1989 Specialized Stumpjumper Epic

My component gathering is coming to a head after several months so I've set out what's been accumulated. Some has kindly come via members on here and others from the selling sites.

Although I did say I'm impatient to get on with things, I'm paradoxically quite able to play the long game to try and get bang for my buck. This has paid dividends in that I've managed to bag some NOS at very good prices. Thus, the chain set, seatpost, sharkfin, u-brake, and brake levers are all unsullied, with the rest in very good nick.

I've in stock already a Specialized stem, but this is buried in my stuff pending relocation to the new shed in due course. I also can't remember if I've still got period Specialized handlebars but this will be the next on the list to find if not.

Some proper shiny retro bits there!

Well I'm pleased to say that now that I've finally got a decent space to carry on with this build, and a bit more time to do so. Easy stuff first then - fit the NOS and cleaned components to the frame.

I have an original Specialized stem too, but it has required some tlc. A gentle rub down and then it's out with the rattle-can black and lacquer. (I've to take a pic of the finished item still!)

The next, and worst job to do, are the wheels. I've managed to source two sets of XT hubbed BX23 rims, but in wanting keep with the '89 spec labelling where I can, only one of these sets has the BX23 on the correct blue label. Fortunately, these are also the slightly smoother hubs but I'm taking it all apart anyway to re-grease. The one discovery on the Epic frame of this year is that Specialized have tried to cater for the at the time cross over between the outgoing 130mm mountain bike axled hubs and the incoming 135mm width. This means the frame gap between rear dropouts is a 'hedging your bets' 132mm. And what a difference those 2mm make.

Those wheels I'm going with, yep they have a 135mm spacing, but causes just a bit too much grinding of paintwork for my liking. The other rims for some reason are 130mm despite being the newer build, very odd. Therefore my plan is to swap over the axles and add in a 1-2mm washer to close the gap down. While I possibly have an option just to take a washer out off the existing longer axle, my measurements show that this will be just a fraction too long for the dropouts as a whole. The things we retro builders have to worry about eh!

Anyway. the wheels are a total mess, so first job is a deep degrease:

I've made some more progress with me black beauty and am almost there. The rear wheel took a lot of degreasing and fiddling about with washers to get the spacing on the shortened axle just right, but I'm happy with the outcome and it's not required any re-dishing to be done.

I also mentioned earlier that although I have the correct XC seatpost I wasn't unfortunately intending to use it as it seemed slightly too short for my riding position. That is the case with my usual Flite saddle. However, given this is intended to be a near as damn-it catalogue build it is supposed to come with a Turbo which I completely forgot has additional height over the Flite from the rails to the saddle top. So I sourced a nice black sensibly priced '89 model which fits the bike year perfectly. And what do you know, with the seatpost at the limit mark and the Turbo in position it all measures exactly the same as my other bikes. I'm really chuffed with that, as while my American Classic titanium is lovely I really wanted to keep things original. Enjoy these photos. The next lot should be the finished article.

Very special bike.
It’s interesting that it has a u-brake; did any of the other 89 range still have a u-brake or were they cantilevers?

JCS said:

Very special bike.
It’s interesting that it has a u-brake; did any of the other 89 range still have a u-brake or were they cantilevers?

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Spot on! Even the ‘89 Team Stumpjumper switched to cantilever!

JCS said:

Very special bike.
It’s interesting that it has a u-brake; did any of the other 89 range still have a u-brake or were they cantilevers?

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I don't know the reason why the U-brake was used rather than the cantis, which was what the rest of the range swapped to in '89. In 1990, both the Epic and the now introduced Epic Ultimate (cro-mo version) still retained U-brakes.

The only other model to use a U-brake in 1989 was the 15" Rockhopper Comp, deemed a 'ladies' size, which also kept a Deore II version going, and in 1990 the 14.5" Rockhopper Sport which had a Deore LX version, both for the purposes of heel clearance. I actually own the latter that I built up for my wife so I may stick some photos up on the Specialized thread at some point.

Soundifferent said:

Spot on! Even the ‘89 Team Stumpjumper switched to cantilever!

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I'll bet your lovely Team Stumpy is lighter than the Epic too despite the Specialized marketing speil. I was a bit shocked when I lifted it off the stand. It's way heavier than my larger framed Epic road bikes, but then they use aluminium lugs and the carbon tubes must be thinner gauge.