Friday, December 17, 2010

S-Works Stumpjumper Hardtail

It has been a long time coming - I had planed on having this bike put together during the summer but things got in the way and it took a while to get all the bits and pieces together. I didn't need it for any races so there was never really a rush to get my butt in gear. The upside, is I have finally built it up the way I want it (apart from one minor thing - but I'll get to that).



It is basically a 2010 Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper hardtail frameset pimped out with some of our sponsors kit. Lots of KCNC bits (some making their first Irish appearance - have a look at the brakes) - NoTubes wheels, the new CrankBrother Eggbeater pedals and Schwalbe tires. A really impressive package and tips the scale at a little over 8kg (I know, saddle and crankset can be lighter)

The new KCNC X-7 brakes are really something to behold - mega mega light (277 grams for the rear, 259 grams for the front INCLUDING rotors and all bolts - wow that's more than 100 grams per wheel lighter than most of it's competition). Braking has been great so far - a very positive feel and another nice feature is that they use Shimano style brake pads - so easy to find when you are stuck.

The rear caliper is simply beautiful - someone had fun with the CNC machine

I run a 2x10 drivetrain. An XT crankset modified to run a 42/28 combo and a 11-36 cassette out back. For most conditions I shouldn't have to leave the big ring (which sits in the middle ring position of the XT triple so gives a great chainline for the whole cassette). The crankset is the only thing I may alter in a while - it does not really befit the rest of the build, but it is what I had easily available.


Crankbrothers newly updated Eggbeater pedals finish out the build.

So, first impressions - it's all about the fork, the stiffness and weight of the bike - the bike just flies - you really want to push hard on it at all times. Sure, it isn't as quick on the descents as a fully, but still remains a lot of fun and is easier to clean and maintain.

So I have both the S-Works Stumpjumper and Epic - if I had to have one, it's easy, it still is the Epic - there just is not a bike like it. The suspension works so well that it is a no brainer to ride around with the extra few hundred grams of weight over the hardtail... But I still really like my new bike.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful.!

Mountain Goat

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!

Mountain Goat.

Ryan Sherlock said...

I have been out on it with the snow and ice - just wish it would warm up a bit for a few longer spins.

Anonymous said...

thats lovely!!Did Mel get a medium one? if so ill take that at the end of the season!!!:-) you say your running a 2x10...where did you get the 10sp gripshift?

Ryan Sherlock said...

Mel has not got a medium one yet...

The 10speed grip shift is from Recon. I'm not happy with the right hand shiter and have replaced it to an X9 trigger. The indexing was just not right. They were very light, look rubust and dirt cheap (€35 for the pair). Just didn't work right...

Anonymous said...

Hi and a Happy Christmas to all,
The roads of College road Tribadden Cruagh Kilakee are fine for training today the 26th- had a evening cycle very wet with some compacted snow on cruagh road past the grave yard, kilmashogue thick snow.

Enjoy the snow.

Mountain Goat

Ryan Sherlock said...

Gee - 26th was still crazy in Monaghan. Heading out now though, grey, rainy, but 6 beautifully warm degrees :)

Anonymous said...

Hi , lovely bike you got there , i bought my self a specialized s-works HT frame this weekend . It is exactly like yours and i have start to build on it . Yhat is why i scanning the web , to see what others have done . You have the best so far , but can you advice me where you bought this chain protection ?? would really have one like that
J A M

Ryan Sherlock said...

Thanks.

Do you mean the chain stay protector? It came as part of the bike... I'm sure Specialized can hook you up...