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MountainBikeReview.com's Forum Archives - What Bike to Buy
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Specialized- which Stumpjumper, or epic? (4 posts)
|  Specialized- which Stumpjumper, or epic? | HuDey
Nov 23, 2002 7:45 PM | | Looking for input on 1)which stumpjumper would be best('02 or '03, fsr, comp or disc); 2) how you would outfit it; 3) or would you go to an epic? I ride cross country in Ohio & KY (mix of hills-up & down, lots of roots, creek crossings, switchbacks, etc.) & do some racing, & want to use the same bike for fast pavement rides (possibly racing)too. Been using an entry level full susp. for 2 years, never had a hardtail. I'm leaning to '02 stumpjumper, but think I want lockouts front & rear. i've read about people cutting down the handlebar, but i measured & its same as the Giant I ride between the trees now, so thats not an issue. Not quite sure what the issue is with seatpost, but guess I could change it later, or do you think i should go ahead & have LBS install a thompson & tires. ANy other upgrades? price no problem. |
| Stumpy yes, Epic no | sdbelt
Nov 23, 2002 8:37 PM | | I would get an FSR, if you were planning on racing. And unless you routinely ride in rain/mud, I wouldn't get disc brakes. They just add weight, and for a XC racer/rider, you won't yield the advantages.
Regarding the Epic, there's a group (including myself), that doesn't think it works yet. In my opinion, the rear is too noodley, the brain isn't smart enough, and the overall package is too heavy, given the price tag. The FSR suffers none of these problems. I think there's an FSR that's got XTR and a Fox front shock, and retails at ~$2k. That package would appeal to me, if $2k were my target price.
If you had more money (say $3k), then I'd recommend a Titus Racer-X or Hammerhead 100X. Great bike, and you'd get to customize the components.
--sdb |
| this time next year... | older guy
Nov 24, 2002 11:18 AM | | This time next year, the price will be lower, the weight will be lesser and the Brain (shock) will be intelligent. Am talking about the next issue of the Epic.
Right now, one of the better buys is the '03 Stumpjumper FSR Comp. A little weighty because of the the Disc ready wheels and Fox Forx Float 100mm (the weight justifies the performance).
There are some '02 Stumpys left but you may have difficulty in finding your size. |
| What size do you need? | AlphaDog
Nov 25, 2002 9:00 AM | | I'm in Cincy too. I have a LG Epic. We can meetup if you want to do an extended ride on an Epic and make up your own mind. It works great, its just highly misunderstood in my opinion. I can demo the pluses/minuses for you. What most demo riders miss is the whole issue of how the brain works. You need speed/force to activate the suspension. If your putting along, you will feel some bumps, if your flying, it acts just like an FSR. Our trails around Cincy/KY are a perfect match for this bike. We either have buff singletrack, or a rooty climb/decent to work with. On the smooth the Epic is fast, efficent, but still releases and helps on the rough. I would not buy this bike to ride out west, or any really rough place. The brain would be open most of the time and of no use.
Email me if you want to meet up. zigguraut@hotmail.com |
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