I've got the option to buy a secondhand carbon 29er Stumpy from a couple of years ago. Are these decent bikes? I've never ridden one and don't know anyone who has ridden a modern one. The geometry numbers look to be pretty good to me. The price isn't 'amazing' but it is pretty good and the frame looks to be in good condition. Reviews suggest that the Stumpy good but maybe a bit boring whereas something like a Jeffsy is more lively and interesting to ride - would the STW massive say the same?
I like my Stumpy and it strikes me as the frame is pretty much the benchmark for a do it all trail bike. One bike to do it all.
Have you ridden one before? do you know it will fit you?
I'd have kept mine if it was an XL 29er (mine was a large 650b). Very capable and a fun bike to throw around. Mine was a 2016.
Not ridden one before but I'm usually a middle of the road Large frame guy. I once made the mistake of getting a medium and that has always felt a little small for me. Are the Stumpy's a strange fit then?
I had an alloy Stumpy in a large, it was an excellent bike all told. The geometry was good, the BB is usefully low and it’s a very viable all day ride.
Cannot think of any reason why you shouldn’t go for it.
I demoed a few Specialized bikes a couple of years ago. I'm 5'9" and at the time my bike was a medium Pitch FSR.
The medium Stumpjumper 29er felt very short the large was much better for me although the front end felt too high.
try it.
ive been trying the newer and last years ones. they are a little short compared to newer stuff but then again i find some of the newer stuff too long.
i wouldnt buy a second hand carbon bike. but thats just me.
I've got the Carbon Expert 29 from last year (which I think is actually the 2016 model) - I struggled to get on with it at first. A Rubber change and a few clicks of shock rebound - now I can't stop riding it.
Is a lot of fun, amazingly capable and am attempting lines, drops and jumps that I wouldn't have on my previous full suss.
Also love the SWAT storage for shorter rides. Don't underestimate how practical that is.
Recommended!
and for a bike that weighs a smidge over 30lbs - it is a brilliant climber. I set my fastest time on Whites Level this year on it. and it matches my hardtails on a lot of my local south downs sections!
I was going to chuck my XXL Stumpy 29 on the For Sale tonight. Loved it all the time I had it, sadly I've got a Tallboy and Enduro at the moment, so much overlap! I only get to ride a couple of times a month so it's a bit ridiculous.
For an XXL it was always pretty normal looking, long with low BB, I think most of my PBs are with that monster.
I'm on my 2nd Stumpy Carbon 29 and my next bike will probably be another - for proper all day riding in the Lakes I doubt there's much better out there - climbs well, stable at speed, loves to get both wheels off the ground - just a no-nonsense well sorted bike
I always wonder about the mag tests and how much the value of direct sales buys them wins. I do wonder if the likes of Canyon and YT would get such good ratings in mags etc if they were tested frame only and all built up with the same spec? Maybe if that was the case, the bigger more traditional brands like Specialized and Trek would still be winning tests.
Just bought a 2nd hand 2016 stumpy 29 carbon frame, I've not owned one for about 10 years.
4 rides in and I've still got some tweaking to do with the suspension, but waiting till i get back to the local trails in HK before doing too much. I've plugged in a 160mm fork to marginally slacken it out and raise the BB - But that's just my preference.
There are some little annoying things, having to flick the climb switch for anything vaguely peddaly and noticeable flex in the back end. It behaves pretty much everywhere, but yet to find anywhere it really shines. This may just be because I've not had chance to dial everything in? The built in SWAT 'lunch box' is great though!
That said I wont be buying another, it's not a patch on the Yeti SB bikes...