Mountain Biking - What is the best XC specialized in your opinion?

My LBS is hyping up specialized bikes to me. they look decent. What do you think is the best XC in their line?

The StumpJumper!
A very good climber; a long top tube for a roomier cockpit; a lightweight frame; a race ready bike with good components. In my opinion, one of the best XC bikes for the money.

I know this 'cause I own one.:D

Originally posted by CycleMON
The StumpJumper!
A very good climber; a long top tube for a roomier cockpit; a lightweight frame; a race ready bike with good components. In my opinion, one of the best XC bikes for the money.

I know this 'cause I own one.:D

How much did you pay for it?

They retail for about $1099. You can get one on sale from:
http://bikebarntexas.com/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1056&Catalog=39&sort=Price%20desc

My bike is a 2001 model.

Well heck man, if you want the best xc bikes Specialized has to offer ...
S-Works M5 HT (http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?san=03SWorksHTRimBrake&bl=top&my=2003)
S-Works FSR (http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?san=03SWorksFSRRimBrake&bl=top&my=2003)
Buy them both, the perfect racing stable. :D Oh, and toss
this (http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?san=03SWorksE5Road&bl=top&my=2003) baby in for training. That is, if you have an extra $12,000.00 laying about.

I had a Specialized FSR Enduro Comp and loved it...what a bike. Saddly, I was not able to get to the mtns offened enough to enjoys its functionality. So, I sold :) it a few months ago and when back to road training from my front door. :)

Best XC Specialized offers is the EPIC. The FSR is old and it shows. It rides ok but isn't as well engineered as it could be. There are better 4-bar XC bikes out there.
Best XC full sus?
1. Titus Racer X
2. Santa Cruz Blur

In comparison, I would give the FSR 2.5 stars and the Racer X 4.5 stars out of 5. Anyway, back to your question;
Specialized XC
1. Epic
2. S-Works FSR
3. Stumpjumper FSR XC
4. stumpjumper hardtail-but I am really unimpressed by this frame.

Originally posted by CycleMON
They retail for about $1099. You can get one on sale from:
http://bikebarntexas.com/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1056&Catalog=39&sort=Price%20desc

My bike is a 2001 model.

I have (had). I live in houston and bought from that shop. It's a great shop and a great bike (i even race for a different shop :eek: ) . It's 23lbs off the rack and race ready. I did go through the chainrings pretty quick and replaced with LX then XT an raced it for a year and a half.
Great bike, great price, great shop.

oops sorry i had the comp version which is a great bike. bTW dropped price to $899.

Originally posted by RacerX
Best XC Specialized offers is the EPIC. The FSR is old and it shows. It rides ok but isn't as well engineered as it could be. There are better 4-bar XC bikes out there.
Best XC full sus?
1. Titus Racer X
2. Santa Cruz Blur

In comparison, I would give the FSR 2.5 stars and the Racer X 4.5 stars out of 5. Anyway, back to your question;
Specialized XC
1. Epic
2. S-Works FSR
3. Stumpjumper FSR XC
4. stumpjumper hardtail-but I am really unimpressed by this frame.

well, i would get anything as long as its better. i just choose specialized b/c my lbs is a dealer. but if titus and santa cruz is better. ill look into it

if specialized isnt such a good thing...then what is? im looking at around $2000.

I'm sorry to give you the impression Specialized isn't good. They are fine bikes. I listed the order in which I would rate their bikes. For the price, I think they are good.

I personally like Specialized bikes. The FSR Horst linkage is one of the best designs I've ridden. Granted, I haven't tried the Epic with the Smart Shock, and have yet to try one of the new VPP bikes.

The other thing you've mentioned, but I'm asking for a bit more info is the style of riding you do. You stated XC, but is that racing, or just riding around, short rides, long rides, small drops, technical, lots of climbing ...etc.? That sort of stuff.

