2021 Stumpjumper Rant

[thebob]

I'm very interested to see what the pricing of the new Stumpies will be. Predicting 1x kidney plus a lung for the model I like

[NixM]

If you really wanted A stumpjumper you would've bought one

 

 

Don't tell me one of the lowest ranking people in that store 'wouldn't' sell you one.

 

You turn your back to them walk to the manager and say 'I want to buy a stumpjumper , your sales man only want to sell me an epic evo which I don't want. I'm walking out with a stumpjumper today or simply walking out, so which models can you show me?'

 

. I'm 95% sure I can predict how that exchange would go

The manager/owner did come join the salesman and myself while having this discussion. He was the one who said the I won't enjoy the Stumpjumper on the climbs, not a great way to sell a bike.

 

No Stumpjumper floor model or demo was available but I was repeatedly told to take the Evo for a test ride. I suspect a lack of stock is why the Evo was being pushed over a Stumpjumper.

[DR ◣◢]

No Stumpjumper floor model or demo was available but I was repeatedly told to take the Evo for a test ride. I suspect a lack of stock is why the Evo was being pushed over a Stumpjumper.

This was my exact same experience about 6 months ago. Money in hand and I walked away and built my following.

 

I will do it again tomorrow if I had to. In fact, I want to. The Following V3 is everything i could ever need in a bike.

[PhilipV]

November 2020 I walk into Specialized store

 

Me: "I want to buy a Stumpjumper"

Salesman: "You want to buy an Epic Evo"

Me: "but I have an Epic you sold me 3 years ago"

Salesman: "that Epic is old technology. Also you won't be able to pedal stumpjumper uphill as well as the Evo"

Me: "but I want a 140mm trail bike as well as my marathon bike"

Salesman: "you want an Epic Evo"

 

My purchase December 2020: Evil the Following

 

Now I realise the Evo is a fantastic "one bike to rule them all" but I like my different bikes for different trails.

I really wanted to buy a Stumpjumper, they just wouldn't sell one to me!

Might be a case of Sell what's on the truck. He can't sell you a Stumpy if he can't get a stumpy.

That being said, I had a similar experience at the Helderberg Spez store. Epic Evo Uber Alles. They don't understand trail riders.

 

The stellies spez store however was a different story. Could tell me off the top of his head when they expected stock, what the prices will look like and then showed me different sizes of the models they had in stock.

[Hairy]

The manager/owner did come join the salesman and myself while having this discussion. He was the one who said the I won't enjoy the Stumpjumper on the climbs, not a great way to sell a bike.

 

No Stumpjumper floor model or demo was available but I was repeatedly told to take the Evo for a test ride. I suspect a lack of stock is why the Evo was being pushed over a Stumpjumper.

They just were not listening ... the fast that you point out you have a XC/Marathon bike should have been clear they should not be pushing the Epic EVO.

[Kuys]

This reminds me of when I walked into my local Spaz store and asked the owner (no less) about flat shoes. He first gave me this far away look as though he had no idea what I was talking about, then eventually the light slowly started coming on, only to say, sorry, we dont have stock and have no idea when or if we get again. 

[Mike Mac]

Morning

 

My experience at Kenilworth Spaz has been different. Yes, they don’t have much stock. This must be even more frustration for them than for me (clients galore and nothing to sell them). But they have always been willing to spend time discussing options, letting me know when stock is expected (also saying so when they just don’t know). Owner also willing to chat and share knowledge. Sometimes down selling when I have asked for something and they have a cheaper alternative, giving me the option.

 

Overall, my experience there has been great. I hope it continues.

[Stefan Cremer]

Why must people's mindsets change?

If a person is happy riding a +R100k XC bike on a district road, that's fine. To each his own.

 

I know people  who love to go out on long rides, on district roads. For them a light weight XC bike makes sense, even though the XCs are not intended for that purpose. Why ride a heavier ST bike.

 

Some people just want to be outside, doing some form of activity, and want to have a nice bike to enjoy. Not everyone wants to rip down trails and bomb it down hills while jumping every bump in sight.

