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Specialized
Stumpjumper FSR 120 Pro
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Average Rating
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4.8/5
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# of Reviews
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20
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MSRP
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$ 3100.00
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Weight
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Description:
- SPV Evolve position-sensitive damping
- External SPV volume
- PV pressure and external rebound adjust
- Lighter brake/shift levers
- Lighter Shimano XT Hollow Tech II
- Lighter BG saddle with titanium rails
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Submitted by
Cliffster
a Cross Country Rider
from hayden, Idaho, USA
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | to many | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | smooth ride, climbs like a scalded cat, descends like a down hill alpine ski racer-smooth and fast. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | GT LTS, GT i-drive, Specialized Epic, Kona bear | | Bike Setup: | Chris King headset and hub, xtr shifters and derailuers, avid juicy carbon disc brakes, rest is stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike has met all my expectations and I have a great time riding it. The best part about specialized is there demo bikes. If you are wondering if this bike is for you get down to your LBS for a test ride you may just come home with a new bike. i gave this bike 3 chilis on value d/t the fact that it cost 2/3 of what my 06 CRF 450 R cost. Overall the bike performs outstanding but with the hefty price tag it got 4 chilis for my overall rating. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Palazzo
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins, CO
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim, monarch trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | BikeSource | | Strengths: | This bike is ridiculous, I've rode the 07 expert and there is a night and day difference between the that model and the pro. The bike is super stiff on the climbs and is super light. I can actually get out of the saddle on this bike and hammer on the climbs without feeling like gumbo. The new fox talas is much easier to adjust on the fly, only three turns of the dial and your on the lowest travel setting. Somehow the new brain shock works amazing and the magura brakes stay true without constant adjusting. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | 05 stumpjumper fsr 120 s-works (No comparison to the 07 pro), 04 santa cruz heckler, 06 yeti 575 race | | Bike Setup: | stock fsr 120 pro with time attack pedals | | Bottom Line: | If your looking for an all around bike for epic climbs and epic decents this is the only bike that I have rode that can hang. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke
a Cross Country Rider
from Battle Creek, MI
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Custer | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | I love the SRAM drivetrain and Fox Talas fork. It shifts smoothly and positively. The fork is smooth on all terrain and gives me total confidence over anything. Disc brakes don't freeze after winter water crossings. The wheelset and tire combo rocks. Say goodbye to pinch flats. I was doing something foolish and bent and cracked the rim and broke spokes, but the tire and tube were fine so I finished my 8 miles back to the trail head. I can't believe it didn't pinch flat. | | Weaknesses: | The brain fade seams to describe the person who came up with it. The spring rate is too soft, and there is little or no anti-bob. I am an agressive heavier rider at 190lbs and I ride with rear at max pressure and maximum stiffness to minimize suspension travel. This leaves me with too little sag, over dampened, and I still manage to bottom it out. Shimano XT Disc brakes are not all they are cracked up to be. They squeel something terrible in winter and just don't have the power of the rim brakes on my $300 Giant Yukon. | | Similar Products Used: | test rode Cannondale Prophet or Scalpel | | Bike Setup: | '06 Stumpjumper Pro 130, size XL | | Bottom Line: | I have the '06 model so it is 130mm travel and SRAM X.0 drivetrain (along with $3800 suggested retail)
The value is great since it came with SRAM from the factory and has an awesome fork and light weight components. I have to give it a 4 overall though because the rear shock is lacking for a bike this expensive.
Don't buy this bike if you race in the heavyweight class since you will have trouble dialing in the rear shock.
