| |
Submitted by
Albert
a Weekend Warrior
from Missouri
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Memorial Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2900.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn Westheimer | | Strengths: | All around bike, components, great looks (for me :P) | | Weaknesses: | Develops creak over time | | Similar Products Used: | Trek liquid 10, Trek fuel 70, '05 Specialized Epic, '06 Specialized Epic Disc, '06 Specialized Epic S-Works Carbon, '08 Specialized Epic Expert. | | Bike Setup: | S-Works carbon low rise handlebar, Sram x0 shifters, Chris King headset, Oury Grips, Thomson setback seatpost, Mavic SLR Disc wheelset. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for my usage. Suspension soaks-up bumps going over rooty parts of the trail. Fox brain suspension is good, but not great. My brother's epic that has the new AFR brain seems to respond to input better.
Handling a little sluggish compared to Epics, but can still keep up until the engine (me) runs out of steam, LOL ;). Takes jumps well.
Overall, I love everything about the bike (except the parts I replaced). A good all around do most-of-it bike with good handling and great bump absorption (good for the jewels ;p). I would recommend this for the aggressive weekend warrior who likes to go as fast as he can for as long as he can.
*note: Grease the suspension linkage once a creak develops. I've taken the linkages apart and lubed (greased) them, creak gone. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a
from Mentor, OH
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Gatto - Pittsburgh, PA | | Strengths: | Ride quality | | Weaknesses: | Suspension | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis Dakar | | Bike Setup: | Race Face Deus 70mm stem, Deus bars (-1" from each end), Race face bash guard in place of large ring, XTR short cage rear derailer. | | Bottom Line: | My baby! The bike performs beautifully on the trails and on the street when I can't get to the trails. The lifting up of the front end is not much of a problem if you use some body english on climbs to properly adjust your weight. I went for a shorter stem and shorter bars as I was a little too stretched out with the stock setup on the 16" size. My only problems with the bike are from the Fox from and rear suspension. The front lockout does not work anymore (I heard that there was a bad run on them when I bought the bike.) Also, the bottom bushing for the rear shock wears out rather quickly. When you have to buy a new set of bushings, buy 2 or 3 sets. It's ashame that they are not made out of titanium instead of aluminum for longer life. When it comes time to buy another full squishy, I'll get a newer stumpjumper. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Nguyen
a Weekend Warrior
from Manhattan Beach, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Sully Canyon, Santa Monica | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Strengths: | lightness
nimble
efficient
fast
plush | | Weaknesses: | the triad isn't too great of a shock...thats really the only weakness of this bike | | Similar Products Used: | Canondale Prophet
Trek Y5
MKIII series | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Stumpjumper FSR Expert:
XT drivetrain
Crank Bros. Eggbeaters SL petals
Juicy Ultimate Brakes 185FF, 160RR
Fox Talas RLC
Fox Triad
Thompson seatpost, stem
Easton Monkeylite XC70
DT swiss hubs with X717 rims and DT spokes
Resolution Pro tires
Specialized Toupe saddle | | Bottom Line: | I got this bike for an all round trail bike and it definitely fills that criteria. It is an amazing performing bike with lots of potential. With some tuning, you can have an amazingly plush ride without sacrificing a lot of pedaling efficiency. I highly reccomend this bike. Only i give it 4 stars for the lack of fine tuning adjustments on the rear shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Martha's Grove | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1850.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountainbike Warehouse SD | | Strengths: | Great ride, quick stearing, nice brakes, very nice fork | | Weaknesses: | The rear suspension has problems. I've broken the rear bracket four times now, and I've broken the rear swing arm once. I ride a bit hard, but it's nothing outside the envelope that this bike should be able to support. This bike has spent far too much time in the shop, and I've missed far too many weekends waiting for repairs. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: |
Rides great when it's not broken, but I'm having constant problems with the rear suspension. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a Cross Country Rider
from Idaho
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere with mountains | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Strengths: | Responds quickly, great for the technical ride! Dance your way down the trail. | | Weaknesses: | Little spooky burning down hills, and the Shimano XT disc breaks seems to make more noise than air craft landing. | | Similar Products Used: | Eundro, Rockhopper, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | Had massive problems with the back break, it would rub once it was heated, spent the entire summer chancing this down with the local bike shop. Thank god for the shop because Shimano was animate that it was not their break, we changed everything but the seat post to prove them wrong (pads, rotors, bled the system, etc), yet there it was, the break.
