I am late bloomer when it comes to mountain biking (2007 and age 36). Now I am addicted! After having a titanium plate in my face permenantly due to a serious injury when I began, I just can't stop!
I've owned all Specialized products listed above, including 2009 Epic Expert right before selling. I guess I am getting older, so I got rid of the 09 Epic. It was too stiff of a ride. I never got used to it. My life began with 2006 Stumpy FSR Comp. It was such a great starter bike.
Being addicted to this hobby, I found a great seller at Ebay which I paid $2400 including shipping for this 08 Stumpy Pro Carbon (Whatta deal in my opinion). WOW! I am amazed at this bike! It's light, plush, fast, handles great, looks awesome, climbs awesome! It is everything that I have hoped for! Except one thing that I have minor quibble. That Brain fork, I am still tweaking it. I don't know why, but I am having a tough time getting used to it. Okay it is totally stiff when you pedal, but the shock gets active when you hit a bump. But it's got a tiny delay when it gets active on the first bump. I get annoyed with that.
Other than that, it is absolutely a perfect bike!
I could never pay retail for this thing ($5700). It is the best $2400 I ever spent on! (Of course my wife disagrees).
Will someone please post a detailed 2010 Stumpy Pro Carbon review? I wonder how the all new design feels like. Personally I didn't like the design which copied from 09 Epic rear shock location.
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Submitted by
slanard
a Cross Country Rider
from Silicon Vally, CA Date Reviewed: July 31, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Skeggs, Stevens Canyon, Demo
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Purchased At:
Mike's Bikes
Strengths:
Balance, engineering, weight, brakes, shifting, and just about everything else.
Weaknesses:
Suspension (hard to tune out bob given longs ups/downs in NorCal riding). Captain 2Bliss tires are light and fast but highly prone to pinch/thorn flats.
I damn near died several times after moving to Cali. My hardtail Cannondale simply didn't have enough braking power or performance to handle Bay Area descents. Scars look pretty sweet. So, about a year ago, I not-so-grudgingly opted to switch to full suspension. Conveniently Mike's Bikes was hosting a demo day at Steggs.
Rode a number of high end carbon bikes (couldn't resist and with NO intention of buying) and some middle of the road get-ups. Finally, I jumped on the Stumpy Carbon Pro and my riding life changed instantaneously. The price was a healthy $1000++ over target (bought JUST after launch) but I've yet to sense a second of buyer's remorse for dropping the extra dough. Not sure I can say the same about any other >$1000 purchase in my life.
The Stumpy felt (feels) so much better than other bikes I've ridden. There are solid reviews on MTBR detailing technical advantages but for me, the strongest characteristic comes in its overall balance and feel. Flying up, down, around, and over once-nerve racking obstacles, there's this sense of effortless control. I spent some time riding a Carbon Rush and found it twitchy. I couldn't settle in comfortably, especially during longer climbs, regardless of seat or hand position. The Rocky Mountain Element, by contrast, felt sluggish and reactive. Balance was good at low speed but it failed to inspire confidence at pace. Stumpy tracks straight ahead time and again without then reveals its racing underpinnings when carving up single track or flying downhill. Guess I'd rather drive an M3 than a Ferrari by analogy.
Braking is also exceptional (hardtail has mechanical avids). I literally feel twice as fast on this bike b/c I brake so late into corners and lean so far into turns (rear suspension weight helps here since I’m 190lbs).
It took some time to learns the ins and outs of the suspension settings. Pretty sure I'm still on the 'IN' since I do struggle at times w/ bob under hard acceleration. Other MAJOR complaint comes w/ the tires. It's very love/hate. The last year I've had more flats, including multiple on multiple rides, than the previous five years combined. Hiking miles down some jaw dropping terrain b/c 2nd tube's flat and patch won't hold sucks…sucks a lot. Just switched to Kenda Nevegal 2.1s but can’t yet comment on difference vs. stock Captain 2Bliss.
Bottom line, I LOVE this bike. I’m probably only tapping into 50% of its potential meaning there’s nothing but room to grow as a rider. Thus, it’s worth every penny. OH, and I’ve dropped a good 8 pounds permanently since I ride so much more frequently. Technically, the Stumpy Carbon Pro’s a reasonably priced weight loss program when depreciated over time.
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Submitted by
akrs
a Weekend Warrior
from Bay Area, CA Date Reviewed: July 17, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Skeggs - Resolution
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Craigslist
Strengths:
Sick handling, geometry / suspension makes you want to roll over EVERYTHING
Weaknesses:
Abolutely none - this bike has it all
Similar Products Used:
Stumpjumper Expert
Bike Setup:
As it came from the showroom
Bottom Line:
The AFR does what it is supposed without any fuss, the bike is as confidence inspiring as anything I have ridden. Big fun going up or down
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Submitted by
Tregofuzzy
a Cross Country Rider
from British Columbia Date Reviewed: June 18, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Louis Lake Montana
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$3900.00
Purchased At:
Sportsman Kalispell
Strengths:
High quality components, great mix of components, light weight, forgiving to ride.
