mtb-timeline

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<div column 50% #intro>
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===== Specialized Overview =====

Mike Sinyard started Specialized Bicycle Components in 1974 in Campbell, CA, first importing Cinelli parts and later re-branding Japanese road tires.  Complete road bicycles started in 1981.  Specialized in 1982 was ground zero for the modern bicycle revolution, when sales exploded by an order of magnitude each year for another 4 years.
(([[https://www.amazon.com/Birth-Dirt-Origins-Mountain-Biking/dp/1892495619|The Birth of Dirt by Frank J. Berto]], Berto states that mt. bike sales grew five years in a row by an order of magnitude, starting in 1981.  Specialized didn't do **that** well, but they are a $685M sized company as of 2019 [[https://blog.trivelo.co.uk/why-are-there-no-bikes-in-stock/|trivelo]] ))
(([[https://mbaction.com/the-history-of-the-stumpjumper/|mbaction]]))
(([[https://www.inc.com/magazine/201904/christine-lagorio-chafkin/specialized-bicycle-cycling-private-titans.html|inc.com]]))


<blockquote>
Specialized started to produce the Stumpjumper in 1981, making it the first mass-production mountain bike.  The first Stumpjumper was produced in Japan and was based on a design for a custom-made bike originally marketed by [[ritchey:start|Tom Ritchey]], Gary Fisher and Charles Kelly.  ... The first Stumpjumpers had welded steel frames because the lugged and brazed frames that designer [[lighthouse:start|Tim Neenan]] wanted to use were not available at the time. The original bike had a modified BMX stem and handlebars based on Magura motorcycle handlebars.  The bike was equipped with 15-speed Suntour ARX GT gears, originally designed for use on road bikes, and the Stumpjumper also featured Mafac cantilever brakes and a TA Cyclotourist chainset, both designed for touring bikes. ... The bike weighed just under 30 pounds.
<cite>
[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specialized_Stumpjumper]]
</cite>
</blockquote>

Today, [[https://www.specialized.com/us/en|Specialized]] is a $685M company with 1,200 employees whose bicycles are mainly manufactured in Taiwan (([[https://blog.trivelo.co.uk/why-are-there-no-bikes-in-stock/]])).


</div>


<div column 45%>
{{mike.jpg?400|Mike Sinyard}}
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Mike Sinyard, 1976
[[https://www.inc.com/magazine/201904/christine-lagorio-chafkin/specialized-bicycle-cycling-private-titans.html|inc.com]]

</div>
<div column 50% #s1981a>
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===== 1981 Prototype =====

[[3rensho:start|3Rensho]]((Specialized used [[https://loosebearings.wordpress.com/2011/02/26/builder-profile-3rensho/|3Rensho]] to build its Allez)) prototype.  Toyo ultimately provided the first production batches. ((This prototype was likely produced between 1980 and early 1981, making it perhaps the first MTB made in Japan. [[https://ameblo.jp/cambiokoubou/image-12682603629-14962435938.html|ameblo.jp]]))


</div>

<div column 45%>
{{1981a.jpg?300|1981 Prototype }}
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1981 Prototype by [[3rensho:start|3Rensho]].
[[https://ameblo.jp/cambiokoubou/entry-12682603629.html|ameblo.jp]]
</div>


<div column 50% #s1981>
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===== 1981 Stumpjumper =====

In November 1981, a batch of 250 Stumpjumpers frames arrived from Toyo , Japan and sold as a complete bike for $750. (([[https://mbaction.com/the-history-of-the-stumpjumper/|mbaction]]))  ((It's likely that only 200 Stumjumpers were made in 1981, as no serial numbers > 198 have been recorded. [[http://mombatbicycles.com/MOMBAT/BikeHistoryPages/Specialized.html|mombat]]))


</div>

<div column 45%>
{{1981.jpg?300|1981 Stumpjumper }}
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1981 Stumpjumper, #75
[[https://www.oldschoolracing.ch/mountainbike/1981-specialized-stumpjumper/|oldschoolracing]]
</div>

<div column 50% #s1982>
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===== 1982 Stumpjumper =====

Now with a bi-plane fork and an updated Japanese calligraphy inspired (lightning) logo (([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMBDhkSUYUg|youtube]], Ask a Founder: A Talk with Mike Sinyard)).

</div>

<div column 45%>
{{1982.jpg?300|1982 Stumpjumper }}
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1982 Stumpjumper
[[http://mombatbicycles.com/MOMBAT/Bikes/1982_Stumpjumper_0683.html|mombat]]
</div>



<div column 50% #s1984>
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===== 1984 Stumpjumper Sport =====

In 1983 Specialized offered a slightly higher component choice in the Sport model.  Specs: [[http://mombatbicycles.com/Specialized_Specs.htm|mombat]]

</div>

<div column 45%>
{{1984.jpg?300|1984 Stumpjumper Sport}}
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1984 Stumpjumper Sport, 17" frame w/24" wheels
[[http://www.bikerecyclery.com/1984-specialized-stumpjumper-sport-jr-24-wheels-completely-stock-survivor-xt-deerhead-saturae-suntour-ar-mech/|bikerecyclery]]
</div>

<div column 50% #s1985>
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===== 1985 Team Stumpjumper  =====

Higher component group and nice extra touches on the frame.