Shimano even went to the extreme to suggest that it was my size and weight that is the problem. So if that truly is the problem, maybe Shimano should put a warning label saying “not meant for men who like to ride aggressively and weigh over 200 pounds.”
Anyway we changed out to some Avid Juicy's and what do you know? Another break problem solved.
I swapped the tires for some panaracers, Just personal preference.
As far as the rest of the bike, this is one nice ride through the woods, you can make this thing climb trees as you dance your way through the woods. Good job, Specialized!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Valencia CA
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Strengths: | Overall peformance, reliabilty, price | | Weaknesses: | Blew out seal on front fork after only 3 months | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jeckyl, Scalpel, Santa Cruz Blur | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is my first FS bike and I love it. The extra weight of an FS bike is more than offset by the lack of fatigue especially for us over 45 riders. The front shocks have worked well since the initial repair which was covered by Fox, although it took 4 weeks to get the unit back. It does take some getting used to after years of a hardtail but its such a better ride. No mre sore back after long rides. I would reccomend this bike to anyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Reporterkyle
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden, CO
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | White Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | F&R suspension and frame design/geometry. After a lot of research, I really liked the 4-bar rear suspension over the VPP. Specialized developed it. You can get a lot of other bikes, but they're just paying Specialized to use their technology. Pretty easy choice. | | Weaknesses: | Spec'ed a bit funky -- XTR rear derailleur but everything else is Deore or LX? Skip the XTR rear and give me a mess of XT parts. She's also a touch heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded to XT casette, XT bottom bracket, XT front derailleur, XT chain, Easton EA70 seatpost, stem and Monkey Bars. Otherwise, she's stock. | | Bottom Line: | Like many other reviewers, I bought this bike as my first F/S. I'm quite enamored with it. Coming off a Klein Attitude Race HT the Stumpy is a dramatic change. I thought I'd lose a lot in climbing, and I was really worried about the weight difference -- sub 22 v. 28ish. So far, those concerns have proven to be unfounded. Even though I get some bob in the rear-end, I feel like my climbing is actually better on this bike because of the suspension. In ProPedal she stays hooked up and lets you hammer over technical areas that would have bounced you out of the saddle on a HT. I've taken a couple of steps to lighten the bike up -- see setup -- and likely will take some more to get her down to the 25 lb range as finances permit. Of course, my friends note, losing 5 lbs would do the same thing. Ha! Naturally, descending is a crazy improvement and that's a big reason why I bought the bike. The combination of suspension and disc breaks mean a dramatic increase in speed, comfort and control. The bike tracks well and soaks up all the lumps and bumps I want it to as an aggressive XC rider and racer.
All in all, the Stumpy Expert Disc is a pretty good value that is ready to go right out of the box. A few adjustments and upgrades here and there bring it up to the pretty sick bike category. I'm looking forward to a long and beautiful relationship. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sue Khang
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Salmon Falls | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1450.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay (Georges Cycle & Fitness) | | Strengths: | Smooth Suspension, Great Handling & Control, Light Weight | | Weaknesses: | Rear Deraileur: Would like to have more space between the deraileur and chainring when shifting to the lowest gear; tight space causes ocassional rub between deraileur and chainring. | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 Giant Sedona LX (Hybrid) | | Bike Setup: | Avid Mechanical Disc Brakes, SRAM Rocket Shifters, Mavic Crosslink Disk Rims, Klein Deathgrip 2.35 Tires | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike. This is my first real mountain bike so I don't have much to compare it to. I've been riding for three years now on a hybrid bike. I'm so happy I got this bike. What a difference! :) Just when I thought mountain biking couldn't get any better...
