Submitted by
Juan F. Valencia
a Weekend Warrior
from Cabimas - Venezuela
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2004
Strengths: Es muy liviana y confiable, se siente muy bien subiendo, sus cambios son muy suaves y exactos. no he tenido que reemplazar nada.
Weaknesses: La suspension Rock Shock sid sl , vino mal de fabrica, no gradua el revote, la silla hace mucho ruido que se transmite por todo el cuadro (frame) me hizo desarmarla toda y reensamblar y no era ningun otro componente,pero bajando en cuestas muy empinadas con muchas curvas y carretera de cemento , cuando frena, tiende a tirarme del sillin ( como caballo loco)
Strengths: Light weight, 4-arm shock linkage that takes out most of the bounce
Weaknesses: Shock bolt, front pivot point on rear triangle does not have enough loc-tite from factory
Bottom Line:
This bike is super light and Specialized seems to have fixed most of the problems that plagued the earlier FSRs (weak welds in rear triangle). Raced this bike all summer and average about 130 miles/week on the trails here in Colorado and have had no other problems.
I agree with everyone else - replace that shock bolt, it won't last too long.
Since I bought the frame and built it from there, I don't know about the Specialized cranks or other parts.
Bike Setup: Full XTR, Thomson post/stem, King Hubs/headset, Mars Super Fr Shock, Bontrager Valiant Rims
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Submitted by
Richard Fiske
a Cross Country Rider
from Shakopee, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2002
Strengths: Excellent suspension design with lots of adjustability options. Good handling. Good parts spec with a few exceptions below. Very light for fully active full suspension.
Weaknesses: Titanium shock pivot bolt. Bushing play in SID fork is annoying. Headset and crankset spec is weak relative to the rest of the parts and frame quality. Aluminum-railed Specialized seat broke (warranty replaced, thanks Eriks). Python tires' traction qualities are rather suspect.
Bottom Line:
I see that I've listed quite a few weaknesses, but I must point out that overall, this is still a really great bike. The suspension works great and has lots of tuning options. Even so, there are some issues. I replaced the rear shock pivot bolt before it broke, but is was bent. The loose sensation that I noticed turned out to not be the headset but the fork bushings. This developed within six months of purchased. Eriks confirmed that as a common problem. I think Rock Shox needs to review some of their "factory tolerances" (look at their arrogant reply to Mountain Bike Mag's similar criticism). The cranks and headset function fine, but are out of place on a bike of this caliber. Having three water bottle mounts is a nice touch, one that I see has been dropped from the 2002 model (too much weight?).
Similar Products Used: Demo'ed the Trek Fuel and Fisher Sugar. Nice bikes, but they didn't fit as well and suspension is not as versatile. Parts spec is also not as good.
Bike Setup: Stock with flite saddle (put the warranty replacement on my road bike - less chance of breakage) and Onza bar ends.
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Submitted by
RAD
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern CA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002
Strengths: Light, beautiful frame design. The CrossMax tires are really amazing.
Weaknesses: The few cheap components that people have complained about (cranks, etc.) haven't really been a problem for me yet. I'm not as dialed in as most riders, especially XC riders. I did have a problem with the Ti SUSPENSION BOLTS. REPLACE THESE IMMEDIATELY with steel bolts. I'm a very light rider, and not too aggressive- yet I still broke a couple of the Ti bolts. I took the wrench at my LBS quite a bit of time to remove one of the broken bolts. Replace them before they cause you $$$, aggravation and pain.
Similar Products Used: I checked out the GT and Trek Fuel full-suspension designs.
Bike Setup: All stock... so far...
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Submitted by
Craig Cline
a Racer
from Redwood City, CA
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2002
Strengths: Light, Fast, Quick Handling...Climbs like a mountain goat and decends like it's on rails.
Weaknesses: Same story: stock bar too long and the cranks flex when you put the power down.
Bottom Line:
This is a great XC bike! Fast & Quick. If you're serious about racing the guys on the weekends and/or being competitive in races....this is a must have machine.
Similar Products Used: 93' Specialized S-Works Hardtail...First full suspension XC bike.
Bike Setup: Chris King, CT2 Easton Carbon Bar 580mm, 11-34 cassette, Hutchinson Python 2.0 UST, Shimano 959 pedals, Selle SLR...currently weights 24.381 lbs, will add upgrades (stem, post, Raceface cranks and BB and lighter tires) to achieve sub 23lbs.
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Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Mansfield, MA
Weaknesses: The stock cranks suck! The stock bar is too wide. The stock stem is so-so. The rest is great.
Bottom Line:
The FSR XC is a very light, great handling FS bike. The suspension works very well. When you lock out the suspension the bike climbs like a hardtail. It soaks up bumps on rough down hills very well. I raced the bike for the first time two weeks ago at the Sea Otter Classic. I was extremely pleased with how the bike performed ascending and decending. I'd recommend this bike to any serious rider/racer who is looking for a great FS bike.
