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Submitted by
Stumpenheimer
a Weekend Warrior
from Ocala,Fl
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Santos | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Bottom Line: | This is a tough bike. It has great components and handles like a dream. I can honesty say that I will never need another bike. I'm a bigger guy and it was hard to find a bike that fit. This bike is perfect! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
greg altorfer
a Weekend Warrior
from jackson, MS
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Bottom Line: | Its the perfect bike. All the angles on it are just correct. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RacerFromCA
a Racer
from California
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | UC santa cruz mailboxes | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Very good climber, the lock out on th F90 is great you never feel a thing. I race with it every other week great climber. I switched the deore crank for xt cranks really helps. Nice colors!! i brought it down to about 23.9 pounds with some upgrades(ive got the 08 model) | | Weaknesses: | Shifters to easy to shift would be better with a pair of x9 shifters. | | Similar Products Used: | c'dale taurine | | Bike Setup: | f90, specialized seatpost(light as a easton), specialized m5 alloy frame, x9 rear derailler | | Bottom Line: | its a great bike you have to try it to know it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Raleigh, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Strengths: | Light, fast, good components, great frame, great fork. Eminently upgradeable. | | Weaknesses: | Except brake pads, none really. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper Comp, Trek 4500, Univega Rover rigid. | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2006 Stumpjumper except SPD M540 pedals, Koolstop salmon pads, Kenda Nevegal 2.1 tires. | | Bottom Line: | Extremely pleased with this bike. It is smooth, fast and efficient - maybe 50% better & 4 lbs lighter than my old Rockhopper. The major difference is probably the fork, but it's just an all-over better quality bike. Stock Fast Trak tires are great in dry conditions and hook up pretty well at lower pressures, but I got Nevegals for better traction where trails can be muddy in spots or loose. I like the rim brakes with the Koolstop pads. A previous reviewer said the stock Avid pads sounded like two blocks of wood on your rims - very accurate. They are lightweight and simple, and provide plenty of stopping power for me. If you ride a lot in mud, maybe they aren't the best choice for you.
The Rockhopper was a great bike, but the Stumpy is that much better. Good for the enthusiast who has a little more cash to spend and wants a faster, more efficient bike than the usual weekend steed. Long top tube - I got one size down to compensate for my having slightly longer legs and shorter torso/arms. Consequently, it's not as well suited for fire roads and greenways, but if you want to blast along single track that's not too terribly rough or rooty, it's a good choice. All in all, highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe B
a Weekend Warrior
from Wheaton, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Castlewood, MO | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Little Ade's, Pekin, IL | | Strengths: | Super light, great adjustment on fox fork. Responsive and balanced. Also very upgradeable. External BB! | | Weaknesses: | V-brakes aren't great. Cheap seat post clamp. No tie wraps included if you were to change out v-brakes and attach cables. | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh M60 | | Bike Setup: | Stock w/.eggbeaters or Primo tenderizer platforms | | Bottom Line: | Love it so far - its super fast! Shifts quick and is still easy to adjust. External BB is fantastic. The 2007 model is an excellent bike to start with and keep for a long time as well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Stephan
a Weekend Warrior
from O'Fallon, MO, USA
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Strip Mine Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Sunset Cylcery | | Strengths: | Light and Fast! The Fox shocks are great and the tires are decent too. | | Weaknesses: | I haven't found any. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock. I am in the process of upgrading to disc. | | Bottom Line: | This is the best purchase I have ever made. The bike climbs like crazy and it can handle my 200lb self with ease. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle sport shop | | Strengths: | Light weight, strong frame/components, confidence inpsiring geometry and handling. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Bike Setup: | stock, except for upgraded seat post clamp and platform pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I absolutely love this bike. I'm pushing myself faster and making it through terrain like I never have before. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adam
a Cross Country Rider
from NC
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Chain | | Strengths: | fast, light, sweet fork, alright wheels, awesome dropping shimano and moving to SRAM, ok tires | | Weaknesses: | v-brakes blow so buy the discs or upgrade, tires are fine unless you do a lot of roots and rocks | | Similar Products Used: | 05 Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | stock for now | | Bottom Line: | get this bike. it amazing and anyone that argues is way to particular. if your spending limit is $1400 this bike is sooo much better than anything else. its stiff, light, fast, and its actually one of the most comfortable rides ive been on yet. if you can spend more money than sure why not get better but for the money this is sweet | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adam
a Cross Country Rider
from NC
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Chain | | Strengths: | fast, light, sweet fork, alright wheels, awesome dropping shimano and moving to SRAM, ok tires | | Weaknesses: | v-brakes blow so buy the discs or upgrade, tires are fine unless you do a lot of roots and rocks | | Similar Products Used: | 05 Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | stock for now | | Bottom Line: | get this bike. it amazing and anyone that argues is way to particular. if your spending limit is $1400 this bike is sooo much better than anything else. its stiff, light, fast, and its actually one of the most comfortable rides ive been on yet. if you can spend more money than sure why not get better but for the money this is sweet | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chase
a Cross Country Rider
from Ashburn, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Trail's End Cycling Co | | Strengths: | Weight, ride control, great quality | | Weaknesses: | V-brakes, chain, rear dérailleur, price | | Bike Setup: | Stock with hybrid tires | | Bottom Line: | Its a great bike, don't get me wrong, but its a pricey bike too. Mine was a gift, so I could care less about how much it cost. That being, you simply still get a damn nice bike if you spend only half as much. If you race, the extra quality is worth it. I don't race, and the vast majority of people don't either, so I'm going to rate it low. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RatKid
a Weekend Warrior
from SanBruno, CA
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Really nice bike, climbs pretty fast. Fork is pretty good, considering I had RockShox Judy T on my older bike. Drivetrain shifts fine. | | Weaknesses: | Wierd noise in the fork when it hits a bump. | | Similar Products Used: | 1995 Rockhopper Comp FS built as a singlespeed with XT cranks, LX V Brakes, and LX wheelset. | | Bike Setup: | Replaced Avid SD V Brakes with Avid BB7 Disc, Mavic Crossrock wheels, Easton Rizer bars, and WTB Speed V saddle | | Bottom Line: | I dunno if it was a good deal or a bad deal but I traded my De Rosa road bike with full 8 speed gruppo for this bike along with an extra pair of wheels, the v brakes it came stock with, and primo pedals. I've wanted a mountain bike for a while because I think my piece of sh*t Rockhopper kinda sucks and I have too many road bikes, I barely rode my De Rosa so I traded it. The Stumpy was in a really good condition, it looked like it barely saw any off-road action and it has disc brakes. When I got it, I put it through a quick local trail for runners (bikes aren't allowed there but its the closest trail I could find). Climbed a switchback uphill, which I usually cant finish without dismounting, without dismounting at all. It was a better bike than my really old Rockhopper, the fork actually works. IT climbs pretty good too. I think the gearing is kinda low, a 22t in the granny gear and the rear is kinda low too. But I'm more of a roadie, I can't pull too many comparisons against this Stumpy but its enough to get me into cross country riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MBRider
a
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Nice geometry, fox fork, stylo crankset, and nice wheelset for the money. | | Weaknesses: | The rear derailleur is terrible. It pops creaks and makes the chain jump. The Fox Fork is nice but I can get it to depress while its locked out if I do a simple bunny hop. No matter how hard I tourqed down the seat it still wanted to move. One of the biggest problems is Special paint jobs. | | Similar Products Used: | Felt HT, 05' Stumpy HT | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Durable frame and very nice wheelset. I am a 235 lbs guy and the wheelset is very tough. I THINK SPECIALIZED'S PAINT SUCKS AND LACKS ANY TYPE OF QUALITY. My next bike might not be a Specialized because you can get bike with a great ride and nice fit 'n' finsih in another brand. They need these bikes to be brought back to the United States to be manufactured or I am leaving the brand. Their quality sucks now!!!!!!!!!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Allan
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | West End Bicycles | | Strengths: | Great light-weight responsive hardtail. Fantastic value off-the-shelf. I love the color although I do miss my 06 Stumpy in blue which was lovely. | | Weaknesses: | None really. Except black is a difficult color to keep clean! | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | I swapped out the factory wheels for Mavic Cross Max SL, for no reason other than they looked ace. However the wheels do feel great and it does fell a little friskier with them - I think. | | Bottom Line: | This is my fourth Stumpy and having ridden one or two other hardtails over the years I always go back to this one. Totally reliable, good looking and light-weight MTB. Also pretty good value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
keith
a Cross Country Rider
from Newcastle
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Great frame with great components. 90mm fox fork compliant and light frame / Juicy 5s. | | Weaknesses: | Why is everything Black? You look like knight rider on a bike. Rear hub looks s??t. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Sugar / Big Sur Scott scale 40 / Trek 8500 / GTs. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great race bike / all round XC machine. Was looking for a HT bike to race on / mountainbike recreationally so I needed something light but not too stiff on the rear. As my previous HT was an ass kicker which would be no good on the 7 Stanes.
I'd tried a scott scale and found it too stiff; fishers were too long in the top tube for agressive XC and the trek felt wierd. One of the great things about specialized is that they do the stumpie in 1" frame increments which means you can get the bike that fits you perfectly.
This has meen a problem in the past as I'm 5"7 and tend to fall between small and medium with other manufactuerers. Bottom line is frame fit is more important than mag reviews when you buy a bike. Frame is compliant on the rear which is one of the reasons I bough the bike over scott scale which seems to have almost no rear compliancy. Also 90mm forks are good as 100mmm allways seemed too much for a racing HT but 80mm seems like too little for recreational.
Brakes are s@?t hot with awesome stopping and no squeal; Rear derailiure? (shifty thing) seems better than anything shimano have (SRAM) on 3 counts:
1. Cable guide on unit gets rid of the big loop of cable outer that collects all the mud on shimano units.
2. 1:1 actuation seems more robust for muddy uk conditions than 1:2.
