# Specialized Crave SL 29er
**URL:** https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489
**Category:** Post your ride
**Created:** [March 16, 2014, 11:18pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489 "2014-03-16T23:18:45Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@iwearmoccos](https://fixed.org.au/u/iwearmoccos)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2014, 11:18pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/1 "2014-03-16T23:18:45Z")
I wasn’t going to make a new thread for this because it is a stock bike, though as I already plan to make some changes, I figured it’d be worth documenting.
I picked up this massive Crave SL last Friday, after I sold my Nature Boy a month or two earlier. The Nature Boy was a fun bike, but I wasn’t really riding it and I’m spending more time commuting on my Vespa, which I find more enjoyable coming from the east side of town. The Nature Boy made a great commuter, I didn’t like it off road however. It sold in 4 hours or something silly like that, so I hope the new owner likes it.
Photo of my new Crave.
I’ve already discovered that the current gearing is terrible for getting places, so I’ll be going a 1x10 setup in the near future. I haven’t had a bike with gears since about 1998, so it is almost a whole new world.
I just took it on it’s first off road ride and was impressed.
Stay tuned!
---
### Author:  [@Bigadz](https://fixed.org.au/u/Bigadz)
#### Post date: [March 16, 2014, 11:30pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/2 "2014-03-16T23:30:42Z")
Nice bike!
> [@iwearmoccos](#):
>
> I’ve already discovered that the current gearing is terrible for getting places
That’s one of the main reasons I recently sold my SS MTB. It was great on trails, but I hated spinning the 10km+ to get to them. Horizontal dropout and no derailleur hanger meant no possibility for gears.
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### Author:  [@MikeD](https://fixed.org.au/u/MikeD)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2014, 12:06am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/3 "2014-03-17T00:06:50Z")
What is the gearing?
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### Author:  [@iwearmoccos](https://fixed.org.au/u/iwearmoccos)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2014, 12:53am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/4 "2014-03-17T00:53:34Z")
> [@MikeD](#):
>
> What is the gearing?
32/20
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### Author:  [@iwearmoccos](https://fixed.org.au/u/iwearmoccos)
#### Post date: [April 1, 2014, 3:18pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/5 "2014-04-01T15:18:59Z")
I ordered some gears a couple weeks ago, which turned up yesterday.
I incorrectly ordered a I Spec shifter, so I’ll get rid of that and have a bar clamp one on the way anyway.
Shopping list here.
Shimano ZEE M640 Shadow Plus Rear Derailleur Short Cage SS 32-36T Wide Ratio
Shimano Dyna-Sys SLX 10 Speed Cassette Silver 11-36
Shimano Saint M820 10 Speed Right Hand Shifter I Spec B Black
North Shore Billet Variable (Narrow/Wide) Tooth Chainring Black 32T
Shimano SLX 10 Speed HG-X MTB Chain 116 Links
Photo here.
Will install once my shifter turns up.
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### Author:  [@Lemontime](https://fixed.org.au/u/Lemontime)
#### Post date: [April 1, 2014, 3:58pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/6 "2014-04-01T15:58:01Z")
> [@iwearmoccos](#):
>
> I incorrectly ordered a I Spec shifter
More like justified yourself a new set of brakes…
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### Author:  [@iwearmoccos](https://fixed.org.au/u/iwearmoccos)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2014, 3:34am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/7 "2014-05-11T03:34:45Z")
I now have gears.
Feels good!
Haven’t hit the trails yet though, will report back soon.
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### Author:  [@DICE](https://fixed.org.au/u/DICE)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2014, 3:46am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/8 "2014-05-11T03:46:56Z")
Looks good dude. Nice setup you ended up going with.
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### Author:  [@larfinboy](https://fixed.org.au/u/larfinboy)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2014, 4:22am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/9 "2014-05-11T04:22:05Z")
> [@iwearmoccos](#):
>
> I now have gears.
> Feels good!
Looking good brah - 1x10 is the new SS
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### Author:  [@iwearmoccos](https://fixed.org.au/u/iwearmoccos)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2014, 4:38am UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/10 "2014-05-11T04:38:18Z")
> [@larfinboy](#):
>
> Looking good brah - 1x10 is the new SS
It seems to be!
I haven’t had gears on a bike for 15 years, it’s a nice feeling.
