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Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Spokane
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Strengths: | excellent stability and responsiveness | | Weaknesses: | none in two years | | Bike Setup: | 05 s-works frame built with enduro expert components and dhx air rear shock | | Bottom Line: | this bike is exactly what specialized intended - the go everywhere, do everything (within reason) bike. i have taken it to moab twice, whistler once and ridden lots of stuff in the northwest without any complaints. it is a little heavy but still climbs well and the weight penalty is forgotten when descending as it has excellent stability | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sandy Eldridge
a Weekend Warrior
from Bangkok, Thailand
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | All of em' | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Super strong frame, awesome suspension set-up, and the superior ride that comes with Specialized geometry. | | Weaknesses: | None! | | Similar Products Used: | Yamaha YZ-250 dirt bike. | | Bike Setup: | 2006 S-Works Enduro. Fox 36RC2 forks, Fox DHX-5 air shock, Truvativ dual ring crank set with bash ring. SRAM X.0 derailer, 8" Shimano XTR hydraulic disc brakes, Hope stem, Chris King headset, Thompson seat post, SDG Bel Air seat, Ouri lock-on grips, Shimano 50/50 pedals, DT Swiss rims, Kenda Nevegal tires front & rear. | | Bottom Line: | I wanted to wait a while before I posted a review so that the new bike zen had a chance to wear off and I could post an honest review with some ride time collected in the saddle. This is the most versatile bike I have ever ridden. It is noticeably heavier than my XC bike but it still climbs really well and is perfect for those all day in the saddle rides. It's a great balance of weight and capability. This bike can handle just about any downhill work you can throw at it. Unlike most DH rigs the Enduro is light enough to be ridden uphill and is super flickable on jumps and freeride stunts. It's superb ride gives you more confidence to take on and tackle the bigger stuff. This is not a huck or big air bike although 4' to 6' drops with a transition landing can be done with ease. I would definately recommend this bike to anyone looking for the perfect do-it-all mountain bike. Think of this bike like a cross between a Porshe and a Hummer. 5 chili's for this one folks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Von
a Cross Country Rider
from Minnesota
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Rock Lake, Cable Wisconsin | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Blue Moon Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Unique, smooth, flickable. | | Weaknesses: | Frame from Taiwan, cheap headset, seat to soft. | | Similar Products Used: | Titus Switchblade | | Bike Setup: | Stock setup (for the moment). | | Bottom Line: | I really thought I wanted a Titus RacerX 100, until I ran across this bike wasting away at a Hayward Wisconsin bike shop. The owner of the shop liked the bike so much at the 2004 Specialized demo that he snaped up a left over 2004 in early spring 2005. It seems he really wanted to keep it for himself if it did not sell (not a lot of call for mid travel trail bikes in the midwest), but I fell in love with the bike after one ride in the parking lot.
I thought I wanted a racing\trail bike, but after half a dozen long trail rides on this bike, I can't emagine why. It is too bad that it was only made for one season, but I guess the brain shock setup on this bike will be on next year's Stumpjumper FSR.
I have not had this bike long, so I cannot speak to durablility, but as for ride, this thing is soooooo smooth and flickable it is hard to believe. I cannot wait to try it out next spring in Moab. Bye-bye hardtail, hello heaven.
I am giving this bike a four chili value rating as I only paid 3500.00 for it. Let's face it, no bike is value at anything over a 1000.00 bucks, but we have to pay to play. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bronson
a Cross Country Rider
from Chandler, AZ
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Mormon/National @ South Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Design, no pedal-bob, sweet looks, top-end components, Brain technology. The list goes on and on... I can't say enough about how awesome this bike is. | | Weaknesses: | Caused my job to become something to do between rides. :) The seat sucks... replace it immediatly. | | Similar Products Used: | 04 Stumpjumper Elite | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Shimano 959 pedals and Aireon race seat. There's nothing else to upgrade because its TOP of the LINE. | | Bottom Line: | This is the best "do everything" bike you can get! I do lots of climbing and downhill as well as cross-country and the Enduro has improved my riding abilities incredibly on all terains. The brain rear shock allows only about 1 inch of rear travel under smooth and uphill conditions, but as soon as you hit a bump the full 5 inches engages immediatly. I'm climbing sections I only dreamed of because of the smooth drivetrain and rear shock brain technology.
