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Specialized
Stumpjumper M4 Comp
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Submitted by
Lydell Aaron
a Cross Country Rider
from San Luis Obispo, CA, United States
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Shooters at Poly Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Art's SLO Cyclery | | 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. | | 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. | | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hamo
a Cross Country Rider
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | everywhere thats ridable... | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Evans Cycles, London | | 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... | | 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. | | Bottom Line: | Very impressed. Would be completely satisfied if only for the loss in performance of the forks...hence only 4 chilli total. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Carleton Place, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1303.00 | | Purchased At: | Tommy and Lefebvre | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Moab 3. | | Bike Setup: | Stock from Specialized | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Johny
a Cross Country Rider
from New-Brnswick, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | Bunga's (lbs( | | 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)
| | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Shimano 525 hydrolic Discs, Xtr, LX, RS Duke XC, Mavic 223 wheels | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JEFFREY DUDLEY
a Cross Country Rider
from CLINTON HILLS
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | nyc all | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | R CYCLES | | 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. | | 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. | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Zolo
a
from West Jurdan, UT
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Still looking but slickrock is fun | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Small little shop in SLC | | 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.
| | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Cannondale, GT Zaskar
| | Bike Setup: | Fox Forx front, Avid disk brakes, bar ends, water bottle cage, a really small pump and an extra tube. I'm ready to roll!
| | 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.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1032.00 | | Purchased At: | Revolution Cycle | | Strengths: | Nice fork, (Fox Float), light, (nice frame) | | Weaknesses: | THE TIRES! will specialized ever start putting even half decent tires on their bikes? | | Bike Setup: | Stock: Specialized/Avid/LX/XTR mix. | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for your buck, especially if you don't mind hardtails/or if your a hardtail person.
Only 4 "Flamin' Chilis" just because no one/nothing is perfect! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Walmsley
a Weekend Warrior
from Southbridge, MA
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs - Southbridge (Sotar) Bicycle | | 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. | | 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...) | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ignacio Moreno
a Cross Country Rider
from Caracas, Venezuela
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | all my country is a MTB Trail !! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Latin Bike | | Strengths: | M4 Frame!, XTR Del. , Fork, Amazing Price/value setup! | | Weaknesses: | Mavic 221 W E A K Wheels!!. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F700, GT Zascar | | Bike Setup: | Hutchinson Pyton Air Light, XTR V-Brakes, Egg Beater pedals, added | | 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 !
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wonsang yoo
a Cross Country Rider
from seoul,korea
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | downtown shop | | Strengths: | fox shock | | Weaknesses: | rear hub | | Similar Products Used: | trek 8000, scott team racing | | Bike Setup: | . | | 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...
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JJ
a Cross Country Rider
from Hastings, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Memorial Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | On-Track | | Strengths: | Pretty much everything, fox shock is awesome, seat is great | | Weaknesses: | Tires, work ok on hardpack/road anything loose forget going anywhere. | | Similar Products Used: | all hardtails and FS under 1500 bucks | | Bike Setup: | stock | | 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 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stretch
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Santa Ana River | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Mission Cyclery | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Woodlands (anyone remember those?), Specialized Rockhopper, Specialized FSR. | | Bike Setup: | Stock: Specialized/Avid/LX/XTR mix. | | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Cochran
a Cross Country Rider
from Auburn, CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything in Downieville | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Rack | | Strengths: | Value, Lightweight, Handling, Acceleration, Plush Fox Fork. | | Weaknesses: | Stock seat is a rock. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Karakoram, Stumpjumper M3, GT Avalanche, and Specialized FSR. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized/LX mix w/XTR rear derailleur. | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Avalon/Hilton trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | 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. | | Bike Setup: | stock | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Glass
a Weekend Warrior
from Baltimore, MD USA
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Hudson Trail | | Strengths: | climbs great, very swift and agile, light, components are high quality, fox forx | | Weaknesses: | straight handlebar(would have preferred a riser), tires | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Thoms
a Cross Country Rider
from SAFB, TX
