Top 5 Picks in the Specialized 2016-2017 Lineup

Specialized Bicycle Components Inc. has emerged as a leading designer brand name in the mountain biking industry known for creating bikes with a solid structure. Known as the mountain biking brand named, Specialized, the company was founded in Morgan, Hill, California, in 1974. The brand’s recognition has been perpetuated by its use in professional North American and European bicycle race circuits. For those looking for a great mountain bike for rough terrain, we have compiled the best 5 Specialized mountain bikes of 2016-2017.

The sport of mountain biking is a high endurance adventure sport on uneven terrain or even flat terrain and requires the use of specific gears not to mention the bike itself. All bikes are designed from the same principle of design; however, mountain bikes are specialized for rough gravel, mountain paths, and even woodland. Riders are generally split into two categories: Trail riding and cross country riding. Trail riding is often more intensive and off-road, whereas cross country riding is generally a prolonged duration of riding on rough roads. However, there exist many offshoots of these two forms, including all mountain, downhill, freeride, dirt jumping, and more.

The 5 Best Specialized Mountain Bikes

Specialized, has designed some of the best mountain bikes on the market that can handle everything from steep incline climbs to high descents. Mountain bikes by Specialized are built for different requirements, which include portability, durability, and versatility. Often, mountain biking will take riders far from the lights of the city and, as such, bikers rely on their gear, their group, and themselves. And, when you're out on your own, that leaves one thing to rely on besides yourself: The best Specialized mountain bike. Specialized has taken into account the specific needs of the hardcore mountain biker. Designed with ultra-lightweight XC hardtails, FSR suspension, and many other customizations, Specialized bikes offer a setup that will make for the best ride ever.

1. Specialized Epic HT 2017

With a super light frame of about 1175 grams, the Specialized Epic HardTail 2017, is the best upgraded Specialized mountain bike of 2017. The 2017 model has been designed for mountain bike racing and to be the lightest, strongest hardtail yet released by Specialized. The angle of the bike's head tube and seat tube has been tweaked to improve the 2017 Epic HardTail for speed, strength, and aerodynamics. The Specialized Epic HT 2017 comes in as the best Specialized mountain bike for the expert off-road speed demon.

Riders will benefit from traveling uphill from the grounded geometric design of the bike. The FACT 10 m carbon fiber frame makes for an unparalleled rigidity and is more lightweight than any other mountain bike on the racing circuit. The Epic HT 2017 has been designed to include 11-speed SRAM shifting and Roval Control wheels beneath the RockShox Reba RL fork. The 2017 Epic HT by Specialized, will likely run around $3000 to $6000 if you go to a third-party seller. However, going to the manufacturer will run you up around $10,000. It is not the most frugal choice, but it could be the best choice you ever make in terms of a bike.

2. Specialized Women's Camber 2017

The Specialized Women's Chamber mountain bike will probably run you anywhere from $3000 to $6000. Specialized is a leading mountain bike manufacturer in the field of women's biking. However, the greatest benefit of this women's carbon fiber bike is the unisex frame design. The 2017 Women's Camber, by Specialized, is the best mountain bike for women and short men. The frame incorporates many adjustment variability features, which allow anyone to ride this mountain bike, that is who will fit on it. Every piece of this mountain bike, from the fork to the handlebars to the seat and the shocks, has been designed with women in mind. The Specialized Women's Camber 2017 is a fantastic mountain bike for beginners and experts alike. The only stipulation is that you have to be ready to get dirty and wild because this bike cuts through heather, mud, and brush like a locomotive.

3. 2016 Specialized Rhyme FSR Expert Carbon 650B

Priced around $6000 from the manufacturer, this Specialized women's mountain bike is made perfect for the hardcore wilderness trail and off-road lady. The 2016 Specialized Rhyme FSR Expert Carbon 650B is the best Specialized mountain bike for women on the market and has been designed and built specifically for women. Unlike the variable adjustment capabilities of the shocks on the Camber 2017, the Rhyme FSR Carbon 650B features shocks that are more specifically tuned. Not to say that men can't ride this bike but they might feel it a little bit differently when going over mud holes, divots, and rocks (if you get my meaning.) However, Specialized has made a trail bike, which is optimal for women, incorporating their custom-designed Women's Rx Tune, women tailored shocks, gifting the benefit of the best shock absorbing action for women, out of any of Specialized bikes. The Specialized Rhyme FSR Expert Carbon is the best-specialized bike for women who are experts, hardcore mountain bikers and need the finest design on the market.

