Submitted by
Ehd Wonderland
a Cross Country Rider
from Kingston, WA, USA Date Reviewed: October 14, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Kingston Classic Cycle
Strengths:
Super stiff, lightweight, climbs well. I'm just under 160lbs and I can't seem to get it to flex. I'm impressed by the stock parts, especially the XTR rear and the TIME pedals (they're not the top of the line, but they're a great TIME product nonetheless)
Weaknesses:
That stupid LX front deraileur. It's not really that bad, but I would have enjoyed the feel of an XT mount.
Similar Products Used:
Klein Attitude, Kona Caldera, various cheapo Treks.
Bike Setup:
Pure stock, except for the bar ends.
Bottom Line:
I love this rig, I've gone down hard a few times and it's been all jumpy to get back up and go. I used to love descending, but climbing with the Stumpy is so much fun I've been taking the long route up the mountains recently. This is a great value, especially if you can find one on closeout, and you can upgrade as your pocketbook sees fit. It's totally disc-compatible, but I can't quite afford to take it in that direction just yet.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
George
a Weekend Warrior
from New Canaan, CT USA Date Reviewed: September 26, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Pequonnock River Valley (akaTrumbull,) CT
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Lightweight, fast, responsive, lightweight, decent components, stiff, (very little frame flex) ... did I mention this thing is light?
Weaknesses:
Another rider reported rusty hardware, I've had that problem too. I think the wheels are weak. I'm about average build (5'11", 175lbs) and I bent the rear wheel in about two weeks of primarily weekend riding. The tires are so-so.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale F-1000
Bike Setup:
Pretty much stock. This is my first mountain bike after being a roadie for a while.
Bottom Line:
I am very impressed with this bike. It is super light and the frame is stiff and it climbs like a mountain goat on crack. I can't believe the acceleration of this thing. And the Stumpy is super nimble -I can toss it all over the place. I used to be able to rip on my road bike and watch the fram flex under me but I haven't been able to get this one to warp yet. Being new to mountain biking I've taken some great crashes - where my friends thought I was dead and were on the horn to 911 - but the bike keeps on taking a licking. All my friends on other rigs love the ride too, especially my friends on Cannondales. If you're new to the sport and want a good entry bike you can upgrade, I think this is a great choice.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeffrey
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, IL.,USA Date Reviewed: September 16, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
spin doctors
Strengths:
lightweight ... cost
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
95 rockhopper A1 FScomp
Bike Setup:
bone stock
Bottom Line:
for the money ... this bike is awesome for a experienced rider ready for an upgrade. Now I understand why lighter weight and better components make a huge difference ... the bike does climb like a mountian goat, it is very balanced and tossable. it goes where you point it! the shifts are smooth and quick ... as of now I have no complaints. I have shaved almost 10 minutes off my 35 minute circuit. I can climb stuff my rockhopper only dreamt of climbing!!! get out there and get it dirty!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chuck
a Cross Country Rider
from Atascadero Date Reviewed: July 31, 2002
Favorite Trail:
East Boundary Trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$899.00
Purchased At:
Art's Cyclery in SLO
Strengths:
Very light and fast. Great bike for cross country riding. Can't beat the XTR rear derailluer.
Weaknesses:
Frame developed a weld crack soon after it was bought. Shop believes it was from being transported around from shop to shop before they got it.
Similar Products Used:
1983 GT Timberline
Bike Setup:
Manitou Mars Elite fork, Avid Arch Rivals, Speed Dial 7 levers, LX shifters and front derail, XTR rear derail, Specialized crankset and seat, Deore rear freehub.