Downhill is a more fun than ever because my confidence is off the charts. The wider tires, geometry, and smooth front fork rebound and travel adjustments make downhill riding 10 times more fun than on my Stumpjumper. I'm able to navigate through technical sections where I repeatedly had to walk down.
If you are looking for one bike to take you all over the mountain, go buy this bike... If you can find one!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rasta Fari
a Weekend Warrior
from Bay Area, CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | piece by piece build | | Strengths: | Fully Reliable | | Weaknesses: | None at all | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized P3, SC Heckler, SC Superlight, Intense UZZI | | Bike Setup: | 03 S-Works Frame. Chris King hubs/headset. Easton stem/seatpost/bars. Hope mono mini disc. Shimano M952 derailleurs/shifters/cranks. x519 Freeride rims. MRP LRP dual chainring. Fox rear shock modified by Push Industries. | | Bottom Line: | I bought the frame for about $500 and built the bike from scratch. With the components listed above, this bike cost me a total of $2200 as oppose to the $4500 price tag if bought stock. I bought all my components new, but from clearances on online bike shops, Ebay, and Craigslist. Believe me... this is a good way to build your bike! All the components cost about 1/2 the price and were all NEW.
This bike is fully versitile for all types of riding in my area (Bay Area,CA.). I'm glad I took this frame instead of the 04 model that lasted only 1 year. I have my bike rigged with xCountry/Freeride components and it still weighs less than 30lbs (27 to be exact).
If your riding consist of nothing more than 5 inches of travel... this is definately the frame to get! The only upgrade that I'll be making is to switch to a 5th Element Air rear shock or Romic.
Feel free to make any suggestions. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug Johnson
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Blanchard Mtn. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | frame only- eBay | | Strengths: | This frame is astounding! It stays nearly-locked out (a small amount of give- maybe 3/4") through all sprinting and pedal-input. Hit a bump, though, and all 5" of active travel are there for you. Truly active suspension- not like a VPP bike. The ultimate trail bike! | | Weaknesses: | The cable routing stinks. Because I'm in the mud all the time, I run full-length cables with problem solver cable guides. The biggest problem, though, is that they only make this one for a year- 2004. It's now a different bike entirely. | | Similar Products Used: | Dagger B-3, AMP Research B-5 (you can tell I like the active Horst-link design). I've also spent a bit of time on an Intense Tracer (similar again). | | Bike Setup: | Rock Shox Psylo Race Air, Crossland wheels, Magura Marta disks, Thomson stem and post, Easton Monkeylite bar | | Bottom Line: | This bike hauls on the trails, sprints like a king, and has the travel to take very nasty stuff. It has transformed my riding and I'm now riding stuff I've never done before (3-5' drops, good size jumps, etc.) The bike is golden- I am extremely happy.
So sad they didn't continue with this- it was a brilliant application of the Brain shock. If you can find one, GET IT! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Ridgecrest, Ca USA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I'm on | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3700.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | The only true "DO IT ALL" bike I could find! The brain with long travel is the best of both worlds.
XTR, disks, Fox Fork, Crossmax wheels, Thomson post and stem - This is the spec I would call out if I could have ANYTHING. | | Weaknesses: | Cable routing of front derailer under BB. Dirt can and does cause the cable to jam...so this area needs to be looked after.
The stock tires are grippy but the side walls cut easy. | | Similar Products Used: | M2 Team, FSR XC PRO, SC Heckler | | Bike Setup: | STOCK Factory build - but new tubeless tires shortly. | | Bottom Line: | I've put 150 miles of hard core XC on this bike in the 3 weeks I've had it. I'm not disappointed!
The Brain and rear suspension work WONDERFULLY. I've hit stuff at speed that scared me and it just sucks it up. This bike will cause you to want to explore you limits. My riding buddy’s are wondering where my new climbing ability came from...two of them are on Hecklers. I just watch them bob up climbs and think how right I was to pick a bike with the brain. I can REALLY see the difference anytime we all stand to climb, I gain ground with every pedal stroke.