With the budget you've mentioned, forget the Titus and the Santa Cruz, you'll end up with Deore level components for $2,000. Heck, you might be lucky to get a frame, fork and wheelset for $2000. I think a Blur frame is about $1,300 and a Titus Racer is about $1,700.

For your budget, you can get into an Epic, base model has a MSRP of $2050, or a Stumpjumper FSR XC for around $1650. The FSR XC is a great all around bike for about 90% of the type riding most people do. If you're a big rider like me, (I go about 225-230) you'd be better off on an Enduro or a BigHit. But if you're lightweight (what I would consider - sub 200) this is a great bike!

Originally posted by RacerX
I'm sorry to give you the impression Specialized isn't good. They are fine bikes. I listed the order in which I would rate their bikes. For the price, I think they are good.

I think your list of considerations are outside his $$$$ range. Those suggestions ranged 2k going to 4K.

I read your selections as the top of Specialize's line and those not in your list are not worth considering.

It wasn't the top of the line when I purchased my FSR Enduro Comp in 99. But, I got above average components, quality frame and purchased new for under $1800.

"a2psyklnut" has a valid point to consider... If your wallet is limited to 2k max, you should really look at how you want to use this bike and what extremes will it be put to. Then, IMO buy the "best components" on a quality priced frame that stays within your budget.

Hey,
Just to let you guys in on a little secret the EPIC is way the hell overrated. It costs way too much and it's heavy, and since i've ridden one on the trail i can confidently say it's not worth the extra $500 and 2lbs over the old FSR

Originally posted by Garbear
"a2psyklnut" has a valid point to consider... If your wallet is limited to 2k max, you should really look at how you want to use this bike and what extremes will it be put to. Then, IMO buy the "best components" on a quality priced frame that stays within your budget.

okay....my limit is not really 2k, i would say 2k-2.5k

Originally posted by Garbear


I think your list of considerations are outside his $$$$ range. Those suggestions ranged 2k going to 4K.

I read your selections as the top of Specialize's line and those not in your list are not worth considering.

It wasn't the top of the line when I purchased my FSR Enduro Comp in 99. But, I got above average components, quality frame and purchased new for under $1800.

Well he asked about specialized so I listed what I like from them. I did not list the excellent Enduro because he asked about XC bikes.

Originally posted by RacerX
Best XC Specialized offers is the EPIC. The FSR is old and it shows. It rides ok but isn't as well engineered as it could be. There are better 4-bar XC bikes out there.
Best XC full sus?
1. Titus Racer X
2. Santa Cruz Blur

In comparison, I would give the FSR 2.5 stars and the Racer X 4.5 stars out of 5. Anyway, back to your question;
Specialized XC
1. Epic
2. S-Works FSR
3. Stumpjumper FSR XC
4. stumpjumper hardtail-but I am really unimpressed by this frame.


You have rode an epic right. The epic feels like a hardtail, and some people dont like hardtails....they like full squish all the time. The stumpjumper hardtails are great too. I will give the fsr a 4.8 (out of 5)


Originally posted by PeterG1185
Hey,
Just to let you guys in on a little secret the EPIC is way the hell overrated. It costs way too much and it's heavy, and since i've ridden one on the trail i can confidently say it's not worth the extra $500 and 2lbs over the old FSR


The epic is a whole new bike. I have ridden them, and they seemed real fast. Too bad you dont work at a bike shop......the prices are great! lol:D

Originally posted by PeterG1185
Hey,
Just to let you guys in on a little secret the EPIC is way the hell overrated. It costs way too much and it's heavy, and since i've ridden one on the trail i can confidently say it's not worth the extra $500 and 2lbs over the old FSR

An epic too heavy? 2lbs over a FSR XC, um, I have to object to that statement, I just bought a FSR, I was told by the shop that an epic was lighter, 1/2 apound?
I just read a review of the Epic in Mountain Biking, and the claimed weight is 5.5 lbs.

I know that my FSR XC frame cannot weigh 3.5 LBS.

