Comments on: Interbike 2009: Ride Report- Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper Carbon

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 24 May 2010 20:06:48 +0000

I just built up a SS version. It came in at 20 lbs. 13 oz. The bike is ridiculous compared to the Niner One 9 I was riding (which I really liked before I bought the S-Works). The bike feels so much more efficient. The stiffness in the carbon fiber really transfer to pedal power. I can pedal the same gear with less effort. I’m going to have to gear it up a little. I can’t even begin to describe how much more comfortable this bike is than the One 9. The thought of riding a carbon bike on technical trails in the woods always scared me, but once I got on it I haven’t thought twice about it.

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:55:43 +0000

@professed: The Alma I have no experience with, (not the least due to the fact that it was never made in a size larger than 18″, which is too small for me), and also I did not see one displayed at Interbike this year.

I agree that it is a tricky, subjective business when speaking of thses things.

By: professed

professed — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:40:13 +0000

Gt, your sliding stiffness scale is most helpfull. Where would you slot in the orbea alma? I found it smoother riding than a superfly but also very stiff for power transfer. Its all a tricky and subjective field isn’t it ?!

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 03:22:02 +0000

@Big Chris: Judging from your comment on the Tall Boy post, I would guess that the carbon hard tail isn’t your cup of tea. It is a racers type rig- XC that is- and lighter than steel, stiffer than titanium, but smooth enough not to kill you during the time it takes to hammer out a fast lap or two……or three. It is a “go fast” type of bike with not a lot of compromise for comfort in comparison to FS rigs.

If that isn’t your cup o tea, then I’d pass on the carbon hard tails altogether.

By: BigChris

BigChris — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:25:01 +0000

Well I am not asking to compare them to the tallboy, sulton or that hammocl ellsworth makes ok let me narrow it down. did your ass and back hurt more than other ht’s?

I am trying to understand the need for one. Is the stomp and mash torsional rigidity and weight savings worth ones L1 and L2 and stool push?

I mean all the info I really see is that all these carbon HT’s are the same.