.C. amatuer classes; however the Elite Men’s, Elite Women’s and Elite Master classes will not be included in the contest. The winner of the bike raffle will be presented with a ‘08 Specialized Expert Epic at the conclusion of the final stage and right before podium presentations on Sunday August 24 (winner must be present to win). Specialized will also be the official water bottle supplier of the American Mountain Classic. Racers will receive an A.M.C./Specialized water bottle in his/her pre-race packet at the event.

Primal Wear, the leader in cycling related apparel will be the official clothing supplier of the A.M.C.
Primal Wear will be making all Race Winner, Race Finisher and Pro leader jerseys for the 2008 American Mountain Classic. Anyone who register’s on or before June 25th, and who finishes or win’s their respective class will get a jersey tailored to their requested jersey size. Anyone registering after June 25th and who qualifies for a finisher or class winner’s jersey will be subject to sizing and quantities on hand at the event.

Thule Racks, the authority on bicycle rack technology will also raffle off a Ridgeline™ 4 bike carrier system or a Thule Roof System with 2 Peleton™ Fork Mounts to anyone who is registered on or before July 15th. The winner of the Thule rack will be announced at the conclusion of the race event on Sunday August 24.

Sho-Air and Team Big Bear have also teamed up with San Juan Sports Massage to offer massage to all
racers, family and event associates. San Juan Sports Massage will have a team of qualified massage therapists on site during the A.M.C. for pre and post-race massages. Racers may click on the link to pre-book all of their pre and post race massages @ http://www.sanjuansportsmassage.com/scheduling/amc.html.

There are still entries available to enter the American Mountain Classic, however class sizes are limited and are filling up fast. Sho-Air and Team Big Bear urges any competitor interested in being eligible for the raffle contests or custom jersey sizes to go to and register at Sports Base Online before the deadlines https://www.sportsbaseonline.com/Item.aspx?item_id=2346.

source: Ty Kady