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Specialized
2000 Stumpjumper FSR XC Pro
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Submitted by
carlo russo
a Cross Country Rider
from australia
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | morialta | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | a bike shop | | Strengths: | light,xc ready,price | | Weaknesses: | shabby in house components ie: the rear hub stinks, tires are lame, light. | | Similar Products Used: | gt lts | | Bike Setup: | stock apart from handlebar and brake upgrade | | Bottom Line: | well ive been racing this for 3 years and while it has performed well it's starting to get a bit crunchy so now i have single speeded the sucker and race it in s/s class. the swingarm had a hairline crack which i had welded. the swingarm is not part of the frame so no warranty.?. will i get another fsr? nahhhhhh i think it's time for some cruz action. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christian Wroten
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | THE colorado trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Turin, Denver, CO. | | Strengths: | very responsive in tight switchbacks(climbing and desending).FAST. smooth jumper over rolling terrain. Climbs like madman! | | Weaknesses: | The obvious: saddle, seatpost, pedals, grips, crankset, and rear bushings. | | Similar Products Used: | Moots, Trek fuel, Rocky Mountain Cycle | | Bike Setup: | Ritchey pedals-Raceface crankset and seatpost-Odi clamp on grips-Selle Italia Saddle | | Bottom Line: | I have read all of these reviews, and can't believe what I'm hearing. This bike kick ass anyway you slice it. Sure it has some flaws, but they are so minor that they fall into the category of "tweaking". I've riden this thing all over Colorado, Utah, and yes Michigan, and taken it places that I wouldn't even attempt on most other bikes. There are tons of snazzy "looking" rides out there, but this a true(real deal) mountain bike. I don't need to tell you how many riders I've climbed past as they walk their super suspended mosters up technical rock and ledge areas, and how many of the same that plow into me as they fly down at speeds well beyond their ability. This is a machine that will climb 3000ft at rates rivalling only the hardtails, and desend like a rollercoaster.It's not a meadow cruiser or a metropark showpiece. This a mountain bike, so ride it like one and then you'll appreciate the engineering that's gone into this big yellow love machine......
Bottom line is: You've got to get up before you come down and this is the vehicle for both. Of coarse most bikes never make it to the terrain that they were designed around, so the reviews will be a bit skewed. So, if you're wondering how this thing rates in the real world of mountain biking: It's one of the best ever designed and built. PERIOD | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry
a
from Edmond, Okla
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Turkey mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Light,fast | | Weaknesses: | crappy stock bars,seatpost,crank,bushings wear out fast | | Similar Products Used: | sc superlight,k2 razorback,kona, cannondale jeckel | | Bike Setup: | king headset,bomber 3 fork,king hubsx517, thomson post@stem fullxt,xtr,panaracer fires,time peddels | | Bottom Line: | The bike is fast but needs maint often.I had a complete over haul done by "Wheeler Dealer" bike shop in okla. city. When I brought the bike in on friday 6-20-03, they said they would start on it no later than tues 6-24 and assured me that it would be just like brand new , take about 2 days ,and cost about 100.00$. Well they didnt even start on it until saturday 7-5. they called me and told me that it needed a new swingarm and they could not order it until the following monday and it would take about a week to get. I was leaving to go on a mtb trip on fri 7-11 to the seattle washington area, and they knew this when I brought the bike in. So I said fine, air freight the swingarm in and I will pay the freight because I need My bike.They called me Just before I left and said it was all done and ready. I picked up my bike and my bill was 201.00$ due to new bushings,brake pads and derailer hanger which I thought was a little high, but that was ok because My bike was now "just like new". I got home ,loaded my bike on the van and we heade out on our 2200 mile trip to seatle. When we arrived we set out to ride all these different rides around the olimpic mountains. My first ride, my rear tire was rubbing my brakes. My back rim was not trued, I could not believe it. After that kind of money My rim was not straight. I took my bike to bainbridge cycle .As The mechanic there trued my wheel I told him that I just had the bike over hauled. He looked at the bike and told me that there were other things "not right"on the bike. After a complete overhaul, the cassette should be totally clean as well as the front rings and he pointed out old grime in the gears. also the brake pads were badly out of adjustment. When he was through he did not charge me. The next day the bike did great. Day three I was riding and the rear end started flopping around from left to right. the bushings were pealing out of the holes and rear end was totally loose. That was the end of my vacation on this bike. the remainer of my trip was on a rented hardtail {ouch} trek. When I got back to oklahoma city I returned the bike to the shop who did the work on the bike. I showed them what had happened ,the mechanic said he took it apart went on vacation and another mechanic put it back together. then he said Did the tell you that your rear shock bearings were bad? No ,I was told it was ready to go. "Oh , bummer".he said. No apology From the guy . This was on tues, july 29. They slill have the bike now at almost three weeks. I call every few weeks days and Im told that they're waiting on parts. This is my experience with my stumpjumper pro fsr. Due to having only one Specialized Dealer for 100 miles and the one here is about as lame as I can imagine.Im selling this bike. The bike is good but only good if I can get desent service locally. Im currently buying a S C superlight. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry
a
from Edmond, Okla
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Turkey mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Light,fast | | Weaknesses: | crappy stock bars,seatpost,crank,bushings wear out fast | | Similar Products Used: | sc superlight,k2 razorback,kona, cannondale jeckel | | Bike Setup: | king headset,bomber 3 fork,king hubsx517, thomson post@stem fullxt,xtr,panaracer fires,time peddels | | Bottom Line: | The bike is fast but needs maint often.I had a complete over haul done by "Wheeler Dealer" bike shop in okla. city. When I brought the bike in on friday 6-20-03, they said they would start on it no later than tues 6-24 and assured me that it would be just like brand new , take about 2 days ,and cost about 100.00$. Well they didnt even start on it until saturday 7-5. they called me and told me that it needed a new swingarm and they could not order it until the following monday and it would take about a week to get. I was leaving to go on a mtb trip on fri 7-11 to the seattle washington area, and they knew this when I brought the bike in. So I said fine, air freight the swingarm in and I will pay the freight because I need My bike.They called me Just before I left and said it was all done and ready. I picked up my bike and my bill was 201.00$ due to new bushings,brake pads and derailer hanger which I thought was a little high, but that was ok because My bike was now "just like new". I got home ,loaded my bike on the van and we heade out on our 2200 mile trip to seatle. When we arrived we set out to ride all these different rides around the olimpic mountains. My first ride, my rear tire was rubbing my brakes. My back rim was not trued, I could not believe it. After that kind of money My rim was not straight. I took my bike to bainbridge cycle .As The mechanic there trued my wheel I told him that I just had the bike over hauled. He looked at the bike and told me that there were other things "not right"on the bike. After a complete overhaul, the cassette should be totally clean as well as the front rings and he pointed out old grime in the gears. also the brake pads were badly out of adjustment. When he was through he did not charge me. The next day the bike did great. Day three I was riding and the rear end started flopping around from left to right. the bushings were pealing out of the holes and rear end was totally loose. That was the end of my vacation on this bike. the remainer of my trip was on a rented hardtail {ouch} trek. When I got back to oklahoma city I returned the bike to the shop who did the work on the bike. I showed them what had happened ,the mechanic said he took it apart went on vacation and another mechanic put it back together. then he said Did the tell you that your rear shock bearings were bad? No ,I was told it was ready to go. "Oh , bummer".he said. No apology From the guy . This was on tues, july 29. They slill have the bike now at almost three weeks. I call every few weeks days and Im told that they're waiting on parts. This is my experience with my stumpjumper pro fsr. Due to having only one Specialized Dealer for 100 miles and the one here is about as lame as I can imagine.Im selling this bike. The bike is good but only good if I can get desent service locally. Im currently buying a S C superlight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
slickrick
a Cross Country Rider
from E-town
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything off the beaten path | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Great Components, light weight, awesome suspension | | Weaknesses: | Stock pedals seem to fill up with crud easy, Can't get clipped in. Low bottem bracket height. Suspension a little noisy. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F600 | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z.1 100, Easton EA50 riser and seatpost, Hutchinson Alligators(Great Tires)XT Crank, shifters, f. Der., XTR r. Der., Avid Brakes, Mavic 517 on Specialized Hubs. | | Bottom Line: | My first full suspension bike. Bought it used figuring I could keep my hardtail if I didn't like it. I Hated it at first, seemed to suck the life out of me on climbs, seemed loose on the downhills, but once I finally got the shocks dialed in, look the #@*% out. Sold the hardtail! With the right setup, bob is nonexistent and gnarly downhills oh so sweet. I keep pushing this bike harder and harder and it keeps me smiling. 2-4 foot drops are nothing, although it sometimes sounds like I've broken the bike in two which was a little unnerving at first but no bends or cracks yet. I think it's the rear derailleur slapping the chainstay but I'm not sure. I'm 6'3" and 200 lbs running 210 lbs in the Fox Float RC and 80 lbs in each leg of the Marzocchi Z.1 if anyone is looking for a starting place to set theirs up. I've always believed it's the rider and not the bike, now I'm not so sure. This bike has definitely improved my riding. I've read good things about the MRP X-Link and bearing pivots, but can't seem to justify $150 to fix something that ain't broke(yet). If your a beginner and find this bike cheap on ebay or somewhere, don't buy it. Let it go to someone who can really appreciate just what this bike can do. If you're an experienced rider looking to step up, buy this bike. X-Large Full suspension at 25 lbs for $750, sometimes good things do happen to good people. Phins Up! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian
a Cross Country Rider
from scottsdale
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | light, light, light, Fox Float RL, plush rear w/bearing pivots - bike was warranty upgrade from Rockhopper | | Weaknesses: | Float RL is still a bit soft for my 220 lbs. Also Float RL is difficult to unlock on the move. Lever is ackward - but not a specialized probelm | | Similar Products Used: | Rockhopper A-1 FSRxc | | Bike Setup: | Duke 100 xc, Mavic 517, easton carbon bars/post, Ea70 stem, Time pedals, Avid 7 brakes, Specialized Enduro 2.2 tires | | Bottom Line: | Improved my riding capabilities. Made me a believer in air shocks | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Kansas
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Continental Cyclery | | Strengths: | Great legendary suspension design. Light weight at 24 lbs. | | Weaknesses: | Everything stock sucks!!! I have put so much money into this, it would have been better to just buy a frame. Nothing stock except frame, fork, rear shock. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | XTR everything but XT crank | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike. Light as hell for a dual suspension. Three flamin chili's for stock setup, Five for my setup!!!
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Submitted by
aubrey
a Cross Country Rider
from sacramento, ca
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Strengths: | Plush ride, light weight. | | Weaknesses: | Creaky pivots/bushings, e-type derailleur causes bottom bracket and crank compatibility issues. Some of the stock components suck. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for bottom bracket, cranks, saddle and seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | i bought this bike over a year ago to replace a fully rigid Rockhopper. i will never look back and don't know why i waited so long.
the geometry is a little bit compact and to me the cockpit feels a little short; i am 5'10" and ride a 17" medium.
the setup is perfect for cross-country riding. i now ride over things instead of around them and it's just amazing how much longer and faster you can ride when you aren't getting beat up by the trail. i can climb better and descend faster on this bike than before. the lockout is useful for road-riding in a pinch but why would you ride this bike on the road?
most of these other comments are just rehashes of what others have experienced on this bike.
i thought people were just a bunch of whiners when i read the complaints about the stock seatpost. they are right. do yourself a favor and get rid of it. don't even bother with it. throw it in the trash. or sell it for scrap aluminum. no amount of cranking down on the bolt will keep the saddle from shifting around. (if you buy a thomson seatpost make sure you get the special clamp, otherwise you will be more limited in how much you can adjust the angle of the saddle.)
the stock cranks are ok but shifting performance really started crapping out after about a year. i initially tried to put race face cranks on this bike but after trying the stock BB in addition to non-e-type 110 and 107's i could not get the chainline right. calls to both that was disappointing. in the end i went with a splined XT setup (68x113) and have not had any problems. finding e-type compatible BBs for this bike in the sacramento area was not as easy as i thought. most bikes shops, specialized dealers included, did not have any idea what i was talking about. that seems odd to me. finally (shouts to bicycles plus in folsom, ca) i found a shop that was willing to take one off of their showroom fsrs and sell it to me.
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Submitted by
XCmtb
a Racer
from Hamilton, Ontario
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Kolapore | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Pierik's Cycle | | Strengths: | Awesome suspension design, if you spin right it doesn't bob. Lockout is very usefull on smooth ascents | | Weaknesses: | The rear linkage bushings can develop into a problem, I've replaced my rear link with the X-rated Mountainspeed version. Lateral rigidity much improved. Travel increased as well (76mm to 90mm) | | Similar Products Used: | 00 Enduro (which I broke), 99 Enduro | | Bike Setup: | Stumpy frame, mars elite (lockout), raceface, XT, float RC, ct2, pythons, hayes hydraulics, 321 discs, all the trimmings | | Bottom Line: | The best XC racer out there for the money. With a few upgrades this baby owns off the start line. I a smokin deal on the frame from my LBS cause I broke my Enduro and wanted to do some hardcore XC racing. Built it up and let it ride!
ride on
5 flaming cannondales for this bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Morgan Hill, CA
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Del Valle | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Livermore Cyclery | | Strengths: | Everything on this bike rocks. Although I did change out the rear linkage that stabalizes the rear shock to the frame (changed to a Risse rear link) which stiffend up the rearend latterly. The bike climbs great and handles the highspeed downhill fireroads and singletrack like a charm. A great mix of components out of the box too. | | Weaknesses: | The silver link which I replaced with something from Risse, but I would definatly reconsider after seeing what mountain speed has to offer, they use bearings instead of bushings. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized S-works hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Sid front fork, XTR shifters, XTR rear D, XT front D, XT disk brakes, Chris King disk brake hubs, Easton Monkeylite hi rise carbon handlebar, and everything else is stock. My next changes will be the cranks (XT) and headset (Chris King). | | Bottom Line: | This bike rides great. It runs evenbetter now that I have scrapped the Specialized rear hub. Didn't have an issue with the front stout hub, but found that the rear hub broke down rather fast. If you have the extra cash, spend the money on king hubs, you will not be disappointed. But for the overall handling of this bike. It climbs, it dives, it kicks @$$. Anyone one who is looking for well specked bike and want to leave it as is, maybe slightly disappointed. Get the '01 or 02 version. They will have a better rear-triangle. This bike, once modified (to my taste) rocks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek Ealy
a Cross Country Rider
from Redondo Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | El Prieto & Backbone | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | From another cyclist | | Strengths: | Light strong frame, some very good components, geometry. Cranks, deraillures, shock, fork, shifters are all holding up qutie well. | | Weaknesses: | some really crappy components, geometry. Tires, pedals, seat, freehub, handlebars, headset, bushings all suck. | | Similar Products Used: | Older hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Time ATAC pedals, Panaracer Fire XC Pros, Easton EA50 seatpost, Selle Italia Flite Trans Am, Easton Monkey Lite riser bars, ODI Lock Grips, BETD link and dropout pivot bearings, XTR hubs, XTR brakes | | Bottom Line: | This bike has been such a mixed bag for me. I replaced components in the order that I listed them in the bike setup section above. First off, the tires and seat post were a complete and total joke. It is just inexcusable that such crappy products exist, let alone wind up on a bike that costs thousands of dollars. I wore a knob off of the rear tire within 3 rides. The Ritchey seat post was amazingly bad, I'm surprised that some guy named Ritchey actually put his name on it. Shame on you!!!
