Previewed: Specialized 2009 Product Launch

The 2009 FSR XC

FSR XC GOES TO FIVE
You're probably wondering about the Enduro, Pitch and the StumpJumper FSR bikes. Well, aside from components, we don't expect there to be any radical changes to those three bike lines for 2009. That leaves us with the FSR XC. For 2009, the FSR XC gets a substantial makeover and becomes, in essence, a less-expensive version of the pricier StumpJumper FSR bike. Again, the interrupted seat tube is killed off in favor of the rocker link. More seatpost adjustability and better center of gravity. The bike also gets an extra inch of travel, for a total of five inches. Weight on the Pro model is said to be about 29 pounds, so clearly you're looking at considerably more heft than, say, the 23.25-pound carbon Stumpy (sized Medium). Then again, the FSR XC Pro model costs less than half of what that carbon Stumpy retails for…

NEW SEATPOST
Technology and progress have replaced the single spring Hite Rite with seatpost droppers. Since I haven't been able to bolt a Hite Rite on my bikes since somewhere around the time Thriller was released, I'll take the new crop of adjustable seatposts. Specialized has jumped on board this year and joins the ranks of Gravity Dropper and Crank Brothers with their new Command Post.

In a nutshell, the post features three positions and 100 millimeters of total stroke adjustment. You've got the "Power" fully-extended position for ultimate pedaling efficiency, a "Cruiser" position that's about 30 to 35 millimeters lower (good for constantly rolling terrain) and the slammed down "Descender"position for steep drops.

While the Command Post uses an air spring (about 25 psi) to return the seat post to its max height, this is a mechanical locking system, which Specialized claims offers superior durability over a hydraulic post. The post is triggered by a nifty, forged-aluminum handlebar mounted trigger that's available in both right and left-handed versions. Twist and slop in the system is kept to a minimum via two key ways on the shaft.

The Command Post weighs about 430 grams and will come stock on the 2009 S-Works Enduro and Enduro Pro. You can also buy the Command Post as an aftermarket item in the 30.9—millimeter size. Price is still being determined but should be competitive with Gravity Dropper.

The Command Post

A cut away of the Command Post revealing its pneumatic interior

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Reader Comments

Posted Thu Sep 4, 2008, 1:46 PM — By DISCO

What it with that squiggly seat tube on the FSR XC? they might not be going away from interrupted seat tubes after all. With all the in house components you would think the cost would drop a little, but all the proprietary components will continue to make this more "specialized". When will the industry understand that all this hype and engineering does is raise the retail with little difference in performance. It's not for the consumers benefit either, they are simply trying to out do Trek and the rest. I will choose to drop my money on simple, effective, and best of all affordable designs from companies like Chumba Racing.

Posted Fri Sep 5, 2008, 2:02 PM — By Rotor

I own an Spesh Enduro - that has in-house components on it and it's an AWESOME bike. You get what you pay for. After riding "out-house" components on many bikes for years it's been a breath of fresh air to ride a bike w/components that ACTUALLY make the bike a step above the average "out-house" machine.

Posted Tue Sep30, 2008, 8:43 AM — By Sai

the general design of this frame is identical to Rocky Mountain's Flatine bikes. The linkage is different but other than that it seems like Specialized ran out of ideas on this one.

Posted Wed Dec 2, 2009, 1:08 PM — By Dan

Yeah, I'm sure special is going around looking at companies like Rocky Mountain to copy idea from, instead of spending the $$$ they do on their own R&D department. They are innovators, not imitators.