Bottom Line:
This bike was awesome for it's price. I was a little concerned about the quality of Specialized when I found out about the weld crack. After I spoke to the rep, they replaced the frame with a 2002 Stumpjumper Pro frame free! The concern the rep showed helped me regain faith in Specialized. I am very impressed with there customer service. As for the crack, the shop said they got a big shipment of these 2001 stumpjumpers and they believe it just got mishandled. The components are great. The adjustments for the front shock are cool. The rear tires wear out really fast, but are great for true cross country riding. The body geometry seat was uncomfortable at first, but now it is great even on long rides. A 100% improvment from my 7-speed GT I was riding. Overall: great bike for an avid cross country rider if you can get one on clearance from last year.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cook
a
from Holland Date Reviewed: July 27, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Yankee Springs
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1150.00
Purchased At:
Cross Country Cycle
Strengths:
Light bike, XTR Rear Der., Avid 5 brakes.
Weaknesses:
LX Shifters and front der., Chain, Steel Small Ring.
Similar Products Used:
Rockhopper Comp
Bike Setup:
XTR Front Der, Sachs PC99, XT Shifters and Levers, Sworks Lower Chain Ring.
Bottom Line:
After ripping apart my 2000 RockHopper (in one season) I chose this bike. RockHopper is not good for intense trail riding and daily rides.
I replaced the components on the bike with the list above. I love this bike. Its stiff and is light compared to the Fisher MT tam I was looking at. I however do not like Shimano Chains (Broke 2) I replaced the chain immediatly.
For the deal you cant beat it. I would recommend ditching the LX components and get at least XT.
4 Chilis for Value cause XT front Der is like 10 bucks more and I think it should have been on this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sam
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago Date Reviewed: July 7, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$851.00
Purchased At:
pedal & Spoke LTD.
Strengths:
M4 frame, specialized stout front hub, XTR, strongarm II cranks, Fork has schrader valve on top so you don't need some dumbassed shock pump to adjust it, very light.
Weaknesses:
would have liked the stout rear hub and an xt front derailleur, fork is nice, but leaks air, pedals aren't adjustable.
Similar Products Used:
2002 M4, 2002 M4 comp, 2000 S-works, trek 8500
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
For what I paid, there is no equal, great frame, light, tough, good climber/decender,well worth the cash.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Fix
a Weekend Warrior
from Aurora, CO, USA Date Reviewed: July 1, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Redrock
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$950.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Village
Strengths:
Light weight frame, great shock, and XTR rear derailer
Weaknesses:
crappy body geometry seat, Tyme Pedals, Spec tires
Bike Setup:
Spec Milano Seat, Easton EA50 Monkeybar, Shimano PD-536 Pedals (adjustable!)
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. I beat the hell out of it every weekend and it keeps coming back for more. I anticipated a lack of performance with the LX front derail, however no issues so far. I did a whole lot of shopping around -- Cannondale, Gary Fisher, and TREK, no one offered the same class of components for the price I paid. Only a few problems after a few hundred miles of Colorado trail riding:
- After being the joke of the day (a few times) for wrecking while not in motion, I had to ditch the TYME Pedals! -Same with the seat, I don't enjoy being sore for 3 days after riding. -I had to replace the tubes after the 1st trail ride. Although I still have the stock tires, they need to go too-- they grip bad and tear-up easy. -Probably my own fault, the the Mavic 225s have taken a serious beating, but I already had to get the rear straighted.
I'm very happy with the bike...after a $200 upgrade! An excellent choice for a rider looking for high-performance for a reasonable $$
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel Rodriguez
a Cross Country Rider
from Costa Rica Date Reviewed: May 10, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
Local CR bike shop
Strengths:
XTR rear derallieur, Time Pedals, Manitou fork!!!
Weaknesses:
Tires wear is faster than expected, after few rides (no more than 100 miles total)I had to change both tires.
Both tubes blow out in my first trip.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 830. My former bike was a Gary Fisher Joshua.
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Great bike for ascending and great control on descendings!!! I was upset on descendings (my former bike was a FS Joshua) but after some rides I start enjoying this bike!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoff
a Cross Country Rider
from Ann Arbor, MI Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$900.00
Strengths:
Great lightweight frame, very plush Mars Elite fork, good wheel and hub set, excellent geomoetry, handles well.