 

I don't necessarily agree with this.

 

I genuinely enjoy technical singletrack, proper XC courses, but also appreciate being out in the open during proper endurance rides over long distances. My full sus XC bike can do both and really is a good middle ground for me. 

 

Obviously a trail bike would be nice, but I like the uphills a lot (as much bombing down technical or flow STO) as well, so XC is my choice because of that reason. XC bike trumps a gravel bike on gravel roads for the simple reason that it is far more comfortable on century + rides. Sure, you can consider that it is not intended for that purpose, but it sure does the job with aplomb.

 

I'd like 5 bikes, but my one XC bike has to deliver to all my varying requirements ;-) 

[BobbyBehan]

Hello All,

 

I was just pointed to this thread by a friend. This is Bobby Behan from Specialized Bicycles Africa. To confirm certain points in the thread we initially brought the Stumpjumper Base and S-Works Stumpjumper Frame to market. However, a couple of months ago we ordered various other Stumpjumper models which will arrive towards the middle of this year, providing there are no COVID-19 curveballs! 

 

I myself am a very passionate trail rider, invest personal time into Jonkershoek's Trails, working closely with trail builder Bennet Nel, a good friend. I completely get the passion and excitement around trail riding ... I share the stoke!

 

You are most welcome to call me at the office (021 808 7333). Would be only too happy to chat further.

 

Have top weekends,

 

Bobby.

[Baracuda]

I loved the stumpie I had a few years ago, but there are other trail bikes out there:

 

https://enduro-mtb.com/en/the-best-trail-bike-mtb-review/

 

The new Stumpie doesn't even fall into the "other exciting bikes" category.

[sirmoun10goat]

I don't necessarily agree with this.

 

I genuinely enjoy technical singletrack, proper XC courses, but also appreciate being out in the open during proper endurance rides over long distances. My full sus XC bike can do both and really is a good middle ground for me. 

 

Obviously a trail bike would be nice, but I like the uphills a lot (as much bombing down technical or flow STO) as well, so XC is my choice because of that reason. XC bike trumps a gravel bike on gravel roads for the simple reason that it is far more comfortable on century + rides. Sure, you can consider that it is not intended for that purpose, but it sure does the job with aplomb.

 

I'd like 5 bikes, but my one XC bike has to deliver to all my varying requirements ;-) 

 

I think you are in agreement with me. This thread goes on about people needing to change their mindsets with regard to trail bikes, and rather buy those instead of xc bikes.

 

My point is that people should ride a bike that makes sense for them. As you note, your xc bike makes sense for you, and you enjoy it. Based on that why should you get a trail bike (assuming you can only have one bike).

 

I also pointed out the an xc bike does a great job on those long district (gravel) roads.

[MTBeer]

I switched from a Giant Trance to a 2019 Stumpy ST. I am now quicker on the technical downhill stuff as well as climbs and long gravel roads. In my opinion there is nothing in Cape Town besides the obvious full on double black diamond downhill lines that requires anything with more travel than the Stumpy has. It's a great all rounder.

[Kuys]

Hello All,

 

I was just pointed to this thread by a friend. This is Bobby Behan from Specialized Bicycles Africa. To confirm certain points in the thread we initially brought the Stumpjumper Base and S-Works Stumpjumper Frame to market. However, a couple of months ago we ordered various other Stumpjumper models which will arrive towards the middle of this year, providing there are no COVID-19 curveballs! 

 

I myself am a very passionate trail rider, invest personal time into Jonkershoek's Trails, working closely with trail builder Bennet Nel, a good friend. I completely get the passion and excitement around trail riding ... I share the stoke!

 

You are most welcome to call me at the office (021 808 7333). Would be only too happy to chat further.

 

Have top weekends,

 

Bobby.

 

I have much respect for suppliers getting involved on forums like these. It shows they do listen, and its also good to hear their side of the story, there's always 3 sides to a story ;-)

 

There is also no other brand in SA that comes close to the involvement and investment Spaz shows in terms of building and supporting trail building. So our frustrations with certain shop personnel and stock shortages aside, one has to respect the effort they put into the local scene. 

