Specialized Chisel

The Chisel debuted in mid-2017 for the 2018 model year as Specialized's most accessible XC race hardtail and the first time the brand brought D'Aluisio SmartWeld technology — pioneered on its high-end alloy road frames — to mountain bikes. The frame weighs just 1,350g (one of the lightest alloy hardtails in production), uses size-specific tube butting and stiffness tuning, and shares its progressive XC geometry (68° head angle) with the carbon Epic Hardtail. The Chisel exists as a deliberate value proposition: racy geometry, modern build, RockShox Judy fork, and a price point under €3,500 that gets entry-level XC racers and budget-conscious singletrack riders on a serious bike without carbon-frame markup.