Siu Blue Wind

Need an all mountain. Want something durable and not necessarily XC. Anybody out there who knows which can climb better, and has less pedal bob? Also my concern is jacking of the suspension during braking. I understand Stumpy falls under both AM and XC both. Any other suggestions?

juliebeanpie

I have a Heckler with a Fox Float for rear suspension which has a lock out on it. I have never used the lock out, because I've never had a problem with pedal bob. My hubby has the 5th element on his Heckler, and he does not complain of bob either. I'm sure all the Specialized fans are going to get mad at me, but the Heckler is just a better built bike all around. I've ridden both, and I wouldn't take two Specialized bikes for one Santa Cruz!

cryptid01

juliebeanpie, I presume your Float has platform damping to mitigate the pedal bob?

SBW, a single pivot like the Heckler will be more prone to brake jack than an FSR, although it probably won't be noticeable unless you're shredding the gnar on some super steeps.

pinkrobe

Some of my friends have Hecklers, some of my friends have Stumps... The FSR riders have their bikes set up super-soft. I threw a leg over one, and even with the rear shock set up completely wrong, I could still spin with minimum bob and there was no brake jack. The Heckler dudes are hard-core XC/road riders and ride their bikes set up with a minimum of sag. They get a bit of bob, but they're already so smooth on the bike it's hard to tell. This is opposite to what most people think of when looking at these two bikes, but the point is that they're both flexible designs. I'm a big fan of the Horst Link, but the Stable Platform shocks have come a long way in the last couple of years. Put a Pro-pedal shock on a FSR, and you'll never see bob again...

SBW, from your past posts, you need a smaller bike, right? Instead of a Heckler, try the Blur LT. If that's too much money, go for the FSR, although you might want to see about getting a lighter stem/seat/bars/wheelset. $0.02

Siu Blue Wind

Well it seems that I'm steering more toward the FSR...

I called around. None in my size...Specialized only has the higher line in my size.

Blur is an attractive bike to own but I still have to buy food.

mtnbiker66

I Have ridden the Heckler before I got my Bullit and for the type of riding you do I think the FSR would be better. As far as brake jack you learn to ride around it. I can feel the rear of my bike flex a little if I rail it really hard into a corner. When I feel the rear tire start to break traction I can feel it.( that was just an added fact)

Karldar

Didn't you get my PM this time? I still say the Enduro would be better suited to what you say you're going to be using it for. Plus, it's sweet! So there.

pinkrobe

Are you looking at the Stumpjumper Comp or the regular Stumpy? The women's small and the regular small don't differ that much in size - it's all in the toptube, which is a whopping 16mm bigger in the regular version. You might want to try it. Alternatively, all the FSR's have the same geometry. Ride a higher-end model to see if it fits, then order the lower end model. Easy peasy!

lodi781

I've got and fsr expert and love it. My only complaint is the tires. Not to good in wet conditions.

Hambone40

+1 on the tires. I ditched them as soon as got mine. GREAT bike.

lodi781

what tires are you running? I'm looking for some new ones now...

Hambone40

Ritchey Moto Vaders's 2.4's.

Girlscout13

Yeah hambone didn't you have some help picking those tires out?

lodi781

what kind of trails do you ride??

skiahh

I think you know my position on Stumpys/Specialized.

As for single pivot vs FSR/4 bar, I don't think there's a contest. When I was looking for my first FS I demo'd the Cannondale Jekyl (single pivot) and Spec Enduro (2000 model) and there really wasn't a choice. I bought the Enduro. When it broke, Specialized replaced it right away with an '02 Enduro which I didn't like as much so I sold that and got the Epic. Then they introduced this version of the Stumpy and I have to say if I was buying today, I'd probably wind up with the Stumpy over the Epic, but it'd be a close call.

Plus, I think the Stumpy weighs considerably less than the Heckler. Could be wrong about that, but I always thought the Heckler was a fairly porky bike.

If you can swing it, go for a Stumpy with the Brain. It's a big jump in price, though; what's your budget?

Hambone40

Yup.....my favorite girlscout picked them out for me. Good luck tomorrow in your race. Don't use the brakes...they will just slow you down. Tell pops to call me and let me know where you finish.

Siu Blue Wind

Well! Thank you everyone for all of your replies! I really did learn a lot from all of you. I really took a lot of your opinions to heart.

I no longer need this thread, for I now have a new bike.

mtnbiker66

You know the drill! PICS!!!!!!!!! Whats wrong with you?

cryptid01

Check her sig.

What are you doing here? I thought you were going racing this weekend?

mtnbiker66

Her sig.....DUH! Girlscout decided he would rather just spend a long day in Pisgah instead of driving 3 hrs. He said he wasn't that jaced up to race this weekend.I saved some gas $$ and got the shred some good Pisgah trails.

Pheard

Holy crap sbw!! nice bike!! holy crap!

Karldar

Okay, why did you put platforms on my bike? And why is it clean? Mine was dirty last I saw it....

skiahh

Uhhhh... OK. Stumpy vs Heckler... and you wind up with a Kona?? Don't get me wrong - it's a great choice, but how did you get Kona out of all this advice??

cryptid01

If that is indeed your bike, do you mind me asking what's up with the doilies on the back of the couch? Did you take this pic at your grandmomma's house?

mtnbiker66

He likes to keep things neat while he's blasting Rob Zombie.