Strengths: Great starter bike for the price I paid. I loved the brakes and handle bars. Specialized's life time frame replacement policy
Weaknesses: Frame cracked at rear upper shock mount on both sides. I hit a three foot drop a few times and then after that I noticed my frame cracked. I rode it home and got a new bike two weeks later for free!
Bottom Line:
Well it was a great bike for the six months I rode it. The rear hub siezed but it was an easy fix for me because I changed it myself. It was awsome for XC but felt a little weak for dirt jumping and light downhill. I also loved the way this bike fit me. I'm 6'2 and weigh 225lbs and this bike just couldn't handle it. I did get a 2008 new FSR XC comp so I'm not complaining. I love Specialized's frame replacement policy! If you break a bike Specialized will fix it or just replace it.
Similar Products Used: WalMart specials, Redline single X Bmx
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
alex franklin
a Downhiller
from el dorado hills, california
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2008
Strengths: great trail and dirt jumping bike! very smooth and can do some moderate downhill. frame is fine, no cracks.
Weaknesses: no hard downhill or you bottom out. the marzocchi fork broke after i hit bottom to hard. also its a little on the heavy side.
Bottom Line:
good bike for intermediate riders looking to go agressive on trails, but not ideal for just about anything else. I love it because thats what i do, and for a full suspension, its pretty cheap. many places to improve.
Bike Setup: manitou nixon front forks, just about everything else is stock
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Kyle
a Downhiller
from Carver, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2004
Strengths: Everything about this bike is great, its light and still can handle big hits here and there. The components bring the bike together.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that this bike is awesome. It takes a beaten and keeps going. It can do anything from cross country to down hill and still get you home in one piece.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Hardrock comp and pro.
Bike Setup: Hayes Hydraulics Disc's front and rear, Marzocchi Bomber Front shock, Tioga Factory DH 2.30 tires, Thomson Cane Creek Head Set, Easton Crabon Fiber monkey lite bars, raceface cranks, Thomson elite seat post, black spire dual slalom chainring, Helix expert rear shock, Shiumano Deore Xt rear derailleur, lizard skin chain stay protector, eastern peddles. Basically set up for downhill.
Weaknesses: Front Fork is way too spongy, cabling is horrible, Chain slips and shifting was rough.
Bottom Line:
I went down a small drop, the front suspension bottomed out and I flipped over the bars and messed up my knee real bad. The brake wire jammed in between the rim and fork. Bottom Line.. Not nearly worth the $2,100cdn they sell for.
Similar Products Used: Kona Dogmatic, Head Silverado, giant
Bike Setup: Fully stock.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2003
Strengths: Takes my weight (230 lbs) and dosent cry about it. I can't seem to bottom the bombers or the fox float r out (fox at 300 psi). Good control on downhill twisties. Tires seem to perform well - no snakebytes yet and good grip for my tastes. Stable on jumps. Brakes enough to throw me over the bars - nice feel to them as well.
Weaknesses: Frame cracked at the same point as everyone elses. Front end way too light on uphills. I need to figure out how to correct this. Crank arm bolts constantly coming loose. Rear fender breaks way to easily. Nut on front quick release axle stripped with normal use. Fabric on seat has somehow worn out or torn on the underside at the front. Paint easily chips from frame. Creaking from headset on heavy uphill climbs (standing up, pumping hard). Front lockout - yeah I went to use it the other day and it locks out jack squat. The shocks still work great otherwise. Ghost shifting as described in other reviews. Type of frame is not good for attaching air pump or water bottle. Front derailer ices up in winter (typical on all bikes). Brake squeal after 5 good rides - won't go away.
Bottom Line:
Despite the frame breaking (new one on the way thanks to a lifetime warranty) and all the little gripes, I have a great time using this bike. It meets my needs and takes my punishment quite well, where other bikes would undoubtedly break apart (and have). Handels fast or twisty downhills quite well, and I was able to dial the suspension in to my weight and riding style with relative ease. Soaks up bumps, especially at speed and provides a confident and stable high speed run even on rough and uneven terrain. Stops on a dime. Lifetime frame warranty is appealing for someone who tends to destroy equipment. I hope this company dosent go under for a long long time!
Purchased At: Canadian $ at Dukes (bike show deal)
Bike Setup: Chopped all the indexing off the bars (i like to fit between trees). Swapped clipless for regular old pedals (more my taste). Gave up large front ring for bash ring (nice ground clearance now).
