My review of the 2007 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Pro

Specialized calls the 2007 Stumpjumper FSR Pro "the most versatile trail bike around." Now, after two weeks and over two-hundred miles of riding, can I second this opinion? That is the big question of the day, so I'll save that one for later. In the meantime, let's talk a little bit more about three review categories: overview of my physiological/kinetic experience, how the bike rides and what the components do for the ride. But first...watch a detailed video review of the bike here!

Overview of My Physiological/Kinetic:

The 2007 Stumpjumper FSR Pro is like a champion Budweiser race horse, you know one of those Clydesdales with the big hoofs? To me, one of those Clydesdales could go through just about anything and that's how I feel about this bike dude - OK that's the Budweiser talking. It is quite possible that I've found my next love - bigger hit bikes with more travel. You see, I come from the old school. I race. I go as fast as I possibly can uphill and downhill. I would have never "sessioned" on a bike; that's until the Stumpjumper arrived in my garage. Now, I LOOK for jumps and bigger hits. I WANT to do larger drop-offs. Everything is different, because of an extra inch of travel. I feel as if my entire world has changed: mountain biking doesn't HURT anymore; I feel OK using my granny gears; my Fiance is happy that I'm cleaning out the dishwasher and fixing things around the house; I am BUDDHA!

How the Bike Rides:

Although the bike inspires confidence to go down most anything (the Budweiser here again), it is just as happy on the hills. And so am I. I've climbed the steepest, rockiest terrain in Fruita and Grand Junction, Colorado and to my surprise, I was able to nail all of them. Not once, even after two hours in the saddle, did I lose the challenge of riding up a 15 - 20 degree hill. In Durango, Colorado, the famous Telegraph Hill is a laughing matter - that's because I'm having so much fun. Cornering is a part of every racer, so I paid particular attention to this. Get the Stumpjumper on to any corner and you'll feel as if you're a bowling ball going down a lane filled with bumpers (those inflatable gutter-ball stoppers); I don't slide out and I can't lose on the corners. In the old days, I would usually roll my eyes when a ultra-rocky section came to my attention. With the Stumpjumper FSR Pro, I still roll my eyes, but I breeze right over it and keep my traction. The bike has kept up with the demands that I've put to it and I'm one happy rider.

What the Components do for the Bike:

The bike comes standard with some serious components: Magura Marta brakes, Fox Talas RLS (front fork), Specialized AFR (Acive Functional Response) Shock and SRAM X.O. Let's start with the most obvious and what the inquiring minds want to know about: the AFR rear shock, or THE BRAIN. Specialized took over the rear shock design and build. Veteran designer Mike McAndrews, Director of Suspension Engineering at Specialized, took his previous work experience at Fox and Rock Shox back to Specialized and created what he says "will provide you with more control and efficiency than anything else on the market." If this were McAndrews' Presidential platform, I'd stand up and second his view. It might sound like this: "listen to me people, I know you are living through these hard times, but the AFR rear shock performs exactly as he says. And for GOD's SAKE CAN SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!" The AFR rear shock takes it in the rear when it needs to and is straight and firm when it comes to the flats or the climbs. I'd also second the Fox Talas RLC. This front fork is like a video game. I'm always adjusting it - 100mm when I'm climbing and back to the full 120mm when descending.
The Magura Marta brakes with the 180mm front rotor is also another shocking change in my cycling behavior. In my career, I've never been on rotors larger than 160mm. The change is another dream come true - you're probably rolling your eyes, now. Talk about stopping power; the Marta's are like a group of Catholics in front of a Big Texan 64-ounce steak during lent; they stop and don't give you any beef. The same goes for the SRAM X.O. I've been impressed with the SRAM shifting accuracy for over two years now - GO SRAM!
Now, on to the question I posed earlier:

is the Stumpjumper FSR Pro the most versatile trail bike around?

My answer...
Yes! The Stumpjumper FSR Pro is my everything bike. When I hit the Holy Cross trail in Grand Junction, I think Stumpjumper. If I'm near some of the secret trails in the Horse Gulch area of Durango, I think Stumpjumper. When I'm heading up the VERY steep dirt road climbs in the Magdalena mountains of central New Mexico, I think Stumpjumper. When I consider the upcoming 12-hour Down 'Til Dusk MTB race in Gallup, New Mexico, I think Stumpjumper. At work, I think Stumpjumper. When my Fiance is telling me that her friends are coming over to work on scrap books, I think Stumpjumper. When my Mom calls to tell me about my sister and her shenanigans, I think Stumpjumper. At 10:00 AM through 3:00 PM, while at work, I think Stumpjumper. I've been doing a lot of thinking about my Stumpjumper.