Submitted by
Joaquin C
a Weekend Warrior
from Little Falls NJ Date Reviewed: May 29, 2003
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
ActionWheels
Strengths:
Very Light for a full suspension bike! looks great, FSR linkage
Weaknesses:
Came with cheap specialized parts!
Similar Products Used:
None!
Bike Setup:
Over the years, I have managed to upgrade just about everything, mix of XTR and XT, 2002 Duke Sl, SID XC in the back, Chris King headseat, Ringle stem, Answer hyperlite carbon bar, LP carbon bar ends, Thomson Post, Flite Gel seat, Egg Beaters pedals, Panaracer Fire XC pro tires.
Bottom Line:
Absolutely awesome bike. 3 years, no problems as of yet. I have her at about 26lbs with 100mm of travel in the front and 3 in the back, cant ask for a better trailbike than that!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Racer
from Gainesville, FL USA Date Reviewed: November 27, 2001
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1900.00
Purchased At:
Campus Cycles
Strengths:
Climbs very well, descends well and is very light.
Weaknesses:
House brand crankset is not that great and Ritchey seatpost was squeaky and bent very quickly.
Similar Products Used:
Trek, K2
Bike Setup:
I replaced the seatpost with a Thompson Elite and I replaced the handlebar with a Profile Carbon bar.
Bottom Line:
The bike was awesome but after 2 years the seat mast area cracked. Specialized totally supported the warranty and gave me a 2001 Stumpjumper Pro Frame and I was back riding in 10 days. Great bike and terrific support from the factory. Specialized suggested I move from a medium frame to a large and after a 2 week adjustment period I believe they were right. The new bike handles extremely well and the new rear suspension is very sensitive allowing me to run 30 pounds more rear shock air pressure without a difference in ride feel.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ian Pilsbury
a
from Sussex, England Date Reviewed: May 29, 2001
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1850.00
Purchased At:
Leisure-lakes.co.uk
Strengths:
Rigid, very lightweight quality A1 USA made frame. Looks don't date. Flatters your riding style. Suspension set-up Sids front and rear have provided a challenge to set up but now are working fine. The rear lockout is a real boon for climbing. the four bar rear linkage pooh's all over the Marin single pivot.Quality parts in the main. The original Team Master and Team Control (Team Editions)tyres have been excellent for the muddy conditions here, and provide an excellent combination of grip and fairly low rolling weight in dry XC conditions.
Weaknesses:
The Spec' Pedals provide no out of the cleat support. The Saddle's not too hot
Original Specification except for VP133 Pedals (downhill style), Specialized BG MTB Comp Saddle and just changed (for the summer) to Specialized Mnt Baldy Team Edition Tyres front and rear.
Bottom Line:
An excellent purchase, that I've no intention of selling or replacing. Good deal on the bike when purchased, saving £500.00. If you see one second hand ....buy it you won't regret it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sven
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: February 18, 2001
Favorite Trail:
All of them
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2100.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Good component set, absolutely stable through the rockiest terrain but still turns well. Looks. Weight. Suspension. Probably one of the best FSR frames ever made. Reasonable rare in this neck of the woods, which is good (who wants to look like everyone else?) Overall? Wicked!
Weaknesses:
Stickers, anal destroyer saddle, lame tyres.
Bike Setup:
Stock except for these additions: SDG Gran-prix saddle, Shimano LX pedals, XTR cassette and shifters, WTB Velociraptor tyres, suspension air pressure set to max per the manual.
Bottom Line:
Savage! I don't have a lot of experience with FSR bikes (this is my first), but I find it hard to find problems with this one or where another could be fundamentally better.
It's light enough, jumps well, tracks true, the component set is good and well considered. The suspensions stock settings are too soft for my weight at 200lbs (Duh!), but setting it up per the manual makes the bike even more solid and less prone to bottoming and bobbing on climbs.
I can see myself keeping this bike for a long time and just upgrading components as needed, they break or I feel like it. I don't think I need to chase the next-big-thing as this bike has it all. I'd like to add the MSP needle bearing kit for the swing-arm to just smooth it out and fiddle with the bars and stem just to get it to fit me perfectly.
I think I could race it if I spent some time (and money) lightening the wheelset, choosing some lightweight tyres and getting the bar/stem arrangement setup perfectly for me.
Kicks ass!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JOSE ORTIZ
a Weekend Warrior
from BRONX NEW YORK Date Reviewed: August 8, 2000
Favorite Trail:
RINGWOOD STATEPARK N.J.
