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Specialized
2000 Stumpjumper M2 Comp
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Submitted by
dave ross
a Weekend Warrior
from rockford, il, usa
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | rock cut state park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | used, from pal, mark | | Strengths: | LIGHT, QUICK, STIFF, a mountain goat on steroids! | | Weaknesses: | no disk mounts | | Similar Products Used: | GF Tassahara, Mongoose Rockadile, Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | single speed, set up by prev owner, aftermarket seat | | Bottom Line: | With a 9 lb advantage over my geared, front shock bike, the Stumpjumper single is like an off road Ferrari. I'm 58, but feel like 19 when ripping up hills on this thing. Amazing climber. Super quick handling. A 29" front would elavate this machine to MTB perfection. Straight fork may be unsuitable for extreme terrain, but otherwise, this bike is suitable for a variety or trail, lesure path and commuting setups. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Connor Rickman
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Bonneville Shoreline | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | Craigslist | | Strengths: | Despite it's age it's much lighter than most contemporary bikes. Deore LX components all around and the Indy XC fork up front make this a great bike. I paid $130 for mine, which is a steal considering it's condition. Also has quite a compact frame size without being small, I've never had a problem loading it into a car. | | Weaknesses: | Mine came with cheap grip shifters, I'm upgrading to Sram X7 triggers this summer. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper, Novara Scrambler | | Bike Setup: | Specialized M2 Frame
Deore LX; Front Deraileur, Rear Deraileur, Casette, Hubs, Crank.
Deore XT; Brakes (soon to be front deraileur too) | | Bottom Line: | Great Bike for a great price. Don't waste your money on newer cheaper bikes. It's like buying a BMW from the 90's vs. buying a Chevy from today. They'll cost about the same but the build quality of the BMW will outlast even contemporary cars. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pynesol
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins, CO
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Craigslist.com | | Strengths: | This bike can climb. Very responsive to the trail and fun to ride in town. The bike is super light. I put some slicks on it and it is scary fast on the road. | | Weaknesses: | Seat is horrendous. No matter how many days I rode on that seat, it never stopped hurting. | | Similar Products Used: | Nishiki Cascade | | Bike Setup: | Standard setup (XTR rear derailleur, XT front derailleur, Avid brakes, Specialized stem and hubs, Mavic rims). I added a riser bar, WTB Racer seat, and Crank Brothers Acid pedals | | Bottom Line: | I found this bike on Craigslist for $250 and bought it to commute to work with the occasional XC ride outside of town (sometimes I combine both). I am very satisfied with the bike, especially since I got a riser bar and switched out the seat and pedals. After 6 months, I am still amazed how light this bike is. Very Fun Ride! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan Stoops
a Cross Country Rider
from Waco, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Vortex | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | craigslist | | Strengths: | super lite, climbs anything and everything, holds lines well on both tough climbs and technical descents. | | Weaknesses: | none- stock Marz fork was a bit weak, but I took care of that right off. | | Similar Products Used: | Iron Horse Warrior, Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | SID XC fork, Deore XT/LX drivetrain, Truvativ Crank (snapped the specialized crank), Avid V-Brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Friend intro'd me to riding a year ago. Rather than buy a 300-400$$$ bike from a shop with too much weight and low end components, he assisted me with the process of finding an older bike that would provide a better riding/learning experience. The 2000 Stumpjumper M2 turned out to be the perfect solution. It needed a new fork when I picked it up, but other than that, it's a beast. One of the best hardtails ever made, climbs nimbly and handles tremendously well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Ammen
a Cross Country Rider
from Bay Area, CA
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Rough Go at Annadel | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Garner's (RIP) | | Strengths: | Components, weight, power transfer, | | Weaknesses: | Fork flex is scary, needs rebuild every 2 years, but it's light weight. Stock seat hurts. No rear disc mounts. | | Similar Products Used: | Beaters. | | Bike Setup: | Stock other than BG saddle, Panaracer Fire XC Pros. | | Bottom Line: | Unbelieveable ability to climb, never had components fail other than broken chains (my fault), Avid rim brakes stop on a dime, strong rims (Rough Go has claimed many lesser rims). Seen one used for $675, which is a steal for a tough frame w/ XT/XTR components. Could use a new fork, but at 3.38 lbs it does have it's benefits. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Hyde
a Racer
from Vigo,Kent. UK
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything challenging off road. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Awesome frame, climbs like a mountain goat.Light,responsive,stiff.Goes where you point it, not where IT wants to go,like my old FSR. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | S Works M2. Sold it to buy FSR Xc. What a mistake ! | | Bike Setup: | Mars 01 fork, Mavic Crossride wheels,XT/XTR mix.Roll X tyres. | | Bottom Line: | You wont get more bang for your buck ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kit
a Cross Country Rider
from Moscow, Idaho
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Strychnine | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel Sport Spokane Valley | | Strengths: | Weight, strength, XTR derail | | Weaknesses: | MARS front fork, stock tires, bottom bracket, pedals | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock... I haven't had or wanted to change much! I've had to replace the BB and the pedals. Also tires, chain, chainrings, cassette, etc normal wear stuff. | | Bottom Line: | The fork leaks air and oil over time and you can't fit 2.1" tires in without a three-round wrestling match... why they made the crown so narrow I just don't know. This bike has been mostly problem free for four years of hard use by a 200-lb brute. Even the wheels have only suffered minor damage which I've been able to true myself. Even got hit by a car going 25mph which sent me flying over the hood and the bike bounced backward 40 feet... only damage was to the barends and handlebar. Climbs perfect, very responsive, but the low front end will have you sketching down the steeps... also the steep head angle makes riding in sand or very soft dirt a real trick. Overall a great, tough, light, fun hardtail! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luis
a Cross Country Rider
from México City
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Ajusco, Iztacihuatl | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Village Cycle Center www.villagecycle.com | | Strengths: | Frame, Components, Manitou Mars front fork, Warranty (and I do really mean it) | | Weaknesses: | Weight | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale's, GT Zaskar | | Bike Setup: | IRC XC Mythos, Mavic F519, Profile Tenacious-D handlebar, Body Geometry Comp sadle. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, great when climbing. Specialized replaced my frame because of a frame fissure at the top tube after 2.5 years of XC use. Specialized replaced my '00 M2 Stumpjumper frame for a '03 M4 Stumpjumper in just two days. Great customer / warranty service at Specialized and at Village Cycle Center (Chicago, http://www.villagecycle.com) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Racer
from Hollister CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | free crash replacement | | Strengths: | Wicked fast XC racer, took me from beginner to sport in 6 races. | | Weaknesses: | Forks, saddle, pedals, cranks. Not a good bike for steep technical desending, a little too weight forward in XC setup. Harsh ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Paramount | | Bike Setup: | SID SL, Time, Flite, XT cranks, Easton seatpost stem and bars, Panaracer XC fire and a rattle-can paint job to dis the manufacturer. | | Bottom Line: | Fast, climbs like a goat but a bit twitchy on fast decents. It's been a great race bike and I will continue to race it but I'll ride the full suspender anywhere else. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Great Frame
Fork feels great once you get a working one
XT/XTR drivetrain
good brakes
Price
| | Weaknesses: | Sadle and Pedals need to be replaced
Fork was rebuilt and replaced before it stopped leaking air | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6000
Trek 8000 | | Bike Setup: | Michellin wildgripper comp s tires
Terry fly saddle
Shimano 959 pedals | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price. I initially had a lot of problems with the fork: it went completely flat on me and compressed without rebounding. I took it back and it was rebuilt. Same thing happened. I took it back again and Performance put a new fork on. I haven't had any problems since then. The fork feels great, now that I've gotten one that doesn't leak air.
