September Build of the Month - Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper Carbon Hardtail
Posted by PeterD Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:42:00 GMT
Yes, you are reading the scale correctly!
This bike was built for adventure race use. The growing sport of Adventure Racing combines several different outdoor challenges into one full day, or longer, event. A competitor needs to arrive geared up for known events like mountain bike racing and rock climbing, and then be prepared to have a couple surprise events like kayaking or orienteering thrown in to round out the race.
And these aren’t short sprints – the racer will usually be out there for multiple hours (and could be out there for days). A bike that will excel in an Adventure Race needs to be reliably solid and fast as lightening, but also light enough for portages, and other non riding passages.
This customer spec’d this one with years of experience to replace an older S-Works M4 Hardtail. He started with the 2008 Carbon Hardtail frame, and custom array of components including the Rock Shox SID Race fork and Mavic Crossmax SLR wheels. We didn’t stray very far from doing a complete XTR component group, but did decide to take advantage of SRAM’s 1:1 shifting benefit with an XO rear derailer and XO trigger shifters.
We topped things off with the Maxxis MaxxLite tires, FSA carbon bar and stem, and XTR pedals. The whole bike came in at just a touch under 20 pounds, with an Andrews Stainless King Cage, ready to race (yes, that means with pedals!). It has hit a couple of the local trails, and is getting rave reviews from rider as well as passers by.
A couple of close up photos are posted after the build list.
| Frame | Specialized S-Works Carbon Hardtail |
| Fork | Rock Shox SID Race 2007 |
| Headset | Specialized Integrated |
| Brake Levers | XTR M975 |
| Shifters | SRAM XO Triggers |
| Stem | FSA OS-99 |
| Brakes | XTR M975 6” ISO |
| Grips | Specialized XC Locking |
| Seatpost | Specialized Carbon |
| Crank | XTR M970 170mm |
| Pedals | XTR M970 |
| Front Derailers | XTR M971 |
| Rear Derailers | SRAM XO Long |
| Cassette | XTR M960 11 – 34 |
| Wheels | Mavic Crossmax SLR |
| Tires | Maxxis MaxxLite |
| Bottle Cage | King Stainless |
Take this bike, tie a five-pound bag of sugar to the front, and a five-pound bag of sugar to the back, and you have a bike that weights the same as mine.
Sugar-buzz?!?
I put this new bike to a pretty hard test last weekend-3300 feet of accent in 15.5 miles mostly on somewhat technical single track-I rode the perimeter of Skeggs. This bike rides beautifully. The shifting is crisp and exact. The tires, though very light and a little slick sometimes, get the job done. The breaks are uber-responsive. Another point of interest that most mountain bikers would find funny, but adventure racers know all too well, this bike is a dream to hike-a-bike or carry!