Enduro VS Stumpjumper

[wpautz]

Should I buy the Enduro or the Stumjumper?



I've started a similat thread in Shore. It is more about shedding my old Dh habits. So I'm starting this one hoping to get a more technical analysis of the differences between these 2 bikes.

Of course I know that it depends what I want to do. Actually I don't know what I want to do. Or even what I can do. I've done Pangor, Neds, Pipeline, etc, a thousand times. But now I want to work more on my cardio and strength, less on my skills and courage. I'll have to join some XC club and explore to find where to go. Apparently Lynn Valley has some Epic rides.

Of course I still would do Seventh a few other familiar ones. I just want to avoid injuries and the temptation to do stupid stuff.


Has the new 2007 Enduro rendered the Stumpjumper useless?

How much climbing on an Enduro before I wish I'd gotten a Stumjumper?


Sounds like a 2lbs diff. 140mm vs 150mm in front. What other diffs?

How much of a difference does Geometry make?


A link to the FSR Elite:

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22215

[heckler]

stumpy is an XC bike, meant for flat, smooth terrain. Enduro will take you many more places and you'll still enjoy the downhills.

I'd go Enduro for sure!

[craw]

The Stumpjumper is more of a trail bike. Lighter, less travel, less durable. More of an XC bike. The Enduro has typically had more travel and been a bit heavier but still totally suited to epic riding - still around 30 lbs; the Stump is like 26. If you're coming off a big bike then I'd say get the Enduro - it will be able to handle the downhill side of the trail in a manner closer to what you're used to. The Stump will give up too much of the descent for the climb, which I think is an unacceptable trade-off when you live in Vancouver. Conversely, compared to a DH bike the Enduro climbs like a mountain goat.

Couple notes. The Stump has almost no seatpost adjustability due to its ridiculous interrupted seat tube. For riding in Vancouver this means you will almost certainly have to run a telescoping seatpost. The Enduros past and present have very reasonable seatpost extension (prior to 07 the Enduros had a 'half-interrupted seat mast' that still might not hold enough post for you, depending on your inseam).

The new Enduros seems to be plagued with issues. Go to forums.mtbr.com and see for yourself. Their decision to build proprietary forks and shocks stunned many people - why do this when there are so many good offerings on the market? And they're all failing. The forks use their own axle standard (24mm or 25mm I can't remember. Stupid either way), have zero tire/mud clearance through the arch and integrate the stem into the top crown (so you only have 3 stem options, which must be chosen at point of purchase or prepare to shell out the big bucks). The shocks at first glance seemed ok but they seem to be suffering their own rash of problems.

I've been keeping my eye on this bike bc it looks amazing. The frame design is beautiful. It's just the AM bike I would buy, but the suspension stuff just isn't worth getting wrapped up in. And you can't buy the frame without the fork - it's sold as an integrated package.

If I were you I'd look for an 05 or 06 Enduro. They're a bit heavier than the 07 but way more reliable and totally solid for use in Vancouver. Three of my friends recently bought Enduro Experts - DHX Airs, Fox Talas, x7/x9 for around $3K each. They're great bikes. John Henry is having a sale and there may be a few left....

[TylerDurden]

My 2 cents: you're a DH/FR kinda rider with some skills for riding tech trail - you don't need AM bike cush to bail you out. So, with that said, you can ride a Trail bike (think 4", 70HA) and save some weight and gain efficiency over a AM bike. Full on XC race bike (80mm travel, 71HA) isn't where you want to go for BC singletrack for obvious reasons, but I think you'll dig a trail bike. IMO, the AM bikes can "handle" everything from Spruce Lake to CBC, but the do none of it well, eg: you'll off the back with your old FR buddies on the techy descents (cause your bike has <travel and is steeper), and lagging on your new XC pals on the ascents (cause your bike is slacker and 5lbs heavier).

[Rover]

I have a 2007 Stumpy, a 2006 Enduro and have ridden a carbon 2007 Enduro (but with a fox 40, not the Specialized fork). All the bikes are great but it sounds like you would want the Stumpy. There is not a huge weight difference or geometry difference between the 07 Stumpy and the Enduro but I found that they ride very differently. If you live for the downhill but want to earn your turns with a bike that climbs fairly well then the 07 Enduro would be a great choice. The 06 Enduro is heavier and does not climb as well but is a better choice for park & shore use. If you want a bike that is going to allow you to 'enjoy' the climbs and allow you to maybe do some XC events or races then the Stumpy is a better choice. I would stay away from the Epic or similar XC bikes as IMHO they are not suitable for most of our XC trails. If you go with a Stumpy you may want to consider the non-brain models. I was riding a brain equiped model for a while but ended up buying the one with the Triad shock instead. I found that the brain equiped bike climbed better but the Triad shock gave a better, more plush ride when descending.

[dirty deeds]

The latest Decline mag has a review of the new Enduro that you'll probably want to check out.

