| |
Submitted by
Dee Gee
a
from uk
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | uk | | Strengths: | Warranty, Handling, Strength... | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | 97 Stumpjumper M2 | | Bike Setup: | 15.5 inch,Manitou SX Ti forks, Velocity downhill rims, hope hubs, XTR etc etc | | Bottom Line: | I brought my S Works M2 in 1998 after owning a stumpjumper M2 for a year. I brought a 15.5 inch frame as i'm an x bmxer and wanted a frame that i could thrash and race and i can honestly say that i have been more than happy with my S Works M2. I have rode trails, downhills such as Penhurst, Forest of Dean and many other places in the uk. I have done many drop offs ranging from 5 - 13 and jumped over doubles with a maybe 20 foot drops.. Basically this frame has handled everything i have chucked at it and is now in its 7th year of life, and i have alos had some pretty extreme crashes on it including being hit by 2 cars! i have heard of people cracking them at times but then i also hear that about virtually every frame on the market. I am not a heavy person (10 stone) which i guess is part of the reason the frame has done me so well, but then saying that its not like i have'nt broken a frame as i managed to crack every bmx frame i every owned except for my Skyway TA. Love this frame and i will stay with it until it dies on me... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler
a Cross Country Rider
from H-Town
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Vietnam | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | Milford Bike | | Strengths: | Super Light, Really Strong, Came with good components, Climbs great | | Weaknesses: | The frame's a little long for me, It looks so nice that i'm afraid to beat it up, You cant put disc brakes on it either, i think they make some sort of adapter though | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock Sport (the M2 rides like a Porche compared to that) | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Mars Fork, Avid V-Brakes, XT Front Derailleur, XTR in the back, Some Ritchey and Specialized Components | | Bottom Line: | This bike is amazing. I've been punishing it for the past season and it hasnt shown any signs of wear and tear other than a broken chain and maybe my bottom bracket and my seat. The frame is holding up great though, i just wish i could put disc brakes on it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Lafayette, Ca
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Strengths: | This bike is great, it can take anything you give it keaping in mind it's an XC bike, my gloss black frame looks amazing, and it handles like a dream. | | Weaknesses: | None, this frame is great. | | Similar Products Used: | Treks, Giants, Santa Cruzs, etc... | | Bike Setup: | M2 frame, XT, Truvativ Stylo Team Cranks (awesome), Thomson, Manitou SXR (still holdin' up) | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. It has taken everything i have ever dished out, and then some. Climbs and sprints like a champ, and doesnt feel too harsh on the downhill, although it is extremely stiff. It goes where you point it and does what its told, all with style. Looks and feels great, holds up for years under abuse, and the price wont kill you. An overall great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville, NC
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All of Pisgah Forest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Liberty Bikes | | Strengths: | Responsibly light, very durable and quick frame. | | Weaknesses: | Original parts pick didn't last long | | Similar Products Used: | '86 Trek 900 | | Bike Setup: | Syncros cranks, stem and seat post. Original Rock Shock XC, XT r.der.,cas., bb, shifters & c.r. Sachs f.der, dia-compe long arm brakes. Mavic Crossmax f., xtr w/Mavic cermamic r. WTB NP Headset. | | Bottom Line: | Ridden hard for 8 years and still no problems with this frame. Being a Clydesdale (6'4" 230 lbs), this is very impressive.
Bought the 20.5" Comp. version in '95 to be a 24-Hour race machine. Immediately replaced the stock seatpost with a longer/lighter Syncros, broke the original Strongarm cranks a year later, replaced with Syncros. Replaced orginal xt v-brakes after 1 year with more reliable (at the time) dia-compe. Burned through three r. deraileurs, 2 f. der., three stems and headsets, two sets of shifters, 2 pairs of SPDs, 4 fork rebuilds, 4 broken seatposts (warrantied by Syncros, thank you), 4 bars and a partridge in a pear tree. The current setup has been working fine now for almost four years.
Although I seem to be a parts masher, the Stumpy M2 frame has bested me on durability. It just will not break. I always rationalized upgrades by buying better parts when the old ones wear out or break. To date I have not been able to use this rationale on the frame. It seems to be bomb proof.
My bones seem to take a harsher beating on the long rides so I am going to buy a FS rig this year (Enduro?), but I am going to keep the M2 for those nostalgic days.
This frame is suitable for the XC rider who is looking for a do-all, go anywhere hardtail that will stand up to constant abuse and is still very light (mine weighs in just at 24 lbs).