Weaknesses:
High price, hated the saddle, complicated suspension set up
Similar Products Used:
My first full suspension bike, Last ride was Rocky Mtn Altitude
Bike Setup:
stock except for Kenda Nevegal tires and WTB Rocket V SLT saddle
Bottom Line:
I'm 57 years old have been riding for over 25 years,I never possesed a lot of technical skills but the bike is very forgiving. It compensated for my shortcomings in the skill department. It is definitely the best riding bike I have ever owned. Didn't take a long time for me to feel comfortable riding this bike. Hate dthe saddle could never get used to it, like riding on a board, very happy with the upgrade to the WTB saddle. Still not sure if I have the suspension dialed in right.
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Submitted by
willmouat
a Weekend Warrior
from Berkeley, CA Date Reviewed: April 6, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Montebello
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3300.00
Purchased At:
Mike's Bikes
Bottom Line:
I agonized over which bike to buy and read every review I could find. For a while, before I test rode any bikes, I even considered a Motobecane because of the parts spec for $2000. But man am I glad that I didn’t buy that bike or any other. I’ve learned that there is so much more to buying a FS mountain bike than the parts spec. What looks good on paper doesn’t necessarily correlate to a sweet bike. I demoed a bunch of bikes, including a $5000 Intense and similar Cannondale, and just jumping on this one even for two minutes I realized it’s just better.
So really, my advice is to ride this bike, even if just in the parking lot. I thought the difference was immediate and big. Then I went on some trails and affirmed my initial suspicions. I feel like this bike is just better in almost every way from all the others I’ve tried.
One last thing - they hype up the "brain" shock, which I think is kind of a non-issue. It's a threshold valve, in that you have to have a hit of great enough magnitude to open the suspension. In reality, I don't think this feature is far better than on other bikes. Buy this bike because of the ride and confidence, not because of the brain shock.
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Submitted by
mcbenzo
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO Date Reviewed: October 22, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Hall, Walker, Apex
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
craigslist
Strengths:
the brain front and rear is an incredible shock. The set up takes a little time, but man is it nice. all other components are top of the line. Whether it's geometry or set up or shocks the bike just feels right.
Weaknesses:
not crazy about the captain tires. both brain adjusters could be in a more convenient spot
stock for now, might upgrade the tires next Spring
Bottom Line:
up hill, down hill, small drops, twisty single track it does it all well. The bike makes me more confident, period.
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Submitted by
fernmanus
a Cross Country Rider
from Sandy, UT Date Reviewed: September 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Wasatch Crest
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3700.00
Purchased At:
White Pine Touring
Strengths:
I like the geometry of this bike. It is a little more laid back than a typical xc bike, yet it climbs like a goat. Like the brain once I figured it out, I hate fiddling with lockouts.
Weaknesses:
The front wheel tacoed on my second ride going off a small drop (18"). White Pine took good care of me and the new rebuilt wheel has been bomber.
Similar Products Used:
Cannodale Rush, Gary Fisher Hi-Fi
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
This bike is perfect for Wasatch Front riding, where you have to earn it to burn it. Feels great on the uphills, yet comfy on the down. My bike weighed 25LB with pedals in a large frame, which is a really nice weight for a bike this plush.
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Submitted by
whats-his-name
a Cross Country Rider
from England Date Reviewed: July 27, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$5000.00
Purchased At:
UK
Strengths:
Everything so far. I have a large frame version and am 6 foot - feels natural to ride. Took a little time to get used to all the available adjustments one can make to the forks (low, medium, high; soft, hard) and rear suspension but when set up right it rides exceptionally well! Full confidence in speedy descents and takes foot high 'steps' at speed (i.e., 35-40 mph) without me thinking twice about. Ascents are no problem either with forks adjusted. Only fell off once when bike dug into patch of really soft sand (but what bike doesn't I guess!).
Weaknesses:
Line leading from rear shock to the brain fade prone to rubbing by rear wheel. The line eventually went on mine but whole unit was replaced under warranty. I made sure that the line of the new unit was nowhere near the wheel by using another tie and I readjusted the position (angle) of the brain fade itself to give me more line to play with. Works so far.
Bike Setup:
Standard. I added Specialized nylon bar-ends and work perfectly for climbing, and rear suspension 'mudguard'. Will opt for some detachable front and rear mudguards at some stage.
