Big wheels done better - all the rollover, control and confidence beenfits of a 29er with the shortest chainstays and wheelbase and honed angles for the most nimble handling. Out of the box and race ready for XC riders looking to climb fast and rail twisty singletrack on big wheels.
29er HT frame with curved top tube looks as fast and sweet as it rides due to its race-optimized 29" geometry and M5 manipulated alloy construction
RockShox Reba RLT 29er fork with size-specific travel, rebound/compression adjust, and Floodgate control allows this 29er to soak up rocks like no other
Custom DT Swiss 29" rims with eyelets and sleeved seams keep weight low and durability high
S-Works Renegade 29 x 1.95" dual compound 2Bliss Ready tires with aramid bead roll fast and still provide plenty of race-tested traction
Avid Elixir R SL lightweight hydraulic disc brakes/levers with alloy backed semi-metallic pads and tool-free reach adjust for superb control and modulation
Specialized BG Phenom Comp saddle with hollow Cr-Mo rails is a lightweight and minimalist design, tuned for sit bone flex and comfortable climbing
I went from an all mountain bike (customized Santa Cruz Heckler) to this bike-I mainly need only a solid XC machine and the Heckler was too much for that. I bought it used from a guy back east with less than 50 miles on it-it came out of the box looking barely used. The bike took a little to getting dialed in-one thing the bottom braket is noticeably higher on a 29er HT than on a 26" bike. The ride didn't take long to get used to-it's fun, good at climbing, and provides stability on stuff I was squirrely on previously. The bike came with the WTB Exiwolf tire on the front and it washed out a lot-traded it out with the Panaracer Rampage 29er. The ride greatly improved and became much more fun. I initially had a Joplin dropper seat post and it worked well-I just upgraded to the Reverb and love it. Having a HT 29er with just the Rampage tire and the dropper seatpost improved the ride tons-I can handle most everything my buddies with a full-suspension 26" bike dishes out. The brake pads and the bottom braket were embarrassingly noisy-replaced the pads and put plumbers tape on the bottom braket and it took care of the issues with the noise.
Initially I was thinking that the 19" was too big for me (I am 5'10") but after riding a 17" I found the 19" was a good fit because the cockpit fit better for me.
Overall, I love the 29er. I would like to have a 26" full suspension in my corral for more all mountain stuff but for my everyday XC riding I will go with the 29er. The Stumpjumper is a great bike.
I am a newbie in single tracks and I have no doubt in my mind that the mishaps that happened to me so far, are cause by lack of experience and recklessness. I've been to three parks so far and every single one of them, I have left my mark. The last one not so fortunate that I warp my front Rim!!! It was supposed to be an easy 10' downhill drop into a ravine with little water flowing through which I went through the first time with ease and had a lots of fun for 2.5 hours around the Park but somehow the 2nd time around just about when we are ready to wrap up for the day, this accident happened. I hit a puddle of Mud and the front wheel stuck and warp the rim and of course due to gravity, I found myself laying belly first on the ground creating a bulge on my front left thigh (ouch!). I my have landed on one of the two only rocks in the vicinity... Anyway, the front rims just gave up on me not sure why but I am thinking that it is maybe the impact due to speed (recklessness) and the normal reaction on the supposed way up turn to the left that caused it... We were supposed to be done but hey, sheeet happened!
I took this bike out for the first time yesterday after having ridden a full-suspension all-mountain bike for the last year or so. Man can this thing climb! I cannot believe how strong of a climber this bike is for the money. I paid $1770 at my LBS.
This bike feels extremely solid on the downhill as well...very stable. I took it down some tight switchbacks and it ate them up as if I wasn on my 26" all-mountain. Very happy with this purchase.
Strengths: Stiff and responsive
Climbs very well
Brakes are solid
Goes where you point it
Specialized gives you a lot for your money.
Weaknesses: a little harsh in the rough stuff at race speed.
Phenom saddle was uncomfortable for my sit bones. Swapped it for the one that came on my Rockhopper and I'm much happier.
Bottom Line:
Lots of fun. Big improvement over my 2009 Rockhopper Expert 29. climbs so much better. Comes race ready out of the box. I've put about 1000 miles on this bike in it's stock form with no problems and I'm a 215 pound aggressive rider. Hydraulic disc brakes are awesome but you do need to clean the disc surface from time to time to maintain max braking power. Like most 29ers, it rolls over much more stuff than my 26" wheeled bikes.
If you're not going to race then you probably won't appreciate the extras on this bike. Save $1000 and get the Rockhopper. You still get a decent shock and hydraulic brakes.
Strengths: Light, fast, extremely well-sorted bike.
Weaknesses: None yet.
