13
Jul
2011 Specialized Camber
There is a new work horse in the barn at Specialized: the Camber. The Camber is not a bike to replace the older FSR XC, but a totally new look in this category for 2011.
This is what the boys in Morgan Hill have to say about it:
“If it’s your first “fully” or a hard-earned upgrade, you want a quality system that gives them enough technology and capability to smoke your friends….”
I was able to put in an hour ride today on the Camber. Does hold up to the Big Red S claim to smoke your friends? YES!!!
This bike is a super buy. It’s going to open up the world of trail riding to a group of riders that do not have the coin for a Stumpy. With a price range of $1650 to $2900 and 6 models, this bike is going to be a rock star.
I climbed up 5 miles, or 2/3 of the way up Keystone Ski Area, and let me say this bike is a goat. Small bumps are quickly reduced to smooth butter, and the larger ones are no problem at all. The tec climbs were nice and easy. There are three settings on the rear shock: ProPedal, Lockout, and fully open. Hitting a fire road style climb about half way up, I was able to lockout the rear and really put power into the pedals. And man it responded!
The downhill was fast, with good flow and had a few rock gardens that the Fox fork smoothed out. The Camber let me really open up on the speed and really see how the it would react. It is very predictable and comfortable as a trail bike. With 120 mm of travel this bike has enough for most trails in Colorado.
For the person who is looking for a bike to ride all of what Colorado has to throw at you, the Camber is a great bike for you.