4 Chili overall rating because of the subpar stock cranks and stem.
Similar Products Used: This is the first FS bike I've owned. I've ridened the Gary Fisher Sugar 2, and an older Proflex FS bike. No comparison. The S-Works FSR XC is far superior.
I also own a Specilized S-Works hardtail. Both are comparably equiped, but the FSR is only 1 pound heavier. My FSR is 24lbs with pedals and bottle cage.
Bike Setup: Stock with the following exceptions: XTR cranks, Thomson stem, IRD (EA70) bar, Hutchinson Scorpion UST tires, Stan's liquid latex.
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Submitted by
ANGEL
a Weekend Warrior
from SAN JOSE, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2002
Strengths: JEFF, AT FAST BICYCLES, GAVE ME AN AWESOME DEAL ON THE 2001 S-WORKS FSR FRAME W/FOX RC LOCKOUT SHOCK FOR UNDER $900.00 inc tax.
Weaknesses: ONLY THE TITANIUM SHOCK BOLT'S THAT I REPLACED AFTER READING THE OTHER REVIEW'S ON THIS WEBSITE.
Bottom Line:
I HAVE RIDDEN MANY HIGH END FULL SUSPENSION BIKES ON THE TRAILS OF CALIFORNIA, AND THIS IS SAME QUALITY RIDE AS PROVIDE. I WAS GOING TO BUY AN ELLSWORTH TRUTH ,BECAUSE I REALLY LIKE THE STRUCTURAL QUALITY AND RIDE, BUT JEFF AT FAST BICYCLE MADE ME A DEAL I COULDN'T REFUSE. AFTER MY ALL NIGHT,ASSEMBLE MY NEW BIKE PARTY AND A COUPLE OF TEST AND TWEAK SESSION'S, I WENT ON A 30 MILE BACK COUNTRY ADVENTURE. I RIDE HARD AND SMOOTH. I WEIGH 210 LBS. I PUT THIS MACHINE TO THE TEST! I JUMP ANYTHING I SEE! I DO STREET RIDING AND DROPS NO MORE THAN 6FEET AS WELL AS MANY, MANY MILES OF TRAIL RIDING AND AS MUCH DESCENDING AS POSSIBLE. I LOVE THIS FRAME!!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE FOR ANY USE OTHER THAN EXXXTREME DOWNHILLING. I'M NOT A NIT-PICKER, I JUST RIDE HARD. I'M ALWAY'S WORRIED ABOUT STRENTH AND QUALITY, BUT I'M NOT WORRIED A BIT RIDING THIS FRAME UNDER ALMOST ANY CIRCUMSTANCE'S. JUST REPLACE THE SHOCK BOLT'S WITH STEEL ONES;"I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE ANY PROBLEMS MYSELF WITH THE TI BOLTS". PEACE AND GOOD RIDING
Similar Products Used: RIDDEN MANY HARTAIL'S AND SEVERAL FULL SUSPENSION RIG'S
Bike Setup: MAVIC W SPECIALIZED HUBS, TRUVATIV STYLO TEAM ISIS W/RACEFACE BB, IRC MYTHOS XC TIRES, AZONIC HAMMER Omm STEM, CLUB ROOST HARDCORE BARS W/BRACE, THOMPSON SEATPOST, XT V BRAKES AND SHIFTER LEVERS, PLATFORM PEDALS, SPECIALIZED "BACK COUNTRY SUPER PLUSH" BODY GEOMETRY COMFORT PLUS SADDLE, WTB HEADSET, ROCK SHOX 01 JUDY SL 100mm, AND"WHO CARES ABOUT THE WEIGHT WHEN YOU NEVER GET STRANDED OR HAVE TO FIX FLATS" PRE-FILLED SLIME PRESTA VALVE TUBES.
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Submitted by
J
a Cross Country Rider
from Cullowhee,NC U.S.
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2002
Strengths: Excellent ride. Light weight. Smooth suspension. Great climber and decent descender, as long as your not an idiot downhiller who doesnt understand the difference between a cross country race dually and a karpiel armadumbass.
Weaknesses: Mud clearance is lacking.
Bottom Line:
Great riding bike. Excellent cross country cruiser. One of the lightest bikes available with "normal" component mix. If you have a brain and occassionally ride uphill, this is the bike for you. Especially if your interested in winning some actual pedaling contests, instead of who can jump off of their local school bus farther. This is a pure racing bike for cross country.
Single point of failure and I mean it. This bike failed on me on the second ride. No free riding. No drops. I am a 160 lb rider and I sheared the ti bolt that mounts the rear shock on the second ride and was forced to walk it out. Quite something for a $3,000 bike!! When the bolt sheared, it bent the swingarm.
Whatta piece of crap! The folks at Specailized are aware of this and stil have not recalled the product! This is gross negligence! 4 chilis on valuel but one chili on overall rating.