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Jon Coppetti
a Downhiller
from Olympia
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2003
Strengths: Great Bike, Best suspension, only fully active design on the market, No brake Jack, no pedal feedback
Weaknesses: Needs straight housing, 02 model had some warranty issues I'd like to see an asymetrical rear end on this design
Bottom Line:
This bike is not crap, the 02 frames had some warranty issues and specialized sent all the dealers replacement parts for this year and model. If yours breaks it is on the dealer who sold you the bike, they need to do their job and fix the problem. Secondly, ANY bike can and will break if stressed enough, YOU need to learn to ride smoother. The Fox air shock had some problems with SOME of the 02 models, once again the problem was addressed.
We've sold quite a few of these bikes and have had little complaints and all warranty issues were addressed.
Specialized puts out one hell of a bike for the $$$ All bikes have little quirks, and this is normal. As far as a chain derailing, this is common on FS designs, especially ones with 5" of travel, if this happens, get OFF of the bike and remount the chain before you cause a problem that the bike shop won't fix for free. Thank You
Similar Products Used: Big HIt DH, Epic, SC Bullit, all specialized models
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
tim
a Cross Country Rider
from moorpark,ca.
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2003
Weaknesses: a bit heavy, to much in house componets, oem rims are way to heavy oem bomber frok sucks
Bottom Line:
.i bought this enduro because i have had many spec. bikes in the past.but this is crap.... had bike for 3 months and broke the fraame above rear upper shock mount,on the weld. returned to supergo, 3 weeks lter recived replacement,had to wait because all spec. rep at trade show.......i was pissed.... after 6 months broke second frame at same location. once again returned to supergo and got frame replaced. this time the spec.rep. got me an 03' s-works enduro as replacement, m5 alum. is much stronger at welds. so the bottom line is if you are over 200lbs dont buy this bike,unless you throw down $3500 buck for the s-works.the only reason i still have this bike.............no insults to supergo they took care of me..........great shop
Strengths: Super smooth suspension, good brakes, excellent handling. All round good fun for a big boy (200lbs plus). Really really fast downhill and loves the rock gardens. If you know "babies heads" on Mendip then just think FAST....
Weaknesses: Prone to wear, 3 chains, new chainrings, new cassette and endless brake pads, routing of cables gives a bit of ghost changing, might just be Mendip of course. Also wore out bushes on rear shox, easy to change, Thanks MOJO! needs a lock out on the rear shock so buy the pro or whatever
Bottom Line:
Fanbloodytastic bike, My size 47's have rubbed the paint off the swinging arm as I've used it so much
Similar Products Used: This is my first full bouncer
Bike Setup: Changed tyres to Conti Vertical Pros, changed chain rings to Raceface, in the summer dry I used Panaracer Trail blasters, they are fast tyres!
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Sanford, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2003
Strengths: It does what it advertises. It is a great all around bike, jack of all trades but master of none.
I have had more fun riding since I got this bike, and the weight is not even noticed. I can ride all day and still feel alive.
Weaknesses: Cheapo Specialized components!!!! Also, I have had it for about 7 weeks and the rear shock is going into the shop for a second time.
Bottom Line:
It is a great bike if you want a do-everything bike and don't have $3k to lay down. If I had the money, I would have looked at a Santa Cruz, a Titus or any number of other bikes, but I was able to get a great bike within my budget.
I can upgrade components as soon as I break them. (Outer chainring missing two teeth 3 miles into my ride!!!!)
So far I have had several little problems, the shock did not hold air when I bought it, RockShox warranteed it and it works, now there is some play on the shock bushings, so it is going back into the shop. Hopefully they will take good care of that too.
Not only did I break teeth on the big ring, but the rivets holding the cranks were poorly machined, and caused a lot of problems with Chain Suck. My lbs fixed it, but it would have been a lot better if it just came with RaceFace or something.
Well, enough complaining, I otherwise love the bike. THe ride is great, and I can go up and down places that I could not do on my HT. When I go back to my HT I find I am a better rider too.
Bottom line: I wish Specialized paid more attn. to the details, but for the price it is a great deal. I'm happy (so far).
Purchased At: Franklin Street Cycles, Chapel Hill, NC
Similar Products Used: none, really
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, Florida
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2002
Strengths: Versatility and "Fun Factor!" I like the Shiamao Deore Hydro Disc brakes-strong and reliable though a bit heavy. I really enjoy the ride of the Marzocchi MXC fork with ECC- it's a little stiff at very low speeds, but pick up the pace and it feels like butter.
Weaknesses: Frame weakness and some low-buck component spec. I don't like the Specialized Stong Arm II crankset-weak/flexy and imprecise shifting, it will be replaced soon with some 2003 XTs or RaceFace ISIS Turbine LPs. Look at my 6/6/02 review for more details on other weaknesses.
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up to my review on 6/6/02.
I have more disappointments to report. I report these things as a heads-up. Watch for them when you inspect your bike, which I would do often.
