Rockhopper vs Stumpjumper

Matteeboy

As many of you know, I got myself a 2007 Stumpy Comp last year and then wife got a 2008 Rockhopper Disc this year (replaced a hybrid which turned out to be a bit cack).

Had my first proper ride on it this morning - both are 17" frames - and was rather suprised at how different it is to the Stumpy.

There was I just thinking the Stumpy was just a higher spec Rockhopper but the two are a long way apart.

The Stumpy climbs like a monkey, and it very fast and agile on flat singletrack yet point it downhill and it's rather twitchy and just doesn't feel massively "safe" (for want of a better word).
Point the Rockhopper downhill and the confidence it inspires compared to the Stumpy is huge - slacker geometry and a riser bar/shorter stem really do help blast down hills and the whole bike feels that little bit more solid (and heavier)

Anyway, probably not "news" to most of you but I found the differences interesting. If I was going for a bit of a DH/freeride route, I'd be happier on the Rockhopper. If I was blasting long distance on singletrack, it would be the Stumpy every time.

FSR_XC

Solution:- get a full suss Stumpy, with adjustable Fox front end.

140mm front, 120mm rear bounce for downhill

100mm front & lockout (or brain fade) rear for climbs.


Matt - been thinking (stupid Q), why mudguards on the Stumpy?

jayson

The Stumpy always has been more of a 'race bred' bike than the Rockhopper.

Matteeboy

I know the Stumpy is much more of an XC racer than the Rockhopper but I was suprised at the amount of difference in the ride. Put them side to side and they look pretty similar.

I'm actually pretty pleased too as the different characters suit different riding - I'd be happier jumping or dropping off on the RH than the Stumpy, but happier doing fast mileage on the Stumpy.

FSR - I'm not into FS bikes. Yes I'd love to try the latest Scalpel/Stumpy S Works/etc but for the stuff we do, HT is better suited. Can't be bothered with the tuning faff, don't like the extra weight and can't stand the loss of efficiency. This might change but for now, HT suits us best.

Oh and we use mudguards because we don't like getting splattered. We do a daily ten miler and so getting muddy each day would be a pain - I can't see why anyone wouldn't want them - they weigh naff all, only a complete spoon would worry about the "look" and they work a treat too. I'd much rather splatter them than my frame/components/face/back.

ashleymp777

I agree! My stumpy on the downhills has always been nervous on the downhills, but you've kinda got to accept that given that it's an all out racer. Got use to it now though thank god!

Matteeboy

Ashley - Could you not use yours for a bit then?
I seem to vaguely remember that you were injured?

ashleymp777

Yeh, I got run over by a Volvo after falling out of a bar drunk before Xmas, tripping over a road work then falling in the road - the car ran over my ankles I knew it was a Volvo because i saw the hub caps as it ran over me!

Was much funnier after the event!

Matteeboy

Ouch!

Hope it doesn't leave any lasting problems.

And Volvo drivers are supposed to be safe!

Will Snow

Matteeboy wrote:

And Volvo drivers are supposed to be safe!

nah thats just the cars.... i bet it was pefectly ok

ashleymp777

No, only lasting problem is that I can't go past a Volvo dealership without feeling fear! ;-)

Anyway, we divulge from the topic in hand......... :?

Matteeboy

Get your own back - find a Volvo filled golf car park and do some MTBing on their lovely golf course! :twisted:

ashleymp777

I do hate golfers!!!!

scottalej

Hi Matteeboy, I have a 2006 M4 Stumpy and have to say it's the most disappointing bike I've ever riden. The geometry is very steep which makes the handling fast at the expense of stability especially as you say when it's pointed downhill. I also find there's not enough ground clearance resulting it the pedals clobbering anything bigger than a pebble. The answer is to fit a longer travel fork and wide risers. I currently have a RS Revelation 85-130mm which I run at the full 130 most of the time and wind it down a little for climbs. The difference is amazing and makes a useless bike for rough trails into a lightweight do it all bike.
Still a harsh dead frame though, feels like a crap steel frame but lighter. M4 manipulated aluminium, yeah manipulated to death!
Much prefer my 2007 Orange Clockwork, rides 5ib lighter and is FUN!

Matteeboy

Scott -Can't say I hate the Stumpy - just needs careful riding when battering down hills. I actually like nervous/agile geometry - it's super agile for singletrack blasting and very hard to beat on climbs.

Not had the same pedal trouble as you but I've got a Stylo rather than an XT crank. I really like the bike - but maybe I do quite different riding to you?

scottalej

Rocky, rooty trails up here.
Not being cheeky but have you tried other makes of bike other than Specialized? I've found Kona and Orange among others to be a much nicer and more fun ride. Spesh is good value for money as far as spec goes though.

jayson

scottalej wrote:

Spesh is good value for money as far as spec goes though.

A top end Merlin or Rocklobster is better specced and cheaper than a Stumpy in the same price bracket.

Matteeboy

scottalej wrote:

Rocky, rooty trails up here.
Not being cheeky but have you tried other makes of bike other than Specialized? I've found Kona and Orange among others to be a much nicer and more fun ride. Spesh is good value for money as far as spec goes though.

