New Stumpjumter vs. New Epic frame? PLEASE HELP!
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Author Topic: New Stumpjumter vs. New Epic frame? PLEASE HELP!  (Read 767 times)
Jefft
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« on: April 30, 2008, 05:06:32 PM »

Should I accept a new Specialized Epic Marathon frame in place of my cracked Specialized Expert frame? 

New to the area.  Rode once at Pennypack, kind of boring but close to home.  Rode one at Wiss. and loved it. 

My frame cracked and Specialized is currently out of Stumpjumper FSR frames.  They sent a new Epic Marathon Frame AND new rear brain shock.  Should I take it as it may be 2 to 3 months until they get me a Stumpjumper.  I am fairly fast but held back due to lung capacity (working too much) so am never slowed down by any sag or bobbling from my current FSR. 

They both say 100mm.  The dealer (Bike Line) has been second to none and very helpful. 

Any one with experience with these bikes have any thoughts for me?  I am off to a dealer to ride the Epic around the lot.  6 feet tall at 220 lbs.  I ride a L frame.   

For those of you who listen to Click and Clack (Car Talk) my old frame is red and the new Epic is black.  And yes, I joined, after a great day at the Rally in the Valley.
JT
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DrSaw
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« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2008, 09:00:17 PM »
I thing the Epic is the Swiss army Knives of cross country riding. Fast enough for singletrack, and just enough travel for places like French Creek. For the Wissy, a fine choice.

If you want the long story, email or PM me. If I had to have one bike that would be ready for any ride, the Epic would be it between the two. (the name says it all).
(I ride/race for a team that is sponsored partially by Specialized, so I know the line pretty well)
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2008, 09:54:09 PM »
.02

Man that's a tough one Jeff. I owned a 00 Enduro which is very much like the stumpjumper of today and it was one of best handling bikes I've owned. I'd still be riding it but I broke it. It now hangs proudly in my shop.

I mean unless you are into XC racing you really don't need to ride an epic because they are built for racing, so I would say get the stumpjumper which is more of a trail bike, no doubt about it. You gotta ask yourself what kind of rider are you? If you enjoy attacking climbs like a monkey on crack then you would be very happy with the epic. If you're more of an all around weekend warrior then I'd say you'd be happier on the stumpjumper (even happier on the Enduro).

For one thing look at the head angles. The epic is sporting a 70.5 degree head angle, great for climbing and tight turns, but twitchy on fast and/or technical downs. The stumpjumper has 68.5 head angle which will still climb very well and be much more stable, especially considering a man of your stature. Being 220 you don't want something twitchy under you. The stumpjumper also has more travel at 120mm.

But the wait is a problem! How are you suppose to be without your bike for so long? That may be the deal breaker. If i had a choice to get any Specialized bike it would be the Enduro. It's just a badass tough bike that can do anything you throw at it.
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Tom Coyle
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« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2008, 12:26:02 AM »
MY answer is FSR all the way or bigger and better!!!

Although the epic does look sweet! 3 months is a looooonnggg time too! ....but let me add a little bit of thought....

...not only ask what kinda rider your are?? but ..What kinda rider do you want to be, I mean IM nutts...my second bike is a 04 FSR, I previously owned an FSR similar to the one Tom...er,uh I mean Lust4 has hanging in his garage, (ok too much info but I need to vent some humor out so deal with it)  ... Hunter actually broke my frame, (he's the guy that allows us to write this stuff here) which got me to my 04 Enduro Pro I put a lot of abuse on the bike and it still rides great,(two swing arms later...it was a lot of abuse)

 ...but I ride a Gemini now, it is a heavier bike and can take even more--I decided I wanted always evolve in some direction on my riding skills, and I needed a bike to take me where I want to go, so not only should you ask yourself , "what kinda rider am I , but...what kinda rider do I want to be, and will my bike take me there?....Basically what I am saying is throw a coin in the air and spit in the wind.

KLOGIC
« Last Edit: May 01, 2008, 12:33:19 AM by Kman » Logged
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Lou
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« Reply #4 on: May 01, 2008, 08:22:08 AM »
I have to agree with Kman and Tom. Go with the bigger (suspension) bike, for sure. Unless you are going to race, then get the epic. But for every day riding in the Wiss you will appreciate the longer travel and more relaxed angles. Tell the shop to put some pressure on Specialized and get you a frame!!!!!!!! Ask them to do the enduro! Good luck.
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Jefft
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« Reply #5 on: May 01, 2008, 02:44:05 PM »

Good news.  Just found out my bike is not torn down yet.  I am going to pick it up.  I will be riding this evening and at Wiss. this weekend.  I will be keeping a close eye in this hairline crack until the Stumpjumber comes in. 

With that said, keep the feedback comming.  It is helpful.  I tried to change the Newbie and Beginner parts of my profile, but it won't change.  That sucks.  Oh well..  Glad to be a dues paying member now.  I assume that is the single star? 
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Lou
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« Reply #6 on: May 01, 2008, 03:18:38 PM »
Good news Jeff and smart call...

