Hi MTBers,

I'm considering the Specialized 2005 FSR XC PRO (MSRP $1700) for technical XC. Specs below.

Is this a good choice?

Other bikes to consider?

Thanks.
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05 FSR XC PRO

EXPERIENCE: RECREATIONAL TRAIL
It's all about the trail (and riding as much of it as possible.) Like its big brother, the Stumpjumper FSR, each FSRxc delivers awesome suspension and geometry so the rider can find the flow on his/her favorite trail. Lightweight and mind-blowing efficiency let the pilot ride more. The sweet combination of trail competence and cross country speed lead one to ask, "Is the FSRxc a technical condition XC bike, or a fast & light All Mountain bike?" To which we reply, "Yes!"

MSRP: $1700.00

FRAME FSR technology, A1 Premium Aluminum butted frame, ORE toptube and downtube, sealed cartridge bearings, disc only, 100mm travel, replaceable derailleur hanger, two sets of water bottle bosses
REAR SHOCK Fox Float Triad. Custom on-the-fly three position switch 1) Lock-out, 2) Open, 3) ProPedal pedal assisting damping. External rebound adjust, Twin sleeve design for increased volume. 6.5x1.5”
FORK Manitou Splice Elite, 100mm travel, rebound adjust, compression lock-out, disc only, alloy steerer
HEADSET 1 1/8” threadless, black steel cups, loose ball bearings with seals
STEM 3D forged CNC machined, 4-bolt, 31.8mm OS clamp, 8 degree rise
HANDLEBARS Specialized XC Low Rise 31.8mm OS bar, 6066 butted alloy, 6 degree upsweep, 8 degree backsweep, 640mm width
TAPE / GRIPS Specialized MTB grip, black, double density Kraton
FRONT BRAKE Avid BB-7 Mechanical disc, 160mm (L/XL 185mm) clean sweep rotor
REAR BRAKE Avid BB-7 Mechanical disc, 160mm clean sweep rotor
BRAKE LEVERS Avid FR-5
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano M-510 Deore, 34.9mm clamp, top pull
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano M-750 XT, long cage, standard spring
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano M-510 Deore
CASSETTE Shimano HG-50 LX, 9-speed, 11x34t
CHAIN Shimano HG-53
CRANKSET Custom Shimano Hollowtech, Octalink XT Spline
CHAINRINGS 44Ax32Sx22S, 4-bolt 104/64mm pattern, steel chainring bolts
BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano ES-30 Octalink spline, 68mm shell, 118mm spindle. 50mm chainline.
PEDALS Shimano M-505 SPD
RIMS Mavic XM117 Disc, 26”, black
FRONT HUB Specialized disc, 32 hole, loose ball bearings, alloy Q/R
REAR HUB Shimano M-475 disc, 32 hole, loose ball bearings, alloy Q/R
SPOKES 1.8mm (15g) black stainless, brass nipples
FRONT TIRE Specialized Adrenaline 2.0, aramid bead, dual compound 60tpi
REAR TIRE Specialized Adrenaline 2.0, aramid bead, dual compound 60tpi
TUBES Specialized, schraeder valve
SADDLE Specialized BG technology, hollow Cr-Mo rails, dual density base
SEAT POST 2014 butted Alloy, black, 30.9 x 350/400mm
SEAT BINDER Alloy collar with Q/R, 34.9mm clamp I.D., black
NOTES Chain stay/seat stay protector, derailleur protector, reflectors, owners manual
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I had th same decision to make as well. I went with the Stumpjumper FSR..I got the base line one which so far has been really good to me. I think the main difference was the lack ot disc brakes and the M4 frame..FOr the most part the bikes are the same thing, I got an 04 for a amazing deal so that also played into my decision..look into the stumpy FSR as well..Its a bit more pricy, but i think worth it...

I'm also interested in this bike, so I'm going to watch the replies here. I tested one at my LBS, and it seemed decent - as much as I could tell riding around the parking lot and jumping off some stairs.

I found another bike on the Internet I'm going to look at - Trek Fuel EX 7. Price and equipment are similar. It has Hayes Hydraulic brakes and maybe slightly better shocks (only from what I've read so far). Does anyone have comments on the Trek vs. the Specialized?

Thanks!

Did we first? If you had you would have seen that it is in fact a fine choice

Awesome bike for the money. I just built that very bike yesterday.