The Fox Talis fork is working really well. I've started to tune it and it responds well to adjustment. We do a weekly ride that has a 4.5 mile climb at the start, I dial the fork travel down for the climb and enjoy a very planted front wheel...dial it back up just as we crest and have full travel for the descent! I've used the lock out a few times but it's not really needed.
I like the stock tires but they are a bit fragile, I cut one on a rock going about 4 MPH toping out on a tough climb. Maybe just bad luck but it put a 1.5-inch cut in the sidewall. I've got a set of Spider UST tires on the way to see if they are better.
Bottom Line - I was looking for an ALL DAY, ALL MOUNTAIN bike sub 30 pounds with 5 inches of travel, a good climber that could handle some 24 hour and Clydesdale XC racing. A bunch of bikes (Turner 5 spot, SC Blur & Heckler, SJ120....) are close in all the other aspects - but the brain makes this the best climber of any of the 5" bikes I rode.
With them being an '04 you can get a 5K bike in the 3.5K range - Buy one while you can!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ted C.
a Weekend Warrior
from Pasig City, Philippines
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | any available! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | Dans Bike Shop | | Strengths: | handling, looks, quality build | | Weaknesses: | can't think of any | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS Team Edition | | Bike Setup: | '03 XT gruppo except for '04 crankset, Dura Ace chain & xtr cogset, '04 Fox Talas, Thomson stem & seatpost, Easton EA70 low riser, Chris King headset, Mavic 517 rims, DT Revolution spokes, Specialized Enduro Enduro 2.0, Ruffian grips, Avid BB7 disc brakes, Selle saddle | | Bottom Line: | Killer performance & killer looks, this bike gave me the extra suspension and all-around handling I was seeking. So after reading the reviews on the bike, i bought me the frame and put most of my old parts on it from the NRS...and never regretted it! It upped my climbing ability (my weakness about 4 notches, and payback time on the downhills has never been as awesome as it is on this bike....
I don't race and get to trail usually once a week. I wanted a full-suspension bike that would allow me to enjoy those long rides with my friends without breaking my back, yet allow me to deal with the climbs in or out of the saddle -- without wallowing in 5 inches of travel. This was it...the brain does its job very, very well! and it cuts through single-track like my Stumpjumper hardtail...AWESOME!
Can't figure out why Specialized stopped producing this baby..would think its definitely a collectors item now that they have | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Leamon
a
from Austin, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Rattlesnake | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$4300.00 | | Purchased At: | Freewheeling Bicycles | | Strengths: | Forgiving, fun and comfortable ride with quiet, confident execution when it gets intense. | | Weaknesses: | XTR Shifting – I liked SRAM better.
XTR brake calipers drag! I had one replaced under warranty (went without the bike for 3 weeks) and the other is starting to act up a bit.
| | Similar Products Used: | 2003 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR with Marzocchi Marathon SL. | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock. Went tubeless and now believe in the revolution. | | Bottom Line: | How much can a bike change your life? My traditionally diverse outdoor activities have narrowed into an insatiable appetite for challenging this bike. My local riding buds purchased boutique trail bikes (Ventana’s El Saltamontes, and a Hammerhead) during the same time period. We are ALL getting more and more comfortable with sicker and sicker trails.
Bikes of this caliber and expense allow you to ride terrain that scares the inner child. The head games rival overhanging rock climbing and in fact this bike will enable a rock climbing-like trail experience.
The 28 pound Extra Large is such a long, almost lanky bike that one would expect a high center of gravity. Instead, it slices and dices 25% better than my Stumpjumper FSR. The handling is aided by the fact that with the top shelf components, I will not be jacking with aftermarket parts and throwing off the balance of the bike.
And hold on a minute…. How did they get this thing out the door without gaudy marketing graphics? The subdued black and laser etched writing give it a cool “Darth Vader Bike” look.
