I brought my S Works M2 in 1998 after owning a stumpjumper M2 for a year. I brought a 15.5 inch frame as i'm an x bmxer and wanted a frame that i could thrash and race and i can honestly say that i have been more than happy with my S Works M2. I have rode trails, downhills such as Penhurst, Forest of Dean and many other places in the uk. I have done many drop offs ranging from 5 - 13 and jumped over doubles with a maybe 20 foot drops.. Basically this frame has handled everything i have chucked at it and is now in its 7th year of life, and i have alos had some pretty extreme crashes on it including being hit by 2 cars! i have heard of people cracking them at times but then i also hear that about virtually every frame on the market. I am not a heavy person (10 stone) which i guess is part of the reason the frame has done me so well, but then saying that its not like i have'nt broken a frame as i managed to crack every bmx frame i every owned except for my Skyway TA. Love this frame and i will stay with it until it dies on me...
Bike Setup: 15.5 inch,Manitou SX Ti forks, Velocity downhill rims, hope hubs, XTR etc etc
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Submitted by
Tyler
a Cross Country Rider
from H-Town
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2003
Strengths: Super Light, Really Strong, Came with good components, Climbs great
Weaknesses: The frame's a little long for me, It looks so nice that i'm afraid to beat it up, You cant put disc brakes on it either, i think they make some sort of adapter though
Bottom Line:
This bike is amazing. I've been punishing it for the past season and it hasnt shown any signs of wear and tear other than a broken chain and maybe my bottom bracket and my seat. The frame is holding up great though, i just wish i could put disc brakes on it.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Hardrock Sport (the M2 rides like a Porche compared to that)
Bike Setup: Manitou Mars Fork, Avid V-Brakes, XT Front Derailleur, XTR in the back, Some Ritchey and Specialized Components
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Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Lafayette, Ca
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2003
Strengths: This bike is great, it can take anything you give it keaping in mind it's an XC bike, my gloss black frame looks amazing, and it handles like a dream.
Weaknesses: None, this frame is great.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. It has taken everything i have ever dished out, and then some. Climbs and sprints like a champ, and doesnt feel too harsh on the downhill, although it is extremely stiff. It goes where you point it and does what its told, all with style. Looks and feels great, holds up for years under abuse, and the price wont kill you. An overall great bike.
Similar Products Used: Treks, Giants, Santa Cruzs, etc...
Bike Setup: M2 frame, XT, Truvativ Stylo Team Cranks (awesome), Thomson, Manitou SXR (still holdin' up)
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Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville, NC
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2003
Strengths: Responsibly light, very durable and quick frame.
Weaknesses: Original parts pick didn't last long
Bottom Line:
Ridden hard for 8 years and still no problems with this frame. Being a Clydesdale (6'4" 230 lbs), this is very impressive. Bought the 20.5" Comp. version in '95 to be a 24-Hour race machine. Immediately replaced the stock seatpost with a longer/lighter Syncros, broke the original Strongarm cranks a year later, replaced with Syncros. Replaced orginal xt v-brakes after 1 year with more reliable (at the time) dia-compe. Burned through three r. deraileurs, 2 f. der., three stems and headsets, two sets of shifters, 2 pairs of SPDs, 4 fork rebuilds, 4 broken seatposts (warrantied by Syncros, thank you), 4 bars and a partridge in a pear tree. The current setup has been working fine now for almost four years. Although I seem to be a parts masher, the Stumpy M2 frame has bested me on durability. It just will not break. I always rationalized upgrades by buying better parts when the old ones wear out or break. To date I have not been able to use this rationale on the frame. It seems to be bomb proof. My bones seem to take a harsher beating on the long rides so I am going to buy a FS rig this year (Enduro?), but I am going to keep the M2 for those nostalgic days. This frame is suitable for the XC rider who is looking for a do-all, go anywhere hardtail that will stand up to constant abuse and is still very light (mine weighs in just at 24 lbs).
