The Chisel proves that aluminium still matters. 

Voted Best Allow Racer in the 2026 Bike Buyer’s Guide

Few brands offer full-suspension alloy XC bikes today – Trek, Giant and Cannondale have all moved away from the category – but Specialized shows just how advanced the material can be. Compared to similarly priced carbon bikes, aluminium models often feature better components and are tougher in real-world use, shrugging off rock strikes and crashes that might damage carbon.

The Chisel has been around as a hardtail for years; the full-suspension bike was launched about a year ago. It takes everything that’s made the carbon Epic great and distils it into a tough, affordable aluminium package. 

Made from M5 alloy, it uses the same geometry and kinematics as the Epic, and even shares small parts such as linkage hardware and seat binders. In many ways, it’s closer to the previous Epic Evo, with 120mm of travel up front and 110mm at the rear, making it a lively and capable cross-country/trail bike for riders who value fun as much as speed.

Where the Chisel truly stands out is in its frame construction. Specialized’s patented D’Alusio Smartweld process hydroforms the tubes and joints instead of welding them conventionally. The result is a lighter, stronger structure, with clean lines and no excess material. The seat tube is a single, complex piece that incorporates the bottom bracket shell and suspension pivots – a remarkable feat of aluminium engineering that saves weight while enhancing stiffness and durability.

At R49 000 – with a RockShox SID fork and Deluxe shock, plus decent alloy wheels and SRAM’s bombproof GX mechanical shifting – the Comp model offers excellent value, and long-term durability. From a mechanical and servicing perspective, it’s refreshingly non-proprietary too: a threaded BSA bottom bracket, standard 30.9mm seat post, external seat binder and traditional internal routing make it easy to service and upgrade – a mechanic’s dream, in a market full of fussy, integrated carbon frames.

On the trail, the Chisel punches far above its weight. At roughly 13kg, it’s heavier than top-end carbon race bikes, but its efficiency and traction on climbs belie the number on the scale. The suspension keeps the rear wheel planted over technical climbs, while the stiff alloy frame provides crisp power transfer. On descents, with the suspension set up correctly, it’s playful and precise – poppy through corners, eager to jump off rocks and roots, and remarkably composed over rough terrain. 

Don’t think of this bike as a ‘cheaper’ compromise. No – it’s a celebration of modern XC design, done accessibly. It might not lure buyers away from top-tier carbon frames, but riders who choose it won’t feel shortchanged. It captures the same energy and excitement as bikes five times the price, and it’s fast, agile, and durable – proving that alloy is far from obsolete in the golden age of cross-country riding. – Trevor Raab

R49 990 / specialized.com

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