Which Full Suss Stumpjumper?
Discussion
Hi
Looks like I am buying a stumpy.
I am 5 11 , the Medium was too small for me, particularly in the upper body/reach etc.... So am going for the Large.
BUT I cant choose a model.....
The Elite at 1799 seems to tick all the boxes BUT for 200 squid I can get the expert with a brain. I am just not sure that I want a Brain but I dont want to regret not getting one. The shop chap had just got a stumpy himself and said whilst it is great he chose a model without it. aaaggghh decisions decisions...
Looks like I am buying a stumpy.
I am 5 11 , the Medium was too small for me, particularly in the upper body/reach etc.... So am going for the Large.
BUT I cant choose a model.....
The Elite at 1799 seems to tick all the boxes BUT for 200 squid I can get the expert with a brain. I am just not sure that I want a Brain but I dont want to regret not getting one. The shop chap had just got a stumpy himself and said whilst it is great he chose a model without it. aaaggghh decisions decisions...
I would buy the elite without the brain.
Have you ridden a brain-equipped bike?
You need to try one. It is an odd experience.
If you are a die hard hardtailer and this is your first F/S bike, the brain may suit you.
However, if your used to F/s bikes, the brain makes them fellvery odd, a litle numb and dead I feel.
You need to try one.
Have you ridden a brain-equipped bike?
You need to try one. It is an odd experience.
If you are a die hard hardtailer and this is your first F/S bike, the brain may suit you.
However, if your used to F/s bikes, the brain makes them fellvery odd, a litle numb and dead I feel.
You need to try one.
thanks.
Only ever had a hardtail. So will be my first full suss. I am really struggling on the 'dark peaks' to control the hard tail down rocky declines. The guys I was with yesterday on my ride agreed with you that the brain is to be avoided. As for trying them - I am just going to buy the elite me thinks as I really am not sure I will really get to grips with a bike until I have had it for a month or so.
Only ever had a hardtail. So will be my first full suss. I am really struggling on the 'dark peaks' to control the hard tail down rocky declines. The guys I was with yesterday on my ride agreed with you that the brain is to be avoided. As for trying them - I am just going to buy the elite me thinks as I really am not sure I will really get to grips with a bike until I have had it for a month or so.
As everyone has an opinion... I went from a hardtail to an Epic (with the brain) really pleased with it. Best of both worlds I reakon.
However I don't know anyone who has moved from 'normal' full-susser to brain technology...
So inconclusive proof that it really depends who you talk to!
However I don't know anyone who has moved from 'normal' full-susser to brain technology...
So inconclusive proof that it really depends who you talk to!
I went from a Rockhopper to a Stumpy Expert. I just felt the brain was worth the extra money, allowing you to have a hardtail and a full-susser at the same time (albeit a not as light as a proper hardtail).
At the time I tested a Rocky Mountain ETSX 70, the Stumpy, and the Epic, and found the jump to full-suss too much on the ETSX, and felt I wanted more than the Epic offered, so the Brain was a happy medium.
I love it, and I'd imagine the 2008 model is even better.
At the time I tested a Rocky Mountain ETSX 70, the Stumpy, and the Epic, and found the jump to full-suss too much on the ETSX, and felt I wanted more than the Epic offered, so the Brain was a happy medium.
I love it, and I'd imagine the 2008 model is even better.
I wouldn't go for the newly developed Stumpy just yet.
The 2007 Stumpy's were regarded as near perfect by the magazines. MBR gave the 2007 Stumpy FSR 10/10 and said it was the bike of the year along with the Commencal 5.5 (I think it was).
It took a fair few years for Specialized to perfect the rear end with the brain shock, then just when they get near perfect, they change the design.
The 2008 Stumpy has been slated by some magazines. The new 2008 Expert managed just an 8/10.
On another test, the Stumpy Carbon's front fork (Specialized) stuck solid after a couple of hours riding.
My friend had on loan a Stumpy Expert a few weeks ago. We both went out for the day over the Long Mynd (I was on my 07 Stumpy Expert as well), he didn't rate the bike much. He felt it was very skitish and it didn't climb too well.
If I was you, I'd go for a 07 Stumpy Pro at a discounted price.
It will take years of further development for the Stumpy to come of age again.
The 2007 Stumpy's were regarded as near perfect by the magazines. MBR gave the 2007 Stumpy FSR 10/10 and said it was the bike of the year along with the Commencal 5.5 (I think it was).
It took a fair few years for Specialized to perfect the rear end with the brain shock, then just when they get near perfect, they change the design.
The 2008 Stumpy has been slated by some magazines. The new 2008 Expert managed just an 8/10.
On another test, the Stumpy Carbon's front fork (Specialized) stuck solid after a couple of hours riding.
My friend had on loan a Stumpy Expert a few weeks ago. We both went out for the day over the Long Mynd (I was on my 07 Stumpy Expert as well), he didn't rate the bike much. He felt it was very skitish and it didn't climb too well.
If I was you, I'd go for a 07 Stumpy Pro at a discounted price.
It will take years of further development for the Stumpy to come of age again.
westy04 said:
Gazzab said:
Where can yuo get a discounted stumpy pro?
It does look as though there going for around £2300, so only a drop of £300.Leisure Lakes are doing the 07 Expert for £1699. You will get more of a discount if you ask.
I had a test-ride on an '07 SJ Expert, and I thought the back end was OK. I can see the point Snotrag was making about it being numb, but I suspect the effect of the Brain could be tuned down. I wouldn't write it off without trying it. Clearly Specialized fit the Brain to their XC Epic bikes where speed is more important than big bump absorption, and this is the direction the SJ Expert takes, semi-hardtail so to speak.