Bike Setup: Syncros cranks, stem and seat post. Original Rock Shock XC, XT r.der.,cas., bb, shifters & c.r. Sachs f.der, dia-compe long arm brakes. Mavic Crossmax f., xtr w/Mavic cermamic r. WTB NP Headset.
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Submitted by
Joel Rogers
a Cross Country Rider
from Lancaster, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002
Strengths: Neutral handling, fairly stiff in the BB, somewhat supple in the rear...
I've been through 3 sets of wheels, two seatposts, three seats, three handlebars, three forks, two wives, a derailleur or two, three pairs of shoes, one set of brake levers, numerous trips to moab, utah and colorado, not even going to try and count the tires, chains and brake pads, and the frame (and the Sach's shifters) still remains...what else can I say?.... Actually I am thinking about finally upgrading it with a Airborne Ti frame, or possibly a M4 S-Works....8^), but I will keep the old M2 just to hang in the shop, for nothing else but sentimental value... I'm giving it a 5 value rating for lasting so damn long
I broke the chainstay doing a 5 foot drop/gap 8 feet across I landed smooth and it just f***ing broke. Thats why im giving it one flamin turd. So bottom line dont buy it unless you're a 50lb weenie xc rider.
Submitted by
Seth
a Cross Country Rider
from Sunderland, VT
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2001
Strengths: This bike is super stiff (read:punishing!) and climbs like a scared cat. It does however require a bit of adjustment/setup with regards to parts to make it shine.
Weaknesses: It is a battering ram on your spine on those epics.
Bottom Line:
This bike can do it all, and do it well. I have it set up a bit tall. I found that it really responded better to "trail" riding input if I was farther from the front wheel...i wanted a veritile bike that could get me up to the top, then turn around and play all the way down, hit ledges and log jams with ease, and then jet along the sniggle at the head of the pack. I can't even begin to recite the list of beefed up parts that this frame has outlasted (I weigh in at 195)! It really is an awsome bike...but I must admit,I am finally moving on to a full-sus rig (AEON Isis) to apease my grummbling back! That said, I will be keeping my orange monster fully intact, and ready to play for some time to come!
Similar Products Used: GT Zaskar, Trek 7000, IF HT
Bike Setup: Titec Hell Bent risers, RaceFace stem/cranks/BB, Serfas lock on grips, XTR drivetrain/brakes, TR post, Bontrager saddle, Time Atac pedals, Conti Traction Pro up front, Tioga XC in back, 517's on XT hubs w/ 14g DT spokes, Z5 100m fork, RaceFace trials ring (RF chainrings)
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Submitted by
Crazy Bit#$
a Weekend Warrior
from NY
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2001
Strengths: -Light -Oh so responsive -Climbs like a speed-addled monkey -Good geometry
Weaknesses: -STIFF!!This bike will beat you up -I cracked it at the headtube after a 6-foot drop-off..damn,I loved this bike too..
Bottom Line:
I bought my Stumpy February of '99.It was a KICKASS bike...
....until I cracked it.DAMN!But this is not the frame's fault.I am a 200-lb hucker/former BMX'er who enjoys a good deal of urban assault and technical XC,and I routinely open a can of whoop-ass on my bikes--drops,high-speed curb hits,the occasional stairway,and other kinds of completely insane abuse.It finally bit the dust last July after I hucked it off a 6-footer that the locals call the "Widow-Maker."As a result,I busted the fork beyond repair and also put a MASSIVE crack in the headtube/downtube junction.I was pissed beyond belief!!
...Anyway,it was an awesome bike.It was light,and the geometry was "point-and-shoot."It also climbed and pedaled REALLY quickly and it was the best damn bike for sprinting.Really my only complaint about the bike was that the ride was STIFF,and I mean REALLY stiff.I see a lot of Stumpys around with suspension seatposts..I understand why.
I will be fair and still give this baby its proper 5 CHILIES!It won't let you down.Specialized makes AWESOME FRAMES!!