With the discontinuation of this bike in 05, I started to panic and even contemplated the ebay purchase of a backup… but my friends' boutique bikes make me realize that the revolution is widespread and has only just begun.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
daniel lorek
a Cross Country Rider
from san diego, ca
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | iron mountian | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | component mix, frame stiffness | | Weaknesses: | seems to me that the brain functionality could be incorporated into the shock without the external resevoir (and weight)?
had to send shock in for warranty service (see below) | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock components (that was the point of spending so much!) | | Bottom Line: | my previous bike was a '02 fsr xc pro. this was a great bike but i found myself replacing just about everything that came on the bike. in addition, i cracked the shock mount and caused linkage eyelets to become elliptical from repeated abuse. so, when it came time to get another bike, this seemed like the logical choice. it had top of the line components and was stout.
my first ride on the bike and i was able to go all the way up fortuna for the first time in my life. i've probably been on that climb a few hundred times. i guess this is due to a couple of factors...
1. the brain shock -it was stiff, but still tracked the terrain when needed.
2. the tires. i love these tires! so much that i replaced the stock set with another set and ended up going back to my (warn) stock tires.
3. a bit of mental determination. -for 4k, i better be able to make it up this hill!
I am truly amazed witht this bike. it does absolutely everything p-e-r-f-e-c-t.
now the negative...
occassionally after a real gnarly ride where the shock would get really worked (and thus heated), the next ride following the shock would not be (semi) locked out as it should. this was very intermittent. it would start working correctly after several minutes of riding or anytime it came within 100 yards of a bicycle shop (hehe).
finally i was riding on my favorite trail and took a good nick out of the shock shaft somehow and it no longer held air (most likely due to seals being torn on rough edge of nick). i sent the shock in through my lbs and received it just the other day and it looks like it is good with a new shaft, no charge! i'll have to put some miles on it to see if the lockout issue is resolved. if you got the cash money, i don't think i can think of a better "all around" mountainbike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Yardley, PA
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim, Wissahickon, Idlewood & Clayton | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | This bike does it all. It's smooth as silk. Much more plush than my Stumpie FSR. And it doesn't miss a beat on technical climbs. Weighs in at less than 27 pounds. | | Weaknesses: | None found yet! | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 Stumpjumper Anniversary Model | | Bike Setup: | Stock, with Time ATAC XC Carbon pedals. I bagged the tubes and went with Stan's. It makes a world of difference. | | Bottom Line: | What a great bike! Too bad Specialized discontinued it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a
from Grass Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything steep with rocks | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | FSR design, BRAIN shock, geometry, strong frame, black andodized finish | | Weaknesses: | Nothing signifigant. I guess weight, but that does not concern me. I do wish I could run a coil shock on it, but none fit that wouldn't void the warrantee. I also with the BRAIN cable routing was a bit more elegant. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Blur, Ellsworth Id, Ellsworth Truth, Santa Cruz Superlight, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Fox Vanilla RLC 125, SRAM drivetrain, Time ATAC pedals, Thompson seatpost, WTB seat, Easton al. bars, etc. | | Bottom Line: | Just an excellent ride. The BRAIN is a great compliment to the Enduro design and does exactly what it should: keeps the suspension firmer in the smoother sections and opens up in the rougher stuff. The bike is a solid climber and just rips on the descents. I am somewhere between a x-country rider and a freerider, so I get the chance to see what it can do on the rocky technical terrain (and there is a lot of it near my home). I do not race, so strength and performance are much more important to me than weight (my setup comes in at 31 lbs. with a coil fork).
I rode an Ellsworth Id before this and this Enduro S-Works is a better ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Murchison
a Cross Country Rider
from Canton, GA USA
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | To many to choose | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3400.00 | | Purchased At: | Cartecaybikes | | Strengths: | Weight, components, handling, and feel. | | Weaknesses: | Price, non tubeless tires, seat, grips, and the slug shock protector falls off | | Similar Products Used: | Fuel, Cake, Blur | | Bike Setup: | Stock except: Lock-on grips, Chris King headset, Panaracer Fire XC Pro Tubeless tires. | | Bottom Line: | My first full suspension bike was a Trek Fuel and since I had been out of Mt Biking since 1991 I just didn’t know what I wanted or needed in a bike. I rode the Fuel for a year and 1200 miles and knew it just wasn’t the bike for the way I like to ride. I broke the rear triangle on it and watched my riding buddies break their fuel and sugars and knew it was time for a different bike. We don’t do drops or jumps just Georgia single track and I guess being 220lbs was pushing it for the Trek. So I starting looking at what was available that could take the mileage I do a year and handle my weight without the biking weighing more the 29lbs and it must have 5 inch’s of travel front and rear.