The saddle is just about unbearable to ride on. Replace it ASAP.
THe pedals are garbage too, but you can get away with them until you save up enough for some decent pedals.
Even with ~$200 in upgrades its cheaper than anything comparable.
Bottom line is that the bike is great for cross country and you can't beat the price
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shut up and ride
a Cross Country Rider
from Big Hill, GA
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Sunset Cycle | | Strengths: | VERY stiff frame, handles great, pretty light even at 20.5", good climber, some nice parts | | Weaknesses: | the seat post would be more comfortable to sit on then that piece they put on it. the pedals will result in a lot of blood loss. change both. wheels won't put up with a bunch of abuse. cranks are always loose. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | Upgrades to put the bike were it needs to be: Mavic Cross Rides, Panaracer Fires, 747 pedals, Selle Italia saddle, Race Face stem, SID XC, Sachs chain, Rock Shox post, XT cassette. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the jack; however, do some upgading. The Mars fork worked, but leaked air and oil constantly and is too narrow to take a 2.1 tire without ripping the brake pads off. The bike does everything a $3000 hardtail should do and does it for a lot less cash. It's a great climber and handles like it's on rails. As for the paint chips - Hell yes it chips, your riding in the freaking woods. If you want a pretty bike, stay on the sidewalk. I can see your reveiw on shorts - "Great shorts, but they get dirty when you ride off-road. Come on!
Great bike for XC rider that doesn't shine his riding shoes | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ryan
a Racer
from georgia
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Tech of Macon | | Strengths: | great usa-made frame,components,climbing strength,and comfortable ride | | Weaknesses: | stock crankset and bottom bracket | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized,Cannondale,and Giant | | Bike Setup: | mars c fork,xt/xtr mix,mavic 517/hugi 240 hub wheels,panaracer tires,avid brake,thomson,and flite saddle | | Bottom Line: | I got this bike at cost for being sponsored by the shop and have no complaints.the frame rides unbelievable an it's very responsive.i've upgraded several areas which have only improved the bike and have the overall weight down to 21.5 for my 18in frame.this bike kicks ass and i'll ride it for a long time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mr. x " "
a Cross Country Rider
from lost angeles
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | all county | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | la bikes | | Strengths: | strong dependable ride. Takes any sort of beating, car hits, rock bumps, mad rages. Qualities stand out when equipped with good components. | | Weaknesses: | none if you maintain it. | | Similar Products Used: | oldie but goodie stiff but strong fast ass specialized rockhopper----this bike got pulvarized clean dead | | Bike Setup: | bomber f/s, xtr drive train, laker colors | | Bottom Line: | This bike has taken a good beating. Have ridden in all conditions and has excelled so far. no flex under punishment, floats when going up the hard way. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
freeridah
a Weekend Warrior
from BC
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | - Cheap ($1400 cdn or $1000US)
- light and easy to throw around
- fairly stonrg frame
- not bad when coverted to a freeride bike
- Big ass gusset on the front
- Great climber
- COnfident on descending
- XVERTS Hayes ($100cdn), Mammoths wheelsets & f/r tires and bar arch rival break all new for ($745 cdn) or ($500 US) (MSRP $1600) | | Weaknesses: | - Flex
- No dsic mount on the rear
- Fit only a 2.1in on the rear
- Specialized didnt press the bottom headse cup in right
- POwder Coat is $h!t
| | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Excaliber | | Bike Setup: | LX/XT, XVERT 4in, F/R Sun Mammoth Rims w/ XT disc(f) LX rear, Hayes hydro front, avid arch rival rear, rokko 2.4in(f), tioga 2.1in (r), Black Spire bashguard, FUNN 2in rise | | Bottom Line: | Originally i was going to be one of those XC weenies but then i changed my focus do doing some freeriding. I live i BC you cant really say no to freeriding. I didnt have nuff $$$ to buy another bike to do the stuff what i was I am doing now so i decided to convert my bike over to fr bike, and it has gone over pretty well. It handle a lot better the i thought it would and it will throw @ it. Used it @ whistler, etc and it has held up perfectly fine. the only thing that has gone wrong with it is that my Crank and BB have started to creak but that is cuz i got some dirt in it and that is not hard to take a apart a BB and regrease it. It excells in the windy switch backs where ou have to throw your bike around, you can trust it in all situations you throw it in form chutes to hucks to wheelie drops it will do it easily without complaints. Even after my upgrades it only cost me just over $2000 cdn | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Durham Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | pretty much everything (except below!). Nice components, decent fork, SWEET frame, something you can build off of when you break stuff down the road. | | Weaknesses: | Stock Specialized pedals - this is one of the reasons I'm writing this review! These pedals SUCK S**T! DO NOT even attempt to ride with them they are so bad. Takes forever to get in, hard to get out of, yet releases you right when you don't want to (like on steep ascents)! Change them out right at the shop for Time or Speedplay, even if you have to sell something or get a loan! I love the bike but the pedals are brutal. The saddle is also crap, it's pretty bad, but bearable. Change that too when you can. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Big Sur | | Bike Setup: | stock, with Time pedals now but still with ass-cracker saddle | | Bottom Line: | very nice bang-for-your-buck bike, can't go wrong with what you get for the price. Excellent frame, nice geometry, decent components. Loves hills and technical riding. Buy it, but ditch the pedals and saddle ASAP!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Flanighan
a Cross Country Rider
from Kent,UK
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Morzine, France | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$430.00 | | Purchased At: | Private s-hand | | Strengths: | Lightweight good tough frame
Climbs well
Neutral feel | | Weaknesses: | Some Specialized components suck
| | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale
Klein etc
| | Bike Setup: | M2 frame with Mavic crossrides, Easton stem and post, pro long saddle, Panaracer XC tyres, Avid Arch Rival 50's and Avid 2 levers, XT Chainset | | Bottom Line: | A great bike, this is my thrash/winter bike it is reliable
the SXR fork is lovely. I have a set of SID XCs on another bike and I prefer the dampening effect of the Manitous.
