Mountain bike selection

[dariusf]

Hi all bikers

I just started riding again a couple of weeks ago as I have a nice access ~3 blocks from garage of our new house to a huge wooded trail system with tons of varies difficulty and length trails. I had my trusted Specialized Hardrock bike for about 6/7 years now and while its a great bike its hard front and back. I want to get something in a full suspension setup to use on the trails while keeping the Hardrock for riding with the family and a trailer for the kids.

Looking around I narrowed it down to Specialized as I have a good experience with them and I think they make a great value. I want to spend under $2000 but closer to $1500 would be nice as I could get the Shure E500 for whats left over. Right now I'm trying to decide between the two bikes.

Specialized FSRxc Pro MSRP $1800 ($1600 street)
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...sp?sid=06FSRxc

Specialized Stumpjumper FSR MSRP$2000 ($1800 street)
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=12791

Now I know that the FSTxc has the frame based on the Stumpjumber and the rear should have the same movement. I think while the Stompjumper could have a 'better' frame its only the basic version from the line while the FSRxc Pro is the top of its line so I would think the components would be better. Also I believe but I'm not very sure as the store I went to did not have the two on display only the Stumpjumper FSR Comp, that the Stumpjumber is the lighter of the two? I guess which ever I choose from the two it should be a nice bike to ride but the deference in price being so small makes it hard to choose. Bottom of the line Stumpjumper or top of the line FSRxc ?

Thanks for your help
Darius

 

[dariusf]

Spec FSR XC Pro Disc
Frame A1 Premium Aluminum w/O.R.E. technology
Fork RockShox Recon 351 Air, 100mm-travel
Rear Shock Fox Triad for FSR XC, 3-position adjustment
Rims/Wheels Mavic X139 Disc
Hubs Front: Specialized Stout disc; Rear: Shimano M-475L disc
Spokes Stainless-steel
Tires Specialized Adrenaline, 26 x 2.0
Crankset Shimano
Chainwheel 44/32/22
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore XT
Rear Cogs Shimano Deore LX, 9-speed: 11-34
Shifters Shimano Deore
Handlebars Specialized XC
Tape/Grips Specialized MTB
Stem 3D forged- and CNC-machined-aluminum
Brake Levers Avid FR-5
Brakes Avid BB-7, mechanical disc
Pedals Shimano M505, clipless
Saddle Specialized Body Geometry Rival
Seat Post Aluminum
Seat Binder Aluminum, quick-release

Spec Stumpjumper FSR
Frame M4 aluminum w/Transform monocoque top tube
Fork Fox Float 120 RL, 120mm-travel, adjustable compression w/lockout
Rear Shock Fox Triad, 3-position on-the-fly damping control
Rims/Wheels Mavic XM317 disc
Hubs Front: Specialized Stout disc; Rear: Shimano M-525 disc
Spokes DT Swiss
Tires Specialized Adrenaline, 26 x 2.0
Crankset TruVativ Stylo
Chainwheel 44/32/22
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore LX
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore XT
Rear Cogs Shimano HG-50, 9-speed: 11-34
Shifters Shimano Deore
Handlebars Specialized XC, 31.8mm
Tape/Grips Specialized MTB
Stem 3D forged- and CNC-machined aluminum
Brake Levers Avid FR-5
Brakes Avid BB5, mechanical disc
Pedals Shimano M520, clipless
Saddle Specialized Body Geometry Rival
Seat Post Aluminum
Seat Binder Aluminum, quick-release

Also, I'm not planning on doing any crazy riding, high drops etc. I want a nice comfortable ride, good handling, control, reliability.

Thanks

 

[raymondlin]

The stumpjumper is more a DH bike compared to the FSR, the forks has more travel for one thing. Out of the 2 i would get the stumpjumper, as you said, it has a better frame for a start, which counts for a LOT in a bike, you can upgrade everything else and the frame is the most expensive part. Even thou the Stumpjumper is the bottom of its range, it still has XT and LX parts which is decent.

Both are really nice bike, btw, have you check out Specialized Enduro models? they are design for All mountain bike for all terrain, suited for almost everything, really nice bike. Or look at Giant Bikes (I have a Giant Trance 3 2006), they have really good parts on them for and compariable to Specialized in price and some quality.

 

[dariusf]

Thank you for the info. I think I'm leaning towards the Stumpjumper for the extra $200 its worth the better frame and parts. The store I was in this past Saturday also does sell the Giant bikes and the guy there showed me I believe the Trance 2 comparing it to the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp ($2100) as it was bout the same price. I did hear good things about but have not looked in to them much. I think I will now. The Enduro I think is a bit too much what I wanted to spend. I just picked up the Grado GS1000 and a 24" Dell LCD so my toy budget is quite low now

You have a very nice looking bike, the geometry looks quite a bit deferent. Very unconventional or at least not what I have ever seen before.

 

[dariusf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymondlin The stumpjumper is more a DH bike ...

Is 'DH' down hill?

 

[raymondlin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dariusf Is 'DH' down hill?

yup, this is my Giant, only changed the seat from WTB to Specialized as the WTB wasn't comfy.

