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way that Specialized pulls all the design elements togetherthat makes this simple hardtail stunning to look at.

HOW DOES IT PERFORM?Ergonomics: The Carve Pro 29’s front end doesn’t have

that high 29er feeling because Specialized used a short stemwith a slight 7-degree rise (which can be flipped for a nega-tive 7-degree angle) mated to a flat handlebar. It looks racyand feels like a trailbike setup. The rest of the cockpit is ultracomfortable. The bar width, top-tube length and saddle are allcomfortably positioned for everything from lunch-loop ridesto epic journeys.

Pedaling: There is no doubt that you are getting 29-inchwheels up to speed when moving out of the blocks. TheCaptain tires assist your effort with a tread pattern andrubber compound that seem better suited for 29-inch wheelsthan 26ers. They roll nicely and are not overkill like some29er tires. The 3x10 drivetrain gives you plenty of options.We found ourselves using the big ring for hard packed, rolling

trails; the middle for more technical stopping and starting;and the granny for steep climbs.

Hammering: Once up to cruising speed, theCarve is in its element. The frame reveals no lateral flex as you push big gears, and we dare

you to find a weakness in the Shimano Deorecranks. We caught ourselves shifting less onthe Carve by using one gear for everythingfrom torqueing on the cranks to spinningthem out.

Cornering: This bike will make anyonecorner faster and with more confidence than,

say, a 26-inch-wheeled hardtail. The bottom

bracket feels low. The tires feel way wider than 2inches. The frame geometry numbers would equal atwitchy race bike if it weren’t for those big hoops. Instead,

it is a very neutral-steering bike that is neither quick norsluggish. It falls in the steering sweet spot.

Descending: The large wheels make descending a blast, because you are not constantly trying to avoid ruts and rocks.The Carve will have you floating over the top of them. Thetires do great on off-camber sections where they grip way better than their little knobs look capable of.

Climbing: The 3x10 drivetrain gives you plenty of optionsfor getting the Carve up the climb. You can muscle the bikeup sections in a large gear while out of the saddle, or you can(more intelligently) spin your way up. Even at the end of a50-mile epic when we were feeling the effects of a long timein the saddle, the Carve offered a gear that allowed us to take

our time and work up the last nasty climb of the day. Wewere very thankful.Braking: The Carve’s braking performance is dialed for its

29-inch wheels. Specialized gives you a 7-inch rotor up front and a 6-inch rotor in the rear that are well balanced and plen-ty powerful. The Shimano’s Deore’s small master cylinderand compact calipers make these brakes look far more liketheir expensive older brothers, the XT and XTR brakes.

TRICKS, UPGRADES OR TIPS?Our test bike was Specialized’s medium size (they offer

the Carve in five frame sizes), but it felt more like a medi-um-large. Don’t go by what you are riding now to pick the

A Hardtail Hard Not To LoveThe Specialized Carve Pro 29

After testing dual-suspended Specialized bikes made of carbon fiber and costing five times what theSpecialized Carve Pro 29 costs, you might think it

would be impossible for the MBA wrecking crew to get toofired up about logging hours on this aluminum hardtail.Wrong. The Carve is one of our favorite bikes to snatchfrom the test fleet. Here’s why.

WHO IS IT MADE FOR?Everyone. This is a Versatile trailbike, and we spelled that

with a capital “V” on purpose. It is for the rider who wants tospend more time in the saddle than messing with his rear sus-pension. It is for rank beginners and seasoned experts. It is

for the rider who wants to switch to 29-inch wheels and forthe rider who, up to this point, has refused to do so. It caneven be pressed into service for road riding without forcing arider to spin his brains out. Yes, Versatile with a capital “V.”

WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?Remember when a double-butted aluminum tube was

trick? It is amazing what can be done with aluminummanipulation these days. The Carve’s frame is aluminum,although it sure looks like a carbon fiber front triangle withSpecialized’s smooth welding technique. Take a close look at that bent seat tube, curved to tuck the rear wheel in close tothe main frame. The head tube is tapered to take advantage

of the fork’s tapered steerer tube. The frame will take twowater bottle cages, and the seatstays have mounting eyeletsfor a fender or rack. This is the most expensive model. TheExpert goes for $1650 and the Comp for $1350.

WHICH COMPONENTS STAND OUT?The 3x10 Shimano drivetrain is the proper pick for a 29er

at this weight. It is sweet to find a remote Pop-Loc lever onthe handlebar for the fork. The integrated headset with fullcartridge bearings gives the front end a smooth look. Cablesare intelligently routed to keep them out of the rider’s way,adding to the clean lines of the bike’s profile. Finally, howmany bikes get rims named after them? Seriously, it is the

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We dare you: Weencourage riders nowriding dual-suspen-sion bikes over fiveyears old and anyhardtail to try theCarve. Time hasmoved forward, andthis 29er is on theforefront of one bikethat can fill a lot ofneeds.

March 2012 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 73




perfect Carve. Take advantage of all those sizes and findthe one that fits you properly (probably a size smallerthan the 26er hardtail or dual-suspension bike you ridenow).

Specialized racing legend Ned Overend won a NationalChampionship last year on a modified Carve Pro, proving

that this bike is worthy of just about any upgrade you want to throw at it. The most logical upgrade is converting thetires tubeless and a far more expensive upgrade would besplurging for carbon fiber rims.

The chainstay protector is a thin piece of clear plastic.We’d throw a wrap-around protector on there in addition tothe stocker.

The front brake howled like a lost dog on a cold night. Wechecked brake alignment, and sanded the pads, but the noisecame back. Replacing the pads with stock replacement metallic pads eliminated the annoying noise. Our first pairmust have been accidentally contaminated or we may haverushed the break-in period.

BUYING ADVICE

There are so many riders who can benefit from this

bike. Riders who purchased dual-suspension bikes andstill don’t have a clue how to set sag or rebound would be better off on the Carve. New riders or riders returningto mountain biking will get up to speed faster and with less effort aboard a Carve. Roadies who want to find out what they are missing will find the transition to theCarve effortless.

Ready for anything: The Carve Pro can be many things tomany riders. This frame has won a National Championship, butit is just as much at home cruising your favorite three-hourSaturday-morning loop with friends.

Carve Pro 29

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Carve it up: Forged, post-mount rear-brake system, 10 cogsmatched to three rings for lots of gearing options, and a newShimano Deore master cylinder looks as good as an XTR.

PriceCountry of originWeightHotlineFrame tested

Bottom bracketChainstay lengthTop tube lengthHead tube angleSeat tube angleStandover heightWheelbaseSuspension travelSuspension travelFrame materialForkShockRimsTiresHubs

BrakesCranksetShiftersHandlebarFront derailleurRear derailleurChainringsCassetteTallest gearLowest gearPedals

SPECIALIZED CARVE PRO 29$2000Taiwan28.2 pounds(408) 779-622917.5" (medium)

12" high17.5"24"71.5°73°29.5"42.75"3.1" (front)None (rear) AluminumRockShox Recon Gold 29 SLNoneSpecialized Carve Disc (29")Specialized The Captain (2.0")Formula Disc

Shimano DeoreShimano DeoreShimano SLX RapidfireSpecialized XC Flat (27.5" width)Shimano DeoreShimano DeoreShimano (42/32/24)Shimano 10-cog (11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-32-36)29 feet (per crank revolution)5.1 feet (per crank revolution)None (Weighed with Shimano XTR)


Download - Mba Carve Review

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