It climbs like a mountain goat on acid! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Brooklyn
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Metro Cycles | | Strengths: | -Light
-Surefooted
-Packed with good Components (except for seatpost and pedals)
-Great fork (Manitou SXR) | | Weaknesses: | -Creaky Seatpost (always causes saddle to lean back making it necessary to constantly adjust)
-Specialized Clipless Pedals (I was able to shear the right pedal of it's spindle after descending from a measly 4 feet drop off, and BTW, they're extremely hard to get in and out of) | | Similar Products Used: | '92 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp | | Bike Setup: | Stock setup except for Thomson Elite Stem | | Bottom Line: | Stumjumpers are great bikes for beginner and sport level riders alike. I've had a stumpjumper for nearly 8 years and haven't had a problem. I recently upgraded to a newer model and retired my trusted old steed. I expect this new stumpjumper to last me for at least another 8.
If you're a novice and are seriously looking to get into the sport of mountain biking (with XC being the primary reason for riding) then I will always recommend the stumpjumper. It's a bike that will always serve you well and will continue to grow as your skills in the sport grows. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jerry
a Racer
from Winter Park, COLORADO
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | too soon to tell | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$860.00 | | Strengths: | Weight! 24 frickin #'s My mom could ride this thing up a 14er. Good components, I think I got it for a great price. | | Weaknesses: | I'm guessing the wheelsets, I've had to have the rear wheel trued twice allready. At 195 maybe my own fault. Maybe I should slow down? (Yea right!) | | Similar Products Used: | First real MTB, have a TREK 930 cuz it was really cheap. | | Bike Setup: | Added a riser bar-HUGE difference! All the other stuff it came with outta the box Manitou sxr, xt/lx, mavic 221's, going to try a RS susension post for sh*** and grins. | | Bottom Line: | Couldn't afford the 01 or the comp so I settled for the 2000 stumpy! I can always upgrade right? Why bother-this has been a great first REAL bike! Started racin three months ago 2nd in first race!!! It does everything I ask it to, sometimes before I even ask it! This thing is fast! I'm wondering if a FS would have been a little faster so I'm bummin that I can't have an FS too. Anyway, for the $ I would give this a 10 outta 5 (if I could)!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary O'Connell
a Weekend Warrior
from Bend, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Waldo Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$975.00 | | Purchased At: | Hutch's/Eastside | | Strengths: | Noticeably lighter than the competition at about 23+ pounds, quick accelerator, xtr/xt setup shifts w/ perfection. This bike climbs like no other. | | Weaknesses: | At 19", bike is a little on the small side for me, but that is no knock on Specialized. I couldn't pass up the deal for $975. There appears to be a small leak on the Manitou Mars fork, which otherwise has been great. | | Similar Products Used: | 1997 GT Ricochet, 2000 Trek 6500 (my wife's men's bike) | | Bike Setup: | XT/XTR, Manitou Mars, Spec. Dirt Control tires, Avid brakes | | Bottom Line: | No complaints about the bike. The tires are fine, suitable for Central Oregon's hard sandy trails, although they tend to wash a little too early. The bike truly climbs like no other that I've been on, both on short technical and longer double track climbs. Whether sport racing or riding w/ friends, I sense a real advantage on climbs. Same with downhill. I have no fear of getting caught on downhill. The bike is outright fast. After 6 months of hard riding, and given the frame and component mix, I feel confident about long-term quality of this bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sirbikealot
a Downhiller
from Burlington,Ontario,Canada
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | cdn funds at Bicycle Works/waterdown | | Strengths: | Snappy response to pedal input, nice frame; light and agile
I like the xtr rear der and xt front der,
solid wheel, owned a set on last bike and they were stupendous | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | Norco rampage, Kona Kula | | Bike Setup: | Plasma shifters, Specialized team control 2.2 tires, SDG Bel air seat, Axiom pedals, Hellbent DH riser, everything else is stock | | Bottom Line: | Absolutely amazing deal for me, but even without this deal a very competitively priced bike for an out the door racer, I race Dh and just started racing XC and got 3rd at my first race in sport and this bike had alot to do with it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Karl
a Cross Country Rider
from Sparks, NV USA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | College Cyclery | | Strengths: | Rock solid, rigid frame, good components overall, excellent value | | Weaknesses: | Stock Specialized pedals (I could not adjust them tight enough to stay in during normal riding, even though they were damn near impossible to click in, XTR Rear D doesn't clear the stock 32T cog and squeaks, Manitou Mars appears to have a slow oil leak in the right (damping) leg, Shi&maNO chain, Cheesey Specialized (?) Shi&mano-like hubs (poorly sealed and difficult to adjust) | | Similar Products Used: | Klein Attitude Race, I've forgotten which Fisher, Trek 8000, Rocky Mountain ?, and my 11 year old Ritchey Ascent Comp, all in the general $1200 - $1800 range | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except Ritchey pedals, Terry Ti Liberator Saddle, Ritchey Zed tires, Spec bar ends | | Bottom Line: | This bike generally rocks. Light weight, rigid, bomber frame, in low gear this bike will climb walls. Rock solid, predictable, handling for everything from high speed bombing to technical single track. The stock tires are fine for hardpack, but quickly lose traction in loose stuff or mud, some 2.1 or 2.2's would do better in these conditions.
