FSR Safire User manual

FSR OWNER’S MANUAL
SAFIRE


1
All instructions are subject to change for improvement without notice.
Please visit www.specialized.com/tech for periodic tech updates.
OM0363 - Rev. A, May 2011
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ...................................................................2
ABOUT OFF ROAD, STUNT, DOWNHILL
AND FREERIDING ...................................................................2
SERVICE AND MODIFICATIONS .........................................3
FORK SETUP INFORMATION ................................................ 4
SEATPOST SETUP INFORMATION ........................................5
FRONT DERAILLEUR POSITION ............................................5
ACCESSORIES .....................................................................5
FRAME GEOMETRY ..............................................................6
SAFIRE .......................................................................................7
SHOCK SETUP .....................................................................8
SETTING SAG ...........................................................................8
SETTING COMPRESSION .....................................................8
SETTING REBOUND ..............................................................8
SAFIRE FSR AIR CHARTS ..................................................... 9
FRAME FEATURES ...............................................................10
FRAME LINKAGE ASSEMBLY ...............................................10
DERAILLEUR GUARD ...........................................................11
DOWN TUBE CABLE GUIDE INSTALLATION ..........................11
FRAME SCHEMATIC .............................................................12
FRAME PIVOT SPECIFICATIONS ........................................... 13
SETUP DATA ........................................................................14

2
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the finest line of suspension bikes
available!
About Off Road, Stunt, Downhill and Freeriding
This manual is designed to be used in conjunction with the Bicycle Owner’s Manual
and owner’s manuals supplied by the manufacturer of the front and rear suspension
components. If you did not receive any of these manuals, download them from the Internet,
contact your Specialized Authorized Dealer, or contact us by telephone. There may be
more current manuals and technical information available. For the most current information,
regularly check the Specialized web site or consult your Specialized Authorized Dealer.
These manuals were written for an important reason: your safety while riding.
This manual contains many “Warnings” and “Cautions” concerning the consequences
of failure to maintain or inspect your bicycle or of failure to follow safe cycling practices.
The combination of the safety alert symbol and the word Warning indicates a potentially
hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in serious injury or death. The
combination of the safety alert symbol and the word Caution indicates a potentially
hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury, or damage
to your bicycle or a component. Because the consequences of not following a Warning
usually include “you may lose control and fall,” which could result in serious personal injury
or death, we may not repeat this in conjunction with each Warning. Because it is impossible
to anticipate every situation or condition which may occur, a practice or situation may be
unsafe but not anticipated by this manual. So, don’t forget to use your common sense.
WARNING! Make sure you have, review, and understand the warnings, instructions,
and content of the manuals for your bicycle.
ABOUT OFF ROAD, STUNT, DOWNHILL AND FREERIDING
Downhill racing, severe off road riding, jumping, and stunt riding is extremely dangerous.
Some downhill racers and freeriders reach speeds similar to motorcycles, thus face similar
risks and hazards. When engaging in these activities, you, your bicycle and safety equipment
must be in perfect condition. We recommend that at all times you wear appropriate safety
gear, such as an approved full face helmet, full finger gloves, and body armor.
Not every bicycle is built for every activity. Check with your Specialized Authorized
Dealer to make sure you have the right equipment.
No bicycle is indestructible. Downhill racing, severe off road riding, jumping, and stunt
riding increases the stress on every part of your bicycle. Frames or parts under high stress
may fail, causing you to lose control or fall. Because of the risk involved, Specialized
recommends that you conduct a thorough inspection before each ride. If you miss a jump,
ditch your bike in mid crash, dump or launch your bike without you on it, inspect yourself
for injury, then carefully inspect your bicycle for damage.
Here is what you should look for when you inspect your bicycle for this type of riding:
bent or broken components, such as the handlebar, handlebar stem, seatpost, pedals;
dents, cracks, scratches, deformation, or discoloration. Because damage may be internal
and hidden, if any of these signs are present, stop riding until your bicycle has been
thoroughly inspected by a Specialized Authorized Dealer.
WARNING! Although many catalogs, advertisements and articles about bicycling depict
riders racing, jumping, riding hard off road, and/or stunt riding, this activity is extremely
dangerous, increases the rider’s risk of injury or death, and potentially increases the
severity of any injury. The action depicted is being performed by experts with many
years of training and experience. Even with that training and experience, cyclists who
engage in such activity often get seriously injured. It is also foreseeable that during some
jumps or stunts, and even some races, that the rider will exceed the design capacity of
the frame or components, which may result in something on the bicycle bending or
breaking. If a frame or component bends or breaks, such may lead to loss of control,
serious personal injury or death.

