Specialized Chisel: suspension setup & specs
The Specialized Chisel is a cross-country full-suspension bike with 120–130 mm of fork travel and 110 mm at the rear. Here you will find all 3 current builds with fork, shock and shock size, plus matching SAG and tyre pressure starting values.
Calculate the setup for your Specialized Chisel →
All builds
Fork, shock, shock size (eye-to-eye length × stroke) and rear travel, weight and price according to the manufacturer. Wheel size: 29.
| Build | Fork | Shock | Shock size | Rear travel | Weight | RRP | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chisel | RockShox Recon Silver RL (120 mm) | X-Fusion Pro-02 | 190x40 | 110 mm | – | €2,599 | Setup → |
| Comp EVO | FOX 34 Performance Elite GRIP2 (130 mm) | FOX Float Performance | 190x40 | 110 mm | – | €2,699 | Setup → |
| Comp | RockShox SID Rush (120 mm) | RockShox Deluxe Select+ | 190x40 | 110 mm | – | €3,299 | Setup → |
How it compares
120–130 mm at the fork almost exactly matches the 120 mm median of the 23 bikes in the “cross-country full-suspension bike” category in our database. On travel, it slots in between the Specialized Epic Hardtail and the Specialized Stumpjumper 15 in the Specialized range. Specialized builds the frame from aluminium.
Entry costs €2,599 for the Chisel build – less than the category median of €4,350. The top build, Comp, costs €3,299. For suspension, Specialized combines components from FOX, RockShox and X-Fusion. In total, 3 different forks are used, from the RockShox Recon Silver RL to the RockShox SID Rush.
Setup notes for this spec
- Fork (RockShox Recon Silver RL): air goes in through the valve on top of the left leg. After every change, compress the fork firmly a few times before measuring SAG.
- Rebound: turn the red FOX and RockShox adjuster fully closed first and count clicks from there – that way you can note settings and restore them later.
- Air shock (X-Fusion Pro-02): measure SAG in your riding position, ideally with a helper holding the bike. Cycle the shock a few times after every pressure change.
Target SAG for the Specialized Chisel
SAG is the share of travel your weight already uses in the riding position. The table gives it straight in millimetres – read the O-ring on the stanchion and on the shock shaft and adjust the air pressure until it matches. Any figures from Specialized take priority.
120 mm fork, 40.0 mm shock stroke (Chisel, Comp)
| Riding style | Fork SAG | Shock SAG |
|---|---|---|
| XC / touring | 17 % = 20 mm | 24 % = 9.6 mm on the shock shaft |
| Trail | 20 % = 24 mm | 28 % = 11.2 mm on the shock shaft |
| Enduro / rough | 22 % = 26 mm | 30 % = 12.0 mm on the shock shaft |
| Bike park | 20 % = 24 mm | 27 % = 10.8 mm on the shock shaft |
130 mm fork, 40.0 mm shock stroke (Comp EVO)
| Riding style | Fork SAG | Shock SAG |
|---|---|---|
| XC / touring | 17 % = 22 mm | 24 % = 9.6 mm on the shock shaft |
| Trail | 20 % = 26 mm | 28 % = 11.2 mm on the shock shaft |
| Enduro / rough | 22 % = 29 mm | 30 % = 12.0 mm on the shock shaft |
| Bike park | 20 % = 26 mm | 27 % = 10.8 mm on the shock shaft |
How to measure SAG is explained in our guide SAG setup.
Tyre pressure starting values
The values apply to 2.35″ wide tubeless tyres with a trail casing. With an inner tube add about 0.2 bar (2.9 psi), with an insert take off about 0.1 bar (1.5 psi). Stock tyres: Ground Control / Fast Trak 2.35; Purgatory 2.4 / Ground Control 2.35.
| Ready-to-ride weight | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 1.43 bar (21 psi) | 1.63 bar (24 psi) |
| 70 kg | 1.55 bar (22 psi) | 1.75 bar (25 psi) |
| 80 kg | 1.67 bar (24 psi) | 1.87 bar (27 psi) |
| 90 kg | 1.79 bar (26 psi) | 1.99 bar (29 psi) |
| 100 kg | 1.91 bar (28 psi) | 2.11 bar (31 psi) |
| 110 kg | 2.03 bar (29 psi) | 2.23 bar (32 psi) |
| 120 kg | 2.15 bar (31 psi) | 2.35 bar (34 psi) |
Air pressure in the fork and shock
You will find a suitable starting pressure on the sticker on the fork stanchion (or on the shock) or in the suspension manufacturers’ setup charts. Our calculator gives you a starting value including rebound for your weight and riding style. What matters afterwards is the measured SAG from the table above.