LIGHTING THE FUSE
Will the latest updates to Specialized’s trail hardtail give it explosive performance?
Perhaps it’s just because we’re from the UK, where there’s an abundance of brands producing burly, steel-framed bikes, but to us it feels like the ‘hardcore hardtail’ is a very British thing. Gradually though, folks across the pond are starting to realise just how fun a bike with no rear suspension can be if you give it the modern-geometry treatment. The latest brand to jump on the rowdybike bandwagon are Specialized, who’ve updated their ‘affordable’ Fuse range of hardtails. “Snappy, confident… a Stumpjumper without the squish” is how they’re branding it.
The original Fuse was designed around 650b+ wheels and was released when plus tyres were a relatively new concept. For 2020, there’s still some fat rubber in the line-up – with the 650b bike sporting Specialized’s 2.8in Butcher and Slaughter combo – but it’s now complemented by a 29in version too. Around 20mm of length has been added to the reach measurements across the range, head angles have been slackened by a degree-and-a-half and seat tubes are a degree steeper to aid climbing. The 29er has sliding dropouts, which give 15mm of chainstay adjustment and open up the potential to go singlespeed.
There’s no longer a carbon frame option, with aluminium used across the range – Specialized’s A1 alloy for the base-level Fuse 27.5 and their premium M4 tubing for the Comp and Expert models. To match the new Fuse’s burlier intentions, all the bikes sport air-sprung, 130mm-travel RockShox forks and TranzX dropper posts. The more expensive Comp 29 and Expert 29 models come fitted with SRAM’s NX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain. All in all, the Fuse looks like a high-energy trail ripper. We can’t wait to try one out, even if we are patriotic about our homegrown hardtails. Complete bikes start at £999 and are exclusive to Specialized’s Click and Collect service.