Submitted by
shuysamen
a Cross Country Rider
from Milton, GA USA
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2011
Strengths: Very comfortable and a great fit. Well built. Decent components for the price point compared to other brands. A good solid frame to do upgrades and have a race ready bike.
Weaknesses: Front derailer, proprietary Specialized rear shock size
Bottom Line:
Great bike and the best in the price range with stock components. Climbs well and pretty quick on downhills. A very good value and endless possibilities in upgrades.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale Moto 5, Gary Fisher Marlin
Bike Setup: Stock other than Eason EC70 Carbon seatpost, Forte Pro SLX seat
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Submitted by
jaeastri
a Weekend Warrior
from Lincolnton, NC
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2011
Strengths: Great component spec on the expert. 120mm travel is perfect for the trails I ride in NC. Plush and compliant on the downhills yet gives-up nothing on the climbs.
Weaknesses: Stock Specialized Captain Sport tires have slanted side lugs that cause the tires to slip on roots and wash out in sandy corners. Stock seat feels like you're sitting on a brick after 1 mile. Stock 640mm bars make the frontend a little twitchy but they're a godsend on tight singletrack trails.
Bottom Line:
For the money, you can't beat this bike. MSRP was around $1900, but the shop let it go for $1400. With the component spec it would have been a good deal @ $1900 but it was a steal at $1400. Juicy 4 (Juicy 3/5 hybrid manufactured by Avid for Specialized) brakes w/ 185mm rotors have more than enough stopping power. The Rockshox Recon 335 SL might be the low end solo air version w/ the turnkey damper, but it's been great so far. Set-up is simple & the ride is very plush. The X-Fusion 02RC shock is a little more finicky to set-up. Don't be afraid to experiment outside the recommended settings to find you're ideal set-up. I have mine dialed now and have no complaints. It doesn't have any platform / pro-pedal settings, but you really don't need any with this suspension design. Drivetrain is a Shimano Deore / XT mix that is rock solid. I've yet to miss a shift or have the chain jump a ring. All-in-all I am very impressed with this package. You'd be hard pressed to find a bike this great for less than $2000
Bike Setup: Stock so far except for Avenir 200 Series Mountain Seat. contemplating running Captain Sport rear tire in reverse rotation for more aggressive tread profile
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Submitted by
Rinaldo Moon
a Cross Country Rider
from Chino Hills, CA
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2011
Strengths: Suspension, brakes, drivetrain, tires, it's all good.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
Coming from a hardtail, it's hard for me to not like everything about this bike. It climbs well and the low head tube and suspension give me a lot more confidence on the downhills. My old bike made me feel like a skyscraper on wheels. I feel like I can start building my technical skills and when the time comes, upgrade parts if I need to. This bike is more than worth the money.
Bike Setup: Stock. Blew the rest of my money building a 29" singlespeed.
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Submitted by
gardcol
a Weekend Warrior
from Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2011
Strengths: Forks,brakes,frame and looks.
Weaknesses: Slightly clunky when cranking hard uphill.
Bottom Line:
Had a Specialized Rockhopper for over 20yrs with no suspension but started doing some adventure races and harder weekend trails which it could not cope with. This bike is awesome in comparison obviously and the brakes are unbelievable. I love the look of the bike too, mine is Matt black. Have had it for 5months now and ridden it hard with no problems. I nearly bought the Pitch Comp for the extra travel but the FSR has taken everything in it's stride so far and is a better climber. Hammering downhill is incredible fun and it soaks everything up easily. I do find that you need to lock out the rear for hard ascents but it is so easy to do that it's not problem. Love the bike. Good value.
Bike Setup: Standard apart from Tioga flat pedals.
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Submitted by
xalos1
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2010
Strengths: Frame is light, shocks are excellent and the capability to adjust to your weight on a bike for this price is excellent.
Weaknesses: No weaknesses on the bike per say... but the crank tends to make a light cracking noise when peddling hard uphill.
Bottom Line:
I am a pretty big guy, 6' and 220lbs... This bike works great for me, the shocks can hold me on jumps and drops w/out issue, the bike is light enough for me to go uphill and climb. Not to mention that it is pretty sexy looking!
I know there are better bikes out there, but the typical mountain biker looking for a very well rounded bike at a decent price, this is it. Strongly recommend it.