That said my biggest problem with this bike was the geometry. It just didn't work with my riding style (this was my first full suspension bike). I've flipped over the handle bars so many times I can't even count them. Mind you that during my previous 6 years mountain biking on hardtails I flipped over the bars all of zero times. I suspect this had to do with the short top tube. All in all it took my a couple of months to adjust my riding style so that it worked with this bike. I now haven't flipped over the front for quite some time.
I replaced the linkage with the BETD product because it slackened the head angle by a degree which I beleived would be helpfull in the flipping over problems. About a week before the link arrived I seemed to have made major improvements in my riding style and had developed some measure of control of going over the front. Since the link has arrived, I'm quite impressed with the plushness of the rear end. And now I absolutely storm down the hills faster than I did on my old hardtail.
I was very disappointed that the rear freehub and rear brake gave up the ghost in less than 400 miles. I replaced both with XTR components. I know that there are replacement parts for many of the pieces of both, instead of having to buy the whole thing.
The things that have lasted on the bike are the bottom bracket and cranks, the derailleurs, shifters and levers. Although I'm not sure how much life is left in those brake levers. I was totally expecting to have to replace the cranks and bottom bracket early. But so far, nary a creak from the crank bb section.
Now that I've spent roughly a grand on parts for this bike it totally rocks! Going uphill I never lock out the rear. I love having the suspension going up and down the hills. I feel that I don't have excessive bob going up the hills, and the suspesion does a better job of keeping the rear tire in contact with the ground. I still haven't mastered standing up on the steep technical inclines yet. I totally romp on the downhills now. I don't even come close to using all the suspension travel. So I've been slowly reducing the pressures front and rear to see when I start bottoming out. I'm about 178-181 lbs, and ride 55psi in front and 155psi in the rear, with about seven clicks of rebound from full slow.
I'm very happy with the bike now, and when I think of what I would want to upgrade to in the future it is so totally out of my price range (A Maverick, or possbily an Intense Tracer with a full XTR group). Short of those two, I've got the best bike I can manage to afford. And don't think I'm interested in anything less. Oh there is one other possibility... an Ellsworth Truth (but they sure are ugly compared to the others I've mentioned).
I have to take away 2 chilis for having to replace so much stuff, and the scars on my legs from flipping over. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Johnnie T.
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Wilder Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Strengths: | Light weight for a full suspension
Nice XC singletrack machine. Good for racing
Excellent brakes | | Weaknesses: | SID forks, replaced with Marzochhi Atom Race
Seat uncomfortable, replaced with Avocet
Cranks are flexy, replaced with Race Face
Bushings are crap, replaced with Mountain Speed linkage kit
Rear wheel bearing starting to go.
Low BB height
| | Similar Products Used: | Litespeed hardtail
Bridgestone MB-1 | | Bike Setup: | See weaknesses for replacement parts | | Bottom Line: | Despite all the parts I replaced, I love this bike. I made it into my custom made machine with all the parts I changed out. I easily spent another grand replacing all the parts I didn't like. This took over a year to do as I replaced them as I went along. The Sid's really sucked. Way too flexy for my taste. I put on an Marzocchi Atom Race. It a full pound heavier but oh soooo smooth and stiff laterally. Bushings suck in the rear linkage, plus the rear link is a cheap plastic doo hickey that is prone to flexing. Cranks are too flexy too. So what I basically did was replace everything but the frame, wheels and brakes. Rear bearings are starting to go so I'll assume I'll have to replace that too.
But the frame, what a beauty. Intense frames are pretty much the same thing since they bought the license to use Specializes design. The way I figure it, I have the same bike as an Intense and even though I replaced so many parts, I still paid a lot less that I would have if I bought an Intense Tracer built up.
This bike is a single track killer. It's light enough at 25 lbs to race in the sports class. I'm a mid packer but oh what fun I have. If only I had to time to train more. Like most reviewers, this bike does it all without being the best at any one thing. I wish it had a 13 inch BB clearance, but with the Mountain Linkage, it's at least up to 12.5 inches, good enough. I like the adjustability of the linkage and like the slower 70 degree setting, but lose a half inch of clearance in that setting.
3 peppers for the original setup
5 peppers for all my upgrades
That would leave my review at 4 peppers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
stefano bor
a Cross Country Rider
from aosta italy
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | aosta valley | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | italy | | Strengths: | all | | Weaknesses: | bushings
manitou mars fork | | Similar Products Used: | giant xtc napa | | Bike Setup: | ok | | Bottom Line: | tha hayes brakes are a little exagerated for the bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pablo Meyer
a Weekend Warrior
from Mexico City
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | UC Cyclery | | Strengths: | I'm really updating my review from last year. | | Weaknesses: | Some stock components suck!!!
The Specialized crankset lasted the better part of three months before the middle ring was so f*&% worn out i had to replace it with a Race Face. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn S-20, Cannondale Jekyl | | Bike Setup: | Icon raiser bar, Body Geometry seat, Race Face crankset and Mountainspeed rear suspension link. | | Bottom Line: | This is no doubt a great bike, light, flexible (with the rear lockout you have the best of both worlds) good handling and good value.
On the 2001 model Specialized upgraded the rear suspension link for a sturdier one with better lateral stability. However, for $ 150.00 bucks you can get from Mountainspeed (mountainspeed.com) the X rated link wich includes a much stronger link AND sealed bearings instead of the much critisized bushings, which pretty much does what the new model does, with the cost of a new bike. Its worth it (I swear I'm not been paid for the endorsement!).
I agree with the other folks that the wing-span of the handlebar is ridiculous, just go for the saw and chop off a couple inches, no problem.
I give this baby 5 chilis again: great value, wonderful handling and quite reliable (other than the parts described). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Tunitas, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Whitmore Gulch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1430.00 | | Purchased At: | redrider | | Strengths: | light, for under 1.5K a SID XC, Float RC with XT and XTR, 517 rims,such a good deal. Avid Mag brakes work good and are very light. Subspension set up and geometry is the best part of bike, it really works great, climbs great and goes down---no frown!! | | Weaknesses: | tires, seat | | Similar Products Used: | bridgstone, gt, trek | | Bike Setup: | lots of pressure in float, I weigh some. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. Was worried initually about bobbing, but this never has been a problem. This bike climbs way better than my ancient 28 lb Bridgstone hardtail, even on pavement. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy
a Cross Country Rider
from Portugal
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | -climbing is great.
-The suspension is amazing.
-The overall behaviour of the bike. | | Weaknesses: | -Very poor reliability.
(Check bellow) | | Similar Products Used: | Giant ATX970 1999 frame. | | Bike Setup: | FSR XC pro frame, mars1, flite, ritchey brakes, crossroc wheels, sram drivetrain, etc. | | Bottom Line: | First of all, this review is for the frame only.
This could be an amazing frame, if it wasn't so unreliable, i broke the the rear chainstay in about 1000 km, the bushings don't last 2000 Km, and what make's it a little worst is that the pivots rotate on the bushings on one side and in the aluminium on the other side, in time replacing the bushings wont be enought, because the aluminium itself will be worn, making it impossible to take off the play in the pivots (something that's allready happening with mine, making me have to find solutions on my own).
I'll give it a five for the behaviour, but i'll give it a two for the reliability. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from Austria, Europe
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Patscherkofel, The Alps | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Ertl, Innsbruck | | Strengths: | Great Geometry, awesome climber, very light | | Weaknesses: | Seat | | Bike Setup: | Flite Saddle, Tires | | Bottom Line: | Here in Innsbruck most of the trails are very steep (said my american friends from Utah during their bike-holidays here). But that's no problem for a bike like this. This bike is an incredible climber. My destinations in the Alps I reach now much faster (than with my hardtrails i've ridden). It's the best bike i rode till now and the numerous Specialized-parts work good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from NY
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything good and hard | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle World | | Strengths: | Great very light bike. Nice parts come with the bike but i woould upgrade to hayes hydraulic disk | | Weaknesses: | Nothing | | Similar Products Used: | 1998 GT Richochet | | Bike Setup: | Sid Xc front, Hayes in front and rear, time atac Carbon pedals, Chris King headset everything else stock | | Bottom Line: | Its a very good bike for all types of riding. Its light which makes it good on the hills and has good control. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from NY
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything good and hard | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle World | | Strengths: | Great very light bike. Nice parts come with the bike but i woould upgrade to hayes hydraulic disk | | Weaknesses: | Nothing | | Similar Products Used: | 1998 GT Richochet | | Bike Setup: | Sid Xc front, Hayes in front and rear, time atac Carbon pedals, Chris King headset everything else stock | | Bottom Line: | Its a very good bike for all types of riding. Its light which makes it good on the hills and has good control. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
barry thomas
a
from mesa, az - usa
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Haws/TRW | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | bike chalet | | Strengths: | super light - sub 24 pounds. great geometry. love the fox rear suspension and linkage - it really stays hooked up much better than I expected when climbing steep technical sections. plus great service from the guys at chalet. | | Weaknesses: | came with crappy pedals - immediately ditched 'em. specialized tires - ditched 'em.
stock seat - still have not ditched it but will soon. | | Similar Products Used: | bianchi full suspention - a trusty steed for some years and hard to retire. specialized stumpjumper hard tail - ouch, not good for the trails I ride. | | Bike Setup: | xt/xtr drive train - mavic 517 rims - mythos xc treds - thompson stem and seatpost - raceface 1" riser - sram rocket gripshifters - time carbon pedals - | | Bottom Line: | this rig is like driving a porche. great for xc - fast and nimble. excellent climber and desender. it has plenty of cush for me as i am only 170 pounds - maybe not as good for clydsdales. i ride with guys who have spent $1500 more on their bikes (santa cruz, titus, etc.). i kicked their arses in value, in price, and in the desert. great bike! five hot tamales! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pink Robe
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgree
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Sulphur Springs | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Horst Link, xt/xtr drivetrain, brakes, brakes, brakes, Marz. Atom Bomb fork, Fox shock | | Weaknesses: | PEDALS, short seatpost, freakin' wide handlebar | | Bike Setup: | upgrade from SID to '01 Marzocchi Atom 80, slapped AVID mechanical disk brake on front, new front hub is XT, Profile tree hooks, fresh coat of dirt | | Bottom Line: | I picked this year-2000 bike up in January '01 for a significant discount. I immediately ditched the SID fork [bleagh!], and upgraded the front brake to an Avid mechanical disk. Yo Yo Ma, it is so choice. If you have the means to pick one up, I highly recommend it. While I was at it, I should have swapped out the pedals. I've been riding a long time, and have never had a crappier set of pedals than the pieces o' $#!+ that came with this bike. They actually have sharp edges, not to mention the fact that they don't engage or disengage particularly well.
The ride is amazing. Even with the stock semi-slicks, I'm climbing over roots, rocks and loose crap like never before. When I work off the 20 lbs of fat i accumulated this winter, I'm going to be able to climb trees [yeah, that'll happen]. The handling is classic Specialized. It's good at pretty much everything, without having sucky points or dazzling capabilities in any particular area. That said, this was engineered to be a XC race bike. Do not boost 10' drops, or you will need stitches and a new bike. If you like to climb steeps, zip through singletrack and want a bike to make up for your lack of fitness and/or skill, this is definitely the ride for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bret
a Weekend Warrior
from Provo, UT USA
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything in MOAB | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel World | | Strengths: | This is an incredibly comfortable yet quick bike.
