The Bike That Taught Me Barspins

There are some bikes you ride, and then there are the ones that stay with you. This Specialized P.2 was one of those for me. It was not just another dirt jumper. It was the bike where I figured out how to spin my bars for the first time.

I can still remember the feeling. Standing there, staring at the handlebars, nervous about throwing them and committing. Once I finally did, it all clicked. The frame felt so roomy, like it gave me all the space I needed to move. For how solid it was, it was surprisingly light. Perfect for trying, failing, and trying again.

I swapped out the original fork for a Manitou Circus Expert. That change completely transformed the bike. The front end felt dialed in, playful but controlled. It gave me the confidence to push things further.

The rest of the build was simple but perfect. A single-speed drivetrain with a red sprocket, solid platform pedals, and only one rear brake to keep everything clean. The red hubs popped just enough to make it feel mine, and the worn-in grips told the story of all the hours I spent learning.

This was not the flashiest bike out there, but it had a soul to it. It was the bike I grew into. The one that caught me when I bailed, and the one that pushed me to get back up again.

When I think back on those days, long afternoons, messing around, landing something new for the first time, it is this P.2 that comes to mind. Not just a bike, but the one that taught me a whole new way to ride.

Here’s what this build was rocking:

• Frame: Specialized P.2 (aluminum, dirt jump geometry)
  
  

• Fork: Manitou Circus Expert (swapped in to replace the stock fork, and it made all the difference)
  
  

• Bars: Wide, riser DJ bars with ODI-style grips (pink, and worn in perfectly)
  
  

• Stem: Red anodized front-load stem (short and stiff for barspins and tricks)
  
  

• Brakes: SRAM Guide hydraulic disc brake (rear only—clean and reliable stopping power)
  
  

• Wheels:
  
  

• Front: 26" DJ wheel with Maxxis Holy Roller tire
  
  

• Rear: 26" DJ wheel with Maxxis Holy Roller tire, laced to a red anodized hub
  
  

• Drivetrain: Single-speed setup with red sprocket and half-link chain tensioned just right
  
  

• Pedals: Metal platforms—simple, grippy, and bombproof