3
As activities such as racing, jumping, severe off road riding, and stunt riding are
extremely dangerous, SAFETY should always be the first consideration. Don’t ride in
the race, ride hard off road, try the jump, or do the stunt, UNLESS YOU CAN DO SO
SAFELY. Here are some additional recommendations:
Take lessons from a competent instructor first.
Do jumps or stunts only in areas designated for this type of riding.
Start with easy jumps and easy stunts first, and slowly develop skills before trying
more dangerous jumps or stunts.
Wear appropriate safety gear, such as a full face helmet, body armor, full finger
gloves, etc.
Make sure by checking with your Specialized Authorized Dealer that your bike is
suitable for the kind of activity you intend to engage in.
Constantly inspect your bicycle for signs of stress: cracks in the paint; dents;
crushing or bending of the frame; bent components. Do not ride your bicycle if it
shows such signs of stress.
Do not seek to bend or break the frame or components. Remember, SAFETY FIRST!!!
Understand and recognize that the stresses imposed on your bike by riding at speed,
jumping or stunt riding may break or damage parts of the bicycle, which may result in loss
of control, serious injury or death.
Specialized does not warrant the bicycle frame or components for such activities, and
expressly disclaims all warranties, including the warranty of fitness for particular purpose
and merchantability.
Stunt riding, severe off road riding, jumping, or riding downhill at speed is extremely
dangerous, and the rider voluntarily assumes the risk that the bicycle frame and/or its
components will bend or break, and voluntarily assumes the risk of injury or death.
SERVICE AND MODIFICATIONS
Technological advances have made bicycles and bicycle components more
complex, and the pace of innovation is increasing. It is impossible for this manual or the
accompanying manuals to provide all of the information required to properly repair and/or
maintain your bicycle. In order to help minimize the chances of an injury, it is critical for you
to have work performed by a Specialized Authorized Dealer.
WARNING! Service on Specialized bicycles requires special knowledge and tools.
Specialized recommends that all service and repairs be performed by a Specialized
Authorized Dealer.
Your bicycle has been engineered and tested with specific components and parts.
Because of the great variety in these items, it is impossible for Specialized to test and
approve of all possible combinations. Modifying the frame, fork, or any of the components
may make your bike unsafe. For example, changing the front suspension on your bicycle
may alter the steering characteristics and/or add stresses to the frame which have not
been tested for. If you must replace any component, have this done by a Specialized
Authorized Dealer.
WARNING! Never modify your frame or bicycle in any way. Do not sand, drill, fill, or
remove parts. Do not install incompatible forks or suspension parts. An improperly
modified frame, fork, or component, can cause you to lose control and fall.
CAUTION: Any modification of your frame, fork, or components means that your bike
no longer meets our specifications and therefore voids your warranty.

4
FORK SETUP INFORMATION
WARNING! The Safire frames are compatible ONLY with single crown forks that have
travel of 5.5” (140mm) or less. Use of different styled forks or forks with longer travel
may result in catastrophic failure of the frame which may result in serious personal
injury or death.
Certain Specialized frames and forks are equipped with tapered head tubes with a
1 1/8” upper bearing and a 1.5” lower bearing.
LOW POSITION 1.5” BEARING
1. Aftermarket brand fork with a 1 1/8” steerer tube
Low position bearing adapter (Part # 2001-9010)
1 1/8” Campy-style bearing
Crown race
2. Aftermarket brand fork with 1 1/8” to 1.5” tapered steerer tube
1.5” lower bearing (part # S092500001)
Crown race (part # S092500005)
3. Specialized fork with low position crown
1.5” bearing only (part # S092500001)
NOTE: Specialized forks with high crown are not compatible with frames with low position
bearing
Low bearing head tube
1 1/8” - 1.5” (standard)
1.5” Bearing (52x40x7)
Part #: S092500001
1.5” Bearing (52x40x7)
Part #: S092500001
1.5” Crown Race
Part #: S092500005
1.5” to 1 1/8” Adapter
Part #: 2001-9010
1 1/8” Campy Bearing
1 1/8” Crown Race
1 1/8” Steerer Tube
1 1/8” to 1.5” Specialized
carbon steerer tube with
built-in crown race
(Low bearing position)
1 1/8” to 1.5” Standard
Steerer Tube
1 2 3