Specialized specs thier bikes halfway decent, and slip in thier house brand components where they can, they have to make a buck too, and I dont blame em for it.
Stem and bar, seat and seatpost, cranks, and front hub, on my rig, they function well enough, and if they do go south, Ill either get em replaced with warranty if its still effective, or replace em with a name brand after market if funds allow.

Buy one, ride it and grin like a goofy school boy, thats all that matters, well to me at least. now I go to do some hills in the rain!

Alright you quivelers... the man needs help! Let us help him...

If you've got 2 grand, Buy an S-works hardtail!!! I have an M2, but you could have an M5! I love my bike, you could not pry it from my dead rigamortised hands if you had the jaws of life and Park tire irons! If you really want the full suspension though, and it would be difficult to blame you, get an FSR XC w/ high end components and rims. (where do you live?). Check out Cambria Bicycle Outfitters - CBO... they throw together some really amazing custom packages just to show off sometimes! That's how I got mine, everything was totally tricked out right down to the Nuke Proof Carbon Hubs! I would hold off on the Epic for at least 1 year (Field Testing and Price Drop).

Specialized is an excellent company! I feel somehow attached and loyal to them... I've ridden their bikes since 1989!

That said, For the same price as a tricked out FSR XC, you could buy a Giant NRS-1 w/ disk brakes! Or, an NRS - Air w/ Crossmax Tubeless Disk Hoops for about $2600!

Ignore that last para. Buy Specialized! You could not possibly be disapointed. Their geometry is comfortable yet nimble and ready for anything twitchy... in other words "Controlably Aggresive"!

Good Luck Dude,

Don't hesitate to ask more specific questions, and we'd all like to hear the details of your riding style as discussed in the other posts...

Peace and Love

Hawk

Originally posted by Hawkphoto
Alright you quivelers... the man needs help! Let us help him...

If you've got 2 grand, Buy an S-works hardtail!!! I have an M2, but you could have an M5! I love my bike, you could not pry it from my dead rigamortised hands if you had the jaws of life and Park tire irons! If you really want the full suspension though, and it would be difficult to blame you, get an FSR XC w/ high end components and rims. (where do you live?). Check out Cambria Bicycle Outfitters - CBO... they throw together some really amazing custom packages just to show off sometimes! That's how I got mine, everything was totally tricked out right down to the Nuke Proof Carbon Hubs! I would hold off on the Epic for at least 1 year (Field Testing and Price Drop).

Specialized is an excellent company! I feel somehow attached and loyal to them... I've ridden their bikes since 1989!

That said, For the same price as a tricked out FSR XC, you could buy a Giant NRS-1 w/ disk brakes! Or, an NRS - Air w/ Crossmax Tubeless Disk Hoops for about $2600!

Ignore that last para. Buy Specialized! You could not possibly be disapointed. Their geometry is comfortable yet nimble and ready for anything twitchy... in other words "Controlably Aggresive"!

Good Luck Dude,

Don't hesitate to ask more specific questions, and we'd all like to hear the details of your riding style as discussed in the other posts...

Peace and Love

Hawk

1. why do you suggest a HT? Wouldnt a FS be better?
2. do you think i would save if i waited for a frame price drop and get it custom?

would you all suggest to save money by buying last years model?

Yes! The bikes don't change much as model years go by. They will put different forks on the bikes or claim lighter weight, but you get your best deals from previous models.

Originally posted by killerasp
would you all suggest to save money by buying last years model?

Yes... Often you can get a much better bike for your buck and most importantly, better components and maybe disk bks. I've noticed that due to pricing, many mfgs are putting shimanos lower components on their latest frame and pricing to high IMO.

