petem77

Buy which? - Specialized Stumpjumper FSR 2009 Pro Carbon or 2010 Expert Carbon (or other)

I'm thinking of buying either:
2009 Specialized Stumjumper FSR Pro Carbon https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/...d=39185&eid=95

2010 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert Carbon https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/...45840&eid=4201

Which should I buy, and why?
Or should I strongly consider another brand?

Please give me your thoughts/suggestions/opinions/experience on this or the equipment on these bikes.

Price of these two is around the same; although budget is not particularly an issue.

I have used/owned & like 2007 & 2008 Stumpjumper FSR Experts (alloy frame, 120mm Fox forks, rear brain), which seem about right for what I want from a bike.
So if I buy a Specialized, it'll be a Stumpjumper.

Bosock

Go with the 2010. I just recently purchased the elite after owning an 07, son has an 08, and really like the ride and feel of the 2010. Is it a totally different ride, no, but I like there new suspension system and you can feel the refinements they have made to the stumpy. Its a great riding bike all three years, but if i were getting a new one (well actually I did) I would get the 2010. Got to love these types of indecision...you basically cant go wrong no matter what decision you make.

cyrusjax

Go for the 2010, they've made many noticeable changes to it.

DenisMenchov

looks like they went back to the '07 design for 2010. Aluminum is stiffer than carbon, but will give a harsher ride supposedly. For an FS, this doesn't really matter IMO. Also aluminum might be heavier overall. If you plan to do true trail riding some argue that carbon is a bit fragile, and can crack easily, gouge easily, etc. I don't think you'll have a problem though as the specialized is supposedly one of the best in the industry at replacing frames. If your frame does indeed crack, I'm not sure how they will judge who is at fault though. Might want to look into the details about that.

DenisMenchov

Oh yah and I agree with the last poster, can't go wrong with the stumpjumper, whichever you choose.

cyberposer

The 2010 is one ugly bike ,I just got the 2009 fsr carbon s works for that very reason

born2bahick

Hmmmn. Care to elaborate?

petem77

Can people please tell me their experiences of the forks on these 2 bikes?
The 2009 Pro Carbon has the Specialized trailtune 120mm travel only but does incorporate a brain. This is the same fork as on the 2009 S-works.
The 2010 Expert carbon has Fox 140mm travel but without brain.
LBS reckons the trailtune is a much better fork despite 20mm less travel.

DenisMenchov

aluminum is stiffer than carbon.

born2bahick

Is this your opinion? You know of any publications that state this as universally as you have?

born2bahick

This depends on what you want out of the fork. If you want to milk the most efficiency out of you pedaling effort, as in race conditions. the trailtune might be what you want. If your more into fully active suspension, and don't mind giving a little efficiency for other benefits. The fox is a great way to go.

DenisMenchov

M5 manipulated alloy is definitely stiffer. What would be nice to know is how much more an aluminum frame weighs vs the carbon one...but we're talking FS any ways so stiffness is probably irrelevant to what the OP wants to do.

born2bahick

Carbon is generally chosen in the cycling world for it's stiffness over aluminum It can be laid up in a way that it's compliant, but can also be laid up to be way stiffer than aluminum at a given weight.
I Own an M5 alloy frame, I own a carbon HT frame and other aluminum frames and I can Promise you the Carbon frame is stiffer.
You should quit regurgitating pinkbike crap.