Stumpjumper - What year ?

[basketcase]

So, I've arranged to buy this Stumpy (pretty cheap), but I haven't seen it in person, yet.
The seller does not know, so, any guesses as to the year and subspecies?

I can't see the mechs clearly, but it has an LX crankset with black arms, cantilever brakes, and that Manitou Three fork.
Hard to believe the fork is original, but who knows?
I'm guessing it's later than '94, because of the steerer, but I bow to the superior knowledge here, as to exact year

 

[Once A Hero]

Not an original fork.

Black LX crank would suggest it's a '93 model - in 'Plum Burgundy'
Front end of a '93 would have been threaded headset and rigid fork, but that could easily have been changed.

There's a chance it could be the '94 model in the optional 'Blood Red', which had a threadless rigid front end - but then the crank arms should be silver.

 

[basketcase]

Thank you!
Of course, once you gave me the clue, I found loads of '93 photos, in that color - It was the fork that confused.
Did the "93 have a threaded 1 1/8" steerer?
I think I'd like to keep the fork, as I do ride these bikes, and the lumpy, rooty single track here is easier on my old body with a little cushion.
Obviously the fork needs rebuilding, as it looks to be completely collapsed - I cringe to think what the elastomers must look like.
Thanks again

 

[vtwinvince]

I'd guess around '95 with that parts spec. Throw a spring kit in the fork, those early Manitous are fairly easy to work on.

 

[Once A Hero]

Thank you!
Of course, once you gave me the clue, I found loads of '93 photos, in that color - It was the fork that confused.
Did the "93 have a threaded 1 1/8" steerer?
I think I'd like to keep the fork, as I do ride these bikes, and the lumpy, rooty single track here is easier on my old body with a little cushion.
Obviously the fork needs rebuilding, as it looks to be completely collapsed - I cringe to think what the elastomers must look like.
Thanks again

Definitely threaded in '93 - but might be 1".
I have the 'FS' version but can't remember the headset size.
You'll soon know once you've got it

 

[basketcase]

Throw a spring kit in the fork

I like that idea, but I looked and haven't found one in the US (where I live) yet.
The only one I saw was an old listing, and it was more money than the current price on new elastomers

 

[Repacker]

There are only subtle visual differences between the 1993 and 1994 red Stumpjumper models

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/show-us-your-specialized.69380/post-3482545

But the black crank and yellow/green font on the logos says this is the 1993.

The original rigid fork would have been 1 inch threaded steerer. The 1994 was still 1 inch but threadless.

 

[basketcase]

Thanks for that link - A clear difference between '93 and '94, and mine is pretty def. a '93, even the old saddle is a match

 

[basketcase]

OK - I have the bike, and I'm sure you all were dieing to know :
Serial # 92F371 - So the frame was made in Feb '92, and the bike sold as a '93.
AND, it indeed has an 1" steerer - Which makes it more problematic to change stem length, if I keep the fork
But it looks like some work-arounds out there, so shouldn't be a big deal