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Sea Otter 2015 | Specialized Fuse/Ruze 27.5+

22.04.2015
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IMG 3253 Sea otter 2015 specialized fuse 6fattie 810x540


At the Sea Otter Festival 2015, Specialized not only introduced their new Rumor 650b but also the newest additions to their trailbike lineup, the Fuse and the Rune. Both the Fuse and its women-specific version the Ruze are equipped with the new 27.5+ 6Fattie tires.

Das neue Specialized Fuse mit 27.5+ Reifen.
The new Specialized Fuse with 27.5+ tires.
Durch das Diamond Stay Design bleiben die Kettenstreben angenehm kurz.
The Diamond Stay Design enables short chainstays.

According to Specialized, the combination of wide 27.5” rims with 3.0” tires provides much more traction and a smoother ride. Both frames were developed specifically for this rim/tire combination. Compared to traditional hardtail geometries, the new aluminum frames feature a shallower steering angle and increased travel at the front. The rear triangle uses the new Boost148 standard and a so called Diamond Stay Design, which ensures short 430 mm chainstays despite the high-volume tire.

Die voluminösen 6Fattie-Reifen erhöhen Traktion und Fahrkomfort.
The massive tires increase traction, contact area and riding comfort.
Am Hinterrad kommt der Boost148-Standard zum Einsatz.
Both model use the Boost148 standard.

The women’s model Ruze has the same main features as the Fuse (short chainstays with the same seat and headangle) but its toptube is lowered by quite a bit for a reduced standover-height, also, the reach is reduced. The Ruze has 100 mm of travel, while the Fuse comes with 120 mm (with the exception of size S, which has 100 mm).

Das Fuse ist in 5 Größen verfügbar ...
The Fuse is available in five sizes …
... das Ruze dagegen in 3.
… while the Ruze comes in three sizes.

The Comp version of both models is equipped with a SR Suntour Raidon fork, SRAM X.5/x.7 1×10 drivetrain and hydraulic TRP Slate brakes (4 piston model in the front, 2 piston in the rear). The Expert versions have a Manitou Magnum Comp fork, SRAM‘s freshly introduced GX groupset (1×10) and DB3 brakes, also from SRAM. Both the Comp and the Expert models have WTB Scraper i45 rims with 45 mm inner width. Specialized’s top model Pro has a RockShox Reba RC3 fork, SRAM X1/X01 1×11 drivetrain, SRAM DB5 brakes and rolls on a nice Specialized wheelset sporting Roval rims with 38 mm wide rims. Prices and weights are still to be announced.

Words: Martin Stöckl Photos: Robin Schmitt

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