4. Epic Hardtail Comp Carbon World Cup

Specialized has a long tradition of designing and building some of the best mountain bikes on the market. The Epic Hardtail Comp Carbon World Cup is so named because it won a world cup. As far as an advertisement, that's a pretty good one. This bike is the best Specialized mountain bike for anyone, beginner to the hobbyist, to hardcore trail rider. It is an affordable, quality machine coming in around $2600 so it takes the prize for the smartest mountain bike for those on a budget. Featuring an 11-speed gear shifter and the carbon fiber frame that started it all, the Hardtail Comp Carbon World Cup is one of the most reliable, tried, and true mountain bikes made by Specialized.

5. 2016 Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper FSR 29

Available in many different design formats and options, the 2016 Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper FSR 29 is the most versatile Specialized mountain bike on the market. In Keeping with the bikes available options, the unit’s price tag is variable as well, coming in anywhere from around $3000 to around $9000. As is true with the other bikes on the list, the 2016 Stumpjumper is available in many frame configurations and even gives the option for a unique aluminum frame. A unique feature, however, is the plus-sized wheel, for which the model was designed. Instead of carrying spare tires, tubes, or patch kits Specialized has bypassed the issue of tire trouble by incorporating a tire that can handle the terrain and then some. The 2016 Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper FSR 29 is a great Specialized mountain bike for those who want a bike that they can work on and improve over the course of many years. This bike is more than a hobby—it is a lifestyle.

Which Bike Should You Choose?

Mountain bikers looking to invest in a new set of wheels have to make a decision between a hardtail mountain bike and a full suspension frame bike for cross country and rough terrain. The question of which bike you should choose depends on your intended usage, your environment, and, of course, your budget. A hardtail bike versus a full suspension bike presents more straightforward engineering design elements in its construction. However, full suspension bikes offer an added level of shock absorption but there is more intricate engineering, which can become damaged or fail more easily. For those setting out on the quest of finding the right mountain bike, here is a hardtail vs. suspension bike guide to help you decide which bike you should choose.

Basic Differences of Hardtail vs. Full Suspension

The question of which bike you should choose comes down to your preferences regarding your bicycle riding tendencies. If you are a mountain biker who prioritizes weekend trail rides and purely recreational usage, your needs may be different than a those of a rider who is more akin to long rides on varied terrain.

Hardtails

Hardtail mountain bikes sport a solid, one-piece frame, which includes a suspension fork that is mounted on the front of the bike. The back of the bike does not feature a suspension fork. This is where the name “hardtail” comes from. Hardtail bikes feature only one suspension fork, giving the rear end or tail of the bike a hard feeling.

Full Suspension

Mountain bikes, classified as full suspension bikes, also feature the front suspension fork, as on a hardtail mountain bike. However, in addition to the front suspension fork, they also feature a rear suspension fork. The design engineering that goes into making a full suspension bike incorporates two separate frame pieces, shaped as triangles, which are joined together by pivots. Shock absorbers act to control the two pieces rate of motion while the pivot joining works to allow the bike’s frame to be more versatile on varied terrain.

Hardtail vs. Full Suspension Bike Features and Specs

The best bike for you depends on many things, including your individual predilections toward biking. What kind of ride are you looking for? Each frame type has its own pros and cons for riders and individual areas in which the bike type excels and falls short. So, let's get into the nitty gritty to assist in the decision of which bike you should choose.

Mountain Bike Frame

The complication and intricacy of your bike’s frame design will dictate the price bracket for in which it resides, as well as the reliability of the bikes construction. For the best full suspension bikes, you will expect to pay quite a bit more than for an equivalent hardtail model. That being said, a full suspension bike is most certainly more comfortable to ride on rough trails but you are going to feel it in your pocketbook.

A full suspension mountain bike frame needs to be able to shift the shock absorption of the frame through the pivot point to disperse the shock load. On top of the added complexity and cost in a full suspension bikes design and manufacturing, this bike type also comes with a sacrifice in durability. The more connection points there are, the weaker the bond. Shock and physical stress on the frame can weaken the bonds over time and riders will find it necessary to have the bikes pivot repaired or replaced, from time to time. Of course, the frequency of this work will depend on the amount of usage you give to the bike and the stress that it encounters on rides. Those living in the Rocky Mountains will have to be incredibly attentive to the state of wear on their frame, compared to those who ride a hardtail.