If you're down to only those 2 options I'd definately go with Enduro. IMO there's not enough true xc riding on the Shore to go with a stumpy. If you're just out for a good time and want as much variety as possible; no brainer, Enduro.

However, I think there are some downsides to that bike. Having not ridden it this is speculation, but I don't like the double crown fork on a AM bike. The turning radius and manouverabiity of the bike has to be compomised somewhat I would think. Definately check that aspect out. The other thing is you're putting a lot of trust in 1st year suspension products at both ends.

If I was you I'd look around and check out an '06 Enduro (I know Simons d/t has one). I think it's a safer bet with a Fox 36 fork and fox air shock.

[LeeLau]

I know Im going to sound like a broken record but I will stand by my review http://www.nsmb.com/gear/norco_fluid1_06_06.php

There is absolutely positively no way I'd ride the Enduro for XC or AM with a Double crown fork. Much too limiting.

Honestly tires make the big difference. I've ridden some stupid steep technical trails on a Rocky Mountain Element with 4" of travel front and rear and 2.5 tires.

[LeeLau]

Originally Posted by TylerDurden

My 2 cents: you're a DH/FR kinda rider with some skills for riding tech trail - you don't need AM bike cush to bail you out. So, with that said, you can ride a Trail bike (think 4", 70HA) and save some weight and gain efficiency over a AM bike. Full on XC race bike (80mm travel, 71HA) isn't where you want to go for BC singletrack for obvious reasons, but I think you'll dig a trail bike. IMO, the AM bikes can "handle" everything from Spruce Lake to CBC, but the do none of it well, eg: you'll off the back with your old FR buddies on the techy descents (cause your bike has <travel and is steeper), and lagging on your new XC pals on the ascents (cause your bike is slacker and 5lbs heavier).

I agree with Tyler on the fact that you can ride a 4" trail bike a lot of places. Having said that, the more recent crop of "all-mountain" bikes are really good at uphills. You do owe it to yourself to try that out.

I also used to sneer at all-mountain and think the same way tyler - ie they are the worst of both worlds. Maybe I've drunk the kool-aid but I have to say my experience on the Norco, Brodie All-mountain line has changed my opinion

[dirty deeds]

Just read what Craw & Lee said and totally agree with them. You want proven suspension and a full length seat tube. Expand your options. That new Fluid Lee's on is a nice choice.

[wpautz]

I just tried the 07 SJ Elite over lunch. Not much to test it on here in the city. But I dropped a few steps and liked the feel.

I am a bit worried about the front end of this bike. Somebody said that it needs a better front Hub for that size rotor.

I am still leaning toward the SJ. But I know that the average SJ never sees what I'll be putting it though.

Should I change the fork upon purchase to a 20mm? Or just the hub? Or neither?

[Rover]

I'm 220 lbs on the same bike and have had no issues with the hub (granted it's only been a couple of months). I don't think that Specialized would spec a hub that would be in danger of a major failure. I agree that the hub could be better and I'll probably upgrade mine when I need a new rim.

I have through axle forks on my other bikes and there is definitely a difference in steering precision. For this bike I would keep a 'regular' fork & wheel. If you really think that you would need to go to a through axle then I think that you should go for an Enduro rather than the Stumpjumper. The stock fork is well matched to the bike. If you need a beefier front end then you will be disappointed with the rest of the bike.

[sk8r]

Everyone seems to be selling off the last few 2006 Enduros at a discount in town, knocking $500-$400 off the price...so I am/was tempted myself...

I had the same quandary, but the Stumpjumpers cockpit just doesn't work for me, love the '06 Enduro' cockpit, just a little too heavy maybe...but a plush ride. I was hoping this year's model would lighten it up a bit, but it's all new...another year with my hardtail and my kidneys in a bucket.

[Chunk]

Well, I only have about 15 hours on my new '07 s-works enduro frame (it has rained for a week down here right as summer kicks in. Extremely strange. Havent been able to ride), and it has all pretty much been XC so far. My first experience in full suspension was oddly a VPP bike, so this is my first true four bar bike to spend any good amount of time on. First impression is great, its extremely predictable but doesnt mute you from any of the ride either, I remember on my VPP XC bike I felt like I had to just trust the suspension to do its job because I suppose I wasnt really in tune to what the suspension was doing under me. It was a fast ass bike and it worked well, but I feel as though I can use the suspension of the 4 bar enduro to my advtantage in lots of places (even on the XC stuff im doing!), and thats cool. In a way, its a bit of a new aspect of riding for me. I dont know if anyone previously mentioned that the enduros seat tube is too short, but mine actualy seems pretty good. Im six feet tall and have pretty long legs that are typical of skinny asses like myself and im able to raise the post all the way to where there is just barely a bend in my knee, to slammed for jumping. But thats just me. Ride one yourself to know what your seat post situation might be.

Ill be heading up to Northstar in Lake Taho in a couple weeks and that'll be my first hard ride on the bike, but Ive also got a couple other trips in mind.