Mountain Biking - specialized fsrxc a good frame to buy?

Ive just found out that im going to have 800$ to use for a new bike. i currently have a trek 820. I cant decide between the regular rockhopper or the fsrxc.
I know the rockhopper is a good bike good frame to upgrade and i would like to get the lower end one for the simple fact that ihave more money in my pocket afterwards and when something breaks i just upgrade the component. But if i were to get the fsrxc would that be a good buy. Ive heard that its a low end fs. I looked at the specs for a stumpjumperfsr and besides it having a few better componets it looks almost the same. So my question basicly is would it be a worth it to get a fsrxc and in the future when i get more $$$ upgrade the components? Or is the frame not worthit unless I were to get a stumpjumperfsr?
btw i only use the bike on the trails and the trails around franklin mtns can get rough with big rocks on the downhills Which btw my hardtail hasnt had a problem with. Which is why i dont mind getting a hardtail. But i havent done any steep sudden drops just steep trials with a bunch of huge softball+ size rocks. My lbs wont let me try the fs bikes on the trials nor do i know anyone with one, but it does look like it would make the downhills smoother.
Thanks

The FSRXC is a good frame. If you get it, be sure to buy the MountainSpeedRacing X-Link and dropout bearing kit.


I am assuming the FSRXC and Stumpjumperfsr are the same frame?

hmm. i haven't owned either of those so i can't suggest one over the other, but keep in mind that it's easlier and cheaper to upgrade components than it is a frame

I am assuming the FSRXC and Stumpjumperfsr are the same frame?

i'm not sure, but here is what i _think_:

up through 2003 there was only one "stumpjumper/fsr" full suspension called the XC.

for 2004 there is a new FSR XC with a slightly different rear - looks a little prettier and the shock goes through the frame components (hard to describe).

and the old (2001-2003 FSR XC) is now called the StumpjumperFSR. it is now cheaper. i THINK it is the same frame, but just with lower components, but the frame COULD be heavier with cheaper materials - there's also another frame material rating Specialized uses (i forgot, is it like P4?)

i have a 2002 FSR XC (so basically what is now called the Stumpjumper FSR but with higher-level components)

as to the original question: the stumpjumper FSR is a much better frame and a great design.

Theses are the frames im talking about
fsrxc
http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkFamily.jsp?sid=04FSRXC&JServSessionIdroot=7pd8kuum48.j27005
stumpjumperfsr
http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkFamily.jsp?sid=04Stumpjumper&JServSessionIdroot=7pd8kuum48.j27005
And im sure everyone knows what the rockhopper is.
Thanks

ok, i got the names backwards on the old/new models...

the FSR XC is the "old" FSR with 75/90mm rear:

FSR technology, A1 Premium Aluminum butted frame, ORE toptube and downtube, sealed cartridge bearings, disc tabs, 75-90mm adjustable travel, replaceable derailleur hanger, two sets of water bottle bosses

the Stumpjumper FSR is new for 2004 with 100m rear.

FSR technology, M4 Manipulated Alloy frame with TransForm Monocoque TT, sealed cartridge bearings, 100mm travel, disc compatible, replaceable derailleur hanger, two sets of water bottle bosses

the FSR XC is a proven frame design. and it's good - it is my race bike for the TransAlp Challenge this year (upgraded with new 04 XT crank and 04 Fox Terralogic fork and Fox Propedal shock)

"A1 Premium Aluminum butted frame" sounds like they are using a little lower quality material than the old ones (my FSR XC has an M4 frame). probably the best way to check here is to find out the weight difference. if it's a 100grams or less then don't even worry about it...

but i think if you're wanting a great FS bike at a decent price, the FSR XC should be a great choice -- proven design, just a little lower frame material and components (but you have to pay more to get more here)

OK well the FSR XC retails for $880 and the Stumpjumper FSR retails for $1470

A1 tubing is fine- it's just heavier than Metal Matrix (M2,M4,M5) tubing.

The components are ok but the rear shock is really cheesy on the FSRXC.

I would do this:
Look up the upgrade parts you would want--how much do they cost?
How close is that to the price of the Stumpjumper FSR?

Here's what I would upgrade:
1. Fox RC rear shock
2. MSR X-rated link and dropout bearing kit
3. hydro disc brakes (the wheels are already disc compatible-so you don't have to buy new hubs)
4. new saddle
5. new front fork-

Those are the upgrades that you would naturally do, just by looking at the specs. The Deore components are strong and good stuff, the hubs are not the greatest but they will do the job...seems like a good $800 for the bike. If you found all the upgrades on ebay or used, you could save some money.

i agree with RacerX...

although if you're cash-strapped, you _could_ buy the bike now and think about upgrading later. and you would still have a quality frame worth upgrading... (much better than Rockhopper)

as to the upgrades RacerX suggested, the only one i would maybe question is the "hydro disk brakes" as i think V-brakes as adequate for most riding -- i have Avid V-brakes on the 2002 FSR XC (my race bike) and Disk on my Freeride bike --- the avids are almost as good and lighter and cheaper. we also went with Avid V-brakes for the new bike we bought for girlfriend (04 Epic with Fox r80 fork, Brain, mostly XT components). _I_ would spend the money on lots of other upgrades before disk brakes (fork, rear shock, drivetrain, etc.) as V-brakes are pretty-darn-good!

Yeah good V brakes are fine too. Nothing wrong with them.
Hydro discs are great though. I am running XTR and I love them. Much more control and modulation but I'm not a V brake hater.

The brakes on there are pretty cheesy so I'm sure that will be one of your first upgrades.

Also, I meant those upgrades as you find the money and need to do it. I didn't mean to say upgrade all of it at once, although you may find you want a new saddle immediately.

Yeah good V brakes are fine too. Nothing wrong with them.
Hydro discs are great though. I am running XTR and I love them. Much more control and modulation but I'm not a V brake hater.
yeah, i have Deore Discs (forgot which number) on my RM Slayer and i like them. but i just think discs are so over-hyped when most people don't NEED the bad-weather function, modulation, etc... i ride year-round in crappy weather in snow and mud and do major technical Freeride stuff... and while i do think Discs are good for my hard-core Freeride stuff, i didn't really miss them the last few years, i don't think most people do (most racers don't benefit much from the power but pay in weight) ---- i.e. for any bike where weight is an issue i woudl decide AGAINST discs, and otherwise i'd think about other upgrades before discs. but now you see discs on all kinds of sub-$1000 bikes with crappy components which i just think it wrong (heavy and $$$ spent there instead of on other good stuff!).

ok, sorry for my rant, and not at you RacerX! i just get annoyed by the "hype" of disc brakes. yeah, they can be good, but only if the additional weight and cost over V-brakes is really worth it

FOR ME i just don't think on an $800 to $1000 bike the money should be spent elsewhere first (of course i also don't know where/what he wants to ride)

Is it a good frame? Considering I have last years Rockhopper FSR (same frame) I can confuidently say yes.

Besides when you boil it all down you have a proven suspension design that IMHO is about the best out there and you have the comfort of two words. LIFETIME WARRANTY.