3. Getting rid of the top hat bushing / pivot where the unit attaches to the frame.
SRAM shifters seem better than shimanos wierd over integrated hand paddles also. Is it me or have shimano lost the plot recently?
Oh yeah the forks are awesome also. I've previously had R7s which seemed too divey and marzocchis which seemed to have too much stiction and SIDs which were just crap. Fox are awesome.
Value wise if you bought the Fame and the Forks on their own it would cost you roughly what you pay for the whole bike. Although I got a 15% discount at my LBS. Rest of the componentry is very good indeed with no perceivable scrimping (apart from rear hub which looks like it's not goiung to stick around too long).
Bottom line - Race ready hardtail / bike for the weekend but what's with the michael knight colour scheme? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cross Country Rider
a
from Iowa
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | looks, weight, fox fork | | Weaknesses: | ? | | Bottom Line: | This bike climbs awsome and handles great. I have rode many other brands and I think that this is the best bike in this price range by far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus, Ohio, USA
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Vultures Knob/Alum Creek Phase 2 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | This bike climbs great and is really light and the componenets are excellent! The shimano that came on the '06 model (mostly LX and some XT) is awesome. | | Weaknesses: | Sram chain broke after 3 rides. Replaced with shimano | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher big sur, Cannondale f600, trek 8500 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Race face riser bar, thomson stem and S-Works tires. | | Bottom Line: | Love the bike. The only problems I had were the chain, and I didnt really care for the stock tires. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brendan
a Racer
from pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | bavington | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Snickers | | Strengths: | Stiff light weight frame with lifetime warranty. The SRAM X-9 rear derailleur and SRAM X-7 shift levers are FANTASTIC! | | Weaknesses: | The tires are excellent on dry level surface, but tubeless upgrade is necissary for the muddy hills of pittsburgh. handling is a bit too responsive, but you can adjust the stem four to four different settings which may or may not correct this problem. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher's Big Sur | | Bike Setup: | Stock 19 inch '07 stumpjumper comp
| | Bottom Line: | I prefer the Hayes hydrollic brakes on my old bike over the Avid Juicy 5 brakes, but thats just me. If you ride up hills or race you will need to upgrade to a tubeless setup. The responsiveness of the handling often causes under-turning around sharp bends, which takes some practice and getting used to. Many people do not like the tight stiff feel of the new sattle but they claim it increases blood flow (unless you find a way to test this on your own, you will just have to take the company's word for it). Do not buy this bike for downhill riding or because of its looks, these stumpjumpers are built for speed and quality like a perfect racing machine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JD
a Weekend Warrior
from Las Vegas
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Great climber, very nimble, awesome Fox fork, inexpensive. Nice product spec (SRAM drivetrain on '07). Specialized brand saddle, bar, stem, tires are all top-notch. Sizes available from 13.5" to 21" to fit 99% of riders. | | Weaknesses: | Deore rear hub. The freehub body on those hubs seems to be very susceptible to self-destruction, as well as the cones. Nicer chainrings would have been good too, but no big deal. | | Bike Setup: | Stock--probably go tubeless soon. | | Bottom Line: | I can't think of a better XC bike at this price point. I got an '07 with V-brakes. The disc brake model is an excellent upgrade if you are willing to spend the extra $150. Great looking bike. Very satisfied. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dylan Weishaar
a
from Shelby, MT, USA
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | George,s Cycles and Fitness | | Strengths: | Good solid bike, the front is pretty sweet, very good components on the bike, it can climb just about anything | | Weaknesses: | I don't like the v-brakes a lot, I'm going to upgrade to disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | very good dependable bike for any type of XC trails. I took it to Moab on Porcupine Rim and Slick Rock Trail and it ate everything up like you wouldn't believe. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Racer
from Yarmouth, Maine
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Cyclemania | | Strengths: | Great overall ride. Climbs very well and handles tight single track the way a bike should. The Fox F90RL is a great shock, and the Avid v-brakes are almost too good. The LX shifters shift perfectly. | | Weaknesses: | For a hardtail at this price point, it should have an XT front deraileur and an XT chain/cassette. This especially true when you consider that the bike was manufactured in Taiwan. I work in a bike shop so it was easy for me to make those changes. Not everyone is that lucky, though. | | Similar Products Used: | '92 Stumpjumper M2, '96 Clark-Kent custom titanium hardtail. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is perfect for the average XC-rider and w/ a few modifications, anyone racing NORBA events. This is my fourth Specialized MTB in about 18 years and I'm not disappointed with it. It's nimble, stable and climbs about as well as any bike I've ridden. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Corey
a Weekend Warrior
from Corvallis, Oregon
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | All of the singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | River City Bicycles | | Strengths: | Light and fast...climbs like a goat, super fast on the singletrack both up and down, great breaking, shocks are a dream | | Weaknesses: | Nothing really....the Fox f90 shocks make an wooshing air sound when the rebounding but thats being picky | | Similar Products Used: | Test rode Cannondale F-600, Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo and Gary Fisher Big Sur. They were okay but the Specialize was a cut above them. | | Bike Setup: | Stock set up, added Specialized bar ends | | Bottom Line: | Actually purchased the Stumpjumper Disk. I test rode both disk/non-disk but due to riding in Oregon and all the rain I decided to go with the disk. Either way you really can't go wrong with either of them....
I bought the bike yesterday and took it on an old favorite city loop of mine in Portland. It was fast on the flats and flew up the paved hills. I took it on some trails through Mt. Tabor and it rode like a dream up and down. Tabor has some very, very steep trails so I was in lock up mode most the way, the disks held up like a champ!
The next day I took it on a true test ride through Mc Donald forest....THIS BIKE ROCKS. It climbs like a goat and when you get it on the downhill single trak, make sure you're in front or you will be passing everyone you ride with. It hugged the trail and cornered tight and true and stopped on a DIME....the switch backs on Dans trail didn't know what hit them.
Also rode up Alien which is a very technical uphill with mud, rain gutters, overgrowth and roots the entire way. This bike ate it up (I'm sure my riding had a little to do with it as well.) but it was light and so easy to toss around.
Uphill this bike tore it up....the single track was good and the long fire roads were a piece of cake. Again, this bike climbs like a goat.
If you are looking for a quality bike in the 1400 dollar range, don't look anywhere else. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a Cross Country Rider
from Marina
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | fort ord | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | bobcat bikes | | Strengths: | climbs like a champ, jumps level, and makes me smile! Lets a really big guy beat it up and loves it. | | Weaknesses: | Replaced cranks to xt already out of necessity. cant get brakes to slow me down and rear hub came loose. Stock chain sucks. | | Similar Products Used: | trek 6500 | | Bike Setup: | XT Cranks and just ordered BB7s to slow me down a bit better. | | Bottom Line: | I LOVE MY BIKE!!! I am a really big dude 6'4 270 pounds so the fact that the brakes don't work so well is no surprise. I dont think that the chain rings should have gone bad in a month and 3 chains in a month is a bit much also. All of this was reasonably easy to fix and everything was covered under warrenty. Has never let me down. I ride close to 10 miles a day in fort ord and have yet to do any trail side repairs. GO OUT AND GET ONE TODAY!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
M4ride
a Cross Country Rider
from West Hartford
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Incredible frame, great brakes (Avid BB7 discs), good crankset (Truvativ Stylo), nice tires (Specialized Fast Trak Pro dual compound), DT spokes, nice paint job, good saddle, awesome Fox RL 90 front shock. | | Weaknesses: | Hmmm... bike was advertised online and in the Specialized print catalog with a Fox RLC shock -- but there's no compression adjustment! Oh well. Bike also advertised as having Specialized Body Geometry MTB grips, which are 3 layers thick and better than the stock 2-layer "Enduro" grips. Stock Shimano SPD 520 pedals could have been upgraded by the factory to 540s for a just a few dollars more; stock Shimano 525 rear hub has bad reviews; Avid FR 5 brake levers are good but basic; same with the Mavic 317 rims, which are nice but are now available at steep discounts online (would have preferred XC 717s or similar as stock). | | Similar Products Used: | 1996 Specialized Rock Hopper cro-moly steel frame WITH NO SHOCK! | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for addition of BG MTB grips; hope to add a Hope XC rear disc at Christmas, maybe some LP bar ends and Kenda tires. | | Bottom Line: | Rode regularly for about 4 years with the wife until the kids came along; now that they're older (2,4) and my knee can't take running anymore, I'm getting back into biking. I took the old Rock Hopper out for some rides and it was killing me with its frame weight, SRAM Gripshifters, side-pull brakes and lack of front suspension (I'm 5'9", 185 lbs., lift weights 3x week minimum since high school, ride 3x week from 5:30 a.m. - 7:00 a.m.)
I did a lot of research on this site and settled on an '06 Stumpjumper disc. I'm familiar with the Specialized name, and my 1996 Rock Hopper never had any problems -- ever! So I'm confident with their products.
The Stumpjumper is like a dream come true. It is incredibly lightweight, which makes climbing an absolute breeze. Stuff I used to wheeze on I now have extra gears at the top! The frame is stiff enough, though, to make you reckless-- I throw this bike downhill and at big jumps and it just asks for more. I literally cannot ride fast enough on long, downhill sweeps -the bike feels like a thorougbred, and I should have a whip in my hand driving it on. The Fox shock is an absolute dream -- nuff said. I like the Fast Trak tires, which I didn't think I would, but so far they have been great on a variety of surfaces. The disc brakes are very confidence inspiring, and react quickly, unlike my old Rock Hopper side-pull brakes. The saddle is comfortable enough, and I like the flat race-style bar (which is what I had on my old Rock Hopper).
I shopped around and got several quotes at $1,400 plus tax, which is $200 under retail.