Bottom Line:
Excellent ride and handling. Get one if you can afford it, and if you do, watch out for that rear tyre rubbing the hydraulic line of the rear suspension.
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Submitted by
Dirt Dog
a Cross Country Rider
from Carefree, USA Date Reviewed: March 3, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Dirt
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
The Fox Talas RLC fork and the Brain rear shock make for a great stable platform ride - pedaling is smooth and efficient on uphills and the suspension soaks up all the bumpy stuff. This bike climbs as fast as my old Titus Racer-X but has 40mm more travel and blows it away on the downhills. Handling is crisp and sure. Awesome bike for long distance rides and races.
Weaknesses:
After 100 miles or so, the chain skipped on the rear cogs when the rear wheel hit a med.-large sized bump while I was pedaling. Replaced the SRAM chain with Shimano and cured the problem.
Similar Products Used:
Titus Racer-X
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Light, fast, great handling, comfortable. Expensive, but worth it.
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Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Covina Date Reviewed: November 19, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Incycle
Strengths:
Everything about this bike is great! It has all the parts that I would pick when making a custom bike. It does everything right from the way it handles great at high speeds, automatically corrects for front tire slides when blasting through turns, as well as being a great climber. I like it plush, so I have the brain fully dialed down, but with the awesome "horst link" design suspension, it doesn't need a pro-pedal platform. For a plush setup, I recommend running the air pressure down in the shock and fork so that you get close to full travel on every ride. Put a zip tie on the fork to measure fork travel.
Weaknesses:
The tires both had sidewall slits from rocks after a few rides.
Similar Products Used:
I've been riding since 1994, so I've ridden all kinds of bikes. This is the best all around bike I have ever ridden!
Bike Setup:
I like the WTB saddle comfort, so I swapped on my old WTB saddle after one ride. I go for long uphill rides, so went with bar-ends to get multiple hand positions and allow myselt to stretch out more.
Bottom Line:
This is the best all around bike I have ever ridden. It does everything right, with parts that are going to last a long time! I like things light, but the XT cogs will last longer that the XTR cogs that I went through on my last bike. By the way, Specialized warranties the frame for life. Also, after reading about the newly redesigned 2008 Stumpjumper Carbon, I am glad that I have a 2007!
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Submitted by
Robert Monchamp
a Weekend Warrior
from Ann Arbor, MI Date Reviewed: October 28, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Pontiac Lake
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3300.00
Strengths:
Fast, Lightweight, Great Components, Did I mention fast?
Weaknesses:
Limited seat post adjustment due to frame design (but to be honest, it is good enough)
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Prophet
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
I feel like I got a lot of bike for the money. I knew what I wanted to spend and nothing else touched this bike. It is really a great trail bike with sweet components and a comfortable frame. It's perfect for the area I live in. Can't say I've ridden too many full-suspension bikes but can't imagine getting much better than this. I can't stay off of it.
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Submitted by
erik
a
from steamboat springs, CO, USA Date Reviewed: September 18, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
absolutely THE best cross country mountain bike I have ever owned, and I have had some Boutique bikes such as moots smoothie. Rails turns and handles superbly. Incredibly efficient and light.
Weaknesses:
price
Similar Products Used:
moots smoothie
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
buy one on closeout and save! The carbon is worth the stiff chassis. Buy it if you like long rides or if you want to do a cross country rrace. You will be fast on the up and even faster on the down. Handling is razor sharp and lightning quick. The new brain shock work incredibly well, no levers to flip! Just set it and ride.
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Submitted by
Jack
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Fe Date Reviewed: August 25, 2007
Favorite Trail:
huh?
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
New Mexico Bike N Sport
Strengths:
Sweet handling. Spez geometry, tracks uphill and down..goes where ya point. Talus fork drops down nicely for climbing, and, poof, long travel for the descents. Telepathic shifting with XTR. Brain does the thinking as marketed. Marta's are sweet so far.
Weaknesses:
kinda ugly black and red in my opinion, but hey, a pretty woman walking her dog did tell me "nice bike" today.
Similar Products Used:
Huffy Motolite, Elwsorth EvREE1has1
Bike Setup:
Changed out stock as follows: Mavic Crossmax wheels; Full XTR drive train; big maxxis tires. Lust up front and Explorer rear.
Bottom Line:
Ask me again in a few months. I've never used disks before this rig. If I get stranded cuz of a snagged hydraulic line I swear I'll go back to the V brake. But so far I'm happy. This bike is an awesome ascender compared to what I've been riding (an Intense Tracer- several generations old now), and an even better descender (whoah nellie, am I too old for this kinda speed?). Buy it if you have enough equity in your home to take out a second mortgage!
