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Specialized
2000 S-Works M4
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Submitted by
Rootfreak
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Yellow Trail at Memorial Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Craigslist | | Strengths: | Lightweight
Stiff
Extremely maneuverable for the Extra-Large frame size
this thing is a tank | | Weaknesses: | A few select creaks and groans
the steerer tube was cut too short - not a worry on the trails but on the road to the trails, it sucks (not a fault of the bike though)
The specialized cranks suck | | Similar Products Used: | Upgraded 2005 Marin Bolinas Ridge | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Titec Ti saddle, Time Atac pedals, Easton MonkeyLite CF bars, Kenda Karma Tires | | Bottom Line: | I know I'm 9 years after the fact, but this bike is so much better than the crap I've ridden on from recent years. The XTR and XT components function marvelously. The XTR V-Brakes are powerful enough to flex my frame. The frame itself is super-light and rock-solid. It just keeps climbing. You point it where you want to go and turn the pedals. This has proved great on rocky trails that I probably would have fallen on from loss of momentum. The light weight combined with stiffness makes this bike unstoppable. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Howard
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento, Ca USA
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Downieville | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light! under 22 lbs. I bought just the 2001 frame (mine was in black) then added raceface cranks-bottom bracket, king headset, easton monkeylite bar, thompson elite seatpost, etc.... Also I used some XTR off of a 2001 m4 pro to get the total cast below $3,000 after tax. This bike is amazing! I couldn't be happier. I use it primarily for cross country, but it can do Downieville downhill with ease also. I wanted a hardtail because I don't like full suspension. | | Weaknesses: | none if you part out, you can get rid of all the crappy parts ie: the cranks, tubeless tires, etc. and get down to the good stuff, the frame, SID shocks,and XTR. | | Similar Products Used: | 1995 M2 Comp | | Bike Setup: | Raceface cranks, bottombracket. Easton Monkeylite bar. Thompson Elite seatpost. Specialized computer. | | Bottom Line: | In my opinion this bike is the best hardtail on the trail. i can pass full suspension redes all day long, and if I don't mind the abuse the downhill without rear suspension seems more fun. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Duncan O'Reilly
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim -Moab, Walnut Creek-Charlottesville VA and The Pipeline- Bemboka NSW Aust | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | HTO Fairfax Circle VA | | Strengths: | Gotta agree with everyone else. Stiffness, light, componentry, colour (fast), climbing ability and the fact that chick crowd me everytime I pull it off the car in the parking lot.. | | Weaknesses: | Crank (uhhh), grips, fork is a little sensitive to 8ft dropoff crashes, seat, tyres. | | Similar Products Used: | None. There's nothin aroung like this.. | | Bike Setup: | Icon risers, Ouray clear grips, Fire xc 2.1(shouldda got 1.8), velocoraptor front, WTB SST saddle (get one), Gorilla brake booster (pointless- I dont use em' much) and me on top pedalling like there's no tomorrow! | | Bottom Line: | Gotta race this beby. Switch the cranks, bars, saddle, tires and throw the reflectors as far as you can and start getting blue ribbons. I've ridden every mecca (except Crested Butte and Bryan Head) in N America on my m4 and it sings as it flies. I have to keep my HAWG full or I take off sometimes. Expensive, but monkeys pay peanuts for mountain bikes. I got a great deal and invite all M4 owners to Australia to sample some MTB action abroad. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Racer
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | ruby and ft. custer | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | cross country cycle | | Strengths: | well, lets see, hmmmm. EVERYHTING!!!! its an awesome bike. sweet frame, so stiff, its the coolest thing ive ever ridden in my life. | | Weaknesses: | stock parts, ex: strongarms, grips, chain, handlebars, headset | | Bike Setup: | sworks m4 with XTR crankarms, profile bars. sworks saddle, salsa grips(dont by them no matter how cool they look, they wear away the next day u use them) | | Bottom Line: | GREAT bike, top of the line stuff. strongarms a little flexy, replace them with XTR or race face ISIS. its the coolest frame, love the m4. BUY THIS BIKE!!!!!!! fi u want a light bike that that will last a long time and go really really fast... BUY IT! if u want to go urban assault riding the fork will last as long as u dont go off any 15 ft ledges. everyone complains about the fork but its really awesome. it works so much beter than the mars. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leo
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh, NC
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Strengths: | Light (sub 22lbs.!)
