The Pitch Pro is a proper bike for the rider looking for a lower-cost ticket to long rides on challenging terrain.
Tested: '08 Specialized Pitch Pro
Text: Ron Ige
Photos: Morgan Meredith
SPECIALIZED PITCH PRO $2,700
In today’s economy, the $2,700 Specialized Pitch Pro is a mere credit-line door-ding compared to the fiscal head-on collision that is Specialized’s flagship $8,000 S-Works Enduro SL. But when $2,700 can also buy a 1.5-ton forklift, a ski boat or a hydroponic grow-room on Craigslist, my expectations are, well, high.
At a shade over 30 pounds, the Pitch Pro’s weight is impressive, even when built with a low-profile, but solid parts spec of Shimano Deore cranks, SRAM X-5/X-9 drivetrain, Avid Juicy 3SL hydraulic discs, and Specialized house-brand components. Plus, with 6 inches of rear suspension, the travel-to-weight ratio highlights the mantra of the Specialized all-mountain philosophy: In order to descend farther you must be able to climb higher.
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And the Pitch Pro is a dude that abides. The rug that ties this room together is the Pitch’s FSR four-bar rear suspension. It makes its presence known each time you hit an upslope, turning pedaling force into forward propulsion with minimal momentum-sucking monkey motion. Yet, when the trail points down, its Fox RP2 air shock and 140-millimeter RockShox Pike 351 fork suck up the hits any reasonable trail can throw its way, rarely losing composure.
Yes, it’s a true all-mountain machine that lives up to the “affordable” moniker. In the saddle of the Pitch Pro, you start looking forward to climbs, but it’s still capable of delivering an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride during fast descents. That’s a balance some pricier bikes can’t match.
However, the Pitch Pro lacks the adjustable shock-mount option of its big-brother, the Enduro. You’d need to fork out at least $3,500 for the Enduro SL Comp for that. Only then could you increase the responsiveness by steepening the head and seat tube angles almost a full degree. True, you can tweak the Pitch Pro’s handling with the travel-adjust feature on the Pike, but you must sacrifice fork travel to do so.
With its frame angles permanently in the “slack” setting, and with a slightly longer wheel base, the Pitch Pro needs a heavier, more deliberate hand to coax it in a new direction on the trail. Yes, it still cuts tight switchbacks and carves fast twisty bits. But it does so not with the surgical precision of a scalpel, but with the broad sweeping arcs of a machete. This makes the Pitch Pro a proper bike for the all-mountain neophyte or a rider looking for a lower-cost ticket to long rides on challenging terrain. —RON IGE
HIGHS: Stable at speed; competitive weight; efficient climber
LOWS: Less agile than similar bikes; fixed geometry; makes climbing enjoyable
"Were you listening to the Dude's story Donny? Were you listening to the Dude's story? So you have no frame of reference here Donny...your like a child who wanders into the middle of a movie and wants to know..."
Posted Tue Jun24, 2008, 1:47 PM — By dave
"$2,700 can also buy a 1.5-ton forklift, a ski boat or a hydroponic grow-room on Craigslist"
Brilliant way to put the price in perspective...
Posted Mon Jul 7, 2008, 6:32 AM — By Ali Fay
I bought my Pitch Pro in march 08, and have ridden the hell out of it since (DH uplift weekends, all-day epic XC rides). It's set up more towards FR (22/36/Bash), 40mm stem, 203mm rotors, and a chain device. Climbs very well (both seated and standing), even with ProPedal disabled. Rarely used the lock-out on the Pikes too.
Only gripe is the 'Medium' spring weight on the medium size is too little for most riders. I weight 11st, and yet still blew through the travel too quickly. Changed the spring for a Hard, and massive difference - only bottom out on big jumps/very heavy landings.
I'm now going to put the bike on a diet (lighter wheels first), yet retaining strength (for the abuse I dish out!).
Altogether, a fantastic bike for those who want to ride anhywhere!
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