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
LIGHT MINES IS 25.5 POUNDS!ALMOST DUMMY PROOF , GIVES YOU A CONFIDENCE RIDE AT HIGH SPEEDS AND TECHNICAL RIDING WHICH WE NORMALLY FIND HERE IN THE EAST COST.GOOD LOOKS AND A GREAT COMPONENT SELECTION FOR THE MONEY. THE TIRES STICK LIKE GLUE IN MOSTLY ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS .NO SUSPENSION BOBBING AND POWER SUCKING ON HARD EFFORTS.EASY TO CLIMB ON FOR A BIKE WITH 4" OF TRAVEL AND THE ON THE FLY LOCKOUT IS A PLUS.WITH A FRAME BUILD TO LAST IT CAN TAKE WHAT EVER YOU MUSTER AND COMES BACK FOR MORE .A VERSATILE BIKE AND GREAT STAND OVER CLEARANCE WITH UPGRADES KITS FROM M.R.P. JUST FOR THE FSR MAKES IT A WORTH WHILE INVESTMENT .FAST SERVICE FROM SPECIALIZED (I GOT IT IN 2 DAYS!)AND A GREAT PRICE(USED TO WORK AT A BIKE SHOP)WITH A FUTURISTIC FRAME NEVER MAKING IT LOOK OUTDATED AS TIME PASSES.LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT MY DREAM BIKE SINCE DAY ONE AND WITH INFINITE SHOCK SET UPS I WOULD RECOMEND THIS BIKE TO ANYONE WHO IS A REAL HAMMERHEAD !!!!
Weaknesses:
REAR SHOCK BLEW OUT TWICE ,THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPEND THE FIRST RIDE ON MILD TERRAIN THOUGH R.S. WAS FAST TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.HANDLEBARS TO WIDE AND THE RITCHEY SEAT POST KEPT GETTING LOOSE.A LITTLE BIT ON MAINTENANCE ON THE PIVOTS SINCE I RIDE USUALLY ON THE ROCKY MUDDY ROOST INFESTED TECHNICAL TRAILS ON THE EAST COAST.SHIMANO 9 SP.DRIVETRAIN IS FINICKY AT TIMES.SZ. AHEADSET GAVE UP AND SZ. SEAT WAS TO HARD FOR MY LIKING.
Similar Products Used:
LTS, CANNONDALE SUPER V, TK. VRX AND G.F.BETTYS (REMEMBER I USED TO WORK AT A BIKE SHOP).
Bike Setup:
AZONIC STEM AND HANDLEBARS.XT REARHUB, AND FRONT CHAINRINGS. XTR BRAKES, MAVIC 517s LACED TO RITCHEY SPOKES. THOMPSONSEATPOST AND TITEC BERZERKER SADDLE.CRANECREEK SL5 AHEADSET AND PROFILE GRIPS.WHITEBROTHERS WIPERS TO REPLACE THE OLD STYLE BOOTS UP FRONT OTHERWISE BIKE IS STOCK.IN THE FUTURE WILL UPGRADE TO M.R.P. NEEDLE BEARING KIT FOR LESS MAINTENANCE.
Bottom Line:
IF YOU WANT A LIGHT STRONG VERSATILE HARCORE OFFROAD RIDING MACHINE LOOK NO FUTHER . SZ. FOUR BAR LINKANGE IS BEING COPIED BY OTHERS FOR A REASON THIS BIKES IS ALL THAT AND THEM SOME .TRUST ME ON THAT!BUT IF YOUR A XC RACER LOOK ELSEWHERE, THIS IS THE ONLY TRAILBIKE YOULL EVER NEED GOOD FOR THOSE WHO CAN ONLY HAVE 1 BIKE.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pat Harper
a Cross Country Rider
from Saltburn, Cleveland, UK Date Reviewed: June 28, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Fungal road, Aboyne, Scotland
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Strong frame, fairly light, looks great, loads of crotch clearence. Comfortable and very stable at speed. Great tyres.
Weaknesses:
Not eneough saddle height adjustment, difficult to carry, badly positioned bottle mounts. Shock difficult to accuratly adjust pressure (especialy negative spring)
Similar Products Used:
1998 FSR comp, Proflex 857
Bike Setup:
Changed forks to Pace RC36 EvoII, upgraded to Hope pro hydraulic disk brakes (at purchase), changed pedals to shimano XT.
