Submitted by
Lydell Aaron
a Cross Country Rider
from San Luis Obispo, CA, United States
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2004
Strengths: Paint job: This bike boasts a sexy paint job and a good looking geometry.
Fork: The FOX RL80 Fork with lockout puts with bike in a category of higher-end bikes.
Weight: My bike weighed in at about 24-lbs -- an extremely lightweight bike.
Weaknesses: Bottom bracket: Although I used this bike primarily as an urban commuter, I took it out to many trails. Intense riding loosened the bottom bracket, which resulted in creaking sounds. The problem was temporarily solved after some lubricating and tightening of the bottom bracket.
Frame Crack: The frame, according to some, had a tendency to crack. My frame, 2-years later, was one of these few. Specialized replaced it at no charge.
Tyres: The tyre tread, although very fast, is not very well suited for loose dirt trails.
Bottom Line:
I am writing this review 2 years after my bicycle purchase after the frame cracked (and was replaced).
I would buy this bike over, and over, and over again. The frame finally showed signs of fracture which creeped near the chainstay 2-years after my purchase. I was happy that I would get a replacement frame from Specialized (2004 Stumpjumper Pro frame in black) but I was upset that I wouldn't have the paint-job that made me fall in love with the bike in the first place. Being an urban rider, I would use the front fork, FOX RL80's, lockout mechanism during many of my rides. The lockout and the beautiful looking bike were my two highest reasons for going with this bike.
This is a great bike for the money: it is lightweight, has an awesome front fork. I would like to say that the bike is fast but that would be false. However, I can say that I got going pretty fast on the bike. The tires that came with the bike had a tread pattern that allowed very fast speeds on single track rides.
Similar Products Used: 199X? Specialized Stumpjumper with A1 alloy.
Bike Setup: Factory setup: Avid SD5 Brakes, LX shifters and front derailleur, XTR rear derailleur, Mavic 225 (OEM) rims, Deore Rear Hub, Specialized front Hub, Strongarm Cranks.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Hamo
a Cross Country Rider
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2004
Strengths: Fox Forks at the price range make this an extremely attractive package (£999 - I'm not sure of exact exchange rate at the moment but it was in a sale all the same) lightweight solid frame, very impressed with easy geometry and space through which to move, together with sharp handling, helped by the forks. like the XTR rear mech, rest of components handle the job well, can see that most of the money went toward the forks... :)
Weaknesses: tires; designed for little more than dry hard packed trails. Forks developed problem within 2 weeks and were returned for repair. now 2 months later they're leaking oil...unsatisfactory performance in my view. XTR rear mech (also attractive at this price range) appears to be showing signs of wear already. LX front mech will be replaced fairly soon I think to compliment xtr rear...
Bottom Line:
Very impressed. Would be completely satisfied if only for the loss in performance of the forks...hence only 4 chilli total.
Similar Products Used: Marin Eldridge grade (99 model) with full LX groupset and Manitou SX fork upgrade. lovely steel bike.
Bike Setup: as new...with Panaracer XC Fire Pros on (lovely English mud!!!) and a speedo on to keep track of things to see how far I wander from home.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Carleton Place, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2003
Strengths: Light, stiff yet comfortable frame. Awesome Fox Float RL fork. XTR derailler, strong Avid brakes. Love the black/gray/orange colour scheme.
Weaknesses: Should have XT front derailler and shifters. Tires are only good for light off-roading. Shimano pedals are a bit tough to release from.
Bottom Line:
I am really enjoying this bike - huge upgrade from my old Schwinn with it's Rock Shock Indy C fork and STX RC group. The Stumpjumper is noticebly lighter, equally stiff, yet rides better in the bumps. Very smooth. I bought a leftover 2002 model, as there wasn't significant upgrades for 2003, and I saved a few hundred $. Was considering the Stumpjumper with disc brakes, but the Avid 5r's work wonderfully. Others have complained about the seat, but it's not that bad, this coming from someone who spends equal time on a Selle Italia (road bike). Future upgrades may include XT front derailler and shifters, alloy inner chainring, and of course better tires. My use includes fire trails, single track, and the paved roads getting there, for which this hard tail works great.
