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Specialized
Stumpjumper M4
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Submitted by
mike gray
a Weekend Warrior
from sturgis ms usa
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | tsali nc | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | oxford bike shop | | Strengths: | lightweight climbs like a goat.nice fork fox f90.shifts great just touch x7 shifters and they shift. | | Weaknesses: | flat black paint hard to clean.sram rear derailer seems vulnerable to rocks and roots.grips sux.other than that great fast hardtail.ps avid sd3 brakes fair but not great | | Similar Products Used: | cannoondale f1000and santa cruz superlight both light | | Bike Setup: | stock other than time atac composite pedals | | Bottom Line: | this is a fast bike with great tires and components but I didnt get the brakes I was told I would get when I ordered the bike but they,r ok. if your climbing alot this scooter rocks | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jay
a Cross Country Rider
from montreal
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Light frame, decent stock parts for price paid, good fork | | Weaknesses: | tires aren't great for trails, seat is hard as nails, crankseat is average | | Bike Setup: | stock expect new seat | | Bottom Line: | It is a great bike for the cost, dont expect it to performe like a 5000$ bike and to the person who said it doesn't come with a stand you should just sell your bike r-tard. The frame is excellent and any parts that you don't like can be swaped for better ones. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Caleb Johnson
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Sovereign Trail (Moab) | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheatridge Cyclery | | Strengths: | Light, Fast, great control, nice look. Best bike for the value. And the best hard tail out there if you simply upgrade a few components. Great for cranking up steep hills and accelerating fast. Solid Solid ride. But then again i am a hard tail fan | | Weaknesses: | Specialized crankset is a POS..... it creeks and sounds like it is about to snap and the teeth totally suck. Duke XC are average. Paint chips and frame dents on hard falls. Rims bend easily. The tires are aweful...... they work great on paved roads and that is it. Worst of all, no kickstand..... | | Similar Products Used: | Trek hard tails do not compare | | Bike Setup: | XTR derailers, XT V-brakes, Chris King Hubs, XT shifters,
Will be upgrading to Manitou R7 Elites soon! | | Bottom Line: | The bike comes equipped with decent components considering the price of the bike. If you are like me, you bought this bike for the kickass frame. Wheatridge Cyclery is great about parting out components when you purchase a bike, all you do is pay the difference, so i was able to upgrade to XTR and XT for a few extra hundo. Also, It's light and durable. I weigh over 200 lbs and have literally beaten the sh@t out of this bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Fishel
a Cross Country Rider
from Tallahassee, FL
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Tom Brown/Red Bug | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Great frame. Light. Always feels solid. Tires are smaller than the newer Stumpys, but they're much faster. Just watch out in sand. Replaced the cranks with the '05 XT's and the bike now weighs 24.0 lbs on the dot. | | Weaknesses: | Stock cranks are no good. Upgraded to '05 XT's. Much nicer. | | Similar Products Used: | '98 Schwinn Mesa GSX | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for new cranks. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. Would only replace it with a newer one. However, at this point, maybe not. Too nice of a bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Cross Country Rider
from DeLuz, CA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | Beach City Cycles | | Strengths: | Light, strong, and fast. The frame on this bike is awesome. It gives new meaning to "Direct Drive". Great on the single track and climbs with anything. Very durable, decent components. Great Value. | | Weaknesses: | Shifting can be a bit finicky at times. Stock tires didn't hold up well or offer great traction on the trail. Like others have said, the seat is a bit hard. | | Bike Setup: | Pro-Taper riser bar, Cross-Roc Tubeless wheelset with Panaracer Fire XC Pros | | Bottom Line: | A friend of mine reintroduced me to moutain biking last May and I've been hooked ever since. I bought this bike as a leftover 6 months ago and have put almost 2,000 miles on it. I ride 3-4 days a week on a wide variety of terrain including some some very technical single track trails. This bike has allowed me to progress from a beginner to an upper-intermediate level rider in a short period of time. It's fast, handles great, and eats full-suspension bikes for lunch on the climbs. Most of the people I ride with have spent lots of money building custom bikes and this bike doesn't give up anything to them in terms of performance. It looks really good too! If you're in the market for an all-around XC bike, it's hard to beat. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen
a Racer
from Connecticut