The 2002 warranty replacement frame, after my original 2002 frame cracked at the top rear shock mount, cracked at the weld joining the seat-tube (where the seatpost is inserted) to the monocoque. This time it took THREE WEEKS before I got my replacement 2003 Pro frame from Specialized because most of the staff was at Interbike and they were also waiting on the 03 frames to arrive. The 2003 Pro frame is a boring white color but has more attactive decals in my opinion. At least they were kind enough to offer the 2003 Pro as the warranty frame. All my 2002 Comp parts were swapped to the new Pro frame at no cost to me by my dealer, but I hated the down time. Then about a month ago the Fox Float rear shock blew it's air seal and would not hold more than 110psi during a ride. Fox sent me a retrofit seal at no cost and assured me I could install it myself. Either I'm stupid or this Float Itch Switch shock is weird but I was not successful at doing it myself and had to have the new seal installed at the bike shop. More down time and expense for me.
I still enjoy riding this bike even though I have had some major problems. Specialized was very helpful and accommodating, but I wish they would have spent a little more time on research and development and saved me the headaches. I have to knock down the rating from my previous 6/6/02 rating of 4 and 5. It's a fun bike but at a price.
Favorite Trail: Kitchen Sink @ Oleta River State Park
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Purchased At: 1700
Similar Products Used: Cannondale Super V, Kona ManoMano, Kona King Kikapu, Jamis Dakar, Diamondback XLR Race, Schwinn S10
Bike Setup: XTR rear & XT front Der., XTR Shifters, XT 756 disc rear hub handbuilt onto Mavic F219, Thomson Post & Stem, Weyless riser bar, WTB SST saddle, IRC Mythos XC tires, stock Deore Hydro disc brakes.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brad Ford
a Weekend Warrior
from King , NC , USA
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2002
Strengths: VERY WELL BALANCED BIKE,LOOKS AWESOME,TIRE SIZE,DEORE DISCS ARE NICE.
Weaknesses: THE ONLY PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH THE BIKE IS A CRACKED WELD AT THE RIGHT SIDE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT( LIKE SEVERAL OTHERS I'VE READ ABOUT).ALSO THE DECALS ON THE TOP OF FRAME ARE'NT CLEARED,THEY PEEL PRETTY EASY.THEY HANDLED THAT PROBLEM FOR 2003.
Bottom Line:
I'VE RIDDEN MOUNTAIN BIKES FOR EIGHT YEARS.I'VE ALWAYS ADJUSTED TO WHATEVER BIKE I WAS RIDING AT THE TIME AND HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED IT.WELL,I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO AFFORD A NEW BIKE AND THE SPECIALIZED ENDURO WAS IT FROM THE START.THE HEAD,SEAT ANGLES,ETC.WHERE EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.LOOKS WAS SEMI CROSS-COUNTRY/DOWN HILL/TRAILBIKE/PERFECT.THE BIKE IS SWEET ON THE FLAT'S, THE DOWNHILL'S,EVEN THE UPHILL'S.THE BRAKES SEEM TO BE WORKING GREAT WITH HARDLY ANY SQUILLING AND NO FADE.AS FAR AS THE CRACKED FRAME,I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND A WEEK LATER I HAD A NEW 2003 PRO FRAME.IT LOOKS LIKE THE SPECIALIZED HAS RELOCATED THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT TO WHERE THE WELD IS IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION.BOTTOM LINE IS SWEET!
Bike Setup: SETUP IS ALL ORIGINAL EXCEPT FOR THE SEAT AND GRIPS.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Levent Gosterisli
a Weekend Warrior
from Bloomfield, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2002
Strengths: FOX Float with ITCH, disk brakes, frame
Weaknesses: Weight, cable routing
Bottom Line:
I looked for bikes for a long time. I have test riden a lot of bikes and this bike was the one fit me the best. I also had a great deal on the price. At this price range all the bikes pretty much have the same components and the best thing to do is to ride them and find the one that you like the most. I took this bike to some hairy places and got out with no problems. I am 6' 200lbs and the fox float works really well up hills. I took it to some DH action and passed the test. One thing for sure, it makes you a better biker. now go out and ride!!!!!!
Submitted by
Dan Cathcart
a Weekend Warrior
from Edinburgh, Scotland
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2002
Strengths: Riding position, I'm 6'2" and 200lbs. Large frame with a couple of modifications, namely stem and bar, seems to fit well. Oh yeh, flipped the shock link for a more upright agressive riding position, spot on!!.
Weaknesses: Frame quality, I just cracked the weld on the right side just in front of the rear shock.
Gear shifters, Deore on a bike of this price?? Come on Specialized, its one thing to cheap out on the front hub and your own cranks but please buy some good gear from Shimano, they know their stuff.