A fantastic bike for the money, easily upgradable if you desire. I may upgrade to Avid Speed Dial 7 brake levers, put on a different stem and a Chris King headset, change out the rear hub, then put on some Kenda's and a Stan's No Tubes kit and call it a day.
Highly recommended. 4 chilis for value because I think they could have upgraded the pedals, rims and grips and added compression to the shock (as advertised) and still sold it for $1,400 and made a profit. 5 chilis for overall rating becasue the bike still rocks even with those stock parts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Miller
a Cross Country Rider
from The Woodlands, TX
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Land | | Strengths: | Light, fast, easy to ride | | Weaknesses: | The seat hurts my taint- bad!, poor finish on the Shimano shifters- get blisters on my thumbs. | | Similar Products Used: | Diamond Back from when I was in College | | Bike Setup: | stock other than CatEye wireless computer | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike- eventually I will replace the seat, and add an adjustable clamp for the seat post. I am a tall guy so it is hard to find a bike that feels right. This one is right on! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc Alansworth
a Cross Country Rider
from Chatsworth, CA USA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Malibu Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1169.00 | | Purchased At: | CycleWorld | | Strengths: | Agile, stable, good geometry, climbs and accelerates well, will take a beating, re-routed derailleur cable down seat tube instead of under down tube and bottom bracket, as in previous models, ability to easily upgrade to disc brakes, nice OEM Fox fork with 90mm of travel and great lockout, limited lifetime frame warranty. | | Weaknesses: | About one pound heaver than most recent previous models (my size 18 weighed in at 24.9 lbs.). Should have lighter components at this pricepoint, especially, saddle, seatpost, stem, wheelset, and crankset (seatpost and saddle together weigh in at around 600 grams!), uncomfortable saddle (subjective). | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 Giant XTC (as good and lighter, but geometry didn't suit as well) Trek 8000 (not as good), Specialized Stumpjumper (older model). | | Bike Setup: | All stock except for the following mods: Thomson Elite seatpost, WTB Rocket V Stealth SLT saddle, FSA K-Force carbon fiber 40mm-rise handlebar, Hope quick-release seatclamp, Specialized Enduro grips. | | Bottom Line: | 2006 model: First year of the new monostay-asymmetrical seat stays and cable re-routing. I’m not sure that I notice a very significant performance difference over previous models, but the cable re-routing, which keeps cables cleaner and less susceptible to damage is much appreciated. (I just wish they were routed along the side of the top tube instead of under the tube where they can be damaged by bike racks.) The bike, with its Taiwaneese hand-made frame, rides and turns well, is nimble, and seems very stable when descending, jumping, or lifting the front end. Could and should be lighter. My friend has a Trek 8500 (22.8 lbs. stock), which I feel is a better bike, but it also cost several hundred more. At this pricepoint (assuming a discount – not MSRP), the Stumpy is one of the very best choices out there for what it does (decent performance for the amateur enthusiast and part-time XC racer), but could be made better without really increasing the price, if Specialized wanted to. An increasing number of online outlets are popping up offering bikes for less that easily outspec the Stumpjumper. For example, I wanted to try an Ibex Trophy pro, which has better componentry at the same weight, but I'm a little leery about purchasing a bike over the Internet without trying it first. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Kegley
a Cross Country Rider
from Germantown Md,USA
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | The Shed | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Hudson trail Outfitters | | Strengths: | Great for climbing, corners well, fit for was great. Price was good for the bike I got, componets were Ok. I changed to a SS after I bought a FS rig. | | Weaknesses: | Paint finish chips easy, Saddle sucked. | | Bike Setup: | I basically replaced everything. Race dues crank,Salsa chainring 34-19 gear ratio no tensioner needed with a half link. Race Face dues stem, headset. SIC race handlebar Sella Italia trans am Saddle. | | Bottom Line: | This bike was a great bike to buy. I got back into MTB two years ago. You can't go wrong with this hardtail. It climbs great. the frame is light but will take a beating. I raced it last season geared and SS. I do jumps, smaller freeride stunts, major rock gardens. I have beaten the hell out of it and it is still in one piece. Find one on sale you won't regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hans Fetish
a Cross Country Rider
from Detroit, Mi,USA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Highland's back 8 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | fast agile ride; solid platform (quality xc-style frame, fork and crank) with $$ left for customization.
As an added plus, an upgrade to disc brakes are <$200 away. Also full length cable housing means more accurate shifting and braking.
| | Weaknesses: | cassette's ratio and weight; cable housing routed on bottom of top tube; | | Similar Products Used: | ...a beloved '98 stumpjumper and some others | | Bike Setup: | upgraded to: shortened 100mm stem, aggressive risor bar, XT /mavic 717 wheels, 11-32 xt cassette, vintage ritchy clipless pedals; mythos tires, #4011 decals | | Bottom Line: | A purchase gets you a good to excellent M4 frame, Fox F90RL fork, XT rear derailleur(could be a rapid rise), stylo crank set, front wheel(stout...a hub and a beverage of choice) and a resonable warrenty(5yr). The rest is fill common to market segment, likely to not last the year or is subject to rider preference.
Out of the box, the stump-er provides a enjoyable competent race-able ride featuring several highend components where it counts at a price that allows for necessary upgrades in the lesser areas.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Middlemas
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Boise foothills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Ken's Bike Warehouse | | Strengths: | Light, agile, BB7s are a great low fuss disc option. | | Weaknesses: | VERY responsive to steering input-almost sketchy (I'm a newb, so this may be a good thing) | | Similar Products Used: | old rigid fork bikes almost 15 yrs. ago. | | Bike Setup: | Stock out of the box | | Bottom Line: | WOW! A Roadie will appreciate how light this thing is; it climbs like a goat. The ride is soo much nicer than the RockHopper. Still trying to get used to the saddle, it's kinda chunky feeling. I got mine for a great price. Don't think I would've paid full retail for it, though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Glendale, CA
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Gabrieleno | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1239.00 | | Purchased At: | Montrose Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Light, very sturdy, smooth shifting and generally great components -- I especially like the fork and the tires. | | Weaknesses: | I find that I often get neck aches after a long ride, which makes me think I need a higher angled stem. Also, there's no quick release for the saddle, which I find annoying. | | Similar Products Used: | Various Treks and Cannondales. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Prior to this bike I had a rockhopper. My skills have improved enough that I wanted something better. I have the 2006 model (not disc brakes version) and it is a great bike. It works great on uphills and downhills and gives you confidence to take on those extra challenges you may not have felt comfortable riding before. The components are great, which means that you don't have to (though you may want to) spend more money replacing anything. Also, very good accelaration uphill and easy enough to control and maneuover so that if something goes wrong, chances are that it's your fault. Hardtails don't get much better than this off the shelf. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd K.
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Ant Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | Fork, pedals, frame | | Weaknesses: | Wheels, seat post | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000 (1988-2004) | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | About the only thing I can say good about this bike (Stumpjumper 2005) is the frame and fork.
Wheels were poorly built and poorly designed. I have had to rebuild the rear wheel after six months of twice a week riding. Rims are not offset drilled, resulting in excessive spoke fatigue.
Seat post is worn out after 1 year. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
greg g
a Racer
from houston
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Smithville | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | West End Bikes 713.861.2271 | | Strengths: | Great frame and fork, good brakes/ drivetrain. | | Weaknesses: | Comes with same wheels as the disc version... heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Steel hardtails/ XT/ SID, '95 Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | '06 Stumpjumper,Fox RL90, XT Holowtech II, XT pods,S-works bar, King headset, Thomson stem/ seatpost, Mavic 717/ XTR wheels | | Bottom Line: | The 2006 Stumpjumper continues the tradition of getting a well equiped, out of the box racer for a great price. This year it comes with a 90mm travel Fox fork sold only as OEM for the 'Jumper. The frame went to an asymetrical seat stay arrangemnt which looks trick and weighs in at about 3.2 pounds. The stock wheels are where they cut corners to keep the price down.
The bike handles tight singletrack and climbs like a scared rabbit. The RL90 fork with it's lockout mode and minimal flex make out of the saddle sprints more effective. After riding SIDs for so long and going to the Fox, I wish I would have tryed it a long time ago.