Weaknesses:
LX front derailer, Mars Elite fork leaks air.
Similar Products Used:
Raleigh M 800, Marin Juniper Trail
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
This is an unbelivable bike. It's very light, fast, and climbs and handles like a champ. Once I clip on to the pedals and head toward the trail, I get this burst of adrenaline. You don't need anything more than this bike unless you're a serious racer, and even then it can compete against the best.
Where did they come up with Flamin' Chillis?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BEN Jordan
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlestown, RI Date Reviewed: March 2, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Arcadia
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Frame stiffness. Front shock. XTR rear. V-brakes...(i had cantis on my old bike).
Weaknesses:
Let me see...bars seemed wide at first, tires were horrible! ummm....seat tube creaked but I fixed that.
Similar Products Used:
Stumpjumper M4
Bike Setup:
Stock except swapped pedals and changed to some tioga factory xc tires, what a difference.
Bottom Line:
This is an update from last september 01'. I enjoy this bike a great deal. It is light and feels fast. After changing the tires the ride became much surer. I have been riding all winter in the "mild" north east and it has really held up. I would like to try out the FSR now though, not because I don't enjoy my hardtail but because variety is the spice of life. If you can get one cheap I would reccommend it. The 02' seems to be a little cheaper and it comes with the fox forx. I actually like the manitou but coming off a 95 fisher montare anything would feel great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jasper Jansens
a Cross Country Rider
from Netherlands Date Reviewed: December 27, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Weight, stiffness, agility Manitou Mars Elite Fork
Weaknesses:
30.9mm seat post diameter limits choice drastically (in the Netherlands anyway) Body Geometry Saddle (OUCH!!) Tires, not very grippy
Similar Products Used:
Trek 8500, Cannondale 700
Bike Setup:
Ritchey WCS steering Stem, Syncros Carbon Composite Seat post, Mavic Crossmax wheelset, XTR Rapid Rise Rear Derailleur, Selle Italia Flite Titanium Saddle.
Bottom Line:
From the first moment I drove off on this bike I felt it was going to be a very agile bike. I sure didn't let me down. I'm not the fastest of climbers, but I can keep up with the best on downhills and technical sections due to the confidence this bike gives me.
The Manitou fork is light and after having read the manuals quite easy to set up. Works really well with this bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Al Treacy
a Weekend Warrior
from Juneau, Alaska Date Reviewed: December 11, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Bike Shop -Anchorage, Alaska
Strengths:
Great Bike
Weaknesses:
It rusts!! I can't believe that this bike is rusting out. It seems that every bolt -to include the derailer- is rusting..bummer.
Bottom Line:
Great bike except for the faulty bolts. It it looks like a wrench was ever on it, in it, or around it, it has rust on it. Sure this is Alaska, but come on.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dick Levy
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Louis Date Reviewed: November 25, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Castlewood
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Big Shark
Strengths:
Very lightweight, nimble bike that climbs like a goat. I was used to an older cro-mo Rockhopper Comp and the new SJ Comp is probably 4 to 5 lbs. lighter. Very fast bike with great components and design. Very smooth shifters and the brakes (Avid) will stop on a dime. Stiff, responsive frame with little or no loss of power to flexing.
Weaknesses:
The only things I didn't like on the bike were the saddle and the tires. I upgraded to a better Specialized saddle and replaced the tires with Smoke/Dart setup. This bike has way more strengths than weaknesses.