I climb better, descend faster and with more control, stop on a dime,... I'm sure that there are other similar, capable bikes on the market but, bottom line, this bike in my opinion offers the most performance per dollar. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin
a Racer
from houston, tx
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I'm riding | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn Houston | | Strengths: | Overall package | | Weaknesses: | No serious weaknesses | | Similar Products Used: | First full suspension bike | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded to XT Cassette; XT crank; Thompson seat post; Selle Italia saddle; SPD 549 pedals | | Bottom Line: | Price paid includes upgrades on top of close out price, new in Sept 2004. I did the TMBRA fall series on this bike, and it rocked! I'm still no expert on the finer points of suspension tuning and other hardware settings, but I do know that all of a sudden I was able to play with the big boys. 'Nuf said, I think.
One PS though - my paint still looks shiny and new - noted lots of folks had problems with paint chips - perhaps Specialized sorted out their paint problems??? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Dorsey
a Weekend Warrior
from Islip, NY. USA
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Undecided | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1875.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Fox Suspended, Brakes, FSR design. | | Weaknesses: | Low bottem bracket, Paint is easily damaged. | | Similar Products Used: | 00' Schwinn 4 banger, 03 Specialized FSR XC. | | Bike Setup: | 04 Stumpjumper Expert Disk, Shortend seat tube.
Shimano M540 Pedals.
Added Stan's No-Tubes and changed stock plastic brake tubing to Goodridge-Stainless steel braided brake lines. | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up to my first review, a kind of long term test review. I'm still sold on the bike as a package; I can't say enough good things about Fox Products. The Float 100 RL fork is without any doubt the best fork I've ever ridden. It tracks super, soaks up stuff my Manitou never would. The FSR design combined with the Triad Fox Shock makes riding a blast. I use ProPedal mode 99% of the time. The few times I've opened it up to full soft mode, I could feel a difference bombing down. The Bike is an all around trail bike; it will climb just as well as it descends. In 05' it's now available with 5" of travel; I kinda wish I could have waited.
Long term observations- the frame/suspension/fork work just as great if not better now, then when it was new.
The front derailleur needs to be shifted to granny gear before I start any climb I need it on. It has also chainsuck'd on me a few times. For what it's worth, a guy working in the LBS told me the stumpy's don't front-shift well.
Seat post was to long an-easy fix, I cut off about 3".
Gotta love Stan's No-Tubes, I check the tire pressure with my floor pump before a ride and then watch other guys change tubes on the trail.
The Delore Brakes were good but a few crashes and the trunk mounted bike rack had the plastic tubing kinked in a few places, it still worked fine but doing some reading about the Goodridge Brake lines convinced me to do the upgrade. All I can say is WOW! I can carry some really crazy speed right up to a turn and brake; I haven't over shot a turn since. ONE finger is all it takes to stop! Admittedly it was an expensive upgrade, but worth every penny.
The bike is perfect the way it is now, if I never upgraded it again. I'd be happy with it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stefan
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa OK
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Light for a FS, very good balanced front/rear suspension, price | | Weaknesses: | On steep climps the front lifts | | Similar Products Used: | Epic, Enduro | | Bike Setup: | Factory | | Bottom Line: | This is the best allround bike you can get. It's good for XC, long rides and even some down hill!
I had this bike for one week in switzerland and used it in all different kinds of terrain. The pro pedal feature is very nice and it actually works. For the road I locked front and rear. For up hill i used pro pedal for the rear and I believe in pro pedal you have better traction than with a hardtail because it keeps the wheel down. And down hill - oh what a joy. The suspension works great and you can just fly.
I had some minor problems with the disc brakes - they scraped a little bit - but was nothing serious.
This bike makes you to ride more and more...
And for 2005 specialized has 100mm and 120mm versions available - well I ordered one at my LBS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charlie
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Hardwood Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3300.00 | | Purchased At: | Sporting Life | | Strengths: | Suspension design, fork, disc brakes | | Weaknesses: | Thin paint, poorly assembled, could shed a few lbs. | | Similar Products Used: | 1997 Gary Fisher Paragon | | Bike Setup: | Stock except EC70 seatpost, Monkeylite carbon bars, WTB SST Ti seat (have had it for years), and XT cassette | | Bottom Line: | It has been 3 months since I bought my own shiny read FSR (with one of my first paychecks) and we've had a love affair ever since. Just an awesome package all put together. Some initial assembly problems (loose headset, rear hub was loose and wobbled left and right), but the thing has taken a licking and keeps on ticking - except the paint job. Very bright, shiny red, but it will chip if you so as much flick it with your fingernail. I'm not joking. I've had to go to a drug store to find the skankiest colour of red to match the paint.