The bottom line is, that this is about the best bang for your buck if you are looking for a hardtail racer. It has the potential to be a VERY light bike once you start upgrading stuff. Start with the wheels...G | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack
a
from Bali, Indonesia
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Street | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop in Hawaii | | Strengths: | Light, and really fast uphill. Fork is unreal. Better than any I have used. Do not miss adjustable stiffness as it is perfect the way it is. (Really stiff, but not excessively stiff) | | Weaknesses: | Frame gets knicked very easily. After 18 months, mine is covered with dings. Looks like it's 5 years old already. Brakes suck, just like everybody says. Changed to higher grade avids, no problem now. Front axle is a custom size - bigger than normal, and so will not accept after market axels (I like to change the quick release with the locking ones - to do this on this bike you must replace entire hub to get correct axel size. The rear one is ok though). Kink/bend in frame up at the top looks stupid. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona, Wheeler, Schwin (ages ago) | | Bike Setup: | All ya need to change is the brakes, really. But I always use SRAM grip shifts, (levers suck), and XT rear derailer. | | Bottom Line: | I have never bought a perfect bike. This one is worth the money though. If you climb a lot of hills, you will like this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dag Erik
a Racer
from Hamar
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Stumpjumper | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Import | | Strengths: | Good at bumps and jumps | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Diamondback racing XT | | Bike Setup: | Original | | Bottom Line: | I using this bike for traning, and it just gliding smooth. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leo Small
a Cross Country Rider
from Wrentham, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Kingdom Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Great base bike for improvement. Frame handles nicely and asks to be hammered. Awesome Fox 80RL fork. Made to handle any XC race. | | Weaknesses: | Definitely need the disc brakes for stopping on dime ability. Stock pedals CAN'T handle mud. Paint easily chips. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 90, Giant, Gary Fisher Tassajara, Specialized Stumpjumper (full suspension), Schwinn Mesa, | | Bike Setup: | Avid BB disc brakes, Mavic 317 orange-ano rims, Crank Brothers Candy pedals | | Bottom Line: | Definitely an great bike with room for improvement. A few upgrades (cheaper than buying the disc version) make this bike an absolute dream to ride and race. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derrick
a Cross Country Rider
from Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Hydrocut, Waterloo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Liberty Bicycles | | Strengths: | Fox Fork, Mavic XM 317 rims, fast tires, carbon spacers, heavy duty chain stay protector | | Weaknesses: | none really. brakes need to be upgraded in the near future | | Similar Products Used: | diamondback response, khs team soft tail | | Bike Setup: | all stock ('05) XT rear and LX front derailleurs, fox f80 RL fork, LX shifters, Avid SD 5 brakes, Mavic XM 317 rims. | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike. I shopped around for a lot for a hardtail with an XT/LX drivetrain for around 1500 canadian. Looked at specialized, Rocky Mountain, Kona, devinci and cannondale. The thing that sold me on this bike was the fork. For similar prices for the same drivetrain, the other companies had nowhere near the quality of fork as the stumpy. This fork rocks! A bit beefier than other xc forks, but it is so smooth and the lock out is a great feature. The rims are great too. The XM 317's are heavier, but give you more piece of mind bombing rocky downhills. The only thing I regret is not spending more for the stumpjmper disc with Avid BB-7's. I choose the cantilever brakes because of price and I still have the ability to upgrade to discs later, but I've heard so much good things about the BB-7's, I feel like I'm missing out.
Overall for the price it is an excellent value for the components and still has lots of potential to upgrade, which I hope to do when funds become more available.
Long live the Stumpy!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Globero Profesional
a Cross Country Rider
from Madrid
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Best frame you will find for the price... Fox fork worths every penny | | Weaknesses: | Gradually changed several components, so bike is balanced: frame and fork would deserve a full XTR!! however, stock set is OK to keep price under control | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel, Scott Boulder | | Bike Setup: | Avid SL brakes, Shimano XT crankset, Crossland wheelset, Sp.FastTrack Tires... all the rest stock | | Bottom Line: | After a year or so of using and abusing of this bike, my only advice is: look for a 2004 or 2005 Stumpjumper HT and BUY IT!!!... I ride a full suspension as well, and I can tell you there's nothing like riding my red Stumpy | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Yngve Hoiseth
a Cross Country Rider
from Norway
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Local dealer | | Strengths: | Every component, from the fork to the stem, is good. No compononent is of bad quality | | Weaknesses: | The wiring. It is placed underneath the lower main tube, which makes it exposed to dirt and dust. | | Similar Products Used: | Custom Trek 7000, Merida Matts Comp. | | Bike Setup: | Standard. | | Bottom Line: | A safe purchase. Everything is superb. You're going to have much fun on this if you enjoy cross country-biking, racing or just for having fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Stringer
a Weekend Warrior
from Nashville, TN , USA
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Yellow Jersey Bike Shop, Sitka, AK | | Strengths: | Lightness, quality components, the Fox Fork | | Weaknesses: | Handlebars are for racing - I still need to get a set of riser bars for it... | | Similar Products Used: | Rockhopper | | Bottom Line: | Here's the deal - You get quality components on a super lightweight bike. Don't throw your money at a full suspension bike if all you have is $1200. Spend your money wisely and purchase a Stumpjumper hardtail. You will never look back. This thing consistently gives me good days.
I really want to get a set of riser bars because the way it is set up out of the box is kind of a racing stance. But really, after riding it for a year, I really cannot say that this actully bothers me when I am out riding. What can I say - I love my bike! Especially the really cool TIG welds... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from California, USA
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$999.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | Great Frame composite, predictable with decent parts stock out of the box. | | Weaknesses: | Brakes albeit better from my previous mountain bike could use some improvement. Other than that, no major weaknesses noticed. | | Similar Products Used: | GT XC hard tail | | Bike Setup: | M4 Frame, upgraded to stiffer crankset (Shimano XT), Fox 80RL fork, upgraded bars to carbon fiber risers, everything else is stock--for now. | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden my old bike for ten years plus. I am an older motocrosser so my take is, "the bike doesnt matter much.." but it does. I am a lot faster on this bike, can hit stuff a lot harder w/o crashing, more power directed through cranks and just plain handels better. For those that have dollars limits (meaning what you NEED vs. what you WANT) then this bike is in my opinion a good option. It weighed in at exactly 25.55lbs in the store but after upgrading the bars and crankset the bike weighs in at eactly 24.71lbs. Not bad for an addional three hundred dollars. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Fayetteville, AR
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Devil's Den State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Highroller Cyclery | | Strengths: | Amazing frame, great rear derailler/cassette, great brakes | | Weaknesses: | Front fork ( Manitou Skareb Comp 2003 ) broke on the right arch, threw me over. Ouch! The front LX derailler sucks butt as well as the rear hub. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 98, Stumpjumper FSR | | Bike Setup: | Stock except I upgraded the hubs to Deore XT and kept the same Mavic 221 rims. I also had the fork lowers replaced because of a manufacturing defect. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for the price that I paid for it. I bought it new, but it sat in the shop for a year and a half (It's a 2003 model). Overall, great, but I'm disappointed in the rear hub and LX front derailler. It sucks. Whoever said that the avid single digit v-brakes aren't up to snuff didn't ride them much. I've had great success and they stop better than mechanical discs if you just keep them tuned well. Other than the front fork breaking because of a defect (it rides much better now) I would definately recommend this bike to those who want to jump into the high-end category. The frame is pro, but some of the smaller parts were sacrificed to get it in the pricerange. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joshua
a Racer
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Outback Bike | | Strengths: | Great response and handling, great fork. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Tassajara | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Hayes Mech disc brakes and Deore Disc/Sun DS-2 wheelset | | Bottom Line: | Perfect bike for everything from casual riding to all out racing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Tourangeau
a Cross Country Rider
from Hull, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | Pecco's | | Strengths: | Great fork, decent component selection for the price. Very lightweight bike, with excellent acceleration. | | Weaknesses: | Unfortunately, the V-brakes are probably this bikes' greatest weakness. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Caldera | | Bike Setup: | Currently stock; planning to replace the V-brakes for some discs, probably some Avid Juicy 7. | | Bottom Line: | From the day I got this bike, I was completely convinced that I had made an excellent purchase. It may help to point out that I had been riding a Rocky Mountain Avalanche to the point where it no longer provided enjoyment. Compared to the Avalanche, this bike is the BOMB. It accelerates like a banshee and climbs extremely well. The bike is so light, it just wants to jump and it is very predictable in the air!
I cannot recommend this product enough! The overall build quality of the frame is excellent, although I wish that the cable routing avoided running below the BB; my Rocky had this same setup and it made cable maintenance a weekly chore. Since I replace my cables every year, this is a moot point, but it would a nice addition to a great machine. For those who have not tried Fox forks, please do! This bike is worth its price just to get the fork!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcel Camposilvan
a Cross Country Rider
from Hamilton, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | super awesome fork the lockout valve doesn't work very well but that doesn't matter. super light bike/wheel set accelerate super fast. | | Weaknesses: | BRAKES brakes are super crap i upgraded to a AVid SD 9 brake and lever. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Caldera, Klien attitude | | Bike Setup: | FOrk to 100mm from stock 80mm, RIser bar, Brakes to SD 9 | | Bottom Line: | overall i am very pleased with this bike. the part spec is excellent (minus the brakes) and everthing is built well to hold up. some changes are always needed when you but a new bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christoph Harttung
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL USA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Bullfrog Lake - Palos Hills, IL | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1595.00 | | Purchased At: | Johnny Sprockets | | Strengths: | Great frame and fork combo, light!!! | | Weaknesses: | Price and most of the standard components. Let's face it, Specialized did not do this bike justice with the brakes, wheels, headset, cassette, handlebar, etc. | | Similar Products Used: | Custom HT with the mostly the same component setup below aside from the fork (Rock Shox ewwie Judy)...until it was stolen earlier this year. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with the following upgrades: SRAM X.0 Rear Derailleur and Shifters, XTR brakes with Avid SD 7 levers, XT cassette, Specialized/DT Onyx Mavic 517 (F/R) (kept the tires, seem good for hardpack), Easton carbon Handlebar. Gunna run the LX Front D through this year and replace | | Bottom Line: | Great bike that I never would have considered purchasing until my previous bike was permanently borrowed from my garage...part of the Chicago mountain biking experience!!! I keep telling myself that things happen for a reason...and take a valium whenever I think about it...gulp! Did my homework and this is definitely one of the best HT deals around! Trick is to find a shop that will give you credit back for the, um, crap that they slapped on this otherwise awesome bike. Nothing like heavy wheels and throw away components to ruin your potential...unless you want a free lobotomy. I've heard about the breaks folding and not a big fan of heavy Shimano Derailleurs (kept the LX Front b/c they couldn’t get the SRAM XGen in – has anyone tried this one by the why?), the wheels belong on an ’82 Schwin 10 speed. If you buy from a local bike store, they usually have a few decent wheel sets lingering around from last year that you can get at a discount. LX Shifter/Brake combo, oh yeah, they look like 2 Volkswagens parked on your handlebars and I can’t even imagine how long they would last…and thankfully don’t have to. If you are local to Chicago, call Steve at Johnny Sprockets as they gave me fair market value for the items I exchanged and installed everything for free! I like free.