Bottom Line:
Great bike though a bit overpriced in UK . Upgrade to disks well worth it. Great for long rides in tough terrain. Dont buy if you ride a lot on tarmac.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Racer
from Orlando,Fl Date Reviewed: March 26, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Comfortable Ride,fast
Weaknesses:
Company customer service sucks.....My frame broke into two pieces and they will not warranty or fix it
Similar Products Used:
many during the decision making process
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi Z-2 BAM(awesome), King hubs and headset, RaceFace cranks and BB, Mavic Rims, KORE stem
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is I fell in love with this bike and 4 people I know bought the exact same bike as mine after riding mine and going on my recommendation. My frame snapped into two pieces, causing me to take a nasty crash at 24 mph during the last race of the season. I had won everyone up until this time, this was the 8th race I had ridden this bike in. The Specialized rep was a jerk and would not get my bike warrantied, would not even offer a crash replacement that I offered to pay for. Bike is great until it breaks, then company abandons you and won't help. My advice is stay away from this company.....buy a bike from a company that will stand behind their products and offer good customer service
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BRIAN
a Racer
from ORLANDO,FL Date Reviewed: March 26, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Great Ride, Comfortable
Weaknesses:
Customer Service Sucks....My frame broke into two pieces and they won't warranty it.
Similar Products Used:
Several before I decided on this one
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi Z-2 BAM (awesome fork)king headset and hubs(superb)mavic rims, XTR derailleurs, KORE stem,RACEFACE Cranks (extremely durable)
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is I fell in love with this bike and 4 people I know bought the exact same bike as mine after riding mine and going on my reccomendation. My frame snapped into two pieces, causing me to take a nasty crash at 24 mph during the last race of the season. I had won everyone up until this time, this was the 8th race I had ridden this bike in. The Specialized rep was a jerk and would not get my bike warrantied, would not even offer a crash replacement that I offered to pay for. Bike is great until it breaks, then company abandons you and won't help. My advice is stay away from this company.....buy a bike from a company that will stand behind their products and offer good customer service.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Felix the Cat
a Weekend Warrior
from San Dimas Date Reviewed: January 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Marshall Canyon
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
weight, component mix, fun factor
Weaknesses:
pedals
Similar Products Used:
lts, gary fisher, raleigh
Bike Setup:
stock except for bushings replaced with needle bearings at the pivots and the pedals, switched out for shimano
Bottom Line:
bought the bike from bike country in santa fe last march for $1999 and my only problem is the lack of time i have to ride the bike climbs well and the descents are great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Barry Grimm
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bonny Doon, CA Date Reviewed: October 18, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Waddell Creek for beauty and Long Meadow (Grey Whale/Wilder Ranch) for gravity.
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Strong, rigid frame - but fairly light. Well selected mix of components.
Weaknesses:
Standard Specialized clipless pedals are OK - but don't match the quality of all the other components.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Heckler and Marin Mountain Vision.
Bike Setup:
Stock out of the box - except I swapped the standard Specialized pedals for Shimano.
Bottom Line:
No argument - 5 flaming burritos!! The FSR Pro rides right and looks right. Everything works very smoothly and gives a real sense of confidence to the rider. The all-air front and rear suspension provide a comfortable ride while always keeping the wheels in contact with the ground - so that braking and acceleration are possible under virtually all trail conditions.Anyone can weld a bunch of round tubes into a triangle, but the curving box beam extrusions and cantilever seat support will gladen the heart of a structural engineer. Especially when the complete bike still only weighs 26.7 lbs right out of the box.The frame fabrication quality is also very high, and the natural anodized finish saves weight and gives the bike a very purposeful appearance. Its what is known as an elegant engineering solution to a complex design problem.A carefully selected XT and XTR component mix takes care of the critical drive train, braking and bottom bracket needs, except for a high quality S-Works crank set. Most everything else are Specialized house brand components of high quality - but without a gee-whiz designer label. Only the Specialized clipless pedals seemed a bit dodgy.A really good bike at the MSRP of $2499 - a near great bike at a year end closeout of $1750.Not just a bicycle, the FSR Pro is a thoroughly engineered riding machine. Ever notice how your (upper) cheeks hurt after 30 minutes of continuous grinning? Well be prepared.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Big fuz fuz
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose Date Reviewed: August 17, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Endor
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Very stiff frame, light weight, good big bump/ditch adsorption, good independent pedal/suspension feel on stutters, well balanced riding position.
Weaknesses:
Akward to hand carry.
Similar Products Used:
LTS, RTS, Mantra
Bike Setup:
SID xc/SID rear, King Disc/517, straight handlebar.
Bottom Line:
I'm 5'8 135 lbs (inseam 30 armspan 6') and for me this bike has great balance. No wheelies up steep hills (with straight handlebar or else invert the stem with the stock riser) yet secure not-too-foward position when bombing downhill. Super light with SIDs which also offer great suspension both front and rear. Have to keep an eye on the SID rear pressure after rides with big dropoffs but so far maintenance seems reasonable. Frame geom/susp combo seem to do a pretty good job for pedaling on stutters and the light weight (and balanced position) gives great control when jumping and doing tricks in the parking lot. I'd say 4.5 peppers but rounded up !
