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.