Buy this bike if you don't mind waiting for your friends to catch up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Cahmbridge, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Ernie's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Climbs well (Brain fade shock works), descends like a fiend, FUN FUN FUN. Good for riding just about anywhere. | | Weaknesses: | The Fox TALAS RLC 130 is just too flexy for technical trails. The flex makes me miss my line over the rough stuff, and I only weigh 145 and am not all that aggressive. It would not be so noticeable if the frame were not so stiff. | | Similar Products Used: | '05 Stumpy 120 Pro, '05 Epic Pro, KHS FXT, Jamis Dakar. | | Bike Setup: | Juicy 7's, Conti Vertical Pro tires run tubeless, and a Dimension stem, otherwise stock. | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent trail/xc/all mountain bike. If your shop will swap in a Manituo Minute 4, this is the ultimate in trailbikes if you still value relatively light weight. The handling is GREAT. The ride is on the firm side of plush. 120mm feels like way more than 4.5" on my old bike. The 4 Chili rating is for the bum Fox fork, the damping is great, but it flexes too much for anything but smooth xc, which is not what this bike is primarily for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin Fernandes
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Middlesex Community College, Middletown CT | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Back Bay Bikes | | Strengths: | SICK BIKE! Coming from a 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar Three (loved that bike) it feels like riding a feather. Very responsive, sticks to anything, geometry is awesome for rocky/rooty downhills. Rear suspension very fluid doesnt bounce as much as the ad-5 on the fisher. | | Weaknesses: | BB too low | | Bike Setup: | Transferred almost all components from sugar three to the frame.
Fork: Manitou SX
Drivetrain: XT
| | Bottom Line: | I LOVE THIS BIKE. Im 160 lbs, and XC race. perfect bike for me. I also go damn hard on downhills with an occasional drop (120mm of rear travel is perfect for that). . .PERFECT BIKE for me | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe
a Weekend Warrior
from ns, canada
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | warranty | | Strengths: | Balanced! Climbs as well as it decends. Anodised finish. Specialized warranty. FSR suspension. | | Weaknesses: | BB height is low, not as low as some other models, but low. This is my second spec bike and it's better (higher)than my Enduro. This bike handles very well, probably due to the low BB, and I really didn't touch a pedal all year. It is a timing thing, and it becomes intuitive. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro, and Epic. Giant VT. | | Bike Setup: | Received frame as a warranty replacement. Built up with new kit. Fox TALAS RLC, Crossmax XL's, Hope Mono M4's, Sram XO, Chris King headset, Thomson post stem, Monkeylite bar, Ruffian lock-ons, Race Face Atlas cranks, XT cass, XTR chain, Fizik Gobi saddle, Spider's with Stan's, Hope bar ends and post clamp. | | Bottom Line: | Specialized build great frames, and back them with an incredible warranty. This bike is set up exactly the way "I" wanted it. It is my perfect set-up for the trails and riding I do. Technical single-track, always up or down. It is balanced and smooth. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Corey Boren
a Weekend Warrior
from Eagle Mountain, Ut. USA
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | MOAB!!! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS (pro/rep deal) | | Strengths: | Fast! Very quick on the climbs and downs. The bike itself has been very durable. The powder coating does not scratch easily. Strong componantry (XT/XTR) | | Weaknesses: | Some occational creaking where the seatpost meets the frame and also where the suspention meets the frame, These can be quickly remedied by tightening the bolts and seatpost quick adjust. Shimano disks squeek and whine now and again, this can also be fixed by running a quick alcohol swab over the rotors. | | Similar Products Used: | Old school Rock Hopper Comp FS (hardtail) | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for A WTB Speed V saddle, (much more comfortable than the stock saddle and about 60$ cheeper) and Egg beater chrome pedals (recently broke after smacking a rock at great speed, but Crank Bros. were very good to work with-no questions asked repair/replace. IRC Mythos tires when the stock adrenaline was sliced on a rock in Moab. | | Bottom Line: | This is a continuation of my first review:
I have now owned my stumpy for 18 months or so. It truly does get better with age. The Suspension is fully broke in and oh so smooth. It eats up any bump that it meets. The frame itself corners very well. I still like the integrated shifters. They are light weight and provide more control-because you can keep 4 fingers on the grips where it counts and 1 finger for both shifting and braking. When I ride my buddies bikes I don't feel like I have as much control of the bike because I have two fingers on the shifters and 1 on the brakes and only have 2 on the grips. The Shifters are tough and funtion very well. I have had absolutely no other problems with this bike. The stumpy makes me feel like when I got new shoes in grade school- I could run faster and jump higher. This bike has helped me become a much better rider. I can climb faster and dive bomb with much more control and stability. I would buy this bike again and again. The weaknesses are few and insignificant. Buy it, you won't be disappointed! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matthew Phillips
a Cross Country Rider
from Eddyville, KY, USA
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Canal Loop, North South Trail (West Kentucky) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay (frame shock and seatpost only | | Strengths: | This is a very fast, smooth, light, tough and aesthetically pleasing bike. The silver anodized finish looks nice and dosen't scratch easily. The 120mm rear travel is perfect for all-mountain riding but dosen't add too much weight with the right setup to exclude the bike from racing although there are lighter bikes out there with less rear travel but few, if any that I know of, with the same or more. The extra cush in the rear really helps build confidence. This bike handles very good as well. Quite fast and responsive and feels very well built and laterally rigid. | | Weaknesses: | The unique design of the pierced seat tube may create problems with some bike racks, specifically the kind that you have to strap the bike down using the frame such as truck hitch racks. I had trouble getting the bike strapped to my friends hitch rack and I ended up scratching up the Septune shock a little, not a big deal though. I'm not too sure about the Septune. I never use all of the 7 settings of course and the firmest setting still feels a bit cushy but there is little to no bobbing in the rear while climbing, so I guess it's doing it's job. Feeling like you can "tune in" your rear shock is comforting although cumbersome trying to find the switch which, seems very low on the frame, in mid-ride. Not sure if it's a geometry thing or a personal thing but on long rides/races my lower back begins to cramp very bad. I've tried lowering and raising my seat, bars etc with no luck. None of the other reviews have said anything about this so I'm sure it's just me. | | Bike Setup: | Fork: Fox 100 RLT
Stem: Ritchey WCS 110mm
Headset: Cane Creek S-3
Bar: Easton Monkey Lite
Crank: XT
Shifters: XT
Derailleur: XTR
Cassette: SRAM (the heavy one)
Brakes: Magura Marta
Wheels: Mavic Crossmax XL
Post: Thomson Elite
Tires: Huthinson Bulldogs | | Bottom Line: | Basically this bike is for you if you're an aggressive rider that likes technical xc riding and bombing down rooty, rocky hills and enjoy the occasional short drop or jump or even racing. The bike could be a bit heavy or excessive for hard core weight weenie racers though. I got mine down to 26 lbs with the setup I listed and have raced it a few times and fared quite well and was pleased with the bikes performance. It could probably go down to 24-25lbs if I wanted to spend more money on lighter rims, saddle, and cassette but I do alot more riding than racing so I'm sticking with what I've got right now and it's working great for me. This is also a great bike to learn on and get used to full suspension as the Stumpjumper is a classic full suspension bike, although you could probably go with the expert if you just want a good frame with functional components and want to save some cash. The Specialized Stumpjumper 120 PRO is a joy to ride!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
corey mclernon
a Cross Country Rider
from aspen co. usa
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | porcupine rim/sunnyside"aspen" | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Ajax bike | | Strengths: | Really awesome on the down hills, super smooth. I'm still breaking in the shocks. I've only been on three rides so far. Each about 15 miles. I'm hoping the suspension softens up. I've had the bike for a week and am loving it. Going up hill the bike is fairly effortless, no annoying bob. The suspension seems fairly firm until I get moving pretty good, then it seems to kick in... Which is how I like it. The set up is pretty upright which my back loves.
I let my brother ride it for a couple miles and he said it felt like buttah. | | Weaknesses: | Seven positions for the rear shock? Thats just stupid.
Hard to adjust front fork on the fly. On steep uphills its hard to get the front end to stay down when set at 130mm.
| | Similar Products Used: | Rode a Yeti asr for the last four years... this is much better. | | Bike Setup: | stock. | | Bottom Line: | For the long epic ride this machine does the trick.
If ya need more then this for xc your just nit pick'in. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Bend, OR.