I choose the Enduro after seeing the punishment they were taking from some of the guys on the trails that jump every rock, tree, or mound in sight and was impressed with how strong the bike was. What I didn’t like was following them up a climb and watching the rear end bob like crazy, the Brain solves this problem.
It’s amazing how much more enjoyable a trail ride is now with the FSR rear end and the Brain. The bike takes rough stuff on so much better then my Fuel when you hit a square edge bump the Fuel would buck you up in the air the Enduro just rolls over it without giving you a big jolt. On climbs I am never searching for traction as the rear wheel follows the terrain without locking out no matter how much pressure you have on the pedals. The Brain does it thing without any thought on your part, when your on smooth ground it pedals with as much bob as my Fuel which is very little maybe half an inch if that and only when I pedal bad but the minute you hit anything in the trail the shock does its thing and takes the hit.
On down hills the FSR rear end really makes a huge difference when your braking over anything rough. On a number trails with high speed runs down to a tight turn there will be a bunch of brake bumps in the trail from people locking up the rear wheel and digging holes in the trail. On the Fuel when hitting the brakes hard going into those corners it was like I was on a hard tail and I would take a beating going through there. The Enduro in the same section was so smooth I could actually get on the brakes harder and deeper without ever locking up having full control of the rear wheel plus my body wasn’t taking a beating I actually thought that someone worked on the bumps until I did another lap and noticed there were as deep as ever.
The Brain is not like on the Epic which pretty much locks it out until you hit a bump with the Enduro it will sag with your weight on it like a normal short travel bike does which give it a nice plush feel on the trail for the small bumps but won’t let it go full travel until you hit something big. Once you hit some bigger stuff it lets the shock go through the full travel without any restriction. You can adjust the Brain for how big of a hit it takes before it goes into its full travel I have mine set to firm as I have yet to wish it would release sooner.
The bike has just about the best components money can buy right now full XTR, Mavic Crossmax SL wheels, Thomson seat post and stem, and a carbon riser bar not much else you could ask for other then a King headset which I now have on it.
For the price I paid I couldn’t find a better all day trail bike, it has made me a more confident and faster riders going down hills and best of all has made me faster going up hills which I never thought a 5 inch travel bike would ever do.
To sum it up this is best $3,400 I could spend on a bike ready to go off the dealer floor or for that matter even if I built it up myself. As others have said this is not the perfect bike for any specific type of riding but the best part is it’s a great bike for any type of riding, like to ride fast XC it can do it, want to do an all day epic it can do it, want to do some jumps and a little free riding again it can do that! At 27.5 lbs (large) and 5 inches of travel front and rear it’s a bike that will do just about any type of riding you ask it to and not leave you beat up at the end.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
super rocker cowboy hat
a Cross Country Rider
from durango
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Horse Gulch | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$5000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | This bike is so fast your riding buddies will be left in the dust. Just the other day I was at horse gulch and this guy who had an ellsworth truth(my main competition(the bike not the rider)) looked over at me rolling into the trail head with my bike and kind of shrugged my bike off like it wasn't as good as his...but then on the climb I wheelied past him. | | Weaknesses: | For a 5000 dollar bike I shouldn't have to replace all the stock parts. I mean a 5000 dollar bike shouldn't have anything but a chris king headset. | | Similar Products Used: | Other bikes that were no competition. | | Bike Setup: | This bike accelerates so fast. With the crossmax sl's I put on it and the brain....just nothing like it. If I wear my super rocker straw hat it makes me faster too. | | Bottom Line: | I'm so glad I didn't buy an ellsworth truth(my main competition). I can't say enough about this bike. Just the other day at nationals(durango) I was talking to this guy about his ellsworth truth(my main competition). I pretty much wasted 15 minutes of his life explaining to him that my bike was so much better than his. My bike is the coolest ever. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
liam golder
a Weekend Warrior
from lancashire, england
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | lake district | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | leisure lakes preston | | Strengths: | stealth looks,brain technology,confidence inspiring. | | Weaknesses: | perhaps too confidence inspiring | | Bike Setup: | pace rc40, xt/xtr,hope(hubs&discs),race face and thompson finishing kit. | | Bottom Line: | For my first full-susser,something which had rave reviews was a must. This bike has so far not dissapointed. Climbs are more of a joy now than a chore thanks to the fabulous brain technology,staying stiff and tracking the terrain all the way to the top.Then comes the fun bit,downhill. Once the suspension kicks in it works flawlessly,smoothing out every bump and encouraging a far greater pace than i thought possible. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ian strawford
a Weekend Warrior
from Somerset
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Quantocks | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Kings cycles Taunton | | Strengths: | Versatililty and ease of use. I wanted a full sus bike with minimum adjustments needed but full 5 inch travel. The brain works superbly.I had previously rode hardtails in enduro and XC events,and I have kept my Giant XTC for these events but the Enduro S-works is so good in all repects I now never use my hardtail other than "family bike rides" .
