2006 S-works Stumpjumper FSR (alu)

JSQ said:

Anyone riding the 2006 S-works stumpy with brain-shock yet? I'm considering buying one and would like to hear some experiences about it. Mainly what the brain shock feels like. Is it plush enough? Pictures would be nice too.

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Why the S-Works Aluminum? Might as well go for the Carbon. I think the Aluminum version is too expensive for what you get.

Firstly, I don't want to be a guinea pig, considering it's Specialized' first carbon frames. And secondly, I can get the alu s-works frame for under 1500 euros while the carbon is about 1000 euros more. And that is way too much for me.

Specialized first carbon frames? They've been making carbon road bikes the last 3 years.

Specialized's first carbon mt bike? Nope they made carbon mt bikes back in 1990

Sorry, I meant to say first carbon full-suspension bikes.

If you search back a few weeks there was a guy reporting on his SJ Pro which also has the brain.

He seemed a tad dissappointed because he said the brain on the SJ didn't quite lockout on the firmest setting the way the Epic Brain does.

Someone suggested he might need more air in the shock, but he never reported back so don't know if that solved his problem or not.

I'm really not sure why Spec put the brain on the Pro and S-works SJ this year. I think it's a bit of a gamble. The brain got a bad reputation from the '03 model, and many people think a pushed platform shock is better. Maybe Spec thinks they finally got it right with the adjustable brain. I know it really lets you soften up the '06 epic.

What did you think of the test ride?

eh, I mean they're only doing the front triangle carbon, not really different than building a carbon road front triangle.

Point is I wouldn't be worried about it failing... whether it will hold up to mt bike bouncing off rock abuse, i dunno, but most people seem happy with trek fuels

sweet bike

The shop i work at has one for sale. I've ridden it around the parking lot out back and i must say i'm impressed. The brain on the firmest setting is not fully locked out, and its no sopossed to be. The stump got the trail tuned version of the brain not the race tune. Basically on the firmest setting, it feels like a very stiff version of fox's propedal, untill you hit a bump. The transition is so much nicer than any other stable platform on the market. One instant your firm riding, the next pure plush goodness, the next right back in the firm mode. Its fantastic. I would highly recomend either the Stump pro or Alum Sworks this year. And if your thinking about purchasing one, my shop has a large if your interested.

plus that carbon front triangle of the Stumpy looks SOOOOOOOO sweet

Daffunda said:

Why the S-Works Aluminum? Might as well go for the Carbon. I think the Aluminum version is too expensive for what you get.

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I kind of think that its the other way around. The carbon frame is inordinately expensive and for just a claimed 1/2 pound weight savings on what is essentially a trail bike. Top racers might find it worth it for race oriented bikes, but then again they get their stuff provided to them by sponsors. I can't see getting the carbon frame on this particular bike unless the voices inside you are telling to get the latest and greatest, regardless of the cost.

DaFireMedic said:

I kind of think that its the other way around. The carbon frame is inordinately expensive and for just a claimed 1/2 pound weight savings on what is essentially a trail bike. Top racers might find it worth it for race oriented bikes, but then again they get their stuff provided to them by sponsors. I can't see getting the carbon frame on this particular bike unless the voices inside you are telling to get the latest and greatest, regardless of the cost.

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I see your point though.

I guess where I was coming from was, if you're going for the S-WORKS name, might was well go for Carbon. I don't think the S-Works Aluminum is worth it over the PRO. S-Works Aluminum SJ seems "half assed" to me. Might as well go for the PRO then. It has the brain shock, just like the S-WOrks ALuminum. M5 frame makes signficant difference? I doubt it, as only DT is M5, as I have heard.

I agree though, on a road bike, Carbon is really significant, but on an MTB, questionable...... Would you notice that the S-Works Carbon SJ is stiffer than S-Works Aluminum? I don't know, but I doubt it.

They wouldn't be selling 22 inch bling bling spinners if there are no people in this world who wants the "bling" and the "latest and greatest"

Carbon on a FS bike

It seems like it makes sense for a hardtail or softail bike, but on a full suspension bike it seems like you wouldn't need carbon to soften the ride, only to try to lose weight.

From that perspective, I really understand buying the aluminum s-works SJ -- it's a beautiful bike.

Yeah, the pro seems to be a good package, but as I said earlier, I'm only buying the frame, since I will switch from a Trek fuel ex 9 to the stumpy. About carbon vs alu, my fuel has carbon chain- and seatstays and I don't really see a point with that. On the fuel, the carbon seems flexier than aluminium.

Thank you Fooly_CoolyOo for your description of the brain shock. It seems to work just the way I' d like it to do.

DaFireMedic said:

I kind of think that its the other way around. The carbon frame is inordinately expensive and for just a claimed 1/2 pound weight savings on what is essentially a trail bike. Top racers might find it worth it for race oriented bikes, but then again they get their stuff provided to them by sponsors. I can't see getting the carbon frame on this particular bike unless the voices inside you are telling to get the latest and greatest, regardless of the cost.

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The Frame weights are as follows - Aluminum S-works Stumpy - 6.25lbs
Carbon Fiber S-Works Stumpy - 5.4lbs
Weight Savings of .85lbs
That being said. The full weight of the Aluminum is 25.75lbs. The Carbon is 24.9lbs
Not too bad for an "All Mountain" bike. It sounds like a great 24 hour racer if you ask me! I can't wait to see one up close. What the heck.... my son can go to Community College for the first two years.... Stanford can wait... I have a bike to buy!!

JK

jonsocal...

you can give him your Giant instead of a car and still send him to college

btw... how is that deal on the new bike coming along? we are riding SJT this saturday if you wanna get on board.