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Submitted by
John Stevens
a Weekend Warrior
from Bedford UK
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Action Bikes UK | | Bottom Line: | Gonna keep it very simple! Bought the frame as a treat (On a whim) when I recovered from pneumonia. Am pretty solid built weighing in at just over three hundred pounds and must say... I'm shocked! Although I probably push the fox triad to its absolute limits and then some, it takes my weight, doesn't leak and feels superb to ride! Nothing has given and it feels superb up steep hills with or without the shocks locked and handles superb on trail jumps and downhill. This is more about the weight issue. For anyone of a larger build I recomend the 2004 frame for the heavy rider and can only assume that the newer ones would impress me too. It's done me proud so far. My first full sus xc and I love it! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clive ing
a Cross Country Rider
from lake district Cumbria England
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | seven Staines Scotland | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$5000.00 | | Purchased At: | Pearce cycles | | Strengths: | ability to climb like a hardtail and descend like a DH rig | | Weaknesses: | component spec was not to my standard | | Similar Products Used: | cove handjob, cove hustler, giant anthem, trek fuel | | Bike Setup: | Fox talas rlc, fox brain fade, chris king headset, mavic 717 on Hope xc, hope mono mini disc brakes, easton ea70 post and stem easton monkey lite bars ergon grips sram xo shifter and rear mech | | Bottom Line: | Since being able to get out and ride this bike on the same trails i rode on my hardtail it has been easy to compare the two, the stumpy climbs really well and on the down hills i have noticed that i am a lot faster, the improvement in handling over the other bikes that i tried may be put down to rider preference and style of riding, the bike is comfortable over long rides and apart from teething troubles has performed admirably. I would consider this bike to be aimed at the serious XC rider but would not consider it as an option for a race bike as their are other's out there which better fit that category | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lunger
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, ID
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Toads | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheelsport South, Spokane, WA | | Strengths: | Handles flawlessly, can't feel rear suspension through the pedals at all, components perform perfectly. I haven't raced it yet but I have took it on some pretty serious DH courses and it was great. I assume it will race just fine w/a light set of wheels. I've raced a similar bike. I'll find out for sure next season. | | Weaknesses: | Low BB. But then that has to help the handling so I don't know if its such a bad thing. You have to watch out or you will slam your pedals. I supposed that's a plug for the Shimano pedals...I've slammed them SO hard on rocks and accepted the fact that I'm buying new ones but no...they keep working fine. Its a bit heavy for an XC racing bike but I knew that and that isn't how its pitched. | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 S-Works FSR | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for the the light set of race wheels I'm building. I'll probably try and shed some weight in other various places but its fine for now. | | Bottom Line: | If you only want or can afford ONE dirt bike its a great ride, hard to beat. I'm competitive on the DH w/guys on pure DH bikes and I am hoping I will remain competitive in XC racing w/the help of some light wheels. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evan MacKenzie
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | McKenzie River | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Kisslers in Beaverton, OR | | Strengths: | Tough. Versatile. Ride it for fun or race it XC and Super D.
SRAM XO shifters rock. | | Weaknesses: | Tires are very large volume and eat up chainstay mud clearance.
A little heavy for an XC racer, but I knew that. | | Similar Products Used: | 2003 Specialized Enduro Pro | | Bike Setup: | Changes:
Chris King headset
Formula Oro Puro brakes
Industry Nine wheels, yo.