Similar Products Used: I now own both a S.C Chameleon(awesome),and a Surly 1x1(also awesome);I test-rode a friend's Voodoo Sobo(VERY light,but flexed like hell)for a week
Bike Setup: My '98 Stumpy had LX/XT 8-speed parts and a '98 Manitou SX fork--everything else was pretty basic stuff.I dumped the stock clipless pedals for a set of Time ATAC's,then a set of GT platforms.It was my first mountain bike.I still have the mortally wounded frame hanging from my wall...
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Submitted by
AIDZ Kent
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2001
Strengths: Color, Strength, Handling
Weaknesses: Weight distribution
Bottom Line:
I weight 240lbs, i have crashed more times than i can remember, broke more stuff off this frame than i can afford and the frame keeps going...love it! My Guts easily outweigh my ability, the bike gets me through it, most of the time! Its my favourite thing.
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2001
Strengths: Strength & Weight
Weaknesses: Rear Derailer Hanger. Kind of like the akillies(sp) heal of this bike...
Bottom Line:
After 4 years of riding this frame I am just now getting ready to move on. Over the years I have replaced everything except the frame. It has served me well! Besides a lot of dirt and a few scratches it shows no sign of wear!
It is very quick & responsive. You always know what to expect from it as it never gives. I am a heavy rider around 210 And I have never noticed any flex or give when climbing.
The only reason I am moving on is for a new Klein adept full suspension. I can not recamend this frame enough. If you have a chance of getting a used one don't be afraid to pick one up!
This is a singletrack frame, no-doubt, and it positively comes alive on rolling, twisting terrain. Stumpies are great if you like super quick handling. Ya gotta stay alert but then it is a very exhilerating fun ride. The quick handling has saved my butt sooo many times. This frame absolutely will not quit on you even if you're spun out and stalled on a steep incline. You can hold your balance, re-adjust your weight and heave-ho, 9 out of ten times and get up that hill without dabbing your foot once. It's way stiff but not like a "dead" hunk of iron feel; springiness ain't the word but it gives back in response to your efforts-- especially hard ones. Weight distribution is probably a little neutral for intense downhills which is the reason why I slapped on the riser bar. This has helped my confidence quite a bit. (chop the width so it doesn't slow your steering too much) Two years ago I biffed hard enough to put myself in the hospital, the bike cartwheeled like 20 feet and I've given it all sorts of grief since then but it still keeps trucking along. No complaints. I love the ride and the value isn't going to be beat by any company. Give it a chance. I am being honest when I say I think this frame has made me a better rider. Stumpjumpers forever.
Submitted by
Jamie Maclean
a Downhiller
from Douglas, Isle Of Man, UK
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2000
Strengths: Bomb proof frame when bought new. Light. Looks cool.
Weaknesses: Heard about lots of cracks in the chainstay bridge. Cracked the head tube on my second hand one.
Bottom Line:
Even though i cracked the head tube on my secondhand M2 shortly after i bought it, i would still buy a new one, because they look cool, they are stiff, light and my particular one lasted through two years of will longden, (its an Ex team MBUK '98 slalom bike). so when i have finished paying the bike off ill buy a new frame, until then im racing my M2 with two cracks in the head tube with holes drilled at the end of them, cos i love it so much! Bear in mind that the value rating takes into accont high, new price of the frame.
Strengths: -nice and light -realy strong built, noce clean welds, nice gussetting -realy good durable paint -nice ride for aluminum -realy hard to dent -I've crashed it hard and it still looks fine
Weaknesses: -for some rides it's to harsh -My solution a rock shox seatpost
Bottom Line:
good buy no matter what M2 you buy even the M4's are realy nice and it'll last a long time realy well built super strong might seem a little harsh but you can tolerate it if you don't want a heavy suspension seatpost.
So I got my 11' M2 frame and WOW this thing is so much nicer than my '08 frame! Ano rulz!
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alright, I have a question for you guys. I owned a 93 Specialized M2 FS, and found it's geometry to be perfect for a hardtail, but that was years ago, and now that I'm looking for Read More »
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Hi all,
I am looking to replace the Manitou fork that came with my 2000 stumpjumper m2 with a suspension corrected fork.
I have access to a great bike coop that has a lot of u Read More »
