Editor’s Note: Grannygear is winding down the Specialized Press Camp reports. We have one here about the S-Works hard tails and afterward Grannygear will finish up with some final thoughts and some tidbits in a later post.
Specialized Press Camp Report #5: by Grannygear
Once a bike’s cost gets over $5,000.00, it better be a great bike. And if the cost creeps up towards double that, well, it better be a complete package of performance satisfaction and the S-Works Stumpjumper HT will take a bit of a bite out of the debit card. Is it worth it? For years, an S-Works product has been the pinnacle of what Specialized offers the consumer…the best of the best. That ‘best’ moniker is a moving target as year to year the ante gets upped as to what is cutting edge. In fact, the tech seen in S Works bikes often trickles down to lesser models later on. For instance, what is called an M4 level frame (in aluminum) may have been an M5 frame a year or two previous.
The frame is the heart of the bike and the FACT 11m carbon, 29” geometry, FACT IS construction, tapered HT, carbon PF-30 BB, with hollow carbon dropouts and a replaceable alloy derailleur hanger is a pretty sweet heart to have. Carbon construction is really coming of age and Specialized has put a lot of work into the 2011 frames on its bikes. Carbon BB shells with the PF30 system, hollow dropouts, and frames made from 2 or 3 large sections rather than individual tubes are quite a ways from some of the flexy flyer and fragile CF frames from days gone by. 2011 seems to be shaping up as the year of the composite frame with many makers stepping into the fray. The ones that come out of the battle with their frames and their reputations intact will win.
The fork is a custom Specialized/RockShox Reba S29 with Brain, 1 1/2-1 1/8” carbon steerer/crown, RockShox Reba lower with Brain Fade, an external rebound adj., and 90mm of travel. The Roval 29 SL with carbon rims, a composite front hub with OS32mm end caps and a DT Swiss rear hub with DT Swiss internals are some sexy but subtle wheels. They do not look that blingy, but they promise to deliver the goods. CF rims are the next jump ahead in getting the big wheels rolling faster than ever. I heard a price tossed out for the wheel set, available separately, and it was pretty surprising compared to previous CF choices. In the case of my demo bike, it had aluminum rims due to supply limitations on CF rims at the moment. The tires are the new racing rubber in the form of 1.95 Renegade S-Works front and rear.
More carbon in the S-Works XC Carbon flat bar, with uni-directional carbon, a 680mm width, 8 degree back sweep, and a 31.8mm diameter. It is something new for this year, and the seat post is carbon as well.
The brakes are special too.
Front: Custom Avid XX World Cup R, tool-less reach adj., alloy backed semi-metallic pads, magnesium caliper, ti hardware, S/M: 160mm, L/XL: 185mm rotor
Rear:
Custom Avid XX World Cup R, tool-less reach adj., alloy backed semi-metallic pads, magnesium caliper, ti hardware, S/M: 140mm, L/XL:160mm rotors.
Levers:
Custom Avid XX World Cup R hydraulic, tool-less reach adjust, magnesium body, carbon lever
Shifting bits are the top of the line SRAM XX group. IMO, nothing finer exists for the general public at this time.
So, let’s talk about the ride. I unfortunately ended up with a LG size as there were no XLs around to ride. I can handle that, but it did feel a bit ‘compact’ to me. Up the chair lift I went with a bike that weighs as much as some big Camelbaks people wear. Really, this is a light bike. This is the third or fourth 29er I have ridden that are in this weight class and it is always shocking how they pedal and respond. I could get used to that, but it comes at a high cost.
I was a bit intimidated as the trails at Keystone, while not dangerous if you stay in the green or blue rated ones, are not exactly buff-ness either. I am a pretty good rider overall, but I was wondering if the S-Works would be a handful over the root drops, loose switchbacks, and fast berms.