Road twice this past weekend and found it really didn’t take much to get adjusted and dialed in. Frame is nice and stiff, tracks great. Easy to hop and jump but still need to tweak the shock a bit. I lika alot.
I am giving the value rating a 3 because you have to work and negotiate to get it right. I hope people reading this have a similar experience at a bike store. Overall rating I will go with a 5 because the frame and fork are really awesome.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
coby
a Cross Country Rider
from San juan, Philippines
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | maarat | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | feather light, very stiff and stable, great looks | | Weaknesses: | poor rear tire mud clearance, but this is a minor gripe, cable routing; mucho expensive. | | Similar Products Used: | ironhorse maverick, giant xtc | | Bike Setup: | Spez Stumpy M4, Marzocchi MX PRO with ETA, Sun Ringle DS2-XC wheels, Truvativ cranks, SRAM all over, Race Face Deus stem and a thudbuster. | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the frame only.
Picking the frame up, it is incredibly light! Using a low tech analog scale, it was definitely less than 3 lbs. I think it would be more like 2.6 or 2.7 lbs.
the frame, esp near the BB, is stiff, allowin for better power transfer to the drivetrain when blasting out of the saddle.
The result is a fast, perky ride. this is definitely one that was built to be fast.
Minor gripes are the poor mud clearance at the back. You probably cant run tires wider than 2.1 at the rear. When the mud packs up, it will scratch the inner sides of your chain stay. Another gripe is the cable routing under the bottom tube where it is directly exposed to the worst elements. The derailleur cables are held at the bottom bracket shell by nothing but a molded plastic thingy. A few lucky rock could take out the drive train.
Specialized seems to have stuck to this routing over the years in most or all of their bikes. So there must be a reason. I sure hope they would tell all of us why.
All in all, build quality is tops and looks are drop dead. I'm definitely going to keep this as my dedicated HT ride until it conks out, which I doubt it will. Then I'll probably get another one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$990.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Agile, great fork, sturdy frame construction, spec'd great for the price point-truely a great buy for the $. | | Weaknesses: | Still a hardtail when you hit the boneyard. At a hair under 25lbs. out the door before upgrades, heavier than one might prefer for a hardtail, but not too bad. | | Similar Products Used: | n/a | | Bike Setup: | Stock with new grips, Thudbuster, Candy SL pedals, Sell Italia Flite seat. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is just great for the money and that is the strongest suit. There are better hardtails out there but if you can push a hardtail to it's limits and are not racing for $ or require the lightest (and most expensive) gear hard earned $ can buy, this is all you need. It smokes downhill, climbs like a goat and is quite agile with a great feel thanks to the spec'd Fox 80mm fork. If you are just getting into mountain biking and want your first bike to go a long way, or if you just need a new bike that will kick butt with breaking the bank, here ya go. I bought mine last Sept (2004) on sale after deciding to get back into MBing. Just what I needed. I may even race it later this summer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik W
a Weekend Warrior
from Aiea, HI
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | many | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Light, a lot of the pedal input makes it to the ground (very nice), quite sturdy also. Being a bigger rider (225lbs), have had no problems with flexing or breaking parts (Kudos Specialized) | | Weaknesses: | Brake pads make noise and are unpredictable, Fox shock lost its lockout feature (repair in progress). | | Similar Products Used: | Trek8000 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Ritchey logic WCS rizer bar, better BG saddle, Ritchey grips, Topeak bar ends, 2 Specialized composite cages, Specialized armadillo road tires. | | Bottom Line: | The best 'bang for the buck' bike out there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Mcdowell | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Good tires, fork, and frame. | | Weaknesses: | Brakes are awful... One day I was zipping down a hill at about 15 mph and started to slow down before I hit a puddle of mud. The front brake pad folded over and locked up my tire. Luckily it was in the mud puddple so I had a soft landing. Get new brakes!
Also when I got the bike the front fork didn't lock out at first. I took it into the shop and it was low on oil. | | Similar Products Used: | K2 Zed performance. | | Bike Setup: | I put on a shorter stem, but besides that default. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price. I have put it through a good beating and it has surrvived. It has had lots of little things, like the brakes seem to need readjustment often and it takes a full turn on the cranks to switch into the big ring. All and all I like it and would recomend it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nathan Edgerly
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Catawba | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Source | | Strengths: | Strength, weight, price, fork | | Weaknesses: | tires, handlebar, geometry | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager Comp | | Bike Setup: | Thomson laid back seatpost, salsa grips, WTB Rocket V saddle, ATAC XS pedals, everything else std. | | Bottom Line: | I rode a bunch of Al bikes and found that this was the only one that didn't shake the hell out of me.
I'm kind of heavy (200 lbs) and this bike hasn't even flinched when I've taken some really big hits.
I did have to changes some stuff to make it more comfortable for me. Since I'm a big boy, I had to switch out the seatpost with the Thomson to give me a little more length between the handlebars and saddle (and that's with a pretty long stem). Surprisingly, it flexes a little better than the Specialized stock. I changed out the grips because they made my hands numb. They were thin to the point where I could actually feel the bar beneath. I've also found the handlebar a little narrow for my wide frame.
I think the tires blow for the type of stuff we see here in NC, especially this time of year. Mud fills the tread to the point where you might as well be riding on the rims. I've slipped all over the place on 'em. They're okay on the hardpack, though. They just never give me a lot of confidence.
In this price range, I don't think you can find much better. I think this bike would make a very good starter bike for somebody just getting into the sport and aspirations to race. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derick
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley, CA
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1030.00 | | Purchased At: | mike's | | Strengths: | Great fork, handles effortlessly. | | Weaknesses: | bike was initially built with F derailleur @ wrong height so shifting to smallest F chainring was inconsistent at best until derailleur was positioned properly; since then shifting is flawless | | Similar Products Used: | old (ca. 1987) unsuspended cannondale | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I didn't have serious braking problems, unlike some others, but after wearing out the pads I replaced with kool-stops & braking performance was much better. A little loss of true on R wheel after 250 miles or so.
I was really happy with this bike riding mostly fireroad & not so technical singletrack in the E Bay, then spent a week with it in Moab on much more technical stuff & am even happier. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Larson
a Cross Country Rider
from Osan Air Base, South Korea
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Case Mt, Manchester, CT | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1030.00 | | Purchased At: | Berlin Bicycles, CT | | Strengths: | Fox Float fork is awesome and M-4 frame is nice and light. Avid's Speed Dial levers are much better than Shimano's levers that I've tried. Drivetrain components are great; they've taken some heavy abuse and are holding up just fine. | | Weaknesses: | Stock brakes were weak, and the seatpost seems to slip a bit (not a big deal). Also I didn't like the tires too much. | | Bike Setup: | Added some Specialized bar ends, upgraded the brakes with Avid SD-7's, changed out tires with IRC Mythos, and changed pedals to Egg Beaters (I'll never ride with anything else). | | Bottom Line: | I don't have too much to compare this bike to, since before this I'd been riding a rigid Diamondback that's at least 8 or 9 years old (still a great bike though). As soon as I tried this one out though, I was sold. I'm not a competetive biker; I get out on the weekends and as many weeknights as I can for 10-20 mile rides, so I wasn't looking for the best of the best. But, this is probably the best $1000 I could have possibly spent on any bike. The only major gripe I had was the brakes, but for an extra $45 for the SD-7's they're just fine now. The tires I guess are personal preference, but I find that the thinner IRC's both roll and grip better. Other than that this is the perfect bike for me. I would definitely recommend it to anyone shopping in this price range and I wouldn't think twice about getting another one if this one was stolen or something. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Racer
from Waco TX
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Cali 56 to Lock-M-Ups | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn (good place) | | Strengths: | This bike is light, and well ballanced. Then there is the Fox fork.... its the best.. i love it so much... | | Weaknesses: | Componants are sorta weak i guess... Bike shop was saying stuff about cranks not matching something.. i don't know ill see about that later PAINT! paint is ugly and chips on every other ride... horrible horrible quality... and tires, they suck too | | Similar Products Used: | 1997 GT timberline (good paint, heavy frame) | | Bike Setup: | Flipped stem to 0degree rise, changed out brake pads to jagwire somethings... they work. Easton ea70 flat bar, welgo m3 cheap pedals | | Bottom Line: | I wish i would have just bought this as a frame and the fork... the standard "dream" color is a bit gay, and it chips like nobody's buisness. LX &XT drivetrain works great despite really low crank height (that means i bash my pedals on rock ledges) The front derailuer cable rubs the chainstay underneath... might need to get that looked at... If you press the rear breaks realy hard the chainstays bend outwards. Rims and tires are crap. Rims flex and go out of true but im realy lightweight (125) Tires: Front = good back = bad. Replaced with my michilin rear so its good now, the stock front tracks well, and hangs on in steep turns. Break levers are too far out for my shortish fingers, LX shifters make noise with their stupid view window dealy that i never look at. More i think about it the more pissed i am that i paid that much money for it... but i really love the fork, and the bike is super fast on climbing and all that, so i'm happy enough. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven
a
from Dallas, TX. USA
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1050.00 | | Purchased At: | Richardson Bike Mart | | Strengths: | Overall Value can't be beat. Fox Fork worth half the purchase price of the bike. | | Weaknesses: | Seatpost stripped out on the second ride. The Avid V-brakes are beyond terrible and will not stop me in a timely manner. The Mavic 221's will not take much abuse. Front and rear were trued twice in 3 months and the rear needs it again. Maybe my 200 pounds is too much for these components. | | Bike Setup: | Stock at this moment except for the Thomson seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | The overall value cannot be beat. You would have to spend almost twice this amount to get a bike that even comes close at this price. Currently waiting on xtr disc's to be delivered and going to mate them with mavic xm 719's on chris king hubs. Should end my braking and wheel problems. Haven't had any serious problems with the derailleurs but they are the next to go if my wife does not give me the go first. Without a doubt, I would purchase this bike again without hesitation. Thinking that the component problems that I have encountered on my bike are more related to my weight and awkward riding style. Peace out and ride long! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Guelph Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Strengths: | Very light, fox fork is great, looks great. | | Weaknesses: | The mountain bike industry still hasn't discovered the beauty of disc brakes. Even for xc riders, disc brakes are the way to go. I had the v brakes swapped out for Avid mechanical disc. | | Similar Products Used: | Devinci, Gary Fisher hardtails. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except: A low riser bar was added, the fork is adjusted to 100mm travel, v brakes swapped out for avid mechanical disc. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. I got it at lower price for the end of season clearout. The 2005 stumpjumper is exactly the same, so I figured I might as well get the 2004 for a deal. I am switching from a 2002 stumpjumper fsr. Hardtails are fine for the type of riding I do, and the sweetness of the Fox fork provides enough suspension. I think mountain biking is moving forward with full suspension design, but needs to reduce weight of full suspension bikes. The bottom line is that the heavier the bike, the slower you go. This stumpjumper is very light, even with the avid disc brakes. I am very pleased with the bike, and will give it a 5/5 value rating due to the Fox fork, and 5/5 overall. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Weekend Warrior