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | efficient, and plush suspension | | Weaknesses: | creaky suspension | | Similar Products Used: | Kona MokoMoko, Garyfisher Sugar, Rocky Mountain Element 50 | | Bike Setup: | Factory except Oury no twist grips | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, but you can get just as nice of a ride although a little heavier with the Expert, and save 600 dollars. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Heyward
a Cross Country Rider
from London
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | The Wall, Afan | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Evans | | Strengths: | Fast, lightwieght, great climber - lots of travel for it's class. | | Weaknesses: | Rear sus linkage can cause slight nicks in the frame as it touches when the shock bottomns out. Specialized will provide a new linkage if this is the case. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro, Cannondale Jekyll (previous bike). | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Fisik Gobi saddle and Chris King headset | | Bottom Line: | This bike is fast both up and downhill. The 120mm of rear travel is stiff on the climbs - nowhere nearly as much bob as on my Cannondale, and eats the bumps on rocky decents. If you are only going to have one bike and you're into trail riding such as Afan or Coed-y-Brenin and you like to race as well, then I would definitely recommend you try out one of these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Wolf
a Cross Country Rider
from Turlock, CA
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Tahoe Rim Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | World of Wheels | | Strengths: | Very light weight, lots of travel both front and rear. Climbs surprisingly well for so much travel, and I own an Epic. Goes over anything, up or down. Great riding position. Nice saddle and seat post. Like the integrated shifters/brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Seven Septune settings overkill, so far I've kept it in the "dead zone" but I may experiment with the other positions. | | Similar Products Used: | Own an Epic disc. Tried Trek Liquid. | | Bike Setup: | Stock so far. | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic bike! I've owned an Epic disc for over two years and I wanted something with more travel but the same riding position. This bike has it, yet it weighs several pounds less! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Fass
a Cross Country Rider
from Cupertino, CA
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Skeggs | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | If you're looking for a fast XC bike that can hang with decent downhills, look no further. The Stumpy 120 is a great ride. | | Weaknesses: | Septune shock has too many settings but the pro-pedal is great. I swapped out the Manitou minute for a Fox Talas RLC. | | Similar Products Used: | Enduro, Epic, Intense 5.5. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with the exception of the fork. I changed out the manitou minute for the Talas RLC. | | Bottom Line: | The Stumpy 120 pro is a great bike. It handels very well on climbs and even better on the downhills. There is little to no bob thanks to the pro pedal, but the septune has way too many adjustments (7 settings). The RLC is amazing! I never really rode the minute, but everything I read said that the fox was a better fork so why chance it. I think this bike is a great buy for the money. The boys at specialized always make quality products and this bike lives up to the hype. If you're looking for a bike that climbs with the best XC bikes but crushes them on the downhills.... buy the Stumpy 120. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jon
a Cross Country Rider
from asheville, nc
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | laurel mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2900.00 | | Purchased At: | liberty bicycles | | Strengths: | Wonderful ergonomics (at 6', 190lbs. the Large fits me perfectly), Great balance between long travel and light weight, Turns AND Tracks well, Mostly excellent components, Slick aesthetics | | Weaknesses: | Low bottom bracket, Stock pedals are mediocre, Septune's 7 settings are excessive and without a lockout | | Similar Products Used: | Tested: Specialized Enduro, Trek Fuel, Santa Cruz Blur
Last Bike: '98 Stumpjumper Pro | | Bike Setup: | Upgrades from stock: Shimano m540 pedals, Thomson Elite Stem, '05 Easton Monkelite Bars, Chris King Headset, Kenda Blue Groove Tires (I recently wore out the Adreneline's and found them to be adequate in most conditions) | | Bottom Line: | Though expensive, I believe this bike is an excellent value given its performance to dollar ratio. I find that it climbs nearly as well as it descends and thus is the archetypal "fast all-mountain ride." | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Mission Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Zumwalt's Cycle Center | | Strengths: | This bike is very light and has an insane amount of travel for what is classified as an XC bike. Specialzed reputation and warranty are also a plus as I am big guy (6'1" 250 LBS) and I have read too many horror stories of broken frames. XT/XTR setup is a huge bonus and it shifts like a dream. | | Weaknesses: | I had a bunch of problems with the FOX rear shock. It blew on my first ride and had to be sent back to FOX for warranty work. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Reign 1&2, Specialized Enduro, Trek Liquid, Weighless Pro | | Bike Setup: | Stock setup except I chucked the stock Specialized grips after my first ride and replaced them with Oury lock-on grips. | | Bottom Line: | Plain and simple this bike has improved my riding results. It eats up all mistakes and has saved me from eating sand a number of times. In my riding group I have gone from being consistently one of the slowest riders to one of the fastest. All I have changed is my bike, so I give my 2005 Stumpy Pro full credit for my improvement. If you can afford it buy this bike it is well worth the $$. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith Bickford
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise, ID, USA
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything fast | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | Georges Bicycle Shop in Boise | | Strengths: | Light, stiff, and spec'd with great components. The frame has no flex. There is no bob on the climb, yet it is very active on the bumps. It climbs better than my 2002 Enduro, yet it descends just as well. | | Weaknesses: | The low bottom bracket causes me to bump the pedals. As long as I am aware of this, it doesn't seem to pose a problem. It does however boost my confidence by maintaining a low center of gravity. | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 Specialized Enduro Pro, 2005 Cannondale Prophet (the closest thing Cannondale has to this bike, though there is no comparison), Gary Fisher Cake and Sugar. | | Bike Setup: | Fox TALAS RLC fork. I didn't really give the Manitou Minute One a fair chance. I switched immediately to the lighter weight TALAS. I also opted out of the integrated shifters in favor of SRAM Rocket Trigger and XT BRake levers. Specialized plays the game and specs the bike with the hot items of the year, but I prefer a good metal lever and a reliable trigger. | | Bottom Line: | A great all purpose trail bike. I climbed hills that I never thought I could, then I turned around and bombed down with confidence. I don't feel a need for a lockout on the rear Septune Shock. I also enjoy having the multiple positions of ProPedal. Older shocks gave us multiple compression damping settings, Specialized brought back something we were used to having. Thanks Specialized.