All in all, this is a damned fine bike for the money, Race ready out the door, easily the equal of bikes costing hundreds more. Put the appropriate tires on, wear out some of the original components and up-grade as you go, this frame will out-live you, (unless you are a thrasher, in which case, buy a Schwinn Varsity, it'll last longer and you won't have to spend the big bucks to destroy a bike) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a
from Croton-on-Hudson, NY
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Whatever I'm on | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Piermont Cycles | | Strengths: | A very competent all-arounder. At the discounted price, it was a pretty good deal. Specialized bikes seem to fit me well. A great frame - very light, very happy to climb, while still plenty compliant. (I had a suspension seatpost, but found I didn't need it.) Call me vain, but the bike looks damn good in red too. I like that there aren't any funky parts (read: Headshok, ICBM headsets) that can't be fixed with parts available in Podunk Bike Shop (I travel with the bike.) | | Weaknesses: | Once you get beyond the frame, any of the other parts with "Specialized" stamped on them aren't all that great. After reading the warnings here, I didn't even ride the bike with the OEM tires, and the saddle didn't fit me either. I bent the big crankring on my very first ride. Later at Mt. Snow, I bent that ring perpendicular to the bike - something I never did in 5 years with my Cannondale's crank. The beautiful red paint chips off too easily - and they don't sell touch-up paint. And the clipless pedals that came with it - well, let's just say it's good that Time Alliums are now spec'ed for 01. | | Similar Products Used: | My 1996 Cdale F700 - say no to Headshok and proprietary parts! | | Bike Setup: | Standard bike + Michelin Comp S tires, splined XT BB with LX Hollowtech crank (a great crank for a great price), XT front and rear brakes (easier to find the exact replacement pads than for the Avids), my beloved Vetta TT saddle, Time Carbon ATACs. | | Bottom Line: | It's a great frame. The tour guides on one of the mtn biking trips I went on were amazed at how light it was - and almost everyone else on the trip had a Ti bike. (Some of those Ti bike owners made approving glances at my bike.)
The components are pretty good, but plan on some modest upgrades. I'd complain about having to fix this stuff on a $2400 Santa Cruz, but not this $1200 hardtail. I'd do it again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roland
a Cross Country Rider
from Ann Arbor, MI
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Potowatomi | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Two Wheel Tango | | Strengths: | This bike is very dynamic,fast, and releases its energy if you really want it.It is not for beginners or low riders, but attackers. It has been a big jump for me as my previous was heavier and more basic, good though.The equipment is very good XTR, ...For this price it is a super deal. | | Weaknesses: | Of course the seat which I changed very quickly. Both tires are not impressive in slush or mud but are fine on dry terrain.I had my Manitou Mars front shock repaired already due to an air leak ! Not impressive after the Rockshock Judy which had no maintenance for almost 4 years and still perform. | | Bike Setup: | Decatlon Rock rider | | Bottom Line: | After getting used to it ,I really feel the potential being able to ride over technical trail parts like never before. I hope the front shock has been fixed for once ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Sporting Life | | Strengths: | Light frame, good components. | | Weaknesses: | Stock tires. | | Bike Setup: | All stock except for the addition of bar ends and Ritchy pedals, and IRC Mythos tires. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is good value for your money. It comes with good components like the XTR rear derailer, Avid brakes, and levers, and a light frame. It feels very light compared to my old rigid bike. The bike is also very easy to handle.
I've noticed that many people complain about the stock seat. It all depends on your autonomy. The seat is comfortable for my ~3hr rides.
The stock tires are the only weakness because their treads are not aggressive enough.
Overall I like this bike a lot and I go riding whenever I have the opportunity. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Swanny
a Cross Country Rider
from Federal Way, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim Trail, Moab, UT | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles West | | Strengths: | Light weight, good components, good looks | | Weaknesses: | What the heck is up with that saddle? | | Similar Products Used: | 1995 Specialized Stumpjumper M2 FS Comp
1995 GT Zaskar LE | | Bike Setup: | Stock plus Speedplay Frog pedals, XTR V-Brakes, Easton CT2 flat bar and seatpost, Sella Italia Flite Ti Saddle, Performance Cosmic lite tubes, American Classic Ti BB | | Bottom Line: | In 1997, I bought a Fisher Joshua. It was such a crappy bike that I almost quit mountain biking. I went back to my trusty '95 Stumpjumper and fell in love with mountain biking again. The '95 was ready to be retired so I bought the Y2K version. I absolutely love the bike. I have put it on a diet and now it is freakishly light without sacrificing dependability. This bike rocks! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A dude
a Weekend Warrior
from BC
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | LIght frame and relatively strong, great handling, excelent climber, steady handling, greta bike for the price | | Weaknesses: | Tires suck, they slip everywhere, Seat is like plastice, Rims are hard to stay in true | | Similar Products Used: | GIant ATX Series, Norco Fireball | | Bike Setup: | LX/XT, SID 100, Avid Arch RIval 50 Brakes, basically sottck except for the brakes and the SID's | | Bottom Line: | This price was a screamin deal @ $1300 (not inculuding upgrades) After upgrades it was about $2000 but not a bad bike for that price, it handles great, stiff, and just a blast to ride. I only wish they would change the tires and seat cuz they suck | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon ceretti
a Cross Country Rider
from montreal
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere, whistler, bromont | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | kanuk | | Strengths: | A great feeling ride, great climber, and handles well going down. Also very light, helps you keep your energy... | | Weaknesses: | The crank is a piece of sheit, will definitely have to change it as it grabbs the chain with the chain ring bolts. Also, the headset died on me after 2 months, the fork is pissing oil (had to send it back 3 times to the company) and the seat is indeed a piece of crap ( i cracked the seat rails after a month). | | Similar Products Used: | Kona mano mano, gary fisher excaliber and Mt Tam | | Bike Setup: | stock, wtb gel seat, cane creak head set, xtr rear brake and will add XT hollowteck crank or a race face (heavier) | | Bottom Line: | Great feeling ride, amazing in the climbs, but with really sh**ty components-you may want to spend the extra 300 bucks on the pro version to get the sid fork and definitely change the crank before leaving the shop. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Millhouse
a Cross Country Rider
from NC
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Frame stiffness and geometry
Overall weight less than 25 lbs stock
| | Weaknesses: | Seat without question.
Do yourself a favor and change those tubes out before getting deep into the woods unless you carry two spares and like changing them on the trail.