As far as the wording under your call sign, that all depends on the number of posts you make. I am not sure of the break down but for each level of posts your "status" changes. Personally I HATE having mine read "Hero member" WTF is that?!?!? I have bugged Chris Hunter to change this but he is just too busy. BTW, once you get over 500 posts is when it changes from Expert to Hero. I think it is stupid (did I say that already  Wink ) Anyway thanks for making a donation and I will update your status to reflect your member level... See you on the trails!!!
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Kman
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« Reply #7 on: May 01, 2008, 03:40:54 PM »
My goal is to get 10,000 post, then it says " God-like "member, 
 Tongue
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stymie
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« Reply #8 on: May 01, 2008, 03:45:19 PM »
How many posts required for "Huge" Member???
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Jefft
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« Reply #9 on: May 01, 2008, 10:41:53 PM »
accidently erased...
« Last Edit: May 02, 2008, 12:38:11 AM by fishnchips » Logged
fishnchips
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« Reply #10 on: May 02, 2008, 12:54:46 AM »
I went to 'quote" Jefft and clicked "modify" by accident, and before I knew it I erased his post. I didn't realize I could do that but it's done, so my apologies. Hopefully Jeff can remermber what he said and modify it back, because I can't Huh

Anyway, here is my reply to what he had said...

I continually broke the linkage in my Comp before Specialized came through with an Enduro replacement. It's my XC trail bike, way heavier than the epic or the stump jumper, but when you're a big guy riding the Wiss all the time a bigger bike is definitely something to consider.

Actually, the Enduro is the only frame I haven't broken, though the suspension bolts I have.

I believe the newer Enduro's have a lower weight, but they still won't be as light as the others.

I need a new fork on mine too. I blew out the last one and been running a retired yet workable fork. It's probably time to switch to 20mm though.
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Jefft
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« Reply #11 on: May 02, 2008, 06:44:53 AM »

Erased entry.  No problem!  The post was about their ability to get me a Enduro in its place, at my discretion.  Specialized sent ouf the first frame based on the dealers word, they didn't even need to see the frame.  Very cool, albiet a legit claim. 

Rode over to Pennypast last night.  Too dark to hit the tail by the time I got there.  Wiss this weekend.  Cannot wait. 

It is going to be hard to get rid of this old frame, when the new one comes.  This bike has been stolen, and found, two times.  Once including a 911 call and 3 cops pulling over the car off of a 10 lane interstate. 
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #12 on: May 02, 2008, 07:37:04 AM »
Wow Jeff it would be cool if you could keep the old frame and make it garage art. Probably not, but it would be cool.

When you guys get new forks, you should most definetely consider a 20mm thru axle fork if you can swing it. You will not be dissapointed. Way more control at the front wheel gives more stability, confidence and better line selection. Point and shoot.
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Tom Coyle
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« Reply #13 on: May 02, 2008, 09:30:33 AM »
Hehe.

Tom said it well when he mentioned "decide what kind of rider you are" more than once. Jeff, keep in mind that Tom, KMan, and Lou (Dirtmerchant) are all more about fast downhills, jumps and big hits, so no surprise their unanimous "bigger is better" advice.  Tongue

dz
« Last Edit: May 02, 2008, 01:35:46 PM by Dmitri » Logged
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #14 on: May 02, 2008, 10:10:04 AM »
Very good point coming from a rider at the complete opposite end of the spectrum, since Dmitri rides a rigid SS. Yet we can still ride together at a similar pace, with D killing the climbs and us smoking the downs with our chainguides, fat tires and long suspension. Good times.

I raced XC for a number of years and still have light weight race bikes in my stable. As I progress as a rider though these bikes are collecting dust and my Nomad has even been in a few XC races. Last year I raced a 24 and did laps on my light race bike and for my last lap switched to my heavy freeride bike (Lou was with me on that lap and it was awesome). I had a faster lap time on my freeride bike and that was even with a high speed crash that knocked the wind out of me. Bigger is better.....ok I'm done rambling. Sorry.
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Tom Coyle
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« Reply #15 on: May 02, 2008, 01:01:02 PM »
I picked  up a Epic marathon last year and I have quite happy with it.  More suspension isn't really needed for Wissahicken, and I'd rather have more efficiency.  i wanted a hardtail feel with somethign to take the edge off teh nastier bumps, but nothing else.  For this the Epic fit the bill.

I set me suspension to the firmest setting, and ride a rigid SS a lot too, just so you know my bias. 
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #16 on: May 02, 2008, 01:33:41 PM »
Different strokes for different folks. I love it.

I really should ride my XC bikes more cause that consistant high speed feeling is very cool. My Racer X is at least 10-12lbs lighter than my Nomad. Just have to keep the tires closer to the ground!
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Tom Coyle
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« Reply #17 on: May 02, 2008, 01:50:47 PM »
You don't need big suspension ride the Wiss. But if you are interested in hitting some big jumps, riding off logs and launching past deaths doorway, its nice to know that you can cruise hugh obstacles smooth, without destroying your shoulders. (unless I "f" up) I blew out my from fork last week I Fruita,Co. And am currently awaiting a fox vanailla rc2, I plan on riding my stif , damage fork today, so I get the chance to feel the trails on a more ridged bike, hopefully I'll live.
 Tongue
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