The Adrenaline tires work very well. They're the biggest 2.0 tires on the planet. I keep mine at 35psi. They climb great, corner great, and soak up the rough stuff nice. They cleared the mud just fine as well.
Buy this bike if you love to ride all day, up the hills, down the hills, fly across the straight away, and feel good about it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barkdog
a
from Salem, Or USA
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Similar Products Used: | Came from a Fisher HKEK hardtail; never going back. In shopping, the closest contenders were the Blur (the closest rival to the Stumpy, methinks); Specialized Epic; Fisher Cake (awesome suspension; but no stand over height on me); Haro R7 (incredible value, great ride). | | Bike Setup: | Going to switch to Stan’s NoTubes, soon! I’d consider swapping for Crank Bros pedals; & I’d sure like to try the Descender seatpost (but I don’t think I can replace the Thomson seatpost, it’s too perfect). Otherwise, no modifications. Unless I win the lottery and can put on Crossmax wheels. | | Bottom Line: | This is a phenomenal, confidence-inspiring ride: five-inches of bottomless-feeling travel and perfectly balanced handling, on a reasonably light (27lbs), flickable trail bike. If I could I’d have a feather-weight Epic S-works and an ’04 Enduro S-works too. As it is, this is my one off-road ride (for XC, with aspirations to occasionally race) and it’s just perfect for that.
Septune shock: the 7 settings are excessive. I mainly use setting 7 (firm, for uphill); the “dead zone” (and eighth setting, for downhill); and sometimes 4 (for relatively level trails, but with some bumps). While the Septune may have a better bottomless feeling ride, I think the Triad three settings (lock out, open, and firm propedal) are perfect. So here’s why I’m reluctantly giving 4 (instead of 5) chilis: Specialized markets the Septune’s settings as “very firm” to “fully open”—that exaggerates, I think, the difference between the settings. More importantly, I think the Septune’s firmest setting should be just a bit firmer. It’s still an extremely efficient ride.
Minute 1 Fork: This isn’t worth a chili mark-down but I have a slight preference for the Talas fork. After break in, however, the Minute 1 won me over and now feels pretty balanced with the rear suspension. I didn’t realize how fun the adjustable travel would be; it’s more than just a tool for getting over long climbs. The change in geometry is noticeable, and great to play with.
Components: can’t beat that XT crank/bottom bracket and the XT/XTR drivetrain. The saddle was a surprising bonus: it’s fantastic, super easy to slide behind and nice n’ light. The adrenaline tires are also very sticky, I’d buy them again. No problems with the light Mavic 717’s. Finally, if you don’t like the dual-control thing, give it another couple tries. I love the fact that I can brake and shift all with the same single finger; my thumb always stays wrapped around the bar.