Strengths: Overall Specialized did an awesome job when the put this bike together. You can upgrade. But why would you want to? The parts work so well together. Bike overall is very reliable and a blast to ride....
Weaknesses: Rear tire. Punched a hole in the sidewall on my first ride! That's never happened before....
Bottom Line:
Look forward to hitting the trails with this ride. Overall I'm a big fan of Specialized products. If I could I'd give it more than 5 stars!!!!!
Similar Products Used: None. My first full suspension bike...
Bike Setup: All stock. Added a Specialized wireless computer (a Christmas gift - from you know who you are!)
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Submitted by
mtb416
a Cross Country Rider
from Texas
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2010
Strengths: Decently spec'ed, plush suspension, good value, predictable ride
Weaknesses: X-Fusion shock (performs well when perfectly adjusted), Elixir brakes could have more stopping power
Bottom Line:
This bike is fun, low maintenance (except for X-Fusion shock adjustments), and delivers a balance and predictable ride. It is light for the price and the frame is worthy enough to upgrade. I will probably leave this bike mostly as is, but will likely upgrade to a slightly used Fox shock once I find a good deal on one. Though very plush and capable of locking out, the X-Fusion shock has been somewhat unpredictable. You'll want to have as slow a rebound as possible, but this can sometimes lead to chatter. It also has a tendency to blow through its travel quite easily, though I have only done this a couple times.
That aside, I did feel well balanced on the first ride though, inspiring confidence to lean it over and carve turns. It climbs like a goat, just stay seated and allow the FSR to work. When it loses grip it does so predictably (stock tires are Specialized - The Captain. I was able to easily convert to tubeless with the stock tires and wheels using a standard floor pump). The tires are fast, but are a little thin.
This bike will handle most anything you throw at it, and with good bike-handling skills I find this to be a bike that can exceed itself in certain situations. For the cash-strapped mountain biker it's a solid buy. Once I upgrade to a better shock I assume it will really liven up the chassis. There are sexier bikes out there, but not at the price I payed.
Value rating - 4
Performance rating 3.5 on smooth singletrack, 4 on rougher trails
Submitted by
Ernest
a Cross Country Rider
from Virginia Beach,VA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2010
Strengths: Specialized M4 frame is awesome! Bike feels very stable during riding. It makes you feel safer and more confidant when you are riding the rough terrain.
Elixir 4 breaks stop on dime. And I am 6'1, 180lbs
Bike looks great and it appears intimidating on trails.
RockShox Recon SLite Solo Air 120mm-travel it's very lite and responds great on trails.
Weaknesses: Shimano FC-M521 Cranks, not really impressed with the performance.
Bottom Line:
Impressive bike hands down I would recommend it to everybody with experience in mountain biking.
Bike Setup: Stock, will be replacing the cranks and shifters
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Submitted by
mcgong
a Weekend Warrior
from Orange County, CA
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2010
Strengths: Good Solid Bike, handles wells, climbs well.
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
Great Bike!! I wanted the Pro for the better shocks, but I didn't want a White Bike. The Black and Silver looks pretty clean. The rear wheel bear starting making a noise after the 4th ride. "The Path" was able to swap them out under warranty, but gave me an upgraded set of Stumpy Wheels instead :). The stock suspension is great once you get it tuned in. The rear x-fusion shock is actually not that bad. I swapped it out though just to get pro-pedal (set and forget) as I always forget to unlock the shock when descending.
Overall if you are looking for an all around xc bike, don't want to spend the money for a stumpy, you won't be disappointed in this bike. Its a great bike, with some great components for the price.
Strengths: Well planted balanced bike,agile and very nimble in the turns
Weaknesses: X-Fusion Rear shock
Bottom Line:
I brought this bike as my santa cruz nomad was stolen 2 days before a weekend break at afan in wales and i did not have the money to buy something a bitmore hardcore! i was so shocked at how this bike performed not only did it stomp all over the uphill riding but it seemed to come alive while hitting some pretty scarey downhill. it will take with ease some 5'-6' jumps and even a 14' drop of when all my friends laughed at me and said it would fall apart! i have given this bike far more abuse than it ever should and it just begs for more! by rights this bike should be a pile of scrap at the bottom of my garden by now if you listen to alot of revievs but NO! for strength and balance this bike can do anything a stumpjumper can but i would recomend changin the rear shock to a fox triad 2 or something scimilar GREAT BIKE it has become a friend!!!