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Submitted by
single and tracking
a Weekend Warrior
from saratoga Date Reviewed: July 23, 2007
Favorite Trail:
all of them on skylines, norcal
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
rigid, light weight, efficient, ride quality, uphills and tight corners (switch back), balance, and control.
Weaknesses:
constantly in the shop, price, in the shop again.
Similar Products Used:
cannondale, gary fisher, trek
Bike Setup:
standard with WTB velociraptor
Bottom Line:
Had to wait a month for the bike to arrive and lots of anticipations. By the 3rd rides, I found the QR springs were rusting and corroding the surroundings; they tried to tell me its normal. The 5th ride, I rolled the bike backward to let other bikers pass and only to found the front derailleur jammed into my rear tire; had to carry the bike back to the car. Blah blah blah...not a happy camper. Riding a carbon is like having sex without a condom; Great feels while you ride, but one bad crash, you're screwed. Big names like Trek and Fisher will give you free life time frame replacement, not Specialized!
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Submitted by
jason
a Weekend Warrior
from uk Date Reviewed: May 23, 2007
Favorite Trail:
peebles
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light, Fast, mile eater, great over both rough and smooth terrain.
Weaknesses:
none
Bottom Line:
After coming from a Marin Wolf-Ridge which is a great bike, this is a monster of a bike, climbs like an ape and goes down fast, excellent poise and balance, very light, fast and nible but soaks up the big drops no problem. Shifter are super quick, brakes super sharp and the brainfade just great, gives you options! Loving every ride! and hate when the trail comes to an end. Says it all really.
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Submitted by
jason
a Weekend Warrior
from uk Date Reviewed: May 23, 2007
Favorite Trail:
peebles
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light, Fast, mile eater, great over both rough and smooth terrain.
Weaknesses:
none
Bottom Line:
After coming from a Marin Wolf-Ridge which is a great bike, this is a monster of a bike, climbs like an ape and goes down fast, excellent poise and balance, very light, fast and nible but soaks up the big drops no problem. Shifter are super quick, brakes super sharp and the brainfade just great, gives you options! Loving every ride! and hate when the trail comes to an end. Says it all really.
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Submitted by
David Pereira
a Cross Country Rider
from Petit Valley, Diego Martin, Trinidad Date Reviewed: February 11, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Chag riverbed
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3800.00
Purchased At:
Sids Bike Shop, New York
Strengths:
Pedals like a hardtail, this bike begs to be pedalled hard and really gets going, and it feels exceptionally lively yet soaks up the rough stuff. Even out of the saddle hill climbing there is no noticeable bob. Downhill over rocks and roots the rear suspension feels a little firm yet like there is more than 4.7 inches of travel. Geometry allows for very quick handling. Tight climbing switchbacks are no problem. Handling on fast single track is exceptional. I have not tried the bike on really fast downhill roads or trails so I can’t comment on the high-speed handling. This is my first time using Sram and so far so good. Very positive shifting although shifters got some getting used to. Coming from an 03 Enduro Pro, with a TALAS 130, the new TALAS seems stiffer yet more subtle over small to medium bumps. I thought the XTR on the 03 Enduro were the greatest, the Magura’s are more powerful and slightly better at modulation. No comments on maintenance yet.
Weaknesses:
The only real negative was on G out the rear tyre would rub (I think) in the oil line running from the rear shock to the brain. I redid the zip tie and pulled the line away from the tyre and that seemed to solve the problem. As I said earlier, the SRAM shifters took some getting used to. This is not really an issue at all.
Similar Products Used:
03 Specialized Enduro Pro
Bike Setup:
Standard. No problem with standard setup. All good.
Bottom Line:
The finish on this bike is exceptional. The new frame with the S shaped down tube looks awesome. And the real beauty is the bike performs as good as or better than it looks. Once again I am blown away by Specialized.
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Submitted by
Randy Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Sandpoint, Id. Date Reviewed: December 22, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Horsebarn
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Purchased At:
Two Wheeler Dealer
Strengths:
The Swiss Knife of mountain bikes. Handles a very wide range of terrain without any obvious weakness. As fast as an Epic plus it rips on all types of tougher trail.
Weaknesses:
Price. I don't really like the rubber that came on it.
Similar Products Used:
Epic
Bike Setup:
Stock with Cane Creek bar ends.
Bottom Line:
An incredible machine. The pinnacle of mountain bike research and design. I set the Specialized AFE shock to be plush for my first ride and still haven't used all of the travel in about 300 miles of riding. Not bad since I weigh 200 lbs. and love high speed downhill riding. The bike flattens very rough terrain allowing much higher speeds than I could handle on my 2000 Epic. When testing the bike I wasn't sure if I could tell the difference between carbon and aluminium, but after putting the carbon to trail I am glad I spent the $700 extra.
$
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