Amazing climbing ablility
Looks to match the price
Mars CL works great | | Weaknesses: | non so far, lots of people have been complaining about the fork but I ride extremely hard and have had no problems with it. | | Similar Products Used: | trek 8500, cannondale f1000 | | Bike Setup: | stock + time carbons | | Bottom Line: | Although I've only had this bike for 3 months, I am very impressed with it. It's by far the most resposive, light, and fastest bike I've tried--and that's comparing to the top treks and cannondales. Overall a very cool bike... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TSTEW
a Cross Country Rider
from Durham, CT
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Bikers Edge | | Strengths: | This frame, IMHO, is the holy mecca of frames! The welds are superb and the geo is done up awesome. It accelerates like there's no tomorrow and climbs like a mountain lion. Fast & super light. Set up to race out of the box or to kick your friends arses on any given Sunday. There is nothing wrong with the crankset - period! I'm 190lbs and have put these cranks through their paces with no flex what so ever. | | Weaknesses: | So far, no major complaints. Crank bolts all decided to loosen up at once during a techy ride. Ended up losing one and limped home in the dark. Headset is creaking a bit. Not a big fan of being a riding bill board for Specialized. | | Bike Setup: | xtr/xt group, strong arm II cranks, thompson elite post, sid 100, 858 peds, Specialized Pro Ti saddle, blah, blah, blah | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. Sure there are others out there that are as good/better, but I don't own them. For the price, you cannot get a lighter bike (sub-22lbs) set up with a solid xtr/xt group. Don't listen to the cry baby soup wimps who down play the cranks and other components this bike comes with. They're all a bunch of wannabies anyway! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Douglas Holtz
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis, MN USA
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Minnesota River Valley | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Specialized | | Strengths: | Extremely fast frame....tight wheelbase perfect top tube length, great on singletrack, Climbs like a dog on speed!!!
| | Weaknesses: | Weakness....mmm....the only thing I woudl say Is first ditch all the specialized crap that comes with it and you'll be set. Also I am a hardcore Answer Manitou fan....but...the Mars CL is not my favorite fork, nuf said | | Similar Products Used: | S-Works FSR--------M2 Stumpjumpers | | Bike Setup: | Full Shimano XTR grouppo with Mavic 517 rims, speedplay frog pedals, Yeti Hyperlite bar, Race Face System stem, Thompson Elite Seatpin, Yeti Hardcore lock on grips, Selle Itallia Max Flite Saddle, Manitou SX Carbon fork, Tioga XC SL tyres | | Bottom Line: | This is the fastest bike I have ever set ass on, it climbs like nothing accelerates great, and is just a damn fine example of why Specialized rocks (frames that is).
Ideal buyer is a person who knows the quality of a great product and is not looking for that "deal" in other words just fess up and pay for it rather than telling your local shop to give you a deal and free accessories.
You do not have to be a racer to enjoy this bike just someone who wants a fast and great riding bike!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Samuel VeraSforzza
a Racer
from Seattle, Wa. USA
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any single track/Whistler B.C. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Gregg's Greenlake Cycles | | Strengths: | Sweet-jizzy-pops, race ready hardtail, superlight, looks, excellent components (except crankset), mavic tubeless tires stock, much lighter yet just as strong as Ti frames, it's a porsche/hummer hybrid, best stock hardtail on the market without dropping $5000 for a Litespeed Tanasi. | | Weaknesses: | THE CRANKS ARE BLASPHEMY, do yourself a favor and throw on a XT set at least, XTR or Raceface if you got the $$$, saddle sucks fat doritos, throw on your favorite Selle Italia, Specialized top-of-the-line racer should come with some more XTR and better cranks for the price ($2700) brand new retail. | | Similar Products Used: | Just about everything mid to high-end, currently own a 99 Trek 8000 and Litespeed Tsali along with this baby. | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR group (XTR 5-arm cranks), Selle Italia Ti Gel saddle, LP carbon/kevlar bar and seat post, Easton Mg stem, Time ATAC Ti/Carbon clipless, Currently weighs in at 20.4 lbs for a 19" frame (that's about as good as it gets folks). I have 01 SID SL's on my Litespeed and Manitou CL is just as nice-no need to upgrade right now. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a "cum popsicle," once a few upgrades are slapped on you'll have a CHOICE hardtail racer-time to turn pro. I was lucky enough to have an uncle who's an exec. at Sun Microsystems (designs M4) got the bike brand new for $1000 ($4000 value). Not meant for weedend crusers, this is a serious bike for the super-avid rider, you better know how to take kare of it or it will buck you. For those of you with fork complaints, learn how to ride-this isn't a DH with 7" travel, don't expect to live long if you're spraying over 4'+ drops unless your tinkerbell. If you have the money get one, put any extra $$$ into upgrades, then it really rips! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob woods
a Downhiller
from Lowell, MA
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lake Masabesic (sp?), NH | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | e-bay | | Strengths: | Light as a feather
Nice wheel set
Sweet frame - nice geometry, stiff and responsive
Mars CL fork (I've heard the horror stories but have had no problems to date).
