Hi

I’m considering buying a Specialized Stumpjumper  FSR Expert 08 and have read mixed reviews about the efficiency of the of brain fade on the 07 models.  Has anyone ridden an 08 model and can comment on what they think of the brain fade's good and or bad points.

Cheers

Hi David. Personally I'm not a fan of the Specialized shocks (either front or rear). Every one I've ridden (and I tried a whole lot of the 07 & 08 ranges) has felt really (you'll have to excuse the fact I don't have a degree in Suspension design so can't use the correct terminology) lumpy. 

Basically, what I feel is that the shock damps and damps and damps and then doesn't and it feels like the back end is collapsing through it's travel. To be fair though, at speed it feels pretty good, it's just on the slower & technical stuff I've had problems.

The Specialized own forks though are something totally different. I HATE them with a passion. Whenever I've used them my arms take a pretty serious hammering. In the interests of full disclosure I'm 270lbs (and hasten to add I'm not obese lol) but no other forks seems to have that problem with me - they normally just get vaguer steering the faster I go.

But, I'm sure if you ever did have a problem Sepcialized would put it right quickly and for every bad example you'll hear, there are two good ones. I know people who won't ride any other brand.

Test as much as you can! 

I've just clocked up 190 miles on my 08 Epic Expert......it's not the same set up but has the brain fade rear shock.  The front forks are Fox. 

As Ive gone from Hard tail to this I can't compare with full suss, but can only comment on how it performs.  I like it.....although sometimes I'm wondering exactly what its doing cos it's not obvious. 

 I certainly don't feel the same as 'Insert' above.....maybe his wasn't set up correctly.  They do need to be pumped to the correct pressure and then set accordingly. 

 I suppose the fact that I am generally unaware of what is going on suggests that it's doing it's job very well.  Either that or I'm just a bit dim!

I'd hope that as the bikes were set up by Specialized mechanics they'd have been done right for my weight Paul

It does seem as if I may just have been too heavy for a stock shock though. Which is a shame but I can't say it's just Specialized who are guilty of that, I've had no luck in the past with Fox platform shocks either although they didn't have the same kind of feel as the Spec' shocks did.

If you're not noticing it - it must be doing something right!

I must admit being a bit disappointed that I never got a manual explaining how it all works and subsequently discovered an in depth video on the web site that explains in minute detail all about the settings and how to adjust to your weight.  I'm not light 15st 5lb but doesn't seem to be a problem. 

Best to try one out for yourself.........thats what I did.  It's a lot of money to spend on something you might be disappointed with.

Personally, I don't see the point in using an inertia valve and complicating a process that can be done just as effectively with a custom tuned shim stack.

It's basically an enhanced low speed compression damper with adjustment to fine tune for personal preferences.(but based on parameters to cover 8 - 18 stones in weight, how do you fine tune in that range?)

If you get a regular Fox shock and send it to MOJO, they'll set it up with a set of low speed compression shims, and a transition shim to allow it to open up into the high speed range, but specifically tuned for your weight, bike, and riding style. (not to cater for every Tom, Dick, and Harry with an adjuster.)

At £35 ish it's very reasonable. And that's all you pay on a new shock.

It makes the bike feel it's yours. And you do know what's going on when you ride it.

It makes more sense to me, anyway.