The Maiden Voyage & First Impressions

I finally got out on the new Specialized Stumpjumper S-Works 29, today.  This will be the basis for my initial impressions and the first review of many to come. 

It's been cold and snowy in Boulder, CO this year and the trails are socked in with snow.  The day was looking great - blue skies, high of 48, and I had a 3-hour block available.   I hooked up with my friend, Rob Batey, with the plan to do the Gold Hill Loop. It's really road ride with some dirt roads - perfectly suitable for a CX bike - but as I said, ALL the trails are snowed in and or muddy in the area.  The nice thing about the ride is that it has 3,900 ft of elevation gain and can be completed in about 2:20-2:30 leaving from the home.

The ride started out well, cruising over to Sunshine Canyon to start the climbing.  We get about 1,500 ft up and I begin to notice what I'll describe a "knock" in my pedal stroke.  I ignore it for a minute or so but then it gets worse.  I finally get off my bike and check things out:  a little play in the crank, cleat is ok, peadal seems fine.  I just jump back on - it gets worse.  I get off again and notice that the left crank arm is more loose than a minute before.  Not good!

I try calling the bike shop for some advice but good ole' AT&T doesn't have service 2 miles up Sunshine Canyon.  I say a little chant in my mind - "I love my iPhone, I love my iPhone, I love my iPhone".

Anyway, I let Rob continue with the ride and cruise back down the hill and call Boulder Cycle Sport.  Mike Doyle comes and picks me up and we head back to the shop.  (That was so Pro - thank you!)  A quick tightenting of the crank bolt - with a little loctite this time for good measure - and I'm off.  I continued with some more riding up and around North Boulder.  The highlight was hitting a small piece of trail that wasn't muddy or covered in snow.  We're talking a 100 meter stretch here - a camel's back going up and down.  I went in and then back out.  It's a very rocky section with baby head sized rocks; some smooth some with squared edges.

Ok - Initial Impressions

Take these with a grain of salt.  My ride yesterday was more a road ride than a mountain bike ride with the exception of that small piece of trail.  Nonetheless, I was able to get some sensations that are worth sharing.

• The bike is LIGHT - The picture has all the computer, bottle cages, etc. on it.  With pedals but no cages, seat pack, bottles, etc. it comes in at an amazing 20.5lbs!  Note this is a custom build with mostly Sram XX and Stan's NoTubes ZTR Crest rims with DT Swiss 240 hubs (the best IMO) 
• The seat tube water bottle holder can only hold the smaller bottles - there isn't enough room for the 20+oz bottles - too bad.   
• I could feel the weight of the 29er wheels (note:  I'm coming off of a 2008 S-Works Stumpjumper FSR 26" - very light build - 23lbs) while cruising on the road.  Could it have been the new tires (S-Works Captain (F), and Fast Trak SLK (R)), my legs not being as fresh as usual?  Sure, it could have been.  I didn't feel like I was going any slower. I just had this sensation of a little bit more weight - which in fact is the case. 
• Descending the paved roads felt more like a road bike than a mountain bike.  The gyroscopic effect of the larger wheels is definitely noticeable.  It as calm and stable over 40mph.  
• SRAM XX - This will have to be a separate post but I want to share these two points:
• Front shifting is AMAZING - quick and precise.  The rear shifting seemed similar to my XO setup - very good. 
• Gear ratios:  I'm using the 11-26 cassette and 39x26 rings up front.  I climbed 18% grades yesterday comfortably and not needing the 36 cog.  I also didn't spin out going down hill until 37 -38mph.  So far, I think its a perfect setup.  
• On the trail - Like I said, the trail I rode is rocky.  As I approached the 8% grade climb that was littered with rocks, I thought to myself this was going to be a bit uncomfortable on a HT but a good test.  I crested the top and thought to myself "OMG - that felt as smooth as my FSR".  I descended the back side - same sensation.  Turned around to avoid the mud and did it again.  Same thing.  Big smile on my face.  
• I was able to roll over these rocks so, so smoothly going up and down.  I'm still a bit shocked, honestly.  That being said, this was just a 100m section of trail - anything could feel good.  

All in all, I'm super impressed but still require a lot more time in the saddle and on the trail to figure out if my initial sensations are directionally correct.  

More to come.  Stay posted.