Hardtail mountain bikes make for a bumpier ride and require a rider to act more as their own rear shock absorber. This might entail lifting one's butt off of the bike seat often when going over rough terrain and bumps. That hardtail frame will often be much lighter than that of its full suspension counterpart, due to the mitigated need for extra hardware in the form of a shock absorber and pivot connector.

Which Bike Should You Choose?

Hardtails are more difficult to ride on rough trails, especially for beginners to the world of trail riding and off-road biking. That being said, what hardtails lack in suspension, they more than make up for in the quality of their additional components, such as the drivetrain, suspension fork, wheels, and tires. However, if you don't mind the added weight and maintenance required, a full suspension bike will offer riders a more immediately enjoyable and softer ride, but with the added convenience comes a markup in the price tag.

For Beginning Mountain Bikers

It comes down to this: If you have a large budget and are a beginner, you will most definitely want a high-quality full-suspension bike. If you are working with a small budget and you are a beginner, you might want to consider a hardtail. Beginners to the mountain biking scene will find great value in the ability to ride for a longer time span, without feeling the bodily stressors of low shock absorption. However, many beginners will likely benefit more from learning to ride a hardtail efficiently and can find a better hardtail bike for less money than an equivalent full suspension bike.

For Expert Mountain Bikers

If you are an expert rider with a big budget, the best full suspension bikes on the market offer riders the greatest versatility and range. However, those taking their full suspension bike on prolonged, rough journeys will likely find it necessary to become versed in the upkeep and maintenance of their full suspension bike while on the trail. If you are an expert with a small budget, however, the best hardtail mountain bikes on the market will offer a greater life longevity and low maintenance. Your hardtail will last you more years than you can ride it.

The Best Benefits of Buying an E-Bike

Increasing your life longevity means living an active lifestyle. This entails not only making in-the-moment healthy decisions but also to structure the routine of your life in a fashion that is conducive to and incorporates steady physical activity. One of the best ways to incorporate constant, habitual physical wellness into your daily routine is to consider supplementing or completely switching your daily transit method to cycling. Biking is a zero-carbon footprint transportation method, which benefits the rider's pocketbook, as well as their body. However, many of those who would willingly transform their transportation method to biking have physical, occupational, or personal limitations to the amount of energy that they can exert. Fear not, for there is more than one way to build a bike and we have compiled the 10 best reasons why you should consider motorized bicycles.

Electrically Motorized Bicycles

Bicycles like mountain bikes and road bikes are wonderfully simple, mechanical vehicles. The only energy input comes from the cyclists' effort and thus they are inexpensive, reliable, and versatile as compared to all other forms of transportation. Electrically motorized bikes (also known as electric bikes, e-bikes, motor-assisted bicycles, and power-assisted bicycles) are built to be street legal as a bicycle and do not require a vehicle registration in the way that electric scooters and motorcycles do. Motorized bikes are, just that—a bicycle with a motor to help in accelerating the bike. E-bikes, which are legal bicycles, will feature motors designed to tap out around 20 miles per hour.

E-Bikes use rechargeable batteries, which come in many varieties. Lightweight motorized bikes will reach speeds around 16 to 20 miles per hour. Some higher-powered bikes, which still fall into the category of motorized electric bicycle, can reach speeds upwards of 30 miles per hour. Motorized bikes are designed to use a wide range of different motors. Some motorized bikes are under the classification of pedal assist. These bikes will create up to 25% motorized thrust assistance, whereas other models, which fall into the classification of power-on-demand motorized bikes, will create up to 200% acceleration from the rider's pedaling. What separates motorized bikes from mopeds and motorcycles is the ability of the bike to be propelled by the rider's pedaling power. Motorized bikes are classified into the following two types:

Pedal-Assist Motorized Bikes

A pedal-assist motorized bike is regulated directly by the rider's leg power. The motor is designed to provide a supplementary power source, in addition to the rider’s pedaling effort. For example, you will still need to pedal on the uphill ride; however, the job will be much, much easier. Pedal-assist e-bikes are street legal and are not classified differently than a bicycle.