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joel Rogers
a Cross Country Rider
from Lancaster, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Cannell Plunge | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Strengths: | Neutral handling, fairly stiff in the BB, somewhat supple in the rear... | | Weaknesses: | Flimsy derailluer hanger, bottom pull cables... | | Similar Products Used: | Giant ATX 880 (yes, back in the 1980's), Cannondale M700, Pro-Flex Animal | | Bike Setup: | Zoke' Atom Z2, XT, Race Face, Velomax Climax, Sach's version of the gripshift... | | Bottom Line: | I've been through 3 sets of wheels, two seatposts, three seats, three handlebars, three forks, two wives, a derailleur or two, three pairs of shoes, one set of brake levers, numerous trips to moab, utah and colorado, not even going to try and count the tires, chains and brake pads, and the frame (and the Sach's shifters) still remains...what else can I say?....
Actually I am thinking about finally upgrading it with a Airborne Ti frame, or possibly a M4 S-Works....8^), but I will keep the old M2 just to hang in the shop, for nothing else but sentimental value...
I'm giving it a 5 value rating for lasting so damn long
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Vanlieshout
a Downhiller
from Great Falls MT
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | united | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | light--who cares | | Weaknesses: | i broke | | Similar Products Used: | specialized p3--also crap | | Bike Setup: | trials setup | | Bottom Line: | I broke the chainstay doing a 5 foot drop/gap 8 feet across
I landed smooth and it just f***ing broke. Thats why im giving it one flamin turd. So bottom line dont buy it unless you're a 50lb weenie xc rider. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Seth
a Cross Country Rider
from Sunderland, VT
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Zogg's Highway | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | privatley | | Strengths: | This bike is super stiff (read:punishing!) and climbs like a scared cat. It does however require a bit of adjustment/setup with regards to parts to make it shine. | | Weaknesses: | It is a battering ram on your spine on those epics. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Zaskar, Trek 7000, IF HT | | Bike Setup: | Titec Hell Bent risers, RaceFace stem/cranks/BB, Serfas lock on grips, XTR drivetrain/brakes, TR post, Bontrager saddle, Time Atac pedals, Conti Traction Pro up front, Tioga XC in back, 517's on XT hubs w/ 14g DT spokes, Z5 100m fork, RaceFace trials ring (RF chainrings) | | Bottom Line: | This bike can do it all, and do it well. I have it set up a bit tall. I found that it really responded better to "trail" riding input if I was farther from the front wheel...i wanted a veritile bike that could get me up to the top, then turn around and play all the way down, hit ledges and log jams with ease, and then jet along the sniggle at the head of the pack. I can't even begin to recite the list of beefed up parts that this frame has outlasted (I weigh in at 195)! It really is an awsome bike...but I must admit,I am finally moving on to a full-sus rig (AEON Isis) to apease my grummbling back! That said, I will be keeping my orange monster fully intact, and ready to play for some time to come! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crazy Bit#$
a Weekend Warrior
from NY
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Plattekill,baby!! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | -Light
-Oh so responsive
-Climbs like a speed-addled monkey
-Good geometry | | Weaknesses: | -STIFF!!This bike will beat you up
-I cracked it at the headtube after a 6-foot drop-off..damn,I loved this bike too.. | | Similar Products Used: | I now own both a S.C Chameleon(awesome),and a Surly 1x1(also awesome);I test-rode a friend's Voodoo Sobo(VERY light,but flexed like hell)for a week | | Bike Setup: | My '98 Stumpy had LX/XT 8-speed parts and a '98 Manitou SX fork--everything else was pretty basic stuff.I dumped the stock clipless pedals for a set of Time ATAC's,then a set of GT platforms.It was my first mountain bike.I still have the mortally wounded frame hanging from my wall... | | Bottom Line: | I bought my Stumpy February of '99.It was a KICKASS bike...
....until I cracked it.DAMN!But this is not the frame's fault.I am a 200-lb hucker/former BMX'er who enjoys a good deal of urban assault and technical XC,and I routinely open a can of whoop-ass on my bikes--drops,high-speed curb hits,the occasional stairway,and other kinds of completely insane abuse.It finally bit the dust last July after I hucked it off a 6-footer that the locals call the "Widow-Maker."As a result,I busted the fork beyond repair and also put a MASSIVE crack in the headtube/downtube junction.I was pissed beyond belief!!