Looks (sweet understated paint job) | | Weaknesses: | Strongarm crankset (too much flex in the crank arms and chain suck)
Paint chips easily
Pedals don't provide the same level of feedback as my Shimanos | | Similar Products Used: | None - this thing is lighter and more responsive than anything I've ridden in the past. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for middle chainring (I switched the specialized middle chainring for an XT to achieve better shifting and reduce chain suck ) | | Bottom Line: | I was reluctant to spend large on a XC bike but eventually took the plunge (actually, I nagged my wife for a month until she gave in, then placed a bid before she had time to change her mind)... anyway, I never looked back. This thing is a two wheeled porche - stiff, fast and responsive.
The bike weighs in at around 23lb (I was riding a 7 yr old, 40lb Marin) and no bull - the first few times I put my foot down, I thought the chain had slipped off! Talk about fast!
Sweet set up and a nice mix of componentry apart from the specialized crankset. Awesome value for money and a damn good reason to ride every day!
Sweeeet!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Finger
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, Ca
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | Stiff, Light, great wheels.
Great geometry... I'm glad someone out there is making a
cross country bike. I test rose too many bikes that had "freeride" geometry. i.e. they felt like I was riding my mom 's beach cruise. | | Weaknesses: | Piece o' crud cranks. Chainsuck city! I can't believe
how bad these cranks are. Specialized, you guys should be ashames. How much money did you save using these cranks over a pair of XT's? $40???
The pedals are okay, I just wish I got more feedback when you click in. | | Similar Products Used: | Paramount, Marin, GT's | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for a pair of TruVativ cranks | | Bottom Line: | I set out last week to buy some new chainrings to get rid of the horrible specialized ones, but saw that Pricepoint
has tapered TruVativ team stylo cranks for $89, and decided to try them out. Took about 15 minutes to stick 'em on the bike, went right on, no front der. adjustments or anything.
I must say, these cranks are a huge improvement over the Strongarms. (the funny thing is the Strongarms look alot like they were made by Truvativ....) For the money not a bad upgrade | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Curt Beauregard
a Racer
from Gainesville, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Santos | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Strengths: | Outstanding frame geometry. Specialized does have some weaknesses, but not with the frame. M4 is light and stiff. Climbs like a monkey. Very stable platform, easy to force in turns and downhills. Light and fast. Nice light wheelset.
I've heard lots of negatives about the Manitou Mars fork, but I have had no problems with it. It is easily adjustable, stiff, with good travel for a race fork. I think it is an asset on this bike. | | Weaknesses: | Piece of s*** Strongarm cranks. These are an embarassment on a bike of this caliber. Tremendous flex, and I am not a heavyweight (155lb). Spec. seat is like riding on a baseball bat. Curved seat stays may add some needed vertical compliance in the rear end | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn homegrown, Trek 9.9, GT Zaskar | | Bike Setup: | Stock except XTR crank, New fizik Dolomiti saddle, time carbon pedals xt 11-45 rear cassette,. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike overall. Weaknesses are really just nuisances and easily and relatively cheaply corrected except crankset (250-$300). Why bike manufactures continue to spec their top line bikes with crappy in-house components is a mystery to me. Buy this bike if you want a first class hardtail that is fun to ride, and with a little work, ready for any race. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | not particular | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Fairly light. Fork is nice. | | Weaknesses: | Saddle sucks. | | Similar Products Used: | OLD HardRock, Trek 6500 | | Bike Setup: | Judy SL, Mavic X221, Specialized Body Geometry Comp saddle | | Bottom Line: | The bike is light. Well, lighter than my old Hard Rock.