Similar Products Used:
Old RH Comp
Bike Setup:
Stock except for the saddle, tires and an Easton Monkey riser so I can be a bit more upright
Bottom Line:
Beautiful, well designed bike. I ride this bike two or three times a week, weather permitting, and I'm amazed at what it will do. It is so fast and light. It's a much better bike than I am a biker. It is expensive compared to other bikes and other Specialized models I looked at but I keep a bike a long time so it was worth spending a little more. The people at Big Shark are great. Spent a lot of time with me getting the right size, fit, setup, etc.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Frank
a Racer
from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA Date Reviewed: November 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Tom Brown
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Frame and fork combination is very light right out of the box (17" bike 23.5 lbs). Climbs like a 4 X 4. Handles like a roller coaster. The Time pedals are a great spec, SPD's are only good for exercise bikes. The Avid brakes are responsive, simple and very easy to maintain unlike shimano. The saddle is very comfortable once the seat angle is right. This bike is a very good value at $1000. The direct power transfer is unmatched by full suspension rigs. You basically have a race ready hardtail right out of the box. This bike is a smooth operator.
Weaknesses:
The LX front der. works but they could have thrown an XT on there ($15 difference in price). The hubs are embarassing, I put my tubless wheelset on right away. The cassette is a boat anchor as is the bottom bracket. The Strongarm 2 crankset is so so, but nothing I would buy. An LX hollowtech would have been a selling feature but thats specialized. The bar stem and seatpost work, but they will be replaced with lighter technology.
Similar Products Used:
Marin Juniper Trail, Schwinn Homegrown Comp
Bike Setup:
Crossroc Tubless with Pythons, Thompson post and stem, Easton CT2 carbon bar, Raceface taperloc CrMo BB, Yeti hardcore with ODI lockjaws, Profile Designs stubbar ends, Crank bros. egg beaters, and a couple of stickers.
Bottom Line:
If you can buy this bike for $1000.00, do it. It's a good foundation. Most importantly train hard and eventually you'll be opening cans of whupp ass on guys riding $3000-$4000 rigs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
charlie hoang
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX, USA Date Reviewed: October 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Memorial Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
small LBS
Strengths:
Great frame and fork set up. Dimension of bike makes it really sweet and quick on tight switchbacks.
Weaknesses:
Bike squeaks a bit so I constantly have to tighten cranks. Also the seat post bolt keeps coming loose. Trashed the original seat as really uncomfortable. My bike came with Avid SD3 versus SD5, has anyone had this problem also?
Similar Products Used:
Trek 8000
Bike Setup:
I am using my old XT/ Mavic 517 setup. I need to know size of BB as I plan on using my Shimano XT Hollowtech setup. Would like to know sze of seat post as planning to replace with Thompson.
Bottom Line:
I really enjoyed this bike as it corners like its on rails. It is also comfortable to ride on long rides. I need to set the Manitou up though. Really impressed with this bike but will not pay retail for it. Great bike for beginners as it is also race worthy......
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben Jordan
a Weekend Warrior
from Rhode Island Date Reviewed: September 8, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Frame is light, fast, and plush fork, Climbs like crazy.
Weaknesses:
Weird mix of LX and XTR. The paint job is growing on me (white/blue).
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Montare
Bike Setup:
Stock out of the box.
Bottom Line:
This bike is outstanding. It feels so fast and the fork is so plush. Very light and if you can get it on sale a good value.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Peacock
a Cross Country Rider
from Edinburgh Date Reviewed: September 7, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Aviemore XC Circuit
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Edinburgh bike co-op
Strengths:
Light, v.strong and responsive, climbs like a goat, nice fork, good breaks
Weaknesses:
Poor factory wheels, crap rear hub
Similar Products Used:
N/A
Bike Setup:
Stock bike, planning on replacing wheels with hope+x517 and Hope mini brakes
Bottom Line:
Took a while for me to get used to the stiff frame after riding a Raleigh Torus Titanium for 8 years. Enjoy the instant power transfer through the rear triangle. Spent a while fannying about with the forks to get the right settings. Overall a sweet bike. Love the Time pedals, far easier to engage than SPD's especially in muddy conditions. Shame about the whhels. A lot of weight can be saved upgrading to lightweight XC wheel set.
