I'm thinking of buying either:
2009 Specialized Stumjumper FSR Pro Carbon http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/...d=39185&eid=95
2010 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert Carbon http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/...45840&eid=4201
Which should I buy, and why?
Or should I strongly consider another brand?
Please give me your thoughts/suggestions/opinions/experience on this or the equipment on these bikes, in particular the forks: The 2009 Pro Carbon has the Specialized trailtune 120mm travel only but does incorporate a brain. This is the same fork as on the 2009 S-works.
The 2010 Expert carbon has Fox 140mm travel but without brain.
LBS reckons the trailtune is a much better fork despite 20mm less travel.
Price of these two is around the same; although budget is not particularly an issue.
I have used/owned & like 2007 & 2008 Stumpjumper FSR Experts (alloy frame, 120mm Fox forks, rear brain), which seem about right for what I want from a bike.
So if I buy a Specialized, it'll be a Stumpjumper.
Bump
Your links don't work.
The Brain forks are very good, substantially lighter than the Fox. The 09 bike will weigh a fair chunk less if that bothers you. I'd probably go for the 2009 one, but no one really has any informed opinions on the 2010 ones yet.
WMB are screaming bike of the year about the 2010 stumpy already. But then they did the same about the 'dale Rize last year and it didn't even feature in the shortlist so take from that what you will...
Links which work (apologies to all who tried to follow what I was referring to)...
2009 Specialized Stumjumper FSR Pro Carbon:
http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=39185&eid=95
2010 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert Carbon:
http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=45840&eid=4201
njee20: "The 09 bike will weigh a fair chunk less (then the 2010)" Is that because of the forks - or something else?