Road hard for two months in Rockies and ripped a number of tyre treads from the left side of the rear tyre. Another Specialized cheap product!!!
Bottom Line:
Beef the frame up Specialized we are not all 5'5" and 140 lbs. You are about two weeks more development time away from creating a market beating bike. We all know about the Epic but not all of us want it.
Buy your own parts to put on this rig. The frame setup with a good 5" fork, Psylo or Fox RLC, is excellent for a taller rider who rides aggresively. Buy better brakes, the rotors alone on the stock stoppers weigh about a kilo each.
Enjoy the super plush ride over the bumps and wizz past your mates on single pivot designs like Santa Cruz Superlights with only 3" travel.
Rest assured if the likes of GIANT and NORCO have to pay Specialized for the right to use a Horst link four bar design its going to work for you.
Favorite Trail: Wherever the front wheel is pointing
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At: Mountain Magic, Banff, Alberta
Similar Products Used: Trek Fuel 90 and 100, MArin Mt. Vision, Canondale Raven, Gary Fisher Sugar 3+,
Bike Setup: Ditched Bombers straight away, Psylo SL work a treat, swapped bar and stem for Easton combo, higher riser bar works better than Specialized own, also Thompson seatpost with no layback.
Will change tyres soon for winter months, stock boots not up to Scottish mud. Probably use FireXC Pros.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tibor Nagy
a Weekend Warrior
from Torokbalint, Hungary
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2002
Strengths: Frame very stiff, excellent workmanship, rear suspension is very forgiving and the FOX shock with ITCH switch function is excellent. The Marzocchi MXC air fork operates with very low pressures, is stiff, the damping is excellent and ECC is a real asset on climbs, much better than simple lockouts. Stock S-works grips are very good. The Specialised factory red color is a real eye catcher, too.
Weaknesses: Bottle holder and bottle underneath the frame is exposed to all mud coming from front wheel! Marzocchi air forks small bump resolution at low speed is still a fertile ground for improvement, even after 100km break-in. To be fair it is a modestly priced fork as well. Stock 'Strongarm II' cranks seem just ok, but not very strong.
Bottom Line:
Though this is not a cheap bike, however it might be the most reasonable choice for those who want a real enduro today(XC, DH, FR please look elsewhere). The level of performance and riding pleasure you potentially may get is enorm. I simply lack the words to explain. You just feel tempted to ride... This is my best and most respected bike so far.
Similar Products Used: Univega Via Sportiva 2000 -FS trekking (product recalled worldwide due to front fork, worst customer service I faced)
Bike Setup: Mainly stock. Tyres and disc brakes swapped to Schwalbe Jimmy 1.9" (+ XXLight Schlauch) and Magura Martha, respectively. The bike should be now slightly below the 13 kg mark. Handlebar cut down to 63cm, stem replaced to Ritchey Pro (17 degree), because I am 186 cm tall. Casette also changed to XT 11-34. Next year I might try to employ the new Maverick fork but no other mods foreseen.
Strengths: The frame and the ride. Solid component spec. Very versatile. Durable so far.
Weaknesses: Stock fork. Specialized cranks
Bottom Line:
This bike is amazingly versatile right out of the box. In stock trim, I think the stock Marz fork is a major weakness on this bike. It is only 4 inches of non-adjustable travel. A switch to a Psylo or adjustable Manitou really complements the rear shock. I opted to go with a free-ride light/long travel trail bike approach (see bike setup) and it is perfect for my local trails. This is another great example of this bikes versatility. With a few part swaps you can really change the character of the bike.
In addition to being versatile, it is fun. I find this whole trail bike (4 to 5 inches of travel with disc brakes) thing to be great for the typical mountain biker. You can climb without suffering, tear up the downhills, and ride reasonable stunts, drops, etc. This bike is ideal for anyone who considers themselves to be a "mountain biker" (i.e. not an xc racer, not a downhiller, not a Josh Bender)
My bottom line is this: I'm having more fun mountain biking since I bought the Enduro. Great job Specialized.
I have an opportunity to buy a new 08 Enduro comp for $2000, msrp was $3,200 apparently. Otherwise I think I will have to go with a 2010 Stumpjumper FSR comp at close to MSRP. (my Read More »
Looking at getting a new FS MTB after many years (my old bike is a 'dale SV2000). Kinda confused since it seems a bit of overlap between the Spec'd models.
I'd like something Read More »
I have been thinking of buying a 2011 Specialized FSR Stumpjumper. I am curious how big of a hat this bike can wear, I ride a good 60%-70% of the time on xc type of trails. Other t Read More »
I have been thinking of buying a 2011 Specialized FSR Stumpjumper. I am curious how big of a hat this bike can wear, I ride a good 60%-70% of the time on xc type of trails. Other t Read More »
