Specialized Status 140

Sure, you can decide to buck the status quo, or you could just huck it. Specialized chose the latter with the all-new Status 140. The result? Not just a new bike, but an entirely new platform that's changed the whole understanding of what a do-it-all bike can actually do.

But what's with the different-sized wheels? So glad you asked. Take the smaller wheelbase and shorter chainstays made possible by having a 27.5-inch rear wheel, and pair them with the increased traction and rolling speed, made possible by a 29-inch wheel up front, and you've got a bike that's ready to throw it down.

Or, think of it as the ability to flick right but plow left into a techy switchback, straight-line it through that longer-than-you-thought stretch of chunder inducing pedalling, without breaking a sweat, and throw down some serious flair on your local flow trail. All in one nice, tight, package. The Status 140 also adopts Specialized's Style-Specific Sizing that not only lets you find the right fit, but also get your desired reach and wheelbase to really let your preferred handling characteristics come alive.

• Focused on fun and featuring Mixed-Wheel Trail Geometry, the Status frameset is a fewer frills, all thrills FSR delivery system crafted from hard-charging—and hard-wearing—M5 alloy and is designed not only to take a hit, but keep asking for more.

• Fox’s FLOAT 36 Rhythm calls the venerable Grip damper into service in the name of rowdy riders everywhere, offering impressively controlled travel with plenty of trail-feel that puts confidence on speed dial. The two-position Sweep adjustment ensures the FLOAT 36 Rhythm is right at home dealing out its 140-millimeters of travel in just about any environment while 36-millimeter stanchions promise plenty of stiffness for precise handling at the limit.

• Quality suspension unlocks some serious free speed, so to slow it all down, Specialized tasked SRAM’s proven Code R brakes with stopping duties. Forged four-piston calipers offer serious stopping power, while 200-millimeter rotors on both ends of the bike promise plenty of fade-free bite when it matters.