Buy this bike, you won't regret it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Simon Vyner
a Cross Country Rider
from Portsmouth UK Date Reviewed: September 4, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Southdowns way
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1860.00
Purchased At:
Insurance replacement
Strengths:
Superb frame, nice and light, Sweet Xtr rear, smooth fork Bike steering very quick, handles like a dream, very comfortable on long rides.
Weaknesses:
Horrid saddle, replaced with Flite titanium (nice). Easton E70 riser bars and longer stem to suit my prefered body position. Bottom bracket will be next to go. Cranks seem a little flexible but OK so far. Tyres look likre they are about to die after three months, changing soon for contis.
Similar Products Used:
Trek Y 33, Saracen killy Elite XTR
Bike Setup:
factory stock except for saddle, bars and stem.
Bottom Line:
Luverly bike, Hardly use the Saracen any more. Not sure about tyres though. They seem to be about to explode. Recommend this to any one looking for a light weight XC bike. Lot of moola though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Me!!
a Cross Country Rider
from Benicia, CA, US Date Reviewed: August 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
The Flume/Any technical trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Alameda Cyclery
Strengths:
Light weight, climbs like a machine, nice paint job, XTR back, excellent fork!!! Did I mention it climbs good?
Weaknesses:
LX, for this bike that has XTR, they should put at least XT on it. I don't know what everyone has against the saddle, I find it really comfortable, better than some mushy super comfortable saddle, and pedals are hard to clip out of, swapped them with my old clipless from my other bike.
Similar Products Used:
01 Stumpjumper Pro, Klein Attitude, Trek 8000
Bike Setup:
Stock except for pedals, couldn't clip out easy enough!!
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike becuase I'm 14 and I will start racing soon. I wanted to upgrade a few things and it would have been more cost efficient to buy the Comp instead of the Pro. I will be getting Anit-Bob soon for it. And once the warrenty is up on the parts, and they start breaking, I start upgrading. The first ride I did on this bike was a 65 mile tour in Napa near Domain Chandon. It was a very hilly ride and while my dad and bro who had almost as good of bikes (98 Specialized Stumpjumper, Klein Attitude) they just couldn't keep up, I had to wait at every rest stop for about 10-20 minutes!! There was about a 4 mile uphill where some people were walking, and I was just flying up it like it was no problem passing roadies the whole time!! It's and incredable ride and I'll be giving it 5 flaming piles of poop for it! I have yet to take it out on a "real" trail, all I did was a local one without much technical stuff, but I was fast on it. I have no worries about going on a technical trail with my new bike. Buy it if you want a fast XC ride and starting race bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoff
a Weekend Warrior
from Whitby, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: August 20, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Impala Cycles
Strengths:
Impressive frame. Just standing over this baby makes you a more confident rider. Elite fork is very plush and easy to dial-in. Hayes hydraulics are excellent.
Weaknesses:
Just read the reviews...the saddle is the hardest I've ever ridden. Time ATAC pedals, easy to get into...tough to get out of.
I've been shopping for a bike for more than a year now. It wasn't until I stopped into a small LBS in Whitby that I was introduced to the M4 Comp Disc. What a beautiful bike. Everything about it is impressive (save for the seat). Sublimly light, quick and responsive. If you do your homework you'll reach the same conclusion I did...there is no better bike value on the market. On the trail you'll find yourself clearing stuff you thought impossible at a speed your buddies can only dream about. The bike makes you ride with more confidence. Some heads up for you...if you've never ridden clipless the ATAC pedals can leave you with that feeling of being locked in and unable to get out. More than once I've needed to clip out quickly and have fallen in slow-mo to the usually hard-ass ground below. Will try shaving down the cleat before switching to something different. Get a different saddle. The Hayes brakes are great but...if you take your rims off be prepared to screw around with the calipers/pads. Not once have I been able to just put the rim back on and go. Hint...take 2 business cards with you...one on each side of the pad...squeeze the lever a couple of times and you're usually good to go. The tires are just okay. If you ride in B.C., where it's just plain wet most of the time swap 'em out, but here in Ontario where it's been very dry the tires are fine. Don't worry about the LX front...it works. XTR is nice but frankly not as great as I thought it would be. Grab this bike...look over the beautiful paint and workmanship, clip in and go like hell!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
singleminded
a Cross Country Rider
from east coast Date Reviewed: August 20, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light. Do-it-all geometry. A1 frame and fork, plus good wheelset means this is a great platform to build on. High quality materials and assembly. Good ride feel for alu (at least on the dirt where this bike belongs).