Besides looking great, the ride is what it is all about. I have never owned a full suspension or really ridden one before, as I was always sceptical of the bikes of yore that would bob like mad (Y bikes, sweet spot Schwinn's, etc.) It seems as if Specialized has finally perfected the art of FS design with this bike. The Fox ProPedal shock is awesome. I have it set in propedal mode for 95% of the time. This eliminates bob but it takes the edge of hard hits (a la Epic). Sometimes I'll throw it in to full plush mode and just let the bike steer/ride itself over everything. The stock tires are great and fast (I run high PSI), and the bike corners great too, partly due to the more upright, cramped cockpit (my bike is medium sized) which is highly unlike Specialized's typical stretched geometry. The Fox Float RL up front is bar none the best fork I have ever used. Could lose a little weight, but the thing is so stiff and plush. I run it at about 75 psi and rebound three clicks from full fast. If you weigh 160 pounds like me, set your fork up like this. The only problem is that the fork makes the wierdest noises. Some days it will be quiet, then the next day it is making noises like my stomach after a heavy night of drinking. Slurps, gargles, whooshes. It actually is kind of cool though. The paint on the fork is very thin as well, very easy to chip, but less noticeable than the frame's chips!
The disc brakes on this are awesome. Fade free and a great feel. I have never ridden disc brakes before (I took a hiatus from biking for about 5 years - disc brakes were only for downhillers then) but I just love them. Specialized threw on some XT rotors to save some weight - nice touch.
With the simple saddle and seatpost replacement (saved over a pound there from the stock seatpost/saddle...those weighed a ton) and the handlebar replacement (which I cut down half an inch on either side), as well as an XT cassette replacement over the stock Deore my FSR expert tips in at 26.4 pounds. Not too shabby at all - 5 years ago you'd be hard pressed to find much FS bikes around that. I know some further weight could be saved by getting new wheels (looking at Crossmax's but the price is off the heez!) as the stock 223's are OK, but the hubs front and rear are pretty generic. Oh yeah, what kind of crankset is that? LX? Deore? XT? I think specialized is the only company to spec such a thing. It looks cool and shifts great, and it's Shimano's hollowtech so I am sure it's pretty light. It looks like pre 2004 XTR cranks from afar. Speaking of pre 2004 XTR, the rear derailleur is a great touch. Specialized loves throwing XTR derailleurs on their bikes because since it really is the most noticeable component on a bike, it gives their bikes a pro 'spec feel. And it just works great too. And the new LX shifters work better than old XTR. They are just super smooth. I am wondering how well they will work in the future since all of the bikes cables run down the down tube and under the BB - the muddiest parts of any bike. But the cables look well sealed so all's good so far.
On the trail, the only bad thing I can say is that the bike has some wierd manners when climbing. EVen with the shorter bars the bike still feels too cramped, and the front tire wanders everywhere. And the bottom bracket is just too damn low. I smack my pedals off every rock (3 stage Collingwood especially) which causes my shoe to come out of them, losing control momentarily. You really have to pick your lines well or you'll demolish your pedals and cranks after awhile.
