I’ve ridden a number of Stumpjumpers over the years and one thing stands out; they’ve all been brilliant bikes. From the 1988 hardtail, prestige steel Pro, to the 2007 FSR Pro they have always provided some of the most fun I’ve ever had off-road. For various reasons I didn’t get a chance to properly try a 2008 model so was keen to rectify this by getting a proper go on the ’09. I chose the Elite model, partly for the choice of suspension units (giving a little more bounce up front) but chiefly because I think it looks the business in all white.
Frame:
The ’09 frame remains un-changed from the 08 unit but this is in no way a bad thing. The build quality and attention to detail is just what we’ve come to expect from Specialized, absolutely top-notch. Their excellent M5 tubing is satisfyingly curvy without being wild for the sake of it, all the pivots run on quality bearings via nicely machined alloy bolts throughout and of course uses Specialized’s patented and well-proven FSR system. One item worthy of note is the cable routing; the gear cables run through un-broken outer all the way from the shifters to the mechs and are held in place with very neat resin bolt-on clips. This is so sensible, it makes you wander why all companies don’t do it this way.
Suspension:
At the back is the always superb Fox Triad delivering 120mm. of very well controlled travel. The shock’s 3 available compression-damping settings offer full travel, locked and pro pedal. The latter giving the feeling of roughly 2/3rd travel whilst in reality it still offers all the travel but the increased compression damping prevents the shock diving through its travel too easily. Up front the Fox 32 Talas forks give 100,120 or 140mm of travel and lockout function and features the 15mm bolt through quick release system, which stiffens up the long-ish forks considerably.
Components:
At first glance the componentry looks spot on but it does have a couple of apparent low points; namely the chainset and rear hub. The chainset is a ‘non series’ model. It does retain the excellent X-type bottom bracket and Shimano’s excellently shifting chainrings but looses the hollow arms. In use it doesn’t give any loss in performance but it’s a shame on a bike of this price. Of more concern is the shimano 525 rear hub; they work perfectly but it would be the first thing I’d upgrade after a year or so of heavy use by which time unless it’s been meticulously cared for it’ll be on it’s way out. I am of course being extremely picky.
Everything else is superb; the Avid elixir brakes are amongst the best stoppers on the market, loads of power with great modulation and easy lever adjustment. The shifting is taken care of admirably by Shimano’s SLX shifters and front mech and an XTR rear to add a touch of bling. The wheels (with the exception of the rear hub) are really nice, balancing light weight and strength perfectly and are shod with Kevlar beaded S-works The Captain tyres that provide a LOT of traction combined with remarkably low rolling resistance. The finishing kit of bars, stem, bars, saddle and grips etc. are all Specialized offerings and are some of the best available.
Performance:
I took the bike to a trail I know very well as riding an unfamiliar trail will show you more about the trail than a new bike. So off to Afan's ‘The wall’; I’ve ridden it on several Stumpjumpers so was keen to find out how the ’09 would fare. On the initial climb the rear end worked perfectly, fast, efficient and providing almost perfect traction. Having the adjustable travel on the forks helped on the steeper sections, shifting your weight forwards just enough to really get the power down without making the steering too twitchy. On the flatter ‘rolling’ sections it held it’s speed effortlessly with any pedal input delivering immediate results. The reason anyone rides The Wall is for the gorgeous final descent and the Stumpy handled it beautifully in an extremely sure-footed manner. The option of 140mm on the forks helps not so much in the extra travel but in slackening the head angle a little making landings a lot more controlled.
Conclusion:
I expected a lot from this bike and it didn’t disappoint; not one bit. I may have been a little snobbish about some of the components but this is an amazing bike for the money and I’d forgive it anything. If I had to only own one MTB (heaven forbid) this would be a very strong contender. It does everything well and the way it delivers it’s travel tempts you into pushing it a lot further than perhaps an XC/Trail should be pushed. Stick some beefier wheels on and I’d happily race the Megavalanche on it, but its pretty much perfect as it is. I’ve always recommended Stumpjumpers and that’s not going to change; they rule!
Posted by Chris
