We had originally planned to pick up the car together yesterday, but the rain made us both a little too lazy to follow through. Today, I headed over to his place to check out the bike—after all, I wasn’t about to make a special trip to a bike shop just for this.
This is a 2021 Specialized model, and like every year, it comes with unique color options. The Expert variant sports what’s officially called Gloss Red Tint, but I prefer to think of it as “gradient red.” From afar, it looks almost black, but when you step closer and catch the light just right, it reveals its deep, rich red hue.
Underneath that stunning finish lies a carbon fiber frame paired with a RockShox SID suspension fork, Roval carbon fiber wheels, DT Swiss 350 hubs, and a Sram drivetrain featuring an impressive 12-speed X01 rear derailleur.
The RockShox SID is equipped with their famous Brain technology—a feature I jokingly refer to as “the one with brains,” hahaha! As far as I understand, it automatically adjusts stiffness based on terrain (though feel free to correct me if I’m wrong). While I don’t know much about RockShox beyond how lightweight they are, personally, I’ve always been more of a Fox Kashima fan—it’s that iconic Kashima gold coating that draws me in, hahaha!
Moving on to the Roval carbon fiber wheels—they’re simply incredible, defined by one word: lightness. The DT Swiss 350 hub offers smooth performance with a subtle, low-key hum. If you’re into louder sounds, you could upgrade the ratchet system for a denser engagement. For off-road enthusiasts, a denser engagement can be a game-changer—and let’s face it, I love it because it makes some serious noise!
Then there’s the Sram drivetrain, boasting a 32-tooth chainring up front and a massive 10-50T cassette in the back. This setup is more than enough for tackling mountain trails, especially when combined with the bike’s feather-light frame and the exceptional grip provided by its 2.3-inch wide tires. Whether climbing steep inclines or navigating technical descents, this machine will undoubtedly deliver.
Now, shifting gears slightly—I couldn’t help but notice the beer sitting in the water bottle holder. It was a canned Erdinger Weissbier, a German wheat beer I first stumbled upon at 7-Eleven. If you ever get the chance, try the draft version at a bar; I find it even smoother and more refreshing.
Does every mountain biker share a love for beer?
Maeve Stephens 
Adam Stone 
Lucas Ferguson
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