I've tried all sorts but Specialized always come up trumps for spec and value as well as reputation.

Yes a Merlin can be had for less, but I prefer Spesh's own kit stuff (stem, saddle, etc) to what Merlin offer and I've had over 10 years trouble free fun riding on my 1997 Stumpy.

I also really wanted the Fox fork and Juicy 5 brakes which are brilliant.

Matteeboy

Thinking about comments on the Stumpy - my observations were not negative but some here dont seem to like them.

I'd say you've simply picked the wrong bike for your needs.

The frame is a high end XC racing frame - it HAS to be twitchy. This gives it it's amazing agility when hammering along singletrack.
Obviously it's lively down hills too and less confidence inspiring than more relaxed frames but then that's what DH bikes are for.

My surfboards are all very "twitchy" - both high end high performance shortboards. Sure they are pretty much impossible for a beginner to use, but they turn on a dime and can be put in places on the wave that no bigger, more stable board can go.

It's the same with the Stumpy - get it "flowing" on some fast but semi technical singletrack and the bike really comes alive. Any time I'm really hammering it through woods/along trails, there's nothing I'd rather be on.

There, got that off my chest.

prophet_1000

Hey Matteeboy, Hows things?

I think I may have found your perfect bike!

See what you think.

Matteeboy

Hi Prophet - Nicely done!!

Bit of a big board and I'd probably choose the Stumpy over the Rockhopper overall but it's a splendid Photoshop job!

glen4

Hi Mattee,
I've got an 07 Stumpy HT expert, have put the spesh carbon riser bars on mine, along with a few other upgrades, am well pleased with mine, and don't really find downhills a problem, I really like the slightly nervous handling, makes the bike feel alive. I am used to racing a KTM in enduros tho', and they're not renowned for stability either

Matteeboy

Glen - any notable upgrades worth thinking about?

The bike is still pretty new but when I break stuff, I tend to try and upgrade if possible.

glen4

Mattee
Thomson layback seat post, bit of bling really, but a wee bit lighter and opens up the 18" frame a bit for me.
Hope Pro 3 straight pull wheelset, very nice saved a lb in weight combined with a rear SRAM 990 cassette and 991 chain (originals knackered after a couple of thousand offraod miles). Going to my LBS tomorrow to pick up my new spesh Phenom SL saddle (as fitted to the Epic carbon marathon)
XTR Pedals, cos they were on offer, and a bit more weight saved :roll:
I think the best mod was the carbon specialised riser bars, nicer riding position, and maybe why mine doesn't seem too nervous going DH. Still climbs like a monkey tho, much better than my old Kona Explosif. All in all I am well pleased with the bike.

prophet_1000

Sorry Matteeboy I couldn't resist!!

I used to have a RH in 2004, my 1st proper mountain bike, wished I still had it but sold it to fund the deposit for my Cannondale.

Loved the RH and would love a Stumpy HT now for a quick blast of my local trails

glen4

Report on the specialised phenom SL saddle, saved 100grms, was fitted for the 143, standard seats seem to be 130mm, did a two hour 25 mile off road route yesterday, and can report that I'm well pleased. Might be something in this body geometry thing, used to get pins and needles in left hand after a while on stock seat, no such problem on the new one.
BTW when changing the chainrings fitted a Deore front middle, and removed the (previously unused) granny ring, which saved the weight gained by using a steel middle ring.

Matteeboy

Glen - some serious weight shaving there!
While I like a light bike, I'm not a total whippet boy. My kit tends to get battered so I need stuff to be strong.
How much do you reckon your whole bike weighs now then?
Must be very low end of 20lbs?

Prophet - I liked it a lot! Spent this weekend surfing - best it's been for a long long time.

glen4

Mattee, no idea of weight really, but I reckon a couple of pounds less than standard at a guess, whatever that may be?? I can say that the bike feels quite different since fitting the new wheels, although most of the extra acceleration has probably come from changing the rear tyre to a 1.95 cinder from a 2.1 trailraker (things are fairly dry here right now in dorset), and the new transmission is lovely and smooth.

Matteeboy

The Stumpy Comp is around 24lbs (17" frame) , the Expert is a bit lighter.

I should think yours is around 22lbs or maybe even less.

Plenty light enough!

scottalej

Would be amazed if it's anything near that weight. My 2006 19" standard apart from 160mm LX discs, Bontrager xxx lite carbon risers and stem, light weight saddle and lighter wheels weighs in at 26lb on the Alpine Digital scale without pedals.
These bikes aren't as light as you'd think. My 2007 Orange Clockwork weighs in at 11/2 lb more with no lightweight parts.

Matteeboy

Sorry Scott, I know you don't like your Stumpy, but we like ours.
An Orange Clockwork is a very different bike. It's steel for starters and so will be substantially heavier.
If a "lightweighted" Stumpy is coming in only 1.5lbs lighter than a non lightweighted Clockword, then you need to check your scales - The P7 tested on WMB is over 31lbs. The Clockwork isn't much lighter.

Stumpys are light enough and I have my steel old one too - probably more like your Orange.

Now leave us happy Stumpjumpers alone

:roll:

ashleymp777

I have to weigh mine down