I wouldn't personally consider an '08 SJ, but that's a purely personal dislike of the styling, so interesting to see that the press are less than enthusiastic.
I wouldn't personally consider an '08 SJ, but that's a purely personal dislike of the styling, so interesting to see that the press are less than enthusiastic.
Gazzab said:
Decisions decisions......
The 07 expert is a brain model. I was told that I was best off without the brain. Maybe the 08 elite is ok then as your feedback was re a review for the 08 Expert?!
I would only go for a Brain version just because it works. You do have some adjustment of the brain. Set it to firm on the road and the back end hardly bobs (even powering uphill). Then set the brain to soft for off-road etc (its then pretty much fully active). I then set the dial midway if I'm on canal path alike.The 07 expert is a brain model. I was told that I was best off without the brain. Maybe the 08 elite is ok then as your feedback was re a review for the 08 Expert?!
If I was you. I would be looking to see if you can get an 07 Expert. However the 'large' version is going to be a bugger to find. I struggled to find one back in May.
I would only consider the newer styled Stumpy in a couple of years time (once they've ironed out the issues).
Have you looked at the Commencal 5.5. It gets nothing but praise from the mags.
Sorry to have put a spanner in the works. But better to make the right choice.
Gazzab said:
aagghhh the bike shope I went to at the weekend have got the 08 Stumpy elite in to the showroom from another shop ready for me to come and collect (and pay for). Just left me a message.
Remeber, you are not obliged to give anyone your $$ if you change your mind no matter what they say. If they value your custom for the future they will understand and they are unlikely to have paid for the bike themselves yet.ok - my thoughts... this based on having an ummm 05 S Works Enduro (has a brain shock) and a 05 Stumpjumper (with the triad shock)... and previous to that having a '98 FSR
I'm the same height at 5' 11" - i've always found with specialized that i need that little extra room in the cockpit - but dont find the large comfortable - i always find the seatpot angle too steep - so sort everything with a lay back post - had a Titec post on the 98 FSR that shifted the saddle back about 1-2" over a normal post, the Stumpy FSR i have a Thompson layback which does the same thing - got that cos when i built the bike origonally for Lady S it had a single bolt seat post and the saddle was forever slipping, the thompson holds it better, and has that bit of lay back so the saddle is held more centrally on the rails. (the S works, i've got set up on the more laid back settings so the straight thompson post the frame came with isnt a problem)
on the sus front -
ETA - the Stumpy i have has the triad shock - with the pro pedal/open/locked settings - Lady S leaves it in pro pedal (or what ever its called) and it works great, very little bob but pliant enough on the rough. Very capable.
I'm the same height at 5' 11" - i've always found with specialized that i need that little extra room in the cockpit - but dont find the large comfortable - i always find the seatpot angle too steep - so sort everything with a lay back post - had a Titec post on the 98 FSR that shifted the saddle back about 1-2" over a normal post, the Stumpy FSR i have a Thompson layback which does the same thing - got that cos when i built the bike origonally for Lady S it had a single bolt seat post and the saddle was forever slipping, the thompson holds it better, and has that bit of lay back so the saddle is held more centrally on the rails. (the S works, i've got set up on the more laid back settings so the straight thompson post the frame came with isnt a problem)
on the sus front -
Minnsy said:
However I don't know anyone who has moved from 'normal' full-susser to brain technology...
i went from a GT Zasker LE (hardtail) to the '98 FSR which had 3" of rear travel with a coilover shock, to the S Works. Before i bought i went to a demo day and rode lots of different bikes - rode both the standard Enduro and the S Works - the brain does work really well, once set up right, which really is just a matter of getting the air pressure right in mine, and twiddling the little leaver on the unit itself. Dont know how it works now - but mine basically locks out most of the travel, leaving about 1.5" of travel to cusion slight bumps, then opens up on the rough stuff. Worked far better this way than the Spec. Epic of the day - which was locked solid like a hardtail unless hit hard, when it would give slightly, but the demo bike i rode just seemed act like a hardtail on a hit, but cusion the rebound... forexample - say riding up a kerb, you'd get a hard tail like thrutch up the bum, but it would cushion you landing back in the saddle, were as the S Works brain worked much better ETA - the Stumpy i have has the triad shock - with the pro pedal/open/locked settings - Lady S leaves it in pro pedal (or what ever its called) and it works great, very little bob but pliant enough on the rough. Very capable.
Edited by lord summerisle on Tuesday 27th November 08:51
lingus75 said:
Can anyone explain the reason why the Brain is strange? What effect does it have and where is it pronounced more, what does it do exactly?
esencailly the brain unit is a valve with a weighted sprung release collar with oil damping. depending on the brain system (based on 2005 year bikes - as thats the last ones i've ridden, so dont know with the 07/08 bikes) the epic (the XC bikes) the brain unit basically when not being shaken, locks the back end out so you have a hardtail. when the going gets rough and the brain unit is moving up and down the valve opens and allows the spring to work, so you have rear suspension - but hitting single bumps it had a kind of delayed effect on the rear wheel - say riding over a raised errosion bar - it wouldnt give on hitting the bar, but would 'give' as the wheel landed on the other side.on the S Works (the only other Specialized bike at the time with a brain) which had 5" of rear travel, when on the road/smooth the brain unit locked the back end down to about 1.5" of travel, when it gets rough the valve opens giving full travel. It seemed to work better in this way - yes its a different feel to a normal shock, but i think it works well. theres enough damping within the shock to avoid pedal bob, but still very supple
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