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Specialized 2010 – MTB Sneak Preview and Photos

by Paul Newitt

June 29, 2009 (Salt Lake City, Utah) – We’re situated 8,000 feet above Salt Lake City for this year’s 2010 Specialized Press Launch and while the air is thin Specialized’s offerings for next season are anything but. The 2010 launch kicked into the big ring on Sunday, June 28th, as bike after bike was rolled out into a room full of hungry media. It was clear from the chatter of most media that due to the global recession, price points were going to be a major concern for next season, and affordable bikes would be the highlight of most reports.

Specialized was quick to point out that their drive to create the best bikes on the planet starts at the high-end and thanks to their commitment to continued innovation, they are able to bring high-end performance and design to lower price point bikes in their line. But regardless of the recession we all love to hear about the candy and Specialized had plenty to dish out.

This year’s top shelf products came in the form of a new line of Stumpjumpers, quoted by Specialized as being the best climbing, best descending XC trail bike ever created by anyone anywhere, Period!

Leading the way in the line was the Stumpjumper FSR S-Works, a 22.4lb dream machine with FSR suspension. The latest version of FSR has the shock on a yolk that wraps around the continuous seat tube. The new design allows the seat stays to be inline with the shock, putting less stress on the frame and thus allowing for a lighter frame design.

The full carbon frame is a two-piece construction which decreases weight by eliminating joints. The frame has a wide top tube with no flat surfaces (flat surfaces want to bend or collapse under stress whereas curves hold their shape). Creases have also been introduced into the frame which further increase resistance to buckling forces.

The result is a front triangle that is 50g lighter than the ’09 Stumpy and seat stays that are 30g lighter. Carbon dropouts are also placed on the non-drive side dropout as additional weight savings, aluminum take the heat on the drive side. The descending capabilities of the 2010 stumpy are a result of a low bottom bracket, short chain stays (424mm), and relatively slack angles. (68.5° head angle)

Suspension is also a big factor for the Stumpy’e descending prowess and for 2010 we see an all-new, 1,602g, S140TA Fork (similar to the S120 but re-designed). The Brain controlled fork offers 140mm of travel with a 25mm adjust to 115mm for climbs. At the 115mm setting the Stumpy feels like a Specialized Epic on the climbs.

At the rear end Specialized and Fox have again teamed up and produced a 140mm AFR (Active Functional Response) rear shock, that features remote Brain technology, with XC trail tuning.

Yes! Specialized is back with Fox. According to Specialized’s Suspension guru Mike McAndrews, “Teaming up with Fox again allows us to focus on design and concept development. It frees up our resources to work on innovative new products while Fox can do what they do best — produce and maintain those products on a consistent and high quality bases.

Stumpy’s drive train makes use of a Shimano front deraileur and uses Specialized’s spider, cranks, rings and SRAM XX cassette rear derailleur, chain, brakes and rear shifter. The front derailleur shifter is an SRAM X.O. and SRAM also makes a custom spider that fits the Specialized cranks, so you can run an XX double if you want. A double specific front derailleur and shifter would be required also to run this config.

The Stumpjumper S-Works FSR is certainly the highlight of Specialized’s off-road line for 2010 but it’s only the beginning. Stay tuned as we have a ton more to bring to you, and some vids as well to highlight the Stumpy and other Specialized treats.





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