5
SEATPOST SETUP INFORMATION
SEATPOST MINIMUM INSERTION: To prevent
damage to the frame, it’s important to have a
minimum amount of seatpost in the seat tube.
If you cannot see the seatpost tube through the
seat tube hole, your seatpost is too far extended.
If a greater saddle height is required, replace the
seatpost with a longer one.
FRONT DERAILLEUR POSITION
10-Speed front derailleurs
SRAM S3 DMD front derailleurs: No adapters necessary. Choose the derailleur
based on the desired chainring size.
Shimano DMD front derailleurs: Choose the derailleur based on the desired chainring
size.
XTR FD-M985-E2: 38/40t chainrings
XTR FD-M985-E: 40/42/44t chainrings (40t position will not work on models with
2nd generation DMD mount. For these bikes, use FD-M985-E2)
9-Speed front derailleurs
Derailleur
position:
LOW
Derailleur
position:
HIGH
The front derailleur position is a starting
point. Different front derailleurs may
require a different mounting position.
Adjust the position according to the front
derailleur model to achieve proper
positioning over the chainring.
ACCESSORIES
Specialized offers a chainguide that attaches to the DMD front derailleur mount on full
suspension models and certain hardtail models. The chainguide is designed for single
chainring setups up front and regular gears in back, to keep the chain on the chainring.
Specialized also offers replacement chainstay protectors, available through your
Specialized Authorized Dealer.
Minimum
seatpost
insertion
guide hole

6
FRAME GEOMETRY
1. Top Tube Length14. Seat Tube Angle37. Standover Height210. Reach
2. Chainstay Length 5. Head Tube Angle48. Head Tube Length
3. BB Height 6. Wheelbase 9. Stack
9
1
8
5
4
3
6
2
10
7
250mm
1 TT length is the Horizontal Measurement from the center-line of the HT at the top of
the HT to the center-line of the projected seat tube.
2 Stand Over height is measured vertically at the centerpoint of the TT measurement.
3 Effective Seat Tube Angle is measured from BB to 250mm above seat collar.
4 Safire Pro: The head angle is measured with the fork in the low position. The head
angle slackens by 0.75° when the fork is in the fully extended position.
Headset: 1 1/8” top, 1.5” bottom BB shell: 73mm
Seatpost diameter: 30.9mm Derailleur Hanger: 9895-4020
Front derailleur clamp: E-Type Direct Mount (DMD) Safire Eye to Eye: 165mm (6.5”)
Seat Collar: 34.9mm Safire Shock Stroke: 38mm (1.5”)
Rear hub spacing: 135mm Safire Travel: 120mm (4.72”)

7
SAFIRE
SMALL MEDIUM LARGE
1540 21.26“ 565 22.24” 600 23.62”
2420 16.54” 420 16.54” 420 16.54”
3330 13.00” 330 13.00” 330 13.00”
474.5° 74.5° 74.5°
571° 71° 71°
61066 41.97” 1093 43.03” 1129 44.45”
7688 27.09” 689 27.13” 695 27.36”
8110 4.33“ 130 5.12“ 140 5.51”
9547 21.54” 566 22.28” 575 22.64”
10 388 15.28” 408 16.06” 440 17.32”