175mm cranks
Time ATAC pedals
Ergon grips
90mm Thomson stem | | Bottom Line: | I wanted a bike I could race both XC and Super D, and also take on longer weekend fun rides – my “one bike.” Initially I was a little nervous about buying a bike to race XC on with a 69-degree head angle, but so far it has not hurt one bit. I run the fork slammed all the way down for races anyway, so it really isn’t that slack. I occasionally drop the fork all the way to full travel for descents, even in races, and the ability to do so is a real plus. I’m pretty darn fast on the descents, and I can keep up with guys on Freeride bikes going downhill no problem. Might even consider some DH races. My first ride on this bike was the Mudslinger in Corvallis, Oregon, a very aptly-named race that exposed one minor flaw in the bike – minimal mud clearance on the rear tire. I soon found out that the blame for this was not the bike’s so much as the Specialized Adranelin tires that came with it – they are way bigger than their marked size would indicate. As big if not bigger (and taller) than the 2.24 Enduros I had on my old Enduro. A simple switch to a Ritchey 1.9 tire in back made all the difference in the world. I only wish I had swapped earlier. I did make a few other changes to the bike, mostly for personal preference. Nothing that went away was necessarily bad. I swapped the brakes for some Formula Oro Puros before the bike was even assembled, and they have been superb. The bike came with 170mm XT cranks, which I swapped to 175s because I had some. The stem was too short, as expected, so I put on a 90mm Thomson stem. I put on some of those Ergon grips that resemble the original Oakleys. Everybody asks me about them, and I tell everyone they rock, ‘cuz they do. And last but not least, I got some of the coolest wheels ever, Industry Nine. I dropped a pound in rotating weight, and got what I think is the best possible way to build a spoked wheel. Not to mention the fact that the red hubs and spokes, laced up to Stan’s 355 rims, look so cool. Oh yeah, and the SRAM XO parts are sweet.
I’ve had this bike since late April and I could not be happier. Would I change anything? Obviously, because I did. But would I change anything about the frame? No. Would not mind one of the new Fox Talas forks with the three-step travel adjust rather than the dial though. Not exactly trail-friendly, that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kelly Holland
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh N C USA
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Pisgah | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Rack | | Strengths: | Handles like a dream,looks great,really good value. | | Weaknesses: | grips,wheels,crankset,saddle. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bike Setup: | Titec Pork rinds grips,Easton monkeylight lo rise bars,rival saddle,317 hoops w/xtr hubs, Raceface xy seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | On less technical trails,nothing beats my Superlight. But throw in lots of roots & rocks, & this bike comes into its own.Just pay attention to those pedals..Seriously.Think twice before you spec egg beaters.Iv'e never been a fan of specialized grips, but maybe that's just me.The stock seatpost tended to slip,& it's a straight block, so I bought a Raceface xy post to open up the cockpit a bit. The 717 wheels came w/ staight gauge spokes, w/ an xt hub in the rear & a specialized stout hub up front.These wheels are heavy!(for xc)I swapped them out for 317s w/ xtr hubs & took off half a pound,just like that.Big difference. All this is fairly minor stuff for the most part,but I really detest the xt crankset.No question,the noisiest crankset I've ever used.Nothing but trouble.As soon as I can get a deus crankset for 200 bucks or less those things are gone.I'm also gonna replace the stock stem w/a deus as well cause it's corroding & it looks bad.But these are component issues. The bike itself is pure unconditional love.I put 2.1 Kenda nevegal Tires on it & boy howdy,it just boils down to how froggy you're feeling! If I were riding a trail for the first time w/no clue as to the terrain, this bike would be my choice,no hesitation... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Sauve
a
from Las Vegas, NV
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | McGhie's | | Strengths: | Looks good. Decent parts pick. Competitively priced.
| | Weaknesses: | *Rims have repeatedly and somewhat easily lost true. Way too many popped spokes, moreso than on any bike I've ever had.
*Rear suspension bushings wear too easily. I've replaced them twice within the first 400 miles of use. The third time, I was supplied with the wrong size and so just left the sloppy ones in. Bushings lend themselves to a sloppy rear end.
Cable routing under downtube is horrific. The front derailler cable has shredded three times from cathcing normal trail spray off of the front tire. Low BB height has also contributed to the shredding of cables.
*Low BB is good for center of gravity, but terrible for pedal clearance. One must be very conscious of pedal position while riding this bike because of BB height. Poor clearance for chain rings, too.