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Juan
a Cross-Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: June 19, 1999
Favorite Trail:
ALL
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Fast, Super fast, light, screams downhill and very strong.
Weaknesses:
Handle bar to wide, Seat post not enough travel and pedals. XT brakes.
Similar Products Used:
C-dale Super VRaven 3000
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
This dream bike rocks, I need to learn to slow down since today I almost embrace a cactus waiting for me I the middle of a turn. I top 40 miles per hour on a rocky down hill, something I thought impossible for me. I love the feel and handling of this piece of art. Don't think just buy one.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Tustin, CA Date Reviewed: June 8, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Porcupine Rim & Jackass Canyon in Moab.
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Component mix & weight
Weaknesses:
Seat post movement & rear brake cable bowing out.
Bottom Line:
Waited for a LONG while to find this bike, finally found it & on sale no less. $2150 was a steal. Have only ridden 8 or so times but have loved every ride. The SID shox get beat down a lot in reviews but they are great so far. Very responsive & the shock pump is an added bonus 'cause it allows extremely fine tuning to your riding style. At 27lbs (XL) & with 4+ inches of travel this bike screams. So far it has sucked up as hard a beating as I can give it (props to the luge & car wreck in OC) & rides nicely uphill w/ use of the on-the-fly rebound switch on the rear shock.Only problems are the seat is limiting in how much you can cut off and move around & the rear brake cable bowed out enough to rub my left leg when standing & pedaling (as shock travels). The brake cable was fixed easily enough with a ring nut screwed on to the shock bolts to hold it in & prevent the bowing.Bottom line: spending $$ on a bike like this is the reason I work & I would recommend it to anyone.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from mass Date Reviewed: April 17, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
stiff,strong,plush
Weaknesses:
not anuff seat post movement
Bottom Line:
Hey all i got it and it rides great but i changed a few things on to more suit my style. i swaped out sid xc for a z 1 bam. also i blew out the rear sid in 18 hours after i got the bike but the shop said it must have been defective and changed brakes & rim to set i had from my old bike (race line,517(cer)xtr)but the bike rides killer it will suck up anything you throw at it let you all know more later
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jspop
a Weekend Warrior
from germantown,md Date Reviewed: April 3, 1999
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
SOLID
Bottom Line:
I HAVE THE 97 FSR W/THE SAME FRAME AS THE 99 PRO FSR, IT IS WAY BETTER THAN THE TUBE FSR FRAME. GREAT BIKE FOR MY WEEKEND WARRIER ACTIVITIES.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Illinois Date Reviewed: March 20, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Bottom Line:
From what I was told at the place that I got mine, I got the last one for 3 months. You'll probably get it soon. And when you do, you are going to freak out at how great it is. It is definitely worth the wait. Look at it this way, you could be stuck with a $3000, 30 lbs, lame component, unproven, I-drive. That would really suck.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
rob
a Weekend Warrior
from attleboro mass Date Reviewed: March 18, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Bottom Line:
i bought my fsr pro on januray 15 today is march 18 still dont have it whats up with that
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a weekend warrior
from Illinois Date Reviewed: February 27, 1999
Bottom Line:
I've had it for 2 months so far and this bike is perfect for me. I swapped out the front SID for a Marzocchi Z2 Bam. The SID just didn't seem to be the kind of fork I want. I'd rather have the torsional rigidity than the lighter weight. I've heard Rock Shox break more often as well. Anyway, the Z2 is really smokin. So far I have found the bike to be incredibly intuitive. And it really wants to jump. So do I. The SID in the rear seems to be a great thing. It is really adjustable and I like the feel of the air springs. I looked at Cannondale, GT I-drive, Trek, and Intense. I am sure I made the right choice. The Pro is NOT the same ride as the other FSR's. The frame is different and it it rides different. The others ARE great for the money, but this thing is really much sweeter. It weighs 26.8 lbs w/ the Z2. It feels really light. I think it is perfect. I'll post more info after I beat the shit out of it.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Bowman
a cross-country rider
from Emmaus, PA Date Reviewed: February 18, 1999
Bottom Line:
Just got my new 99 Specialized FSR Pro. Have ridden it twice, so far (something about winter on PA prevents me from doing more). Love the bike. Killer ride. Weighs the same as my old EWR, but my ass knows the difference. Cool being able to set up both front and rear (SID dual air at both ends) depending on what I am riding - tight for cross country, loose for downhill. Price is a little high, but was able to cut a good deal with my LBS (Al Shaefer @ Bethlehem BL rules). Would recommend to anyone but expert/pro cross country racers. In the gnarly, rocky, steep terrain we have here in Eastern PA, it's unbeatable for all around awesome and fun.
Overall Rating:
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