Hi MTBers,

Jamis 2005 Dakar XLT ($1400 msrp) got Bicycling's Best Value FS Bike (under $1500) rating. Specs below.

How do you think this compares with the Specialized 2005 FSR XC PRO?
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Jamis 2005 Dakar XLT ($1400 msrp)

https://www.jamisbikes.com/

FRAME
7005 aluminum all tubes, cartridge bearing pivots,
fully-active 4-bar linkage design, 125mm, Fox Float R rear shock, replaceable derailleur hanger,
international disc brake mount.
FORK Fox Vanilla R, 130mm travel.
HEADSET WTB Race, Internal Cup type, 1 1/8”.
WHEELSET WTB Speed Disc disc rims, 32H, with Shimano M475 front and rear disc hubs, WTB 14g stainless steel spokes.
TIRES Hutchinson Spider, 26 x 2.30”.
DERAILLEURS SRAM X-7 rear, X-7 31.8mm conventional
clamp/top pull front.
SHIFTERS SRAM X-7, Impulse Trigger-shift, 27-speed.
CHAIN Shimano CN-HG73.
FREEWHEEL SRAM Powerglide PG950, 9-speed, 11-32.
CRANKSET TruVativ Hussefelt, 44/32/22,
170mm (13-15”), 175mm (17-21”).
BOTTOM BRACKET TruVativ ISIS SPL-DH, 68 x 113mm.
PEDALS Shimano M505, clipless.
BRAKESET Hayes HFX-9 XC hydraulic disc brakes, with Hayes levers.
HANDLEBAR TruVativ L.E. 31.8mm Riser Bar, 6061 T-6 alloy,
35mm rise x 640mm.
STEM TruVativ XR, 75mm x 5° (13” – 15”),
90mm x 5° (17” – 19”), 105mm x 5° (21”).
GRIPS WTB Weirwolf, dual DNA compound.
SEATPOST TruVativ XR Single Clamp, 350mm x 27.2mm with alloy clamp and QR.
SADDLE WTB Laser V Comp E with SL top & sides, steel rails.
SIZES 13”, 15”, 17”, 19”, 21”
COLORS Ano Black
WEIGHT 32.25
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I like the Jamis Dakar XLT very much. Saw one in my lbs and i liked it straight after i saw it. Only one thing i don't like.....the price.

Well considering that the Jamis is more of a "All Mountain" type more comparable to a Specilized Enduro than a FSR XC You're comparing apples to crankshafts. Decide what style of riding you actually want to do and THEN look at bikes

I say go for it, providing you want an XC bike that can handle a bit more. I got an '03 and love it. Fast and reasonably nimble, but still plush.

The Dakar XLT is a 32 lb freeride bike. If you race this thing, you are going to be at a big disadvantage unless the terrain is really rocky and techy downhills.

I suggest you go ride everyting in that class, including Rocky Mountain, Fisher, Trek, IronHorse, etc.

I think that Jamis is a nice deal, I'd get that if you're not overly concerned about light weight for racing and such.

Hi Guys,

You guys have made good points about All Mountain versus XC. I really did not have a clear distinction in my mind previously. A bike pound or two doesn't bother me, as I need to lose much more body weight than that. I'm now focusing on getting a good All Mountain around $2000.

I was thinking about getting the Jamis Dakar 1.0, but now I'm leaning to the Dakar 2.0 because it has air shocks front and rear, and other better components. The Dakar 1.0 has Manitou Minute 1:00, which is a spring shock.

I have read the excellent shock thread and visited the shock manufacturers sites. My take on air shocks is that they are better than springs (if you're not free riding or doing big jumps) for technical XC because they absorb shock better and with less pedaling power loss and can be fine tuned to rider and trail. If correct, these are huge advantages of air over spring for the type of riding I do.

Are the new air shocks harder to maintain and as reliable as spring shocks? They sure are more complex.

By the way, I currently have a 1998 Gary Fisher Level Betty FH 0 (DS springs, freeride or all mountain?) and a 1999 Giant Yukon (HT spring). I like both equally. They are both 19'' frames which I got about 5 months ago, one hardly used and the other new, from a friend for great prices. Since I should be using a 16'' or 17'' frame, and since I would like to take advantage of new technology, I'm looking for a 2005 model.

Thanks again for all of your excellent help.

By today's standards? XC

Raiyn,

Thanks, that's very helpful feedback. I've never ridden a current model DS of any kind. I need to go to a shop and test ride.