*Drive train for some reason wore out very quickly. My '99 Stumpy FSR Pro drive train seemed bullet proof, I had to replace everything on this bike at about 1000 miles. I'm just not that much of a brute.
| | Similar Products Used: | '97 Fisher Paragon
'99 Stumpy FSR Pro
'05 Litespeed Niota ALXT | | Bike Setup: | Factory Spec. | | Bottom Line: | Problems: Engineering and mediocre quality on this bike. I previously have been very happy with Specialized and even swore by them, but this bike has been a dissappointment. Mostly, it hangs in the garage waiting for visitors. I much prefer the ride and reliability of my Litespeed. Even when visitors come, I have to make apologies that the ride I provide might skip gears, or have rim wobbles or might lose rear shock pressure... | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Cianci
a Cross Country Rider
from Prague, Czech Republic
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | So many | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | e-Bay | | Strengths: | The frame is solid but light and the triad shock with rebound adjustment is great. It climbs as well as a hardtail, handles on single track and in bumpy but technical flat sections beautifully, and is very comfortable on descents--this bike sucked up serious descents that rattled my nerves on the hardtail with complete ease. The black frame with silver letters is about the hottest bike out there too. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing that is not already here. I never even used the stock seat or handlebars, and the bottom bracket is low. I could use a second waterbottle holder | | Similar Products Used: | Epic, Fuel 100, | | Bike Setup: | Significant upgrades from stock. Thomson seatpost, Chris King headset, CrossMax wheel in front, XTR brake calipers, 2005 TALAS instead of the Fox Float shock. | | Bottom Line: | I moved over from a hardtail to this bike and haven't looked back. I was opting between this, the 2005 Stumpjumper 120's, the Epic, and some of the Trek bikes. The Trek's geometry wasn't comfortable for me on longer rides, and I didn't care for the on-again/off-again feel of the Epic. It seemed that being able to control the shock on my own was a better option, and the 120 seemed almost more of an Enduro-class bike to me and didn't climb as well, so I went with the 100.
Overall, it is a great XC/trail bike for those who like tough technical terrain, but enjoy going up hill as much as down. If you like to do bigger drops or are a hard-core racer, there are certainly better options. It handles very well in all situations, climbs even better than my hard tail except perhaps on the steepest of climbs (where it is a draw). Of course, going down there is no comparison to the hardtail--this bike is plush and handles beautifully--it is quick without being jittery. I have even ridden a few marathons on it and it was perfect for this.
Running the TALAS up front was a great move as it gives the bike a bit more flexibility depending on the trail I ride that day. I was not the original owner of the bike, so issues about the warranty are irrelevant for me. I have run the TALAS at a full 130 on some serious rides, and never had any issues.
Both the rear shock and the TALAS take some time and experimenting to get dialed in. The recommended pressure settings on the Triad seemed nonsense, so go with what feels right for you. I originally set it at the recommended pressure for my weight, and it was mush. I put my weight (195) plus 15 pounds of pressure, and I was right on. It takes a bit of time to get the rebound set as well. As for the TALAS, it took about three months for me to feel it out fully, but it is one hell of a fork.
Overall, this is a great bike at a great price. It is now an older bike, but it you find one somewhere still in stock or on sale used, don't hesitate. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
XS
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Strengths: | (Although most seem to disagree), I love the front forks on this bike, but I'm not sure they are the same as the US version. My bike came with the Manitou Minute forks. The frame has not fallen apart (yet.) The weight is great as it's very light and easy to manipulate. | | Weaknesses: | Where do I start...I have read a number of the reviews on this website and I am perplexed?! From the first ride, I have had constant, never-ending problems and breakdowns on this bike. It seems that everytime I take it out for a ride something brakes!? I do not understand how I could be the only one having these problems- (unless I got a real lemon...) I bought this under the idea that I would use it for xc riding and some races here and there. Well I got the bike in early March and have yet to do a race with it (as of Oct.29) because it's ALWAYS broken??? I do XC riding quite a bit, but again it's always being fixed, (rattling, shifting incorrectly, not braking properly etc.) Even when I take it to the shop to get it "professionly" tuned/fixed, the next time I take it out- something else goes. Even the bike shop is shocked at how many problems it seems to have. It's very disheartening. To sum up- the entire PRODUCT is weak. