First Impressions: Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper FSR

Here is another impression from our time in France….

I (Mrs.29erOnline) rode the S Works version of the Stumpjumper FSR for the first time in France. Now, granted, it was so cool just to be in France that, probably, a Huffy would have been fine. But I wasn’t on a Huffy, I was on the top of the line S-Works Stumpjumper FSR and it was very impressive.

First, I will say, that while I am no authority on bikes, I have been riding mountain bikes for more than a few years and 29 inch mountain bikes for the last four. When I initially switched to the 29er, I was perfectly happy with the 26 inch bike I had. It was light, fast, and, very easy to control. I always felt like, “Well, why change what works and I’m not anywhere near being a pro, so will I even notice a difference anyway?” That said, what I really liked immediately about the 29er was the confidence it gave me. So, I have learned that, the more I ride, the more I do notice differences.

I am 5′ 4″ with a 28 inch inseam. I rode the size small Stumpjumper. As a woman, I think we all worry about the size, the comfort and, for me, stand over height is a pretty important thing. You want to be able to get off easily without slamming yourself against the bar because the bike is too tall. I noticed right away that this bike, even though it was a 130mm travel bike, was a great fit for a short girl. Also, as a short, woman rider, I sometimes have to adjust my bike mid ride because either my back or neck starts to ache. This is usually because the bike I am on is too long for me. With the Stumpjumper, I didn’t have that problem, which was really nice because I could focus on the ride and not constantly be distracted and uncomfortable. So, this was really nice, and a welcome surprise. To sum it up, the stand over was great, I was not over extended and it was really comfortable. This bike is a great fit for a shorter woman rider. You will be amazed.

Aside from fit, I noticed that the Stumpjumper is a great looking, meaty bike. Initially, I thought it might be cumbersome, but, surprisingly, as plush as it was to ride, it wasn’t heavy on the climbs. It was grippy, and took tight turns with ease. The best part though, was the downhill. The Command Post was a feature I hadn’t tried before and it was really cool. I love to go fast on the downhill and it’s nice not to worry about a high seat.

I will also say that I noticed how light the wheels felt and how quickly they reacted when pedalling. The only real negative about the bike, for me, is that it gave me more confidence descending than I am actually qualified to have. I thought I was a rock star on it until I ate dirt. Overall, it’ s an awesome bike – super comfy, but also fast and easy to handle.

As a final note, if I had to choose one part of the bike, what would I choose to buy? I would have to say, the wheels and tires. Word on the street is that they are Roval Control Trail SL 29 with carbon rims. The tires are Specialized Purgatory 2.2 with S-Works casing and a 2.1 Ground Control rear. I recently rode the Ground Control with a Captain Control rear at home on another brand’s bike and noticed that I like Specialized tires even though they are heavier then the Schwable tires that are on my personal bike.

Now, let me just say, this bike is not inexpensive, so it’s no wonder it feels like butter. My next objective is to see if one of their ” budget friendlier” bikes works as well on the terrain back at home and the style of riding I do. I will keep in mind that this is a lower end bike which may add weight. Let’s face it, it would be sweet to have a Porsche, but hey, a Saab is nothing to be embarrassed about. Ok, let’s see how the Saab a.k.a. Stumpjumper Comp 29er measures up. Do I have you on the edge of your seat yet ?

Here is a more official photo from Specialized…

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