Stock tires may be too slick if you ride in alot of mud. | | Similar Products Used: | Homegrown hardtail
Trek 8000, 8500 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with mud and different seat | | Bottom Line: | Performs like bikes that cost twice as much. Buy this bike instead of one of those titanium deals and take a trip to the pacific northwest with the money you save. Bike is very quick and nimble in tight singletrack and climbs like a goat. This is a very stiff hardtail so if your back can't take a beating you may want to consider something else. Also if you try to downhill this bike you will hurt yourself. If you like to ride fast XC then this is one of the best bikes you can get especially for the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake
a Cross Country Rider
from Cali
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Strengths: | -sweet shifters
-nice brakes
-good chain stay | | Weaknesses: | -chain=crappy
-weak tires
-weak rims | | Bike Setup: | mars c fork | | Bottom Line: | this bike is great for a excersize but it can't handle a hard-core rider very well | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Coletrain
a Cross Country Rider
from Schenectady, NY
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Skidmore Trails in Saratoga | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1395.00 | | Purchased At: | East Providene Cycle | | Strengths: | Frame (Stiffness, Weight & Geometry), XTR/XT derailleur team (the new 2001 model only has a XTR/LX), Great all around ride. | | Weaknesses: | As others have said the seat is uncomfortable, No compression lockout on the shock, Specialized's issue pedals, Tire-tubes seem to blow easily. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8500, Schwinn Homegrown (almost bought this one), Rockhopper A1 Pro FS | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper M2 Comp standard setup, but with Shimano 747 pedals (best pedals I've ever used) | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a joy to ride, from the technical stuff, to cruising on the open trail. You just don't need to think about the bike at all, which allows you to focus on the thrill and enjoyment of the trail. It climbs great, takes any hits a cross-country trail will throw at you, and responds great in technical sections. With past bikes I would worry "Can my bike take this," "I can't make that climb with this bike," "That downhill will kill my rims." With this bike I just ride and enjoy.
You get exactly what you expect from the bike. After a year of riding (about 500 miles) the bike has its bumps and bruises (as do I) but has held up great so far with no major problems. It's worth the investment, and is a good value. If you ride cross-country on a regular basis try this bike out, and no matter what RIDE EVERY CHANCE YOU GET! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Short
a Cross Country Rider
from Kent
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Action Bikes | | Strengths: | Very light and stiff. Excellent for both riding up hills and carrying up even steeper hills. The wheels are very light considering that they use Specialized own-brand hubs and are on a bike at this price. | | Weaknesses: | The handling is a bit twitchy, the saddle is useless - both uncomfortable and heavy - and the bolts that hold the cranks in place get stuck. | | Similar Products Used: | Scott Team Racing | | Bike Setup: | Sid SL, Mavic Crossrides, S-Works Body-Geometry saddle, bar ends | | Bottom Line: | Fit some bar ends, and this bike is great for racing and excellent for anything that envolves going up hills. However, don't even consider it if you want to go downhill fast or do big drop-offs - the brakes won't stop you, the wheels will fold and the frame will snap. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Allen
a Cross Country Rider
from Flagstaff, AZ
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | schultz and elden network | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | absolute bikes | | Strengths: | Handling, components, weight | | Weaknesses: | saddle, don't even try it, it's not worth it. Swap it out in the shop for an upgrade or you'll be shelling out full price for a new one after your first long ride. | | Bike Setup: | stock, except for my old seat that I had to swap out, now my commuter has the bad saddle, I should have taken the advice here and gotten an upgrade at the shop. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome. It is race ready for beginner to expert. It is the most responsive bike I have ever ridden(not that I'm a pro). I bought it 3 months ago and have not had a chance to ride my favorite trails as they are covered in snow. I am riding forest service roads in snow and mud and am amazed at how well it handles. I got the bike on closeout for $900, friend bought the same model last summer for $1600. If you can find one left over for a clearance price, buy it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Maysey
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Osos, Ca
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | What Trail? | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Most responsive bike I've ever ridden. Very light, making hike-a-bike easier. Very stiff frame. When others are walking the climbs, I motor past. | | Weaknesses: | Other than the fact that it took a little getting used to, there is absolutely no weakness. When I first built the bike the handling felt a little twitchy to me. Now that I have been riding it for a while I have the thing totally wired. So I suppose what started out as a weakness is no longer a weakness. | | Similar Products Used: | Alpinestars Al-Mega, Giant ATX 770 | | Bike Setup: | Easton stem and bar, Easton carbon seatpost, SRAM shifters, XT brakes and rear der, LX front der, Cooks Bros cranks with Ringle rings, Sun/Ringle RPM wheelset with Ringle skewers, SDG seat | | Bottom Line: | The bike climbs like a friggin' goat. It is extremely responsive on the descent with lightning quick handling. I would recommend this for anyone who is serious about conquering mountains and leaving thier friends in the dust.
Get out there and RIDE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CHRIS C.
a
from NYC
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | GREEN BELTS | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$975.00 | | Purchased At: | bennetts bike dorks | | Strengths: | The frame it self is very light and stiff.Bike comes well equiped. | | Weaknesses: | Some people say the saddle that is comes with sux,, well.. i can see y some ppl dont like it but if your light weight it does not suck.Tires will need to be changed.That little re-bound knob on the bottem of the fork, i broke it off the first day i got the bike... O yea the name heheh | | Similar Products Used: | First real bike, at first look it looks like just another hardtail | | Bike Setup: | All the regular gear that comes with but i got platforms a riser bar,new tires and got soft springs for the sx-r. | | Bottom Line: | OK, this bike is Very good if you just getting in to the sport,i have been riding since november (2000) and now i am bombing off 3 foot leges and learning to ride better.The frame is o.. so very light but also very strong, i crash a lot(nothing to big)and there is no damage to the bike except for small paint scraches.If you are planing to ride good dirt trails you will need to get new tires because the ones that come with it slide all over if you ride fast.The fork is very nice, once i put soft springs in it,,it felt nice and mushy. : )
If you think you know how to ride but your not into the sport yet this bike is right for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Sullivan
a Weekend Warrior
from London UK
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | god knows | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | i paid in uk £ | | Strengths: | Light as hell, XT, forks | | Weaknesses: | tyres seem very low grip, fork, but i need to play with it, handlebars, i prefer risers, pedals, i haven't got spd shoes. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Kona | | Bike Setup: | sotck, with planet x DH risers, platforms. | | Bottom Line: | for £800 it's an excellent buy although i've noticed a few chips to the paint work, nothing major. it speeds it on the roads like no1 cares, haven't tried trails or jumping with it yet. i'm sure it'll be good tho. buy this if u use it on the road a lot as well as the trails | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Curt Mann
a Weekend Warrior
from Irmo, South Carolina
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Harbison Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike To Nature | | Strengths: | Light,good fork,smooth xt-xtr drivetrain,good components | | Weaknesses: | Seat and pedals are okay but definitely upgradeable | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000 Gary Fisher Paragon | | Bike Setup: | Stock except USE Shockpost and computer | | Bottom Line: | Sweet bike.This bike makes you feel like you can handle anything that comes your way even at insane speeds.It climbs like my brother's pshyco cat Chessie when freaked out,and handles down hills and technical sections with ease.For the money you can't go wrong,just a couple of upgrades and you can line it up at the starting line or just have fun bashing it around on the weekends. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Min
a Cross Country Rider
from Rutherford, NJ
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ringwood | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Ski Barn | | Strengths: | The frame, brakes, forks and the light weight. Also the XT/XTR setup is nice. The brakes are simply awesome. A friend has the coda disc brakes on his Cannondale and they absolutely suck compared to the Avids on this bike. | | Weaknesses: | The seatpost and seat could probably be replaced but they're not all that bad. The paint also chips a little too easily. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fischer, Trek, GT. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is probably the best investment I've made all year. The bike climbs like it's being towed by a Monster Truck. It is also very fast for a mountain bike. The bike is also about as firm as you are going to find anywhere and may take some getting used to and it's hard to believe that it's SO light. If your in the market for a great XC bike, this is a great choice. I ride about 40 miles a week and all I think about from about 4 o'clock on at work is riding since buying the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Italy
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Rome | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Rome, Italy | | Strengths: | Responsive, great climbing, light, looks great | | Weaknesses: | Lousy original seat, pedals | | Similar Products Used: | Moser AX Pro | | Bottom Line: | Best bike of the 8 I have owned in the last 5 years. I recently uggraded this from a Rockhopper and this is streets ahed (but also more expensive!. I ride in central Italy where the weather is typically sunny, the tracks dry but rough and the surface loose. Little wet riding as we havent got to that season yet. The bike is used for weekend riding over varied terrain - steep climbs, steep descents in dry, rocky and loose conditions. My son who is a serious motorhead has also used it for 'serious' riding in very rough, steep conditions and rates it highly.