And the fork is more plush and has more travel. The saddle
is for morons--all style, no function--unless its purpose
is to make you wanna stand. The brakes are more powerful
and easier to modulate than my Hard Rock. Shifting is
okay. Nothing special. People who say this bike is not
for long rides....puzzle me. Maybe they have a saddle like
mine. The bike is less tiring to ride because of the lower
weight. What? We got a fork and squishy tires and these
people say the stiff frame makes them so tired. We've
got some sensitive people out there. It's okay. I wouldn't
pay full price for one. But I would definitely buy another
Specialized product. They seem to work. The lowly Trek I
rode is kinda weird. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Bristol Rhode Island
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Dave's back yard | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1825.00 | | Purchased At: | Ten Speed Spokes | | Strengths: | I want to be like Dave, so I got a really light bike. It climbs like Dave does, and I really like that.The shock tracks well going downhill. I have not had the problems with the shock everyone else seems to have had.Dave has the same shock, so thats good enough for me. I want to be like Dave | | Weaknesses: | It is not the same bike Dave has. Paint chips easy, I had to miter out my shoes to get the pedals to work | | Similar Products Used: | Dave's bike | | Bike Setup: | Just like dave's | | Bottom Line: | Dave likes my bike, so Iam very happy | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brent
a Racer
from Denton, TX USA
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any trail in Cameron Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | used from brother | | Strengths: | Stiff, lightweight, and very responsive. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing significant. Paint has worn off around BB a little. The water bottle mounts seem to be to close. I can't carry two large water bottles. I only use one cage. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized S Works M2. I had an M2 and bent the frame. Specialized made me a good deal on a new M4 frame. These are the only two bikes that I have ridden extensively off road. | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR, with the exception of an XT Hollowtech crankset. Chris King headset, Profile stem, Anser riser bar, Sid SL, USE XCR suspension seat post, mavic 517 rims with XT hubs, and Time Atac Carbon pedals. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that the bike is setup to race and it performs well, it's light, and very responsive. I say anyone looking for a hardtail to race can't go wrong with a M4. The bike is not for weekend trail rides for enjoyment.
Some have commented on the stiffness and how long rides the bike is not the best. The bike is stiff, but you know what you are getting up front, and it performs to expectations.
Fortunately for me I was able to get the frame and build it up to my satisfaction. I agree that the 2000 models are not as nice stock as my bike (proprietary parts and Mars shock). But after looking at the 2001 models I think you are getting what you are paying for with a Sid SL and Crossmax Tubeless.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Racer
from Fresno, CA
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Goat Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Reg Bauer's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Very light weight, stiff frame, 100% race bike,
good looking bike, nice wheels.
| | Weaknesses: | Mars CL is a piece of crap (check fork reviews).
Thomson seatpost is nice, but needs rear offset.
Seatpost fits a little loose in frame.
| | Similar Products Used: | '96 Specialized Stumpjumper M2 | | Bike Setup: | 100% Stock set-up. Mavic wheels, XT/XTR components. Specialized bars, stem, saddle, pedals, tires, cranks. | | Bottom Line: | With the exception of the front suspension fork, this is a great bike. It has a good mix of high end components. Out of the box the bike weighs 21.75 lbs. If you want a light weight hardtail racer, this could be the bike for you. If you are looking for a weekend cruiser, look elsewhere. The stiffness of the frame can wear on the body on longer rides. The narrow 1.9 tires are great for racing, but don't do much to smooth out the bumps on those fun weekend rides. After a year of riding and racing (10 races), this bike has held up really well with the exception of the fork. Did I mention that a hate the front shock!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom De Bruyne
a Cross Country Rider
from Kuala Lumpur
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Kiara | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | KSH | | Strengths: | Fast,light, versatile. A fullblood racer.
All XT and XTR stuff performs.
I like the pedals as they are very light and performing. | | Weaknesses: | A very, very rigid ride and basically all Specialized hardware except the frame suck. Also the Manitou twisted in a simple not too hard crash. Before this the seals blow a couple of times. All the SWorks components broke down extremely -like in "extremely"- fast. Most of the decalls came off too. A verry poor job here too. S choose to have a non-shiny look and did not apply lacker. Style over Substance and a poor job indeed. Finally, all M2 and M4 harttails I saw suffer from a lot of wear around the BB due to chain errosion. Please fix this problem. If you pay this much money, one expects quality. Not there all the way do. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Mt. Tam, Trek STP, Marin Pine Mountain | | Bike Setup: | Standard + repalcement parts... like full drivetrain (XT), saddle (cracked), Rims (hubs broke) | | Bottom Line: | If I like to hammer a trail for one hour, this bike is the best. After that it gets harder and harder. I start feeling every bump and I get more tired then I should. Also the Manitou is quite rigid, so that doesn't help neither. On fast tracks however it will be difficult to beat this bike. On the technical trails like bumpy steep terrain, my good ol'Mt. Tam does actually a better job.
Having ridden this bike for one year I did not fall in love with it like with my previous bikes. That is because the ride did not give me that much joy (5 broken ribs actually) and for the price I feel that Specialized could have repalced their home branded factory components with some serious stuff. The 2001 model however comes with a SID and a Mavic wheelset. I think this could double the potential of the bike.