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1050.00 | | Purchased At: | Mystic Cycle Center | | Strengths: | Basically everything. You get stong components, a sweet lightweight frame, an all-around nice bike. | | Weaknesses: | The stock tires sucked. Thats the only complaint i had. I switched them for some Panaracers and haven't had a problem since. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper, another sweet ride but I moved up to the Stumpy. | | Bike Setup: | stock except for the tires, Panaracer Fire XC Pro | | Bottom Line: | This bike is thge bomb. It takes what ever i can dish out. Its quality and light enough to race, it can take some pretty high drops, this bike just flies both uphill and downhill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
REX 1
a Cross Country Rider
from TACOMA, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Dont Know | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles West | | Strengths: | Fast as a Speeding Bullet, Light as a Feather, Climbs like Spider Man. Awesome Paint Job. | | Weaknesses: | Seat is not comfortable. Could not get use to after 2 weeks so I bought the Specialized Pro Gel Saddle which is very nice, just expensive. Tires don't have much traction. Front derailer is only an LX. But definately no complaints. | | Bike Setup: | Basic setup except for Specialized Pro Gel Saddle. Sweet saddle. | | Bottom Line: | The best bike for the money for sure. This bike fly's past many bikes that are twice the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Palazzolo
a Weekend Warrior
from Salt Lake City, Ut
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Don't know yet? | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | 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
J
a Cross Country Rider
from West Chester, PA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | French Creek, Fair Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | The frame and shock combo make this one of the better deals out there. This bike was a great purchase b/c it is very upgradeable. | | Weaknesses: | I am not a big fan of the wheelset, cranks, and headset. They get the job done and work well, but this bike is just asking a better setup. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Tassy, I sold it to get this bike.. and do not have any regret. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 M4 with 517's on LX, 03'Easton Carbon Seatpost, Brontrager Race Lite Cranks, Race Face Evolver BB, XT cassette, lx chain, Egg Beaters, and an S2 Cane Creek Headset. | | Bottom Line: | Great Bike, If you are just getting into racing get it! You should be able to find a good deal on the 02 then spend a little extra on your setup...you will be glad you did.
I give the M4 Frame and Shock an A+ because of the light weight.. everything else is a B.
Late | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kaila
a Weekend Warrior
from Laramie, Wyoming
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Happy Jack/Blair Wallis trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | All Terrain Sports | | Strengths: | I test road top bikes from every brand I could find. I got on the Stumpjumper and fell in love. The frame is hands down the best part of the stumpy m4. Specialized has the top frames around for durability, strength, weight, and paint jobs. It is sooo light. Why haul more up a slope than you have to? I also haven't felt the need for handle grips, because of the already very horizontal angle of the frame. The mix of deraillers, brakes, shock, etc that you get can be improve on, but there absolutely no need to. And, what you see is what you get...they don't hide sucky components like Gary Fisher does. You can spend tons more upgrading to all XTR or buying custom, but unless you're a heavy racer there is not a better bike for the cash. | | Weaknesses: | The reviews of this bike are all guys, and most of them love the seat...but from a chicks perspective, the seat is hard! My butt falls asleep, which is sooo not a good thing. The stumpy also takes a long time to break in. The shifters still need constant tuning. | | Similar Products Used: | GF Big Sur, Homegrown, Trek 8000, GT | | Bike Setup: | Stock (not the chick version), except for new tires (stock are not wonderful, wanted wider and deeper tread) and new seat. XT front derailler coming if the LX ever breaks. I eventually will probably upgrade the brakes too. | | Bottom Line: | I absolutely fall in love with this bike all over again everytime I get on the trails. I would recommend it to anyone, especially to girls who are looking for a solid bike. It flys over over everything and digs in sooo awesome uphill. The angle you sit at really minimizes lost pedal strokes on loose hills. It has held up against a couple awesome crashes. The one bad thing is that if I get really mad at missing some slope, the stumpy is way light enough to toss...guess I'm working on breaking that derailler. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Daigneau