Great bike for all occassions. Will suit the average to the serious rider. But for a bike of this price I shouldnt have had to change the bits I did - seat, bars, pedals.
Value rating is based on Italian prices which are much higher than US prices. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron R.
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore, MD
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Light, stiff, shifts good in back, decent fork, brakes worked well for me, the frame is strong. | | Weaknesses: | seat does blow, cranks should be replaced, didn't really like tires all that well but not worth taking any chili's off for. tires are personal | | Similar Products Used: | trek 8000 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | It's a great bike for what it's made for period end of discusion here people. You don't buy a hardtail for dh let alone an xc hardtail. i mean some course i could see one being used but i would get a derkerf implant or any easton rad frame. this is a strictly xc frame that isn't made really for jumping but could probably take beginner stuff. i'm basically writing this to off-set all the bad reviews. i have ridden the bike and really really liked it. it handled great for me. the 17 inch fit well. the stem was a little lone but that's a really gritty detail that's more of fit than the bike itself. i would highly highly recommend this bike. i was going to buy it until i got a kick arse deal on a bike from this shop owner. keep riding and i hope the guys riding it for downhill read this and buy a nice strong frame. i'm sure they already know but sometimes reinforcement helps. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Dolch
a Cross Country Rider
from Houghton, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Michigan Tech Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$989.00 | | Purchased At: | Rays Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Deraileurs and shock make quick work of XC trails, frame is sturdy not too heavy. Disc brake compatible. | | Weaknesses: | Seat is moon-floss (gone in 1 week), paint chips just riding thru long reeds. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Kaitai, Trek 7000. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, other than new seat. Considering raised handlebars. | | Bottom Line: | Relatively new to mountain biking, but this bike has done me quite well. The XT/XTR deraileur setup and shock are great when a million roots come your way. For downhilling it does a good job, although not superior. I considered disc brakes, but the stock setup seems to stock quite well.
I do mostly single-track riding, but ride around town as well. The stock low-tread depth tires are great for on-road, but can get dicey in deep mud. For on-road riding, it's not bad at all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Parker Hrushka
a Racer
from Dorchester, Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Race tracks | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Super light, good components, great geometry. | | Weaknesses: | The stock seat is worse than anything else I have used. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a great RACE bike. I don't know what the idiot below is talking about (downhill racing!). This bike will fold like a taco if a double crown fork is installed! It handles well on the downhills, but come on, downhill racing on a serious XC bike, no wonder his buddies look at him weird. Buy this bike if you race or ride XC, DON'T buy this bike if your one of those freeride geeks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Kirkman
a Weekend Warrior
from Nahant MA
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Not sure I found it yet | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | North SHore Cycle | | Strengths: | This review is for the M2, not the M2 comp, since there is no catagory for it. The frame is lighter then hell and climbs like there's no tomorrow. The components rock. Manitou's shocks are pretty kickin' and it handles well. | | Weaknesses: | Specialize's revolution saddle isn't very revolutionary. After 15 miles on one ride, I coud barely sit down, and the next day I had to stand up the whole time. | | Similar Products Used: | Non comparable | | Bike Setup: | Stock, with barends and the seat replaced. | | Bottom Line: | I loved this bike from the first trail I took it on. True, I did have to sit on a block of ice, but it's easy enough to buy a new one. This is a real good bike for not the money you would expect. You can do pretty much anything, if that means race or cross country. I'll have this bike for a long time (if it doesn't get stolen first). This bike is on the top of it's game. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh Mecanuk
a Downhiller
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tumble Weeds | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | I wanted to respond to the other guys review below RE: downhilling with this bike (the guy from Russia). This bike is the bomb. | | Weaknesses: | It is true, Specialized won't warranty this bike with a Monster T, but so far the frame has held up great to 2 and 3 foot drops with no problems. | | Similar Products Used: | None this good. | | Bike Setup: | I installed a Black Spire chain guide, a Monster T fork, Titec handle bar, double wide rims and 2.3 Tioga tires. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks on the downhills. With the mods I have done, it takes away from the uphill climbing a little, but not much. The Monster T has really livened up this bike, it is capable of amazing speeds (although the frame flex is scary at times). When I take this bike to XC races, I get some strange looks, but the performance of the bike speaks for itself. I mostly use this bike for recreational downhilling where I get even stranger looks from the downhill dudes (they all seem like a bunch of wimps riding 7" travel full suspension bikes). So if you are looking for a great freeride bike, look no further, just buy this bike if you can find one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dan
a
from bay area
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any trail i can find | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | super rigid frame
excelent handling
weight
components
versatility
call me crazy but i like the saddle | | Weaknesses: | fork blocks brake levers from opening all the way... ripped my brake pad off a couple time getting the front tire off
had to cut shoes to fit peddles
cables run down the underside of the bottom tube | | Similar Products Used: | dback gt | | Bike Setup: | stock with bar ends sram esp 9.0 will be coming soon! | | Bottom Line: | i have put just over two hundred miles on the bike and im loving every minute of it. i put a set of slicks to do a 60 mile road with some buddies and i couldnt believe how well the bike handled. its probably the last bike ill be buying for a few years.
