Dialing in the 2014 Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Carbon HT World Cup
Specialized aims its 2014 Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Carbon HT World Cup straight at hardcore XC racing on smoother tracks.
I have other ideas for mine.
First ride: 2014 Specialized S-Works Enduro 29
We know this bike is made for serious DH shredding, but Ride #1 was all about climbing.
Not bad, not bad …
First rides: 2014 Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Carbon HT World Cup
I have been blessed with the ultimate tool for an aspiring MTB ninja:
2014 Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Carbon HT World Cup
• FACT IS 10m carbon frame
• Chisel carbon fork
• Roval Control Carbon 29 142+ carbon wheels
• Less than 20 pounds
This is surely a serious tool for XC racing on smoother trails, but how does it shred?
How to ride a 29er fully on a pumptrack?
Hi Lee,
Reading your book on MTB skills and have just taken the plunge and swapped out my Stumpy Elite 26 inched with a Stump Comp Evo 29er (arrives next week).
Thing is we have a nice pumptrack near us and i still want to ride it with my two boys.
It got me thinking that there’s going to be some differences now that i’m on a 140mm travel 29er! Any suggestions would be welcome – I’m guessing I can’t be the only person in this situation 🙂
Cheers
Jase
Is a Fox 34 burlier than a 32?
Hey Lee,
I have repeatedly read your articles about the Stumpjumper FSR 29. I own a 2012 model and I’m quite happy with it. The only problem is my stock fork (Fox 32 Float 29). My crown always got “loose” and starts cracking (more or less always after 3 to 6 months of use). The 1st and the 2nd time I got a new crown/steerer tube. Now it’s the 3rd time I have to visit my local bike store and ask for replacing it.
I’m pretty disappointed with this fork and I would like to change it to something with thicker legs and more travel (140) but will my problem then being solved? Is the crown/steerer part of a Fox 34 more stable than mine?
I started biking 2 years ago in Austria (Alps), I don’t think my riding style is too aggressive for this bike (I have no problems with the frame, the rear suspension or the wheels, just with the fork).
Thank you very much for helping…
Daniel
So close in Utah
After the Saturday coaching session in Utah (see Radness in Salt Lake City, UT), I was exhausted but we had to rock a trail ride. Chris is a seasoned XC racer. Judd is a new-school ripper. The three of us made a perfect platoon of braaap!
Why did I ride my Stumpy 29 for Sea Otter dual slalom?
Hi Lee,
The Sea Otter Classic dual slalom is coming up. 2012 was my first year and it was a blast–I am looking forward to 2013. Sea Otter, when you take into account travel, entry, and the practice-qualies-main spread across days scheduling, is the most expensive race in my amateur season.
So I am trying to choose the right bike and I thought you would have serious insight. This is because you own a Specialized SX and a sweet Specialized P3 pump-track hardtail yet chose to race a Stumpy FSR 29 in 2012.
I own a Specialized SX and yet keep being drawn toward the absolutely ripping Nukeproof Snap hardtail I race USA BMX on. Incidentally, I started racing BMX because of Mastering Mountain Bike Skills and a dumb crash in last year’s Sea Otter dual slalom! Best cycling advice I ever took.
My question, put simply, is why did the trail/AM bike come out on top for you? And was that decision purely personal, or was it informed by a general principle that will help me choose to bring a 26 lbs hardtail that rules on hardpack or a 33 lbs dual-suspension slalom bike that seems tailor-made, but is a wildcard.
Unsurprisingly, my SX does not shine on the BMX track, and the only local, legal slalom course was shut down shortly after I bought the frame. Or should I just borrow my father’s old Stumpy FSR!
Thank you very much,
Matt
Enduro 29 vs Stumpy 29 geometry?
Hi Lee
What do you think about the Enduro 29er vs Stumpjumper 29er in regard to the chainstay and head angle. The Enduro has got a 2cm shorter chainstay and a slacker head angle. What are the diffrences? Is the Stumpjumper geometry better for uphill and the Enduro better for the downhill?
Looking forward to your thoughts on this topic!
Best regards
Are you pumping too hard?
Yeah har har.
Most riders are way too passive on their bikes. For most of you I say attack all backsides. Crush them!
If you’re already an aggressive pumper, especially on a suspended bike, consider this:
Stumpy 29 EVO too long to turn?
Hey Lee
I’m a happy owner of Stumpjumper FSR 29 2012. As I read, you have the EVO version of the same bike. My question is regarding the wheelbase: Compared to my old Scott Genius 26er the wheelbase is rather long. The EVO has an even longer wheelbase. What do you think about steering through narrow corners with such a long bike? Is this much different with a 450mm chainstay, than with a 420mm? I’m interested what your thoughts are on this.
Thanks and regards.
Reto from Switzerland
Brian Lopes testing 29ers?
Uh oh, the end is nigh.
Converting Stumpy 29 to EVO?
(Question inspired by Week one: Stumpjumper FSR 29 Carbon S-EVO)
Hello Lee,
I added a fox 34 hoping it would improve my bikes handling about the same time I discovered you site (awesome articles by the way) and was happy to see I wasn’t the only one who tried and loved the 34!
My question is you mention the EVO conversion for the rear. 1) where can I find this, it’s not on the big S site and my searches turn up nothing? 2) have you tried this yet and what were the results?
My hope is the extra 5mm travel would be nice and with the lower BB height the bike might take sharp switchbacks better.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
Kyle