-Extremely light weight for a dual suspension
-The front and rear shocks are very balanced together (super plush)
-This thing will climb anything | | Weaknesses: | -Cranks don't feel very stiff (and I only weigh 155 soaking wet)
-The pedals are junk (they loosened up as I was riding)
-Twitchy at high speeds (takes time to get used to the geometry) | | Similar Products Used: | Tested a GT XCR, Canondale Super Raven, My old GT Karakoram | | Bike Setup: | Bone Stock, cut the handlebars shorter, Specialized Cordless Computer | | Bottom Line: | I wasn't too sure about jumping into a dual suspension bike. For the same price, I could get a lighter and better spec'd hardtail. But, I test rode it and it was all over. The GT and Canondale are more plush. Almost too plush. Plus, they both felt heavy. The Specialized, on the other hand, was the perfect balance between a hardtail and a dual suspension. THis thing is fast, very fast. It rides extremely comfortably. I can ride twice as long as my hardtail and still be hungry for more. Although the rear shock has lockout capabilities, you don't need it. This bike climbs like a mountain goat. It takes a little time to get used to the geometry. It can get twitchy at high speeds, but once you get used to it, you can tame the beast. Overall, I'm extremely happy with the bike. It was a lot of money, and it took me a while to truly love it, but I have reached my epiphany. THis thing is awesome. This is the ultimate cross country machine. Test ride the others and compare, but you'll end up getting the specialized. 4 Chilis because you'll need to get new pedals to replace the pieces of junk. Other than that, great value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin Hevezi
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | West Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Reed's Sporting Goods, San Jose, CA | | Strengths: | Unbeatable combination of quality components, great frame and amazing price. FLOAT RC is nice, Mavic 517's & SID perform well. We put the bike on the scale at the shop; 23.5 lbs!!!! Awesome a sub-$2000 dualie. | | Weaknesses: | Stock seat is terrible, very uncomfortable. The bars are jokingly wide. Why so wide, when the bike handles so well? Not a big fan of the stock tires. | | Similar Products Used: | M2 Hardtail, FSR Expert, Fisher Paragon. | | Bike Setup: | New seat, bar & tires (Panaracer Fire XC Pro). | | Bottom Line: | Hands-down, best performance for the dough. 23.5 lb, dual suspension, XC race bike for $1800??? Maybe it doesn't have the excusivity of the custom bikes, and you may see 2 or 3 on a long ride, but there is a reason. The rear-end began to squeak during the first race, and that sucked, but a tear-down and grease job shut it up. I see an Mtn. Speed bearing kit in the future....
I use the lock-out on the shock frequently, and so far have no problems. Very sharp handling & the light wheelset has taken a few big hits and stayed relatively true. Even if I had more money to spend on a soft-tail racing rig, I wouldn't. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from amity CT
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | good price for the xt-xtr drivetrain you get. SId and fox shock combo works really well, with no rear bobbing on climbs. nice and lightweigt. this is a great all around XC trail bike and can stand up to an occasional race. | | Weaknesses: | i love this bike, but i gotta admit, there are a few weak points. the crank/bottom bracket combo from specialized is low quality. swap em both before you leave the shop, and you will save money on aftermarket replacements. The chainrings are really weak, they bent quite easily, and the bottom bracket felt loose, even though i repacked it several times. the cranks would be ok if it weren't for the bolts, which never quite could hold it together. they kept coming loose at odd times till i finally replaced them. of course, the stock pedals and seat are piss poor, but my shop was willing to swap them for bontrager RE1s and a selle italia for only 30 bucks so i got a deal. the tires don't fit my riding style, so i wouldnt quite call them a weakness. if i lived somewhere that had nothing but hardpack they would be ok. i switched them off for a pair of sweet conti's with bigger treads for the washout trails i ride. surprisingly, the bushings people moan about all the time haven't been any trouble to me at all, which is unexpected since, like i said, i ride through water all the time. ill be keeping them till they become a real problem. | | Similar Products Used: | tried a fisher sugar 2, rode a c-dale super V for 2 years | | Bike Setup: | stock with XT splined cranks, XTR bot. bracket, sram powerchain, selle italia max flite seat, RE-1 pedals, conti traction pro tires. | | Bottom Line: | i love this bike. sure, its needed a few minor relatively inexpencive adjustments over the year i've owned it as any bike would, but that doesnt make it a bad ride. its a great trail bike that is fully raceable if thats what you like to do, and at a great price. also, im getting kinda sick of all the filthy rich people out there who shxt on every part of the bike that says "specialized on it." i dont know what the hell you do to your bike, maybe you throw water on it overnight, maybe you take it off 10 footers, maybe you attack it with a welding torch... whatever. the point is, the house components might not say "race face" on them, but for the most part, they perform fine. if they said raceface on them, the bike would probably be upwards of 4000 dollars rather than 2000. if you dont like house components, you should have mortgaged your house, sold your kids to the slave market, sold all your nonvital organs on ebay, and bought some full XTR rig with raceface all over it. for the rest of us who would rather own more than just a bike, specialized works just fine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gabe
a Weekend Warrior
from State College, PA
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Rothrock | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2070.00 | | Purchased At: | Ace Wheelworks, Boston | | Strengths: | Great frame, light weight, good brakes, Fox Float is awesome | | Weaknesses: | SID is not easy to maintain, seat, cranks, pedals, no shock pump included | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar 2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for Speedplay frogs, generic seatpost, fork boots, more comfortable GT seat | | Bottom Line: | Well, I've had this bike for about a year now and it's still great. The frame is in perfect condition, as well as all the other compenents, after having suffered all-weather riding. The Specialized cranks feel a little bendy, and the ano wore off quickly, making them look cheap. The SID is picky and requires a lot of maintenance. Boots are a must! Overall, this bike has performed very well, and I recommend it as a light XC bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kent
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango, CO
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Horsegulch | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1999.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain Bike Specialists, Durango | | Strengths: | Lightweight, very fast, agile, supple suspension, excellent climber, low rolling resistance. (almost everything!) | | Weaknesses: | Rear derailleur knocking on chainstay. Saddle.
Should come w/ suspension pump. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlight X, Fisher Sugar 2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Terry Liberator Ti Saddle and Specialized bar ends. (and no reflectors...) | | Bottom Line: | Absolutely the best bike I've ever ridden in 13 years of mtn biking, seriously. I would very strongly recommend this bike to anyone who wants fast, lightweight, active full suspension. I could not believe the difference on the first ride and continue to be amazed; you will too. House brand parts work fine. After a couple hundred miles no sus problems whatsoever. New Specialized tire compounds are dialed just right, finally. Wide cockpit is roomy and stable(I had my doubts at first). Excellent climbing geometry. I absolutely gush silly over this bike and will smile every time I mount it! The bike made me greatly improve my skills immediately. Above complaints are fairly minor; overall outstanding bike for the $$. I have a L frame and it weighs 24.5lbs. Do yourself a favor and go see for yourself what mountain biking SHOULD be like! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Gardner
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City,UT
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim - Moab, UT | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Strengths: | Very agile suspension system, with a quick ride and feel. Superb handling allows you to feel in control and stable through various rugged terrain. | | Weaknesses: | The seat is harder than a brick, and the stem seems a bit short. These can easily be fixed. | | Similar Products Used: | All of GT's full suspension line up,as well as Schwinn's rocket and Gary Fisher's sugar line up | | Bike Setup: | Basically stock with a custom seat, stem and sealed bearing kit which is awesome. -And more rugged tires for extreme terrain. | | Bottom Line: | You can't beat the performance this bike has to offer. When all is said and done, this bike out weighs the competition. No matter what the terrain, from loose dirt to slickrock to downhill ledges, this is the best one out. I have found it to increase my biking ability and allowing me to go further and harder that I could before. The suspension is a great set up allowing for complete customization. If you want to push it and become a better rider, you need a bike that will not hinder your performance and progress. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ted Wolf
a Racer
from Richland WA USA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | State Patrol Trail System | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Markee's Cycling | | Strengths: | Excellent climber, Nimble feel | | Weaknesses: | Terrible Seat, Flexy cranks, Drivetrain terrible in mud. | | Similar Products Used: | Treks Y frames | | Bike Setup: | S-works wheelset, Selle saddle, 747 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is an incredible climber. The suspension is real good for a person who wants to take the edge off the bumps without sacrificing the pogo effect of a ton of suspension. Took a while to get the susupension balanced out but once you have it dialed it is good. The bike is a real quick turner so for technical singletrack it is super. The worst part of the bike is the squeaky and creaky pivots. The pivot points do take some maintenance. The drivetrain is terrible when it gets muddy. This is the worst chain suck in the world....I almost threw the bike off a cliff I was so mad one day. The gearing is too low. But overall I like the bike and the handling. The bike does take more maintenance than I am use to but I think it is worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON Canada
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Strengths: | Brakes, weight, suspension, build quality | | Weaknesses: | Seat, that damn seat
Bars, personal preference, their excessively wide
Bottom bracket height
Pedals | | Bike Setup: | LP bars, Sel itilia seat, the rest is stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike climbs like nothing else. Build quality is great. I've had no problems with the bushings, they have not been touched since new and this bike has seen everything. Considering mountain speeds fsr kit for more travel. This bike is killer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcus
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Wilder Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Shop | | Strengths: | Avid brakes
Light wheelset
Great frame
Shocks, front and rear
XT shifters | | Weaknesses: | Seat
seatpost
Bit of flex in the back at speed. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlight
Cannondale Raven
GT I-Drive | | Bike Setup: | Stock with exception of seat and seatpost | | Bottom Line: | I don't know what is Stacy's problem, but I have had no such problems with my FSR. Granted if you don't clean up your bike or any bike for that matter, expect problems. Plus she said she tested a SC Superlight. Why didn't she buy that? I have had no problems with the bushings and I've ridden muddy trails and well as dry dusty ones. I keep my bike clean and don't hose off my bike on critical parts such as bushings and bearings. I ride about 3 times a week on local trails and singletrack, some highspeed fireroads and technical descents. The only thing I wish for is more travel in the rear. I ordered mountainspeed's FSR kit to get a more stable rearend and 1 inch more in travel. I'll report on that later when it is installed. Otherwise, this is one great XC bike. Great for racing and just plain fun. I thought about a Santa Cruz superlight, but fear the thinness of the frame will not hold up over time. The FSR is solid and well made. Most are going for $1750 now, so it is a great buy at this price. Five doohickeys now that you can get it so cheap. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stacy C
a Racer
from Ft Lauderdale, Fl. USA
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Markham Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | shop | | Strengths: | good sid fork, sweet brakes, 9 speed kicks ass | | Weaknesses: | JESUS CHRIST where do i begin? Well let's start with the seat, sucks, then the hubs, sucks, cranks, suck, seat post, sucks, swingarm, sucks, tires, sucks, bars, sucks, stem, sucks, and my personal favorite the rear pivot bushings, suck suck suck suck suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can bet you house, car, savings and checking account, and kidds college fund that i will never buy, wear, or ride anything with the name "specialized" on it ever again. The best the bike has been was just after i replaced the shi&*y seat with an SDG, then replaced the crappy wheelset with some Crosslands, then the flexy cranks with some real a&* kickin cranks you might have heard of, Race Face. Then the tires with some nice semi-slicks, then a pro-file stem and downhill bar replaced the moose bar and lengthy specialized stem, then had to have the swing-arm replaced do to cracks. Oh but you know that the rear pivot bushings are the real trophy winners. What a&*hole at specialized said "oh those plastic bushing should work just fine." They do for about 3 or 4 rides for the average to above average rider. Then let the spending begin because if you think the bike shops are going to keep replacing them every month, you are sadly mistaken. Don't even bother trying to find any answers from specialized's website. I have sent them 2 e-mails and have not got even one response. When the bushing first wore out, i called 7 different specialized dealers within 50 miles of Ft Lauderdale and not one had the bushing in stock and not one dealer was in any hurry to help me. I got the same answer from every dealer, "we will have to order them, should take about 2 to 4 weeks." Well it's been 6 months and the same dealers still don't have them. Is it specialized or is it the dealers? Regardless, to fix the problem i had to drop another $160 on the Mountain Speed X-rated kit which is the only thing that kept me from burning this over priced piece of Taiwanez sh&* to the ground. | | Similar Products Used: | TREK 8000, Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bike Setup: | sale it before you spend another dollar or second on it!!!!! | | Bottom Line: | From this day forward I will tell every biker i meet to stay away from specialized. I think that if specialized would have at least acknowledged that I exist then I might not have become there worst enemy. I would love to read some other owner's comments after they have actually rode there bike for more than a few months. I am a cross country sport racer here in south Florida so it's not like i'm downhill bombing this thing or cliff jumping it. I think I was ripped off and i'm pissed off about it. E-mail your comments good or bad. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christian Bilet
a Cross Country Rider
from Akron, Ohio
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Strengths: | Very lightweight, SID XC and FOX FLOAT RC suspension, good value, warranty that I got at my bike shop. | | Weaknesses: | Yellow. But that is just personal taste. Some of the generic cockpit components are weak, and the cranks are terrible. | | Similar Products Used: | GT, Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | stock with Titec Berzerker Saddle, LX hollowtech cranks, Coda seatpost, Azonic bars. I also installed a Mt. Speed sealed bering kit instead of the squeaky bushings and a Risse Link instead of the stock one to increase my rear travel to almost 4 inches. | | Bottom Line: | A sweet ride once you get the kinks out of it. Personally, since I don't race it very often, the 4 inches of rear travel is better for me. A racer would probably prefer the standard 2. Upgrade the bushings, seat, and cranks, and its a smooth ride. Highly recommended to any cross country weekend rider or racer like myself. It's a very dependable ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron Bleakley
a Racer
from Auckland NewZealand
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Awesome riding attributes !!!! Light weight etc etc etc | | Weaknesses: | generic parts | | Similar Products Used: | lots & lots of bikes (i'm a mechanic) | | Bike Setup: | Easton carbon bars,Ritchey Ti pedals,Thomson seat post,Ritchey pro brake levers,Fizik Pave' Ti saddle,RaceFace cranks & bb,Gripshift Rocket shifters,New 2001 SID SL fork,Kore stem,CrossMax ust wheels with Rollmodel 2bliss tires. | | Bottom Line: | As the old spec stuff wears out or breaks (accident or otherwise)replace it with your product of choice!
At just over 22.5 lbs this bike weighs the or even less than my hardtail competitors.
At the moment i am waiting for my new 2001 xc pro to arrive, which solves almost all of the problems with this bike;ie bearing pivots, longer top tube , higher bb, moved rear linkage to improve lateral rigidity,BUT the 2000 model is not a slug, and i wouldn't be replacing at all, if it wasn't for the fact that im being sponsored the new model.
TIP !!!!! For anyone having problems with rear bushings wearing out!
1:when you get the bike new or are replacing your old bushings, strip the rear triangle.
2:treat all bushing surfaces with a DRY teflon based product,i personally use CRC DRYGIDE spray.
3:wait till dry then reassemble.
4:retreat every 4-8 weeks(depending on conditions)
Always use a dry lubricant, as it doesn't attract dirt and grit like grease does.
This procedure rids your bike of that annoying sqeak and stiction, whilst reducing the replacement time of the bushings.
