Mountain Biking - '08 Stumpjumper or 08 Enduro

Broke my ankle, stuck with my leg up for 8 weeks and looking at getting back into shape by starting to do some more XC riding once the cast is off. I live on the North Shore in Vancouver and wanting a bike that can climb well yet ride some knarly terrain. I'm torn between the Stumpjumper and the Enduro. Watching Ned Overend ride the bike on youtube makes me want to cut off my cast and buy the stumpy right now. But I'm worried it doesn't have the strength/travel for some tougher riding. I like the enduro, because it seems to have the travel to ride some tougher terrain, but will it climb well? I've got a demo 8 now - so when I want to ride Whistler/Freeride, I'm covered. I've tried riding the demo up Fromme mountian (about 2km elevation climb) and just about barffed up a lung.

Any thoughts?

P.S. If you like the song in the stumpy youtube vid...I know what it is...for a small fee ;)

Hi knowpain--that sounds gnarly, breaking the ankle.

I don't know much about MTB so I'm going to move this to a more travelled forum :) .

Welcome to BF, and feel free to PM me with any questions :) !

East Hill
Forum Moderator

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t162/dminorwa/pinkstar.jpg

Thanks for the welcome!

Living in the Colorado Rockies, I have yet to need more than my Stumpjumper. 5" is a lot of travel.

Living in the Colorado Rockies, I have yet to need more than my Stumpjumper. 5" is a lot of travel.

What is Gnarly terrain to the OP though?

Gnarly terrain on the North Shore (to me) would necessitate a burly bike. If it's just for XC riding though...I'd stick with the Stumpy. If you're going to get a little crazy then look at the Pitch. It's a little tougher, yet doesn't have Specialized's crappo proprietary suspension like the Enduro.

The Enduro doesn't get rave reviews.


(Covert IMO)

Yeah, another vote for the Pitch. Now where are the cool Shore pics???????
Don't post again without them.

Good point on what is gnarly to OP. Here are some pix (that should keep mtnbiker66 happy) to show what is the most I want the bike to handle. Drops would be no more than 3 - 5 ft.

If you want some more North Shore Shots go to gutslpoder.net...check out fromme and seymour mountain. For Fromme you have to ride up to get in...elevation gain to get at the good trail is 3000 to 5000 ft. Note: none of these shots are mine...have to start taking the camera for a ride.

http://www.gutsploder.net/rides/fromme/upperoilcan/upperoilcan_k.jpghttp://www.gutsploder.net/rides/fromme/upperoilcan/upperoilcan_f.jpghttp://www.gutsploder.net/rides/fromme/lowerladies/lowerladies_e.jpg

BEAUTIFUL!!

Stay away from both of your suggestions.


Look into Transitionbikes.com

Covert is a railing singletrack machine.

Heck dude...you should be on an SX or God Forbid a Bullit!

....or check out a bottle rocket.

Great pics.

doesn't have Specialized's crappo proprietary suspension like the Enduro.

The Enduro doesn't get rave reviews.


(Covert IMO)[/QUOTE]

Haven't heard bad things about Specialized before. My Demo 8 has been great so far though it has a all fox shocks on it. What's the problems people have running into?

Transition isn't big up here. Most names are Norco, Santa Cruz, Kona, Specialized, Cove. Anybody have any words of praise for Transition?

Norco, Santa Cruz, Kona, Specialized, Cove. Anybody have any words of praise for Transition?

Nothing wrong with Specialized bikes. The Enduro SL though...it has a shock and fork made by the big "S" and has been crapped on by many.

The Demo is a great bike.

The SX is schweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

Hey man...Norco, Santa Cruz, Kona, Cove...all superb companies. Just ride a few and see what feels right. My main concern is that you said you were gonna do some XC riding. Yet you say you're North Shore and you post some candy like that? If you have a Santa Cruz dealer near...get a Heckler with a Fox 36 Talas RC2 and a DHX 5.0. It'll be plenty light enough for the XC part of your ride, but should handle the fun stuff too.

If you're wanting to stick with Specialized though...I'd prob. go with the Pitch.

like your call on the Heckler and SX...have to hobble down check it out when I can. Thanks!

like your call on the Heckler and SX...have to hobble down check it out when I can. Thanks!

If I lived in an area with "rewarding" DH sections and drops, the Heckler would be my ideal trail bike. I switched back to a hardtail recently b/c my Kansas buddies were kickin' my tail.


I'm a huge fan of coil suspension, so I'd prob go DHX Coil 5.0 with a 36 Vanilla RC2, but for a lighter / more XC'ish lean, I'd recommend the Talas 36 and a DHX Air 5.0. Possibly even a PIKE 454 Air U-Turn.

Then I'd move into some of that Sunline Cockpit that Doug is Pimpin. V-One stem. Lock-ons.

Go for a Gravity Dropper seat post with a WTB Team Ti saddle.

Avid Code 5 or Juicy 5 brakes. (203 x 185)

Hone 2 ring crankset (RF Atlas if you're a Canuck)

e.13 Dual Ring guide

Hope Pro II/EX 5.1d wheelset unless you can afford I-9, hahaha.

XT 772 or X.9 rear derailleur with XT or X.9 triggers.

XT front der.

King Headset

Kenda 2.35" Stick-E Nevegal meats

Pedal of choice



Good Grief...that's a pricey fantasy.

Transition isn't big up here. Most names are Norco, Santa Cruz, Kona, Specialized, Cove. Anybody have any words of praise for Transition?They will be. Transition grew up just south of you practically in your backyard in Ferndale, WA. They're built for the same style of riding, since a lot of what is on Galbraith is similar. Think of Transition as America's Cove and you'll understand.

To be honest. though, you're on the right track with thoughts of the Enduro (I hate to say it). The Horst-link 4-bar is one of the most pedalable longer-travel designs around. If you can go more to the 'boutique' end, I'd give a serious look to something like the Santa Cruz VP Free.

Good point on what is gnarly to OP. Here are some pix (that should keep mtnbiker66 happy) to show what is the most I want the bike to handle. Drops would be no more than 3 - 5 ft.

If you want some more North Shore Shots go to gutslpoder.net...check out fromme and seymour mountain. For Fromme you have to ride up to get in...elevation gain to get at the good trail is 3000 to 5000 ft. Note: none of these shots are mine...have to start taking the camera for a ride.


Bloody hell, forget the stumpjumper or enduro, the guy there seems to be riding the equivalent of at least the sx if not the bighit or demo.

Bloody hell, forget the stumpjumper or enduro, the guy there seems to be riding the equivalent of at least the sx if not the bighit or demo.

He's got a Demo 8 already. Needs less.

If you already have a Demo, and your looking to do XC riding the answer is Stumpy, IMO.

Aren't Knolly bikes made out there? What about an Endorphin? A friend just got one, that's a great burly bike that climbs well.

Aren't Knolly bikes made out there? What about an Endorphin? A friend just got one, that's a great burly bike that climbs well.

Thanks for the Knolly tip

If anyone is thinking about Knolly check out this youtube clip..gives you the complete run down on the bikes by one of the sales reps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpi-MgiKDsM