[SwissVan]

I think we are speaking to ourselves here and we a small portion of the riding population.

 

 

Just my observation and can only speak to my own experience with the cyclists i know.

 

most would never venture on to any dirt road and if they do its an experimental phase at best.

 

And of those that do start riding MTB, many of them fear crashing, getting hurt etc. They comfortable with long days on jeep tracks ( growing gravel market segment). A few green/blue graded single tracks is perfectly fine to them and have no ambition to ride anything more technical.

 

for this an xc bike makes sense.

 

only very few this batch of riders want to challenge themselves with more technical riding.

 

This is reflected in our mtb racing scene. Our marathon and stage races are not technical enough that makes people question whether there xc machine is perhaps out of its depth. 

 

IMO

Most people who ride an MTB are just gravel riders - and that's perfectly fine

 

so called "true" MTB riders are far and few.

I agree in general with your comments, but I’m interested to know what defines a true MTB rider?

 

Does riding a bike with massive amounts of front and rear suspension travel and a dropper seat post on “technical” trails make someone more of a mtb rider than a skinny XCO / XCM racing snake riding occasionally technical sections with 100mm of front suspension and no dropper?

[LazyTrailRider]

Hello All,

 

I was just pointed to this thread by a friend. This is Bobby Behan from Specialized Bicycles Africa. To confirm certain points in the thread we initially brought the Stumpjumper Base and S-Works Stumpjumper Frame to market. However, a couple of months ago we ordered various other Stumpjumper models which will arrive towards the middle of this year, providing there are no COVID-19 curveballs!

 

I myself am a very passionate trail rider, invest personal time into Jonkershoek's Trails, working closely with trail builder Bennet Nel, a good friend. I completely get the passion and excitement around trail riding ... I share the stoke!

 

You are most welcome to call me at the office (021 808 7333). Would be only too happy to chat further.

 

Have top weekends,

 

Bobby.

Thanks for the update, great news for the trail shredders Bobby!

[Yyyy]

I agree in general with your comments, but I’m interested to know what defines a true MTB rider?

 

Does riding a bike with massive amounts of front and rear suspension travel and a dropper seat post on “technical” trails make someone more of a mtb rider than a skinny XCO / XCM racing snake riding occasionally technical sections with 100mm of front suspension and no dropper?

 

Personal view, MTB is terrain you ride and not defined by the bike.

This would include going up and down.

 

If you riding district gravel roads/farm roads that a citi golf can ride then i do not regard it as MTB. I am not being snobbish here and got big respect for riders putting in big km's on such rides whether its on a gravel bike or a dual sus LT bike  - but I wouldnt define it as MTB.

 

To me MTB is riding on more "adventurous" terrain where clearly a more lets say light trail bike/DC bike would be the best tool for the job for most people.

(This statement doesn't apply to skilled riders ripping black diamonds on XC bikes like pros)

 

 

If you riding any MTB bike on a mix of tar and gravel then I wouldn't regard it as MTB. I would just call it gravel riding but with the lets say "not the best" tool for the job.

 

Im not judging/hating anyone who wants to ride an XC or even Enduro bike on gravel most of the time. Ride what you want on whatever terrain you want.

My post was just in statement that in the larger populace of riders (my personal view and experience), most who own a MTB dont really "MTB". So to expect them to invest in a Stumpy wouldnt make sense - Thus the whole point on why Spez is pushing Epics and not having stumpies available - hence me saying we speaking to ourselves and we a minority.

 

if you wanted to push Stumpy sales then the people who are currently buying Epics (insert any other XC bike) will need to have a change in mindset - i meant this as a point where these riders would actually want to ride "MTB" as defined by me.

 

This statement wasn't meant to say they have to change but more in relation if you want to increase demand (and therefore stimulate the increase in supply) for the stumpy(or any other equivalent bike)