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant WARP 3 (WAAAAAAY better than my Stumpy- can you believe it?!), Giant NRS, Marin, FSR XC and a few others. | | Bike Setup: | "Canadian Stock" | | Bottom Line: | BUY GIANT!!! Here's why; Although Specialized do not manufacture the components that are sold with the bike, when they put there logo on the frame and sell it as a package, I believe they are "assuming" a responsibilty that their company is being represented by the sum of the parts, ie: the complete bike. I have spent more than $10K Cdn. on "Specialized" bikes this year. My experience thus far has been VERY disappointing to say the least. It has occured to me that maybe the bike is not what it is advertised as being on their website- "It's all about the trail (and riding as much of it as possible.)" Instead this seems to be a bike that is to be used on VERY smooth trails, with minimal bumps, no rocks, roots, logs or ANY other obstructions. My old Giant Warp 3 could handle 10 times more "abuse"!!! Did I buy the right bike? Am I doing something wrong? Am I a lousy rider? Is anyone riding this bike "somewhat" aggresively and not repairing it on a daily basis? As it stands at this point, I think I will end up selling the bike and getting something with a bit more "ability". As a side note, I also have a DEMO 9, which also seems to have many ongoing issues. Ultimately my advice is: Avoid "Specialized" bikes like the plague... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Racer
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Strengths: | Superb handling (especially railing turns), adaptable suspension, frame strength, builds up light. | | Weaknesses: | Pedal strikes due to low bb, but technique can eliminate this and the tradeoff for the handling is worth it. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Rift Zone, Giant NRS, Cannondale Jekyll. | | Bike Setup: | Frame swap from frameset build S-works hardtail, XT/XTR, Fox Float RLC, Hope Mono M4, Hope Ti-glide on Mavic 517, Eggbeaters, Thomson, Easton, and Mythos 1.95 or Trailblaster 1.8. | | Bottom Line: | Frameset build that comes in at 24 lbs with Trailblaster 1.8 tyres despite Fox fork and Hope Mono M4 disc brakes. Superb bike that's handled everything from XC racing to Alpine DH (swapped in beefier components). Came from frameset build S-works hardtails due to back suffering at end of races after a long lay off from riding. Having owned and raced a 27lb Marin Rift Zone (coil shock) before the hardtails I knew I wanted active full suspension and ideally the handling of my hardtails. Demo bike was a bit disappointing because the spec is so heavy it felt sluggish, but worked out this build would be less than 25lbs which was my aim for racing. At this weight, the bike is so much more responsive and sprightly, it's a shame the demo bike spec put many off. Also ignore recommended shock psi and set up according to sag. Personally I prefer the handling with my flat bars, bar ends, and a longer stem than with the overwide risers Spesh spec. After a while you get used to switching between pro-pedal and open on the fly, although a remote lever would be superb (Fox don't do a compatible one). The ability to turn off pro-pedal was crucial to me in extending the bike's abilities to trail riding and even DH. At the time it was the only bike with this ability, so the cheap frameset price was only a bonus in my choice. Performancewise this bike really proved itself doing 2 weeks of French Alpine DH courses keeping up with my mates' full-on DH rigs where we often seemed to be fastest down the hill. I beefed up the spec to DH wheels and tyres and riser bars, and despite only 4" of air shock travel front and rear it rocked, especially in railing the turns although big braking bumps could beat me up a bit. That says a lot about the strength of the frame and the capability of the suspension design. Something which the upping of travel for the range to 5" seems to confirm. I'm happy I've got the 4" version though, I think it's more appropriate for my race leanings. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Temuka, Canterbury, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Craigieburn Mountain Range NZ | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Denver | | Strengths: | Spot on geometry. Made the change from a hardtail and after testing many similar full suspension bikes. XT is the only way for me and the fox kit is great. Have not had any problems with seals. As expected, the bike keeps me smoother on the d/h, but it is really the climbing that it comes into its own. | | Weaknesses: | The general contact point components, but really, that is the norm for most higher end mountain bikes, as everyone has their preference. These bikes are way overpriced in the UK and New Zealand; hence the purchase made in the US. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountian ETS-X50,Specialized Epic & Enduro, Cannondale Jekyll, Santa Cruz Blur, | | Bike Setup: | WTB Seat, Answer Pro Taper Bars, Black Spire chain rings and also original equipment | | Bottom Line: | I have not looked back on this purchase. Apart from experiencing some middle/small ring chain suck when riding in te UK muddy conditions, this was solved with Canadian Blackspire product.
