First Look: 2016 Specialized Camber
The new Camber is a svelte XC and Trail machine (click to enlarge).
What is the Camber?
The Camber is the Trail/XC bike in Specialized’s full suspension line. The line-up in order of suspension travel is the Epic, Camber, Stumpjumper, Enduro, and Demo 8. In 2015, the Camber was a 29er with 110mm of travel. There was an Evo version available that sported 120mm of travel and more relaxed geometry. Riders found this bike to be a fast and capable bike that was more descent capable than what its 110/120mm suggested.
For 2016, the Specialized line-up has become even more crowded with the newly revamped Sumpjumpers with 29er and 27.5 wheels. Plus they now have a whole line of Plus (3.0) tire bikes they call Stumpjumper 6fattie. This has squeezed the trail bike real estate that the Camber normally participates in.
It’s not ideal for rowdy terrain but it does want to fly (click to enlarge).
What changed?
For 2016, there is a slew of changes, as a new wheel size is added to the line. Travel is increased and the Brain rear shock is introduced as well.
- The Camber 29er now has 120mm of travel instead of 110.
- Head angle has been slackened to 68.5 degrees instead of 70 degrees.
- There is now a 27.5 version to complement the 29er. Travel is increased to 130mm and head angle is slacker at 67 degrees.
- The Brain shock has been added to to the higher end Cambers. It is now only active at the sag point.
- The front fork for the S-Works version is now an RS-1 with a Spike valve knob.
- SWAT door is now included in the carbon models.
- Front triangle is now shared with the Stumpjumper. The chainstay length has been shortened to from 450mm to 437mm on the 29er.
The Brain shock has been employed and improved on the Camber (click to enlarge).
Models
The Camber line-up is comprised of six price points with each one available in either 29er or 27.5 versions. This creates a huge array of twelve models plus a thirteenth ‘Grom’ version that accepts 24 and 26 inch wheels.
At the top of the range is the S-Works Camber with its full carbon ‘FACT 11m’ frame. Both the 650b and 29er versions come equipped with a RockShox RS-1 fork, a Kashima coated version of the FOX/Specialized Brain-equipped rear shock, SRAM XX1 gearing, Shimano XTR brakes and Roval Traverse SL carbon wheels with a 30mm internal rim width.
Like the Epic, the Camber now supports a massive chainstay for stiffness (click to enlarge).
The rest of the carbon range, consisting of the Expert, Elite and Comp, features a carbon ‘FACT 9m’ carbon mainframe and an alloy M5 rear end. Both the Expert and Elite models will offer the new Position-Sensitive Mini Brain equipped FOX/Specialized rear suspension and will use 34mm stanchioned FOX Performance forks.
The Comp Carbon models offer a simpler FOX Performance DPS rear shock without Brain technology. These models will feature the RockShox Revelation RC3 fork. Included alloy wheels will be a 29mm internal width Roval wheelset.
All Camber carbon models feature Specialized’s new 10-position Command IRC Post.
Continue to page 2 to find out what we liked and didn’t like »
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