Stumpy or Enduro- Cannock Regular

Greddyl30pjg
Greddyl30pjg Posts: 63
edited August 2010 in MTB buying advice
HI,
I recently bought a 2005 specialized Epic.
The bike was great for what i was using it for; if not a little overkill (light trail).

Since buying the bike ive started going to cannock practically every weekend, usually doing 1 lap of the Monkey and 1 lap of the Dog. (for fun and to get fitter, i do try and push myself but im by no means a racer)

Basically the Epic, as much as i love it, is a little harsh, especially on the down hill sections (non adjustable brain on my bike so adjusting sensitivity not an option). However having ridden a f/s with no brain the epic does seem to climb well. So here's my dilema.

Im looking at spending 1 grand or so on a second hand bike. I contemplated an Enduro, whilst the prespect of having more fun of the down hill sections really appeals- i dont wont to make to much work for myself on the uphill sections! Is the stumpjumper a compramise between the Epic and Enduro?? Reviews seem to suggest the stumpy beeing similar in geometry to the Epic but more travel??


Will someone with some knowledge point me in the right direction? Should i stick with the Epic n put up with the harsh downhill ride n position or go for a more plush Enduro or is the Stumpy a better option?????? - as previously mentioned the monkey trail at Cannock is my regular ride so thats the terrain i need a bike suited to)

(im 6.2ft, 15 stone and will once a week be using the bike on the road for a steady midweek ride- want to stick with specialized as ive alwasys had good experiences with them)

Comments

  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    I ride the Monkey and FTD pretty often, on a 100mm HT, and I can't see how you'd need an Enduro for the riding there, there's nothing that will make a Stumpy reach it's limits, that's for sure.
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • I think your right having read a few more reviews.
    I do need something that climbs well as there loads of bl@@dy hills there so was swaying towards the stumpy.

    The only thing putting me off was a few folks saying the stumpy wasnt cut out for much DH...but with what 5 or 6 inches of travel i cant imagine it strugglin that much!!

    Is the epic im currently riding defo a bad choice then for the monkey trail??
    It does shake my bones abit but ive not had alot of experience or anything to compare to??!
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    To be honest, I'd have thought that an Epic would be a pretty good choice for the Monkey and FTD. But that's a new Epic, not an 05 version. I don't know how good the suspension was, and how much there was, 5/6 years ago.

    Just so you're aware (apologies if you already are), "downhill" doesn't refer to riding down a hill, and it certainly doesn't include any of the XC trails at Cannock. It means riding down a course as fast as possible, with rocks, jumps and big drop offs. Where you'd regularly be getting several feet of air between the ground and your wheels and you'd expect to need a full sus bike with something like 180mm of suspension, as well as full face helmets, body armour etc. Have a look on youtube for "downhill world cup" or something like that.

    There are a few sections of the Monkey that are quite broken up and rutted, but they can be smoothed out by choosing your line through it a bit better, even on a HT.

    Anyway, for £1k, why not get a new bike? The Voodoo Canzo and Boardman Team FS were really well reviewed in the last What Mountain Bike.
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    I've only done FTD a couple times but would've your current bike is the correct choice. The Enduro is too much in my opinion, the Stumpy would be my choice if you had to get a new bike.

    If you're liking the current bike apart for the rear sus have you looked at upgrading the rear shock? Im not sure what options you have due to the brain thingy but might be a few options?
  • Thanks for yor help guys.

    Might just stick with it then or at least try and somehow test a stumpy out before i make any decision.

    The 05 epic only has 80mm of travel at the front and 90 (i think) at the rear.
    The brain on the 05 is not adjustable and takes a good whack before it kicks in hence the majority of the time it feels like im ridding a hard tail-great on the road or climbing but feels harsh on the downhill or should i say broken parts of the trail with rutts etc.

    As a relativley heavy chap i just feel i could do with a little more cushion, a little more travel and more regularly from the back.

    Contemplated changing the suspension but costly, would rather just buy a newer bike hence dilema.

    I have limited knowledge about the differences in bikes tbh, im literally going off reviews having ridden few bikes- hence im asking your opinions

    (Do seem to sit a little far fowards on this bike too when going downwards!-im aware the seat should be lower when going downhill but i cant keep adjusting it all the time-hence i thought as the stumpy has a more upright seating position it would be better suited??)
  • darren555
    darren555 Posts: 194
    bails87 wrote:
    I ride the Monkey and FTD pretty often, on a 100mm HT, and I can't see how you'd need an Enduro for the riding there, there's nothing that will make a Stumpy reach it's limits, that's for sure.

    +1

    I ride a hardtail with 100mm travel forks and think anythink much more than that at Cannock is a waste there.
  • sdas777
    sdas777 Posts: 29
    i'd say the stumpy, the suspension is v. adjustable and i agree, the enduro seems like overkill. however, the enduros a great bike and yeah you should definitely try both bikes... either way you're not going to have problems with specialized :)
    Specialized Stumpjumper HT
    Giant Defy
  • CycloRos
    CycloRos Posts: 579
    There's nothing at Cannock that really warrants full-suspension but if you think it would add more comfort to your riding then you're right to stick with it.