I love this bike and I highly recommend it to anyone. Well priced, great spec, well designed. Do it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Carpenter
a Cross Country Rider
from Georgetown, Ont, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | 3 stages Collingwood | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Gears Mississauga | | Strengths: | - Well balanced suspension once set up properly
- ProPedal works and lock-out front and rear are handy on the road
- Disc brakes work well
- Sharp handling at single track speed and not too nervous going down hill
- Climbs well if you spin in the saddle | | Weaknesses: | - Chain slaps chain stay on decents, chain stay is protected though
- If you climb standing at a low cadence the front wheel will wander, could just be me :(
_ Riser bars are much wider than the flats I used to have so I have to watch out for trees :)
- Could weigh a little less but then so could I | | Similar Products Used: | Last bike was a Proflex 855. | | Bike Setup: | Standard spec except for Sram X0 rear der and XO shifters. | | Bottom Line: | It took a while to get the suspension set up propely, but now I an getting more at ease on this bike. My old Proflex had the weight more forward (longer stem) so the FSR feels a little different, especially climbing. I find I have to slide off the front of the saddle a little more to keep the front wheel planted. The bike just plain works on the mostly single track trails I ride it on. Going down hill is great with more travel and the disc brakes. The ProPedal setting works well and I leave it there most of the time. I was surprised that the front lock out makes road riding much easier especially climing.
I am happy with the bike and would recommend it to others. Not a cross country racer or big hit bike, a very good trail bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, CA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Swampy Lakes Loop, Bend, Oregon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1850.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | The Fox fork and shock (very balanced), riding position, the hydraulic disk brakes (I'm now totally spoiled), handling | | Weaknesses: | So far, just the Roll-X tires. They seemed to wash out in the slightest powder. Put on my IRC Mythos, made 'em tubless with Stan's, and am much happier. | | Similar Products Used: | Litespeed Obed w/front mechanical disk, Proflex 854 | | Bike Setup: | Stock (see tire change), cut the handle bars back a bit, put on a Terry Fly saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Clearly this is the best ride I've had. I got it a week before going to Bend, Oregon for a week of riding and am glad I did. It was great on the single track, going through volcanic rock outcroppings, log drop-offs and roots. The Roll-X tires just had to go; the Mythos front and rear makes the bike hook-up incredibly well. The added benefit: no more lower back pains after riding hard. I dearly love my Litespeed, but even though the Stumpjumper is a bit heavier, it climbs better because of the Propedal mode. I can now pedal through rough sections that I had to pick my way through before. I'm less beat-up after a ride and enjoy it more. Only one drawback: I'm now descending a lot faster than on the Litespeed. Could be dangerous, but the brakes have saved my bacon. Very cool. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Northridge, California
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Cheseboro | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle World | | Strengths: | Mechanical set up. Brakes. | | Weaknesses: | PAINT, tires, Fox rear shock, rear derailer cable run poorly (too long?) | | Similar Products Used: | FSR Comp (1997 model) | | Bike Setup: | Stock but added bar ends and stainless steel cage for battery (night rides!) | | Bottom Line: | First time out the Fox rear shock blew. Sent back to Fox for rebuild (on a 1 week old shock?) and 10 days later they sent me my shock, supposedly tested, but it blew again during my second ride!
Fortunately, Specialized sent me a NEW shock and I will try it out tonight. Fox does not back up their products in a customer friendly method. They gave me a hard time and refused to exchange the shock for new. Specialized DID back up their product!
I have been riding for 6 years and after just 50 miles on the RED RIDER I can tell that I will enjoy the next 6 even more.
Great step-up bike for me as I ride one night ride and one morning ride per week.
Ps. Hey Specialized, fix your paint problems!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gore of Geneva
a Racer
from Geneva, Schwiez
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Black Descent - Crozet, France | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Hotpoint, Geneva | | Strengths: | Understated looks hides hugely efficient machine. Simplicity/ease of on the move suspension adjustments. Excellent value for money and by all accounts set to become a classic. | | Weaknesses: | Found the BB to be a little low when cranking up deep and narrow singles; front end felt rather flighty to begin with but have added bar ends (I know, I know...)to help keep weight over the front on the steep inclines. Not impressed with the Rollx-x tyres, replaced with my trusted WTB 2.4s which do add weight, but bring excellent cornering grip and increased rear braking grip if you fit them against their indicated rolling direction. Have had some brake whine. | | Similar Products Used: | Did not bother to compare, but would have looked at equivalent spec bikes from Iron Horse, Jamis and Lapierre. | | Bike Setup: | Ex-Demo, therefore in Canary Yellow livery instead of the usual Red. Stock except for tyres and bar ends. | | Bottom Line: | This is the kind of bike that will age well, and apart from the weight gain on subsequent models, it will not be far behind in terms of technology and design in the future. If there is a bike to go for if you had any hesitation about going fully suspended, then this is it (if you can still get hands on one). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Southern Pines, NC USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Gov's Creek/San Lee | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | MTBR | | Strengths: | Triad Shock, Fox Fork, Frame design, overall stiffness of frame | | Weaknesses: | wheelset | | Similar Products Used: | 03 Epic Disk | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Thomson Post, Bontrager Racelite wheels, koobi seat | | Bottom Line: | Awesome product. I rode an Epic for about a year before switching to the Stump Expert. The idea of 3 settings on the rear was what sold me and I am not disappointed, at all!!!