I've ride in very sandy or muddy conditions 10 to 25 hrs per week and have only needed to replace my bushings 3 weeks ago after 11 mths use. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guy
a
from Burton, TN
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | light weight, XT shifting, shocks on both ends, lockout (although i rarely use it). Good climber and fast decender. Eats up technical terrain. Wheelset and brakes are sweet too. | | Weaknesses: | some house parts are weak, such as the cranks and seat especially. other reviewers have had some troubles with the bushings, but for me, despite regular hard rides, they have held up fine. no squeaks as of yet. | | Similar Products Used: | numerous | | Bike Setup: | stock with ct2 post and bars, BG seat, race face cranks | | Bottom Line: | the bottom line is this bike is mint. if you're an avid biker and amature racer, as i am, it will fit your bill perfectly, at a good price. even with the few necessary upgrades on specialized parts, it is quite a bit cheaper than high end bikes from other companies. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Racer
from New Haven CT USA
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Amity Cycles | | Strengths: | XT componentry, SID XC and FOX RC, frame geometry, Avid Mags, smooth price. Specialized loads the customer up with great drivetrain and suspension parts for their money. The supposed "trade-off" is in the house brand components, which in my opinion work just as well as higher priced alternatives. see below. | | Weaknesses: | The seat and the bushings are the most significant weaknesses i can see. Swap the seat for a BG or Selle Italia before you leave the shop. Try a mountain speed sealed bearing kit to replace the bushings. That will cut down on the annoying squeaking. Once these two flaws are dealt with, you've got quite a nice bike on your hands. Sure, maybe the cranks don't function quite as well as NEXT LPs or XTR, but they work. I've noticed a lot of people ranking on the house brand components in their reviews, and its getting kinda tiresome. For some reason people have come to think that just because it doesnt say XTR, Race Face, or CT2 on it, it is a piece of crap. This is for the most part, false. Sure, the seat sucks and the cranks are a wee bit flexy, but all the other house stuff has held up perfectly this season, and believe me, i ride the hell out of this bike. The bars, stem, and hubs are fine pieces of equipment, no need to waste your money on big name products that can't offer all that much more quality. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher sugar 2, various cannondale jekylls and ravens, and intense tracer. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Speedplay frogs, Selle Italia Ti saddle, Mt. speed bearings, king headset, and thompson elite post. | | Bottom Line: | This a nice bike, a really nice bike. It needs a few modifications to function at capacity, but once these are out of the way, it is sweet. People need to stop ranking on specialized for their cockpit components too, they are FINE. The stem, bars, post, and cranks work really well, the only reason why i switched off the seatpost is because it got cut too short in the shop and i needed a longer one. Just dont drive your FSR off your roof, and the cranks should be ok. I would strongly recommend this bike to any beginer racer who is serious about the sport, but doesnt have 5000 dollars to put down. Its a smooth ride and deserves every bit of 5 flamin' chilies | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick Benson
a Racer
from Saint John , N.B. Canada
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Mushroom farms | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Darlings Island Bike Shop | | Strengths: | It's nice and light and great handling in our east coast single track. The suspension Syd/Fox area great combination. I was looking for a light x-c country racer/fast fitness bike. This is the one. It is not a freerider! | | Weaknesses: | Yes the bars were way to long! I would have gone with a longer tope tube and shorter stem .. but it works fine for me 5ft. 9.5 in Too much house brand stuff on it! | | Similar Products Used: | I rented a Santa Cruz, Heckler for a few hours in Whistler BC last summer. It was heavy and not nearly as nimble as the FSR Pro. Played around on a Jeckle with a lefty ... it was nice ... almost too much travel in the front! Raced and ridden mainly hard tails ... I'll never go back! | | Bike Setup: | As is ... except I added the body geomntry x-c saddle and bar ends. Yes I'm a dinosaur ... I like the short stubbies!
I have ridden michelin tires for the last few years ... these stock tires are fast ... but I like the traction the wild grippers give on the wet rocks, roots and mud! | | Bottom Line: | This is a fast nimble bike. If those are the type of trails you ride and the style of riding you do, then this is the bike! I have nad absolutely no problems with this bike! I like the set up )short cock pit) I have had no problems with bushings so far. I raced it a number of times and the shifting has been great! I'm now setting it up with studded tires for our winter/ice trail riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick Salinas
a Cross Country Rider
from Jakarta, Indonesia
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Cibubur | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Mikes Bikes - Cannon Beach Oregon | | Strengths: | Great fit (for shorter riders), good overall component package, LOVE the Wide Boy Handlebar and SID fork. AVID brakes are awesome stoppers with a really nice feel. | | Weaknesses: | Rear Hub and crank are 'so-so', bushings in rear suspension suck. I know they will be virtually worthless after 1 rainy season so I've already ordered sealed bearings to replace them. | | Similar Products Used: | Only had a hard tail before. | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock, but will upgrade to MountainSpeed X-Rated link and sealed bearing kit soon. | | Bottom Line: | Bike is AWESOME!!...very fast and very Light Weight, good overall comfort and super stable. Great climber, decends well and just roast's on the flat. I've never had rear suspension before but I'll never go back to a hardtail. This bike has a nice ride and it allows me to ride stuff I used to avoid. I can ride for 2-3 hrs and feel great the next day, when before I'd be out for the count after riding 3hrs on my hardtail.
House stuff is a bit rough in my opinion. Crank gets the job done and shifting is good but machining and finishing is not great, I don't even think the arms are Aluminum. Front hub is nice, but rear hub is probably of lesser quality than 'LX'. Only exception in my opinion is the WideBoy Handlebar. I wanted to cut the damn thing when I first rode it but after 2 or 3 rides I fell in love with it. Gives the ride a stable feel and you gain more control in the rough stuff. I also switched the saddle out to a 'Body Geometry' style and I'm very happy with the comfort it provides.
Overall, I really love this bike and would recommend it to anyone who likes to ride fast and for riders who don't like to 'walk' their bike up hills. With this bike, you 'ride' up the hills..and do so very quickly!! I plan to enjoy this ride for a very long time.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Ritsch
a Cross Country Rider
from Vail
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pollies Plundge | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorado Bike Service | | Strengths: | Light weight, fully active rear end. | | Weaknesses: | Rear end bushings wear out within 40 hours of ride time, requiring continual maintenance / replacement.
Rear swing arm bent within second month after purchase.
Continual shifting problems due to flexing rear end, and un aligned bottom bracket. RockShock SID fork is far too flexy for this bike to be ridden hard in technical descents and corners.
Specialized house brand bottom bracket and rear hub went out within 100 hours of riding. AS with the rest of their house brand components, they are marginal. | | Bike Setup: | Stock out of the box. | | Bottom Line: | The light weight of the bike comes at the expense of a truly durable design. If this bike is to be used for recreation use only it is a fun inspiring ride. For hard riding and racing it is very high maintance and costly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad Beasinger
a Cross Country Rider
from Tongduchon, SK
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bayonet Extended | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Town and Country Bikes, Livonia, MI | | Strengths: | Stock driveline components, brakes, etc... | | Weaknesses: | Service and support | | Bottom Line: | I used to be the proud rider and owner of a 2000 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR XC Pro... that is to say that I am still the owner, just not "proud" nor can I ride it. A very significant number of Ben Franklin greenbacks went to Specialized when I brought this bike home... but the money apparently didn't include any kind of service or support help. Two months after my first ride, I noticed a hairline crack at the weld on the driveline side of the rear chainstay. Not sure if it was truly cracked metal or cracked paint I called Specialized to find a local distributor in Korea. After at least $200 in phone calls over four months and much frustration, I was finally told by the Korea distributor of Specialized that they don't do warranty service for bikes that weren't bought in Korea. Sorry about that.......
Insult to injury, Specialized doesn't have any direct method by which you can contact them without shelling out the bones for international calls to even report this travesty.
Fortunately, I will leave Korea in less than a month now... my $2200 bike sits idle... but I look forward to getting it fixed. That way I can sell it to some other sucker and never ride Specialized again. I've ridden and owned Specialized for seven years, but I guess they've forgotten the little guy. The power of suggestion is very strong given my close association with a group of riders who number nearly 40 and probably know and ride with another 40 riders... who know and ride with another 40, etc.... I suppose my comments regarding Specialized service and support might also sway the minds of the 700 soldiers I have led when they ask me about getting into mountain biking too...
Ahhhh.... the power of democracy in action! | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Desolation Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Rear suspension geometry (and overall geometry) is right for strict cross-country, especially for racers with a big budget I suspect. | | Weaknesses: | Implementation of rear suspension needs perking up-feels spongy). Shoddy stock parts for the price (especially given how big Specialized is). | | Similar Products Used: | Trek-Y, Fisher Joshua and Sugar, Cannondale Super-V and Jeckyll, Santa Cruz Heckler/Superlight, Proflex 756 (my old rig), Rocky Mountain Instinct (my new rig and decisive favorite). | | Bottom Line: | I've only demoed, and I haven't ridden an FSR with the mountainspeed upgrades or the new, full-bearing models, so readers should look at my review in that context.
I'm not tremendously impressed with this bike in stock form. I pushed down on it and pretty much could predict the ride that I got- kinda spongy, not bad for climbs because it deactivates the suspension, and perfectly fine for cross-country especially if you're just coming off a hardtail. Superior to my old Proflex, and I think it's performance is just fine against most of the competition. But it wasn't sheer-pleasure inspiring and I don't think it's very versatile. The rear travel and dampening is cross-country sufficient but not exceptional, the steering will get you where you want to go but not with nimble aplomb, and the overall package is perfectly functional but doesn't feel well integrated. There isn't anything exceedingly bad about the design, and the rear geometry looks like it got its fair share of Specialized's homework, but the bushings and such seem to really hamper the ultimate performance and riding feel. From the other reviews it sounds like you can invest a lot and get a wonderful ride, but I think at these price-points you shouldn't have to upgrade so much. And the thing is, it sounds like the reliability on the stock stuff is actually pretty poor. It might be cheaper to buy the frame and build it ground up.
I would encourage pleasure-seeking riders who want more range/versatility in a bike that doesn't need so much new equipment right off the bat to test ride Rocky Mountain's cross-country suspension offerings. They don't warranty 4" or longer forks and in stock form they're not especially light (neither is the FSR, though), but they shine in technical descents, handling characteristics, and jumping (in the context of cross-country), with superb frame rigidity and front-rear suspension integration. They're extremely confidence-inspiring. It the context of my ride-for-fun, sometimes pretty wild cross-country riding, I think they're the best on the market. And I'm not Canadian, just so you know. Read my reviews on the Instinct if you're looking to buy a new bike, but not if you already have an FSR; I don't want to insult anyone.
This review probably sounds negative, but I actually think the FSR is one of the better thought-out designs among highly-available bikes, therefore a safe purchase in the long-term if you have the dough. The frame isn't particularly weak in any way, just not beyond-belief-superb in any particular way either. A bike at this price should be beyond-belief-superb at something. Four flamin' crap piles for the frame minus one for the parts selection. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Rode Island
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tower Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | International Bicycle in Newton,MA-never go there! | | Strengths: | suspension design, componet group, wheels, color, awesome climber, quick handling | | Weaknesses: | E-type front derailleur, pedals, crank, seat, plastic bushings, flexy SIDxc fork, no disc brake mounts on frame, skinny tires | | Bike Setup: | Z1 Xfly, MountainSpeed swing link and bearing kit | | Bottom Line: | If you have this bike definitly get the Mountain Speed X-rated kit(swing link and bearings). It takes the flex out of the rear end and increases travel from a sticky 76mm to a super smooth 90mm. It also raises the BB which is nice. Replace that flexy SIDxc with a 4 inch Bomber, swap out those skinny tires with some decent treads, add a riser bar and you have a bike that can handle just about anything. Other than the weaknesses stated above this bike is great. In my opinion it's the best thing going short of an Intense Tracer/Uzzi or an Ellesworth Truth. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ricky e
a
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Chicago's local trail and Wisconsins trail (Kettle Morraine) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Denver, Colorado | | Strengths: | Geometry,components(xt,xtr),brakes,supensions(front&rear), Front wheel (radial laced).