Submitted by
Johny
a Cross Country Rider
from New-Brnswick, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2003
Strengths: Disc brakes(mine came with Shimano discs) Gearing shifst very well Climbs very well
Weaknesses: Fork, mine came with Dukes XC (they bottom off curbs) Frames scratches very easily (beware of cables on frame) Tires suck, like road tires!!! (changed them to Specialized Team)
Bottom Line:
Very good bike for the money. Makes you faster on the first ride! I can now keep up with friends who blew me way on my other bike. Good racer, I went from 10th to 2nd place in local races.
Bike Setup: Shimano 525 hydrolic Discs, Xtr, LX, RS Duke XC, Mavic 223 wheels
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
JEFFREY DUDLEY
a Cross Country Rider
from CLINTON HILLS
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2003
Strengths: LIGHT WEIGHT, EXCELLENT MACHINE FOR XC RIDING OR RACING.
Weaknesses: I LIKE THE FORK, BUT HEAVY. THE COLOR COULD HAVE BEEN SOLID YELLOW. THE SHIFTER SHOULD BE XT(NOT LX), THE SEAT COULD BE BETTER, AND SOFTER GRIPS.
Bottom Line:
I LOVE THE BIKE, AND FIND IT HARD TO GET MY 36Y OLD BUTT OFF IT. I LIKED THE MERLIN BUT FELL THE M4 COMP IS GREAT. I HAVE EVEN COME TO LIKE THE COLOR. THE IBIS ROSE PALM WERE A LUCKY FIND WHEN I PURCHSED THIS AWESOME MACHINE WHICH MAKES THIS A VERY SPECIAL BIKE INDEED.
Similar Products Used: SPECIALIZED M2PRO,MERLIN,KONA, AND MY FUJI SUNDANCE(1990 MODEL), YETI(SECOND CHOICE).
Bike Setup: STANDARD WITH THIS EXCEPTIONS:TIME CARBON,SELLE FLITE,XTR 952 CRANK(46,36,24),XT SHIFTER,XT DER. FRONT,IBIS ROSEPALM BARENDS(AWESOME).AVOCET COMPUTER,RACE FACE GOOD/EVIL(RED),PANRACER XC(YELLO),BAG,PUMP,&TUBE.
Strengths: Light! Good Components. The frame is the bomb! Plus the Fox Shox on the front is better than any shock I've ridden! The front tire stays in contact with the ground better than I thought possible. The bike comes with a lot of added features and solid components for the price. The bike is so blasted fast, it really hooks up and goes.
Weaknesses: I'm kind of surprised that it has an XTR rear deraler and an LX front. Seems strange. I'd rather have XT front and rear. The handlebar puts my wrists at a funny angle. I wish it had a riser bar. The paint is gorgeous but brittle. I wasn't crazy about the SD5R V-brakes so I promply upgraded to Avid Mechanical disks and upgraded wheels. The tires are great on hardpack, slickrock or pavement, really fast, but will churn badly when climbing terra-looseA. I was a little disspointed with the seat, kinda hurts my tooshie.
Bottom Line:
I wish the bike would have came stock with the Avid mechanical disks. What a massive improvement over the V-brakes. Much quieter too! The frame is incredible, it really puts the power down and makes the bike really fast. This is a much more confidence ispriring bike than my Zaskar and the Fox on the front is better than anything I could have imagined for a bike in this price range. Beyond the weak V-brakes the bike doesn't need much. Seems ready to race. It struck me as an amazing value! With this bike you really do get a lot for your money. Besides its way-fun to charge past the full-suspension guys on the uphill and keep up with them on the down. Great bike. Awesome Value. Needs better brakes.
Submitted by
Bill Walmsley
a Weekend Warrior
from Southbridge, MA
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2003
Strengths: everything you've read about this bike's climbing ability is true! this is a light-weight agile ride.
Weaknesses: stock tires have to go. they may work on hardpack, in a dry climate, but they're no good in New England. heavier folks may want to check into new rims as well.
Bottom Line:
this is a great bike. it was the bike I wanted when I got the rockhopper. although, in retrospect, I don't know that I'd appreciate it as much as I do. initially I was also skeptical about the flat bar, but the geometry makes sense.
Similar Products Used: traded up my '00 rockhopper pro
Bike Setup: stock, except tires Panaracer XC Fire Pros (yeah I was a geek and got the yellow sidewalls...)
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Submitted by
ignacio Moreno
a Cross Country Rider
from Caracas, Venezuela
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2002
Strengths: M4 Frame!, XTR Del. , Fork, Amazing Price/value setup!