...Anyway,it was an awesome bike.It was light,and the geometry was "point-and-shoot."It also climbed and pedaled REALLY quickly and it was the best damn bike for sprinting.Really my only complaint about the bike was that the ride was STIFF,and I mean REALLY stiff.I see a lot of Stumpys around with suspension seatposts..I understand why.
I will be fair and still give this baby its proper 5 CHILIES!It won't let you down.Specialized makes AWESOME FRAMES!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AIDZ Kent
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Memorial | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Color, Strength, Handling | | Weaknesses: | Weight distribution | | Bike Setup: | XT/XTR/Raceface/Kore | | Bottom Line: | I weight 240lbs, i have crashed more times than i can remember, broke more stuff off this frame than i can afford and the frame keeps going...love it! My Guts easily outweigh my ability, the bike gets me through it, most of the time! Its my favourite thing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | I like'em all!!! | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Strengths: | Strength & Weight | | Weaknesses: | Rear Derailer Hanger. Kind of like the akillies(sp) heal of this bike... | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher (9mo), Cannondale(1mo), Trek's(2yr) | | Bike Setup: | Full XT, 2001 xfly fork | | Bottom Line: | After 4 years of riding this frame I am just now getting ready to move on. Over the years I have replaced everything except the frame. It has served me well! Besides a lot of dirt and a few scratches it shows no sign of wear!
It is very quick & responsive. You always know what to expect from it as it never gives. I am a heavy rider around 210 And I have never noticed any flex or give when climbing.
The only reason I am moving on is for a new Klein adept full suspension. I can not recamend this frame enough. If you have a chance of getting a used one don't be afraid to pick one up! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Milhouse Vanhoutan
a Weekend Warrior
from Springfield, Arizona, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Dwyers Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light weight, solid feel, great handling | | Weaknesses: | Very expensive - I could have spent a little more for Ti. | | Similar Products Used: | Other M2's | | Bike Setup: | Race Face everything. | | Bottom Line: | I've always been particular to Specialized Frames and Bikes, and the 2000's kick ass. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jo shmo
a
from kamloops
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Rose Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Very fast,strong and beefy this bike is good anywhere | | Weaknesses: | I only have one frame | | Similar Products Used: | condoms, fried corn, your mom | | Bike Setup: | xt-lx 521 hard ano 97 sx ti | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
p hud
a Cross Country Rider
from Louisville
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Handling, stiffness, weight, durability. | | Weaknesses: | stiffness | | Similar Products Used: | Chromo Scott frame | | Bike Setup: | 98 stumpy, xt-xtr, easton riser bar | | Bottom Line: | This is a singletrack frame, no-doubt, and it positively comes alive on rolling, twisting terrain. Stumpies are great if you like super quick handling. Ya gotta stay alert but then it is a very exhilerating fun ride. The quick handling has saved my butt sooo many times. This frame absolutely will not quit on you even if you're spun out and stalled on a steep incline. You can hold your balance, re-adjust your weight and heave-ho, 9 out of ten times and get up that hill without dabbing your foot once. It's way stiff but not like a "dead" hunk of iron feel; springiness ain't the word but it gives back in response to your efforts-- especially hard ones. Weight distribution is probably a little neutral for intense downhills which is the reason why I slapped on the riser bar. This has helped my confidence quite a bit. (chop the width so it doesn't slow your steering too much)
Two years ago I biffed hard enough to put myself in the hospital, the bike cartwheeled like 20 feet and I've given it all sorts of grief since then but it still keeps trucking along. No complaints. I love the ride and the value isn't going to be beat by any company. Give it a chance. I am being honest when I say I think this frame has made me a better rider. Stumpjumpers forever. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie Maclean
a Downhiller
from Douglas, Isle Of Man, UK
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort William DH course | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Bomb proof frame when bought new.
Light.
Looks cool. | | Weaknesses: | Heard about lots of cracks in the chainstay bridge.
Cracked the head tube on my second hand one. | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic DS1
Azonic DS2
Spooky Metalhead | | Bike Setup: | X verts, hope discs, sram 9.0, roox bars, azonic shorty, flite saddle, D521 on hope bulbs, Blackspire DS chain device, L+M dh cranks | | Bottom Line: | Even though i cracked the head tube on my secondhand M2 shortly after i bought it, i would still buy a new one, because they look cool, they are stiff, light and my particular one lasted through two years of will longden, (its an Ex team MBUK '98 slalom bike). so when i have finished paying the bike off ill buy a new frame, until then im racing my M2 with two cracks in the head tube with holes drilled at the end of them, cos i love it so much! Bear in mind that the value rating takes into accont high, new price of the frame. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jared huh!
a Racer
from ????