Finally, check out MTBR’s “Specialized” forum for more info. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of looking at the Stumpy frame. It’s as beautiful as the bike is balanced. The bike disguises my weaker technical skills and it handles as if it were part of me: it’s a complete blast to ride, I’d buy it again.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keebler
a
from Boulder, CO USA
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Village | | Strengths: | All XT/XTR components. +5" of travel on front and almost 5" on back. Great climber. Light weight. Well balanced machine. Great value for the price. | | Weaknesses: | Fox rear shock has way more settings than needed. Manitou fork has some plastic components (saves weight), whereas the 120 Expert has the Fox Talas with all alloy comps. Not sold on the XT/STI integrated shifter/brake lever combo just yet, but mostly a matter of getting used to it. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested: Specialized Expert 100. Cannodale Jekyll 800. Iron Horse Hollow Point. Previous bike is a hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike. Just bought it and put it through the ringer for the 1st time on the Hall Ranch trail (fairly technical uphill and down with a speedy, up & down single track loop). I'm used to riding a hardtial and have been skeptical about going to full suspension for hill climging.
I chose the Stumpjumper FSR because the geometry and balance is a good fit for my build (5'10", 160 lbs). Tested several bikes and 100mm of travel concerned me as too low a limit on the Colorado trails... then I read a MTB review on the 100 Expert that mentioned the 05's offered a few models w/ 120mm.
Set the rear suspension to stiff and lower the fork to 100mm for uphill and she sticks! Zero bobble and climbed over big rocks with ease. The tires grabbed pretty good on hard packed and in the mud. The 120mm suspension was put to the test through the rocky descent, as I hit the toughest lines (even though I went over the bars a few times, she handled the drops and unevens far better than I'd expected).
Bottom line is that I'm confident that I'll be very satisfied with this purchase. I'll post again if I find any flaws. If you like XC and downhill, do yourself a favor and test ride this machine before you buy something else.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stefan Reich
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa OK
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2950.00 | | Purchased At: | T-Town Bicycle | | Strengths: | Light, good component mix, great value for the price, high quality specialized frame and efficient geometry, climbs very good and is also very good on downhills, just a smooth ride... | | Weaknesses: | Not many. The one thing I don't like is the Septune rear shock. It has not a lock out like the Triad has. But it's not a big deal. The other thing is the low BB, but on the other side you got a good balance because of low center of gravity. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Epic, Specialized Enduro, Trek 75, GT, Haro... | | Bike Setup: | I got the bike with a Fox Talas RLC and Shimano M-540 pedals. The rest is stock. | | Bottom Line: | I'm really happy with this bike. If you are looking for one big that does it all - this is it!! Long rides, steep climbing or even downhill is just fun! The low BB is not a real problem when you learn how to handle it in different terrain.
Another thing is the good warranty from Specialized. Just by reading the many reviews and articles in the Forum, you see that Specialized cares for their customers.
T-Town Bicycle in Tulsa did a great job in helping me find the right bike and customizing it like I wanted!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Corey Boren
a Weekend Warrior
from Eagle Mountain, Ut. USA
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Any trail gets me out of the house! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light, fast, strong. Great suspention, shifters, brakes. Brakes are too good sometimes. You only need 1/2 a finger to stop. I was used to the old cantilever brakes and then tried these with 3 fingers and about torpedoed off the front of the bike. The pedals are very easy to adjust. They kick out easily and are strong. I have nailed them on several rocks and they just keep tickin' I love the integrated shifter/ brake levers. I was very leary of these, but once I got used to them I like them a lot more that the generic rapid fires. They are much easier and quicker, and also a bit lighter for you gram counters. It is also very nimble and responsive on the down hills. | | Weaknesses: | Saddle is hard on the wedding tackle,(not very forgiving). I've found that the Fox Septune's rear shock has a few too many propedal settings. I use 2-3 of the seven settings. I've also had some problems with the Manitou Minute 1 front shock. I attempted to make some adjustments and had some fluid leak out through the pump while I was adding air to it. I do like it however. The SPV seems to work like it was intented. I have taken 3-4 ft drops and it feels very comfortable. There is very minimal bobing while sprinting as well. | | Similar Products Used: | Ancient Rockhopper comp hard tail. | | Bike Setup: | Stock- I will be swapping out the saddle for a Wtb saddle. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike, if you are considering it-buy it! You will not be disappointed. Unfortunately I have not been able to talk to anyone else that has one yet so I'm flying solo, but I don't have any major quams with it. If you're avid XC rider or like to race this is the ride. If you're looking for a setup that will let you take 10 ft drops, this isn't for you.I am giving this bike five chili's for value and overall. More to come... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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