Would be grateful knowing peoples experience of the reliability of the brain and shock on this bike ?
Borrowed an M5 from a mate - was a great ride but wonder about reliability as previously have run a comp ?
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Stumpjumper FSR expert 2010
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Posted 1 year ago #
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Not sure the bike's been out long enough for there to be too much info on reliability, although the non-Brain shock on MBR's long-term Elite died after a couple of rides.
I've had my Elite since early Jan and haven't ridden it as much as I'd have liked, but it been OK so far. There was quite a bit of oil on the shock piston initially, but this seems to have settled down.
I demo-ed the Expert & didn't like the 'clunk' through the frame everytime the brain opened.
The Elite rides well enough, that I'm not sure I'd benefit from the brain functionality.Posted 1 year ago # -
I was impressed by the brain - when I set it up properly it was pretty seamless between propedal and full travel. Very convenient.
I'm a bit concerned that a non-brain 140mm bike would feel significantly more inefficient ridden open as is my habit with my '07 bike. You've not found this ?
Posted 1 year ago # -
I only had the Expert for a day, but found that the more 'open' I tried it, the less of a clonk there seemed to be between open & shut. But, getting a brain shock & running it fully open seems a bit pointless.
As I say, I've not ridden the Elite as much as I'd have liked, but am pretty impressed with the lack of wallow/bob etc.
I was a bit concerned as it's got ~50mm more travel than my old full sus bike, so I was worried it might feel a bit bouncy but so far I haven't felt that.
Depends what you're used to though I guess? I'm suire it's not as 'tight' as a more race oriented full susser.
I've only run my shock in the propedal setting so far; not really tried it full open for comparison.Could you not borrow your mate's bike again and set the brain fully open to give you an approximation of the feel of a non-brain equipped Stumpy?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Thanks Stumpy - its good to know the Elite pedals well. I agree, there's only a point to the brain if you use it -it seemed to work well for me. I was referring to running non-brain bikes open (ie not propedal).
In truth, I'd love to know the experiences of anyone who's hammered a recent FSR around Alpine singletrack for a week (3Cs type stuff).
Posted 1 year ago # -
I had an 07 Pro and never had any Brain issues at all. Pivots wore, and Shock needed a service, but the brain went on and on
Posted 1 year ago # -
The Stumpjumper has come one a long way! StumpjumperPosted 1 year ago # -
I bought the 29er Expert a few weeks ago and am mightily impressed. The FSR rear suspension works a dream. Compared to the other multi-link systems of Giant's Maestro and Niner's CVA it is better. Both the others are too plush and 'trail un-connected'. Compared to a single pivot is light years ahead.
Here's my take on the 29er Stumpy so far
Posted 1 year ago # -
My brain has totally seamless action with the shock and is cluck/noise free.
The brain does NOT lock out the shock (as I imagined), as you still have suspension activity on moderate terrain even on full firm. This is very nice for hook up traction, esp climbing - a little travel but maintaining efficiency.
The thing which impresses me the most about the FSR suspension is the way it keeps on working in every situation. No brake jack, no ramping up, no wallow, just keeps on working and keeping your rear wheel on the trail.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Didn't realise you could get the 29er in the UK - I'm assuming you are in the UK?
Interesting that the 29'er & carbon models have a tapered HT, whereas the alu 26" versions have a normal 1 1/8" steerer.
You mention the seamless integration of the brain.....but the one I demo'd you could definitely feel the brain open up as the suspension went active, as well as a subtle clonk through the frame. The two others I was riding with also commented on this.
You gave a shock setting of 240psi & only achieving half available travel.....that could be why it feels seamless as when the shock is opening it was running quite stiff, rather than settling into it's travel? Just a thought. Are you still running the shock at 240psi or have you softened it up?Posted 1 year ago # -
In truth, I'd love to know the experiences of anyone who's hammered a recent FSR around Alpine singletrack for a week (3Cs type stuff)
I used my 07 Stumpy Expert for a full four month season in the alps, guiding for Bike Village a couple of years ago and can honestly say that I can't imagine a better tool for the job. Climbed fantastically, especially in rocky, technical going and went downhill like a scalded cat, I ran it with a 32mm Talas 100-140 fork up front. The new Brain is even better, the 'clunk' has gone and the reliability is good. I now work at a Spesh dealer, we've sold five or six this year and everybody who's got one has come back beaming. As a comfy trail bike with enough adjustability to race in xc and marathon events, it's awesome
Posted 1 year ago # -
I would agree it is VERY comfortable indeed - big wheels helping here of course.
The suspension in general has become more active once a few miles have been completed and I use a little less air and get more travel. I didn't get any clunk right from the off, never have.
I am in the UK, bought my frame only from the US.
Tapered HT looks huge and strong.
Posted 1 year ago # -
the 'clunk' has gone
- not on the 2010 I demo'd, it hadn't.robarnold - have you had any issues with any of the 2010 Stumpy's you've sold so far?
I ask as mine (2010 Elite) has had some burring in the seat tube that was knackering the post. I managed to remove this myself, but the shop didn't seem too interested, although they swapped the tube for one on their demo bike
The brakes were pretty spongy after a few rides & I've had to bleed them already - loads of air came out and when bleeding them I noticed that the safety e-clip on the pad bolt was missing.
Finally I had the cable clamp bolt for the front mech shear off leaving me in the inner chainring, which lbs sorted straight away (MBR had same issue with their long termer)!!Just a few disappointing niggles on quite a pricey bike....
Posted 1 year ago # -
I'm liking that paintjob.......and it's amazing how much bigger the tapered head tube looks. The EX8 that I tested at the same time as the Expert has a tapered head tube and it looks massive.
Mine's here:
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/new-bike-pics-alert
I was a bit concerned it would be a bit bland in silver, but the polished looking bits where your black bits are lift it a bit. Looks better in the flesh.
Posted 1 year ago # -
A mate of mine's selling a brand new 2010 stumpy frame if you're interested?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Stumpy:
Only 2010 Stumpy FSR we've had back has been an Elite that the lacquering on the down tube had all stripped off. We stripped the parts, sent it to Spesh in Surrey and they sent out a brand spanking new Carbon Expert frame and Brain shock (US version) out as a warranty replacement, as they didn't have any Elite frames in medium left.
I am liking that tapered head tube on the 29er, hopefully that'll trickle down to the 26 inch aluminium versions next year. Think Spesh are missing a trick by not speccing an oversized head tube and bolt through fork on a 140mm travel bike now that they're so readily available
Posted 1 year ago # -
Bonesetter, although a very odd shape with odd proportions, that bike of yours looks strangely... beautiful.
Posted 1 year ago #
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