| | Weaknesses: | I really can't call them weaknesses it will be more of a riders preference. Handlebar,headset,saddle,stem,pedals,cranks and that yellow color. Oh! not to mention the catalog said that the rear triangle would be ready for disc mount. Anybody, knows where I can get an adaptor? | | Similar Products Used: | 1996 Specialized C3 (if you guys still remember the frame, carbon fiber with aluminum skeleton, Specialized recalled it after it was out for about 3 months),1998 Specialized FSR(with rear suspension upgrade). | | Bike Setup: | upgrade to Chris King headset,RaceFace riser handlebar, Specialized Team Control(front2.1) and Team Master(2.0 rear)Team Edition Tires, SDG saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Since having this bike for 3 months and only used it 4 times (about 150 miles) I would have to say that this bike made life or riding easier for me. It took me less effort to climb all the steep hills, took the corners a lot faster, go through big log jumps with ease, and made the real rocky and rutty downhill somewhat flat. The comparison bikes that I mentioned above were great but the rear triangle seems to flex a lot on corners and climbing was somewhat hard, then again the suspension technology back then was different. When you hit the corner fast on this bike the rear will somewhat loose traction a little bit but just pedal through it and that tire will grab right away (almost feels like a downhill bike). Being a stock bike the weight is not bad at all. You can still cut down a lot if your willing to spend some $$$ which I might do. Install a RaceFace crankset,Ti bb, Mavic crossmax w/ disc hubs,Hayes disc brakes, and last is a Marzzochi Z1 or the X-fly front suspension (the RS sid just won't take the 2.1 tire I have). There you go, now you'll have a nice lethat weapon! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Seale
a Weekend Warrior
from Greenville, SC
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Laurel Mountain, Pisgah | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Franklin St. Cycles | | Strengths: | Light. Quick steering. Good components. Great suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Bad pedals. Slipping seatpost. Hard as a rock seat. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Time ATAC Carbon pedals, Sele Italia Max Flite Trans Am saddle, Race Face Rings, and soon to be Thompson Elite seat post. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is my first full supsension and it is amazing. This bike has caused me to give up my hardtail forever. The SID XC, the Fox, and almost everything else make the bike awesome. However, I have had a couple of problems. I had to replace the pedals and now I have to replace the seat post too. After about the 4th ride on the bike, the stock pedals let go after a hard ride. All of the grease blew out of the right pedal and the bearings were grinding away. I replaced them with the Time ATACs and they rock. Also, the seat post will not stay up unless I really tighten down the clamp, and after a particularly vicious hit with a tree, it bent. Oh, well, I guess a 200 lb guy hitting a tree is bound to cause some damage. Oh yeah, if you ever want to have kids, get rid of the seat. It's like sitting on a brick. Overall I give the bike 5 chili's. It's a fun bike and, despite a couple of problems, it's worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Reid Ogren
a Racer
from Guilford CT USA
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything technical | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Zanes Cycles Branford | | Strengths: | Excellent componentry for a bike of its price range, great front and rear suspension, aggressive geometry, lightweight, good on decents, and just as nice going up. | | Weaknesses: | Cranks are weak and flexy, seatpost creaks and is a bit on the heavy side, pedals are hard to get in and out of, and the seat feels great once your package becomes comfortably numb. (which it does after about a half hour of riding) | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Sugar 2 (heavy, and the geometry works exactly the same as my stumpjumper) | | Bike Setup: | Stock drivetrain, Sid XC fork, Fox float RC shock, thompson post, flite gel saddle, NEXT LP cranks, shimano 858 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | While specialized has been known to skimp on its cockpit components, the company makes it up double by loading its bikes with drivetrain componentry commonly found on bikes that are hundreds more expensive. Once you've gotten rid of the cranks, pedals, and seat, you have a race ready machine that can tackle any terrain you point it towards. It is extremely lightweight as well, which is handy. The rear suspension hardly bobs at all, and if it bothers you that much, you can lock it out. The Sid fork works smoothly even after months of abuse. The bottom line is that this is quite possibly the best equipped, lightest dualie you can find for less than 2500. Buy one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Tampa, FL
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Strengths: | -Excellent handling
-Good Climbing
-Low weight
-Great Value | | Weaknesses: | Cranks, Seat, Pedals, Bushings in rear-end.
Other than me being picky about my component mix, I only have two complaints about this bike. The first is the bushings they use in the rear dropout pivots. They get dirty, creak, and make for stiction. They were fine for the first month or two, but after that- get rid of them. For around $160 you can get the mountainspeed upgrade which gives you needle bearings for the rear dropout, a new machined linkage (with pressed needle bearings) and a little less than an extra inch of travel. This kit makes a world of difference. The rear end feels better than new, and there is increased lateral stiffness.
My second complaint is due to a cracked swingarm. After about 3000 miles, I came across a stress crack in the swingarm about 1" behind the main pivot. Luckily I found this before my next hard ride, but I am nonetheless dissapointed. However- Specialized IS making good on it. They are shipping me a new swingarm as I write this. I will update my posting when I see how it all turns out.
| | Similar Products Used: | Sugar 1, Raven, Hardtail Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Raceface Cranks, rings and BB, Time Atacs, Specialized body geometry seat, Mountainspeed bearing/linkage upgrade, Specialized riser bar, Flak Jacket cables. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is one of the best all around full suspension XC rides I've ridden. Granted I have had to do a bit of work to make it perfect, but there aren't any other bikes that give you as much bang for the buck.
The ride is plush (especially after the mountainspeed upgrade), the bike is light, and it performs well. I highly recommend this bike to any hard-tail rider looking for a bike that doesn't sacrifice acceleration or handling for the smoother ride of a FS. This is a pure XC machine, so don't buy it if you're looking for something that rides like a Lazyboy on the trails. You won't be dissapointed! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
carol young
a Cross Country Rider
from washington
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | McKenzie river trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | oregon shop | | Strengths: | sid fork, lightweight bike, time pedals, nice hubs | | Weaknesses: | spokes! Cannot keep wheels straight with these spokes | | Similar Products Used: | kona full suspension | | Bike Setup: | stock bike | | Bottom Line: | hot bike, but wheels reaally suck! I like the ride of the
SID fork, and I am converted to the time atac pedals. I
had to cut the seatpost down to fit, as it was tooo long.
I had heard that some people bottomed out the cranks on
the 2000 model, and I am happy to say I have not been able
to do this with this model. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Jakobs
a Racer
from Branford, CT
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere technical | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Zanes Cycles | | Strengths: | Lightweight, SID/FOX shock combo, Good drivetrain componentry at a relatively cheap price. | | Weaknesses: | THE SEATPOST IS TOTAL CRAP. The pedals, cranks, and rings are too, in my opinion, but ive had the most trouble with the post. It creaked like an arthritic joint, and my seat slid all over the place. Traded it in for Thompson Elite, problem solved. Dont ride this bike out of the shop without switching the post. Switching the pedals and cranks for Times and XTs is a good plan too, the pedals are junk, and the cranks are really flexy. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Sugar 2 (I dont care what anyone says about the geometry, it works exactly the same as my FSR), and Ellsworth Truth | | Bike Setup: | Time pedals, XT cranks, Thompson seatpost, BG seat, Titec stem and bars. (The specialized wide bars were traded in as a matter of preference. Some love them wide, I hate it, and thats why I traded them in. Not because of the quality.) | | Bottom Line: | Great Bang for your buck. The bike is loaded with good parts (Avid Brakes, XT/XTR stuff) for the price you pay. With a few necessary upgrades, you'll have an excellent cross country race bike, and, if racing isnt your forte, you can trade in the rear linkage bar for a longer one to increase your rear wheel travel to 4 inches, which is nice.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat K
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Vietnam | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Strengths: | Great rear suspension, lock-out, and wide light handlebars | | Weaknesses: | saddle, and pedals | | Similar Products Used: | Jekyl, sugar | | Bike Setup: | stock except for flite saddle and time ATAC pedals | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great! It handles well, its light and durable. BB is a little low causing my crankarms to smack rocks but overall its not too bad. One gripe is that no matter how I set my shifting and suspension I get some ghost shifts. Any remedies? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TJW
a Racer
from Minneapolis, MN
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | Great XC bike. Best overall ride that I have owned. See 3/3/00 review | | Weaknesses: | Some Specialized components - seat, saddle, stem | | Similar Products Used: | XC comp, Sugar 2 | | Bike Setup: | XTR drive train, 747 pedals, flite saddle, Kore stem | | Bottom Line: | First reviewed the bike 3/3/00. The bike has been ridden and raced near 2600 miles in the year owned. The only ongoing issue that I have with the design is the low bottom bracket placement has the ends of the cranks bouncing off rocks and roots at the most inopportune times. Otherwise, the bike has been fantastic in its designed use as a cross-country racing bike that is forgiving enough to be considered conformable. The signature of this bike is the excellent rear suspension. I have ridden nothing that works quite as well. I rode the Sugar mid summer for a week while traveling - it comes close in rear suspension performance but gives a slightly harsher ride in comparison with no offsetting gain in quickness. I have read about next years upgrades – longer, higher frame with bearing throughout the rear. If Specialized kept the flavor of this year’s bike, it should be a winner. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Gilroy, CA
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Demonstration Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Cupertino Bikes | | Strengths: | Light weight, well built, awesome FS XC bike. | | Weaknesses: | Seatpost sucks so I replaced it with a Raceface XO
Pedals replaced with a Time Carbon
Seat replaced with Avocet CC
Tires replaced with Mythos
Teflon bushings wear when dirty leading to creaking. Replaced with Mountain Speed's Bearing and linkage kit | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Carbon S-10 Sweetspot | | Bike Setup: | Stock except those parts mentioned in Product Weakness | | Bottom Line: | This is my six month update from my last review. Since then I encountered minor problems which I replace the offending parts. Stock tires only good for hardpack and terrible in loose conditions. Seat was never comfortable and too narrow for control using your thighs. Seatpost creaked from day one and had to crank down the rail holder or you'd be surprised with unwanted saddle tilt. Pedals were terrible. All parts replaced with those mentioned above.
Did a little experimenting. Covered the bushings on the dropouts to keep dirt out with old tubes and zip-ties. Left other pivots exposed. Dirt and mud easily got to the pivots and creaking started. Have since replaced the linkage and pivots with Sealed bearings and linkage kit from Mountain Speed. What a vast improvement on not only keeping dirt out, but also how the rear suspension just sucked up everything. The old setup was little harsh on small & medium sized bumps. New setup adds another inch, bringing rear travel to 4 inche, and sucks up everything big and small. Setup is similar to a Tracer but quicker handling due to the FSR's shorter cockpit and steeper head angle. The new linkage also raises the BB height by 1/2 an inch. This is one must upgrade for anybody owning a 2000 or earlier FSR. New 2001 models all come with sealed bearings and different head angles and longer top tubes.
Overall, these improvements made a Good bike a GREAT bike. Granted it still isn't a Downhill/Freeride bike, but it is the best FS XC bike I've ever ridden. It retains it's light weight, climbing ability and will make your descending skills one step better. What more can you asked for a bike? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Bassett
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston,MA,USA
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Landrys Framingham | | Strengths: | Great climber, Fast decender, Brakes are incredible, plush ride. So far is taking the pounding well. | | Weaknesses: | Pedals, I tried the stock pedals and they suck, and the Seatpost. Should come with a pump. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Pedals (changed to Ritchie) and Tyres (Changed to Velociraptor kevlars). | | Bottom Line: | Im a big guy (250+ rugby player)so thought hard about buying a light weight bike to replace my battered 98 FSR. Im glad I did, ive been riding with a huge grin ever since. After getting used to the bike I found myself clearing sections on my favourite trails that I previously struggled with. This bike simply climbs anything! The strenghth and reliability to date has been good, though the seat (which unlike other posters I find comfortable)does have an annoying "creak" but then if I was a seat and some 250lb guy sat on me id creak too! Only 4 chilis for value cos at $1900 I paid too much. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Puffy T
a Cross Country Rider
from West Virginia
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light and fast. Smooth going down the hill, easy going up. | | Weaknesses: | Stupid seatpost. Pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek hardtail, Klein Mantra Race, Jeep Cherokee. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Selle Italia Flight saddle and Klein MC3 handlebars.
Stock except for Selle Italia Flight saddle and
Stock except for Selle Italia Flight saddle and MC3 bars. | | Bottom Line: | Sweet bike. The rear suspension is there when you want it, but disappears when you don't (you really don't need the lockout on climbs - I seldom use it). For the small difference in price, it's worth buying the XC Pro over the XC or the XC Comp. I complain about the pedals, but they function just fine. My complaint is over the "cage" which is as sharp as a knife and always finds its way into my shin. As for the heavy, single bolt Ritchey seatpost, it too works fine, but this bike should come stock with a better post (i.e., Thompson Elite). Many complain about the numerous Specialized parts, if they work (and they do), then what's the problem? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drew C
a
from Collingwood, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | 3 Stages | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Strengths: | This bike can out climb anything out there and decends just as fast. This bike is light and feels solid. The first time you get on this bike you feel 10 times faster and you will feel the need to go fast all the time, its great. | | Weaknesses: | Maybe I am a little harsh on my stuff but I have to replace a couple of things so far. I had to replace to cranks with RaceFace because I cracked the stock ones. Also The hubs just plain suck and I had to replace both of them two months after I baught it. Also the head set was crap so there is another 100 bucks gone. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar 2 | | Bike Setup: | Race Face forged cranks. Race face sealed head set. Shimano XT with Mavic 519 wheels. Shimano xtr bottom braket. | | Bottom Line: | Like I said I am rought on my stuff so I end replacing a lot of stuff. And I know people with the same bike that have to do nothing. But all I have to say is this bike is the fastest thing this side of mars | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mighty Mouse
a Racer
from Erin, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any where on the Bruce Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Path - Newmarket | | Strengths: | Light weight, good component mix for the price.
The SID and Fox shox are a great balance. | | Weaknesses: | Crap Ritchey Seatpost, god awful stock seat, too long S Works Stem | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR Extreme | | Bike Setup: | Easton Monkey Lite Riser bars with ODI grips, Syncros Hardcore Stem, Syncros composite seatpost, Bontrager seat (with the gel patch), Rolf Dolomite Wheel set with Mt Baldy rear, Dirt Control front tires. | | Bottom Line: | Bought the bike to shave weight over the FSR Extreme, and got a great price from Cycle Path. Dumped the Specialized wheel set and seat to save a few more bucks, had the Rolf's and the Bontrager seat already.
The FRS Pro is fast, climbs wells, and hangs on in fast corners. The bike is easy to set up in terms of suspension, and Specialized has rear end active travel 2nd. too none.
The Fox shock is trick, the lockout turns the bike into a hardtail. The SID XC is not too bad either, a little flexy, but it gets the job done.
The Ritchey seat post is crap. It creaks and groans, is hard to adjust, and is way too heavy for this bike. Replaced it with a Syncros composite post today, no creaks!! The stock seat is way too ugly and cheap for a bike like this.
Didn't like the flat bars, or the stem, replaced these with part I had on the older FRS. Changed the pedals too, I like the Ritchey Logic's better.
The Specialized tires I have seem to work pretty well unless it really wet and mucky.
Buy this bike if you like to race and are still stuck on having hardtails. Mine weights below 25 lbs., and is much more comfortable and foregiving to ride than a hardtail. Specialized has good pricing on now, so it's easier to justify upgrading right away.
A few little gripes, but overall a great machine.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Cleveland, OH (believe it!)
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Vulture's Knob | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Eddie's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Plush ride - SID rules. Easy to reach lock-out on rear. Avid brakes would stop a horse. | | Weaknesses: | Faulty cranks. I didn't believe it 'til it happened to me - my left crank has fallen off 3 times! Also, I've got to get new pedals.
Swapped out the seat for a Body Geometry - great move!
