The Specialized Stumpjumper, A Classic Mountain Bike


We haven’t reviewed any Mountain Bikes for while here at Bike Cycling Reviews, so during an office discussion it turned out that we all liked and wanted, at one time or another, a Specialized Stumpjumper. The Stumpjumper is a Classic and you can buy it in so many different styles, Hardtail, Full Suspension and for full Retro style, the Stumpjumper Classic. There is a lot of bike from the Stumpjumper range!

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I remember the first time I saw a Stumpjumper, it must have been in the mid 80’s, I wanted one, but I could only afford its cheaper little brother, the Rockhopper, it was a great bike, but I always lusted after a Stumpjumper, it had better equipment, nicer paint job and it was lighter and a had definite race bred pedigree. You never forget your first love!

The Stumpjumper Models

Well there are lots of them to choose from. The top hard tail is a beautiful Carbon frame that you can build up to your own specifications, and then there are the pre-built Expert and Comp with Alloy frame and the Comp also is available in a Woman’s version. Then the Stumpjumper FSR (Full Suspension) has a bare Carbon frame and seven different built-up versions, something for every need and price range. Then we have the Stumpjumper Classic, what can we say? It is the Mountain Bike from the distant past, it really is “Classic” the look is just unbelievable.

The Stumpjumper Hardtail Models

S-Works Carbon Frame
This frame is the lightest hardtail the Specialized have manufactured, as they say “purity and technology designed to fly” I would add to that a starling beauty! This frame is lighter than the frame used to win the Tour de France road race, weighing in at under 1300 grams and is made from FACT 10m carbon, the strongest possible. It looks like it handles, smooth.

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Carbon Frame

Stumpjumper Expert
This has to be the Hardtail of all time, M4 alloy frame with Fox F90 Suspension Forks and Avid Juicy 7 hydraulic Disc brakes, the drive train is a mixture of SRAM and Shimano with XT Hollowtech cranks. It has everything you would ever need form a hardtail and oozes class.

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Expert

Stumpjumper Comp & Woman’s Comp
The Comp basically has the same M4 Alloy frame and Fox forks as the Expert, the other equipment is a slight step down, Avid Juicy 5 Hydraulic Disc set up and a mix of Shimano and SRAM with a Truvativ crank set. Still a beauty but a little cheaper. The woman’s specific version has all the same top equipment, the frame has a shorter top tube and different angles for a perfect fit.

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Woman’s Comp

The Stumpjumper FSR Models


S-Works FSR Carbon Frame
WOW! Carbon, Full Suspension and light. You can ride this frame anywhere, smooth trails or rough boulder tracks, it will handle anything you can throw at it and it has that Stumpjumper look, it just can’t be faulted in any department. The rear shock is AFR with flow control valve, adjustable trail tune, air spring and adjustable rebound.

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FSR Carbon Frame

Stumpjumper FSR Pro Carbon
This is the built-up version of the Carbon Frame; it has the Fox Talas RLC Suspension forks with 100-140mm compression, Magura Marta hydraulic disc brakes and the same SRAM and Shimano mix as the Hardtail Stumpjumper, with Hollowtech cranks. It’s just perfect, you couldn’t change a thing.

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FSR Carbon

Stumpjumper FSR Pro
The same equipment as the Carbon version, but with the M5 Alloy frame. Cheaper alternative to carbon with all the top specifications of Fox forks, Magura, SRAM and Shimano.

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FSR Pro

Stupjumper FSR Expert & Woman’s FSA Expert
There is not much difference between the Expert and the Comp, the frame is nearly the same, but with Fox Suspension front and rear matched to Avid discs, SRAM and Shimano Hollowtech. The woman’s specific is a dream for the ladies, same equipment, but with the woman’s dimensions, comfort and joy.

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FSR Expert

Stumpjumper FSR Elite
Again not much change from the Expert, no SRAM, all Shimano gears with Hollowtech and Avid brakes, still nice and a little cheaper.

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FSR Elite

Stumpjumper FSR Comp & Woman’s Comp
The same M5 Alloy frame as the others, but with Fox Float and Triad suspension along with Avid Juicy 5 discs and SRAM and Shimano and Truvativ Stylo crank set. It has the frame to base any changes on; upgrades with the equipment at a later date would enhance the FSR frame. The woman’s specific is designed for the female physique with the angles and tube length to suit.

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Woman’s Comp

The Stumpjumper Classic

This really is a “Classic” it looks just like the first Mountain Bikes, way back when? Around the late 70’s or 80’s. Except it has modern equipment, Shimano and SRAM bits and pieces, XT Hollowtech and Diore and a reminder of the past, cantilever bakes with big 4 finger levers. The frame is Cro-Mo in one size only, 19″, no suspension, but with beautifully made classic rake forks. If you want to do a bit of living in the past, then this is the Stumpjumper for you, its unique and so stylish.

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Classic

What Does the Style Monkey Think?

First thing I have to say is that I was not born when the first Stumpjumper came out in the 70’s, but looking at the Classic I missed so much class. No problem, coz I can buy one now. The Hardtail and the FSR are also wonderful, if I could afford it I would definitely get a Carbon Stumpjumper, don’t know which one, that’s the big problem they are all so nice! Style Monkey says “you want an MTB, and then get a Stumpjumper.”

There you have it, the Stumpjumper ranges cover all the angles, save your money and get one, any of them, and they are all great!


2 Responses to “The Specialized Stumpjumper, A Classic Mountain Bike”


Jim August 17, 2009

I thought long and hard about purchasing the Stumpjumper Comp (Aluminum) or the Expert Carbon and finally decided on the Expert Carbon. I’ve had many bikes and like the writer, I started on a Rockhopper. I was then lucky enough to go to a Stumpy and then spent years trying to get a full suspension rig that I really loved… but failed. I went back to the Stumpjumper Expert Carbon 1 week ago and have ridden every day since. It is hard to describe the balance and nimble handling this bike provides. It is simply fantastic and I’m thrilled. I’m normally a very tough reviewer and this is my top ranked MTB of all time. Second place goes to my old (97) Klien Mantra Comp. Enjoy!

tom canete August 17, 2009

i’m tom from the philippines. i’m a member of our local bike club based here in abuyog leyte, the nautilus bike club.i own a hard-tail stump jumper. and i love riding it. after every ride i clean it and condition it for another ride. thanks guys.