Weight was an issue for me as I'm only 69kg,I have managed to get the bike to just 28lbs.
My riding confidence has improved dramatically since I'v had this bike as has my times in Enduro and XC events!
It also looks superb in adonised matt black. | | Weaknesses: | Lowish bottom bracket,pedals have grounded a few time on so technical sections at Afan. | | Similar Products Used: | Stumpjumper Pro, Marin Mount Vision,Whyte PRST. | | Bike Setup: | I set the bike up myself with Fox Talas RL,full XT 04,FSA carbon bar and 105mm stem,Spec grips,Telluride Pro Saddle, Hope Mono 180mm front and Hope M2 rear.Hope Headset.Crank Bros candy pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I just can't get enough time to ride this bike as much as I would like.I wish I had had bike like this in my youth. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh Shriver
a Cross Country Rider
from Morgantown, WV
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | kanawha state forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4880.00 | | Purchased At: | Wamsley Cycles | | Strengths: | EVERYTHING!!
I love the XTR STI shifters, i have trouble going back to the "old" style now. | | Weaknesses: | Causes excessive riding.
Leads to bad grades. | | Similar Products Used: | tested '04 Enduro Pro and Comp. | | Bike Setup: | enduro mud guards, only use the downtube one. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. I had never ridden a full suspension bike, and was worried about the pedal bob being a big problem, but the bikes holds steady through everything.
I broke the carbon fiber bars on the 2nd day i had it, on an endo. No other problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
martyn nash
a Weekend Warrior
from Whitland
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Llanddowror | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Leisure lakes Cheltenham | | Strengths: | Annodizing, weight, climbing. | | Weaknesses: | Bushes for the rear shock, not quite strong enough. | | Similar Products Used: | 01 FSRXC. 03 S-works Epic. Scott Octane FR, Scott Genius MC40, Orange 5, Cannondale Gemini 2000 | | Bike Setup: | Frame only, with Talas RL up front, Chris King HS, XT Splined wheels with XC717 rims, Thompson Post and Stem, WTB saddle, Norbar Torque Wrench. | | Bottom Line: | Well this is the update after 6 months of use, I no longer have it, It was a good bike with plenty of strengths including climbing and going on the flat, I had heard about the issues with rear bushings but was hoping this wouldnt have been an issue, but after 3 months of use the rear bushing went, and the shock blew, which I dont mind because I am good at maintence, but warranty would have sorted the rear shock, it's not until I tried riding other bikes that my mates had that I realised other bikes were as good, and decided to go for a coil shock bike front and rear. The brain is better than the 03 s-works epic I had, but in the end I never got on with either. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack
a Cross Country Rider
from "Single Track Slut" 'ville
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4880.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | The trail tuned adjustable threshold Brain works better than ProPedal or SPV. Precise steering/handling. This bike has provided me the most epic rides--rides I couldn't comfortably do with with much less travel or less efficient designs. It’s confidence inspiring by consistently delivering the goods. Great spec—pretty much top end across the board.
| | Weaknesses: | Basically minor:
- I hate the Jagwire derailleur cable & housing.
- Specialized should be spec'ing the RD-M960, not he RD-M952.
- Never been a fan of Cane Creek headsets.