Wish I would've paid only $1600 like some other reviewers - my fault. | | Similar Products Used: | GT i-drive. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for the seat. | | Bottom Line: | Living in "flat land USA," we get a lot of shorter climbs. This bike eats 'em up, and then hammers the flats and downhills. I don't think I can go back to a hardtail - I'm spoiled. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pablo Meyer
a Weekend Warrior
from Mexico City
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Valle de Bravo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | UC Cyclery | | Strengths: | Really light, nice handling
| | Weaknesses: | Yellow frame, come on???? I can think of better options...
The seat post is too long, I'm sitting on the lowest position and I'm 6'1", I had to saw off two inches.
| | Similar Products Used: | I also own a Schwinn S-20, I tested several Cannondale's lefties and Klein Matra
| | Bike Setup: | Time Atac clips, Panaracer XC tires, Serfas saddle, Icon handle bar
| | Bottom Line: | I just bought this bike as an upgrade from my Schwinn S-20, and let me tell you, those 4 of 5 lbs of extra lightness mean a lot when you are going up on bumpy hills.
The XTR/XT combination works just fine, the gears are really smooth, even when going uphill.
Thanks to the comments of the folks below I did change the clips, saddle and tires, -don't think about it- just do it and you'll thank later. (thanks guys) I also got a 1" raiser handle bar, but this was more of a personal taste. The Panaracer tires kept me from kissing the mud (its raining like crazy down here) unlike the rest of my group.
I got a great discount, and for $ 1,600.00 I don't think you can find any better options. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Strengths: | Weight, Ride, Suspension Adjustability and performance, Drivetrain Components, and brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Bars,pedals, tires, way too many stickers plastered all over the frame. | | Similar Products Used: | Bianchi Super Grizzly, Gary Fisher Supercaliber | | Bike Setup: | Swapped out the bars with risers, 747 pedals, Flite TI gel seat and continental tires. | | Bottom Line: | The price was hard to beat for this level of bike. Yes we all wish Specialized would get rid of their house brand parts and use Shimano but we know they will not. Overall a great value for the buck and with the money you save you can put what parts you really want on it. Rides great if you are a cross country rider. Suspension is just enough to take the pain out but not enough if you want to downhill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john thomas
a Cross Country Rider
from laguna hills, ca, usa
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Carbon Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | lite, lite, lite! lockout shock...although I am starting to forget it's there. wide bars great for me, wrist pain gone forever. fun plush ride on everything I've ridden so far. super well balanced. the price, for what other bikes cost, i could almost buy two! | | Weaknesses: | kinda creaky around the shock area, but I ignore my toys when it comes to maintenence. stock tires are kinda weak, but I dont see anyone else offering much better. | | Similar Products Used: | I rode the jekyell? 900sx, it creaked like the super v did 5 years ago, give up coda componentry and put on shimano stuff already.
my trusty Klein hardtail, still got it. | | Bike Setup: | stock with new panaracer xc tires and bontrager lite barends. barwidth for me is perfect, i have a wide shoulder spread and all other bars have caused wrist pain. | | Bottom Line: | A perfectly affordable solution to the $3000 full suspension bike wars, fun to ride, a bit of flex, but at 200 lbs I'm expecting some. tracks great on downhills and helps me ride much faster than i have in the past. do your maintenence and you'll have no problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marmot
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton, CO
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Monarch Crest/Rainbow | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | SID fork
Avid Mag Brakes
XT/XTR components
Lockout rear shock | | Weaknesses: | Once you lose the pedals, tires, seat, and handlebars...none (potentially the cranks/chainrings).
Should most definitely come with a pump. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Heckler | | Bike Setup: | Easton Monkey Riser Bars
Shimano 535 pedals
Body Geometry seat
Michelin Wildgripper tires | | Bottom Line: | This bike climbs very well and is unbelievably quick and responsive on the downhills. I fell in love on my very first ride and haven't felt different since.
The front and rear suspension are easily adjustable and you can dial it in to suite whatever your needs may be. I don't typically use the lockout on most of my climbs, but it is very convenient when riding on fire roads or on the road from my house to the trail.
Overall this bike is the real deal and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a smooth handling XC bike. And the price is right for the components that Specialized puts on this bike.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geoff
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere on the North Shore | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Shocks (SID & Float RC), time tested frame design, lightweight, GREAT Avid brakes, good shimano (XT/XTR) components, and solid Mavic rims. | | Weaknesses: | Flexy cranks, flexy stem, a seatpost that won't stay tightened, difficult to adjust front derailler, tires that washout easily, and lousy pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher, Rocky Mountain, Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | Kooka cold forged cranks and stem, Raceface low rise bars, Thompson seatpost, Michelin Wildgripper Comp S tires, and Time ATAC carbon pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike. Lightweight, fast, and climbs just like a hardtail. Overall I have been very happy with the bike, I just wish Specialized would get rid of some of their bargain bin parts.
This bike is great for someone that likes to ride fairly hard. It will take a lot of abuse. But if you are planning on racing, then you will definately have to upgrade some of the parts.
I would recommend this bike to anyone that wants a competent descender while still being able to climb with the best hardtails.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thierry Audisio
a Cross Country Rider
from Grenoble, Isere, France
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Col de l'Emeindras - Chartreuse | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Suspensions (SID/Fox Float RC), Frame
Weight (<12kg) | | Weaknesses: | Saddle, Pedals. Position is a little bit too upright for downhill... | | Similar Products Used: | GT xcr 2000, Giant Xtc, Gary Fisher Sugar 2, Scott G-0 Team | | Bike Setup: | Stock - I've asked my shop to swap pedals (for Time Atac) and saddle (for Italia Flite Gel) | | Bottom Line: | SPE fsr xc pro is Great! Climbs like crazy, almost like a hardtail. The SID fork is outstanding.
For my money (I had a 15% discount on it, SPE are pretty expensive in France!), this is one the best FS bike out there. Of course, I've had it less than a month, so I can probably give a better review at the end of the summer, after I will have shake it a bit.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Misha
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Saratoga Gap | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Avid brake very good, better than disk
XT shifter shifts very good
Nice wheels
Ride very well on singletrack and very lite weight
Sid fork very nice | | Weaknesses: | SEAT is Terrible
Pedals very poorly made, I change to Ritchey
Handlebar too wide and ugly
Tires not good on dry trails | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Y-33, Sugar 2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I like this bike very much. My old Trek Y33 not good off the seat. This bike good all the time on all type of trails. I can go faster now on this bike and in much good control. It is good climber too because the weight not too heavy. I ride Sugar 2 and it not ride too good and it is heavier than this bike. Everyone should buy this bike because it is so good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gilbert
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | mission trails, noble canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Frame
Front and rear shocks
brakes
wheels
weight | | Weaknesses: | saddle
pedals
cranks and bb
handlebars- thought i was riding a beach cruiser they were so wide | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Sugar 1 & 2
Cannondale Jeckyll
Trek STP | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for flight gel saddle, Shimano 747 pedals, XT hallowtech cranks and splined bb, easton ct2 carbon bar. | | Bottom Line: | The bike is great. goes up the hills fast and fly down even faster. just enough suspension to keep your back in place and still be able to climb the steepest of trails. practically everything about this bike is perfect. with the few quick changes of the pedals, handlebars and saddle and the bike would be perfect off the showroom floor. changing the cranks is just something out of preference and not completely necessary. of all the other bikes i tried this was definitely the best ride and value for the dollar. it is very easy to control with a quick response time. i highly recommend this bike to anyone looking for a fast xc full suspension bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesse
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicagoland
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Knoch Knolls | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Weaknesses: | Bottom bracket could be higher but I s'pose that would make it more squirrelly so it's a trade off... | | Similar Products Used: | Jekyll 900sx | | Bike Setup: | shortened the bars, stubby bar ends, yeti grips (going back to serfas barbed wire though), lizard skin on the chainstay, wellgo 813's (poor man's 545's). XT cranks on the way! | | Bottom Line: | Ok Specialized, quit screwing around with your own cranksets and pedals. You're ever so close to perfection but you just can't stop screwing it up to save $100 on a $2000+ bike! Argh! Put XT cranks/chainrings, a Thompson seatpost, Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires, and a Body Geometry seat on this bike, don't sell it with pedals (no bike over $1500 should include pedals if you ask me), and make the msrp about $2350... you've just about got the perfect mass-produced complete bike, perhaps not for a racer, but for the very avid XC enthusiast. All in all though, this bike smokes everything else I test rode. Sugar 1 and the Jekyll 900 were close but way overpriced for what I felt you got, and not quite as good. Kind of wish there was a shop in my area that had the Intense XC FS bike for me to ride since it looks to be pretty much an improved imitation of this bike, but it also costs a little more. Oh well, I can't imagine a bike being more of a pleasure to ride than this, reguardless of the price. Just replace the obvious stuff with non-"S-brand" components (lol) and get out on the trails! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Gilroy, CA
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Demonstration Forest, Aptos | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Weight, handling, rear lockout, wheels, Avid Brakes, XT shifters | | Weaknesses: | Seat, handlebar which I cut, tires only good in hardpack trails, tubes puncture easy, Ritchie seatpost (Gotta crank the seat down well or Ka-chunk, it'll move unnervingly), Specialized pedals are inferior to most | | Similar Products Used: | K2 Razor, Cannondale Raven, Schwinn Rocket 88, | | Bike Setup: | Stock, replaced the saddle with an Advocet Cross Country,
replaced tires with IRC Mythos, Time Pedals (the best) | | Bottom Line: | This is my three month update to my previous entry. The bike has held up and is now more custom fitted to my specs. I changed out the Sid for a Mars 1. You can't go wrong with the Mars 1. The saddle was changed to a Advocet Cross Country and the tires changed to Mythos. All these changes made a pretty damned good bike GREAT. It's one of the best singletrack bikes made. High speed fireroads are a bit more challenging. The quick handling can get you into trouble at high speed, but once you're used to it, everything falls in place. This is the Best handling bike I've ever ridden. It's light, has a strong frame, and good component mix. Five stars all the way. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Bentley
a Weekend Warrior
from London, England
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Esher common | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Frame Design
Front and rear shock set up
Brakes are fantastic
XT/XTR Components
Colour | | Weaknesses: | Saddle
Seatpost
Nothing else | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Scott, Cannondale, Klein | | Bike Setup: | Standard Set-Up | | Bottom Line: | The more I ride this bike the better it becomes, you feel that you are part of it. The whole set up is brillant, it inspires confidence like no other bike I have ever tested. You can climb and decend with such speed, and handling is razor sharp. The Avid Mag brakes have so much stopping power it makes me wonder why anyone should go for heavier disks. The shock set up is sweet and provides the perfect balance. This really is a great bike and should be on any ones shopping list if they are serious about mountain biking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christian Long
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal, now living in Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Colorado Trail (not that I've done the whole thing yet...) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | - Shifter/derailer set: work like a charm
- brakes: Don't follow too close, I can stop on a dime
- light: got scared when I jumped my 1st waterbar with it
- the price is right: even with the obvious upgrades that you must do | | Weaknesses: | - Seat: I guess that's personal preference but I just thought it was too hard and narrow
- Pedals: Too small, try to get out of a mud pit or to get started on a steep hill with those things: doesn't work.
Crank set: I can't beleive that Specialized put there name on such a low quality component. All the screws broke on mine when I tried to tighten them to silence the creeking. It feels more flexible than my old LX set that I got on a 800$ bike.
No shock pump: Come on, a 25$ pump is only 1% of the MSRP and it's a must with that bike.
Would have like to have a choice of colour, yellow is not one of my favorite. | | Similar Products Used: | I owned a De Vinci full suspension for 3 years before I broke the frame (again...)
Tried the Rocky Mountain Instinct: more expensive and heavier
Looked at Cannondales, there pricing just seems out of touch with reality | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded seat to Specialized titanium body geometry, upgraded pedals to Shimano PD-M545,
upgraded crank set to RaceFace Next-LP,
added Schwinn bar ends | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding a full suspension bike for over 3 years now and I didn't know what I was missing until I tried this one. This bike is as responsive as it gets. It took me a little getting use to because the wheelbase is quite short. But after about 150 miles of demanding Colorado terrain you couldn't take it away from me.
This is definately not a downhill bike mainly because of the wheelbase but also because of the limitted travel of the rear shock and pretty narrow original tires. The front fork is the sweatest I've ever ridden, great for all terrain.
Excellent climbing capabilities, especially with the RaceFace crank set upgrade. The rear suspension design is a beauty and you'll find that it's even more efficient to leave it on for those rocky uphills. I do appreciate the lock for smooth dirt roads though.
Breaking is just out of this world. Shifting is perfect. So light, jumping made easy.
I also considered the Rocky Mountain Instinct. It was 250$ more expensive and felt much heavier. It was hard to resist all those Canadianisms on the bike (looks good) but I didn't think that it was as good bang for the buck. Maybe that if my fellow Canadians weren't so obviously biased I would have taken there review seriously... "It's Canadian" is not an argument.
I don't think that a 2269$ MSRP bike should need that many upgrades, that's why I'll only give it a 4 on value. I also don't think that the stock bike deserves a 5 but it would with all the upgrades, again, only 4 because of the original pedals, seat and crank set. Not perfect but still my number one choice in that price range.