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Wich-e-tah | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1470.00 | | Purchased At: | Texoma Cycling Center | | Strengths: | Awsome looks, great spec | | Weaknesses: | Front derailluer cable rubs on frame, wheelset is weak, brakes..need I say more, cranks.....not much else | | Similar Products Used: | Big Sur, Paragon, Trek 8000... | | Bike Setup: | XT drive train, XT Disc/F219, Podium saddle, thompson stem, race face low rise. | | Bottom Line: | Just bought this ride and I slaved out most of the stock parts (parts were still a good spec)for XT, XTR stuff and dropped the wieght a little. Fox fork handles extremely well...I will write again when I hit 100 miles. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lukasz Glinski
a
from Worcester
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Vietnam | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycklealley | | Strengths: | I love the handling, incredibly stiff and precise turning with the fork. The bike goes exactly where you want it too. The shock takes a beating and dampens anything I put it through. As for the frame, its also very stiff and is perfect for sprinting! | | Weaknesses: | I havn't found one, other than the stock wheels it came with. I put on my Mavic Crossrides, and replaced them with wider tires. (yes everything is yellow even the tires, I know its shallow but couldn't resist). | | Bottom Line: | I have not had anything in this price range to compare other than an access frame (supergo aluminum special $199) with a xt/xtr setup, but that was crap compared to this guy. I love the bike and I'm off ridding after work!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Heath
a Weekend Warrior
from Bridge City, TX
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Cameron Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | Sun Country Bicycles | | Strengths: | I love this bike. It shifts perfectly, loves to climb and turn, and can outsprint any bike in its price range. The new Fox Shox front fork absorbs bumps like no other. | | Weaknesses: | It took a week to get this bike functioning correctly. I brought it home and after 5 minutes the chain broke. Then after that was taken care of by the shop, the front derailer was ripped off by the chain when it snapped again. And finally we figured out the bike had come with a bent crank so that was fixed free of charge. Since then my Stumpjumper has felt like the $1,500 bike I payed for. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper - if you can call that similar | | Bike Setup: | Totally stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike, I did a lot of researching in between classes and the Specialized Stumpjumper impressed me far more than any other bike in this price range. If you can settle for the Stumpjumper M4 I would do that, but the Fox Shox are awsome along with the XTR components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wendell Neeley
a Weekend Warrior
from San Antonio, TX
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | OP Schrapnel | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Richardson bike mart | | Strengths: | Excellent bike. I got it with a trade in, so I got 300 off, but you really cant beat the price for what you get. The shock kicks ass, and everything else is good except for the cranks. Very light. I switched out the bar, too, because I like a riser. Highly recommendable if you are on a budget. | | Weaknesses: | Cranks suck monkeys. I don't know if this is really a weakness, but I like SRAM, so........ if you don't like rapid fire, you'll have to switch. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 990. Giant Iguana | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Comp Stumpjumper, Fox Float RL 80, Race Face Next cranks, monkeylite bar, Easton Mg stem (good stem, too expensive) | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for not much cash. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Richeson
a Cross Country Rider
from Kalispell, MT
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | wolf creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Rite | | Strengths: | Fantastic XC bike! Great climber and with the new tweaked frame geometry it has a really nice balance coming down. Takes off on the sprints as well. Out of the box it was 23.5 lbs!! The Fox Forx make this bike as well. I bought this bike instead of the pro because I didn't want to ride on a SID at all. In spite of being such a quick handling bike, the front end isn't twitchy at all, mostly due to the great suspension. | | Weaknesses: | The tires have got to go, they are just about worthless for anything but hard pack on race day. Also, they have made improvements, but as soon as I have the cash, the Specialized cranks are GONE. | | Similar Products Used: | Zaskar LE, Stumpy FSR, Enduro HT, I Drive 3.0. | | Bike Setup: | Avid brakes, LX shifters, XTR R. Der. | | Bottom Line: | Sweet, sweet ride. Light, quick handling, tracks really well and almost perfect geometry. Congrats to specialized for spec'ing the Fox shock up front. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheeler Dealer | | Strengths: | light nimble climber | | Weaknesses: | seat post creaks and squeaks, at least I think that is where the noise is coming from. Stock tires better suited to hard packed surfaces | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Rincon SE, cheap department store mountain bikes | | Bike Setup: | stock, switched out tires and tubes after 1st ride. | | Bottom Line: | This is a light weight bike but it handles my 190lbs quite well. Frame is awesome. Stock set up is good, but the tires need to go. Climbs well, handles precisely, Fast on cross country trails. Don't know about downhill, don't do much of that here in Oklahoma City. If your trail riding abilities have exceed your current bikes capabilities, this is a good bike to move up to. Don't recommend it for people new to the mountain biking or trail riding, its to much bike for a newby. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke Glinski
a Cross Country Rider
from Worcester
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeAlley | | Strengths: | The seat! Man, I like to solution to possible impotence, or penile disfunction! | | Weaknesses: | LX shifters, LX cassette, | | Bottom Line: | I love the bike, sure I've only been out twice but its such a jump from my previous bike: an Access frame (Supergo.com) with more or less similar components (except for the FOX FORK). Just a note: the guy who wrote the review previous to me sounds like a sales guy, plus I don't know what bike he is talking about?!