Weaknesses:
A few cheapo parts
Similar Products Used:
various high-end alu and steel hardtails, alu FSXC rigs
Bike Setup:
Upgrades from stock: Un-72 BB, SRAM 9.0 cassette, SRAM chain, Conti tires, Easton post and stem, Hyperlite bar, SDG saddle, King headset
Bottom Line:
This bike was born for racing and fast XC trail riding. Its trail manners are impeccable. A great privateer racer.
At 23.5 lbs, I've climbed things I've never climbed before.
MSRP is too high given some of the cheapo parts, but the bike is often on sale.
The stock BB and cassette are lame. The saddle hurts like hell. The post won't grab the saddle tight enough. Spez tires are lame compared with Contis, some others.
Buy it if you can get it on sale and are willing to upgrade a few minor parts.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a Racer
from Hastings MN Date Reviewed: July 7, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Afton
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$693.00
Purchased At:
On track bike and ski
Strengths:
Super light and stiff, great frame, xtr is nice, Manitou mars elite is great once you get it dialed in, sweet brakes, wheelset is pretty decent
Weaknesses:
Lx shifters and front derillure need to go soon, xtr/lx isnt the greatest set up, should be full xt for the retail price. Only white/blue paint job. Other then a few small things its a great bike
Similar Products Used:
'99 specialized FSR sport lx/stx-rc, manitou spyder, Shimano 636 pedals
Bike Setup:
Stock except for Race Face low riser bars, hope to upgrade to full xt/xtr soon though
Bottom Line:
This bike is the great, for the price i paid its a steal, for retail its kinda expensive but believe me its worth it. I work at a shop and the specialized bikes we get in are so much easier to biuld up. THey are just made better, period. This bike is no exception. The fork is great, just play with the air pressure and once you get it dialed in leave it. I would recommend this bike to anyone looking for an intermediate race bike with a frame that could never be overly upgraded.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Raul Carmona
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami Date Reviewed: June 7, 2001
Favorite Trail:
looking for the Holy One
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Bike Tech
Strengths:
I Love the way the bike looks, feels and handles. Any rider who wants a great hardtail should try this one out!!!
Weaknesses:
Yet to find one
Similar Products Used:
None this good
Bike Setup:
Stock except for the crank and front derailleur, replaced it for shimano 105 with three rings (large 52)
Bottom Line:
This is my first "real good" bike. I had a "good" road bike many years ago (I'll be 45 this fall) but like the versatility of Mountain Bikes. I'm riding because I enjoy it and want to get and keep in shape. This Bike encourages me to ride and sweat it out! I love my Yellow Stumpjumper.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ccmtbr
a Cross Country Rider
from East Coast Date Reviewed: June 4, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
light (23.9 lbs estimated) mostly good spec nice frame, handling, ride raceable as is (almost)
Weaknesses:
not worth msrp a couple poor parts
Similar Products Used:
too many to list
Bike Setup:
stock accept for tires. Will likely replace seatpost, saddle and stem.
Bottom Line:
1. Frame, wheelset and fork are light in weight and high in quality. This is an excellent platform to build on.
2. A good race bike for the privateer. Nice ride feel (for aluminum) and great handling in all kinds of terrain. This bike knows it's ready to race. Agile, stable and serious, but not a bit tempermental.
3. Good brakeset and generally good drivetrain. The Strongarm II Comp crank shifts as well as Shimano LX or XT, and seems both stiff and light. Crank is much improved over past Spez efforts.
