Just an old Stumpy

[Pondo]

But it’s soooo sweet! I just picked up this very minty ‘97 Stumpjumper M2. I’ve been wanting one since my college days and actively looking for a good deal on one for a few years now.

No pedals but it’s got some great parts. The tires look original and they are literally falling apart. The nubs aren’t even worn all the way off.

Specialized branded front hub

Decent Mavic rims

Radial laced? Cool

A good component group. It doesn’t look like anything was replaced except maybe the seat.

Sorry about the crappy pics in the back of my truck. It’s raining and I’m still away from home. Pretty excited about this one though.

 

[Pondo]

The build plan for this will be inspired by Ronnie Romance's Duralcan

 

[Captain Awesome]

Score!!!

 

[Linedog]

Love the XT bits.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

I can't help myself, still a Spesh fan boy. I want one too, in Mango or green. The Metal Matrix bikes were pretty unique. They added ceramic fibers and other materials to their blend, making it very strong. In fact, it was so strong, it was hard to work with. It would wear out cutting tools in the shop. Everything on there is quality.
https://www.mtbr.com/threads/questions-about-an-early-stumpjumper-m2.38754/

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Ronnie Romance's Duralcan

Details on the material and the build here:
https://theradavist.com/cry-of-the-duralcan-ronnie-romances-duralcan-s-works-stumpjumper-m2/

22 lbs is pretty darned light

 

[Pondo]

I can't help myself, still a Spesh fan boy. I want one too, in Mango or green. The Metal Matrix bikes were pretty unique. They added ceramic fibers and other materials to their blend, making it very strong. In fact, it was so strong, it was hard to work with. It would wear out cutting tools in the shop. Everything on there is quality.
https://www.mtbr.com/threads/questions-about-an-early-stumpjumper-m2.38754/

Details on the material and the build here:
https://theradavist.com/cry-of-the-duralcan-ronnie-romances-duralcan-s-works-stumpjumper-m2/

22 lbs is pretty darned light

Thanks for the links Matti! I hadn't seen the mtbr.com thread before. And I thought I had included the radavist link, but I must have forgot.

 

[Dizzle Problems]

Epic! Those frames are so rad. Great pick up

 

[Pondo]

Ron's new R-Werks EVOO 29er looks like it's based in part on these old Stumpjumpers. I haven't compared the geo but I would assume the EVOO has more modern specs. Very cool bike.

https://ronsbikes.com/products/coming-soon-r-werks-evoo-29er-pre-order

 

[Pondo]

I dug some plastic pedals out of the parts stash so I could take this thing for a little rip. Man, this thing is so cool! It feels light and quick. Didn’t seem overly harsh on the terrain I was in. It climbs great! I can see why these have some fans in the vintage MTB community. The guy had said the frame was 20”, but that’s the top tube length. Crank to top of the top tube is 18” which is a good size for me. The super long stem feels super long and goofy. Just like I remember 90s mountain bikes. That’s all going to change. For now it’s a great time capsule and a lot of fun.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Didn’t seem overly harsh on the terrain I was in

The suspension fork takes care of that. I like to use shocks on aluminum frames. Steel flexes on its own, shocks would just kill the "feel".
Wow they made a lot of sizes for that bike (13.5,15.5,17,18,19,20.5), and yours falls right in the middle.
https://www.mountainbikecatalogue.com/specialized/1990-1999/1997/stumpjumper-m2.html

 

[Pondo]

The suspension fork takes care of that. I like to use shocks on aluminum frames. Steel flexes on its own, shocks would just kill the "feel".
Wow they made a lot of sizes for that bike (13.5,15.5,17,18,19,20.5), and yours falls right in the middle.
https://www.mountainbikecatalogue.com/specialized/1990-1999/1997/stumpjumper-m2.html

This is a pretty good sized frame. I would be good on the 17" too but this gives me a little bigger triangle if I ever want to get a frame bag for it. I like that the fork is a coil spring, I had thought for sure it was elastomer. It's pretty stiff, but I like that too. The (slight) downside is it's 3 lbs. I'm thinking about getting a chromoly rigid fork with bottle cage mounts, we'll see. I figured this frame was probably designed in the US, welded up in Taiwan and then assembled in the US. But it says "made in USA" in a couple of spots, not 'designed' or 'assembled.' From the research I've done these frames were built in Portland, OR as it was the only factory that could work with the M2 composite at the time. Kind of interesting.