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim, Moab,UT | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop, Calgary, AB | | Strengths: | Light, good value for the $$$, excellent climber, Responsive, great frame geometry and...comfortable!!! A great bike that I have ridden over a variety of trails and trail conditions (mud, dry, wet, snow, etc.). Love the seat. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000, Trek 8500, Rocky Mountain Hammer, Gary Fisher Big Sur, Specialized Rockhopper A1 Comp | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for V-Brake upgrade to XT. Added: computer,'Mr Tuffy's', bar ends and cage.. Bike ready for the trails!!! | | Bottom Line: | Test rode a lot of bikes, checked web reviews and asked friends about their bikes. Loved my old bike...a '97 RockHopper so had a bit of a Specialized bias prior to purchase. Bottom line...This bike just 'felt right' from the first moment I sat on it and offered great value for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rodrigues Enrique
a Weekend Warrior
from Macau
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any but learning some | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Strengths: | light, comfort frame, best design...M4 of course | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Isense Doom Custom(7005 frame, Pilot C, 2003 LX), Isense Colnm race(XT/XTR/2000 SID race/American Classic) | | Bike Setup: | M4 frame, 2003 XTR discs groupset, Mavic X3.1 UST, SID Team with remote lock-out, FSA XC120 stem, Answer carbon bar, Raceface Prodigy seatpost & Da Bomb saddle | | Bottom Line: | I need to do the full-test. I built it on 21st this month | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clayton Briscoe
a Cross Country Rider
from San Clemente, CA. USA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Several around my house | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1099.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo in Laguna Niguel | | Strengths: | Light, Good frame geometry, Good reliability and hardtail predictability | | Weaknesses: | Stock Avid SD3 brakes are weak on long descents, stock tires are not sure-footed in the loose stuff, granny gear (32 teeth) to small for long climbs, Rock Shox Duke does not seem any better than the RS Judy on my '96 Stumpjumper so I had expected a big improvement | | Similar Products Used: | '96 Specialized Stumpjumper M2 FS Comp | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for XT V Brakes (including levers), Rockshox suspension seatpost (my other bike is an FSR Expert so I am spoiled by smooth ride), SRAM 7.0 11-34 tooth cassete, Panaracer Fire Pro XC tires, Specialized bar ends | | Bottom Line: | I love the ride, any hardtail fan of intermediate level or better will benefit from this bike's high level of offroad competance. It weighed 24.5LBS stock. If that weight works for you and your budget is around US$1300 then buy it. I spent $1100 for the bike plus $150 (installed) for the brakes and $45 for the tires. These are the only upgrades I believe are required to get the most out of this bike
For me, I will probably switch out the Duke for a SID and upgrade to Mavic 517s with XT hubs when I thrash the 221s that are on it. These two changes should get the bike back under 25 LBS. Also will upgrade shifters, derailers and crankset at least one grade from Shimano as I have a '96 Gary Fisher Nirvana hybrid (comfort bike) that has, and will continue to, receive all of this bike's upgrades. Hardtails are great in many situations, and this one is as good as any, especially for the price.
If I had it to do all over, I would have bought a Stimpjumper Pro and not needed to upgrade. But then my Nirvana would not be receiving a dose of much needed upgrade components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jordan
a
from san francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Mikes Bikes | | Strengths: | Light. Fast. Great frame geometry. I dig the duke xc. Excellent bike for the $$$.
I saw some complaints, but the tires are fine and I actually love the seat. | | Weaknesses: | The seatpost is mediocre, I plan on switching it for a thomson. Handle bar is too short for bar ends. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except quick release put on for seatpost. The shifters and break levers were way too close to the grips when I got it, so unless you have midget hands, it will be cramped unless you move them in. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is bad-ass. The frame is amazing and the components are quite good for the price. I was considering waiting until the 2003s came out, but I got a good deal at my local bike shop, and I didn't feel like waiting for something that probably wont be much if any better. This bike deserves 5 flamin' dog poops! plop plop plop plop plop... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Phillips
a Cross Country Rider
from Bentonville, AR
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Devils Den Trails and Lake Fayetteville | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1050.00 | | Purchased At: | Lewis and Clark Outfitters | | Strengths: | Frame,components, and it's purdy. | | Weaknesses: | Tires- Nice in terms of rolling resistance. Makes the bike fast.....but not sufficient grip on the loose stuff. No big deal however. It is totally worth the money and the extra to upgrade the rubber. | | Similar Products Used: | Treks, Raleighs, Canondale, Softrides | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for new Michelin tires. | | Bottom Line: | Short and Sweet.....Awesome bike. Go buy one now.
