New 2019 Stumpjumper Feedback

[Jako De Wet]

I think either you got a bad Friday late arvie lemon, or Spaz have gone backwards in their kitting of their bikes.

That is the ST Alloy spec. I was very surprised as well and I have told the guys at Stellenbosch and Helderberg that you can't spec a trail bike with those brakes. I am 1.89, 84kg and on a  XL frame. Those brakes don't stop.at.all. The spline bb is also super ***.

 

In my opinion the bike is underspecced when compared to Merida 140 etc. But hey, you know what they say about hindsight

[Robbie Stewart]

That is the ST Alloy spec. I was very surprised as well and I have told the guys at Stellenbosch and Helderberg that you can't spec a trail bike with those brakes. I am 1.89, 84kg and on a  XL frame. Those brakes don't stop.at.all. The spline bb is also super ***.

 

In my opinion the bike is underspecced when compared to Merida 140 etc. But hey, you know what they say about hindsight

 

So the latter. That's a shame. Spez seem to have down-specced their bikes to stay relevant i.t.o. pricing. The problem with that is that you still end up forking out huge amounts of money to bring your bike up to spec, and by the time you're done, you could have bought a "lesser brand" for less money with better components. 

 

Which brings me to my point. Although I am a Specialized rider myself, it is becoming more likely in my interaction with them that it is more about the BRAND, than the rider. They will sell you a bike with kuk specs just because it's a Specialized, and not be too worried over making you fork over hard earned cash for the experience and "privilege" to be able to say "I ride a Spaz"...

 

I feel for you, I do. 

[Headshot]

Also a Spez rider and I can't complain too much. Their warranty is good. I got a super deal on a new bike as a part warranty replacement for my cracked carbon frame I'd bought from a non- Spesh dealer. They do cut costs on the lower end models though. Their cheaper in house wheels are not great - heavy and weak. Lower spec brakes like Guide Rs on an Enduro are not acceptable IMO. That said the bike does what it says on the box.

 

Spesh is quite conservative - their bikes are not radical in geo (except the SJ Evo) or suspension action like some of the smaller brands. In some cases that can make for a better bike depending on the rider. After not being too happy with my Enduro, I have played with suspension settings and got it pretty much spot on. I am sure the SJ is the same. 

[Jako De Wet]

Please don't get me wrong, even after all this, I still love my Stumpy and it's a great bike in my opinion. That said, if you can afford it, don't go for the entry level if you are an aggressive rider.

[stefmeister]

Please don't get me wrong, even after all this, I still love my Stumpy and it's a great bike in my opinion. That said, if you can afford it, don't go for the entry level if you are an aggressive rider.

Don't be fooled, higher spec bikes also break.

The parts on my enduro expert has been giving me just as much ***.

First it was the Cane creek db inline. Sent it in twice for "service" repair, and a year later did the upgrade. Bottom bracket failed twice, replaced that with a Wheels MFG bb.

Guide RS brakes pistons seized. Eventually replace with Hope, although they are working 100% now.

Upgraded the command post to a Oneup post when it needed a service and decided I'll rather buy a new dropper than R1k+ on a service. 

Also, XO cassette's 42t cog came off. 

[RiverInTheRoad]

I Have the 2019 Stumpjumper LT Alloy, also in XL. The stock suspension is quite good. The Guide R brakes and the NX drivetrain are quite *** though. All in all it is a bit of a rip-off to buy this bike for the RRP of R50k. If you are a demanding rider (due to superior skill of superior lack of skill) you will not be happy with the stock build kit for very long.

 

All things considered I still enjoy the bike and would recommend it. To a degree I like that the parts aren't great, this gives me an opportunity to replace with parts which I like over time.

[Headshot]

Im also sure that other brands entry level models suffer from the same issues. The online bike brands like YT Canyon etc do offer far better spec at prices that make entry level mainstream brands look crazy.

[Jako De Wet]

All things considered I still enjoy the bike and would recommend it. To a degree I like that the parts aren't great, this gives me an opportunity to replace with parts which I like over time.

For sure, but for someone that only had 30K to spend at the time...If I think of it now, what *I* would like to, or already, replaced

 

Brakes, rotors

Crankset

Fork

Saddle

Dropper Post (I wish I went for 170mm when I did this, 125 is not enough imo)

Grips

Handlebar

Wheels

Tyres

 

That puts me way above the 50K mark already. 

 

Eendag as ek groot is.