Well anyway, the fork is beautiful, it muffles even some big hits. So far I believe that the frame is stiff where it needs to be... the drivetrain! While the rest of it has some nice flex smoothes out the ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
denali
a Cross Country Rider
from gardnerville
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Pinenut trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | the Bikesmith,Carson City. NV. | | Strengths: | The bike conveys its energy on the climbs. Its light yet sturdy,and I weigh 190! Brakes work fine. On the downhills its swift and nimble. The Fox shocks are awesome!
A wonderful XC bike. | | Weaknesses: | Need to pay attention when climbing technical
trails may lose your line, because bike is so nimble and light. | | Similar Products Used: | other mountain bikes | | Bottom Line: | If your like me and love to climb then this might be for you
it makes climbing such a joy.On the downhills I'm conservative(41, w/family) but have opened it up to 37mph on
a single track and the bike felt great. I struggled with the hardtail, softtail debate, but Im glad I chose the Comp.
The bike offers enough frame flex, yet I feel I lose nothing on the climbs, that makes for a serious XC bike
experience. and I lived happily ever after.
the end
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris C
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | All of them at Mount Snow Vermont ! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1399.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn | | Strengths: | Stiif and light frame, Fox Fork, good mix of components, climbing ability, sprinting ability, nice paint job. | | Weaknesses: | LX shifters and LX front derailleur | | Similar Products Used: | Rode all of the new 2002 hard tails | | Bike Setup: | Stock execpt had the LBS swap out the shifters and front derailleur | | Bottom Line: | Although I've had this bike for only 3 days, it was the first one I test rode and the one that I purchased after riding about 10 other models in the same price range. I reluctanly sold my old stumpjumper pro which gave me 6 years of incredible riding without any hassles or major incidents.
This new one is incredible, it climbs and sprints better than my old one, and the Fox fork is amazing. I'm a havier rider so the bigger stanchions should have no problem handling me. The fork is PLUSH and whn combined with the M4 frame it makes for a serious XC riding experience. Soecialized must have spent most of their component budget on the fork that's why they put the cheapo LX shifters and front derailleur on there. I had the bike shop upgrade them to XT - got a good deal on them too ! Next to go will be the specialized cranks, but they do feel much better than their older crankset I had on my other bike.
The one thing I felt on the Specialized that I didn't on the other bikes I rode was the efficeint transfer of power from the cranks to the back wheel. The bike has that extra little "snap" when you hammer on it. Other bikes did not and felt kind of flat in comparison. I noticed the same feeling on my Specialized road bike I bought last summer - that's what swayed me away from other Mfrs bikes.
After numerouos test rides and an inaugural ride minutes after picking it up, I can already tell this will be a great XC machine. I'm a picky Mofo when it comes to bikes, but this one was an easy choice.
PS - If you don't have the $$$ for the comp or pro - the regular stumpjumper is a steal at $1099. There is a little more LX on the bike but you get the same frame and a Duke front shock which felt great as well. I was very temped to buy this model and save some cash - but opted for the Comp. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jens
a Cross Country Rider
from Wiesbaden, Germany
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Scherbentrail/Hallgarter Zange | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Citybike Wiesbaden | | Strengths: | Climbing ability, shifting, weight, Fox Fork | | Weaknesses: | Stock tires (Rockster Pro) | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jekyll 700 SX, Gary Fisher Kai Tai | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Stumpjumper M4 Comp stock except LX crankset and Schwalbe Black Shark Light tires. | | Bottom Line: | I have owned this bike for just one week now, but I´m already totally impressed. I was used to my full suspension Jekyll, which is a nice bike. But the Stumpjumper is different: It climbs extremly well. The traction on slippery leafs and rocks is superb in connection with the tires is use. The original Rockster Pro tires are for dry conditions only. The XTR rear derailleur shifts precisely in connection with the LX shifters.
An absolute highlight is the Fox Forx Float 80 RC. The travel can be adjustet from 80 to 100 mm and you can lockout the fork, which is nice to have on long uphills. The fork works very smooth and is solid, so there is no problem mounting disc brakes, which I´m planning to do next spring.
The bike aslo looks great. It is black/grey with some orange. I also have an orange Starbike hydraulic V-brake that I´m going to put on the bike in the near future until I can afford a new wheelset and a nice disk brake. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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