Excellent deal for the money and does everything exceptionally well. Tremendous climber and the energy transfer is magic. Has a lot of charisma.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Weekend Warrior
from New Hampshire, USA
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The easy ones.... | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1049.00 | | Purchased At: | Exeter Cycles | | Strengths: | Excellent all around XC and single track bike, with great componet selection for the price. The stiff, light frame allows for acceleration and easy climbing, and the geometry of the 18" frame fits great in all XC/single track conditions. Great seat too. | | Weaknesses: | The Mavic X221; need constant attention/tightening. I, in fact, do ride like a sissy, and constantly have to re-true them. That shouldn't be the case at 155 pounds. Bottom line SHIMANO chain is rough when shifting. Also, the crankarms needed to be removed from the ring, cleaned, and bolts greased, to stop the creeking. Nice fast tires, but I'm to old to be riding slicks off road. Also, I know they wanna keep the weight down, but how 'bout a Seatpost QuickRelease. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin, and 1985 CrMo Rockhopper with SOFTRIDE suspension stem. Seriously. | | Bike Setup: | Syncros 1.5 riser bar, RITCHEY Omega/Alpha Bite (do they still make them?), and Nashbar Suspension 2 seatpost (hey $12.00) | | Bottom Line: | This is obviously a quality bike. The frame is STIFF, light, and well finished. I'm riding about 30 miles a week, on road to get to the off-road. Off road is mainly technical single track. The brakes have great modulation, the DUKE XC is plush and doesn't flex, and with the power transfer/acceleration, steep hills, rocks, roots, and logs are easily gone over; or around (not with the stock tires however). Specialized has done a excellent job with component selection by putting better componets in the right place; DUKE XC shock, AVID brakes, and XT rear derailleur. (too bad about the rims; think I'll submit a review under Wheelsets.) I've been mountain biking about 15 years, and this bike inspires confidence. I'm willing to take on obsticles and hills I would have walked or crashed on 3 months ago.
If you're paying the rent and buying the food, $1100 is significant. However, for all around XC riding, go the extra few bucks, as this bike represents a great value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Racer
from Colorado Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Upper Skate or Die | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1099.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheatridge | | Strengths: | Super light, Super strong, Stumpjumper name. | | Weaknesses: | Made in Taiwan, Paint sceme isn't as cool as the Pro version. Made by the same company who makes crappy bikes like the Rockhopper and Hardrock. Weak middle gear. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6500 | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now, Sooon to come...Schalwbe Black Shark SX tires, Wipperman Nickle chain, egg beater pedals, Disc Brakes? | | Bottom Line: | The best bike you can buy for the money. I did bend the middle gear after only 30 miles, but hey, that's probably my fault for being a brute while shifting. Got it fixed and tuned it perfectly(you need to do a lot of fine tuning on the derailuers the first 20 miles while everything breaks in) and now it's awesome. The only thing I wish is that they had painted it a little better (white just isn't a cool racing color). And the fact that Specialized makes lower end "Hardrocks" bothers me a little (It hurts the prestige of the Specialized name) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerd De Blieck
a Cross Country Rider
from Temse, Belgium
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere in Belgium | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Aerts action bike | | Strengths: | Awesome Frame!! Climbs like a goat and accelerates like a rocket. Front suspension, Components. | | Weaknesses: | Had a little problem with the largest front chainring. The chain would sometime get stuk when I switched to the middle ring, result: Had to straighten out the front derailleur a couple of times. Switching to another chainring solved the problem.
No other weaknesses found. | | Similar Products Used: | Had a Specialized rockhopper for about 9 years. So why try another brand when you are pleased with this one? | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for the brakes, Just love those Magura HS-33's, and the outer chainring, which I changed to a race face ring. | | Bottom Line: | With this bike you'll get an excellent product for the money. The saddle may be a little bit hard at first but when you ride the bike for a short period you'll get used to it (I did). The stumpjumper invites to ride hard, without losing the confort and that's the way I like it. So when you are in for an awesome bike for a decent price, go for this ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian C.