Not to worry. Now of course this is a performance bike and if you just lay back and point it at the trail, riding it like an FSR, you will be hurting sooner or later. But, treat it with even a moderate level of attention and accuracy and it will respond with a surprisingly docile ride. I have come to appreciate the way Specialized tunes the ride on their 29ers across the board, with lower BB heights, longer top tubes, and slacker HT angles. I love it on the long term test Epic Marathon, I noticed it on the Expert carbon HT I rode at Demo Days last year and here it is again. I think that this approach makes for a good choice for endurance racing, giving you a bit of a break as you tire and reactions begin to break down.
The frame was re-done this year for increased compliance in the rear stays. The seat stays are tiny little things, not even as big around as my index finger. 
Did it work? Even with the sorta minimal 1.95 tires and tubes in place (so pressures were not that low) the bike was surprisingly smooth over the baby head rocks of Colorado. With a set of something like the 2.2 Rocket Rons or even the S Works 2.2 Captains run tubeless, it would be even smoother. Also, all the seatpost diameters on the Stumpjumper hardtails are 27.2mm instead of 30.9mm. That can help smooth out seated pedaling.
Speaking of pedaling, the S-Works bike pedals way better than I can do justice to, but even mere mortals can appreciate a light responsive bike. I can only imagine what a tubeless setup on the CF rims must feel like. I did not have a great deal of climbing this day in the saddle of the Stumpjumper S Works, but I would be surprised if someone finds this frame lacking in pedaling performance, either when sitting, standing, or anything in between.
The Brain fork on this bike was very smooth but I cannot say that I noticed the Brain effect. However, I think it needs more time in a longer term test mode to tweak and peak before I get the most out of the Brain fork. For 2011, overall head tube heights were reduced to get the handlebar lower per racer’s requests. Here are the MSRP’s for the S-Works Carbon and variants:
S-WORKS STUMPJUMPER CARBON 29er $7,200
S-WORKS STUMPJUMPER CARBON 29er FRAMESET $3,000
S-WORKS STUMPJUMPER CARBON 29er SS FRAMESET $3,100
Besides the S-Works Stumpjumper HT, there are lesser models to choose from. The carbon Expert offers a slightly lesser 8M frame, no carbon rims, XO ten speed rather than XX, and so on. You keep the Brain fork. MSRP $3,300 (Also available in an EVO model for the same price)
The Comp Carbon is the bottom of the line of composite frames. It drops the Brain and goes with a Reba RLT. The shifting duties are handed down to X9 and X7 10 speed with an alloy double crank instead of carbon. MSRP $2,800
The Comp 29er goes to an aluminum frame and a triple crank, but remains ten speed and similarly equipped to the Carbon Comp in most components. MSRP $1,950
The Stumpjumper aluminum frames and completes are priced as follows:
STUMPJUMPER SS 29ER $2,600
STUMPJUMPER 29ER EVO $2,050
STUMPJUMPER 29ER FRAME $770
STUMPJUMPER SS 29ER FRAME $770
Following is a short video by Grannygear on the Stumpjumper S-Works 29″er Carbon
Editor’s Note: Stay tuned for Report #6 where Grannygear will wrap up the loose ends and give his final thoughts on Specialized’s 2011 29″er line up.
Very nice spec ! I hope it looks better in person. It looks way uglyer than the new “collection” GF offerings.
I will still take the new Trek superfly any day. The S-Works is fast, but the superfly has more traction just from the geometry. If specialized stop focusing so much on weight and more time on their geometry this bike would be worth 5 grand, but I feel like I am paying for components which will be on most top of line carbon 29ers for around 4 grand. I also think the custom fox fork that works with the g2 geometry is a much smoother ride. It is a great bike but I just think their are better options out there for less money.
This HT and when are you gonna test S-works FS?
Impressive, as usual. However, I must admit to a little disappointment. I purchased the SS version of this bike less than a year ago, and while the changes here seem relatively subtle, I wonder why Specialized didn’t lower the headtube and lighten and increase compliance of the seat stays last year.
I understand the need for progress, but this is what GM used to do in the 50s and 60s–make changes each year that lessen the value of the previous model. I love riding my bike but am aware that the rear could be more compliant–shouldn’t the big S have known this last year and fixed it rather than put out the ’09 version knowing the racers wanted it changed? Why not make it right the first time?
So, you think that since a new bike came out, yours will ride and perform worse?
