Originally Posted by
neo_pop_71
My uncle still has one of the original 500 Stumpjumpers that were tig welded and he also has an '82 with lugged construction. In his words, neither Stumpjumper can hold a candle to the Ritchey, but they great bikes for the money. The original tig welded model is "a slug with no life" but the '82 lugged Stumpjumper has "spring and lively feel" similar to his Ritchey.
I had one of the '500' pass through my hands and I have to agree that it was nothing special. I guess that's when I learned I'm not a real collector since while it was easily the most collectable bike I've ever owned, it was not one I enjoyed riding so away it went. It's still local and I occasionally run into the new owner and he really digs it so it was a win/win. Now, if it was an 82 Ritchey I do think I would have kept it.....