a Downhiller
from Orem, Utah
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Wadsworth @ hobble creek canyon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Peddler | | Strengths: | ALMOST EVERYTHING | | Weaknesses: | Specialized crank sucks and i have already broken 2 teeth from it. | | Bike Setup: | LX front derailer with XT rear. Duke front shocks. Tioga 2.30 tires. | | Bottom Line: | This bike kicks butt, it climbs hills great and it goes down them even better. Its sooooo light too. This is the best bike for your buck. I would definatly recommend upgrading the tires tho, and getting clipless pedals, but otherwise this bike beats the competition hands down. p.s. If you live in the utah area and know of any cool trails email me - biking@codde.net. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Pelham, AL
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Oak Mt. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1090.00 | | Purchased At: | Bob's Bikes | | Strengths: | Lightweight, stiff, good groupset, climbs like a goat. | | Weaknesses: | Stock seat. Over use of logos (well it is a Specialized) and I'm nitpicking. | | Similar Products Used: | GT, Diamondback, Giant | | Bike Setup: | Thomson stem & post, full XTR drive & brakes, 959 pedals, ct2 carbon bars, King Headset, Selle Italia Flie Ti, Bontrager valliants w/ King Hubs. | | Bottom Line: | This is actually my second review (sorry), but I had to give this bike more praise! I've had it for 6 months now & I can't say enough GREAT things about it. I have put over 500 mi. on it since March & I have to say this bike has opened up a whole new world for me. I have made alot of upgrades but only because I wanted to, not because anything broke. I have a little less than 3 grand in it now and I would gladly put it up against any 5000.00 custom rig out there. If your in the market for a bike do yourself a favor and by one, you won't be dissapointed! 5 Flamin' Chili's all the way! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tony
a Cross Country Rider
from leeds, england
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Strengths: | GREAT FRAME!!!!
climbs and accelerates wicked
light and very agile
can not be beaten for the price | | Weaknesses: | duke fork not quite as nice looking as other forks
frame works best with a sid
| | Similar Products Used: | trek 8500 - no where near as good as this bike
specialized rockhopper - uncomfortable riding position | | Bike Setup: | stock except sid sl | | Bottom Line: | best bike this year for the money
no hardtail in this price range climbs or accelarates as good as this
the frame is a race frame, and will last a lifetime | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen
a Cross Country Rider
from Groton, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Everything | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1050.00 | | Purchased At: | Mystic Cycle Center | | Strengths: | Frame is great. I've never had a smother ride on a hardtail. It is super light and climbs tremendously. The components are also great. | | Weaknesses: | The seat is a little uncomfortable. Also, the tires are a not very good and may need to be change depending on your likeness. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000 | | Bike Setup: | Stock (looking for new tires) | | Bottom Line: | Great value! You're not going to get a better bike for your buck. The bike is quality. One of the smothest riding hardtails out there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nic U
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$880.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn, Houston | | Strengths: | Light ... Massively light ... weighed in at purchase at 24.5 lbs, wherein one of the mechanics had weighed his bike, with all of its over three grand in parts at just over 22lbs. The Frame, for a stock bike, is really unmatched ... Stiff, light, strong, and very fast. Plus, the price drop on the 2002 is insane for this bike ... Specialized is starting to reimburse Shops for 2002 bikes, so get to one now, before the 2003 bikes arrive ... this is as good or better than anything they'll throw at you in 2003. I can easily see riding this bike for a year, and getting just as much as I payed for it if I were to resell ... | | Weaknesses: | The Geometry of the bike may work out to be too aggressive of a riding position for some riders. The top tube is longer, and the stock S-Works Stem is in a very forward position. For someone like me, who is long torso-ed, short legged, this is perfect, but for others, it may be too much. Its not a complaint of mine, but it may be for others. | | Similar Products Used: | I've owned 3 Specialized bikes in the past 5-7 years. I've honestly tried to feel comfortable on other bikes, but I keep coming back. Take it as you will ... | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for I'm keeping my old Ritchey pedals, and I'm changing out the shifters for SRAM Grip Shift. Otherwise, there's nothing I need to change. | | Bottom Line: | With the price drop, there is simply not a better bike out there with this mix of frame (last year's S-works M4 frame, retailed at $1650), and components. The Duke fork is solid, and virtually maintenance free with the strong seals. And the XT Rear is smooth ... After riding bike after bike and honestly giving other brands a shot, it took me all of two turnovers of the pedals to feel right at home on that bike ... it really is amazing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Kemp
a Weekend Warrior
from Shrewsbury, UK
