Good day for a ride on my Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert

Stumpjumper I took my new bike out for its first ride this evening. A quick ~4mile round trip over at the gunpowder river. It’s always been a tough trail in a few areas because it’s not exactly well groomed, which makes for a fun and exciting ride. I had a good 2 hours to ride and I got back around 8:45 while it was still light out. What a wonderful way to spend the longest day of the year!

I searched for a while before settling in on what bike to buy. The best part was that I decided I really wanted a Specialized bike and they went on sale just in time for me to pick one up for about 30% off the retail price. I really liked the brand name, read a lot of good reviews about their products, and felt their components were some of the best you could get without custom ordering a bike.

I was torn between the hardtail version of a Stumpjumper and a full suspension for a while, but taking a look at how hard I am on my joints and how I always end up hurting myself in whatever sport I do, I decided a full suspension might be a worthwhile investment (in hopes it will ease my pain). After deciding on the full suspension, I was stuck between the Epic and Stumpjumper models. I settled on a Stumpjumper for its simplicity (compared to the Epic’s brain) and the fact that I hope I’ll eventually learn to ride a bit more aggressively. I settled on the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert, 2006 about two weeks ago and picked it up. Too bad it took me this long to ride it.

The bad thing is I have so much to learn, including the idea of shoes that clip into my pedals, dampening of front and rear shocks, etc. Regardless, it feels great. Click the image of the bike for some pictures in my gallery.

About this entry

You’re currently reading “Good day for a ride on my Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert,” an entry on Jason Lancaster

Published:: 06.22.06 / 1am

Category:: Outdoors

Previous entry:: Broken car
Next entry:: Myspace suit

About

I have three passions: Dancing, climbing, and technology.

I am a Lindy Hopper, a style of dance that began in the early 1920’s. I dance with Charm City Swing, Baltimore’s premier swing dancing venue. You will find me EVERY Monday night on the dance floor.

I live to climb things. It took me 25 years to figure this out but I can’t imagine life without it. I primarily enjoy bouldering — For me, the lack of ropes and freedom take bouldering to purest level of climbing.

I founded and work at Fusion Bay, a web application development firm with Adam Douglass. We program cool things for clients and ourselves, like the popular Wordabble iPhone application and GiftListIt.

Christopher M. 06.22.06 / 8am

What kind of bike did you get?

Jason Lancaster 06.22.06 / 1pm

I revised this entry a bit, so you should see some more information on my bike.

Christopher M. 06.22.06 / 3pm

It takes a little while to get used to clipping in and twisting out of the pedals but the pedals loosen up on there own quickly but you can always adjust the tension. A real benefit of the pedals is that you can pull up and push down during your pedaling stroke. The disc brakes can be sensitive and cause you to spill if you give them the Vulcan grip. It is look like a great bike and I can attest that Specialized makes good MTB.

Anonymous 07.06.06 / 4pm

The stumpy expert is a great bike. I’ve had mine for a couple of months now, and its a joy to ride. Definitely get clipped in – avoid the bottom end of the market shimano’s though, as these get a bit sticky. Just keep your clips fully open to begin with, and make sure you laugh when you first fall off! Agree with Christopher about the brakes – don’t have them on the strongest setting, as you will get chucked over the bars. As happened to me last week. Ouch! Happy riding.

Jason Lancaster 07.06.06 / 5pm

I actually clipped in for the first time last Sunday and it was amazing! I could just feel the power oozing out of my legs. It was great. I love the disc breaks, too… very powerful.

I fell once when I bumped up against a boulder that was a bit too big for me and couldn’t get out in time, but overall the transition went very smooth.

Christopher M. 07.06.06 / 6pm

The thing about being clipped in is to remember a expression a friend once told me and that is “push-pull, push-pull…” When your pushing with one leg you can be pulling with the other. When your feeling bushed and need some motivation to get home remember “push-pull.”

Jason Lancaster

Good day for a ride on my Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert

About this entry

6 Comments

Have your say

About

Recently

Pages

Categories