Upgrading Specialized Fuse to Stumpjumper frameset

PB Forum :: All Mountain, Enduro & Cross-Country

Author	Message

sjv13

Posted: Jun 2, 2022 at 8:34

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Hey guys, how's it going? I currently have a 2020 Specialized Fuse Comp 29 (upgrades include DUB Descendant crankset, Enve M6 bars, and Fox Factory 34). For my local trails this bike is perfect and handles everything I throw at it.

So far, I have taken the Fuse to Marquette, Michigan a couple times and it's handled the trails decently, but to be honest we stuck to the less chunky trails since we were all on hardtails a this point. Lately my friends and I have been discussing plans to do more destination MTB trips to places like Boyne Mountain, MI; Brevard, NC; and Arkansas... several of them have been to these places and also own full-sus bikes now. On these destination trails I feel that I would really benefit from having a full suspension bike, so therefore I'm looking at purchasing a 2022 or 2023 Stumpjumper frameset and swapping everything over from the Fuse.

My concern here is about how much slower my bike will feel pedaling and climbing at home where I ride 90% of the time. Going full-sus would certainly increase the overall capabilities of the bike in the rough and chunky stuff that a lot of these "destination" trail systems offer though... and many say they wouldn't even think of taking a hardtail to these places.

I'm hoping people can chime in here on the "aggressive hardtail" vs "full-suspension trail" debate. How much efficiency would I be giving up by moving into a SJ frameset (is this a real concern)? I'm a fairly skilled rider (just on the large side at 6'2" and 250lbs, so climbs are where I really struggle and need the most assistance)... would it be worth giving the gnarlier trails a go on the Fuse?

The obvious answer would be to go with a second bike like a SJ Evo, but I feel like that doesn't make a whole lot of financial sense when I would only be using it 10% of the time.

Reaperactual

Posted: Jun 2, 2022 at 22:41

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I was in the same position recently. I decided not to have both a hardtail and full sus for the same reasons as you.

I did everything and went to the same gnarlier trail centres on my (semi aggressive) hardtail with my full sus Buddy's. They were way faster on the rough stuff and downhills and I struggled to keep up.

I swapped my forks, brakes, drivetrain, etc. onto a new full sus trail frame. Not getting into any hardtail and full sus debate, yes it's slightly heavier and there's pedal bob to take into account but haven't really noticed any difference on climbs as I prefer to spin rather than stomp uphill.

My Buddy's have now gone to full sus e-mtb's and there's no way I'm staying with them on the climbs so don't have any accurate comparisons on that.

Early days but I'm instantly closer/faster on our regular mellow trails and right with them on the rougher downhill sections and that's only on a base suspension set up at the moment.

Full sus as a go anywhere, do it all rig....? Zero regrets on the change for any type of trail and the upsides far outweigh any perceivable downsides regardless of where I'm riding it.

Sweetopato

Posted: Jun 3, 2022 at 3:08	Quote
Loved and swore by my fuse until I got a full sus now it’s just a garage ornament.

sjv13

Posted: Jun 3, 2022 at 6:28

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Reaperactual wrote:

Full sus as a go anywhere, do it all rig....? Zero regrets on the change for any type of trail and the upsides far outweigh any perceivable downsides regardless of where I'm riding it.

This is the info I’m looking for. Thank you!

sjv13

Posted: Jun 3, 2022 at 6:33

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Sweetopato wrote:

Loved and swore by my fuse until I got a full sus now it’s just a garage ornament.

Thanks, yeah I think I’ll keep the frame and maybe one day build it up as a secondary bike.

I’m excited that Specialized went to the S# sizing. At my height, I’m a bit more leg than torso so I ended up between L and XL with the Fuse and opted for L. I think an S5 Stumpjumper frame would not only be a good intro into full suspension but also be a better fit sizing wise. The Fuse has been spectacular though, and having a BMX background I’d rather it be a bit small than too big.

Chrisp686

O+

Posted: Aug 4, 2022 at 12:26	Quote
Make the upgrade! Also riding the local trails I believe the uphills got easier when I switched from the fuse to the SJ. Love the Fuse but shes more of a homebody now.

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