from Anchorage
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Earthquake Park Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Shop | | Strengths: | Light wieght, good Geometry, Price!!!, the girls think it's very hot! | | Weaknesses: | The Stem Is soo sexy but it was too long on the 19" frame so I Swaped it with the 100MM and it's now perfect. | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 Schwinn Moab Disc | | Bike Setup: | All stock execpt Stem and I threw some Single Track Solutions Bar Ends(These are sweet, light and small) | | Bottom Line: | I got this bike a week before the 24 hour race so i had only 100 miles on it before the race but i love the seat it is very comfortable and light. over all a great bike im really happy with it. I have since changed to disc brakes for winter riding as well as studded tires. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mario Butler
a Weekend Warrior
from Aurora, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Palos Heights, IL | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$999.00 | | Purchased At: | Johnny Sprockets, Chicago, IL | | Strengths: | Weight, solid Frame, great geometry, good balance, can take a beating. Floating Fox fork is awesome. | | Weaknesses: | Price did not include disc brakes, rear wheel seems to get out of balance (but it might just need some tuning/adjustments). | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 Trek 6500, Tested all makes in this product range (Kona, Trek, GT, Gary Fisher, Cannondale, Giant, Iron Horse, Miran, North Face) | | Bike Setup: | Stock setup, but switched out stock pedals for my Crank Brothers Candy C pedals from my Trek. Might add some Avid disc brakes in the future. | | Bottom Line: | Overall, this bike is awesome. The more I ride it, the more I love it. I will need to have the tires rebalanced because for the 3 weeks I have had it, I have ridden it pretty hard. I have absolutely no regrets about spending the money for it because you certainly get what you pay for. The paint job is awesome and looks cool, and is very comfortable to ride. I have read lots of complaints about the brakes, but honestly there okay for now....will switch to disc in the future. The Fox fork rocks and is just one reason why this bike is such a great value. I was set on getting a great bike for a lot less money which I could have, but once I road this bike I haven't gotten off of it since. You won't be dissapointed. This bike is a great value for the money. I would give 5 chilli's, but for the price it could have come with disc brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a
from Amherst, MA
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Landry's in Westboro | | Strengths: | The entire bike has been real solid. It's a great value and the components and fork are real tough to beat at the price. Very lightweight also. | | Weaknesses: | The pedals aren't that great but that's just a minor thing. I haven't had a whole lot of problems with the brakes like other people but I think if I weighed more they would definitely need to be upgraded. Other than that, it's all good. | | Bike Setup: | It's stock right now since I've only had it a couple months. I'll definitely get new pedals and at some point probably get discs when I actually have some spare cash. | | Bottom Line: | Overall, this bike has been very impressive. I have absolutely no regrets about spending the money for it because you certainly get what you pay for. I love the look of it and it's very comfortable to ride (I'm 5'7" riding an 18"). The brakes don't provide a ton of stopping power but I'm only 150 lbs so it doesn't affect me as much as it would for someone who weighs more. The Fox fork has been outstanding and is just one reason why this bike is such a great value. I haven't gotten off of it since I took it for a test ride at the shop. You won't be dissapointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
B Coombs
a
from Boston MA USA
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | medford fellsway | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | community bike boston | | Strengths: | The bike is a great cross country bike i love the stump line. However I only road it 1 month before i upgraded the components because I do very aggressive allmountain riding.
Great bike for a beginner or advanced rider. | | Weaknesses: | the stock avid brakes sucked. they started fuk up first time out on a decent, the pads shift under preasue. but i loved the bike | | Similar Products Used: | nothing, now that i have customed the bike | | Bike Setup: | m4 ore stump frame.
fox talas rlc 80-125mm.
mavic ex721 rims, xt disc hubs 36 hole, 4 cross spoke.
hayes fx9 mag disc brakes.
profile bars, seat post and stem.
truvativ hossfelter triple crakes, giga pipe team dh.
lx xt drivetrain, xt head set
tires change to suit riding conditions.
| | Bottom Line: | the bike was phat but i upgraded anyway!
love the specialized saddle | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeff levine
a Cross Country Rider
from rockville, md, us
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | watershed/gambrill, schaeffar | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Hudson Trail | | Strengths: | Love the whole package, except the brakes, of course. Light bike, great forks, perfect size (I'm 5'8, 165...riding an 18"). | | Weaknesses: | Just like everyone seems to be saying, I've had a little trouble with the brakes, even lost a front pad on the first weekend...also seem to be getting a lot of flats coming off of hops and drops. | | Similar Products Used: | ~10 years on a Rockhopper with zero suspension...loved that bike the whole time, but can definitely tell the with the Stumpy! | | Bike Setup: | Stock- want to upgrade brakes soon. | | Bottom Line: | Great ride, like an extension of my body! Seems like I can tear through the bits on the trails that used to throw me over the bars. I guess that I'd rate myself as an intermediate rider who likes riding the advanced stuff. If anything's going to help push my skills up to my ambitions, it'll be this bike. So that's who I think should get this bike....riders with ambitions to ride harder, faster and better! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Weekend Warrior
from Mineola, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Stillwell Woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1020.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Planet | | Strengths: | Pretty much the whole bike. I think Specialized put together an amazing bike for a great price. No other bikes come with such a great package. The Fox shocks are awesome. I feel like I could ride over or down anyting put in front of me. The bike also weighs next to nothing. The bike makes climbs I use to struggle with cake now. | | Weaknesses: | The brakes seem to respond a bit to slow. Not great stopping power. The seat is also a bit to hard for those long rides. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing is even close to similar. | | Bike Setup: | Stock right now. Plan on making some upgrades. | | Bottom Line: | The bike is awesome. If your looking to buy a great bike for a great price than this is the bike. Since I got the bike I find myself climbing bigger hills with much more ease, and going alot faster in the trails I ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The Flying Gordo
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Ho Chi Minh | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1020.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn | | Strengths: | This is just an update to my original review. I've got about 450 miles on it now and have spent a lot of time on the trails. Bottom line is this is a great bike and I'm still extremely happy with it. My only major complaint was the brakes and I've swapped them out for discs (Avid Mechs) that I bought on eBay and that was the best thing I've ever done. I can hit corners and steep technical downhills harder knowing I can trim speed as necessary and they are unphased in wet conditions. I would recommend everyone to do this as its the best upgrade you can make to an already fantastic ride. | | Weaknesses: | Brakes were weak until I changed them out and now they're fantastic. I didn't like the Shimano pedals (heavy, kind of cheap feel to them) so I sold them on eBay for $30 and put on some Candy SLs. I find that the riding position is great for aggressive 2 hour or less rides which is primarily what I do but I've done some epics and had some neck pain. | | Similar Products Used: | Everything | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Stumpy with Avid Mech brakes, Easton EC70 carbon post, Candy SL pedals, Mavic F219/XT wheelset to go with the discs. | | Bottom Line: | I couldn't be happier. This bike is light and agile, corners on rails, climbs like a goat, stops on a dime, and eats up dual suspension bikes with no trouble on anything other than nasty downhills. Best bike I've every had and I've been riding for about 15 years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Turnbull
a
from Superior WI
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Munger trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1030.00 | | Purchased At: | Ski Hut in Duluth MN | | Strengths: | Light as can be,Handles like a dream,fast bike also fun to just look at it.People like to give this baby the eye. | | Weaknesses: | I think the brakes could be a little better.May upgrade | | Similar Products Used: | Rockhopper Pro disc,Fisher Hoo Koo EE Koo | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This the third mountain bike I have owned,and this one really feels like a thourobred,I culdnt be more pleased for the money I spent,Thi ones a keeper.I may upgrade the brakes and a few other components,but it will be hard to improve on this fine bike.Best buy for your money | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Weekend Warrior
from San Franciscon, CA
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Everywhere | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1080.00 | | Purchased At: | American Cyclery in San Francisco | | Strengths: | Trust me the Specialized Stumpjumper is a "Worth the Money" bike. It's just hard to explain the amazing way it rides. | | Weaknesses: | The Avid brakes are ok, but I didn't want to pay a lot more for the disc brakes. Other than that the bike has no weaknesses | | Similar Products Used: | The Rockhopper and the Hardrock. (still good bikes) | | Bike Setup: | Still a stock Specialized Stumpjumper except for the saddle change to the Specialized 04 Milano | | Bottom Line: | If you are going to purchase a bike you should test ride it first. Yes, the price of this Stumpjumper is a little high, but you pay for what you get. Should I say it again "Worth the Money" bike. I can suggest that this is a good bike for beginners to intermediate. Trust me you don't want to pay for a bike that will only last you a couple rides around the block, you want a bike that can travel across the country. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jess Ward
a Weekend Warrior
from Howard, CO USA