And, if you're lucky enough to live in Colourful Colorado, make sure you visit Hans and his crew at Bicycle village in Lakewood, excellent service and honnest pricing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy Tecson
a Cross Country Rider
from Reseda, CA USA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | BRAKES, handling, BRAKES, speed, BRAKES, balance, BRAKES, tires, and BRAKES. | | Weaknesses: | Off with seat!! It is what a seat should not be, too narrow and too stiff. Specialized should have installed a Body Geometry seat and just upped the price a bit. The pedals are questionable and will replace it as well. | | Similar Products Used: | Klein Mantra, K2, GT 1000, Gary Fisher Sugar 2, ProFlex, Cannondale V other Specialized. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Bontrager bar ends. | | Bottom Line: | It is a fast and efficient bike both uphill and downhill. Handling is so awesome that you just fly on single tracks. It takes away the fears from trails that are too technical. SICK is the word that best describes this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
René Baier
a Cross Country Rider
from Ulm, Germany
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Lago di Garda, Bavarian Alps | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | lightweight; good harmonical performance of front and rear shock plus easy setup-finding; avid mag brakes; great wheelset; lockout of Fox rear shock (preferred in long uphills) | | Weaknesses: | crankset isn't as good as shimano (changed to XT)
pre-assembly of wheelset could be better (had to center both wheels after first ride)
low stiffness of frame (especially XL size)
low-cost Ritchey seatpost
| | Similar Products Used: | Cannodale Raven I+II, Scott G-Zero & Octane, Specialzed FSR-models | | Bike Setup: | changed only crankedset to shimano XT
and seatpost to Thomson | | Bottom Line: | One of the best bikes i rode till now and the relation between the parts that you get for the money you pay is much better than similar bikes. This is the ultimative best bike for riding marathons and the qualities in downhill are not too bad for that kind of bike, only in fast passages an very active rider is requirred | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Stone
a Cross Country Rider
from Sussex, England
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Various | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Frame, Brakes, Front and Rear Shocks, Excellent Colour and Balance | | Weaknesses: | Seat is a bit to hard and narrow | | Similar Products Used: | Scott, Klein, Trek, Marin & Gary Fisher | | Bike Setup: | Standard | | Bottom Line: | Everytime I ride this bike it gets better and better. I really look forward to climbing that steep uphill path that once seemed impossible or that long, narrow and equally steep downhill track that was just too crazy to attempt. You see this bike is awesome. You can do things on it that you would never try on any other bike, and because its so good you can actually do them. In all areas it excells, it is a complete work of art, and its beautiful to look too.
Who should buy one? Anyone who enjoys the pleasures of biking thats who, at any level. This bike is special and I thank the day I bought it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ralph
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Wilder Ranch, Santa Cruz | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Avid Mag Brakes
XT shifting
Quick handling
Light weight
Great XC machine
Wheelset | | Weaknesses: | Saddle, wings too narrow
Tires, only good for hardpacked conditions
Tubes, too thin which punctures easily
Frames run a bit small | | Similar Products Used: | Raven, Sugar 1, Moots | | Bike Setup: | Stock, changed tires to Mythos, will change out seat to an Avocet Cross country. | | Bottom Line: | Great all around XC bike and good for racing. Handling is racer quick. Sid compliments the Fox Rear and what you have is a bike that flies on singletrack, light enough to be a good climber, decends like it's on rails. This is one fantastic bike. Make sure you size it correctly as the frame's top tube is short. For the price, you can't beat the components selection and overall package. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Richards
a Downhiller
from London, England
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Scarfale Pike | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | This Bike has too many strengths to list, Brakes, Handling, Balance, Frame are but a few. | | Weaknesses: | None whatsoever | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar 1, Klein Mantra Pro, Marin Mount Vision Pro | | Bike Setup: | Standard Setup | | Bottom Line: | I ride about 100 to 200 miles per month and have been doing so for the last 10 years, so when it comes to bikes I know my stuff. The FSR Pro is the best bike I have ever used period. I have tried other equally well known models, but they do not come close to the overall confidence building package the Pro offers. The ground you can cover on the Pro is effortless, whether some diffilcult uphill course or a twisty fast downhill section, it truly leaves all the others in its wake. It is the ultimate and for me nothing else out there can compare with it. Buy it, Ride it, Love it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kerry Hart
a Weekend Warrior
from Surrey,England
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Oxshot Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Frame design
Weight
XT/XTR Components
Colour(what other colour is there for a MTB)
Avid Mag brakes(best in the business)
Shocks
Well just about everything | | Weaknesses: | This bike has none | | Similar Products Used: | Kona, Trek, Klein, Scott and Orange | | Bike Setup: | Standard setup | | Bottom Line: | Well where do I start, this bike has all the ingredients to become an all time classic. I have tested so many other F.S setups but the stumpy Pro is in a different league. The ease at which it attacks both uphill and downhill sections still amazes me and the brakes are completly awesome. Specialized have created a supreme machine and I'm so happy that I have one. If you read these postings before buying a bike please, please go buy one and then try to stop grinning. I bet you can't. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
robert navarro
a Cross Country Rider
from miami,florida,dade county
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | oleta river state park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | suspension, cranks, drive train etc.. etc... | | Weaknesses: | Too expensive | | Similar Products Used: | trek 6000 fully upgraded from stem to stern. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. Are u kidding? I could hardly afford this bike. | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent rig. Oleta River State Park is a tight singletrack with some of the rockiest and rootiest terrain I have ever encountered. This bike handled it with no problem. It is not a cush ride, but comfortable enough for u to bang it out. The bike climbs better than my old hardtail and corners tight terrain with ease. I will never ride an aluminum hardtail again. Light , full suspension is here to stay. The bike companies just have to work on the price. $2000 and up is a hell of an expense. If you are looking for a full suspension bike that flies on single track and on flat fire roads , this is the bike for u... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darren Barnham
a Weekend Warrior
from Surrey,England
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Box Hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Frame
Avid Mag Brakes
XT/XTR components
Rock Sox SID XC & Fox Float-RL Air Shock
and of course the colour | | Weaknesses: | Are you kidding | | Similar Products Used: | Trek VRX 400, Marin Mount Vision & Klein Mantra Comp | | Bike Setup: | As it comes from the box | | Bottom Line: | This bike really rocks. I can't remember the last time I had this much fun on a bike. The ease at which you cover distance uphill or down is incredible. The socks soak up everything in their path and the brakes are the best I've used regardless of price. This bike will improve all your skills ten fold whether like me a weekend warrior or a flat out xc racer. Go on treat yourself to one and I promise you'll not stop grinning. Thanks Specialized | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
uncle marty
a Cross Country Rider
from calgary alberta
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | MoosePackers | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Very versatile bike. Astonishingly good climber(And we do a lot of that in Alberta!).Nimble.Excellent acceleration | | Weaknesses: | Mostly minor. The saddle kills my butt and will shortly be replaced.The stock pedals are brutal in mud.I have already replaced them with Time ATAC pedals which truelly rock.The stock tires are proably ok for fireroads and relatively flat,dry terrain but on rough downhill rides and in mud i need a bit more of an aggressive tire so I've replaced them with Panaracer Pyros.
Twitchy at speed.Very wide bar. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky mountain Instinct,Schwinn Rocket Stage 1 | | Bike Setup: | stock except time pedals,xtr shifters, and panaracer pyros | | Bottom Line: | An absolute delight to ride. Beautifully balanced bike which felt 'right' the first time I sat on it.I can't stop grinning!If you want a do-it-all cross country bike then go no further.Incredible climber,eats up tight,twisty singletrack. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TJ
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, AB
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tom Snow | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Setup, weight, fit, lockout rear | | Weaknesses: | Seat, Peddles, Bar | | Similar Products Used: | Proflex | | Bike Setup: | Stock but with Shimano 535 peddles, Profile riser bar, better saddle. | | Bottom Line: | The reviews within really helped me choose and setup this bike - thanks guys. I was considering many to replace my aging Proflex 856. I liked the Specialized design given the similarity with the Proflex. Riding it reveals an order of magnitude difference. This bike climbs better, and the fit has resulted in much less rider fatigue due to an improved saddle positioning. I love the plush feel and quick responses over all terrain. Would recommend this bike to anyone wanting a great all-round XC bike.
One drawback - likely so that they could save weight - there are no dust covers on the front or rear. Add some boots off the bat or suffer the hell of dirt scoring the hell out of your suspension!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Gilroy, CA
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Demonstration Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light weight at just under 25 lbs,color (yellow), Fox rear shock with lock-out, nice wheelsets, Avid brakes (Powerful), Avid shifters (light and responsive), | | Weaknesses: | Ritchey seatpost, Specialized seat, somewhat short top tube length, Rockshox Sid XC, stock Specialized pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn F/S Sweetspot (It was stolen!) | | Bike Setup: | Stock with whatever it came with | | Bottom Line: | I love the color of this bike. Didn't like the Seatpost (really have to crank it down or the seat will move). Specialized seat is too narrow in the wings (Very similar to a Bontrager seat), otherwise comfort wasn't as bad as past reviews. I don't like Rockshox so I had the shock changed out to a Manitou Mars 1 (Yellow). I will probably change out the seat too.
Weight is not as light as they said. It came in stock out of the box at 24 lbs 13 oz. This was weighed on two different digital fish scales; one at the shop and one I have at home. I changed out the pedals to a TIME ATAC (I love this pedal!) which raised the weight to 25.1 lbs.
This bike is a GREAT BIKE for anyone that does XC type riding and even an occasional race or two a season. Its steering is very quick, almost too quick, which leads to great singletrack riding. It's not too stable on fast fireroads because of its quick handling, but great on EVERYTHING else! It will take some getting used to, but I love this bike. I got in over my head and took a deeply rutted section at high speed and the bike just sucked it up. I'm going to enjoy pushing the limits of this bike.
It's not a Freeride bike by any means and I wouldn't use it as such. My old Schwinn Sweetspot carbon was much plusher in the saddle, but not out of the saddle. This is where the FSR shines, on Fast singletrack descents and even some steep technical sections, but watch out on Fast Fireroads. The quick steering makes fast descents on fireroads a sketchy experience with the front and rear end breaking loose and hooking back up unpredictably.
Still this is the Best bike I have ever ridden. A bit heavy at 25 lbs for racing, but what the hell, I'll have fun with it.
And that is the whole Enchilada. If you want to have fun, buy this bike. Everything else is dull in comparison. At $2,100, it's a great price to boot. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob
a Cross Country Rider
from mass
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | blue hills | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | FAST!!!light,active suspension. | | Weaknesses: | none. | | Similar Products Used: | '98 stumpjumper fs pro, Trek Y22, ect... | | Bike Setup: | sid up front, fox rc float in back, speedplay ti, easton riser, full xtr | | Bottom Line: | This is quite simply the best bike i've ever owned. Not being the heaviest rider(150lb) the air shocks really help me to dial the bike in. this bike will climb, desend, or plow through anything on the trails. simply the best. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a Cross Country Rider
from Nashville, TN
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Specialized backs up what they produce. SID up front and the Vanilla RC in the rear | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any worth whining about, yet. | | Similar Products Used: | First full suspension bike bought. Rode the Klein Mantra comp and looked over the Sugar 2 | | Bike Setup: | Swapped out the Specialized pedals for my tried and true Time ATACs. | | Bottom Line: | I'm 6'3" tall and weigh 190 lbs. Finding a "proper fit" bike is no easy task. I have the XL frame and it fits great. I've ridden the bike a few times and am amazed at the overall ride! I'll have to get in much better anerobic shape to ride the bike to it's fullest potential. It climbs like a goat and descends fast. Point the front end where you want to go and be amazed at how the suspension soaks up the bumps and you don't. Allows you to ride much longer than on my old hardtail (no longer feel any "back pain"). The bottom line is this bike rocks! A kudo for Dave at Biker's Choice for setting up the suspension and explaining how to do maintain it. Highly recommend it to anyone contemplating buying a full suspension ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Predator123
a Cross Country Rider
from Pomona, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Suspension is awesome. Weight 24.4 pounds out of the box, Color, handling. Everything!! | | Weaknesses: | You got to be joking | | Similar Products Used: | Too many!! | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for pedals. Speedplays rule. | | Bottom Line: | This is another post just to say that this bike is awesome. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
robert rothstein
a Cross Country Rider
from sacramento, ca
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | pioneer trail, nevada city | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | light weight, strong,, reliable, easy to maintain, beautifull, and mine | | Weaknesses: | bushings in the pivots. the full suspension squeek is going to drive me crazy. luckily mountain speed is working on a bearing kit that will be available by years end. | | Similar Products Used: | spec. s.j. hard tail. ventana marble peak | | Bike Setup: | shimano 858(they click, loudly) lp carbon low rise bars,
panaracer fire pro xc tires | | Bottom Line: | this is my first full suspender, and i will never go back to
a hardtail. the shock has a lock out that allmost completely locks it out. i did notice a little rear end waggle, but coming from a hard tail, its to be accepted. and it is a small price to pay. i love my bike and will never leave it outside on my yard for even two seconds. thats how my last one was stolen. the shocks came out of the box set to ride. i work at a bike shop and could have bought just about any quality full susp. bike, i have no regrets. specialized is currently offering a freee pair of shoes with a purchase of this and a couple of other bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank Rhodes
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh. NC
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light-weight frame and components.
| | Weaknesses: | The seat had to go along with the Specialized pedals. Big "S" should have stayed with Ritchey's. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp. | | Bike Setup: | Switched to SRAM 9.0 SL, Thompson seatpost, Specialized Body Geometry seat, and Ritchey Comp pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This was my first full-suspension ride. After serious bike searching, I sttled on the FSR XC. Great decision. The XC can handle any terrain from tight single track to gnarly downhills. The light-weight frame allows the rider to rocket up any grade. I took the XC to Moab and it performed flawlessly. I was able to negotiate obstacles, sudden drop in elevation mainly, that I normally would walk over. The XC is by far the best, light-weight full suspension bike out.
Any rider will benefit from this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roger Walland
a Cross Country Rider
from Plano, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tyler State Park, Cedar Hill State Park, Arbor Hills Nature trail, LB Houston Park, | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Weight, Overall Performance, Speed,
Climbing capability, Comfort,
Overall 'feel', Quality,
Tuning options,
| | Weaknesses: | Standard Seat Supplied is not acceptable for the package price,
Tyres supplied - not my personal favourite
Wonder about the long term durability of Rock Shok SID XC - Comments from any long term users out there ?
Minor problem with Shimano Mega 9 rear shifter (started locking up within 2 days of use - replaced without problem) | | Similar Products Used: | First Full Suspension bike but same weight as previous 98 model Trek 8500 SL Hard tail - which was a great XC bike.