I’m looking forward to riding up some steep hills, very easily!
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### Author:  [@iwearmoccos](https://fixed.org.au/u/iwearmoccos)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2014, 11:28pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/11 "2014-05-16T23:28:34Z")
Just spent a couple hours along Yarra Trails, gears make this bike much more enjoyable.
It isn’t like I’m changing gears all the time, it’s just nice to be able to not always feel like you’re in the wrong gear.
Didn’t drop a chain, all is good.
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### Author:  [@iwearmoccos](https://fixed.org.au/u/iwearmoccos)
#### Post date: [October 26, 2014, 10:25pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/12 "2014-10-26T22:25:24Z")
Took the Crave out yesterday on Gravel Grinders, quick holiday from #SOTB!
I haven’t ridden this bike much at all over winter, and maybe twice since then.
The bike handled great, particularly on the descents.
I struggled on the hills, mainly due to never really riding anywhere with hills!
Flipped the stem to get more weight over the front of the bike, there were a few times were the front of the bike was choosing its own line.
Looks like this currently.
I’d like to put new brakes on it, but that is only a thought at this stage.
---
### Author:  [@Marc](https://fixed.org.au/u/Marc)
#### Post date: [October 26, 2014, 10:45pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/13 "2014-10-26T22:45:51Z")
> [@iwearmoccos](#):
>
> Took the Crave out yesterday on Gravel Grinders, quick holiday from #SOTB!
> I haven’t ridden this bike much at all over winter, and maybe twice since then.
> The bike handled great, particularly on the descents.
> I struggled on the hills, mainly due to never really riding anywhere with hills!
> Flipped the stem to get more weight over the front of the bike, there were a few times were the front of the bike was choosing its own line.
> Looks like this currently.
> I’d like to put new brakes on it, but that is only a thought at this stage.
> 
I really, really like this bike. Theres something very appealing about it. Does it have a carbon fork btw?
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### Author:  [@iwearmoccos](https://fixed.org.au/u/iwearmoccos)
#### Post date: [October 26, 2014, 10:52pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/14 "2014-10-26T22:52:49Z")
^Yes, comes stock with a carbon fork.
All I’ve done since buying it is put 1\*10 on it and change the grips.
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### Author:  [@Sime](https://fixed.org.au/u/Sime)
#### Post date: [October 26, 2014, 11:14pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/15 "2014-10-26T23:14:09Z")
After yesterday I can vouch for how quickly this thing goes on steep downhill fireroad and gravel, absolutely SWINGIN!
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### Author:  [@EzyLee](https://fixed.org.au/u/EzyLee)
#### Post date: [October 26, 2014, 11:16pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/16 "2014-10-26T23:16:45Z")
Interesting, How does this handle when you pop monos through a gate?
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### Author:  [@iwearmoccos](https://fixed.org.au/u/iwearmoccos)
#### Post date: [October 26, 2014, 11:46pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/17 "2014-10-26T23:46:28Z")
Ezy, refer to your Instagram DM inbox for a small update on how well it monos.
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### Author:  [@EzyLee](https://fixed.org.au/u/EzyLee)
#### Post date: [October 26, 2014, 11:51pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/18 "2014-10-26T23:51:01Z")
Ahh rad - we are instagram DM buddies now. Prepare for n00dz.
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### Author:  [@iwearmoccos](https://fixed.org.au/u/iwearmoccos)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2016, 5:22pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/19 "2016-11-20T17:22:37Z")
It’s been ages since I’ve ridden this bike.
Back running SS and have SLX brakes with barspin ready brake lines. I’ve had these brakes for a while, just never mentioned them in this thread.
I replaced my beat rear wheel with a Shimano MT55 complete wheel and a SS kit. Centrelock discs are great!
I went back to SS because the jockey wheels on my derailleur were cactus. Currently running 32/16. Good gearing for Yarra Trails, probably a bit tough on any real trails with real hills.
Some new tyres would be nice, along with tubeless. Will look into that.
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### Author:  [@HeavyMetalCyclist](https://fixed.org.au/u/HeavyMetalCyclist)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2016, 5:51pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/specialized-crave-sl-29er/64489/20 "2016-11-20T17:51:17Z")
great bike as always moccos.
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