Date Reviewed: February 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Milstream | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | -nice and light
-realy strong built, noce clean welds, nice gussetting
-realy good durable paint
-nice ride for aluminum
-realy hard to dent
-I've crashed it hard and it still looks fine | | Weaknesses: | -for some rides it's to harsh
-My solution a rock shox seatpost | | Similar Products Used: | -97 hammer race | | Bike Setup: | 99 M2 Pro with race-face everything and a rock shox seatpost with michelin sprints and fire xc pros | | Bottom Line: | good buy no matter what M2 you buy even the M4's are realy nice and it'll last a long time realy well built super strong might seem a little harsh but you can tolerate it if you don't want a heavy suspension seatpost. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joshua Reed
a Racer
from Murfreesboro, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | lone mountian | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | light weight, stiffness, nice blue color, excellent value for the money, not as harsh a ride as most aluminum bikes | | Weaknesses: | suspect longevity, such a deal that they are too common at the races. | | Similar Products Used: | steel hardtail and two full suspension bikes | | Bike Setup: | XTR wheels, Superfly fork, Esp 9.0 shifters, derailleurs, and brake levers, syncros bar and stem. | | Bottom Line: | I really like this frame, after a year of hard use. It is simply a great deal. It is stiffer than a ti frame of the same weight, more compliant than other aluminum frames, and the best deal around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron Santry
a Weekend Warrior
from Wichita, KS
Date Reviewed: December 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Not many in Kansas | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Perfect fit for my body type. | | Weaknesses: |
Large diameter seatpost limits opitions on upgrades | | Similar Products Used: |
Many, used to work in a bike shop: Cannondale, Trek, Bontrager, Marin, Gary Fisher, Raleigh, VooDoo, | | Bike Setup: |
M2, '96 Judy SL, Cook Racing Cranks, 747's, Mavic CrossMax, ChrisKing Headset, TNT BB, Syncros Ti Handlebar, Syncros Seatpost, XTR Drivetrain, XT V-brakes, ESP 8.0 Shifters, Ringle Stem | | Bottom Line: | Sweetest ride I have found. I bought this for the fram and replaced almost everything except the shifters over the first year to choose what I thought were the best. The most important thing is that you buy for the frame fit and feel. This frame has a longer top tube. I am 6ft, 190 with shorter legs and longer trunk then most, so the fit is great. I love how the steering responds, quick and decisive. It climbs well, but not as good as the Bontrager's I have ridden (Back when Keith made them himself). I have thought about buying a frameset as a backup in case the big red S quits making them and I break mine. If that happens, I would probably go with a S-works M4. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fast Ed
a Weekend Warrior
from Westboro MA
Date Reviewed: September 29, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Nam in Milford mA | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Paint, forgiving ride for AL, Spread out positioning | | Weaknesses: |
Perhaps the 5 year warranty | | Similar Products Used: |
GT Avalanche, Various Cannondales | | Bike Setup: |
Atom bomb fork, 5 yr old XT drlrs and shifters, LX cranks and hubs, Mavic rims, Fire XC tires, Easton Riser bars( they rule, try'em) | | Bottom Line: | I just moved off a super rigid ass-pounding GT Avalanche and I can't beleive the difference in ride. I thought The GT was great until I built up the S works M2xx frameset and rode it. The rear triangle seems to be more forgiving, maybe coz its butted AL and not straight guage(Stumpjumper m2s are staright guage also I think). Stuff that used to rattle my teeth, I hardly notice. I can't beleive the complaints others have saying its to stiff/rigid. I got a 15.5 coz I like a small bike and I can flex the frame standing on the crank arms. My only worry is the frame warranty which was changed from Lifetime to 5 years. Anyway this bike rides real nice, climbing is excellent even with risers. Moving from a small GT frame, I also notice that the M2 top tube is longer for a comparably sized bike. This more spread position suits me fine and results in a more comfortable ride (for me). Final word, although it has too many stickers its still a nicelooking bike and an even better riding one. Look for deals, I got Bike Alley in Worcester to sell the frame off a fully built bike for a reasonable price. I thnk Cambria also has small sizes available for cheap $. I would give it 5 star but the limited warranty is an issue for me. May never matter but... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don (Update from 5 reviews down)
a Cross-Country Rider
from Hudson
Date Reviewed: September 4, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Lots of them | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Climbs,Handling, & Warranty Honor | | Weaknesses: |
Not Titanium You'll understand why... | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialized Rockhopper,StumpJumper,Sworks M2, Sworks M4 & Proflex FS | | Bike Setup: |