The ride: very sweet(compared to the Epic) I ride mostly Pro Pedal mode until the other day when I rode open mode and it is completely plush.
Changed out wheels because I'm not a big fan of 223's (or anything French right now).
All this said it does take sometime to get the front/rear dialed in properly. I've toyed with the settings /air volumes and dials, but that is the point of this product, the versatility.
Buy this bike if you:
enjoy long trail rides
Like to go fast
Race occaisionally
Want good value for your dollar.
Will update in a few months
SUAR
(shut up and ride)
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, ID
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The next one... | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Very smooth suspension: excellent control downhill; minimal bob uphill. Great value--components are top-notch for the price. | | Weaknesses: | The demo bike I rode had really squeaky brakes. They screamed like a school girl on the steep sections. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Cake 2 (demo); Fisher hardtail (current bike) | | Bike Setup: | Demo bike--all stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a great ride. It doesn't climb quite as well as the GF Cake 2, but it's close enough. It goes downhill so much better that you don't care if it takes a few more seconds to reach the top. The ride is unbelievable. The Fox suspension front and rear is fantastic. Stock tires are good too, and overall a terrific value.
My only gripe is that the disc brakes must have been quite worn on the demo bike, because they screamed all the way down the mountain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gavin Callow
a Weekend Warrior
from Isle of Man
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | MBR Coed Y Brenin | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Eurocycles | | Bottom Line: | Further to my post and others about the paint chipping. I spoke to Specialized UK and they said that it might be a problem with the paint not being primed properly with the metal on some bikes. They said that to test it was twang a gear cable end against the paint to see if it flaked the paint off (dont try this yourself!!). I duly did and the paint came off. They duly sent me a touch up pen that was the wrong colour (only found out after I put it on!!) My local bike shop, that are top notch, are going to have a word with Spesh UK about it. The bike is still top notch and getting better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Weekend Warrior
from Cape Town South Africa
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Tokai | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Triad shock, Fox shock, Frame, brakes....everything | | Weaknesses: | Paint chips, rattling rear derailler indicator | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 Stumpy Pro, 2003 Enduro, Trek Fuel 90 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Time Atac pedals | | Bottom Line: | What a bike!!! After riding an Enduro for a month while I waited for the Stumpy I was like an expectant father. The difference from the Trek to the Enduro was huge. The Enduro instills huge confidence but because most of my riding is x country, it was a little rough on the climbs.
Climbing onto the stumpy the first time you could feel that there was something special.
In every aspect I found the Expert a pleasure to ride. As like everyone else Pro pedal is almost permantly used, I only open up on some really gnarly bits.
What impressed me the most is on the tight single track bits where you point the bike it goes. I believe the pierced seat tube has done wonders for the bike in the rigidity department.
I cannot recommend this bike strongly enough, if you are contemplating the bike dont just buy it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ernest
a Cross Country Rider
from Collegeville, PA
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1630.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeSportBikes | | Strengths: | Great fork and components for the price. Excellent rear suspension design. Light. Did I say Light? | | Weaknesses: | Front disc seems to be getting slightly "dished" away from the wheel, not sure if that's bad or not. Paint on front fork cracked away around the brake caliper mount screws. | | Similar Products Used: | Old specialized Rockhopper and a GT something or other entry level hardtail, rock shox Jett C forks, with some upgrades. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Where do I start? This is simply an awesome bike for the price, and a huge upgrade from where I came from. I got a great deal too, which doesn't hurt. I am a cross-country single track rider.
