Choosing a Specialised, advice please.

Larok

Hi there,
I'm looking at getting a bike each for my wife and I. We would like something from the Speciliazed 08 range. Like one of the following bikes.
Epic/Era comp
or
Stumpie/Safire comp or expert!
We are riding a flat 20 mile loose gravel and paved trail to train fitness regularly. In the future we plan to ride on some forest single track and fire roads more frequently. There is a possiblility we might take them to the Alps for holidays next year also.
I like the idea of the brain so hence the stumpie expert on the list. Problem is the red colour on the safire, not a favourite of the potential rider. I'd like both bikes to be the same model for funding reasons.
So far my pro's without having ever ridden the bikes outside are;

Epic
+ Great looker, retro "hardail" image.
+ Speed benifits, particularly on our training circuit

Stumpie
+ Confidence and comfort of the extra 1" travel and slacker geometry
+ That full suser image

Anyone ever ridden the two?

The Big Cheese

The Epic is a racebike - 100mm travel and built for speed - not everyone gets on with the brain shock but I think Spesh have ironed out the creases with it (IIRC it's maunfactured by Spesh themselves now, not Fox)

I personally love the Epic and would recommend it for light XC/racing, but not all mountain as it would be fighting out of its weight.

the Stumpy is also a great bike and from what you have told us would be more in line with the type of riding you are ultimately aiming for.... alps etc. A good trail bike.

Also I presume you are talking about the Stumpy FSR rather than HT? ie this:

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=33436

Both are great bikes but very different in terms of geometry and purpose.....

stumpyjon

The stumpy's a good all round trail bike, I've got 07 Elite which I love. I find the Triad rear shock works well giving me very little bob when in the propedal position so although I liked the idea of the brain I'm not sure I'd pay the extra. With regard to the Safire colour, don't discount a mans bike, it's certainly worth trying for size and fit, there are plenty of women who find the a man's bike fine.

From your description of what you'll be riding a hardtail sounds like it might be more appropriate (except for the alps)? You can always hire a bike when abroad and avoid all the hassle of having to transport (and possibly lose or damage) your favorite steed.

Either way both bikes are good, it's a nice dilema to have

ddoogie

If you are taking your bikes to the Alps then it makes sense to future proof your purchase by getting something suitable; the stumpy :P

Larok

Thanks for your replies,

FSR stumpjumper was the one. I think on reflection the alps is unliklely and Thetford forest and around Peterborough is more likely.

I thought about hardtails but comfortableness points me to full sus. Is there anyway of getting a bike in a diferrent colour than shown?

It is a nice dilema!

stevebrock

Larok wrote:

Thanks for your replies,

FSR stumpjumper was the one. I think on reflection the alps is unliklely and Thetford forest and around Peterborough is more likely.

I thought about hardtails but comfortableness points me to full sus. Is there anyway of getting a bike in a diferrent colour than shown?

It is a nice dilema!

The 08 Stumpys look great, think the colour schemes look amazing in the flesh so much than the pics.

A stumpy sounds right for you!

The Epic is a hardcore XC/marathon bike bred for racing!

The Stumpy is a great trail bike.

If you want to go a bit harder theres the Pitch, by the way I got a Pitch PRO and love it!

stevebrock

ddoogie wrote:

If you are taking your bikes to the Alps then it makes sense to future proof your purchase by getting something suitable; the stumpy :P

Think the stumpy will be slightly out its depth in the Alps...

My mate took his 08 Stumpy to Dalby and it was pushed to its limits!

Enduro or Pitch for the Alps!

Pitch for me with Coil fork as heard lots about people losing Air all the time out of there forks!

omegas

The specialized stumpy is not an entry level bike, how much riding are you doing now? Are you pushing the bikes you have now to there max?

If you are doing 20 miles circuits a good quality hardtail around £500 would do you fine. A full sus is no more comfy than a hardtail and seems a lot of money to layout for the riding you are planning on doing. 20 miles is a relatively a short distance on a bike if you warm up for 5 miles and warm down for the last 5 miles.


If it’s a specialized you want I would stay away from the brain fade and go for the FSR Comp for the both of you as it has lock out, pro pedal and full open. The stumpy comp will eat up most Black routes in the UK but it does not matter how good the bike is the important part is building up the skill levels required and working hard on endurance and strength. Only then will you see the benefits of a bike of this level and see why people payout large amounts of money to own one.

Larok

I have an 7 year old trek 6500 hard tail and my wife a heavier Scott hard tail with some ropy front suspension forks. I'm hoping the Specialised will enhance our riding. I have always ridden bikes and would love a great bike like one of these models.

It's interesting you recommend staying away from the brain fade. The comp stumpys are both in good colours and less cost which is a plus. I was wondering how much of a good thing the, "brain" is? or how much it would be missed on a comp model?

Thanks for all the comments and interesting discussion.

btw The Enduro comp is an awesome looking bike..

Larok

What do people think of the commencals from Merlin against the stumpies?

Larok

Just saw the gadget show which had both the stumpjumper and safire expert used with a wierd snow gadget fitted to them. Great to see the colour of the safire and it is a much darker blood red in real light than comes across in the brightly lit retail picture. Blends well with the black on the bike. So decision made !!

kinda shows in this picture I got through google images



when compared against the shot from specialised in a studio

clarkson

if it were me id go for the stumpy.

steve, i cant see how a stumpy can be pushed to its limits on the alps. for a start it depends what tyope of riding you're doing. if its dh then yes but otherwise its a very confident bike to ride!

Matteeboy

Rode an older Stumpy FS and thought it was a bit fragile.
So I got an HT version (2007).

Newer version looks stronger.

Larok

yes I think Stumpie is the way to go. 10% discounts avaliable. Anyone see any better?

rlang

I have a new Epic and it is fantastic. I tried the stumpy but decided it was to relaxed for me. The Brain is awsome.