Finally I like to suggest to the Specialised guys to focus on something different than marketing too. For me the bike deserves a more flexible rear end, type CAAD 5 or Bianchi Tycoon. For top end frames like this, I think that it is important to keep the design in constant motion.
For those who like to buy. Consider it if you frequently race or ride fast trails. Consider something else if you "tour" or do mostly tricky stuff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AB
a Cross Country Rider
from SoCal
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Has no name | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1599.00 | | Strengths: | Stiff frame, good components, fast, light | | Weaknesses: | To harsh of a ride. | | Similar Products Used: | NON-First Alum. Hard Tail | | Bike Setup: | Time carbon pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike, I got the black anodize version-no paint chips it handles great if you don’t mind the harsh ride. So far no problems with the fork. Have not figured out the compression damping adjustment yet. Have to watch the crank when shifting but it's fine, no major problems. Lowering the rear tire pressure helps. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JB
a
from Los Altos
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Excellent frame. Very light and strong. | | Weaknesses: | Stock Strongarm II cranks blow!!! The chainrings cause crapy chain shifting. In other words lots of chain suck on stock XT shifters or the cranks/chainrings. Bottom bracket creaks a lot. Manitou Mars CL Forks really suck. Forks have too much rebound and flex too much in ruts and thick dirt. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek | | Bike Setup: | Rochshox SID Race, XTR, RaceFace NextLP cranks/chainrings | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price, $2400. But if you want the ultimate, better throw away those Manitou forks and Strongarm cranks/chainrings and go with Rockshox SIDs and
FaceFace cranks/chainrings. I know I did. Now my bike is a lean mean race machine. Its plush and shifts on the dime. The only pit fall is it still creaks. Oh well, I guess I'll have to keep wippin out the TriFlo on the metal matrix. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Racer
from Livermore
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Local Bike shop | | Strengths: | This is one seriously light mountain bike and the frame is a work of art. It climbs like a road bike and is light enough to hop over most trail obstacles. Looks good too | | Weaknesses: | The pedals offer absolutely no feedback that you have engaged (no nice click like shimano). Chainset flexes a bit too much on the big ring. | | Similar Products Used: | Test rode all the other Stumpjumpers, similar priced Kleins, Treks, Cannondales and Marin Team. | | Bike Setup: | as it came from the factory but plan to upgrade the pedals and crankset. | | Bottom Line: | This is one superb cross country racing weapon. I can climb things on this bike that previously were out of the question. You can hammer along fire roads like you were on a road bike and it climbs like a dream. The tyres grip really well on hard pack Californian trails but I have my doubts about their performance once the rains come. The light weight is a bonus on the technical stuff allowing easy direction changes and the ability to hop over trouble. Up to now I am not that impressed with the XTR brakes overal stopping power but they do the job. The front fork is superb, I have it set up firm and only ever need to use the anti-bob device when cranking it on the road.
Noticed a bit of an oil leak from around the BOB device which I need to look into.
I hate the pedals as they offer no feedback that you have got clipped in properly. Totally useless for racing.
I plan to use the beast for doing some cross so I will do without bar ends for a while.
The chainset flexes quite a bit in the big ring but the XTR rear mech gives sweet changes.
It might be in my head but the frame seems to ride the rough stuff better than a stiff Aluminium frame has any right to.