I was originally concerned that a FS bike would be tougher on climbs, boy was I wrong. This bike made me a better rider instantly, and I've never riden up a rocky or root strewn hill with such ease... I almost feel like I'm cheating!
The ProPedal feature is great. The only way I get a noticeable pedal bob is if I'm standing in the pedals and really cranking, but most of the time my butt is in the seat where it belongs, thanks to the rear suspsension (where have you been all my life???). I did take the time to set up the bike according to the recommendations in the manual for the forks and rear shock, and I think having a propert amount of sag is very important. That really seems to bring out the best of the ProPedals' "stay stiff until a hit" idea. I've never riden the bike locked out, except when i was originally messing around with and getting a feel for it.
The disc brakes are far, far superior to V Brakes, and can stop the bike like nothing else. If you get a bike, make sure you get disc if you can afford it. Without anything to compare them to, I can't say if the ones on the bike are better or worse than others, but they are better when it comes to modulation and brute stopping power than the XTR VBrakes on my old bike.
What else... well, it's a great looking bike if that matters, and I think in a way it does. It looks like a very well thought out and well engineered design, and is straight forward and simple (except for the seat tube... let's hope all those fancy welds hold under my 185 pounds). Compare that to many of the other FS bikes and they look like they've been designed to look fancy and impressive, but they're overly complicated and, though I can't be sure, wouldn't seem to be as effective.
I can't imagine a cross country/single track rider who wouldn't fall in love with this bike. There is nothing better for the price from other big manufacturers. Unless you've got something personal against Specialized, there's just no reason to ride anything else. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lisa
a Weekend Warrior
from Ocala, Fl
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Santos | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Santos Trailhead Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Fox front and Fox triad shock with pro pedal | | Weaknesses: | paint chips easily and low BB | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Time Atac pedals and I trimmed the handle bars and the seat post | | Bottom Line: | I was riding a ten year old Cannondale hardtail. I love my new bike. I especially like the front shock and I keep the rear shock in pro pedal. The disc brakes work very well and I enjoy how much control I have with them. I bought the small frame size and it is just right for me since I am only 5'3. If you buy this bike you will have a lot of fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vaughn
a Cross Country Rider
from Forest VA
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Walnut Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Blackwater Bikes | | Strengths: | Fox fork & triad shock. Suspension works great climbing or descending. Good components for price. Specialized support. Great looking to boot. Light weight for a stock bike. Just "Feels" durable. | | Weaknesses: | Low Bottom Bracket. Brake rotors wrong for calipers. Chipping paint. Skraxle Skewer.
| | Similar Products Used: | Trek fuel. | | Bike Setup: | Eggbeaters, Flat bar & new stem, Flite Saddle, Panaracer Trailblaster tires. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike overall. I wanted something to replace my trek fuel. Something with more travel but that I could still race with. I also needed something I could afford. I narrowed it down to the Palomino, Blur and the stumpy, but the Palomino's geometry just never felt right. And I just couldn't afford a Blur outfitted like I wanted. Overall I love the bike. The triad/propedal combination works great. I rarely if ever use the open or lockout position. And the fox fork is a great match to the rear suspension. It climbs without major bobbing and the braking in the rough stuff is much better than the fuel with it's single pivot suspension. I am still getting used to the low bottom bracket. Coupled with the eggbeaters I do get unclipped from time to time.
Compared to my old trek I think the components are better. After replacing the saddle and pedals the bike weighed just under 27 lbs. I've since replaced the riser with a flat bar. This transformed the climbing from good to great without really effecting the downhill abilities. It also probably dropped a little more weight.
I did have problems with the brakes initially. The rotors are XT and the calipers deore. The rotors were actually too narrow for the calipers so that the calipers were hitting the rotor spokes instead of the tracks on the rotor. This caused a very bad shudder at low speeds. You could see the fork moving forward and back rapidly. Specialized replaced the rotors with the correct deores at no cost and now the brakes work great. |
|
$ 2170.00