Your duediligence will pay off... XTR can be had...:)

Originally posted by KleinMp99

You have rode an epic right. The epic feels like a hardtail, and some people dont like hardtails....they like full squish all the time. The stumpjumper hardtails are great too. I will give the fsr a 4.8 (out of 5)


That's the whole point for XC. It feels like a hardtail on pavement because it is "locked out"no bob- when you hit bumps the suspension opens up so yes, I like it and it is exactly what you want every full-sus to do for XC riding. Soak up bumps and no pedal-induced bob.
I gave the FSR 4 out of 5 stars too- until I rode some of the better frames and felt what a real difference it made. Now the FSR is a solid 2.5 stars.
For the price, I still think the FSR is a good bike though. I had an S Works FSR for a full season and enjoyed it.

If you are buying "last years" bike, look over the changes carefully. Sometimes they change to fix a problem and not just for change sake.
For example, the 2000 FSR S works had a too short top tube and flexy rear shock mount. It also had some plastic bushings for piviots. For '01 they lengthened the TT and fixed the shock mount to an adjustable travel, beefy link (basically copy of the MRP link).
I don't know if there were drastic changes from the 01 to the 02, probably just paint and some parts?

If you go for the Stumpjumper hardtail, I would just say make sure you really test it out because I hated that POS(just my opinion). I raced it for 1/2 a season and threw it back.
If I were to get another hardtail it would be the Litespeed Pisgah. That is a beautifully handled bike that rides like a HT should. Different price range, but you are either happy or youre not. I'd rather ride happy.:)

As far as your question about FS over hard tails, I recently read a comment in Mountain bike about the same question.
the response was if you want a hard tail, buy a road bike.

Scooby,

Whatever. That is the biggest pile of crap I have ever heard. There is still tonnes of use for a hardtail and still lots of fun to be had on a hardtail. For most of the trails around here I prefer a hardtail and find I only want or even need a dually on the most technical or steep trails.

Buy a road bike, sheesh. Too much donkey dung...

Thanks Maelstrom,

As I read the last line of that post I caught myself saying "Whatever!", then I looked down at your post, and the word I had just exclaimed had been echoed.... What a relief!!!

Some people just don't get it, its quite sad...

RacerX, I love my POS Specialized Stumpjumper.

Apparently even a FS that suffers from bob is still faster than a HT. The only reason bob is such a big deal is companies are trying to convince HT hardcores to convert...I got this information from Mountain Bike Action.

killerasp, FS or HT is going to be completely, and nothing less than 100% personal preference. I've got a friend who hates FS, because he likes the bumps, he doesn't want a smooth ride. Another friend hates hardtails because the bumps consume energy and make him slower. He would rather have a "smooth" ride and be to cruise a mach speeds. However, you CAN cruise at mach speeds on a HT, it just takes more finesse.

For HT's, you may get more bang for your buck because they don't have the extra cost of a rear shock and links.

I reccomend getting a 2003, unless you can get a really good deal on a 2002. Personally I would rather spend a few extra and get the latest design, and latest stuff. Especially if you are going XTR, because Shimano changed everything this year.

All that said, I recomend a Specialized StumpJumper FSR Comp. It is 1650(approx) and has a Fox Fork(considered by many to be the industry standard), XTR rear der, LX front+ shifters,and disc ready hubs. Meaning, if you ever want to go to dics, you don't have to buy new hubs or rims(hint hint).

As far as the Epic, I haven't ridden one so I can't say. But if you really want one, I can't say anything against them. The base model has XT/LX stuff, and a Manitou Skareb fork, which I know nothing about because last time I checked, Answer hadn't updated their website. But I think it is like a Mars, just under the Black.

If you've got the money, get an Epic. Like I said, get the latest stuff.

Specialized are great bikes, a guy that comes into the shop I work at has won every MTB race in South Carolina this year riding one, and he's been riding them since...Along time.

I hope this helps. :beer:

Maelstrom,
Im just saying that one can have their cake and eat it too.

OKAY ITS AGREED THEN. IM GOING TO GET AN HT!!!!!!!

Originally posted by CycleMON
RacerX, I love my POS Specialized Stumpjumper.
Good for you. That's why you are still riding yours and I threw mine away. Like I said, just my opinion.