Highly reccomended for XC racers on a budget. The shop scales indicated 21.75 pounds in stock trim with reflectors still in place. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christian
a Cross Country Rider
from Lugano / Ticino / Switzerland
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Swiss Mountains | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | La grandissima leggerezza di questa bike mi ha molto impressionato. Ho trovato un'ottima reattività di tutto il mezzo nelle salite molto impegnative. Il telaio è comunque il punto di forza di tutto il complesso. | | Weaknesses: | La componentistica in generale può essere migliorata. Non posso dire che la serie S-Works dia il meglio di sè. La forcella tende a scaricarsi piuttosto velocemente e a dare un "gioco" non propriamente simpatico. La scelta di una copertura così poco grippata come quella posteriore non mi sembra particolarmente azzeccata. | | Similar Products Used: | Wheeler 9999zx mod. 98
| | Bike Setup: | Sostituzione leve cambio e deragliatore da XT a XTR. Possibilmente anche le corone con mod. XTR. Mozzi ruota più performanti, evtl. serie FRM. Sella, Selle Italia Flite Gel, cerchi MAVIC XMAX e coperture MICHELIN WILDGRIPPER. | | Bottom Line: | ACCERTARSI DI ACQUISTARE IL PRODOTTO PRESSO UN RIVENDITORE QUALIFICATO ED ESPERTO. E' MOLTO IMPORTANTE CONOSCERE BENE TUTTA LA COMPONENTISTICA DEL MEZZO, IN PARTICOLAR MODO LA FORCELLA MANITOU MARS CL CHE È FRA LE MIGLIORI DELLA SUA CATEGORIA ATTUALMENTE SUL MERCATO MA CHE NON È NEMMENO INDISTRUTTIBILE, OCCHIO !! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Swofford
a Racer
from LIttleton, Colorado
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tiperary Creek, Winter Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light weight, stiff good handling x/c racing. Good Damping on Mars CL fork, fork lockout. | | Weaknesses: | Mars CL fork is likely to lose pressure during use often losing 50psi per hour of use. Many forks are shipped with schrader valve cores too tall for some fork pumps, resulting in loss of pressure when releasing the fork pump. Swiss made Hugi hubs have a large, high friction redundant seal. Both hubs are difficult to adjust and service are require careful handling to prevent damage. Some non-drive side rear hub bearings are shipped without adequate lubrication. New Hugi freehub internal design is defective and likely to fail with resultant slippage that feels like the chain jumping off the cogs. Specialized titanium pedals have only one small bearing and most loads are carried by a large high friction bushing. Pedal dust seals are crudely designed. Small chainring is likely to chainsuck under any load and should be replaced with shimano ring. Rear tire lug sheared off after a few miles. Mars CL fork had a factory recall for installation of a reinforcing sleeve in the steerer tube | | Bike Setup: | Remove plastic front and rear hub outer seals. Replace or rebuild Mars CL fork seals. Replace chainrings, pedals and seat with higher quality units. Ensure your Mars CL fork had the factory recall service completed before sale. | | Bottom Line: | Make sure your shop is competent to service the Mars fork and is not reluctant to replace defective parts under the warranty as this is likely to be required. This is an excellent cross country racing bike when properly equipped and serviced. This bike is best for racers willing to spend time setting up and servicing this machine properly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brent stoen
a Racer
from DULUTH,MN,USA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Top of the line frame,light and strong. XTR rear D.,Great raceing bike, with a price tag to match. | | Weaknesses: | The Manitou CL Carbon shock is the worst shock that I have ever had to ride on. The shock came to me and the lock out didn,t even work.I had to send the shock back to Manitou because the bushings inside feel down, and I got 1 1/2" of travel. So, Manitou's top of the line gets my worst rateing. I would rec. putting on a SID. | | Similar Products Used: | SBC STUMPJUMPER M2 PRO | | Bike Setup: | STOCK | | Bottom Line: | THIS IS A GREAT BIKE THAT I WOULD TELL ANYONE AROUND THE WORLD TO BUY, IT COMES WITH SOME GREAT STUFF, BUT THE MANITOU CL CARBON IS THE WORST THING ON THE MARKET, AND AFTER USEING THIS SHOCK, I WILL NEVER RIDE OR TELL ANYONE TO BUY A MANITOU SHOCK. THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAD TO FACE WERE NOT WORTH MY TIME. SO IN THE END, TRY WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO BUY, IT WILL SAVE ON TIME AND MONEY. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robb Jankura
a Cross Country Rider
from Woodbridge
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | elizabeth furnace | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light(22lbs). killer frame. Real agressive setup.
| | Weaknesses: | The middle chainring came loose on my second ride. The s-works cranks are real flexy. The front sealed bearing hub is came to me slightly loose and i don't know how to tighten it(and i'm a bike machanic!). The rear wheel makes a terrible creak when i padal hard. | | Similar Products Used: | Stumpjumper pro | | Bike Setup: | stock, except i replaced my Manitou Mars CL with a White Bros. XC3 fork i put on it. | | Bottom Line: | this is a kickass bike minus the mars cl and the crappy s-works cranks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
funbob
a
from Maple Grove, MN 55369
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Frame, shock, overall feel and handling, strong yet very light wheelset. | | Weaknesses: | crankset so-so in shifting, pedals just o.k., | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale f1000, m2. | | Bike Setup: | Time pedals, XT crankset, tomac bar ends, specialized rockster rear tire, serfas monaco saddle. | | Bottom Line: | The heat and soul of this bike shreds. It is very fast and is a great race bike. The Anti-Bob on the fork is nice but don't forget and leave it on by accident. I've put the beat down on the this bike and it keeps rolling. It handle great too. I wish specialized, trek, cannondale ect. would put shimano cranks stock on high end bikes instead on house brands, but what can you do? A rockster rear tire would be a lot better stock choice than the mt. baldy. The fork, frame and wheels are great so it hard to complain much. My last bike cost $1000 less but it had none of those things. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Sunnyvale, CA
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Shoreline / Bayshore | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Super light, Super fast! great frame. | | Weaknesses: | It would be nice if the shifters and front dr. were XTR -- no problems with the XT, though. | | Similar Products Used: | Various - mainly Bridgestone and Specialized. | | Bike Setup: | Replaced rear tire with SBC TE Rockster. | | Bottom Line: | I'm not rich, but I am kind of a snob when it comes to the products that I buy. I will pay more for a great product if I think that it is worth it. This bike IS worth the price.
