Submitted by
David M.
a Weekend Warrior
from Walnut Creek, CA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2003
Strengths: I love my bike. Had it for almost 4 years now and have taken care of it so it is still in great shape. Very sturdy, strong, fast. Went riding with a friend of mine on a flat surface. While he was pumping away, I was going same speed just coasting. The shock system is great and gives you a feeling of invincibility. Had no problems with bike. Only service is once a year tune up. Ride on Mammoth Mountain bike park and it held nicely.
Weaknesses: Need to upgrade seat, handlebars, crankarm.
Bottom Line:
Great bike. You're putting some serious money down for it but I think it is worth it. If I got anything less I feel that I would have spent money already buying a new bike. With this bike I am so comfortable with the performance that I am still happy with it and don't need a new bike.Problems noted by other riders in previous review have not been seen. The air shocks have held for me. I only need to put more air in every other month (doesn't give out in 2 hours of riding and I'm a pretty big guy 200lbs).No components broken though I am sure the bushings will wear out sooner or later. Bottom Line? TAKE CARE OF YOUR BIKE AND IT WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU!!! ;)
Bike Setup: Monkeybar Lite handlebars. Upgraded seat (type???; got at Norba, Mammoth Mountain 2000).
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Submitted by
john su
a Cross Country Rider
from boston
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2002
Strengths: light, fast, plus suspension
Weaknesses: when bushings wear out...
Bottom Line:
updated review... really loving the fsr xc! i've gone riding 3-4x/week the last few weeks and it's been incredible how much longer and harder i can ride with this bike!
the sid xc maybe a bit flexy but it's still plush and handles well enough under most conditions. replaced the stock x221 rear rim with mavic f519 after it wouldn't true any longer. rear end is getting more lateral sway from worn bushings...added a lizard skin to protect the fox vanilla r, but the bushings really need replacing.
instead of spending $40 for specialized replacements, i'm getting the mountain speed x-rated link and dropout bearing kit next week. a more long term fix plus an upgrade with increase travel to 90mm.
disregard my earlier comments about my feeling it was comparable to my old hard tail-- hardly! only in weight, but the suspension makes flying down trails and bunny hopping incredibly fun!
Don't buy new, look out for secondhand bargains. If I had spent the same amount of cash on a new bike (£750.00)I would never have found anything to touch this.
I love this bike!
It has or "had" it's flaws, but upgrading parts and tweaking is half the fun!
New tires next Panaracer fire XC's, then a new set of cranks and then..............
Bike Setup: As stock except Easton monkeybar, VST Viscount saddle, Deore rear hub, SRAM chain, S Works grips
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Submitted by
John Su
a Cross Country Rider
from Brookline, MA
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2002
Strengths: well rounded x-country full suspension, good value (esp via ebay) and if weak parts already replaced
Weaknesses: if not replaced: crankset
Bottom Line:
purchased via ebay, after itching to get a full suspension at a reasonable price to replace my trusted 7 year old bridgestone hardtail. had been waiting for fsr to come down in price and weight.
this 99 was an upgrade from my hardtail in many ways: kind of busted LX shifters to XT/XTR transmission, cantilever to V brakes, Quadra10 to RS SID, quill to aheadset, plus rear suspension all at about the same weight (27lbs). geometry was easy to tweak with a flip of the aheadset stem, adjusting seat position...
i'm 175lbs and prefer running the rear at 180-190 to minimize bobbing on flats. the rear makes riding on new england rocky, root filled trails much easier and more efficient. smooths out the ride enormously.
the seller of this bike had it well maintained...no problems with squeeks, looseness, cracks in the rear end. if it does develop, i'll look into the mtn speed products x-link upgrade....at $150, i'm gonna hold off.
the issue with specialized cranks is moot on this bike since the seller had replaced them with sturdy truvativ. not as flashy as race face, but they do the job.
he also included time atac pedals with new cleats... i'm holding off for now until i get new shoes (my old specialized pros with ritchey spds are just as old my hardtail!). and until i get used to riding this thing (minimize the crashes =))
also, cool he threw in the fox shock and sid adapter, along with a few other goodies. great ebay seller!
to be honest, it's not a humongous change from my hard tail....weight's about the same, a bit easier to bunny hop with the "bounce" provided by front/rear shocks, but definitely smooths out the ride and will let me ride through/over more than i did before, without being too plush. so basically, perfect for XC, not for super-G downhill.
nit picks: the rear V brake cable brushes my left calf on occassion...might try to bend that cable guide a bit. wish they would've just spec'd XT/XTR through out. needs bar ends.