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Everywhere | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1099.00 | | Purchased At: | Dave Mellor Cycles | | Strengths: | This bike is really light and strong. Handles like it's on rails and really easy to control. Plus its super smooth. | | Weaknesses: | Stock Tyres anre a bit crap but will upgrade them soon. Also I want to get a new stem and some slight riser bars | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, GT, Giant, Raleigh and custom made. | | Bike Setup: | Stock at the moment | | Bottom Line: | This bike is wicked. I was undecided on whether or not to go for a hardtail or full sus. However I am glad I choose the hardtail now, much better for freeriding. Besides I can always get a full sus frame at a later date and transfer all of the bits accross. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from winnipeg, manitoba
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Ingolf | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Strengths: | frame, frame, frame. I love the frame; for the price, i could not find a frame as light or with as nice geometry as this one. Seems to climb very easily in spite of my spaghetti legs. looks sweet. i also really like the Duke XC fork. Decent component combination for the price. | | Weaknesses: | seat seemed quite hard at first, but either it broke in or my ass got calloused, because it's fine now. didn't like the straight handlebar. | | Similar Products Used: | Last bike was a Gary Fisher Hookooeekoo. In my quest for a new bike this year, I tried the Rocky Mtn Oxygen (frame geometry too cramped for me), Trek 8000 (i liked this bike, but a little too common), Da Vinci Desperado (nice bike, but a little pricey) | | Bike Setup: | It's the 17inch frame. When i bought the bike, i found it to be too "stretched out", so i upgraded the handlebars to raceface riser (which i trimmed down to size), and the stem to raceface prodigy. Otherwise, everything is stock. I also moved the seat forward. | | Bottom Line: | I rode this bike once and fell in love with it. It looks wicked, is superlight, nimble on singletrack, and climbs well. This bike has taken my mtbing to a new (very enjoyable) level. I now ride 3 or 4 times per week and my stumpjumper continues to amaze me. I shopped around alot and could not find anything else in this price range that even came close in quality. This bicycle is ideal for someone who rides frequently (crosscountry) and wants a solid, light, fun to ride bike. Those who rarely ride should not buy the stumpjumper m4, because that would be a tragic waste of a beautiful bike! I give this bike 5 flamin' turds. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
racer_x
a Racer
from SoCal
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Pisgah, Lompoc, and some others | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1099.00 | | Purchased At: | Jax Cycles | | Strengths: | Frame, frame, frame -- mavic wheelset, avid brakes, clipless 515's, LX to XT drivetrain, duke fork are icing | | Weaknesses: | handlebar's a little wide; seatpost too far back even with saddle full forward. cables routed under downtube (exposed to ride junk) - but not *that* big a deal | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 FSRxc Comp; Sugar 2+, Cove Handjob build-up from frame (nice ride) | | Bike Setup: | stock except for Panaracer XC's front and back; Thomson seatpost 30.9, carbon bar-ends. | | Bottom Line: | The frame on this thing kicks @$$ - geometry transfers 110% power, material nis less harsh than full aluminum.
If I had another grand, I would have gone with a nice Reynolds steel frame HT but the Stumpjumper M4 is a sweet ride all around. I just want to blast through most hills, the bike is so light (23.5 lbs stock) the clipless pedals let me use a little body english to wag the bike in the rough.
As a plus, the components are spec'ed just right -- LX is not as light as XTR but tougher where it counts - I've bashed my XTR drivetrain on my Seven five ways to heck, been in the shop a whole season getting replacements. Mavic 221's need a little truing after 200+ miles over the weekend but I expect that one day out of the shop on a new bike - it'll be time for a custom wheel job in a few months anyway based on my riding tastes.
Do NOT pass this bike up if you're in this price range -- the comp version is a little nicer but you get so much gear for your dollar in the baseline M4, use the extra cash for a nice trip to Moab - I spent mine on a new kayak! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mordred
a Cross Country Rider
from Lost Angels, CA
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bear Hollow, Pomona | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | Super A-go-go | | Strengths: | Light and speedy, workhorse component group. Frame feels less rigid than a full aluminum, that M4 stuff really works. Good entry-level mix for beginning racer, did I mention the M4 geometry was re-done on the 2002's for a better strength-to-weight ratio. | | Weaknesses: | Front derailleur (LX) needed tweaking after the first few rides, Duke XC shock seems to have a leak (won't know until I check with the LBS).
Wish there was a quickrelease on the seat tube; also, rear Mavic 221 wheel is out of true after first ride.
Ride position is a little high, will probably switch the stem out as well as the seapost (too far back, I'd go for a straight-post Thomson) | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000, Cannondale F800, GF Big Sur, Kona Stuff - all 2002 models | | Bike Setup: | Stock Stumpy M4 2002 - but new drivetrain, new cranks and wheels are coming as the cash flow permits. The original sdtuff works god, I'll probably ride 'till it falls off first. | | Bottom Line: | I was itching for an FSR but the weight on the Stumpy had me sold. Tried several other hardtails in this range ($800 to $1300) but the frame on the stump kept my ass in the saddle more without tooth grindage, component group seemed typical across the board so it came down to feel and geometry.
