1996 Specialized Stumpjumper A1 FS - Query?

[B_friz]

Picked this Stumpjumper on Craigslist for $40. Put on New tires, Honda Moto bars, Brooks saddle, Wolf Tooth narrow wide chainwheel, FIT BMX stem..so fun!! I enjoy riding Ned Overends mountain bike park here in Durango, Colorado
96S 00037 Serial Number..originally from Flagstaff, Arizona USA.

 

[Craigmount]

Nice bike pics, looks a good original-condition frame - and nice part of the world too! Thanks for posting up the details. Interesting it’s equipped with a non-FS fork.

 

[Scott-S]

I know the Stumpjumper A1 FS is not everyone's cup-of-tea, only sold for one year 1996

Great thread and very educational too.
Having only just acquired one of these myself last night I was surprised to read they were a one year only model, was there any ideas or reasoning behind this?
I will admit to not being a fan of the suspension, but thats just me regarding suspension as a whole.
Theres 4 possibilities in my head regarding this

1-Gripshifts
2-Front Suspension
3-Aluminium
4-All of the above

 

[Repacker]

Great thread and very educational too.
Having only just acquired one of these myself last night I was surprised to read they were a one year only model, was there any ideas or reasoning behind this?
I will admit to not being a fan of the suspension, but thats just me regarding suspension as a whole.
Theres 4 possibilities in my head regarding this

1-Gripshifts
2-Front Suspension
3-Aluminium
4-All of the above

Looking at the catalogue and seeing 6 models of Stumpjumper, I suspect they just didn't need so many in the range ; with original steel and the premium M2 models, the A1 would be the obvious choice to cut first. By 1999 they would only sell the M2 frames, having dropped steel (aka Nitanium) in 1998.

 

[Craigmount]

Hi thanks for your above comments. In addition to what Repacker has said, I would guess it was decided to phase out the A1 FS Stumpie model in 1996 since the A1 Aluminium frame was already being offered on the Rockhopper, and the later M2 frame was already being offered on the current Stumpjumper.

 

[Norcal7]

Good day everyone, revival of the thread.
I just picked up this frame and plan to do a custom 1996 Stump Jumper resto mod for my 49th bday
I'm fairly smaller rider. Its a 13.5, perfectly sized for me. Its a blank canvas.
I'm thinking XT or STX components? I like the vintage look with a modern drive train?
I'd like to hear you ideas of building this think up.

Respectfully,
NorCal7

 

[Team559]

Good day everyone, revival of the thread.
I just picked up this frame and plan to do a custom 1996 Stump Jumper resto mod for my 49th bday
I'm fairly smaller rider. Its a 13.5, perfectly sized for me. Its a blank canvas.
I'm thinking XT or STX components? I like the vintage look with a modern drive train?
I'd like to hear you ideas of building this think up.

Respectfully,
NorCal7

Hi NorCal7,

I'm no authority on the subject, but it sounds to me like you already have a direction in your head.
Personally, I've never been a huge fan of original restorations. I like to modify and improve, because modern stuff just works better imo. It should, right?

If you're building this for fun, as a gift to yourself for your pending 49th, just throw any part at it that floats your boat. Hell, you could go 3x11 with a canti rim brake in the back, 203mm hydro disk in the front and one of them LAUF crazy looking rigid forks, with every part in another color like a Volkswagen Harlequin polo.

As a frequent builder, I always seem to enjoy the parts searching /building process more than the end result. Just have fun and build the bike YOU want to have in front of you on your 49th.

my 2 cents.

Oh, and please keep us posted along the process, I happen to love build threads
And could use inspiration for my 90 stumpjumper and 98 S-works M2xx