Will get Hopes Mono 4 next hopefully, and probably Rockshox Reba forks....I could go on

When you get the stumpjumper, show us some pics ! p.s. I am on msn if you wanna chat about bikes.

When you test ride it, which you should. The thing to look out for in a full susser is "bob", the less the better. As most people will tell you with a full susser you lose energy from pedalling because of the suspension. So you will be wasting energy riding the bike, from my experience and others who has a Giant Trance, the design let the energy from the pedalling transfer into the wheels very efficiently and hence very little bob. It behaves almost like a hardtail on flats but with the benefits of absorbing all the bumps when you come across them.

Try all the bike within your budget espeically Giant bikes, otherwise you'll be doing yourself a dis-service.

 

[Jbucla2005]

I have a Trek 7100 Multitrack 'hybrid' ... just curious, how do these level Trek's compare to the other brands in the price range? My bike fits my needs quite well.

 

[raymondlin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jbucla2005 I have a Trek 7100 Multitrack 'hybrid' ... just curious, how do these level Trek's compare to the other brands in the price range? My bike fits my needs quite well.

That's all it matters surely? That it fits your needs. A full suspension like this won't be as quick as your hybrid on the road but take it off road all you'll see is dust plus we'll have a more comfy ride.

 

[dariusf]

I just started riding again after about a 4-5 year break. Well been out on the trail whole two times

I never had the time to get the bike cleaned up and tuned up. This past Saturday 6 in the morning I took it on a nice trail with varies descents, climbs, streams etc. Took me about two hours to complete the run. I loved it, was a bit hard at times but I really enjoyed it. Lots of deer and varies small animals. Coming out of a turn I ran in to a nice size buck with large horns just standing there in the middle of the trail. It was a sight to see, about 10-15 meters away. This particular trail is quite empty till about 7 in the morning when I passed a few joggers. Not a single bike but there are other trails in the same forest that i know are quite popular with lots of riders. There are also many unmarked much more technical trails all over the place and with time I will try them

The Hardrock I have now while a fine bike, its hard front and tail so you sure feel it after a few minutes on the trail. You need a full suspension bike with out a question. I'm going to keep it for rides with the family and pulling the trailer with the kids which we finally got this weekend. Kids love it.

I see the upgrade bug already got you

I'm hoping with this bike I will be set for some time unless I get more in to it. Good thing my headphone rig is basically where I want it to be at and aside from a new headphone to check out I think I'm set.

Got to make some phone calls and see if any place not too far away has any of the 2006 Stumpjumpers in my size still in stock. I think many dealers are starting to get the 2007 models in so hopefully I can still find a good deal on the 2006. I also got to work a bit on the wife, she knows I want to buy a bike but I was not very specific on the price of one I want

I'm sure she could find lots of other things we could spend the money on.

 

[raymondlin]

Good Luck ! I hope you get one before they are gone.

 

[dariusf]

Thanks, I called a few other places and I can get a deal on the 2006 Specialized Epic. The Epic RIM with regular breaks for $1700 and the Epic Disk with the disk breaks for $1900 So now I have even more to think about

Do I even need the disk breaks? I mean they are a cool setup and I'm sure work better but the regular breaks also stop you. Another thing is that the dealer that gave me the low price is a bit far away and would prefer someone a lot closer. Will need to stop over this other place to check out the bike, if they have a demo take it for a spin and try to get a deal there.

 

[raymondlin]

You need to ride them to be sure, don't buy bikes blind based on price.

p.s. I'd prefer the look of the Stumpjumper personally.

 

[fr4c]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dariusf Do I even need the disk breaks? I mean they are a cool setup and I'm sure work better but the regular breaks also stop you.

A thing with disc brakes is that the responsive action of the brakes will be much better if youre riding your bike through water, mud, dirt, etc.. Because of this design, your breaking system wont be much effected by trail and weather conditions. But if youre just riding normal trails, a regular rim brake will work just fine. There are pros and cons of both setups, where with a disc brake you have to be really careful not to bend the discs when going over obstacles and make sure to properly care for and maintain the setup. But if you get a rim brake and wish to upgrade in the future, not only will you need to purchase the discs, but you also have to upgrade the rims on your bike as you need wheels that can mount the disc brakes.

So try both rim and disc brakes and see which one you like. Its really a preference between riders and has much to do with your riding habits. Good luck on your search.

 

[dariusf]

Thank you all for the great information. I definitely want to try the bikes out first. It just happens that a friend just purchased the Epic Comp and had it on the trails a few times already. He just told me today and he likes it a lot and offered to let me try it out as well. We ride the same woods but deferent sides and its a huge area

He upgraded from some Giant front fork 2003 model and tasted the Stompjumber as well. I will have to move fast as the 2006 models are getting sold out and would have to pay a bit more for 2007.

As for the breaks, well I don't get crazy at least yet on the trails. There can be lots of mud and I did pass couple small streams so water is an issue. many of the trails also have some steep downhill's as well so breaking is of a concern

If I do decide to go for the Epic then I think I will just add the $200 and get the Epic Disk.

 

[dariusf]

cool you have the same Modwright 999ES player as I do

did you see the 9100ES with Modwright mods?