Everytime I pick up this bike, I am surprised by how light it is. I flatted earlier today, and when I pulled off the front wheel I was surprised at how light it is, even though I have had the wheel off many times...
Overall, this is by far the best bike I have even ridden. If you can afford it (or have room on your credit card) Buy this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Murray
a Cross Country Rider
from Peekskill NY USA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ninham Multiple use area /BLus Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | I had a 98 Stumpjumper and cracked the frame. I brought to the dealer and the Specialized rep happen to be there. He warrantied the frame on the spot (way to go Specialized) Rather than get another Stumpjumper Frame he told me for an additional 250.00 I could get the S Works M4 frame...So here I am .... | | Weaknesses: | NONE THAT I KNOW OF....Then again mine is going to be custome set up... | | Similar Products Used: | m2 stumpjumper...i loved that bike... soory to see it go | | Bike Setup: | race face lp cranks. z2bam bomber. thompson post, body geometry comp saddle. spin front wheel. velocity cliff hanger with hugi hub rear. xt compents. avid brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Specialized has treated me well and i will continue to ride there bikes. I love the feel of there metal matrix frames. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Emigrant Trail, Tahoe | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | LIGHT!! like the geometry - I'm reasonably tall and it stretches me out well. Mainly XTR componentry | | Weaknesses: | Not sure - heard some average things about the Manitou fork but yet to be troubled by it (early days yet!). Seat. Factory rear tire too slick for even vaguely loose conditions | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher SuperCaliber
Cannondale Something-or-other | | Bike Setup: | factory except rear tire | | Bottom Line: | Great bike - light, fast, pretty good factory setup for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie Morton
a Racer
from Whitefish Bay, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | John Muir | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | M4 meatal martix- no other frame like it, as lite as sin. | | Weaknesses: | seat- its too hard!!!!!!
get a semi slick tire thats a bit more nobby! | | Similar Products Used: | ? have never ridden a bike as good aas this before. | | Bike Setup: | all stock- its all i need.....for now. | | Bottom Line: | the bottom line is if you want this bike, buy the frame, its too expensive fully loaded(unless you get a discount like me...hehehe). Other than that, it's an excellent bike- lite, handles well, plush up front. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Klipp
a
from Lincolnshire
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ghost Rock (Devils Head Resort) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Great Frame Material, Super Light Bike!! Great for X-country racing! | | Weaknesses: | Frame is a little too stiff, don't know about the durability of the Manitou (99 SWorks had some problems with the shock) I don't like the idea of specialized putting there web site on the frame!?! | | Similar Products Used: | Stumpjumper, 99 Sworks
(work at a bike shop, so I have tested everything) | | Bike Setup: | Fork: Bomber Z1 X-FLY, Race Face Turbine Cranks, Titec bar, everything else is what came on the bike. | | Bottom Line: | The new SWorks offers basicly the same features as the 99 SWorks, but some of the components have been redone. Really only one word can discribe the ride:WOW!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Racer
from Lakewood, CO
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | All CO Front Range | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Specialized Frame Geometry, light weight, Frame Stiffness | | Weaknesses: | Front Crank/Derailler/BB | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Homegrown
2 Prior Stumpjumpers
Moots YBB | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for:
XTR Cranset/BB/Derailleur
Upgrade to 46 tooth Chain Ring
11x34 Cassette | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. Since I'm on my 3rd Stumpjumper for racing, I am a bit biased, but I'm very pleased with the overall performance. The frame has the same basic geometry that I'm used to but seems stiffer in the climb and is definately light! At 185 lbs, I can flex anything but feel that 100% of my energy is moving forward climbing and I love the tracking on high-speed descents. I too felt the crank flex and shifting sluggishness of the "S" crank, but a quick change to XTR fixed all that and made the shifting the best I have experienced on any bike. The 46x11 setup is FAST if you can push the gears. Also, if doing it all over I would consider a 2 ring crank because the XTR 34 cassette gives you all you need from the middle ring. I've yet to "need" the granny gear even though I don't consider myself a particularily powerfull climber.
