After breaking my FSR Big Hit a few years back and getting no love from corporate, I never thought I'd be considering Specialized again. But with my test ride of the new Specialized Demo 9 DH last October, I'm not sure I can consider anything else. Bar-none, it was the best bike I rode at Interbike 2003, and I rode a bunch. Maybe it was the setup or maybe it was the trail . . . pure crap! . . . it was the friggin bike! This thing is crazy plush, crazy solid (no flex), crazy quiet (no rattling), crazy fast and crazy expensive ($5K)!!!

At 48 lbs. this is not a hill climber, but with the extremely low center of gravity and XC length chainstay, this lady hides her weight well. A full chainguide and front derailleur compatibility may help convince you that you could have this as your all around bike, but the 8" (200mm) Marzocchi 888R double triple clamp fork and the Manitou Swinger 6-way rear shock will keep you planning the shuttle rides every weekend.

How does Specialized corporate think of this bike? Well, it's got it's own site: www.nine-honking-inches-of-travel.com

For more information and specs on the Demo 9 DH or Specialized other bikes, check out their website at http://www.specialized.com/.