Bottom Line:
Bought this as a replacement for my much-loved Stumpy 26 hardtail which I bought way back at the turn of the century...Did a deal with my LBS and they switched the Avid brakes for XTs, upgraded the front rotor to 180mm, swapped the stock tyres for a Captain front, Fast Track Rear to get a bit more grip, and added a Pushloc remote to lock out the fork when needed.
Only had it a couple of weeks but am really pleased with it - all the trails I usually ride are faster and easier. The 29er setup just feels right, there's no real downsides to it, it simply feels better than a 26er. It rolls more easily, climbs better, is more stable on fast descents, there's more room in the cockpit. I never felt cramped on my 26er but this just fits like a glove - I'm 6'2, and went for the 21" frame.
Definitely the right thing to get the bigger rotor - 160mm would have been a bit under-specced for a big bugger like me. And the stock tyres would have been lacking in grip for the trails round Barcelona, especially on the odd occasion it rains.
Can't recommend it highly enough, especially if you like covering good distances off-road at a decent pace. I was a little sceptical about the 29er thing prior to this, but am definitely a convert.
Submitted by
SLee
a All Mountain Rider
from Attleboro, MA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2012
Strengths: Fast, handles well, good bike but whats with the wheels? Suggest making the dealer provide other wheels, Specialized are a know issue
Weaknesses: Specialized warrenty; 2 wheels have broken, normal usage nothing extreme. Specialized has refused to honor warrenty. Shop indicated Specialized wheels are defective they've had numerous issues.
Bottom Line:
Like the bike, dislike the company gotta stand behind your product. Wheels are know to be defective.
Bike Setup: Comp, X( & X7 Wheels are the key dont go with Specialized
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Soggy NIlla
a Cross Country Rider
from Nashville
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2012
Strengths: Fast! lightweight, Front and back Derailer, paint Scheme. Stiff Frame, lockout shock.
Weaknesses: 2x4 seat, Stock tires are not great in the wet fall leaves
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike as a closeout based on the fact that it comes with test paint colors that Specialized didnt decide to use in their production. (saved me $500). I like the "test bike" colors better and it gives me a bike you wont see anywhere else. So after knocking $500 of the retail it was a great value I couldnt pass up.
I switched from a 26 to a 29 and love how this baby rolls through the fields I ride around here. it took a little while to get used to the bigger wheels on the technical trails but when it came time to climb I felt more connected to the bike and it climbed really well! for an ox like me (6' 220') Love the bike and cant wait to get more rides in on it!
Submitted by
solarearth
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2011
Strengths: lightweight, solid build and components
Weaknesses: tires
Bottom Line:
First mountain bike in 20 years and rode for the first time last weekend. Put about 30 miles of trail behind me on a challenging and somewhat technical trail call the Desert Classic at south mountain in Phoenix. The bike held up fantastic and climbed easy. The stock tires were not set up for this type of trail and found a lot of slippage climbing. Granted I was still learning how to stand and sit on the bike while riding the steep downhills and climbs. Gear shifting was easy and smooth although I kept it mostly in the center chainring mostly.The bike frame and components seemed well suited for this type of desert trail with a lot of loose rock and sand. Best fun I have had in a long time and I think for my first mountain bike I could not have picked a better bike. I'm 5'-10" and 165 lbs. The bike is a 19". Could not be happier with the experience.
Submitted by
rakerdeal
a Racer
from Winston-Salem, NC
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2011
Strengths: Pretty much everything as to the price you pay for the bike.
Weaknesses: As of yet I'm really not aware of anything.
Bottom Line:
I guess you'd say I am pretty much delighted with this bike. With the American Classic wheelset it only weighs 23 lbs and 3 oz with 2 bottle holders and Crank Bros Eggbeaters. Trails that used to drive me nuts because I felt like I had to stare at the roots and rocks until I got passed them are now mush and just damn easy to ride. Much more stable at all speeds but particularly high speeds than a 26er of any kind. Can get out of the saddle and peddle and don't have to worry at all about balance or fine placement of my body like I did with the 26er. Great for an older racer- just so much more stable. Damn thing climbs so well it is hilarious- again the things that I used to dread the wheels just roll right over. I was skeptical about the 29er concept and kept my thoughts to myself for three months but now I just realize this is a far superior and more enjoyable design than a 26er.
I was riding fully stumpjumper fsr 26 inch, but never liked this bike, its great down hill but slow at every thing else. Last week switched to this bike the 29 comp, sold the FSR. I am stunned by this bike, the handling and the speed with it climbs is incredible. Hills I used to be afraid of are now easy as hell. Downhill this bike is less then the FSR, but I don't care. I have bought the 21 inch frame, my length is 188 cm.
Normal horizontal roads this bike goes so fast. Single tracks no problems. I have to get used to the X6 group, I dont like the handles. The vork is fine, I saw that its possible to get a lockout on it. Next week I will switch to tubeless. The brakes are not so well, but I will switch to the swissstop brakes so this will go better I think. I would advice anyone this bike, great stuff for a very good price.