Power-on-Demand

The motor is designed to match or exceed the rider's leg power. With a power-on-demand motorized bike, the motor is engaged by a handlebar throttle, which resembles that of a moped. On uphill climbs, the rider can use the motor power as a pedaling supplementation or they can stop pedaling altogether. However, at the end of the day, the bike can operate under its own pedal power and is not 100% reliant on the motor for propulsion.

Best 10 Reasons to Consider Motorized E-Bicycles

1. Speed Demon

With a motorized bicycle, you don't have to worry about getting worn out and slowing down. The motorized bike is designed to kick in when the going gets tough, so you aren't late to get where you're going. Motorized bikes can accelerate to over 20 miles per hour, which is the speed of a biker at a pretty quick pace. It does make it a little bit unfair for the other bikers when you are cruising past them at 20 mph and you haven't even broken into a sweat.

2. Elevation Changes (Hills)

The motorized bicycle specializes on hills. On motor assist e-bike models, riders can ascend hills easily, with only a steady pedaling force, which is supplemented by 25%. On power-on-demand models, a rider can more or less sit back and let the motor do the hard work on uphill climbs.

3. Professional Appearance

For those who live in areas with large elevation changes, biking can be a challenge. This is especially true if you are considering making a bike your main form of transportation, but you work in a professional industry. It is one thing to get all sweaty on a bike before you shower but it's another thing to show up to the boardroom looking like you just stepped out of a 5k in the desert. Motorized bikes excel on hills and keep the rider from working up a sweat on uphill slopes and super hot days. The motor allows a rider to cruise along at their leisure, with variable low energy expended in pedaling.

4. Frugality

Motorized bicycles are the cheapest form of transportation. The benefit gained from the bikes motor only adds to its value, fulfilling the main basic function of an automobile and still outweighs the long-term expense of using a car tenfold. E-bikes can be found in a range from around $300 to around $3000 and their upkeep costs are negligible when compared to cars. Best of all, no fuel is required. On a motorized bike, the rider powers the motor while pedaling.

5. Safety

In a car crash, vehicles are traveling at very high speeds when compared to bicycles. Car crashes can result in long-term injury and even death and the frequency of these occurrences are seen all too often. The worst case scenario cases are generally the same for bikers; however, the chance of this scenario taking place is negligible. Bikes are usually not traveling over 25 miles per hour at full speed. A rider wearing a helmet has exponentially lower odds of experiencing a life-threatening crash on a bicycle compared to a car crash. Less mass and less momentum results in less risk.

6. Ecological

Climate change is in full swing, everyone knows it (well, mostly) and there's nothing we can do about it! Wait. Yes, there is. Converting your main method of transportation into a motorized bike is one of the biggest things that anyone can do single-handedly to reduce their own personal carbon footprint. Imagine if everyone in the country decided to bike to work. Peace on earth would happen.

7. Health and Wellness

The hardest thing about working out is establishing a new habit, in terms of using a gym or creating some space in your life where you perform a useless task for the purpose of your health. People don't have time to add a thing into their lives. That is why bike commuting is the perfect way to get your physical exercise every day. Instead of adding a new habit, change an existing habit. The habit of driving to work is bad. It gets you there at 40 mph and that is it. The habit of biking to work is good. It gets you there at 20 mph and you never have to think about making specific time to exercise. Bike commuting will become the healthiest and most efficient thing you do in your day.

8. Mobility

It’s hard to drive your car up a flight of stairs, between two lanes of traffic or take it on an elevator. Bikes are inherently mobile and allow the user virtually as much freedom as if they were on foot, except bikers get where they are going up to 6 times as quickly.

9. Versatility

Many people have packages and things to carry in their vehicles, which makes it difficult to convert to bike commuting. However, it's all about the gear. Getting an extension built on your car is difficult and expensive. Bikes are made to accommodate extensions and additional storage space and the cost is once again negligible when compared to any work on a car.

10. The Fun Factor

You don't know what you’re missing until you try it. Biking is invigorating, meditative, peaceful, exciting—it's just fun. It introduces you to a new face of the landscape, which you talk to through your tires. Instead of separating you from the environment, like cars, bikes bring you into the environment. Bikers surf on the waved hills of the earth, feeling the ever changing terrain, landscape, and elements of their environment. Take off the top, turn off the engine and throttle up for the ride of your life. Just remember, always wear a helmet.