Weaknesses: Mavic 221 W E A K Wheels!!.
Bottom Line:
This bike was made for those cross country riders who don´t care to feel lonely, because other bikers will be allways behind!;)
This is an excellent way to convert $1500 on pure climbing capacity, .......Don´t forget to include in your budget a wheel reaplacement for the mavic 221 !
Bike Setup: Hutchinson Pyton Air Light, XTR V-Brakes, Egg Beater pedals, added
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Submitted by
wonsang yoo
a Cross Country Rider
from seoul,korea
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2002
Strengths: fox shock
Weaknesses: rear hub
Bottom Line:
fox shock is so great. frame is so light. it is so great to ride. but rear hub(i think this is simano lx hub) is poor this rear hub need to be upgread. and shift lever(lx) also...
Similar Products Used: trek 8000, scott team racing
Bike Setup: .
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Submitted by
JJ
a Cross Country Rider
from Hastings, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002
Strengths: Pretty much everything, fox shock is awesome, seat is great
Weaknesses: Tires, work ok on hardpack/road anything loose forget going anywhere.
Bottom Line:
A great bike to move up to, handles like it is on rails. I couldn't believe how fast it is, acceleration and top speed. The XTR rear is so nice. The fox forx is great easy to adjust on the fly and soaks up all the bumps you can throw at them. If xc is your riding this is a great bike to have, as soon as the tires wear out I'll replace with something better. Seems like a lot of cash but you do get what you pay for
Similar Products Used: all hardtails and FS under 1500 bucks
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
Stretch
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2002
Strengths: Light and stiff. Awesome climber; speedy on the downhills. Fox fork, once you have it dialed in, is terrific.
Weaknesses: Even the XL size is too small for those over 6'6" -- I needed a new seatpost and a high-rise stem before it felt like the $1,500 bike it is. Change out the stock tires as soon as you get home.
Bottom Line:
I researched a long time before buying this bike. Six months and many miles later, my initial impression still stands: this is the best (hard-tail) bike available for under $2,000. Until I'm rich enough to buy a custom-sized cycle, I'm hanging on to this one!
Submitted by
Chris Cochran
a Cross Country Rider
from Auburn, CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2002
Strengths: Value, Lightweight, Handling, Acceleration, Plush Fox Fork.
Weaknesses: Stock seat is a rock.
Bottom Line:
You can't get a better cross country bike for the money. The M4 frame kicks ass. It climbs like a goat and accelerates like a Ferrari. I used to ride an FSR w/5" travel front and back. I got sick of chuging up hills on a 30lb beast. 24lbs is so nice. Full suspension is over-rated unless you want to jump off loading docks all day. Anyone can ride a bike fast downhill, its the uphills that count. This bike is fantastic with a good saddle. It gets 5 chilis because it is such an awesome bike. The fact that its only 1300 is icing on the cake.
Similar Products Used: GT Karakoram, Stumpjumper M3, GT Avalanche, and Specialized FSR.
Bike Setup: Specialized/LX mix w/XTR rear derailleur.
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Submitted by
Jack
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2002
Strengths: New Fox Float fork is plush and sweet. The bike climbs really well and always holds its line on descents. XTR rear shifts smooth as butter. Avid Brakes will stop on a dime.
Weaknesses: can't find one.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for all cross country riding. It's a great upgrade bike, maybe not so much for the fresh beginner. The bike is a joy to climb with. I love the straight handlebar over riser bars(too wide). The 80mm of travel in the new Fox Fork is the smoothest around. The bike serves up a lot of bang for the $buck$.(even at full retail price) Componentry isn't too shabby, especially the XTR rear... Sweet paint job too.
Submitted by
Brad Glass
a Weekend Warrior
from Baltimore, MD USA
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2002
Strengths: climbs great, very swift and agile, light, components are high quality, fox forx
Weaknesses: straight handlebar(would have preferred a riser), tires
Bottom Line:
I am amazed each time I hit the trail at the swiftness and agility of this bike. The XTR rear derailler allows for quick, efficient shifting when approaching steep climbs or dashing down a hillside. The tires are better for a hybrid-type of bike and could use some larger treds for grip on off-road congitions. This bike is great for anyone who has just started to mountain bike on a regular basis and is looking for a high-quality bike to start with and build upon as time passes. The cost is pretty high, but the fox forx RL shock and the overall component quility will save you money in the long run on replacing parts.