8
SHOCK SETUP
SETTING SAG
MODEL SAG (%) SAG (mm)
Safire 20-25 7.5-9.5
NOTE: See attached charts for starting air pressures. or refer to the Sag-O-Tron decal on the
side of the seat tube and link to dial in the sag. The charts and Sag-O-Tron are only a starting point,
actual sag needs to be checked and adjusted on the bike, while riding, and at regular intervals.
Please refer to your shock owner’s manual for additional setup information
Turn the Brain Fade knob counter-clockwise (1.5-2 turns from full firm) or position the
blue compression lever in the “Open” position (RP23 or Triad) to allow the shock to sag
more easily. After setting the pressure, push the rubber ring up to the seal, sit on the bike
gently, dismount, and measure sag.
SETTING COMPRESSION
Refer to the following air charts for the suggested amount of clicks or rotations based on
terrain. All suggested settings count the clicks counter-clockwise from the firmest setting.
BRAIN FADE: Safire Brain Fade controls the Trail Tune inertia valve damping. The blue
knob adjusts Trail Tune damping from firm (clockwise) to soft (counter-clockwise) and
does NOT completely lock out the shock.
Backing off from full firm can help with tracking in loose terrain conditions while riding
off camber sections or climbing. The soft setting can also help during lengthy downhill or
rugged conditions where the rider may want the suspension active at all times.
TRIAD: Three compression settings dial in the shock efficiency and ride characteristics.
1. Lockout - compression is closed, locking out the shock for the most efficient pedaling setting.
2. ProPedal - adds in slow speed compression to improve shock efficiency while still
allowing the shock to absorb medium and large size hits. This setting is great for all-round
riding providing an efficient pedaling platform while still absorbing trail features.
3. Open - very little compression damping for the most supple and sensitive ride possible.
SETTING REBOUND
Set rebound damping adjuster to rider preference. Refer to the air charts for suggest
click ranges according to rider weight. Typically a slower rebound for slow speed, bigger
hits to eliminate kickback, or faster rebound for higher speeds and smaller hits, so the
suspension does not pack up and has time to rebound between bumps.

9
SAFIRE FSR AIR CHARTS
LEGEND
Rebound: Counter-clockwise
clicks from full firm Climbing/Asphalt Sag
Compression: Counter-
clockwise clicks from full slow Smooth hardpack Stroke
Lock Out Trail riding Travel
Downhill/Technical
SAFIRE
RIDER WEIGHT BRAIN FOX TRIAD
LBS (KG) PSI PSI
90 (41) 110
6-9
O - 2
3 - Open
Open
Open
100
6-7
Lock Out
ProPedal
Open
Open
100 (45) 120 110
110 (50) 130 120
120 (54) 140 130
130 (60) 150 140
140 (64) 160
5-6
150
4-5
150 (68) 170 160
160 (73) 180 170
170 (77) 190 180
180 (82) 200 190
190 (86) 210 200
200 (91) 220
3-5
210
2-3
210 (95) 230 220
220 (100) 240 230
230 (104) 250 240
240 (109) 260 250
250 (113) 270 260
260 (120) 280
0-3
270
0-1270 (127) 290 280
280 (134) 300 290
20-25%
7.5-9.5mm 38mm
120mm

10
FRAME FEATURES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1. Main Frame 5. Main Pivot / DMD 9. Lower Shock Eyelet
2. Seatstay 6. Dropout (Horst) Pivot 10. Upper Shock Eyelet
3. Chainstay 7. -Link @ Seatstay Pivot 11. Shock
4. -Link 8. -Link @ Frame Pivot 12. Replaceable Derailleur Hanger
FRAME LINKAGE ASSEMBLY
Specialized recommends following a specific order when assembling the rear triangle
pivot locations of FSR suspension bike models (see illustration above).
1. Main pivot (#5)
2. Main link pivot (#8)
3. Either the Horst link pivot or the link @ seatstay pivot (#6 or #7).
Assembling the upper or lower pivots of the seatstay as a last step makes it easier to
align the parts and hold the washers in place.

11
DERAILLEUR GUARD
The Specialized Derailleur guard is available separately through your Specialized
Authorized Dealer. The guard works with solid or Q/R axle types and is compatible with all
Mountain bike models using the Rev2 Alloy Mtn Derailleur Hanger.
Guard Part# 9896-4030 Hanger Part# 9895-4021
Short (10mm):
(All Shimano derailleurs without
countersunk hanger bolt)
Medium (25mm):
Shimano XTR / XT / LX
(All Shimano derailleurs with
countersunk hanger bolt)
Long (31mm):
All SRAM derailleurs
All Shimano Shadow derailleurs
GUARD PINS
31
25
10
Q/R Axle
Guard
Spacer
Guard
Q/R Nut
Derailleur Guard Installation (Q/R option):
Install rear derailleur on derailleur hanger.
Place rear wheel in frame and install Q/R, with springs and without Q/R end nut.
Insert appropriate derailleur guard pin in derailleur.
Place guard sleeve in derailleur guard.
Slide derailleur guard and sleeve over guard pin and Q/R.
Install supplied Q/R nut and tighten Q/R.
Torque guard pinch bolt to 80 in-lbf (9 N*m).
DOWN TUBE CABLE GUIDE INSTALLATION
The Specialized Safire FSRs are
equipped with bolt-on down tube cable
guides. For proper housing placement and
function, the hydraulic rear brake housing
goes in the larger middle slot, the gear
cables go on the outside.
NOTE: Only use 4mm gear housing.
Do not overtighten the guide bolts! Too
much pressure can squeeze the cable
housings, creating friction and poor
shifting for the cables.