the xt/xtr set up is smooth as satin sheets on a friday night, just cant get used to lever shifting after having gripshift for the previous 3 years. the avid brakes will stop ya quicker than a root caught on your foot.
the guys over at specialized put together one of the best race ready packages out there. the dbacks i tested felt slugish and out of tune while the gts felt a little top heavy. the second i got on the stumpie it felt like the thing was just gonna take off, boiling over with performance. anyway thats my two cents. seriously considering doing some racing with one. latter | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mason
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything near Oakridge, OR | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Frame is awesomely stiff! Aggressive geometry makes it a perfect street thrasher. Jumps? Trials? No problemos, muchachos! Comes with quality components for the $. VERY lightweight. | | Weaknesses: | The seat causes severe trauma to the posterior, and I'm not kidding around here. Bottom bracket creaky after only 60 miles. Ultra stiff frame transmits more energy from bumps/rocks to arms/legs. It'll knock your fillings out! | | Similar Products Used: | too many to list - everyone's ridden hardtails! | | Bike Setup: | platform pedals, riser bars | | Bottom Line: | If you are in the market for a hardtail, this bike cannot be beat with a stick. It is especially good for the big fellas who go hard and don't like creaking and flexing from their frame. I weigh 210lbs and the frame has been absolutely solid. Buy a downhill specific bike for the big hits, and use this everywhere else. I give it all the flaming doogers that the rating scale will allow. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
todd c
a Cross Country Rider
from haverford, pa - usa
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | wissahickon valley meadow | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | fork, frame, components. | | Weaknesses: | seat... | | Similar Products Used: | 94 stumpjumper. | | Bike Setup: | stock. | | Bottom Line: | my first ride on the bike was a 12 mile trek at french creek state park. the bike climbed anything i told it to, and the fork performed flawlessly. i broke a few teeth on the big chainring (riding over a large stone waterbar)... i think i may replace the saddle, it was a bit on the hard side, although a suspension seat post might cure that. i was a bit uncomfortable with the handlebar height, so i removed two of the three stem spacers to lower the bars about a half inch. xt/xtr drivetrain rules. avid brakes are even better.
this bike is all i will ever need. a tremendous value at 1200 clams. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tristan
a Racer
from Pittsburgh, PA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | -Great Components
-Light | | Weaknesses: | -*Me rubs nads* | | Bottom Line: | This bike, is sweet. Ready to race out of the box, great components. XT/XTR is great. Good shifts and shocks rule! The only complaint I have is the seat. I just rode it around the parking lot of the LBS to test it out. I might never have children.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JOSH
a
from SAN ANTONIO,TEXAS
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | lots | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | the frame and the components | | Weaknesses: | THE SEAT!!!!!!! the only other thing wrong that I have noticed is that the paint chips off the frame easily. | | Similar Products Used: | lots | | Bike Setup: | stock,for now. going to get a different seat first thing | | Bottom Line: | this is a good bike for the money and can definitely be raced out of the box, I ride lots of really rough trails with big hills and rocks, and so far the only thing that happened was I got a flat tire. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joseph Brett
a Weekend Warrior
from Fairhope, Alabama, USA
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Oak Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | M2XX Frame, Fork, Various Other Components | | Weaknesses: | Saddle(Ouch) | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn | | Bike Setup: | Stock + Various Accessories | | Bottom Line: | I am also reviewing the M2. Not the M2 Comp. This a great bike for your money! It is very responsive to your every move. It also has great acceleration, braking, shifting, and it climbs like a goat! Overall, I think that this is a great bike for anyone who is a serious mountain biker and I recomend that you go check it out! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Robinson
a Racer
from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | I'm reviewing the M2, not the M2 comp as there is no listing for just the 2000 M2. Biggest strengths are the frame, and fork. | | Weaknesses: | Brutal saddle, it was off the bike in 2 days. I'm not so sure I'm fond of the pedals either. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, with barends. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike for the price and the component setup. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Deej
a Cross Country Rider
from MN
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | -Great Overall Value
-Very Light
-Excellent Geometry | | Weaknesses: | -Seat | | Similar Products Used: | -American
-Schwinn | | Bike Setup: | -Stock | | Bottom Line: | Excellent riding bike, very stiff and responsive, excellent race bike out of the box. Would definitely reccomend.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Igor Rogov
a Downhiller
from Mother Russia
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | This bike work good for hard core downhill with lots of jump. Really bombproof frame. Two bottle holders for me vodka. My wife think I look sexy when I sit on it at home:) | | Weaknesses: | Specialized won't warranty this bike with a triple clamp fork! 2.3 tires rub the rear frame stay. | | Similar Products Used: | My brothers BMX bike, and I like to ride big bikes. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike too much. Me always ride after work and on weekends. This bike is tuff. One night, I drank too much Vodka and crashed into a parked tree. The frame bent, but only a little bit (I straightened it out next day after hangover was gone), I couldn't believe it. Another day I coast down this hill and fall off, but bike keep going...anyways it long store, but bike was not broke:). If you want a good downhill bike that weights less than your brothers BMX, buy it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Aloha, OR
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Noble Canyon (San Diego) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Awesome Frame and Fork | | Weaknesses: | Nasty Saddle, Looks Cool but it's painful. The jury is still out on the pedals. (but hey, they ARE clipless for no extra $'s) | | Similar Products Used: | You name it, I've tried it | | Bike Setup: | Stock...so far | | Bottom Line: | I have been a serious rider since before John Tomac even rode for Mongoose (1986) I have ridden a lot of bikes and put over 17K miles on my 89 Stumpjumper. I was going to by Ti, but after riding several Ti bikes and comparing the value and performance to the Stumpy, the M2 won hands down. I was ready to fork out $2000 for a Ti bike. But after riding the M2 several times, it was obvious to me that there just isn't any better bang for your buck out there. My 19" bike weighed exactly 24 pounds when I walked out the door of my LBS. It feels like a feather under my 6-2, 190 pound body. Lighter than some of the Ti bikes I tested. This bike has solid handling, a great neutral position that gives stability at speed, and quick a response in tight single track. I am looking forward to a lot a of miles of pleasure and performance with this bike.