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Rainbow Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Absolute Bikes | | Strengths: | Handling Climbing Sprinting Hopping | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | My '02 Rockhopper Comp was kinda similar, I guess, though not really in quite the same league... | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for some 959 pedals, a WTB Weirwolf rear tire, and some Oury grips. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. It's light and responsive and begs to be hopped. It climbs like a cat and'll go where you ask it on the downhill. I heard before buying it there were oftentimes waits, and I did have to have my bike shop order this one, but it was well worth the delay. The brakes do, as others have noted, take a bit longer to stop than other models, but once you've ridden an hour you've adjusted to this and it's no longer an issue (or I suppose I should say I've adjusted, maybe others have more trouble...). The only thing I wish about this bike is that it'd come with XT on the front derailleur as well as the rear, but I suppose I'll survive. Overall, however, I couldn't be happier with my purchase of this awesome bike. FYI, I'm about 5'10", 150lbs and am riding a 19", which fits like it was custom-designed for me. If you can find one, I recommend you grab it up! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn
a Cross Country Rider
from Brewster,NY
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Deer Ear@Ninham | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Outdoor Sports Center | | Strengths: | This bike would climb a wall if you could hang on. The polished frame is very hot. Fox forks are easliy the best out there and you cannot beat the price. | | Weaknesses: | I have found none so far. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Zaskar, Trek STP 200, RD Coyote 3 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with the exception of XTR v-brakes. | | Bottom Line: | I was a little worried that I was going to be disappointed not buying a full-suspension. NY is known for it's rocks beds and just hard technical riding. After four hours on the trail with this bike I knew I made the right decision. I had been riding a Gary Fisher Sugar three untill my bike came in and I loved it. I could climb things on it that I was hit or miss on with the Trek. After getting on the stumpjumper I was climbing better on it than with the Fisher. The bike feels like part of you. This is a initial evaluation of the bike, but I was so happy I had to write about it. I have ridden all over the world and NY has the hardest technical trails consistently that I have ever found.This bike is perfect. If you want a fast cross country bike for the best price ride this bike. You will not want to get off. Oner thing to look at is frame size. Specialized runs compact frame geometry. I am 5'9' I normally ride a 17 or 18. My Stumpjumper is a 19 and it fits perfect. Buy the bike ride it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Noe
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston,TX
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The Ant Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1020.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn | | Strengths: | Light weight yet strong and rigid frame. The top tube angle gives you a lot of crouch clearance. Fox Fork 80RL is dependable. I would say good component mix for the price I paid. Mavic Rims | | Weaknesses: | The Brakes mainly, the stock tires loose traction easily when clogged with mud the seat post I was told could use an upgrade. I can also part with the seat without losing any sleep | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8500 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Eggbeater Ti Pedals, Upgraded Handle Bars to EC70 the Brakes is next on my hit list | | Bottom Line: | This is a good bike for an beginner-intermediate level biker it offers good components for the price some of which you can later upgrade of you have a few benjamins to throw around. It can take a major beating and did I mention it looks cool too? The downside of this bike are the brakes. Rim brakes are great if youre a casual rider on pavement, but if youre in the mud and rain and among other things you find in the swamp, trust me they will fail you. I will eventually upgrade to disc brakes.Other than that it's a good bike to get started on real singletrack. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dodo Bird
a Weekend Warrior
from chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Palos/Kettle | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Kozy's | | Strengths: | Light strong frame, Fork, geometry, and hollowtech cranks. I personally like the wheels, i did a drop, and hit the back wheel pretty hard, and the rims held. I did get a flat, but its pretty much cuz i was going too slow, and pretty much all the weight hit the back tire. I like the treads on the tire though, they seem to hold. PRICE!!!! | | Weaknesses: | The breaks confuse me. I don't stop on a dime with them, they eventually stop you, so i'm thinking of changing the pads maybe. The seat post is okay, seat is definitely crap, and the pedals are pretty worthless. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing in this price range would be similar. | | Bike Setup: | New seat, going to install new pedals, everything else is stock. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a steal for the price. I still can't believe how it climbs, and going down hill on this thing just glides. Man, i remember when i first rode the thing, and i thought, "glides". The breaks aren't bad, but it does take awhile to stop. I love the geometry, i can practically do a 180 on this thing (maybe a slight exageration), but you can totally corner. Pretty responsive on top of all that. I still can't figure why or how its as much as it is, its a total package. Definitely get it if your a beginner, or advanced. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Pendleton
a Cross Country Rider
from Braintree, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1029.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Everything...Fox Float ($500+ in itself). LX/XT components are sweet. Frame is extremely light. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I have been riding a few times with this bike and it is wicked sweet. The fork alone is a good reason to buy it. I hit the trails and it was very smooth on the downhill sections and an excellent climber for those tough hills. You can take a look at some pictures of my last ride at http:\\www.cs.rpi.edu/~pendlb/Bike_Pics
The price was unbeatable for the components. The Fox Float 80RL is seriously like $500+. The Trek8000 has the same components as this bike, except the fork is a Rock Shox Duke XC. That can't even shake a leg at the Fox. I can't wait to hit some more trails, and maybe do some amature racing | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Paul, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | All of Them | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Hoigaards | | Strengths: | Veeeery Light! Excellent handeling too | | Weaknesses: | Odd riding position, can get stiff | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fischer, Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | Rock Shox, SPD Pedals, Shimano XT | | Bottom Line: | Fabulous bike! Definately worth your time and money! It is excellent! I recommend this bike to all avid mountian bikers. It is extremely responsive in it's steering. I hope you will all look at this bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
R JC
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbrook
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Remlin's | | Strengths: | Solid light frame. Fox fork. | | Weaknesses: | Evrything else, except the tires. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | Changed out stem, handle bar, seat, seat post, pedals. | | Bottom Line: | You get a solid and very light bike, however, cheap componants. Should offer disc brakes for this price. no big deal. Fork does make 'clunking' sound, well known problem that doesn't effect proformance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Racer
from Berkeley, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere around my house | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Mike's Bikes of Berkeley | | Strengths: | amazing fork for the money, way better than my old Pilot SL, nice component group (Shimano all around) and a pimpin' paint job. Did I mention the fork? I like the saddle too. Oh, yeah, and the fork. | | Weaknesses: | the rear derailleur shifts up when you're really cranking it out, but I just need to fine-tune it | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000, my '04 GF Hoo Koo E Koo until it got stolen!!! | | Bike Setup: | stock except Eggbeater Candy SL pedals | | Bottom Line: | This bike is amazing! It's much better than my old Gary Fisher. The Fox Float is awesome, I especially like the lock out feature. I can't wait for the summer so I can go out on it every day, and then when the summer's over, it's racing season again! yay! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Milwaukee, WI
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle Moraine, Levis Mound | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Everything still the same. The fork and frame are awesome! Bike is super light and hella fast. | | Weaknesses: | UPDATE: The pedals suck, horrible. They broke on me after 100 or so miles. I replaced them with some wellgo's and those are awesome. But the stock pedals I did not like at all. The brakes I still don't care for, and the front derallier got screwed up and wouldn't shift up into the big chain ring, had to get it serviced. The rims I bent slightly as well, they're out of true but not all that much to make a big differnce. | | Bike Setup: | Still stock except for the pedals. I will add bar ends soon along with an XT/XTR front derallier and an XTR rear derallier. Probably a lighter seatpost sometime soon as well. | | Bottom Line: | This is an update to my earlier submission. I have used this bike for roughly 3 months now and a couple other things I found that I didn't like. Overall the bike is still awesome, the fork is amazing, I love it. This bike is still by far the very best value for the $$ you will find. It rocks on downhills! Super light.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gordo
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Ho Chi Minh, Ant Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1020.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn | | Strengths: | Excellent value! Fantastic fork, strong light frame, very good component mix at this price point. I even like the seat and seat post (even without the quick release) which others have bemoaned. I've hit the trails hard a few times and this bike has worked flawlessly. Couldn't be happier at this point. The geometry keeps you spread out over the top tube which is great for climbing but its still comfortable on 20+ mile road rides as well. | | Weaknesses: | Only flaw I've been able to find is the brakes. I'm about 185 lbs and they just don't stop with force....particularly the rear. I don't know what's the reason as the Avids work well on other bikes. Maybe its the cartridge pads. Fortunately, the frame is disc ready so maybe I'll just switch 'em out. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Big Sur, Trek 8000 | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now, Cateye Enduro 8 computer, | | Bottom Line: | There are a bunch of excellent bikes out there in the $1000 range but what sold me on this one was the stellar fork and the aggressive geometry which fit me just right. I've ridden Fisher's for years and this is very similar to the Genesis design which is great for getting up and down nasty hills.
The assembly and fit and finish was flawless, gear shifting was perfect, wheels true, no quirks. All in all, I am extremely happy with my purchase and would recommend the bike to anyone looking for a high performance trail bike for either weekend warrior action or, upgrade around the frame and fork and go racing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a
from Moncton, N.B., Canada
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Strengths: | Great frame, fork, and overall component package | | Weaknesses: | so far the only problem is the brakes. They're pretty weak when it comes to stopping power. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky mountain hammer race | | Bike Setup: | stock(for now) i plan on changing the brakes and rims in the future | | Bottom Line: | Overall, this is a great bike. I cant really complain about anything besides the brakes. It's super fast, and handles great. I'd recommend it to most racers and even the avid biker. A great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Douglas Franco
a Cross Country Rider
from Caracas, Venezuela
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Wind Center | | Strengths: | Light as a feather, fast, amazing fork and it has the looks | | Weaknesses: | none so far... maybe the brakes are not that good | | Similar Products Used: | Trek8000 | | Bike Setup: | Standard setup (just a couple of days with it) | | Bottom Line: | This is a really sweet piece of equipment. If you are doing your homework, you can stop now. This is the bike to go for.