Bike Setup: large 99 spec fsr xc pro, rockshox sid xc, fox r rear, xt shifters & front derailleru, xtr v-brakes and rear derrailleur, truvativ cranks, king aheadset, mavic x221 rims, ritchey spds, vetta trishock saddle
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Submitted by
KC
a Cross Country Rider
from Burlington, VT, USA
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2001
Strengths: Excellent Design, relatively light weight, and good handling.
Weaknesses: Crank, wheels, and plastic bushing used in some of the pivot points.
Bottom Line:
All around a very good bike from Specialized. You can cruise over some types of terrain that are pure torture on a hardtail and big difference in traction too. The crank was the most serious flaw. It came loose and there after refused to stay tight, but that was after a year of hard use. Mountain Speed kits really make a difference if you decide to get a 99-00 model. The 01 and up have fixed this design flaw. The wheels are built up a little on the light side, but I did manage to get over 2 years riding on them.
Bike Setup: Sid long travel kit, Mountain Speed X link & bearing kit, Monkey Lite handle bars, Shimano XT splined crank.
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Submitted by
Björn Andersson
a Cross Country Rider
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2001
Strengths: It´s a fast, sharp and hard bike.
Weaknesses: Some minor parts that has to be upgraded at once. These parts are saddle, seatpost, tires, crankarms.
Bottom Line:
Buy the fsr xc pro if you like to take care of your bike. And if you are prepared to spend some money on it. It`s the perfect xc trail racer after some minor modifications.
Similar Products Used: First bike the 1986 GT backwood, 2nd the 1989 KONA cinder cone, 3rd the 1991 KONA cinder cone, 4th the 1994 KONA cinder cone, then at 1998 a changed brand to DBS intruder(intense frame) and now i got my first fully suspension bike the stumpjumper fsr xc pro
Bike Setup: Roox seatpost, selle italia flite saddle, salsa moto bar, tioga tires, shimano m545 pedals. Soon xtr crankarms.
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Submitted by
Stijn Muselaers
a Cross Country Rider
from Apeldoorn, Nederland
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2001
Strengths: Frame: cool, LIGHT FOR A FULLY, cool, fast, cool, not much resonance, cool, black, cool
After the +/- 100rd time, I didn't come anymore. Drivetrain died, crank fell off, brakes ate mud.
So I decided to change to XTR (de grote volksverneukerij) and MAVIC CROSSROC UST TUBELESS. With the XTR it works slightly better, but XTR is not cheap. About the CROSSROC's: go get them, NOW.
After the repairs: I got an erection again...
(Sorry for my poor English. I learned from Mister Honig.)
Bike Setup: changed everthing (except shifters) to XTR (is ook kut), Crossroc UST Tubeless. 'Avid brake dinges'
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Submitted by
Finbarr O"Donohoe
a Cross Country Rider
from Victoria, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2001
Strengths: It looks like a bike. But that is about it.
Weaknesses: -2 MONTHS THE FRAME BROKE. WAS TOLD IT HAD TO BE THE WAY I WAS RIDING. VERY POOR SERVICE FROM SPECILIZED, OVER TWO MONTHS FOR REPLACEMENT, REAR STAYS.
Bottom Line:
-6 MONTHS REPLACED BOTTOM BRACKET, HEADSET,FREEWHEEL BODY, HANDLE BARS ,SIDS CONTINUALLY LEAKED, REAR RIM WORE OUT (DON'T GO ANY WIDER ON THE REAR RIM ANY MORE THAN 2mm AND YOU WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO RUN THIN BREAK PADS. POOR DESIGN. REPLACED THE SHIMANO FREEWHEEL TWO TIMES AND THE CHAIN. BUSHINGS REPLACED. THE BIKE IS AN ENDLESS MONEY PIT. I CAN EXCEPT THE FACT THAT THEY PUT CHEAPER PARTS ON TO KEEP TO A PRICE POINT BUT FOR $2900.00 CDN I EXPECTED IT TO FUNCTION FOR MORE THAN HALF A YEAR. NOT TO MENTION THE INJURIES TO MY KNEES FROM THE CRAPPY DRIVE CHAIN. BOTTOM LINE I WON'T SPEND ANOTHER PENNY ON A SPECIALIZED PRODUCT. P.S. PRETTY LAME TO ERASE MY LAST REVIEW.IT'S A FACT THE BIKE SUCKS BIG TIME.
