Specialized S-Works Stumjumper 29er Build and Weight

I've been able to put a solid 25 hours on the bike at this point.  Still, not as much singletrack time due to the weather but enough to get a good feel for the bike and the consistent sensations I get from ride to ride.  It's also built in final form.  I had a few items that needed updating after I picked it up from Boulder Cycle Sport - namely, cutting down the bars, swapping front derailleurs, swapping the seat, and fixing a shifter cable.


The Build

• SRAM XX Drivetrain 
• 39x26 up front with 11x36 in back 
• Specialized S-Works crank arms and BB 
• SRAM XX Disc Brakes 
• 160mm on both ends 
• Stan's NoTubes ZTR Crest wheelset 
• DT Swiss 240 hubs 
• DT Revolution spokes 
• Alloy nipples 
• Custom Rockshox Reba 29er 
• Carbon steerer 
• Carbon crown
• Easton Monkey-Lite Handlebars 
• Cut to 660mm (from 690)
• ESI Chunky Grips 
• Ritchey WCS Stem 
• 120mm
• Specialized S-Works Seatpost 
• Specialized Toupe Saddle 
• Crankbrothers 4ti Pedals 
• Specialized S-Works 2.25 Captain front tire 
• Specialized S-Works 2.00 Fast Trak LK rear tire

The Weight

• 20.5 lbs complete and with pedals  - Wow!  I've never had a bike this light. 

Big Weekend of Riding

I managed to get 7 hours of riding in this last weekend.  Yes it was still snowy and the trails are all but ridable.   A group of about 15 guys met and headed up Sunshine Canyon to do the Switzerland Trial to Gold Hill ride.  Which is mostly road but has a mix of dirt roads and climbs to about 8,700 ft with beautiful views of the Continental Divide.  I knew about half the guys and had a chance to meet some more avid cyclists.  The day was beautiful - blue skies, no wind, and about 43 degrees. 

The pace was set early and it was fast - very typical for a large ride in Boulder where there is ALWAYS someone faster than you.  I felt generally good and kept up with the pace as a few folks fell off the back.  We headed up towards Switzerland trail on packed snow and ice.  A group of five us set the pace.  A few folks were comfortable while I was at my threshold of a sustainable pace.  They chatted and I concentrated.  We got to the Switzerland trail and regrouped then headed up towards Gold Hill.  Fast pace again - too fast for me - so I settled in and pedaled at my own pace before reaching the top.  This as the most interesting part of the ride as it was either covered in snow or dry as a bone.  The dry part was always welcome.  The snowy parts were generally packed but not all the time.  Undernearth the snow was hidden ice.  As my tires tried to grab the undulating terrain the would slip out from under me quickly and unforgivingly.   This happened to a number of us with plenty of folks hitting the snow before reaching the top.

At the top, I had to bolt as I had to be home to take my daughter square dancing - yee haw! - so I didn't wait for the regroup.   Rob Batey joined me  and we sailed back down to Boulder.  Good ride - 3.5 hours in total, 4.3k ft of climbing, and plenty of fun mixing it up with the buddies.

The new Specialized Stumpjumper S-Works 29er road very well.  Still getting good sensations.  This ride wasn't technical at all so it really didn't server any purpose as far as evaluating the bike's technical handling prowess.  I can say that it fits me perfectly, however.  I'm a dash over 6' and the 19" Large fits perfectly with a 120mm stem.

Interesting to note on the ride that ONLY 3 guys were riding 26" wheeled bikes.  I was shocked by this.  This was a hard corp group of guys that are fit and competitive in regional expert / pro races.  Definately a testament to the 29er movement. 

More to come.  Thanks for reading.

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.

Here I am

This is my first post of my first blog. I've been debating posting something cycling or work related for a couple of years now. I finally made myself a commitment to share some of my thoughts on my cycling experiences including product impressions, training, fun rides, and a few races. I currently have 4 bikes: a Scott Addict road bike, an S-Works Specialized Stumpjumper, an S-Works Specialized Tricross, and a Gary Fisher Rig 29er. I'm having a Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper 29 being built and plan to pick it up next week.

I truly am a gear-head through and through; I've been this way my whole life. Sometimes I hate it but most of the time embrace it ;-). Given this I try all kinds of new stuff - some I like and others not so much. As examples, I've been using a Saris Powertap SL+, a Garmin Edge 705, Zipp 303 Cyclocross Tubulars.

2010 should be interesting as I'm planning to make my primary mountain bike a 29er. I love my Stumpjumper FSR dearly so going to a 29er hardtail will be an interesting experience that I'll plan to share. I'm also going to use the Time Crunched Cyclist training program by Chris Carmichael. I'll be posting about how the program's affects on me. I'm hoping to get back to my fitness level I had 2 years ago when I had a personal coach.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy my rants.