Similar Products Used: trek Fuel, Intense Tracer and Fisher Sugar
Bike Setup: XTR, with thompson post, 517 rims, King hubs and headset, Easton Ct2 bar
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
dougo
a Weekend Warrior
from las vegas, nv, usa
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2001
Strengths: Decends well, comfy ride, the frame has clearly been reinforced in those early problem areas. . .looks like it will hold up.
Weaknesses: Same stuff you hear from others - cranks, rear shock bolt, etc. (Thank God for this web site. I took my rear shock bolt out to replace it after reading all the reports of it breaking and found mine was bent! Just in time, I'm headed to the hardware store today!)
Bottom Line:
This is actually a replacement frame for my '99 s-works fsr. The original broke a couple of times (not uncommon), the last break was on the top tube near the seat. Specialized no longer had my frame in stock so they replaced it with the newest one including rear linkage and shock. This frame has different geometry and rear linkage resulting in more rear travel.
I actually liked the original frame geometry and shock travel better for all around xc racing and riding. It seemed to climb better, with or without the rear shock engaged, and it maintained a higher bottom bracket over bumpy terrain which allowed me to keep pedaling without catching a pedal. I have to be a little more careful now = slower.
The new frame is certainly more plush but I haven't noticed any real improvement in descending characteristics. And while I used to be able to leave the rear shock engaged even on steep climbs I now absolutely have to lock it out on anything other than a moderate hill in order to keep the front wheel on the ground. I plan on trying the shorter travel option in the rear and hope it will result in ride characteristics more like the '99, we'll see.
Overall, I would give the '99 4 chilis, minus the 1 chili for the cranks and frame breaking. I have never ridden a bike that handled so well or that I liked as much.
The '01 I will give 3&1/2 chilis, minus the 1&1/2 for the cranks, the rear shock bolt and less of a race platform for what amounts to a plush free-ride feel without the requisite travel or strength to be a free-ride bike.
That said it still kicks ass on any hard tail xc racer and maybe on most of the other full suspension xc racers, I don't know, I haven't ridden them all. What I do know is that for me the original was a better xc platform. I think Specialized tried to do too much in improving on the orginal design and should have just strengthened the frame where appropriate and replaced the cranks, that would have been perfect. Oh well, hindsight, you know?
Similar Products Used: 1999 s-works fsr (I think it was '99, regardless it was the first model year), and lots of hard tails.
Bike Setup: Truvativ cranks with splined bb, manitou-super fork (replacement for previously defective manitou fork on '99 s-works fsr).
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Submitted by
Patrick Clark
a Cross Country Rider
from Campbell, CA
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2001
Strengths: This review is for the 2002 FSR S-works M5. Specialized has completely re-designed the frame. The gussets have been replaced by new tubing that looks very cool.
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
This Bike rocks. All new sealed bearings. Removable 75 or 90mm rear suspension links. Great powder coat finish. Climbs like a monkey and descends like it's on rails. I am climbing in higher gears and flying down the hills. Extra large frame weighs Just under 6 pounds. If you buy the frame have a quality bike shop (trailhead in Los Gatos) face the Bottom bracket. The powdercoat gets in the threads making it difficult to start your BB cup.
Strengths: Extremly light,longer top tube puts you in perfect riding postion(I'm 5'11"), no energy loss even when standing
Weaknesses: Must be upgraded from stock. Cranks, headset, stem, xt shifters. Plan on spending $400.00+ to upgrade unless you can work out a deal with your shop. Titanium shock bolt broke during race(based on other reviews this was expected)
Bottom Line:
Great race bike,I am 5 minutes faster on the FSR than my jeckyll. Not for bombing on the trails. Typical large company in-house parts need to be removed. I would highly recommend it. Long range plan is to swap parts to Ellsworth Truth frame. Just know going in that upgrades are needed.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale Jeckyll for 8 months, great trail bike, but too heavy and too much pedal bob for racing.
Bike Setup: Stock except for SRAM half-pipe shifters,XTR rear cassette,Thompson stem, Race Face cranks, Chris King headset
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Submitted by
Fred
a Cross Country Rider
from Newnan
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2001
Strengths: Excellent cross country ride. This bike climbs, descends and turns like no other bike that I have ever ridden.
Weaknesses: Specialized quality control sucks. I had to return the first frame because it was welded wrong. The rear tire did not sit straight in the drop outs and the seat tube was crooked. When I called them and explained what was wrong with the frame they said "oh yeah, we have had several bike returned for this, just have your LBS send it to us and we will replace it". The new frame seams to be put together correctly. I am a light rider, I weigh 138 lbs, I never expected to break a rear shock bolt like sooo many other people have reported doing, that is until yesterday. Do yourself a favor, replace this bolt ASAP or it will leave you stranded. (This is a metric bolt, and can be purchased at Lowes, Home depot, and some hardware stores. Bring the old bolt and link with you so you can match it up to insure that you get the correct size)
Bottom Line:
Possibly the best all around performing cross country bike available. I give the bikes performance a rating of 5, but the quality a 3.