12
FRAME SCHEMATIC
BOTTOM BRACKET PIVOTRIGHT DROPOUT PIVOT
LEFT DROPOUT PIVOT
SHOCK MOUNTS
S-LINK @ SEAT TUBE /
SEATSTAY PIVOTS
(Left is mirror image of right)
Pivot parts from
shock manufacturer
1-F
2-F
2-G
1-E
1-F
DROPOUT
SEATSTAYS
1-E
1-F
1-F
2-F
2-G
CLEVIS
CLEVIS
S-LINK
UPPER
2-H 2-J
2-M
2-L
1-E
1-F
1-E
1-F
2-A
1-D
1-A
1-B
2-D
2-I
2-K
1-J
1-A
1-B
1-H
2-E
1-G
2-B
2-C
SHOCK
1-C
DROPOUT
LOWER
BB PIVOT
BB SHELL
1-I
SCHEMATIC #28
NOTE - Bearing and Bolt Kits are available only through a Specialized Authorized Dealer.
To retain your warranty and for your safety, all maintenance should be performed by a
Specialized Authorized Dealer.

PART # 9891-5260 SPECIFICATION
ITEM # LOCATION PART QTY MODEL Ø OD Ø ID
1-A
Bottom Bracket
Bearing 3 Steel 6801-VRS 21 12 5
1-B Spacer 2 Aluminum 22.5 12.2 2 Chamfered
1-C Sleeve 1 Aluminum 15 12.2 27
1-D O-ring 2 Rubber 16.8 11.8 2.5
1-E Dropout Bearing 4 Steel 6800-VRS 19 10 5
1-F Spacer 6 Aluminum 16 10.1 2 Chamfered
1-G S-Link @ Seat Tube Bearing 2 Steel 6800-VRS 19 10 5
1-H Spacer 2 Aluminum 13.8 10.1 1.5
1-I S-Link @ Seatstay Bearing 2 Steel 6800-VRS 19 10 5
1-J Spacer 2 Aluminum 13.8 10.1 1.5
PART # 9891-5265 SPECIFICATION
ITEM # LOCATION PART QTY Ø OD Ø ID
2-A
Bottom Bracket
Axle 1 Aluminum 12 66 Chamfered 5 Allen Hex 160 - 180
2-B Axle washer 1 Steel 15.4 12.5 0.7
2-C Axle cone 1 Aluminum 20 12 10.5
2-D Axle o-ring 1 Rubber 14 10 2
2-E Axle cone o-ring 1 Rubber 18.6 13.8 2.4
2-F Dropout Bolt 2 Aluminum 10 28 4 Allen Hex 120 - 140
2-G Washer 2 Steel 19 10.2 0.3
2-H S-Link @ Seat Tube Bolt 2 Aluminum 10 14.5 5 Allen Hex 120 - 140
2-I S-Link @ Seatstay Bolt 2 Aluminum 10 14.5 5 Allen Hex 120 - 140
2-J Lower Shock Eye Bolt 1 Aluminum 8 40.5 5 Allen Hex 70 - 90
2-K Washer 1 Steel 12.5 8.4 0.5
2-L
Upper Shock Eye
Bolt (Camber) 1 Steel 8 29 5 Allen Hex 70 - 90
2-L Bolt (Myka FSR) 1 Steel 8 40.5 5 Allen Hex 70 - 90
2-M Washer 1 Steel 12.5 8.4 0.5
NOTE: All pivot bolt threads
require blue threadlocker.
FRAME PIVOT SPECIFICATIONS

14
SETUP DATA
DATE
RIDER WEIGHT
FORK PSI
FORK REBOUND DAMPING
(# of clicks from full slow)
FORK COMPRESSION DAMPING
(# of clicks from full firm)
SHOCK PSI
SHOCK REBOUND DAMPING
(# of clicks from full slow)
SHOCK COMPRESSION DAMPING
(# of clicks from full firm)




SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS
15130 Concord Circle, Morgan Hill, CA 95037 (408) 779-6229
www.specialized.com
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