I have been MTBing since 1988 and like a few other reviewers, this bike has re-injected the fun factor further into cycling for me.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Micky Domingo
a Weekend Warrior
from Cainta, Rizal, Philippines
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Westgrove, Santa Rosa, Laguna | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeRoom, Cartimar, Pasay City, Phil. | | Strengths: | Design is just gorgeous. Proven and Specialized-perfected 4-bar linkage. Light but it feel sturdy. Sharp steering but not too nervous handling. | | Weaknesses: | Anodizing easily rubs off. Low BB height. Cable routing is messy. Routing underneath the bottom braket is annoying -- disappointed at Specialized about this. | | Similar Products Used: | Previous bike was a Giant Team NRS. | | Bike Setup: | Got the frame only. Marzocchi MX Pro 100mm fork, Shimano XT drivetrain, Avid mechanical disc brakes, Shimano 959 pedals, Easton Monkeybar risers. Shimano XT wheelset with 12 paired spoke mated to Michelin's new XCR 2.0 tires. | | Bottom Line: | The bike simply disappears beneath my 185lbs. Pedalling is so efficient that I no longer bother with the lockout. What's more, I can't even tell the difference between running on propedal or full open. Oh well, not really, you feel a floating sensation while on fast fire road descents. Low bottom braket height can be annoying. I whack my pedals on the rut-infested trail at least two times in every 3-hr ride. Low center of gravity, however, rewards you with handling that shines on twisty singletrack. This bike is really fun to ride. I mean, I had fun with my NRS but I realized the true advantage of full suspension with the Stumpy. I mean this bike just corrects my mistakes. Too much front brake? The bike goes right back in line when I release the lever. Choose the wrong line? You just get your tail whipped a bit but as long as you have momentum you'l zip right by. I'm not a gifted bike handler so appreciate the technology that went into this bike. Suspension is not too mushy. It's just right. You still get trail feedback but the suspension takes the edge off them bumps. I want to upgrade though to a Fox Float 100 (or TALAS) fork. I feel the suspension could benefit from better balance -- Marz MX Pro is very reliable, never bottoms but can be too stiff for the Fox triad at the rear which is more willing to go through its travel. The bike is work it! 5 chilis for value. 4.5 chilis for performance. Took half a chili off because of low BB height and poor acble routing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Cross Country Rider
from Yorkshire, England
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Lakes, Peaks, Dales, N York Moors, South of France. | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Biketreks, Ambleside | | Strengths: | Quite light frame, excellent climbing and the Triad shock is great. Nice handling in twisty or technical singletrack, whether it be up or down. Looks great too. | | Weaknesses: | The anodiing is pretty fragile, wearing off at the slightest rub. The biggest problem I've had is the main shock bush which lasts about 100 miles of Yorkshire winter, meaning one weekend in three or four sees the bike back to the shop. there's not much mud clearance in the chainstays either. | | Bike Setup: | XT/XTR, eggbeater pedals, Fire XC Pro tyres, Hope Mono Mini brakes, Hope hubs with 717s, Easton carbon bars and seatpost, SLR saddle. About 25lb all in. | | Bottom Line: | A great dry weather bike especially for technical terrain. Not one for winter or harsh weather though.
I bought this as a frame only do haven't rated the parts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zeke
a Cross Country Rider
from Middletown, CT
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Middlesex CC | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Berlin Bicycle | | Strengths: | Outstanding value, no-nonsense component mix, amazing fork, non-rapid rise rear mech. | | Weaknesses: | None w/Specialized. Fox shock bushing reducers are crapola. | | Similar Products Used: | Rode too many to list before choosing - switching from hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | FSR Pro Rim as a starting point, upgraded w/Avid mechanical discs (don't like hydraulic things on an XC bike), new stem, flat bars. | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic bike, everything I hoped for. I started with the FSR Pro Rim (yes, there is such a thing) and then put discs on it and rode it for a while (xfered the wheels and brakes, both very very nice, to my wife's bike - no issues with them so far). Decided I did not like the upright position with the stock stem and riser bars so I put on a longer, flatter stem and flat bar and I love it, would not do a thing different at this point. It would have been more fun to build up a Tracer or an Ellsworth but for the $$$ there is just not a better deal and I really don't think the quality difference is enough (judging by friend's bikes) to justify the dough.