- Would like Fox pump for $4880.
| | Similar Products Used: | VT1, Jekyll 3000, Blur, Heckler, Liquid 55 | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much stock except for King headset & ti Flite. | | Bottom Line: | Though it’s got just over 5” of travel the trail tuned threshold adjustable Brain keeps this rocket incredibly efficient and fun to ride all over the mountain. Let me explain a little about myself before I talk about the bike anymore.
I ride around 70-100 miles off road every week while things are dry around here. No lifts either. I ride up everything I ride down. Almost every one of those miles is single track. I don’t do any hucking, but I don’t shy away from the occasional drop or rock garden if it’s en route. I’m a finesse/technique rider constantly striving for more smoothness. I do group rides but tend to prefer solo cruising. For me riding is about finding that groove in which I’m lost in the moment and my mind is simultaneously relaxed yet focused on the ride. I ride it with HTA @ 70.5º @ the TALAS @ 125mm. On to the bike.
I was afraid that this S-Works Enduro might feel sluggish compared to the SJ Anniversary Disc due to almost 2 more pounds and an extra 1” of travel. Not so. The 70.5º HTA makes it lively, fun, and effortless. More fun, IMO, than the SJ. Not only can I bomb descents with aplomb, but I can hit apexes and take lines I could only dream about on other bikes. Last nite I rode through a steeeeep switchback that in the pre-season I sometimes dismount for. The thing is I’d just done it without thinking about it. After I was down the trail a few yards I realized how comfortable I had been.
The handling is so predictable and accurate. I love the twisty single track, and with this Enduro I’m riding it better than ever. I don’t know how else to describe it, but when I see a line I want it seems like all I have to do is think about it and I’m right on it. When the trail gets rocky or rutty the suspension just soaks up junk that would have sent me “skiddering” on my older 3” bike. I feel confidence through these sections that has made all my riding a lot more fun and enjoyable.
I always wondered how good ascents would be with 5”. Now I know. I feel like I’m a freakin’ mountain goat—only better looking. The bike just tracks so well & with no discernable loss of power due to rider induced bob. It’s truly amazing. The rear wheel just hooks up even when my technique is lacking. This bike has allowed me to make ascents I was washing out on before. This too is confidence inspiring.
The S-Works Enduro climbs like a ring-tailed lemur, descends like banshee, and is as nimble as an M3. I’m having more fun and doing longer rides than ever before. That’s exactly what I was looking for. That’s exactly what I got. I’m so happy with this ride that the only thing I regret is that I didn’t get it several months ago. I honestly don’t know how it could get any better for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from San Clemente, CA
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Trails of San Clemente, Mamouth | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4200.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | Looks, Ride, M5, The "Brain" is amazing, FOX Shox all around, XTR, Mavic Wheel Set, Chicks dig it, Fun | | Weaknesses: | I can't find one. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona, Iron Horse, Specialized Stumpjumper, Gary Fisher Sugar, Cannondale, Trek | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for Easton Carbon Monkey Bars and Carbon Seat Post.... I just like Carbon. | | Bottom Line: | Before writing the big check for this bike... I tested just about everything. I'm 6'3" 230lbs and found the S-Works Enduro to be the most comfortable to ride. (I've recovered from a broken back - not bike related) I could have easily gone with the Enduro Pro, but I'm a fan of XTR and I liked the new Mavic wheel set. The Stumpjumper was a close second, but I felt the S-Works gave me more confidence to ride harder. And it does! Specialized has been around for a long time, but this is the first bike I've ever purchased from them. This bike is sweet. It takes all trail conditions with ease. It climbs better than any of my previous bikes. I was concerned about the couple extra pounds, but this bike rides so well that I don't notice it. And for a bike this size (XL), I feel it's still on the lighter side of the fence. On to the brain. After reading some older reviews, I was not sold on this technology. Now that I'm riding with it, I can say it's pure gold. No bob at all... and when you it any bump, it works without any delay. Great job FOX. For me, this bike is as good as it can get. I am having a lot of fun. My back is getting stronger and I look forward to pushing this bike harder. The bottom line.... great for anyone looking for an all around trail bike. Superb quality.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon Spall
a Cross Country Rider
from Ipswich, Suffolk, UK
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2004</ |
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$ 4880.00