I would have given it up for a Jamis (Dakita XC or the Dakar) but none to be had, the Stump is still a sweet ride. Supergo had a great price - $850 for the 2002 Stump so out went the cash and I've got a new bike to beat on for a while until the FS siren comes calling once more.
Will likely race this thing with a crankset and wheel upgrade - I feel invincible in the saddle. Five smoking wiggies across the board for value and out-and-out spec.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Gatos, California
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Montevina | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | I have an 8 year old StumpJumper that has been great, so for the money I bought a new StumpJumper. I have been very happy with Specialized products. My wife has a StumpJumper also. The frame is great and you get nice equipment for the money. | | Weaknesses: | The seat is to hard | | Similar Products Used: | I looked at many including the StumpJumper Comp, Trek 8000/8500, I also looked at the Santa Cruz Chameleon ( nice frame but pricey, and G. F. Paragon. | | Bike Setup: | All stock | | Bottom Line: | Hard to find a better bike for the money. I love to climb the hills here in Los Gatos and this bike is light and fast. I would recommend this bike to those looking for a total value package. If you ride 3 or 4 times a week and need all the best stuff, by the StumpJumper Pro. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Strengths: | Incredibly light frame that can take a beating no problem. Standard componentry is fantastic except for the pedals, which I switched out (EggBeaters are the way to go). Duke XC fork is more than capable with this frame. Climbs have ceased to be a problem. | | Weaknesses: | Stock crankarms seem a little long for my liking, and the seat takes some getting used to. Quick release not standard on the seat post. Of course, these are minor complaints that are easily remedied. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Y26 (similar only in that it's a bike, the Stumpjumper is a far superior machine) | | Bike Setup: | Stock except aforementioned pedals | | Bottom Line: | Well worth the price. For the quality and capability of this machine, I highly recommend it. The only disappointment it has caused me is that I'm not yet skilled enough to push it as hard as it wants to be!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scooby
a
from Southern California
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | Simply put, this bike is awesome and it continues to amaze me on every outing. The frame is extremely light, components are good, brakes are solid, and the suspension is incredible. With proper setting, the Duke XC fork will eat up any terrain thrown its way. At first, the seat was a bit firm and uncomfortable for my liking, but after making a few adjustments, the seat no longer feels like a rock and is actually quite comfortable – even on long rides. Absolutely gorgeous, this bike is quick, responsive, shifting is smooth and it climbs with ease. Fantastic XC bike – I highly recommend it, and if I could, I would give it SIX Flamin’ Chilis! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Fox
a
from New York City
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | Incredibly light and nimble. Reaches insane speeds on concrete and dirt with relatively little force output from the rider. Duke fork is very responsive. Breaks are super solid when tuned properly. Pedals clip in and out with no problem (people have been complaining about the shimano 515 clipless but they work without a hitch for me, especially with low tension setting) | | Weaknesses: | Seat is a little hard for my liking but im gonna swap it out to a more soft one. Still, this is not enough of a weakness to lower the bikes rating. | | Similar Products Used: | Bootleg Royce Union dual suspension ATB, Trek 8000, Cannondale F600(headshok was a dissapointment) | | Bike Setup: | Stock (proudly so), but im gonna swap out the seat. Front derailleur may be LX, but its performance has been great and i dont see a reason to upgrade to XT till it wears out) | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for XC, nice suspension, nice brakes, nice everything. Nothing ive ridden tops it in this price range. Get it if youre a speed demon who like to hammer the hell out of your bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Enrico
a Cross Country Rider
from Milan, Italy
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Longoni | | Strengths: | Very light, holds well in corners, fantastic brakes, accelerates very fast and climbs like a goat (of course most depends on your legs!)
Look is fantastic. | | Weaknesses: | Pedals, front derailleur. | | Bike Setup: | Stock but pedals (switch to Shimano 959) | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome! It surprises me every time i ride. Very easy to ride, extremely secure when braking.