It's amazing on turns, the fox fork is like riding on clouds, nice components (front XT would be better though). Some people complain about the saddle but I find it ok.
5 flamming chilis all the way!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
FRANK
a Cross Country Rider
from MI
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1099.00 | | Purchased At: | STORE | | Strengths: | Frame & most of the components | | Weaknesses: | for some reason i just didnt like the brakes. They worked fine but i had a secret hate for them | | Bike Setup: | Avid SD7 brakes and levers
EC 70 bars
| | Bottom Line: | The stumpjumper is a great bike. im glad i purchased mine when i did, since there has seemed to be a shortage in them.
i've put this bike through a little bit of testing and it hasent budged besides normal "new bike braking in"
i've jumped and fallen from high places hoping to brake somthing to replace with a better component... but she refused
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gregg D
a Weekend Warrior
from San Antonio, Tx, US
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | O.P. Schnabel | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1069.00 | | Purchased At: | Ride Away Bikes | | Strengths: | Alot of bang for your buck. It's a fast bike and great climber. I can go far on this frame and the Fox is a dream. | | Weaknesses: | I had a problem with my front deraillieur. Shifting from the middle chain ring to the small chain ring was a problem. The chain came of consistently. It spent a week at the shop and so far so go. I'll probably upgrade to an xt or xtr as soon as i have the chance. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I would reccommend this bike to the beginning rider or the avid racer. I can't wait to ride again. You will not be dissapointed with this purchase. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad K
a Cross Country Rider
from Puyallup, WA
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Preston | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bonney Lake BS | | Strengths: | VERY light, makes for an incredible climber. Fox fork is smooth and stiff. Great components for the money including good tires, XT/LX rear/front derailer, and avid brakes. Bonus: A killer paintjob. | | Weaknesses: | Pedals and seat. And the 1 month wait from the factory to get your hands on one. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Poehoehoe, Schwinn Sierra | | Bike Setup: | Stock except I put on EggBeatter pedals (the best), and replaced the seat with a WTB Speed V. | | Bottom Line: | A great bike. Absolutely love mine. Really light, great climber but also can really light it up on the downhills. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Weekend Warrior
from Blacksburg, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Paul's cycle and fitness | | Strengths: | Everything. Amazing Fox fork, great components, light as a feather. | | Weaknesses: | FINDING ONE TO BUY! Specialized is so backed up that I ordering one would take months. I had to drive 2 hours just to find one! | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher 02 Marlin, Stumpjumper FSR 02, Specialized Hardrock Comp | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money! After an extensive amount of research, you just can't find near the quality of bike for around 1000 from any other company. Very happy with this purchase! If you happen to find one at your local bike shop, snatch it up! It could be months before you see another. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Racer
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Cameron Park, Waco, TX | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$969.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn Texas | | Strengths: | Some strengths of this bike are its light weight, Fox fork, and price. You get an amazing bang for your buck here. If you were lucky like me, your stumpjumper came from the factory with an XT front derailleur. Specialized is specing them with LX, but they apparently came up short a few hundred front derailleurs. | | Weaknesses: | The seat, seat post, and pedals are trash. The seat is horribly heavy and uncomfortable, and the seat post could double as a boat anchor. The pedals also leave much to be desired. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4900, Klein Attitude, Trek 6700 | | Bike Setup: | 2004 XT Hollowtech Cranks, Double Ti Eggbeaters, XTR rear cassette, XTR rear derailleur, XT front derailleur, SRAM PC89R chain, Michellin Comp S light Tires, King headset, XTR cables, Easton EC70 seatpost, Specialized BG Seat, Easton EC90 flat bars, oury grips, and AVID SD7 levers and brakes. I've internally adjusted my fork to 100mm as well. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a fantastic buy for anyone from beginner to expert/racer. Just the fork and the frame would go for way more than what you are paying for the complete package here. Being right around $1000 this is quite an investment for a beginner rider, but it will pay off if you really start to enjoy hitting the trails. You'll have a wonderful canvas for which to expand on. The bike comes off the shelf light, and with a few changes and upgrades you can esily get this bike down to 22 pounds or so. The added weight of the Fox fork is well worth the reliability, durability, and adjustability of the item. It is a dream to ride and it will fit almost anyone's riding style. I can't say enough about the fork either. I adjusted my fork to 100mm without compromising the ride height or overall geometry, and this is accomplished by the way that Fox made the fork adjustable. Essentially all you are doing is raising the internal bottoming stop. So instead of having 40mm of stanchion showing when fully compressed, you only have 20mm showing. This is a great idea and use of the product. Fox's customer service and product help line are incredible as well, despite only being attainable during normal business hours (M-F). Overall though this bike climbs like a mountain goat with it's butt on fire. This bike is very light and responsive with a relatively short wheel base making it incredibly manuerverable. I would definitely recommend dumping the heavy and extremely uncomfortable seat and seat post in favor of after market replacements. But flat bars are defintely the way to go on a bike this light in the front end. On hard climbs the front end tends to dance a little, so you've got to stay over those bars to keep it planted and tracking. As you can tell, I am extremely pleased with my buy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Milwaukee, WI USA
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle Moraine trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Works in Sheboygan Falls | | Strengths: | Just about everything, light stiff frame, good components for the price, nice fork, pretty paint job. | | Weaknesses: | Only weakness i've found so far are the brakes, I don't like them. I'm 6'5" 210 and it doesn't stop me very fast, I plan to upgrade to disc sometime in the future. | | Similar Products Used: | I've tried just about everything, this bike was the best value for the price. The Kona Kuhla and Klien Attitude are right up there with it though. | | Bike Setup: | All stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike is sharp looking, light, fast, and functions just as well as most of the bikes that run a grand more in price. I'd like to have an xtr rear deralier and everything else xt at least, but it's not necessary, the LX front components work fine.
Overall, i'm totally satisfied with the buy so far, i'll update more in the future if anything starts to go wrong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Nolestem
a Cross Country Rider
from MI
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1090.00 | | Purchased At: | Fraser Bicycle | | Strengths: | The weight, fork, and components are what sold me... oh & the silver(dream) paint job | | Weaknesses: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | All stock for now. | | Bottom Line: | I've had my 94 GT Backwoods for some time now... she rarly let me down... but it was time to move on to something bigger and better(suspention)... yeah i put it off for a while...
this bike is awesome the weight is great... the massive fork is amazing, it handles great and is quite light... components work great... i wouldnt mind having the step up (stumpjumper comp) if i had the spare 500$... but the rim brakes are ok for me since i dont really do any mud riding
i did my shopping around... its a great bike for the money | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joshua
a Weekend Warrior
from Brooklyn, NY
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | NYC Streets | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1075.00 | | Purchased At: | Larry & Jeffs, NYC | | Strengths: | Light, strong frame. Welds have more beef than Texas. Fox Float fork is a killer stock fork. Shimano Hollowtec Crank is great. | | Weaknesses: | Seat is just sorta so so. Seat post gives me some problems dialing in my seat angle. No matter now hard I tighten it, it keeps slipping. New seat post is a must IMHO. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rock Hopper | | Bike Setup: | Totally stock for now. I only got the bike 3 weeks ago. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. All of the shortcomings are minor and all of the pluses are major. For the money, this is the best bike out. Light as a feather and strong as a rock. This bike is good for anyone looking for a higher end bike without breaking the bank. The silver frame draws eyeballs too it. Due to this, I wouldn't suggest locking it up anywhere. But I live in NYC so maybe those of you who live in safer areas can get by. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Lakewood, Colo.
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Buffalo Creek area | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | Arvada Bicycle Co. | | Strengths: | Light weight
Looks
Wonderful list of components for the price. | | Weaknesses: | Avid sd-3 brakes won't stay adjusted and the grips are rock hard. | | Similar Products Used: | Owned a Raleigh m-80(a packmule amongst race horses) Tried a Raleigh Talus and seriously considered a Cannondale f600 in the Sobe team green. | | Bike Setup: | NEW BRAKES: Avid Archrivals that look as well as they perform. Sette carbon bar-ends. All else is stock. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for beginner to expert. Light makes right and it's fantastic fork and stiff frame don't hurt either! The new brakes and bar-ends really add to the performance. When it's wet most can't ride due to the clay soil so the Shimano 515 pedals are perfectly fine. THE BOTTOM LINE: Take one look at it and you'll be drawn to it... Take one ride and you'll never forget it!! If you don't make it to the top of the mountain and back down more efficiently than ever it won't because of the bike! See ya at the trailhead. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lance
a Cross Country Rider
from oklahoma
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Ho Chi Minh, Turkey Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1040.00 | | Purchased At: | T-Town Bicycles | | Strengths: | M4 Frame, Fox 80RL (with lockout), great component package considering the price, the silver frame and the grey fork look great together. | | Weaknesses: | sketchy saetpost and seat; easy swap | | Similar Products Used: | Haro ICS 5.0, FSR Stumpjumper Comp | | Bike Setup: | stock besides specialized low rise bars, lighter BG seat, bumped up fork travel to 100mm | | Bottom Line: | While I havent hit the trail with this bad boy as of yet, I did not find any bike in my prolonged search with a better frame/fork/component package in the price range. The Fox fork put it over the edge, no weak little duke or skareb this year. The bike looks like it will take tons of xc abuse with a re-enforced disc mount (which would be a great upgrade considering how long the frame and fork will probably last), shapely stays, ovalized and squared off main triangle, and that funky bent downtube. If you want to go fast for a long time, this bike is for you. Please note my rating is for initial impression, I will post more extensive review later. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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