so, am going to get a 2011 stumpjumper as they are discounting this years models.
Comp carbon (no brain) and FSR elite (alloy frame, but has brain) are the same price, so is the brain worth having, or better to get the carbon frame?
Bit of a no brainer if you ask me .
Given how good shock technology is nowadays I'd say the Comp, but the brain equipped SWorks I had back in 04' was very good. The brain would have to be very good for me to pay the extra over an RP23 these days though.
My brain shock didn't make it to 11 months and 1000 miles before it collapsed. And on a 2009 Stumpy that had done mostly easy trail miles along bridleways. Specialized UK said it was nearly due to be serviced anyway (if I wanted to keep my warranty) and made me pay for the service, during which they fixed the shock.
Personally, I'd avoid their flaky suspension and go with a bike that has Fox or Rock Shox off the shelf shocks, every time.
No brain
I have a 2008 stumpy carbon pro. 2 brains. :(. Really enjoying it now I have a pushed rp23 on the rear and revs at the front.
2 x S-Works Enduros and a carbon Stumpy here - doing just fine without a brain between them.
Should have made it even clearer in my post that I ditched the brains. Hated them.