Similar Products Used: BRODIE,SANTA CRUZ, ROCKY MOUNTAIN, KONA
Bike Setup: DON'T LEAVE IN THE BOX!!
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Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from Walnut Creek, CA
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2001
Strengths: Solid frame design and potential to be a really great ride
Weaknesses: Bike came with middle of the road components at best - Specialized and XT shifter pods/brakes. Plastic rear shock bushings are worthless, Specialized cranks are junk.
Bottom Line:
After some modifications, you can't beat this bike. You just need to be willing to sink some additional funding into it assuming the problems haven't been fixed (from a previous owner if purchased used). I got mine new and thus had to suffer through the upgrades... Start by upgrading with Mountain Speeds rear linkage kit (and drop out) and sealed berring kits to get rid of the rear creaking as well as pick up another half-inch of rear travel (had mine overhauled 3 times before sinking in the dough). Then replace the drive train with minimum of XT components - the Specialized components should be removed and destroyed! If you still have the gold bars that came with the bike - shame on you! Go with some high grade carbon bar. I also through the Avid mechanical disc on the front for some better stopping power after a serious crash; It's great - even with the Avid Arch Rival on the rear. After all is said and done - the entire rig is just over 25 lbs. Happy trails...
Bike Setup: After rebuild - full XTR drive train & shifters, still the supplied Rock Shox Sid XC & Fox RC, but went mechanical Avid disc in front with Avid Arch Rivals on rear, CT2 Carbon bars/stem
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Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO 80921
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2001
Strengths: Light weight, fast
Weaknesses: Weak components. Was riding home on my daily commute and just as I was going around a corner (on pavement, no bumps!) and my swingarm (chainstay) cracked in half. Almost wrecked. Did a quick check on this site and found many similar complaints on S-works product and a few under this heading. Could it be that the people riding S-works are more aggressive riders...Regardless, beware and check often (right abouve the hollowed out part of rear triangle).
Bottom Line:
Warning: Watch out for cracks in your swing arms. This ought to be a recall item.
Submitted by
Stuart
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden, Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2001
Strengths: I am 6' 4" and physically in very good shape at 225lbs and I used to race (clydesdale;) I would say this bike has obviously gone through hell with my big ass on its saddle. I would consider it quite bullet proof. ( I did upgrade to full XTR grouppo)
Weaknesses: Not enough XTR parts. Specialized stuff is barely equivalent to "LX". I had one warranty because i broke rear stays. Specialized sent replacement parts to my bike store in less than a week at no charge.
Similar Products Used: Great experience with Specialized thats why I bought an M4 s-works hardtail with full XTR. 22lbs sweeeet.
Bike Setup: FSRXC pro rebuilt with AMP research front Disc and Full XTR with KORE ELITE Stem/KING HEADSET.
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Submitted by
MARK
a Cross Country Rider
from INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2001
Strengths: NONE THAT I CAN SEE.
Weaknesses: FOX AIR SHOCK LOSES PRESSURE IN LESS THAN A 2 HOUR RIDE, SPECIALIZED IN HOUSE CRANK GIVES VERY POOR SHIFTING PERFORMANCE, SPECIALIZED SEAT IS EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE, HEAD SET BEGAN TO SQUEEK AND SEIZE UP IN A SHORT TIME, TIRES CONSTANTLY FLATTING OUT DUE TO POORLY MADE WHEELS. SPECIALIZED IN HOUSE HUBS DON'T SEAL OUT WATER WELL AT ALL. DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE, YOU DON'T NEED REAR SUSPENSION UNLESS YOU ARE A DOWNHILLER OR AN EXTREME FREE RIDER IN WHICH THIS BIKE DOES NOT HAVE THE DURABILITY TO CUT IT IN THESE EXTEREMES. BUY A HIGH END CUSTOM STEEL FRAME WITH QUALITY WHEELS AND TIRES AND YOU WON'T BELIEVE HOW RESILIANT, RELIABLE, AND RESPONSIVE STEEL CAN BE. PIVOTS ON A CROSS COUNTRY BIKE ARE HIGH MAINTENANCE AND MAKE THE BIKE MORE PRONE TO TRAIL DAMAGE FROM THE UNNECESSARY MOVING PARTS. A 30 MILE WALK HOME IS NO FUN. THEY ARE COMPLETE JERKS AT SPECIALIZED