1989 Specialized Stumpjumper Epic

I wonder if it uses a u-brake because the brake mounts are / have to be on the steel lug?

Maybe the brake could not be mounted on the seat stay, because at that location the tube is carbon, not steel?

JCS said:

I wonder if it uses a u-brake because the brake mounts are / have to be on the steel lug?

Maybe the brake could not be mounted on the seat stay, because at that location the tube is carbon, not steel?

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You could very well be right. I found a picture showing how the '91 year models on sorted this out for cantis. Looks like some steel or alloy mounts were affixed over the carbon tubes at the right level.

Apparently these frames were super expensive to manufacture. The lugs ware made in Japan, then shipped to the US where it was glued/assembled and I guess it was too late in the development to switch to cantis for the 1989 MY. Interesting that in the catalogue the 1990 Epic still is pictured with U brakes, though I´ve only seen one real bike (online), and that is equipped with cantis:

https://www.thevintagemtb.com/post/1990-specialized-stumpjumper-epic-9x032

Anyway, this bike of yours @trailwright is going to be a good one! I must say I´m slightly jealous of your OG parts like rims, stem, seatpost. I´ve only managed to find one rim and a seatpost in the wrong diameter. When I got mine over a year ago I would have never thought that these relatively mundane parts are so hard to find!

Dr Dremel said:

Apparently these frames were super expensive to manufacture. The lugs ware made in Japan, then shipped to the US where it was glued/assembled and I guess it was too late in the development to switch to cantis for the 1989 MY. Interesting that in the catalogue the 1990 Epic still is pictured with U brakes, though I´ve only seen one real bike (online), and that is equipped with cantis:

https://www.thevintagemtb.com/post/1990-specialized-stumpjumper-epic-9x032

Anyway, this bike of yours @trailwright is going to be a good one! I must say I´m slightly jealous of your OG parts like rims, stem, seatpost. I´ve only managed to find one rim and a seatpost in the wrong diameter. When I got mine over a year ago I would have never thought that these relatively mundane parts are so hard to find!

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It's taken much patient collecting for some parts so that I don't have to pay stupid money. The tyres are the only aspect where it's now not possible to find good condition Ground Controls for a sensible price. It's incredible really.

Here it is then at long last, the finished article! I absolutely love it, and after 36 years of wanting one it's happened. Thanks to the accumulation of mainly NOS and grade A components it's not far fetched to state that the bike is almost what would have come away from a Specialized dealer BITD. I was particularly pleased to source a pair of NOS Tioga Wonder Dawgs for very little money which are only a couple of years off period (1991/2) but I think have a pretty close resemblance to the original fitment Ground Controls, so in keeping with how the bike should look. The XT headset is the only other deviation from catalogue spec but as I've previously mentioned is a perfectly acceptable upgrade from the stock Specialized one and the sort of thing a discerning buyer may have requested when purchasing new. Anyway, I took a fair few photos to cover the angles. (Also now on July 2025 bike of the month if you fancy lending me your vote!!)

That is a very special bike. Great job you have done there.

That stem is loooong !

JCS said:

That is a very special bike. Great job you have done there.

That stem is loooong !

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Thanks. Standard 150mm stem. Any shorter and I'd feel like I was riding a city shopper!

Stunning, great job.

I think I supplied the bars...

This is the same colour scheme as my 89 Comp model but top of the line era spec. I have the correct tyres for mine (and yours too I think), squirreled away for show pictures only, and they came with a complete original 89 base model Stumpjumper that I acquired that turned out to be too small.

Is this one a rider @trailwright ?

Repacker said:

Stunning, great job.

I think I supplied the bars...

This is the same colour scheme as my 89 Comp model but top of the line era spec. I have the correct tyres for mine (and yours too I think), squirreled away for show pictures only, and they came with a complete original 89 base model Stumpjumper that I acquired that turned out to be too small.

Is this one a rider @trailwright ?

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You did @Repacker , thanks again! Yep, it will get ridden but only gentle stuff to be honest, much like my Xizang. I've my GT Avalanche and a soon to begin other Specialized build that will be given the more thorough workouts.