Have had no maint. issues with the bike at all, though the idiotic Fox rear shock aluminum bushings started knocking after 2/3 of the season despite OCD lubrication. Stupid design - should be a needle bearing or a real bushing *at a minimum* for the $$$ - will be replacing with a custom solution.
I have been very pleased with the performance of the frame, validating, in my mind at least, Specialized's continuous improvement of their 4-bar-link design. Good designs don't have to radically change every other year - tweak, tweak, tweak to perfection. I have pretty much put the shock in pro-pedal and left it there - no desire to lock out the shock or fork, though I'm not really a racer. Just set it and forget it! The discs have been great for XC - no braking issues, ever, and no noise after riding through the wet and mud.
Overall - outstanding value for the $$, fantastic, time-tested design. Will never EVER go back to the hardtail for XC and it would be a rare FS bike to top this one's abilities. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Berkeley Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | B 29 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Solano Cyclery | | Strengths: | Balance. Between the Triad and the 100 RLS, the Dual controls and the Disc's and the intermediate weight handling is quite elegant and mechanically responsive. It is like a new pair of tennis shoes. | | Weaknesses: | Components at the contact points were marginal but the I switched to Thompson, WTB Ti, Easton Carbon, better grips and my old favorite 858's. Tires were awful. | | Similar Products Used: | Blur, Habinero. Tested lots. | | Bike Setup: | XTR Dual Control Shifters, Rear Der. XT Front Der and Crankset. Avid Mech discs. Fire XC Pros on Mavic 717's | | Bottom Line: | When I got off the Sea Otter Course in April I felt beat up by my Bonti Racelite, my friend of 5 years, and I thought it was time for a dual suspension ride. I just didn't want to give up my climbing and quickness. So I tested; most everything felt like mush, including the boutique bikes. When I tried the SJ Pro I locked it fully out front and rear and just hammered like a Bike Messenger 4 miles to the trail head. Unlocking the front fork I climbed 900 ft in ProPedal mode and was amazed, then switched the Triad to fully open for 2 mile downhill I had done just days before on my HT. Three very different terrains and three different solutions. AWESOME.
This bike has seen about 1000 miles and I learned early on that it is so able that I could get into situations it could handle and I couldn't. That gap is closing, now. Fast singletrack, nasty technical climbs on uncertain terrain, twisty slow-mo downs and drops, booming downhills all leave me more comfortable at the end of the day and hanging with the pack and sometimes even waiting
It is hard to seperate whether it is the bike or it's components. The Dual Controls and Disc's definitely took some getting used to but the payoff is marvelous. The 717s are solid, the Triad's versitility is comprehensive, the Float 100 RLS is remarkably accomodating and the Avid disc's, well, there is a reason everyone likes them.
This bike, or shall I say, this ride, is a wonderful package. With the Black annodizing it cleans up very easily and holds up much better than paint or powdercoat. Shock set-up was a simple matter of a tape measure and a few adjustments with reference to the instruction manual. There is nothing stupid about this bike; you just get on it and go. While the components at the contact points were marginal they were servicable but the I switched to Thompson, WTB Ti, Easton Carbon, better grips and my old favorite 858's. Tires were awful. Yet all these were things I would have changed on any bike.
In fairness I have to say the the shop took awfuly good care of me. The build and package was altered somewhat due to Groupo availibility at the time and I chose Avid's over Shimano's and Mavic's over the Specialized rims.