I initially had some trouble getting the front wheels to properly track in fast rough corners, but by adjusting the rebound in the CL cured that. The maintenence of the shock is really minimal and the infinite adjustability of the air combined with the anti-bob let me quickly set up the bike for optimal configurations on any terrain. I still don't think Anti-Bob is practical for XC because in the heat of battle it's easy to forget to either set or reset the knob and wind up with the opposite of what you want. I set it and forget it for racing.
I don't mean to sound like a paid advertisement for "S", but this is the greatest bike I have ever ridden. This bike is for racers. It will require a little tweaking for taste in the gear department, but the price of the bike is right in the sweet spot for that level of machine. Rec riders might appreciate the weight, but would be better off saving their money by purchaing a lesser bike and giving up ice cream to save weight instead. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Raul
a Cross Country Rider
from Southeast
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Razorback, Hardrock | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | My wife managed to get me a 2000 European Black M4 frame only. It is stiff, responsive, a real race machine. | | Weaknesses: | NONE! | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized M2 comp, Cannondale | | Bike Setup: |
2000 Marzocchi Bomber Z Atom fork, Chris King/Valiant ASYM wheels, Race face Next cranks, race face stem, Bontrager crowbar riser bars, 9.0sl betsy shifters & deraileur, Syncros seat post, Avocet O2 saddle, 747 pedals, XTR Brakes (had to have something shimano)with sram levers, Panaracer 2.1 front & 1.8 rear fire xc, Chris King head set, salsa skewers and for those insane night rides Turbo Cat helmet & Bar lights. | | Bottom Line: | If this bike ever got stolen I would jump off the highest bridge in Florida head first. It is a dream that took a long time to finish. I love everything about this bike! I'm not a fan of specialized specs on a bike but there frames are the best geometry in the business. You could not offer me a bike that I would want more than this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Calvin Hwung
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Gatos
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | longridge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Frame, uphill climbing doesn't require to much pedaling energy to get up there, anit-bob lock-out, much more... | | Weaknesses: | Mars cl fork requires tools to matain it.
Specialized should get race face turbine lp cranks, xtr shifter and xtr front der. | | Similar Products Used: | none (my first specialized) | | Bike Setup: | manufaturer setup expect the cranks which are race face turbine lp | | Bottom Line: | GREAT BIKE.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Patil
a Cross Country Rider
from Chapel Hill, NC USA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pisgah in Asheville (only an hour and a half from Chapel Hill!!) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Great Frame, very light yet strong. The XTR setup is great, making it a great off road racer. | | Weaknesses: | Mars Fork is good but the Rock Shox SID SL would have been nicer. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike if you can afford it, one of the lightest bikes that can put up with the comstant hammering i give it!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Velvet Hog
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: February 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | They're all good. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Very stiff yet compliant ride.
The weight (under 22 pounds 19" frame).
The paint quality of the frame.
| | Weaknesses: | The Prolong Revolution saddle.
The paint on the fork peels off easily.
The shifting of the S Works crankset is slow and clunky.
The Manitou Mars CL fork requires that you buy a pump and grease gun seperately in order to maintain it. (The pump alone runs around $40)
| | Similar Products Used: | 1989 Bianchi something or other (steel)
1993 Trek 8900
1995 Specialized M2 Comp (over 8000 miles no frame problems)
| | Bike Setup: | As stock plus Selle Italia Flite Saddle | | Bottom Line: | This a point and shoot climbing machine. It seems amazing that the bike can be this light and still be so stiff. The ride feel of the M4 tubeset reminds me to some degree of a quality steel bike's ride. The bike carves corners flawlessly. Can you say climbing? This thing hauls serious butt!
The frame seems very stiff in the bottom bracket. The S Works crank arms will flex if you load them perpedicularly to their long axis from the side, but this is not a realistic test of their stiffness since that is not the direction that the cranks get loaded while being pedaled. The shifting of the crankset leaves a little to be desired. It isn't Shimano. The Prolong Revololution saddle is a true butt wedge that never breaks in. I have never been able to ride one of these saddles. The additional cost of the required pump and grease gun to maintian the Mars fork seems ridiculous to me. This fork is top-of-the-line racing cross country fork that will presumably be ridden many miles per weeks and as such will require more frequent lubrication and adjustment of the air spring. The maintanence tools should be included.
With the exception of a few relatively minor gripes. I would say that this is another top-notch offerning from the big S. If the bike came stock with an XTR (or similar) crankset it would be damned near perfect as far as high end race-ready hardtails go. This thing flies!!!! I would give the bike 4 1/2 chilis if I could. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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