If you're thinking about this bike and you are a cross country singletrack finatic like me, get it. You won't be dissappointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Graham
a Cross Country Rider
from Athens, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Heritage Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Specialized Reliability, frame, price, mostly good components,weight... | | Weaknesses: | pedals, seat, choices of color | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | All factory, soon to get new pedals/seat. | | Bottom Line: | A great bike...gets the job done. Good purchase for beginner to modest to pro riders. Thanks to the folks at Specialized for another smooth ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JimBo
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | All at Lake Topanemus and Hartshorne Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Frame Strength
Light Weight
Componetry | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | 1998 Giant Warp Ds2
1997 GT Ricochet | | Bike Setup: | custom Paint Job:
Gold Firemist Metallic Frame and Fork
Bright Blue Metallic Braze-Ons and Cable Ferrules
LX/T/R
Ritchey Pedals
Yeti Grips | | Bottom Line: | Great Handling Bike.
Great Looking bike.
Great Bike Shop (Freehold Bicycles) bought from
Great Paint by Rabbit.` | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Weston
a
from Austin, TX, US
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Barton Creek Greenbelt | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | M2 Frame, Fork | | Weaknesses: | Seat, Specialized super thin tubes(two flats in 2 minutes) | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 950, ( I thought I was testing the Rock Hopper Pro, I rode the Stup Jumpper for 15 min before realizing it was a $1200 bike. After that I took the Rock Hopper Pro out and there was a big diffrence. So DON'T test a Stump Jumper if you plan to spend under $1000.) The Stump Jumper was so much more responsive with everything, acceleration, shifting, control, etc... | | Bike Setup: | stock, put some bar ends on. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this Stump Jumper M2(not comp) mainly because of the sweet M2 frame. I'm not a professional and here's how I see it, the M2 model has the same frame as the M2 Pro. There is a $800 difference. I'f I feel I need to upgrade to XT everything in the future I will. So throughout time you could say a M2 could..........morph into a M2 Pro.
I feel this bike is of hight quality and would recommend you give it a test ride. I never thought I would own a bike that cost over $1000 but after the test ride.....I knew I could scrounge up an extra $200.
ps. the seat ripped my shorts in half my first time out on the trail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drew Holmes
a Weekend Warrior
from Bend, Or
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | best bang for your buck, good choices of componets to keep the price reasonable, nice XTR XT combo | | Weaknesses: | seat was switched out for my old Fizik seat which I love, put on semi slick tires for trails around bend, but tires it came with were good for other conditions | | Similar Products Used: | Marin | | Bike Setup: | stock except seat and tires | | Bottom Line: | I am not a pro when it comes to bike comparison but have many friends who are and I thought it was a great bike and they all concurred, they ride $2500 bikes but reall like my bike and didnt have anything bad to say about it and also said it was a good "bang for your buck" bike that will last for awhile and is race worthy right out of the box. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Foster
a Cross Country Rider
from topsfield
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything at lynn woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | the weight, front fork brakes, the value of the package, the frame | | Weaknesses: | deraillers front and rear are non top swing. Pedals suck ass | | Similar Products Used: | gary fisher x-caliber | | Bike Setup: | stock except time pedals, and team tires | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great. I know my bikes and out of the bikes i have looked at this is the best valued bike for the money. The use of specialized house components kept the price down. The metal matrix frame is a big hit with me it is very stiff. This bike is strong in hill climbs and could use some work on dangerous rocky downhills. But as a bike i race with and beat on it is great | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J Whale
a Weekend Warrior
from OKC, OK
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything uneven, lumpy, and fast | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Great frame (M2XX), fork (Manitou Mars), brakes (Avid 25), derailleurs (XT/XTR), and shifters (XT) all at a good price ($1230 for me). | | Weaknesses: | Seat (very painful), BB (UN-52), freewheel (LX), rims (Mavic 225) | | Similar Products Used: | Klein Adroit Race and Attitude Race, Trek 8000 and 8500, Cannondale F800 and F900. | | Bike Setup: | Stock (for now) | | Bottom Line: | Great frame, fork, brakes, derailleurs, and shifters with the downside being the BB and LX freewheel. The other components are solid mid-range products that won't hinder your riding but won't really help it either. Get the Terry Fly seat ASAP or you butt may not want to saddle up very often. This great bike will upgrade to an exceptional ride for a few hundred bucks. Mucho bang for the buck. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fireboy
a Weekend Warrior
from Wyoming,MI
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Yankee Springs | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | FRAME!,Suspension,Components | | Weaknesses: | Yeah the seat sucks! | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Bicycles | | Bike Setup: | "Out of the box...race ready" | | Bottom Line: | Just bought this bike over a long decision between this bike the Stumpjumper, (not Comp), and a Cannondale. This bike is sharp, so is the seat! Ouch! It is a great bike at a fair price. I've been beating the s@#t out of it and it takes whatever I throw at it. The BB at first was creaking and went away shortly without tweaking. Buy this bike if you are starting to get serious about biking, and enjoy it. I am. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Sterling, MA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything but the road | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Lightweight, excellent component group, Specialized "team" tires. | | Weaknesses: | brake and shift cables not protected from slapping against the frame. Price. | | Similar Products Used: | lower end MT bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with manitou Mars fork, added body geometry saddle (see toms review). | | Bottom Line: | I have owned this bike since the beginning of January and have ridden it every chance I get through all kinds of terrain. I'm a road biker who is diggin' mountain biking on a great set of wheels!! I would highly recommend this bike for someone looking for a 23lb steed that can handle just about anything. It's an expensive bike for someone who isn't going to put it to the test. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Medfrod, Oregon
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ashland Watershed | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | super light. Quick and responsive. Frame quality and component mix. SX-R manitou shock is awesome. Price and look! | | Weaknesses: | Specialized "revolution" saddle is a bit brutal. I've sat on more comfortable rocks. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn moab 2
Giant XTC/SE2 (one color shy of looking like the partridge family bus)
Trek 8000
Trek 6500 | | Bike Setup: | Completely stock (why mess with a good thing). This is the M2, not the M2 comp or pro, There wasn't a category for this specific bike. | | Bottom Line: | I decided it was time to upgrade to a lighter, more trailworthy hardtail (sold my Trek 6500). The weight of this bike and the reputation of specialized products was the main reason I bought this bike. It's incredible singletrack hardtail that shreds on the downhill. My only gripe is the hard saddle, if specialized is so proud of their "body geometry" line, why don't they put them on more of their mid to high end bikes??? But this is no reason to avoid this bike, buy it without hesitation.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad
a Downhiller
from Baltimore
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Avalon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Fork, Weight, Value | | Weaknesses: | Creaky BB, Uncomfortable Saddle | | Bike Setup: | Stock w/ time atac pedals and bar ends & riser bar | | Bottom Line: | i really like this bike...it climbs like a fool, especially with its geometry. i put a riser bar on to increase its descending ability but i think i like the low handlebar before. i really looking forward to racing this bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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