Sorry, I meant a 12s chainring with 13/14s chain.

Thanks for all the info guys, appreciate it!

Can I ask if you need to run a 13/14s chainring or would a 12s work?

Tia

Agree-ish
Lightweight wheels are an absolute joy, no doubt. Would recommend them to anyone first.
I thought the frame felt stiffer than my Spec and the R088. Can't put my finger on as to why, so then I hand it to the brute squad for a second opinion.
He's 120kg and around 1400w seated  #jealous.
He thought it felt stiffer. I've got nothing more than that. Just our humble opinion, certainly not gospel and not spoiling for a fight   

Well I didn't have the original x68 but did have the r088.
Keep in mind that I'm probably talking absolute bollox , and I'm not a seasoned reviewer like Patty but this is what I think so far...
It's stiffer. Could be the larger BB area perhaps, but feels(probably the most important word, lol) like it puts your power to good use.
It's comfortable even with the bigger forks (these are a very different design) Better tyre clearance too.
I reckon it's a bit faster. I'm using power pedals and often ride the same routes and think it's a touch under a kph faster. Tiny amount for sure, and again, I'm probably full of it
I don't mind a t47 either, I think it's mostly down to the tool.... Which could be me lolz.
Patty's review is so going to sink me  

Brother had a bash on it today.
He's 6'4 and 115kgs so a bit small for him, lol! He thought it felt stiff and put power down well too, so hopefully I wasn't imagining it.
Thinking of selling my specialized because this is really good 

ETA
I'm gagging to hear someone else's thoughts 

New SRAM Rival if no carbon or second hand Force if budget is a consideration.

I put a standard Shimano flat mount on 

Well... Here's hoping you feel the same way about it buddy   

Stromm Rakkt but without the bayonet forks
35mm clearance minimum.
Ability to run mechanical gears.
Standard acr headset interface
SL8/9 Seatpost
UDH
Ability to run bento box
Sub 1000g frame and 450g forks.
Thanks :-)

Ok folks..... Just done 35k shakedown.
At the risk of being torpedoed by Patty's far more experienced and professional review later on....I think this is a damn good bike.
Nothing went wrong.
It's fast and comfortable. The comfortable may be the 35mm tyre of course.
Handles as you would expect.
I topped out at 65kph and it was perfectly stable.
No tyre witness marks on chainstays.
My sprint isn't going to trouble anyone, low four figures, but it didn't feel like it was being wasted.
Ride was blind so RPE, computer in back pocket, pulled some surprise PB's. I know it doesn't mean anything :-)


Will add to this as things pop in my head.
Look forward to other people's thoughts!

This is worth listening to. I fully appreciate this isn't an SL9, but it's a great look at the reason they designed it the way they have.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6GpLcmRqTxrHE3yvumdD59?si=eYH2z99TT1-vLQcH8Uc3kw&utm_source=copy-link

Went out again today.
Rock solid.
Still think it's fast, comfortable and puts the power down well.
Took a 10% hill climb kom/5000
Very happy with it :-)

Sure.
Frame etc weights above
Bike weighs about 7.7kgs
If I put components from my other whip on it would weigh 6.4kgs :-)

My favourite AI thinks an SL9 is 41-43mm but you'll have to ask Stephen
Sounds possible.

All sounds about right
Running Peter's wheels, 26 internal, 33 ext.
May have a look at contis 32mm 111 aero once rollingresistance.com has had its way with it.

Thanks, appreciate it!

Ok, we're ready for a spin tomorrow.
Build has been very straightforward. Thumbs up to the factory!
Excuse the cockpit, I need to work out reach then I'll get some integrated bars.
Rear tyre is 35mm gp5k. Reiterating 3mm clearance either side at the chainstays. Will keep an eye for witness marks.

Hi folks
It's all looking good and going together very easily.
Hoses and cables threaded really easily.
Faced the brake bosses but it was only a little paint really, nothing drastic.
The only thing that hasn't worked for me is the bars. They are lovely and really well finished but because I'm going to run 1x mechanical (yup, I'm a luddite!)the transition curve from headset to bars is too tight. With bars that integrate the cable internally it's fine so I'm just going to fudge the top cap for now.
Special mention to the headset compression ring, it's a great design and well executed.... Very reminiscent of an original specialized.
Popped a seat on today too. The post is nice, but the folks at the factory could shave fifteen or twenty grams off it by making the top and bottom cradles from carbon.... And I'd happily pay an uplift for that.
The other piccy is in case anyone else is daft enough to run mechanical. It's an easy bodge that cleans up the cable run from the frame to the rear mech. V brake noodle ( if you're old enough to remember them :-) ) and an online cable adjuster.
With a little luck I'll get it up and running for the weekend and report back, but it's looking really good so far!