Bikes get better every time they’re updated. That’s the way it is. As technology and manufacuring process improve, so do the bikes. There is no ‘doing it right the first time’. For one thing, what’s ‘right’ constantly changes.
GG – I wonder if some will find this new frame too flexy?
@docfink: Apparently, racers wanted more comfort. I would imagine that owners of 2010 S-Works and Expert Carbon bikes could easily acheive one half of the 2011 equation with a seat post shim and a 27.2mm seat post.
As far as the seat stays go, one wonders how robust those pencil thin stays will be. Hopefully it doesn’t become a problem for Specialized.
I have ridden the 2010 version, and it is a pretty stiff platform, but a 27.2mm post in titanium would likely take as much edge off as what Specialized has done for 2011. That and a cushier rear tire, like a Racing Ralph would put you right in the same ball park without having to upgrade to the 2011 model. Just my opinion, but I think any vertical compliance gains from the 2011 design could easily be matched this way.
@Guitar Ted–thanks for the advice. Love your site and your objective opinions, BTW.
@dman–Maybe I didn’t communicate it properly or you misunderstood. It’s not that my 2010 isn’t a kickass bike; it is. But if I’m an average rider and I noticed the ultra-stiff rear could use some increased compliance (even with the 2.2 inch tubeless I run), then I would think Specialized would have too, and made the fix prior to its first production.
So, you and GT question if this new compliance will be a problem down the road; we’ll see. Again, I’m all for positive change, but I think some things can be addressed before production when the racers are testing the platform. We’re talking about a $5000 bike for dummies like me willing to spend this, not on a $500 ride that can do many similar things.
@rideurbike
quote: ["I will still take the new Trek superfly any day. The S-Works is fast, but the superfly has more traction just from the geometry. If specialized stop focusing so much on weight and more time on their geometry this bike would be worth 5 grand, but I feel like I am paying for components which will be on most top of line carbon 29ers for around 4 grand. I also think the custom fox fork that works with the g2 geometry is a much smoother ride. It is a great bike but I just think their are better options out there for less money."]
Hmmm.
Traction from geometry?
Show me a top of the line carbon bike in 2011 with full XX, carbon rims, and a carbon steerer/crown fork on it for $4000.00.
grannygear
@all
Note that I did not say that the S Works was $5000.00. I need to confirm pricing on it, but I am sure it is more than that, likely closer to 7K. My notes were not clear.
grannygear
@dman
Too flexy? Well, I guess time will tell. I only dress out at 190lbs all geared up so I am no clyde.
I did not get that impression, but others may…or may not. I do hope that, as GT mentioned, the changes for the sake of compliance did not weaken the frame. They seem to be pretty on their game for testing, so I imagine this was pretty scrutinized. And really, just cause it is a smaller diameter tube (the seat stay) does not mean it is weaker. Maybe it is thicker walled as well?
I guess I really would need the correct frame size (XL) on home ground for a while to say for sure on the flex thing. I might even let our resident clyde tester loose on it. Not sure if that will happen, though.
grannygear
@DC
I did not ride the S Works Epic. I chose the bike that was closer in cost/value to the 2010 Marathon I know so well to see what the carbon change brought to the trail.
I saved the S Works for this one.
grannygear
GT, I would love to hear how the ride differed when you rode the XL size! I demoed the 2010 bikes and when the put me on a large, I turned around after 200 yards because it was just to small a cockpit!
Thanks for the insight, truly enjoy the updates!
Any more info on the carbon and alu evo models? They look exactly like I was hoping to do with either a tallboy or on one’s carbon offering. Awesome reporting as always!
Thanks
GT,
The 2011′s are using the Sram PF30 BB with Sram Cranks..Can I do that on a 2010?
Can someone tell what the difference is between the S-WORKS STUMPJUMPER CARBON 29er FRAMESET and the S-WORKS STUMPJUMPER CARBON 29er SS FRAMESET ?
Thanks
@Roland: “SS” stands for “single speed” and is a single speed variant of the former frame you mention.
Thanks, I guess it sounds kind of obvious now.