Submitted by
John Barrett
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Osos, California
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2011
Strengths: I love the way it climbs. Is decends well on non-technical trails. It is the sports car of mountain bikes. It is light and fun to ride. The Avid Elixir R SL brakes do the job. Not quite as "over the handle bars" good as the Elixir 5s on our Trek Fuel EX-8, but nice for cross country.
Weaknesses: The S-Works Renegade 29x1.95s are good for cross country but leave a little to be desired on gravel downhills. Of course if your not racing the stock seat will gather dust in favor of something a little softer. Larger brake rotors combined with more appropriate trail tires could make this bike a bit more well rounded. But those are things that you can add later.
Bottom Line:
The Stumpjumper Comp 29er Aluminum is a real "sports car". It is very maneuverable and the 29 inch wheels run at 35 lbs make it a reasonably comfortable hard tail ride.
I'm 185 w/o gear and 6'1" and the 19 inch model works well.
This bike should suit the rider who wants to ride all but the most technical trails, and who might value climbing ability a little more than rough trail descending speed comfort.
Similar Products Used: 2011 Trek Fuel EX-8, 2001 Schwinn Moab 2 and Rocket 88 (last American made Schwinn MTBs)
Bike Setup: Stock except for a SR seat.....still haven't settled on "the" one. I may replace the front 160mm brake rotor with a 180mm.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Lachlan Rice
a Cross Country Rider
from Nelson New Zealand
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2011
Strengths: Light fast smooth soft ride
Weaknesses: Seat Brakes
Bottom Line:
Love this bike kept my old seat and upgraded to 200mm front rotor and 180 rear. I am heavier about 95kg and do a lot of climbing and obviously down again. I found the brakes a little too light for me and felt a lot safer with the upgrade. I love this bike it climbs like crazy and smoothes out trail trash. No need for a soft tail with about 35psi in rear it feels like a soft tail with the bigger tyres and wheels. Over grass is like hard pack. I am delighted with it and the concern about the 29 inch wheels leaves me wondering why it has taken so long to bring them here.
Submitted by
mtnbkr80015
a Cross Country Rider
from Centennial, Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2011
Strengths: Stiff Aluminum Frame, Front Hub interface, Good Parts Spec, Easy Tubeless Conversion
Weaknesses: Boat Anchor Crankset (Changed mine to Raceface Next SL), S-works Tires stretch and will not re-seat tubeless if burped.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for the money. I got a left over 2010 model and Bob over at Mojo Wheels made me a great deal. This is a fast bike and does everything very well. It climbs, big wheels shrink trail obstacles, it flies downhill. This bike makes it hard to choose my other bike (2009 Cannondale Rize Carbon). I have not tried this bike on anything sketchy, but for smooth/steep trails this bike rocks! The front hub feels plenty stiff and the geometry is dialed. My nineteen inch frame fits like a glove and I am 6'1" and 190 lbs(200 with gear). There was an annoying creek which after tearing apart the bottom bracket, headset/stem, seatpost and saddle and re-greasing everything ended up being a loose bolt and dry derailure hanger. Once I fixed the derailure hanger, this thing is quiet. I had some initial noise with the brakes, but after I burned in the pads, there is no more issue. I look forward to riding this bike in the winter as i loved my singlespeed but hated the gearing. I realy like the top tube cable routing(should stay clean this winter). As far as hard tails go, this is a great bargain, and a great performer.
Similar Products Used: Cannodale 1FG 29er Singlespeed
Bike Setup: Stock except for Raceface Next SL Crankset, tubeless
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
mpokelley
a Cross Country Rider
from Birmingham
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2011
Strengths: Relatively light weight. Very responsive to pedaling. Aggressive positioning. Climbs crazy good.
Weaknesses: Original brakes not so great. Derailleur cables seem to get infiltrated by mud easily.
Bottom Line:
I have really enjoyed this bike, especially with the recent brake upgrade and wheelset upgrade. Going tubeless definitely helps the ride quality.
My local trails are full of rocks and roots, which makes me often think about swapping to a full suspension frame. But overall I'd say it's been a great bike.
Similar Products Used: Trek 6500. Redline Monocog. Felt Virtue. Not all that similar, but those are my previous bikes.
Bike Setup: Left it stock for a year, then converted to single speed. After six months of singlespeed I am now running 1x9 with a new XT shifter and new XTR rear derailleur.
I have also recently swapped out the Avid brakes for Formula Oro K18 brakes which made a big improvement.
Just finished swapping out the original DT Swiss wheels (which were not bad really) for Stan's Arch rims with XT hubs.
Current weight is around 25 pounds.