I'm not the hardest rider in the world but I hold my head up. This ride does the trick.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Northshore and Glenrose locally | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Plus Rockwall | | Strengths: | Beautiful Bike. Well put together with nice components out of the box. I have tested bikes from Cannondale, Gary Fisher, Jamis, and Specialized and spent about 8 months thinking about this purchase. This bike is great for an aggressive rider that is also looking for a bike that can move when you need it. It really handles obstacles well, climbs fast, and sticks to the trails. This bike can handle abuse and makes riding very enjoyable. | | Weaknesses: | I wouldn't say the bike has any significant weakness. I prefer crank bros pedals and have made some other adjustment. I have had a few problems with the Fox shock and Mavic rims. My shock has had some problems with rebound and lockout. I think it is related to hanging the bike upside down in the garage. I haven't had the same problem since I stop hanging it but I could be wrong. Also, the mavic xc717 rims gave me some trouble. My front rim bent very badly on a simple switchback. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized XC, Canondale Scalpel 2000, Gary Fisher 293, Jamis Dakar | | Bike Setup: | Had the bike for about 2 months. Still mostly riding as listed by Specialized. Changed out pedals for Crank Bros and have tried some different tires, grips, and other little things. Thinking about switching to XM rims and making some adjustments to the front Shock. | | Bottom Line: | Very happy with the bike. After many months, I believe I made a good decision. I wanted a bike that could handle a lot of aggressive and abussive riding but can also move fast and respond to quick movement. The rear fox is great. Pro Pedal is very efficient. Haven't riden fully open much yet but it has absorbed the trail well when I have. The frame responds very nicely to the rider and has only gotten better over the weeks. The bike can certainly climb too... lockout and go, it moves if you can. The black paint on the pro frame is very hot too. I think it is one of the best looking bikes on the trail. I am happy with specialized so far and happy with this bike. Looking forward to riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Hall Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | University Bikes | | Strengths: | The shocks, disc brakes and Shimano XT components. | | Weaknesses: | The bike is pretty expensive, yet they cut corners on the pedals, seat, seat post, etc. The stock pedals are terrible. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Liquid, Fuel, Giant, GT, | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | After having not ridden a MTB for several years, I switched from a no suspension bike to this one. What difference! The increased control on fast descents is scary. Although I have been very happy with the bike since I bought it in May, until I started to shop for a MTB for my girlfriend I didn't fully appreciate what I was riding. Now having tested a wide variety of Treks, GTs, Giants, and Canondales, I see what a fabulous ride this is. The bike handles extremely well. The rear fork has 3 settings that range from locked out to full suspension and allow adjustment on the fly. I was worried about climbing with the rear suspension, but the middle setting works surprisingly well. All-in-all this is a killer bike that has gotten me excited about mountain biking again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john capriotti
a Cross Country Rider
from Philly
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Wissahikon Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2150.00 | | Strengths: | This bike is so close to being perfect. The components rock with a a shock that makes any line the easy line, a fork that causes bumps to disapear, brakes that slow when you want them to and stop when you need them to, and a wheelset light enough to race and durable enough to ride every day. | | Weaknesses: | The only thing keeping this bike from being perfect is the low bottom bracket. I clip my peddals at least twice a ride (but I ride on very rocky, technical terrain). Then again that same low bottom bracket keeps it stable on even the hairiest of descents. | | Similar Products Used: | I rode a superlight for 3 months. Compaired to the stumpjumper, the superlight feels like a hardtail on the downhills and it doesn't climb as well either. The superlight was also heavier than my Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | totally stock with the exception of egg beaters. I'm moving to a carbon bar and seatpost soon. | | Bottom Line: | I wouldn't trade this bike for anything less than an Ellsworth Truth. As I said earlier, the Stumpjumper FSR Pro Disc is nearly perfect. I race it on the weekend and hammer it on the weekdays. Overall, this bike rocks.