Submitted by
SD_Hardball
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2009
Strengths: Good all around bike for a better than average rider like myself. For the price it has pretty good components. The lockouts on the front and rear shocks is pretty handy. I like to ride standing up going up the tough uphills, so locking out is awesome when you want to push it. I found the rear shock more than acceptable.
Weaknesses: I thought the brakes were a little touchy (brakes too hard), so it took me a bit to get used to them. The shifters good be a little better, but good enough for now. The stock seat was a piece of crap. That was the first thing to go.
Bottom Line:
If you want a decent full suspension bike for less than $2000, then this bike is for you.
Similar Products Used: Test drove a number of bikes. The next level up that I thought was better was about $2500.
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Submitted by
E.L.
a Cross Country Rider
from Granada Hills, CA, US
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2009
Strengths: Front shock, weight, brakes. Overall it has done me pretty well so far. Got about 100 miles on it but i see nothing major with it.
Weaknesses: Rear X-Fusion shock is not the best but i can live with it. Brakes make squeaking noise but its not too bad. Hard to find the right shock setting.
Bottom Line:
I am pretty satisfied with it. For the price i am not complaining. I am loving the new shocks. If anyone is wondering about the shocks or the bike its on www.youtube.com/blazian1011
Submitted by
marcocesar
a Weekend Warrior
from Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2009
Strengths: Geometry, solid, light, well balanced, stable at fast speed, fun to ride, rear and front suspension block, FSR rear sistem.
Weaknesses: X-Fusion shock
Bottom Line:
Realy good product, fast bike and turns on a dime in switchbacks, very stable downhill at fast speed, good 120mm travel for XC riders, i stop braking in some areas, comparing to my others bikes during downhill thanks to the excelent control, the wheels are in contact with the ground all time. The only weakness that i found is the X-Fusion shock, looses rebound adjustment during hard conditions. Waiting to change rear shock for Fox Triad II shock.
It is a very good bike for hard trail riders converting to full suspension bike.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale V400 SL, Turbo Seat edition hard trail.
Bike Setup: Stock, size XL, egg beaters pedals, Rock Shox Reccon 335, avid juicy four brakes, 445D DT Swiss rims,
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Submitted by
Bill H
a Weekend Warrior
from Durham, NC, US
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2009
Strengths: Good overall value. Very stable downhill. Tough overall. Can handle most any trail ride. The brakes are great and and the tires roll fast. XT Shadow derailer is really good. Bike shifts well and requires little adjustment.
Weaknesses: Still can't get used to strange handlebar bend. Spokes are brittle. Lockout on Recon fork broke and turns out was probably cause of being too stiff from beginning which I was told to replace spring with softer one. Neither front or rear suspension keeps the tires from bouncing around without setting them too soft and getting alot of bob. Traction of stock tires is mediocre.
Bottom Line:
A good bike for the money I paid. I bought a test bike with a $400 discount. If not for that difference I would have bought the Rush or Trance. Kind of wish I had looked harder for a discount on on of them since the FOX suspension is worth the difference. The X-Fusion shock is just not very good, and like the shock I just can't get the compliance from the Recon fork. I definitely think there are better budget shocks available. If they just gave you a standard Fox Float.
Strengths: Sturdy Frame, Rock Shox Recon SL fork, Deore XT derailleur, Lockout front and rear, 2-way release shifters
Weaknesses: Platform side of pedals
Bottom Line:
Great bike with pretty good handling. The stock '08 Shimano SPD M505 pedals are pretty much useless unless you use clip-less shoes, i don't suggest using the platform side for very long for it starts to creak after a day or two of constant riding. I have a few small jumps(1'-2' tall) and the bike hasn't had a problem with them yet. If you plan on buying a specialized bike I suggest you go to a BGFIT certified dealership for the best fit. The index finger shifter on this bike can be pushed either way meaning the shifters can be used as standard shifters or thumb shifters. THIS IS A XC ENTRY LEVEL RACEBIKE, NOT A DH BIKE!
Good Luck