White Brothers sc70, XTR,XT componetry | | Bottom Line: | I'll try to make this as brief as possible. If you have read my previous review (5 reviews down) I gave a 5 Star rating to my 97 Sworks even after breaking the frame, mainly because the bike performance was great & Specialized honored their warranty. For that replacement 98 Sworks I mentioned, it too has called it quits! (Same place! chainstays crosstube weld...). Both of these bikes had not been seriously crashed, yet I did trail hammer them consistantly with a good amount of drop offs (mostly 2' high or so but up to 4' sometimes when I felt brave). I think the combination of my style of riding and my weight eventually fatigued the welds enough to crack. Well that's my theory anyway! Like I said before that the 99 M4 may be my next. Well Sure enough, it's been 2 months now with the M4, so far so good... Due to the M4's new frame material and M.A.X. design, the crosstube between the chainstays no longer exist and the overall frame suppose to be 30% stronger, on the other a hand that's what they said about the 98 Sworks. Lets see how long this one will last. I'll stay with Specialized until the day my warranty runs out. It gives me 2.5 years to save for a forgiving and strong titanium frame. Maybe by then they'll have a titanuim frame? I doubt It! I'll still give a good rating yet one star drop for inconvenience. So much for brief! The Storkular | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zeb
a Weekend Warrior
from Watson
Date Reviewed: July 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Light
good Geometry
good handler
forgiving over hard hits | | Weaknesses: |
a little stiff over the washboard type terran | | Similar Products Used: |
Landgear
indy shox
No where near the bike of the stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: |
Factory setup
mavic straight spoked wheels with stout hubs
Front LX
rear XTR
Manitou front fork | | Bottom Line: | SO far I am more than satisfied It rides well enough that I can push myself on it and know the bike will alow me to handle safly through rough spots. I don't have to fight the bike to get it into the position I want it.
It's a smooth ride and makes the ride more enjoyable | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MikeD
a Cross-Country Rider
from Victoria
Date Reviewed: June 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Milstream | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
super stiff, great climber, light | | Weaknesses: |
rough in the bumpy stuff, the paint, the strength of a few years back | | Similar Products Used: |
I've just ridden M2's all my life excpet for one brodie | | Bike Setup: |
99 M2-Pro frame with a 98 Z-1 Bam , and all 99 Race-Face Parts with Panaracer Fire XC Pros 2.1, and an avocet 40r air saddle with ti rails, and a pair of xtr wheels and an xtr-esp 9.0sl drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | read how I got he bike built up and it still weighs a little over 23lbs, fast great handler and great clibers= the m2 frames. I started riding M2's in 93 and I sold that one in 95 then the 95 broke, so I got a brodie, then sold that then got a 97 M2 broke that to, in the bottom bracket area, then I got another 97 M2 then I broke that too in a crash which specialized said even though it was my fault they'd warranty it anywyas, which was cool. So I sold those parts off of the 97 and got the 99 M2-Pro frameset and pimped it out with a bunch of sweet parts. And the frame look better built this year so I doubt this will break for a while.
Only because of specialized warranty and great handling and overall performance are the reasone I'm still on it. I'm 5'11 and about 170lbs and I like the North Shore and Extreme riding with a lot of trials and jumping and the bmx track so I'm hard on the frames. Don't ever buy mavic x-222 rims they are the worst. Get Syncros XLT's the strongest rims I've ever ridden.
I love M2 don't even let them breaking affect your descision because specialized will help you out no matter what providing it wasn't ran over or dropped off you car on the highway. Get M2 you will not be dissapointed. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bolingbrook IL
Date Reviewed: June 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
knock knolls | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
its extreamly stiff and strong. | | Weaknesses: |
it lets you know that | | Similar Products Used: |
performance | | Bike Setup: |
as see on the page, xt/xtr/ syncros manitou mavic 221 | | Bottom Line: | its a damn stiff bike, sweet ride, i recommend this for heavy riders because it beats the s*** out of me and im 6'1 235 | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross-Country Rider
from Weymouth
Date Reviewed: May 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Benji's Hill, Hingham | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Strong, stiff, responsive. Good geometry, nice paint job. | | Weaknesses: |
Not a fan of bottom-bracket routed rear derailleur cable. That's all. | | Similar Products Used: |
Trek 930, Rocky Mountain Hammer Race, Balance. | | Bike Setup: |
Indy XC long travel, Grip Shift 600, XT components, Use Shockpost, Oury grips, Panaracer Smoke, Kenda front tire, 737 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I'm pleased. This frame has been a little stiffer than my steel 930. But by moving the shock post over to it I don't feel the bumps. And the whole set-up is still only 24.5 lbs. Handles well and goes where you point it. Climbing has improved with this bike, even without bar-ends. If you're upgrading a mid-level steel or aluminum bike, try this one out. I also got mine via Supergo. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Troll
a Weekend Warrior
from La.