If your looking for a raceable full suspension bike that can handle the rigors of long and technical daily rides, this is the bike for you.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | bike source | | Strengths: | Box stock and ready to thrash. Fox shocks will eat up any bumps, good XT/XTR mix. Light, climbs well with very little bob even in plush settings. | | Weaknesses: | BB is bad to creak, rear disk dragged but LBS managed to work that out (not much luck on the creaks)as well as some mystery shifting. Still adjusting but feels like the front end wants to wash out in tight higher speed turns. Could be I'm just not used to that much travel (coming off a Headshock) | | Similar Products Used: | tested Enduro, Sugar & Fuel. After 10 years of Cannondales (3) | | Bike Setup: | Stock, add a waterbottle cage and go | | Bottom Line: | did lots of research, this bike had everything I was after. Tried several dealers, weren't any to be had at the time, found this one on display in CO, other than that it was literally a slow boat from Taiwan. One sweet ride for the buck. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | All of them! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Dales Cycles, GLASGOW | | Strengths: | Fast, Flexible and a lot of fun. 4 bar link is fantastic, practically zero bob without having to run pro pedal. Forgives your mistakes and lets you go faster. A great all day/race machine. | | Weaknesses: | Anodizing seems a little fragile! The rear disk cable routing could be improved (it rubs the frame). | | Similar Products Used: | Spesh Enduro, Scott Pro Racing (Hardtail). | | Bike Setup: | Drive train is a mix of Raceface race rings and SRAM. Shifters are XT with XTR derailiers. Fox Vanilla RLs set to 100mm and Hope mono minis for anchors (bloody brilliant). Hope XC wheels and headset and SDG saddle on Thompson post. | | Bottom Line: | I submitted an initial review six months ago where I said the bike was a lot of fun. The bottom line is that this is a brilliant bike that has really helped me to develop my riding. It climbs well (the rear tracks superbly) and it forgives silly mistakes on the way down letting you go a whole lot faster. If you can only have one bike and you whant a reliable (1500 miles trouble free) neutral handling machine - go get one! It's been a pleasure.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, Colorado
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Government Trail, Aspen | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | University Bikes | | Strengths: | The frame, drive train, and Fox shocks are the reasons for buying this bike. At this price, you can't do better. The bike is very "neutral" and balanced--it climbs extremely well, and handles the single track like a deer. With the full suspension you can bomb down anything with no worries. At three months I am still getting the various adjustments dialed in, so be patient. This bike is amazing right out of the store, then gets better as you tailor it to your particular dimensions and riding style. | | Weaknesses: | This bike is several hundred dollars cheaper than similar full suspension bikes. The tradeoff, in order to keep the price low, is that Specialized went cheap with the pedals, handlebar, stem, seat post, seat, and tires. If you're buying this bike for status, then you won't care and will appreciate the few hundred of savings. If you're a real rider, then you probably have your personal favorite components that you would switch out anyway, so it's just as well that Specialized didn't waste money in these areas.
My rear shock had a bad seal right off the bat and had to be sent back to Fox--not really a knock on Specialized though. My bottom bracket was squeaking too, but my LBS took care of that. | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded to Shimano 959 pedals, Thomson stem, Easton carbon handlebar (straight), bar ends. The rest is stock. I can deal with the tires until they wear out, then get my standard Panaracers. The seat and seat post are passable. | | Bottom Line: | This is my first full suspension, and I can't believe I was even thinking of staying with a hard tail. This bike truly makes you a better rider. It handles like a dream, is agile and nimble, but not skittish. I feel perfectly balanced on steep climbs. And for a full suspension it is unbelievably light, and will get lighter with some sensible upgrades.
The shocks are simply plush. The lock out on-the-fly works as advertised.
There are several bikes out there (Trek Fuel, Santa Cruz Superlite, Fisher Sugar) that you should get on and ride. In the end, it's a personal preference thing, but I wouldn't ride anything else. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rhys Lodwick
a Weekend Warrior
from Birmingham UK
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Cannock | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | Mammoth Leisure | | Strengths: | Light, fast and very good handling. Suspension works very well. Tracks well and corners on rails. Good all day trail or enduro bike and you could race it. Reliable. Forks work very well after they have had about 10 hours use.Amazingly easy to cover large trail distances. Ideal bike for someone who is late into full suss like I am. Can be set up for both cross country and milder freeride. | | Weaknesses: | Very occasional ghost shift if indexing not spot on. Not easy to shoulder. Front specialized QR can come loose. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin mount vision. | | Bike Setup: | Stock (shimano XT except for rear mech xtr and front hub) | | Bottom Line: | I have had more fun on this bike than any other I have owned but I am a latecomer to full suss. Specialized know how to make good shorter travel bikes and this is one of the best. | |
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$ 2710.00