FOR EVEN MAKING THIS BIKE. IT MAY BE ALRIGHT FOR AWHILE BUT WAIT UNTIL THE BIKE SNAPS IN TWO AND YOU HAVE TO WALK A LONG WAY HOME. FORTUNATELY I SOLD THE BIKE AT A LOSS BEFORE MINE BROKE. I NOW OWN A ROCKY MOUNTAIN BLIZZARD WHICH I HAVE NO MAJOR GRIPES ABOUT. ALSO, FSR'S HAVE SHORT TOP TUBES AND FRAGILE REAR ENDS WHICH MAKE THEM POOR CHOICES FOR PEOPLES OVER 6'0 FEET TALL. I RODE A FISHER SUGAR WHICH I LIKED FAR BETTER BUT WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER XC DUAL SUSPENSION BIKE DUE TO THE UPKEEP AND POOR VALUE IN PARTS COMPARED TO A HARDTAIL. PIVOTS ARE HYPE IN XC AND NOT NEEDED. I AM NOW CONSIDERING GETTING A CUSTOM BUILT STEEL FRAME AND I KNOW I WONT BE DISSAPPOINTED. THE REPS AT SPECIALIZED WON'T EVEN CALL YOU BACK OR WRITE YOU. BAD BUSINESS AT BEST. YOU WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO HIRE A ATTORNEY TO GET A WARRANTY ISSUE SOLVED WITH SPECIALIZED.
Bottom Line:
I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER OTHER OPTIONS ESPECIALLY IF YOU WANT A LOW MAINTENANCE RELIABLE BIKE.
Similar Products Used: SUGAR, ELEMENT RACE, ROCKY MOUNTAIN BLIZZARD, JAMIS DAKOTA
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Submitted by
Shane Pettiner
a Cross Country Rider
from Lafayette, IN.
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2001
Strengths: Awesome bike for not alot of bucks. 4 bar rear suspension, takes the roughness out of the trail
Weaknesses: None yet.......
Bottom Line:
I highly recommend this bike to the cross country enthusiast. The bike handles great with anything you throw at it-fire roads, climbing, downhill, and it screams for tight technical single track. Despite all of the so-so or bad reviews, all you need to do is get the mrp rear link and bearing kit, and it makes it all goood!
Bike Setup: Full xtr group-o, mavic crossmax wheelset, raceface SYStem & bars, hutchison python gold tires, thomson elite seatpost, 747 pedals, and mrp x-rated link and bearing kit
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Submitted by
Bill Whitley
a Racer
from Wixom, MI,USA
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2001
Strengths: Light weight, handles great, smooth riding suspension - just enough to take the edge off the pounding my ass was taking on an aluminum hardtail which was my previous bike.
Weaknesses: Cranks suck, BB sucks, pedals suck, seat sucks, high maintenance on bushings & rear suspension, swing arm cracked.
Bottom Line:
This is my 2nd mountain bike going from a strict hardtail with no front shock to the 1999 FSR XC StumpJumper PRO. Other than the weaknesses outlined above this great bike. I'm only a good enough racer to finish middle of the pack in expert class. Specialized took care of the cracked swing arm under warranty. I was dissapointed with the LBS. 2 Weeks after i bought the bike the crank arm came lose & started to wear out BB. I rode the 12 Hours of Boyne race and people could hear me coming 1/2 mile back due to the nasty creak on each downstroke. LBS did nothing for me - very dissapointed to spend that amount of cash and have that happen after 2 weeks.
Bottom line is if you buy this bike, be prepared to sink more money into correcting the above weaknesses. If you do that you wont be dissapointed. I bought this bike to take the edge off the pounding my ass was taking on my hardtail. I keep the suspension tuned tight, so minimal bobing. I've also ordered an X-rated link & bearing kit from Mountainspeed based on coments written in this column - hopefully this will reduce maintenance on rear suspension. Other than that - graet bike.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Rockhopper - 1995
Bike Setup: XT cranks, BB, & Front Derailure. Nisene seat.
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Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Tejas,USA
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2000
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up to my previous post. I've had the bike for almost a year and I am very uphappy with the bushings in the pivots. They do not hold up very well at all. This wouldn't be a problem except I had a hell of a time trying to get a bushing kit from Specialized. It seems that they had a lot of people needing the bushing kit so they've been out. Anyone looking to get a FSR, make sure you get a 01' they come with bearings throughout. The bearings should hold up better and allow for more (adjustable) travel.