 

[thebob]

I lusted after the new Stumpy when it was launched. Then along came the Giant Trance 29 1 with an alloy frame (in that metallic orange!), carbon wheels, Fox Elite spec suspension and a price of under 60k (after discount) and I soon forgot about the Stumpy. Specialized has always charged a premium for their brand, and probably always will. Their bikes are excellent IMO, but not worth the brand premium.

[ChrisF]

So I bought the ST entry level in August 2018, only change was the addition of a XFusion Manic dropper post.

 

It came out with Tektro breaks, which I swapped out first, I had zero confidence going down technical/fast descents with this brakes as they only supplied squish, nothing else.

 

I had to replace the spline BB about 6 months in, no warranty, and the new "improved" one I bought has already started with its clicking noise, after about 3 months of 3 x a week riding.

 

My rear cassette has rattled loose twice in about 4 months and the derailleur cable has all but snapped.

 

The front tire (Butcher) is not very confidence inspiring either, well if you ride lots of trails, in my opinion. The Rekon 130mm fork has also not held up great, there is some play between the lower's and stanchions, but it is due for its service.

 

I guess you get what you pay for, I was 30K all in on the ST alloy version, I love the bike, I really do, but in hindsight I should have definitely gone with the higher specced version for the type of trails we ride.

 

EDIT: Sorry, I only now see the date of the OP, but will leave this here just as FYI

 

Jaco I paid similar school fees with a different brand ....

 

Sadly it soon becomes clear where "they" (the different manufacturers) saved their money in bringing us the entry level price bracket ....

 

 

As you, I LOVED the handling of the bike though.  Eventually sold it and bought a decent mid-range bike.

[stefmeister]

I lusted after the new Stumpy when it was launched. Then along came the Giant Trance 29 1 with an alloy frame (in that metallic orange!), carbon wheels, Fox Elite spec suspension and a price of under 60k (after discount) and I soon forgot about the Stumpy. Specialized has always charged a premium for their brand, and probably always will. Their bikes are excellent IMO, but not worth the brand premium.

That Trance is on my list of bikes I'd want. But it's a bit unfair to label spez as overpriced, when there is only a few brands that offer better value. Merida, Silverback and to some extend Giant are the only ones that come to mind now. The rest of `em are all pretty much within the same price bracket given comparable specs. YT and other direct sales can't be compared though.

[thebob]

That Trance is on my list of bikes I'd want. But it's a bit unfair to label spez as overpriced, when there is only a few brands that offer better value. Merida, Silverback and to some extend Giant are the only ones that come to mind now. The rest of `em are all pretty much within the same price bracket given comparable specs. YT and other direct sales can't be compared though.

It is tough to compare directly as all the models are slightly differently specced in terms of components. I think that Trek and Specialized, in particular, charge a fair bit more than they should based on the spec they offer. Brand premium, same as Merc, BMW etc.

[Hairy]

That Trance is on my list of bikes I'd want. But it's a bit unfair to label spez as overpriced, when there is only a few brands that offer better value. Merida, Silverback and to some extend Giant are the only ones that come to mind now. The rest of `em are all pretty much within the same price bracket given comparable specs. YT and other direct sales can't be compared though.

The thing is, my wallet does not know the difference between brands that operate as online /  direct sales or from the LBS, it only knows that some brands burn it more and offer less value than others.

[BaGearA]

 

Dropper Post (I wish I went for 170mm when I did this, 125 is not enough imo)

trust me eventually you'll reliase 120 is prolly all you need , I have A 150 and on quick turn around trails ( like up down up down with the dropper the whole time ) the 150mm (same as my bloody fork  ) of dropper travel becomes cumbersome 

[Grease_Monkey]

trust me eventually you'll reliase 120 is prolly all you need , I have A 150 and on quick turn around trails ( like up down up down with the dropper the whole time ) the 150mm (same as my bloody fork ) of dropper travel becomes cumbersome

I beg to differ on dropper post length. For me, more is always better. Went from 125 to 150 to 175, and if I could go to 200 I would. On steeper trails I find it really makes a big difference - especially if you are built like me with short legs.

[Edge_Design]

That Trance is on my list of bikes I'd want. But it's a bit unfair to label spez as overpriced, when there is only a few brands that offer better value. Merida, Silverback and to some extend Giant are the only ones that come to mind now. The rest of `em are all pretty much within the same price bracket given comparable specs. YT and other direct sales can't be compared though.

 

 

How many other brands are there (the rest of 'em)?