4. At this MSRP, you should get a splined BB or UN-72, not a crappy boat anchor like the square-taper UN-52. Every UN-52 I've had makes a "tick, tick, tick" sound when pedaling or even just weighting the crankset. Poor saddle choice for this seatpost (or visa versa) because retaining bolt slams into underside of saddle on choppy terrain -- like someone poking your arse with a screwdriver. Hey Specialized -- Shouldn't you guys have figured this stuff out already?
5. For the $1600 msrp you could get the same fork, a comparable frame, wheelset and controls, and FULL XT drivetrain by careful shopping online. The M-4 Comp is an outstanding value IF discounted.
6. Seat rail clamp keeps moving on post, changing saddle angle, no matter how tight the bolt. Probably not a problem if you weigh 150 lbs or less. I've roughed-up the interface between the clamp and post to increase friction. Maybe this will help.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Wyman
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles Date Reviewed: May 21, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Bottom Line:
I want to modify my prior review of the bike. The saddle, which I disparaged, isn't as bad as I thought it was, now that I have a few hundred miles sitting on it! I can now go for a few hours, at least on fire roads, and my ass doesn't hurt anymore. I guess I was just to used to my cushy saddle I'd put on my old bike....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew Carman
a Cross Country Rider
from UK Date Reviewed: May 19, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Cannock Chase and Sherbrook Valley
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At:
Samways Cycles
Strengths:
This is my dads new bike so my experience of riding it is limited. However there are some things that inmediately struck me. The M4 frame is light and stiff, giving a very responsive ride and handling. Acsend with ease and decsend with confidence thanks to the Avid V style brakes. And it looks great.
Weaknesses:
Not had enough time to test the saddle, but my dad says it's comfortable enough.
Similar Products Used:
Scott Comp Racing
Bike Setup:
As new, apart from, Marzocchi Z4 and Mavic 217 rims
Bottom Line:
I don't know the excahnge rate, but over here it cost my dad £990. It's light weight M4 frame is the same as the the other, more expensive Stumpjumper frames. The frame is what really sells the bike. The other components are what you would expect from a bike at this price giving a good reliable ride. What ever you want to do the Stumpy will do it, racing, or just messing. My next bike is set to be the M4 Stumpjumper.
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Submitted by
neil
a Racer
from los angeles Date Reviewed: May 17, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
perfectly balanced xc race frame, good parts
great paint jobs and graphics manitou air fork is great
Weaknesses:
lx front d on this bike? saddle is great if you don't want kids-- get a real one and throw the 'body geometry' away. boring seatpost--nothing wrong with it except plain jane don't fit on a supermodel like this-- needs a thompson.
Bike Setup:
stock-except the lame seat
Bottom Line:
perfect xc racing bike. the bike is just fast- uphill, downhill, st-- it is the most agile,stiff frame ive ridden.
the m4 frame is worthy of any and all upgrades.
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Submitted by
Wade
a Cross Country Rider
from Brooklyn, NY Date Reviewed: May 9, 2001
Favorite Trail:
any XC w/ steep hills
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1195.00
Purchased At:
Roy's Sheepshead Bay Cycle
Strengths:
Lightweight; Good looking; Incredible feel on and off road; good parts; great value
Weaknesses:
Uncomfortable seat; LX front derailluer is so-so.
Bike Setup:
Stumpjumer M4 Comp; Specialized BD Sport Seat; XT Rapidfire shifters
Bottom Line:
This bike get's the highest recommendation I can give. You catch a lot of air on this thing, accelerate quickly, and climb easily. It honestly seems like you can feel the geometry of the bike, perfectly engineered with every pedal. Best of all, the bike is just plain run to ride. It is very comfortable for such a high end hardtail (after you replace the seat). The saddle is the only flaw I can really find on this bike. While the Specialized Comp saddle weighs only 290grams, it hurts from the minute you get on it. I replaced it with a BD Sport Seat and now I can't get off the bike. I have rode it on XC trails in Long Island, small mountain trails in New Jersey, and the streets of New York City. The bike does it all. The front Derailluer will probably be the next thing I change. It's mediocre at best, a Shomano LX. The cranks are alright, but I'd love to swap them off for a set of RaceFace. At the end of the day, you have a great ride and a great price. 5 flamin' chilis for value and overall. I love this bike.