Before that Gary Fisher Paragon, and before that secondhand Nisiki Manitoba ! | | Bike Setup: | Shortened Bars, Icon Bar ends, Bontrager Seat,
2.1" Panaracer Fire XC Pro tyres,
Rapid Rise XTR rear derailier (personal preference)
| | Bottom Line: | Overall a great all round XC bike. This bike just 'feels' great !
Definately feels faster and more comfortable than comparable weight hardtail. Flys uphill and is great for moderate XC downhill.
A best buy and highly recommended for the XC sports rider with XC racer aspirations.
Price is a little high so 4 Cilis for value, but definately 5 Chillis overall. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darrin Ohanesian
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston,ma
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Components,design,appearance and very light. | | Weaknesses: | Specialized pedals can you really stay in them? Stock tires are just way too thin. Especially in cornering. HArd to keep clean around rear shock. (little anal) | | Similar Products Used: | GT XCR, Jamis | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except a raceface 110mm stem, riserbars, raceface cranks and 747 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | First full suspension bike. Came from riding a Cannondale w/headshock. Would never go back to it now. This thing tears up the hills. And just flys down hill.
Come on. Where is the shock pump! What we didn't spend enough money.
Took me about 10 rides to dial everything in.
Make sure you test out different sizes.
I would recommend this bike to any xc racer or rider.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Lightweight, great handling, smooth working gears, great brake action, many adjustments for personal fit and comfort,
good selection of components. | | Weaknesses: | No air pump supplied with bike to adjust rear and fork shocks, rear brake "noodle" cable guide protrudes too far and may hit your leg, seat and pedals had to go. Rear wheel spokes loosened up a lot within a month (which was easily fixed with a quick tightening and adjustment). | | Bike Setup: | Stock except changed out the seat and pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is really nice to ride. I gain more confidence on the steep hills and jumps with each ride. While I am busy pushing my limits, the bike seems not to have even neared it's limits. It climbs well and also does well on the down hills. Dialing it in was easy and there is no need to re-adjust any of the shocks yet. You will really appreciate the light weight on the climbs and carries. Any fears about changing gears during climbing stress or other maneuvers disappeared with use. The stiffer rear shock setup (i.e not too much travel) is nice. You get the benefits of a hardtail but the hits are softened up. It is nicely dampened without feeling soft or "mushy". The rear lockout feature is great for the occasional trip on the pavement. The bike was well worth the price. Bikes of lesser cost seem to sacrifice too much. I am glad to have so much bike quality between myself and the terrain I am trying to conquer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik Bronsvoort
a Cross Country Rider
from Netherlands
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Houffalize worldcup circuit | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | First of all: the rear suspension. Althoug the bike is equiped with the Fox float RC with lockout, I never use it, because its not neccesairy. Th bike goes so fast on flar/ semi flat hardpack! I lose all my fellow bikers on these parts, and I can keep up with them in the uphills as easy on my old hardtail. The Avid Mag brakes are so good... Maybe the braking power is even better than the Magura HS33 I used before, and they are so much lighter. | | Weaknesses: | The SID xc, the maintainense you should do is to much for what I want. Once in 50 ours service by a propessional bike repairman is to much!
The innertubes suck! Althoug the 26x1.5/1.75 tires are light, the are not strong enough for the Dirt Master/ Control 26x1.9 tires the bike is equipt with. I had two times a sort of snakebite on the top of the tire. It was torn on the place where the two pieces of the innertube are connected. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro
Diamondback 4bar
Fisher Hardtail
| | Bike Setup: | new innertubes!
Within a couple of week a Pace Evo III
A differtent saddle | | Bottom Line: | The best bike I,ve ever seen and ridden. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Guilliat
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Clair, MI US
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Poto - Pickney, Michigan | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light, good components, appearance, and price. | | Weaknesses: | Ritchey seatpost and the 30.9 size makes seatpost selection extremely limited; handlebars are too long. I have heard that the Fox rear shock requires a lot of maintance. | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first FS and I'll never go back to a hardtail. My my prior bike was a Cannondale Killer-V HT 900. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Easton CT2 carbon bar and trade-up to Team Pedals | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike for the price and the absolute best looking FS bike on the market. The best bang for your buck--no questions asked! Should my opinion change with more ride time, I will post additional comments. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PEPI
a Cross Country Rider
from San Geronimo CA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything steep up and steep down | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | This bike is very light and goes where you point it. I love the avid brakes and the FloatRC lockout really serves its purpose. It tears it up on the downhill.
| | Weaknesses: | The seat is very stiff. The Specialized tires are really too thin for the type of riding that I do. Unless you're always on hardpack I would suggest getting something with a bit more meat on them. | | Similar Products Used: | I researched all the other bikes in this class/price range and the Stumpy is the best ride for the cash. | | Bike Setup: | Stock so far. | | Bottom Line: | If you want a fast, light and well priced bike this is the one for you. It is my first full suspension bike and it goes uphill just as fast as my old hardtail. It really can take a beating.... so far | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jim t
a Cross Country Rider
from pittsburgh pa
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | allegheny+butler+beaver county | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | very speedy cockpit handles like a dream aesthetically the angle view of the wheels is hard to match also please note the side view rear shock to 4 bar it's sweet | | Weaknesses: | i think this bike is beautifully matched (forgiving the pedals which are changed to taste anyways) my only dark cloud is the too thick ritchey seatpost re:seat leather kevlar MANGANESE i'm with it! | | Similar Products Used: | 96 diamondback full suspension v-link 3.1 | | Bike Setup: | i cut 1 1/2 inches each end of bar and added specialized barends(i like to ride my mb everywhere) also my trusty doublebarrel blackburn specialized sparkplug and afterburner lightweight cage in rear jumbo lizardskin for chainstay | | Bottom Line: | avid mags feel neat to the touch as well as the ground SL up front would have been nice i will probably add a.t.a.c.s. accessibilty to the lockout is perfect I LOVE MY BIKE | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ted Wolf
a Cross Country Rider
from Richland WA
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | McBee powerline climb | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Climbing is incredible. I don't even lock it out most of the time because it hooks up so well with very little Pogo. | | Weaknesses: | Seat is too hard. High speed downhills with sweeping corners and stutter bumps makes the rear end feel loose. These tires hook up well with little rolling resistance until the going gets a little muddy. These tires suck in the mud. Also the drivetrain seems to get clogged up pretty easy. The rear derailler hits the chainstay on bumpy downhills very irritating. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Y-33 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with the exception of 747's and the S-works wheelset. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is very comfortable to ride all day. The bike has a real short cockpit which makes it turn real sharp. Incredible climber. Everything seems to be holding up real well so far. Would highly recommend this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob hermanson
a Cross Country Rider
from madison, WI
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Area 25.5 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | everything. it has a great fork and the rear suspension is great going uphill (especilly when locked out)and very light (24.4lbs) | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | FSR xc | | Bike Setup: | SID xc, Fox RC rear, avid mag brakes | | Bottom Line: | This is an excelent bike. I let my friend ride and he loved it too. I have to say that im not big on specialized but this bike was probably the most comortable bikes ive ever ridden. Go get one!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lane
a Weekend Warrior
from Rohnert Park, CA
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anadale | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Great component mix-including brakes, light weight, responsive, smooth ride. (Oh, nice color too.) | | Weaknesses: | Can't stay in the pedals on hard pulls. Poor choice of seat for a high end bike. Shock Pump should be included. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized hard tail. | | Bike Setup: | Stock- so far. (Will change pedals and seat.) | | Bottom Line: | Took some adjustment to my riding style to get use to the quick responsiveness of this hungry Pro. I'm 190 and haven't dialed the shocks to the right PSI yet. Another ride and I should find it.
Seemed like I rode slower at first. Timed my second ride and I was actually 10 minutes faster than my old bike. I guess it's like driving fast in a nice car- you go faster than it seems.
If you love steep techincal challenging rocky rides, get this bike and you won't look back.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray
a Cross Country Rider
from Hanford , CA
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Squaw Leap Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Unbelievable handling and hook up. This this just stays planted. It is so nimble, that it becomes a part of the riders body. Just think it, and the bike will do it. If you have good pedal form, this bike will not pogo at all in the rear end during climbs. The suspension just plain rocks. | | Weaknesses: | Short cockpit and wheelbase means razor sharp handling, but beginners may find control a challenge. For the more experienced though, you will be in awe of the handling.
| | Similar Products Used: | This is my first full suspension. I have been a hard tail user until now. I will never get back on a hardtail after the 5 rides I have done on this bike. | | Bike Setup: | I have the med frame and the Pro model, so I can only speak for that configuration. | | Bottom Line: | The bike just amazes me. If you feel your bike is holding you back at all, get this bike and you will be set free. I caution you though. This is a XC bike. It stikes a perfect balance between downhill and climbing. Do not buy this bike if you want to suck the worst hits. But, if you are a XC rider that wants a little of everything, the FSR line is for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Devin Allen
a Racer
from Memphis, TN.
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Stanky Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Lightweight, smooth-riding, climbs great, Avid brakes are awesome - lighter than XTR and the pads actually last; no slop after almost 6 months of pretty hard riding, low-back saver! | | Weaknesses: | Seat was uncomfortable - swapped for a Body Geometry Pro; handlebars too wide - swapped for low-rise monkey lite; blew out middle chainring and bent crankset spider after 3 months but Specialized replaced for FREE - no questions asked; Front shifting not as sharp as Shimano. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Swapped tires for semi-slicks; King Headset; Monkey-lite bars; Body Geometry saddle | | Bottom Line: | Rode a Schwinn Homegrown for 3 years and beat my body up. This bike lets you hammer for 2-3 hour rides and not be totally shot afterwards. Has saved my lower back from much agony. Can't say how much faster I am (if any) but I know I can ride harder longer than before. Handles the technical stuff great. Just a very fun bike to ride and race. No complaints at all. Thought about the Scwhinn Rocket 88 bikes but Schwinn was slow in production. Glad I got this instead. It is a proven design. If you're thinking about the switch from hardtail to FS, give this bike a good look. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
paul
a Cross Country Rider
from englewood, co, usa
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Very good suspension design, behaves much like a hardtail in handling. Incredible climber, very light and traction galore. | | Weaknesses: | The saddle, while very nicely made, is hard and narrow. I wish the seat tube was further back, too. I wish it included the shock pump since it's full-air sprung. | | Similar Products Used: | Stumpjumper hardtail, 99 FSR, 98 Super V, Serotta softail, Sugar 1.
| | Bike Setup: | Gripshift, Raceface XY setback post, barends. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike. Most of my complaints are in the personal preference department (shifters, saddle, pedals, barends, etc.). Specialized seems to have solved their crank/BB woes (front shifting is very good when it finally gets dialed-in), but they still need to put better pedals on their SJPro and S-works bikes. Climps great, seated or standing, and while I'm on the subject, I think the lockout feature is stupid on this well-designed suspension. Tune it right, learn to pedal, and you won't need to turn it off. Nicely crafted frame, clean even welds and tracks straight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gabe
a Cross Country Rider
from State College
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | sg173 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Awesome light frame and rear lockout. Fox schock is great. Reasonably priced. Handles great. | | Weaknesses: | Sid could be longer, bad seat. | | Similar Products Used: | '00 Fisher Sugar 2, '96 Trek Mountain Track 820 | | Bike Setup: | Small stock, except for Speedplay Frogs. | | Bottom Line: | This is an awesome XC bike. I'am 5' 1/2" and the small fit pretty well. I bought the bike and will report again onced I've dialed it in. The component mix is reasonable, much higher than the Sugars 2 I almost bought. I can't believe I let the salesman talk me into not buying a shock pump with the bike, and will probably get one soon. I paid $40 below retail, even though I upgraded the pedals. The seat on the Pro is horrible, especially when compared to the padded one stock on the Fisher. Otherwise, the ride is great, and climbing efficient, so I would recommend the Pro to anyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Racer
from NZ
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Design, weight, handling, looks. | | Weaknesses: | Cheap pedals (swapped out to carbon ATACs) | | Similar Products Used: | First FS, came from GT Avalanche | | Bike Setup: | Stock apart from Time ATAC carbons pedals, carbon flat bar and carbon bar ends (I like the look of carbon!!) | | Bottom Line: | I liked this bike from the first ride. The suspension is efficient but not obtrusive. The sizing is interesting with the length of the TT, so make sure that you get the correct size.
All in all I could not be happier, I can climb faster (don't need to pick the best line) descend more confidently and enjoy my riding more due to not being beaten up by the trail.
I would recommend this bike to anyone wanting to gte more from their riding and do some XC racing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Schlueter
a Cross Country Rider
from Arlington, TX 76013
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | City Park, Austin TX | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Weight, suspension design, rear lockout, value--you get a lot for the money, SID XC, Float RC, XTR, XT, Avid Mag25's, Mavic 517's | | Weaknesses: | Saddle is very hard, for the price you pay it should come with a shock pump | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first full suspension. 2000 Trek 7000 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for XT cranks, and an Easton CT2 bar, Ceramic 517's | | Bottom Line: | This is a very nice bike. It's light and responsive. I have only had it for a few days, and still haven't gotten it dialed in correctly. My local bike shop is out of shock pumps, so I've been having to stop by the bike shop to make adjustments. I definatley notice some pedal induced bobbing, but it isn't bad. My average speed is a little faster on this bike than on my Trek 7000. I'm selling my Trek, cause I love my FSR! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CJS
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pima & Dynamite | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | The bike is very light and responsive. The SID XC and the Fox Float R/C both work great. A very solid bike, not one problem in over 4 months | | Weaknesses: | I replaced the seat and handlebar when I bought it, probably more a case of rider preference than anything. The Specialized pedals are not that great, I will probably replace soon. | | Similar Products Used: | Owned a 99 FSR XC Pro (stolen) and a 98 FSR Comp. Test rode several other FS XC bikes | | Bike Setup: | Stock except: Serfas seat, longer stem, Easton handlebar, XTR V-Brakes,and Stumpy bar-ends | | Bottom Line: | An excellent bike for the price, wanted a Racer-X but could not justify the price difference. A great bike for racing and all-around XC riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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