When Stellan’s not dialing in demo bikes or helping customers on the sales floor, he spends his summer weekends stacking bike park laps aboard his Specialized Demo. Built to handle the same brutal tracks raced by the world’s best, his Demo is a true gravity weapon. Up front, a Fox 40 provides unparalleled tunability and traction, while an Öhlins coil shock keeps the rear end glued to the ground through rough, high-speed terrain.
We recently spoke with Stellan about his component choices—such as his Renthal handlebars for precise control and a familiar ride feel, Hayes Dominion A4 brakes for their feather-light lever action and consistent stopping power, and Race Face Turbine pedals that lock his feet in with aggressive concavity and adjustable pins. Every part on his bike is there for a reason, and after hearing him break it down, it's clear that this downhill bike isn't built just for speed; it's built to last lap after lap.
Bike Details
Frame: Specialized Demo
Size: S4
Wheels: Reserve HD 30 27.5" / Roval Traverse Alloy 29" / Sapim Race Butted Spokes
Tires: Specialized Cannibal Grid Gravity T9 27.5 x 2.4 / Maxxis 3C MaxxGrip DH 29 x 2.5
Drivetrain: SRAM X01 DH 7-speed shifter and derailleur, SRAM DH 7-Speed 10-24t cassette, SRAM PC-1130 chain, SRAM X01 DH carbon 165mm crankset
Brakes: Hayes Dominion A4 / Hayes D-Series rotors 203m F/R
Cockpit: Renthal Fatbar V2 25mm rise, 770mm wide / Renthal Integra 35mm DM stem, 45mm length / Deity Lockjaw grips
Seatpost/Saddle: Thompson Alloy seatpost / Specialized Henge DH saddle
Shock: Öhlins TTX22M.2 Coil - 225x75 / 502lb spring
Fork: Fox 40 Factory 29" GRIP-X2 - 52mm Offset
How would you describe the ride quality of the Demo?
Extremely predictable and composed, compared to my trail bike in the park, I feel like you can just sit back and let it do its work as opposed to having to fight it and maneuver it.
What are some of your "must-have" components on this build?
The Hayes Dominions have been a go-to for me on all my bikes recently, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. I just love how consistent they are, along with the ease of service and a surprising amount of power.
Honestly, I have also been stoked on the MaxxGrip Assegai up front. It has been beyond good on all of my bikes recently. Compared to the Specialized Butcher that came on the bike originally, it is a noticeable improvement.
What is one aspect of your setup that you are particular about?
Probably the cockpit. I have the opportunity to ride a variety of bikes with access to our demo fleet. I can adjust to different suspension and geometry fairly easily, but the cockpit is the one thing that I will always take the time to dial in.
Do you have a preferred handlebar and stem setup?
I've been experimenting with narrower bars recently. I've gotten all the way down to 770mm on the Demo but have been trying 760mm on my Status. I'll probably go 760mm on the Demo at some point as well—so narrower bars and not too much rise. I'm currently running 25mm rise bars on the Demo so I can keep the front end weighted.
What type of trails do you prefer to ride in the park?
I'd say a mixture of tech and jumps. The Demo feels good on both, but it loves the tech. Especially on some of the downhill race-style tracks, where it's fast, high-speed, and somewhat open, the bike comes alive. The bike holds its line and wants you to keep pushing it, and it'll just keep going. With that said, the bike is a great jumper, and it's playful enough that if I see a little side hit, I can pull for it.
If you could ride this bike anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I'd have to say Morzine. It looks pretty rad, especially the Vinny T videos; I see a lot of clips coming out of there. The one local trail I want to check out with the Demo is Meat Sweats up on Cypress. I've ridden it on a trail bike, and it's another race track-style trail. I think it would be pretty rad to just let the downhill bike open up on a trail like that.