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Submitted by
Dave Wyman
a Weekend Warrior
from Lo Angeles, CA, USA Date Reviewed: May 4, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Westridge
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Supergo (Santa Monica, CA)
Strengths:
Great bang for the buck with a great frame and a rousing compliment of components. The lightweight Comp saddle saves half a pound over the cushy saddle on my other bike. But if you want to limit uphill time, the saddle is one way to cut fat from a bike, and this saddle is light weight. The Time Alium pedals are great, too, easy to get into, easy to get out of. They supposedly work well in mud, but living in southern California, I don't ride in mud very often. The tires are light weight and fast enough on fire roads.
Weaknesses:
The lightweight Comp saddle is a literal pain - sometimes it feels like a hot poker shoved into my rear after an hour ride. The Time pedals squeak. Unlike the first generation shocks on my Montana Pro, which locked out with a few puffs of air, the Mars Elite shocks don't completely lock out (unless you want to purchase an Anti-Bob, which comes standard w/ the SJ Pro). Tires are on the seriously whimpy side for a serious dirt bike.
Similar Products Used:
KHS Montana Pro
Bike Setup:
Stock for dirt, plus Profile Boxer bar ends; Specialized Fatboy tires and Specialized Comfort Plus saddle for long rides on pavement.
Bottom Line:
Buying a bike is like a dog chasing its tail - there's no end to what you can spend. For what I had to spend, and for what I like to ride, the Comp more than fits the bill. The leaps in technology from my 1993 Montana Pro - which actually offered more top-end componentry than the Stumpjumper - are overwhelming.
I don't like to damage my kidneys when I pedal over the washboard on the dirt portion of Mulholland Highway and the front shocks on the Comp take care of those kinds of bumps. But I have an ugly secret to reveal - I revel in pavement as much as I like XC. I hardly ever climb on my road bike anymore. I much prefer my mountain bike. While I don't need dual suspension on pavement, I do want to reduce the shock to my arms when I roll off a big curb on Sunset Blvd. or drop into a pothole while cranking up to the Griffith Park Observatory. And I like the lightning quick handling the Comp offers while negotiating the bike path through Venice Beach.
My first significantly long ride on the Comp was the Chico (CA) Wildflower Century. My buddy on his road bike grumbled about the bumpy first uphill that lasted four miles. I felt like I was floating. Hmm...maybe I don't need the Anti-Bob after all. Going up subsequently steeper hills I managed to scare a lot of riders as I passed them, because the Time pedals were so squeaky. With more miles on them, they seem to have broken-in. They're loud when I click into and especially out of them, too, but they're also bombproof. I'm glad I switched out the original tires and saddle for the slick Fatboys and the cushy Comfort Plus saddle.
On my return to L.A., I switched back to the Specialized Team tires the bike came with, put the Comp saddle back on, and tried some fire roads in the local Santa Monica mountains. For that the stock tires are fine. This bike exhibits awesome downhill handling, both on fire roads and on (the relatively few) dusty single tracks that the Santa Monicas offer. Compared to my Montana Pro, and briefs stints on friends' bikes, the Comp climbs - on dirt or pavement - like the proverbial goat, only this ungulate feels like it's hopped up on steroids and LSD. I think the difference is primarily the lesser weight, but I also like the feel of the stiff aluminum frame - transmission of power from cranks to tires is huge.
If you like XC, if you like climbing in or out of the saddle, and even if you like paved roads, you can spend more, but you might get a lot less.
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