It does always exactly what you want!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Worne
a Weekend Warrior
from North Hills, CA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1050.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle World | | Strengths: | Super light frame, decent components. This bike wants to scream on hardpacked trails. Climbs like a goat. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing worth noting. | | Similar Products Used: | 1990 Gary Fisher Supercaliber (heavily customized). | | Bike Setup: | Added a Polar heart rate meter and mount for a Garmin Vista GPS. Bike itself is totally stock. | | Bottom Line: | I was looking for a bike to replace my beloved Supercaliber that was totalled in a bike vs. car accident. After sidelined for 3 years I needed a bike to fight my ever-expanding waistline. It was a choice between this or another Gary Fisher. The M4 really was light and as a hardtail, was a great bike for the money. The seat was a bit hard for my liking, but after playing around with the setup, that problem went away. At 240 lbs, I think I am a bit heavy for the stock Duke shocks, but I never was into much other than light XC riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George LaVres
a Racer
from Mesa, Arizona, USA
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | South Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Domenics Cyclery | | Strengths: | The bike is extremely light and durable, it likes to be rode fast and hard. The Duke front suspension really handles the rough sections well. The bike corners very well and climbs like a champ. | | Weaknesses: | The seat was too hard and norrow making long rides uncomfortable. I switched to a Speed v and it works like a dream. The stock pedals were a bit difficult to clip in and out of. Upon my purchase I immediately switched to some Pannaracer Fire tires because the Specialized Rocksters didn't have enough bite to them. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F700, Jamis Dakkar Sport, and the Giant NRS | | Bike Setup: | Speed V seat with the stock seatpost, Pannaracer Fire tires | | Bottom Line: | The bike is extremely fun to ride, it can hold it's own against most any bike. If you want a race quality bike at a medium price tag this is the choice for you. I ride about 4 days a week on a tough trail and this bike continues to amaze me every ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich S.
a Weekend Warrior
from Brooklyn, NY
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Pelham Park Bay | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1090.00 | | Purchased At: | Larry & Jeff's | | Strengths: | really light, great brakes, great shifting, bouncy fun fork, disc brake upgradeable. Buy it! It rocks! | | Weaknesses: | paint job is too flashy for my neighborhood. I would prefer something more minimal. The front break pad slipped out somehow, but the store fixed it. Other than that I can't think of any weaknesses. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Expedition(stolen), Giant Sedona (Stolen), beater 3-speed for going to the bars (not stolen) | | Bike Setup: | stock except for Teammaster SL and Nimbus EX slick tires, mesa handlebars, plastic toeclip pedals, spraypaint job | | Bottom Line: | This thing is nuts-yeah I'm not used to high end bikes, but I know a good ride when I feel it. The frame is unbelievably light. It really accelerates fast. I'm going to put my old thinner smooth tires on it and i anticipate it being even faster.Trails are hard to find around here, but it's fun to ride on the street and makes pudding out of pot holes and curbs. i really like slamming on the brakes to avoid hitting a braking taxi and feeling the fork give to the sudden weight. I bought it for two main reasons: 1) because it has a great frame and i always like to tweak a bike to my liking, and upgrades will certainly be worth it in years to come, although the stock components are great. 2) because the weight allows me to carry it inside with me very easily. I will never leave it locked up anywhere. Does anyone want to buy a Cryptonite New York Lock? I looked for a 2001 Stumpjumper model, but I saw the 2002 in my size in the store and found out they were even lighter than the last year's model. The price wasn't too bad. I guess they keep the price "low" by making the new frames in Taiwan. Last years were US made. There probably isn't a difference. Definitely buy it. All my friends want to buy mountain bikes after seeing my bike and lifting it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
micheal marty
a Weekend Warrior
from chico,ca usa
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | upper bidwell | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1190.00 | | Purchased At: | sports ltd. | | Bottom Line: | this bike is really awesome i highly recomend this for anyone looking to own one of the swetest rides around it rolls great down the road as well as really takes control on the trail the only thing i felt needed changing was the bar i switched to a factory riser bar and that is it !! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott russell
a Weekend Warrior
from pelham
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | oak mountain red trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | bob's bikes | | Strengths: | light, very agile, good components for the $$$ | | Weaknesses: | pedals, front deraileur. | | Similar Products Used: | gt backwoods(last bike)diamondback serento se (first bike)test rode the giant xtc 1. | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I am a weekend rider, and for the type of riding and for the money the rockhopper is a great bike. I considered several bikes, this one looked great and rode even better. However the front deraileur was a bit of disapointment, but it was an enexpensive up-grade. Overall I love this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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