Specialized 29″ers On Test: Epic Marathon and Stumpjumper Expert Carbon
November 25th, 2009 by Guitar TedTwenty Nine Inches has just taken delivery of a couple of models in the Specialized 29″er line up. The two models are the Epic Marathon 29 and the Stumpjumper HT Expert Carbon 29. Look for some reviews on the Epic Marathon with input from both Guitar Ted and Grannygear and on the Stumpjumper with input from Guitar Ted coming soon.
Out Of The Box and First Impressions posts will be coming soon and also we will be featuring a “Q and A” with some of Specialized’s designers concerning these models and the 29″er line up from the Big S. Stay tuned!
Note: These products are provided to Twenty Nine Inches at no charge for reviewing. We are not being paid or bribed for this review. We will give our honest opinion or thoughts through out.
What is RSS?
Get our articles in your inbox:
Looking forward to Christoph and the WC boys getting on the stumpy and showing those naysayer Euros what 29ers can do!
I would like to apply for a job testing bikes for twentynineinches.com. Please? For my first test I will take the SJ Expert.
GT – I’ve ridden both the Stumpy Exp 29′er HT Carbon lots and just recently raced the SW Stumpy 29′er HT at the Iceman Cometh along with some good singletrack riding on it before our trails closed for hunting here in WI. Very much improved handling from my 2008 Stumpy 29′er Comp HT that I still own. Let me know if I can be of any help. Scott
More bikes I cant afford. . thanks for reminding me.
It’s fashionable in some corners of the MTB world to dis on Specialized bikes… but it’s hard to deny they make some nice bikes that look awesome. I’m looking forward to the tests.
Looking forward to it. I’m seriously interested in the Stumpy 29′er SS model. Anyone have any experience with the SS?
@Alex: We’re hopefully going to be seeing Grannygear on that SS Stumpjumper model shortly.
What’s the size of the Stumpi? I’m still looking for a pic of a 21″ Stumpjumper Carbon hardtail, regardless S-Works or Expert.
Could you post a total view? Pleeeease
just wait until you ride the stumpjumper fsr expert 29er..it’s a 27lb pedalable DH rig..simply awesome
@RedByte
http://twentynineinches.com/2009/09/28/interbike-2009-ride-report-specialized-s-works-stumpjumper-carbon/
My question/concern about the Expert (and any other CF bikes for that matter), is how durable those frames are. Can they take the normal dings and spills an aluminum or steel frame can?
In reply to Toddre, did everyone get a chance to check out the follow-up testing Niner did on the carbon fork they subjected to the hammer-abuse? I’d suggest that depending on the goals of the manufacturer, a carbon component can be the same weight and much tougher, or the same strength and lighter, or maybe even both. Personally, I like steel frames and carbon frames, and I have always been prejudiced against aluminum frames.
@Toddre: Specialized puts some “helicopter tape” type protection on the downtube and a real heavy duty looking chainstay protector along with the usual chain suck protector plate.
@Toddre: A guy is reporting on MTBR site that after having his Fisher Superfly 100 CF bike for only 2 weeks, there is already a crack in the head tube area.
Well for some reason I always seem to take one good digger a year, and with my luck on a bike like that, it would be that “right” crash….
I’m supposed to be getting my Stumpie S-Works SS 29er this week. I can post thoughts as I ride it.
@GT: The Stumpie Expert 29 in the above photo is black. This model on the Specialized website looks to be only available in white. Does the above photo verify that it will also be available in black?
@Toddre – well, I knowhat you mean about “ypur luck” – but I have had a couple of beauts on my Superflys and they have never even creaked, never mind break.
Will be glad to see ride reports on the Sworks Carbon SS – that is a very intriguing frame.
I hope you can provide a comparison between the Epic Marathon and the Mach 429 and Superfly 100.
@JamTrill: The Stumpy Expert Carbon 29 is listed and available in “Red/Black” on the website now.