zurikella

Just picked up this bike off craigslist. I have several high quality steel and carbon road and track bikes, but always rode Walmart grade MTB. I’ve heard many praiabout those old steel frame Stumpjumpers; plus I am sucker for steel and non-sloping top tube. So I went to check out the bike, not considering to pay anything close to asking price, considering all that rust. But after I short ride I loved it instantly. This thing does fly. Lively, springy ride, precise shifting with excellent gear ratios, geometry feels tailored to my body. Lightweight (compared to what I used to ride). So I just paid asking price. Overpaid, but who cares, this thing makes me happy. Finally my questions: Anyone know when this bike was built? I love restoring things; do you think it is worth to strip the paint and rust and repaint it? I doubt it is much of collector’s worth, probably was built in very large numbers. I think whoever owned the bike took good care of mechanical things, as everything shift and brakes perfectly, hubs are smooth and rims straights. But did not care of cosmetics at all. Here are some pictures I took today. Thank you

wxflyer

Nice score. Hopefully if the inside of the frame tubes aren't too rusty it will clean up nicely and look great w/a repaint. My guess on the vintage is early 90s. Is that an 8 speed cassette?

frantik

nice.. cosmetically a bit rough but you can remove a lot of the rust and clean it up if you want. stumpjumper is specialized high end MTB so you've got a great frame and components too

i'd guess early 90s based on the fact it's got a nonsloping top tube, no vbrakes and a suspension fork. i don't know about specialized brand but i suspect you can determine the age from the serial # or the production date code on the components

anixi

I have NEVER seen such a long stem in my long life!

blilrat

Are all the components Deore LX? LX with the threaded fork would put it at a '93.

You may have some trouble fixing the fork if it is non-functional. Your best bet would be to find a replacement rigid fork.

Yes, it's crusty, but cleaned up it will ride really nice.

robo

It's not a '93, I'm pretty sure it's a '92. The silver with purple text matches the catalog, but the rear derailleur is odd - it's pre 1993 (1993 LX was redesigned and all black) but the 1992 Stumpjumper had a DX, not LX rear. Maybe it was replaced early on?

blilrat

Yea, should've looked at the catalog. I saw LX and thought it could be no earlier than '93.

wxflyer

Sounds right to me, but I didn't think suspension forks came along quite so early. Anyone have a good source for old Specialized catalogs?

Fred Smedley

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/v/M...ve/Catalogues/

montero 75

blilrat, I have the same bike... I have just taken it out of practical retirement and the shocks (Future Shock, air spring/hydraulic) aren't working. I would really like to have them repaired. I do want to have suspension, and I think there aren't many replacement options available. I know next to nothing about shocks. If it is of any help, the shocks do go up and down if pressed or pulled, but not when riding. Why would they be hard to repair? Replaceable parts that can no longer be found? Any light that you could shed on this for me will be appreciated. Thx!

bikemig 

I have two specialized vintage mtbs; they are both really great bikes. You'll have fun fixing your bike up. That is, as someone else pointed out, one heck of a long stem.

anixi

^re: future shocks
I would be surprised if an EBay search turned up any replacement parts, but, you could sure try! Stuff like that is becoming "unobtainium".

frantik

heads up: the OP hasn't logged into the site in 2 years