    It does sound like your epic is getting a bit long in the tooth so may be it is time to look at something new.

    I'm also 6' + and used to ride a 06 StumpJumper FSR around Cannock it was an excellent trail bike, I now ride HT's but that's taking nothing away from the Stumpy.

    Why not see if you can bag a demo ride on some new full-sussers at Swinnerton's?
    Current Rides -
    Charge Cooker, Ragley mmmBop, Haro Mary SS 29er
    Pics!
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    IIRC Don't Swinnertons's hire out Giant bikes? try having a go on an Anthem X
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    jairaj wrote:
    IIRC Don't Swinnertons's hire out Giant bikes? try having a go on an Anthem X

    Good plan. I think they refund the hire fee if you buy from there too.
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • Again, thanks for all the help.

    I now feel like a bit of a girl moaning about my sus when all you guys are on HT's!!!
    I wanna stick with specialised soley because my last few bikes have been specialized and ive never had any problems so i might see if they've got any in to rent out at swinnerton.

    Ive slightly buckled my wheels a couple of times at connack (mavic 317) n put the down to my weight n not alot of travel but maybe thats not the case by the sounds of it?/ Would that be due to the bikeshop i get to straighten them out/tighten the spokes up?
  • Chris5.5
    Chris5.5 Posts: 154
    I have an 08 Stumpy Comp, you could pick one up from ebay for around £700-£800.

    I find it is the perfect bike for cannock and Llandegla, used to do them on my hardtail but the Stumpy is much comfier and very good down as well as up.

    The standard fox triad shock has propedal and lock out which help the uphills and reduces bob, although bob is only really apparent if you are hammering it out of the seat.

    Have been talking myself into getting a 140 mm full suspension bike in the sales (Lapierre or similar) but a trip to Coed y Brennin on Sunday and the MBR route has convinced me that on the downs I run out of skill far before the bike does.

    So going to keep the money in the bank and the wife happy by sticking with the Stumpy.
  • Nice- the 2008's are the one with the 'un-interupted' seat post as they call it right? The vertical postitioned shock? i like the look of that frame! Is the comp the entry level? What hubs wheel groupset etc do they have??
  • Chris5.5
    Chris5.5 Posts: 154
    The Comp is the entry level model, specs are below but briefly SRAM X9/X7 gears, Fox front forks and wheels are DT on Shimano Deore (rear) and 28 spoke DT rim on Specialized hub with 9mm skewer:

    http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBC ... nuItemId=0
  • MarkLG
    MarkLG Posts: 189
    I've had the 07 and 08 Stumpies before ending up with an Enduro (see signature for link).
    For trail centre type riding the 08 Stumpy was pretty well perfect - light, fast and comfy. I had the Expert model with the Brain rear shock, which works pretty well.
    I'd avoid the 07 Stumpy for the simple reason that you can't drop the seat properly.
    My Enduro is actually lighter than my Stumpy was (carbon frame :) ) and climbs easily as well as the Stumpy, is better on the downs and the suspension works that well that the extra travel is no handicap when you're pedalling.
    The Enduro is an extremely versatile bike, and if you plan on expanding your horizons it would be my recommendation. I've used mine on everything from all day XC rides doing 1000m of climbing to hammering red and black DH tracks in the Alps.
  • I hired a Giant Talon from Swinnerton at the end of May - 100mm HardTail and did Monkey + FtD in the morning, had a spot of lunch then did FtD x 2 in the afternoon - can't see how you would need anything other than a 100mm HT for those beauties.
    I subsequently bought a Spech. Rockhopper and put 100mm forks on it ( came with 80mm forks ) and have ridden Sherwood Pines ( very poor in comparison to Ftd i.m.o. ) Dalby - a bit too rocky / samey - didn't like it that much! and North Face Trail at Grizedale in the Lakes with no probs :)
    Unless you're planning something a little more extreme than any of the above 100mm HT is all you'll ever need :)
  • Monkey trail and follow the dog every week- the odd trip to Afan in the future is as extreme as im going to get to be honest.

    I definatley think the Enduro is more than i'd need. After all the comments about hardtails being sufficient im seriously re-considering changing at all!

    If i were to go for a Stumpy i'd defo go for an 08' + as i prefer the frame design but for now i think im just going to wait it out until i get chance to test one!

    Despite the fact that i may be keeping my current ride for the time being-i appreciate all the advice. You guys have helped me make a more educated decision rather than buying for the hell of it!!!! .....and you may have saved me a few quid!
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    That's not to say that a FS is 'wrong' for Cannock, by any means. It's personal choice at the end of the day. Try to get a demo on one, it might help you decide properly.

    In the meantime, maybe try picking out a smoother line, it can work wonders when you seem to fly over the bumpy bits and just touch ground on the smooth patches.
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."