Date Reviewed: May 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Lincoln Parish Park in Ruston La. | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Light weight
strength
great handeling | | Weaknesses: |
none yet | | Similar Products Used: |
Giant Iguana
DBR V-link
C-dale Super V900
GT Pantera
DBR X-10
DBR XR-4
Trek 8500 | | Bike Setup: |
M2 frame,Marzocchi Z2 BAM,Avid 2.0 brakes, SRAM 9.0 levers,9.0 shifters, 9.0 ESP rear and XT front, cross lands w/mach ss/sk tires,XT crank and rear cogs, Titec hellbent bar,Kore stem, and Serfas Lola kevlar seat. | | Bottom Line: | I just got this frame, traded a 98 DBR V-link for it. I love how lite it is! It sprints like a dream!! I built it up yesterday from the parts I took off the V-link. Man does this thing handle! I liked it so much that I rode it until well after dark! I kept hitting trees cause I could not see, so I had to quit ( just kidding). Any way I can't wait to get it on the trails! Could not ride right now we hosted X Tera here this weekend and I had to work (free bike tech)the event. Any way I'll let ya know more when I spend more time on it. Later, Troll | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shadrack Jones
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bakersfield Ca
Date Reviewed: April 3, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Kern River Canyon | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Quick..responsive..great climber | | Weaknesses: |
I've broken 2 M2 frames ('95 &'97) on the crossbar weld on the chainstay...'99 frame is redesigned with no crossbar.. | | Bike Setup: |
XT/LX..RS judy XC.. | | Bottom Line: | The new M2 frame seems much better than the '95 or the '97..very quick..different geometry makes for better climbing...Specialized honors their warrenty...I had the frame in less than 2 weeks...It's a good bike.. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Cross-Country Rider
from Hudson, MA
Date Reviewed: March 14, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Vietnam | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Strong,light,Responsive handling,& Climbs. | | Weaknesses: |
Stiffness on the long rides. | | Similar Products Used: |
Owned Specialized Stumpjumper,Rockhopper,
Full suspension Proflex 953. | | Bike Setup: |
97&98 Sworks, Manitou SX Ti, White Brothers SC70 | | Bottom Line: | When I bought the a 97 Sworks It was like night and day compared to my full suspension Proflex. My skills improved dramatically, I had so much control, handling was awesome! As corny as this may sound I literally became one with that dahm bike, I was comfortable & confident! Large obstacles became an inviting challenge rather than an dangerous situation (up and over!). Call it the placebo effect if you want, but Geometry does make a difference. I must mention as most of us know, manufacturers design XC bikes for the average weight riders (150-175lbs);After 8 months of abuse, myself being 6'5 210lbs and a very aggressive rider I did break the frame(cross-tube between the chainstays). Not to worry, frame life time warranty! Specialized set me up with a brand new 98 team red edition frame two weeks later. No problems with the tortured 98, one year later. Anyway the Sworks M2 is a claw climbing, switch backing machine that I still consider one of the best STRENGTH/WEIGHT/COST ratio bikes on the market. 5***** (99 M4 could be my next...) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eric planting
a cross-country rider
from Arlington,Virginia
Date Reviewed: January 19, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I like this frame it rocks; it climbs, it turns quickly, and it's easy to show off with trials on, and I can jump like 2 feet(no kidding) with the seat all the way down. My only complaint is that the seatpost supergo included with the frame has some insane geometry and points down at like 15 or 20 degrees but that's not really the fault of the frame. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Smoothness
a cross-country rider
from California
Date Reviewed: December 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
As someone who has owned a couple generations of M2's, I think I can speak pretty astutely on this sweet frame. The M2 is not as harsh as my old Cdale nor as flexy as a Litespeed I used to ride; the M2 is right in the middle. What made me an M2 loyalist is |
|
$
