Designed to get out and explore, the Camber is a classic well rounded trail bike every rider will enjoy. The Camber Comp Carbon 29 has 110mm of front-and-rear travel, features a RockShox Reba RL 29 fork, and custom Avid Elixir 3R hydraulic disc brakes for tackling any trail.

The Camber is for trail riders looking for a do-it-all bike that is quick enough for cross-country rides, but offers enough travel and stability to handle technical, rough single- track.

The front triangle is made from Specialized’s FACT 9M carbon, while the rear triangle is M5 Alloy. The frame is stout, featuring a 1 1/8- to 1 1/2-inch tapered head tube that flows into a massive downtube and Press-Fit 30 bottom bracket shell. The Camber sits on 4.3 inches of front and rear travel using Specialized’s tried-and-true FSR suspension design in the rear. Oversized thru-axles are used front and back with a 15QR on the fork and 12×142 millimeters keeping the rear wheel planted. Internal cable routing for an adjustable seatpost is built right into the frame.

The bike comes equipped with Fox suspension front and rear with a Float Evolution RL fork and the Specialized-specific Triad II shock, which offers three compression-damping positions from open to locked out. The drivetrain is a mix of SRAM X7 and X9 and uses a custom 2×10 crank with an integrated bash guard. Avid Elixir 7 brakes with oversized, 7-inch rotors take care of the braking duties.

This is a user-friendly bike. It’s forgiving, comfortable and tackles all aspects of trail riding well. Super-aggressive trail riders will likely look to more nimble options for technical riding, such as the 26-inch Camber, while the crosscountry race and light-trail-use crowd will want something lighter to lug uphill. If, however, you are an all-around trail rider looking for a bike to make tackling rough terrain and long rides easier and more comfortable, the Camber is a great option.

producer: specialized
period: 2012