</div>

<div column 45%>
{{1985.jpg?300|1985 Team Stumpjumper }}
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1985 Team Stumpjumper
[[https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1154338-1985-specialized-stumpjumper-team.html|bikeforums.net]]

</div>


<div column 50% #s1986>
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===== 1986 Rockhopper  =====

The Rockhopper was usually a step down and a pound heavier than the Stumpjumper.  Full XT components in 1986 show Specialized's commitment to making the best throughout their product line.  Shimano Deerhead XT (M700v2 - 1985-86).


</div>

<div column 45%>
{{1986.jpg?300|1986 Rockhopper }}
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1986 Rockhopper
[[http://www.boltsbikes.com/p/specialized-rock-hopper.html|boltsbike]]

</div>


<div column 50% #s1987>
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===== 1987 Hardrock  =====

The Hardrock was usually a step down and a pound heavier than the Rockhopper.  Suntour XC Sport (1987-88).

</div>

<div column 45%>
{{1987.jpg?300|1987 Hardrock }}
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1987 Hardrock
[[https://www.ajhmall.ml/ProductDetail.aspx?iid=86488010&pr=58.88|ajhmall]]
</div>


<div column 50% #s1988>
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===== 1988 Stumpjumper Epic =====

The first production carbon mountain bike ever made.  Shimano XT (M730) derailleurs and crankset, chainstay brakes.  See a full Bicycling mag test review from 1988: [[https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1227084-road-test-bike-review-1988-specialized-epics-stumpjumper-allez.html|bikeforums]].  $2400, 400 made - and very rare.  And photos are similarly rare.


</div>

<div column 45%>
{{1988.jpg?300|1988 Stumpjumper Epic}}
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1988 Stumpjumper Epic.  Pic from an unknown magazine review.
[[https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/specialized-stumpjumper-epic-1988-the-rebuild.434237/|retrobike]]

</div>


<div column 50% #s1989>
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===== 1989 RockCombo  =====


Another early attempt to introduce gravel bikes to the masses.  It didn't sell and became another "evolutionary dead end."((Nice phraseology all copied from [[http://classiccycleus.com/home/1989-specialized-rockcombo/]]))  SunTour XCD-6000 (1988-89.)

<blockquote>
Specialized had the right idea, but nobody wanted the combo. Yet.
<cite>
[[http://classiccycleus.com/home/1989-specialized-rockcombo/|classiccycleus]]
</cite>
</blockquote>


</div>

<div column 45%>
{{1989.jpg?300|1989 RockCombo }}
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1989 RockCombo
[[http://classiccycleus.com/home/1989-specialized-rockcombo/|classiccycleus]]

</div>


<div column 50% #s1990>
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===== 1990 Stumpjumper Epic  =====

M-732 (1989 only - but the 1989 Epic has chainstay brakes.)
Specialized claims that their titanium Epic debuted in 1990, but reviews from late [[http://mombatbicycles.com/MOMBAT/BikeHistoryPages/Specialized.html|1990]] suggest that titanium came out in 1991.

</div>

<div column 45%>
{{1990.jpg?300|1990 Stumpjumper Epic}}
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1990 Stumpjumper Epic
[[https://www.ajhmall.ml/ProductDetail.aspx?iid=90052394&pr=61.88|ajhmall]]

</div>




<div column 45% #ident>
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===== Stumpjumper Identification Guide =====

Early Stumpjumpers are quite rare and many shops and even museums show off 1982 Stumpjumpers as being from 1981.  Some examples: [[https://mbaction.com/soc18-1981-stumpjumper-vs-2018-stumperjumper/|mbaction]], [[https://wayofthebicycle.net/tag/stumpjumper/|thewayofthebicycle.net]], and many [[https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=specialized+stumpjumper+1981&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=1&_osacat=0&_odkw=specialized+stumpjumper+1981|eBay]] listings. (([[http://mombatbicycles.com/MOMBAT/BikeHistoryPages/Specialized.html|mombat]])) (([[https://www.vehiclesf.com/projects/specialized-stumpjumper-25-book|vehiclesf]])) (([[http://mombatbicycles.com/Specialized_Specs.htm|mombat]]))


^ When      ^ Frame/Fork          ^ Components ^ Notes ^
| **1981**    | TIG welded light blue frame, socket fork | SunTour AR, TA crank, Avocet saddle | '5' shaped 'S' logo |
| **1982, Mar->Jun**    | bi-plane fork, blue & silver | SunTour ARX, Specialized saddle | lightning 'S' decals |
| **1982, Jun->Nov**    | lugged frame | SunTour ARX/Mountech |  |
| **1983**    | doubled frame bosses, light & dark blue, charcoal, silver | SunTour Mountech, Sugino AT crank | bullmoose bars |
| **1984**    | black, blue, grey, silver | Shimano brakes, Sugino TAT crank, | riser bars |
| **1985**    | unicrown fork, black, blues, pink, red | Shimano XT or Suntour XC, Specialized crank | |

</div>

<div column 25%>
{{olddecal.jpg?300|original logo}}
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original logo, 1981
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[[https://fotos.mtb-news.de/p/86551|mtb-news.de]]
</div>

<div column 25%>
{{biplane.jpg?200|biplane forks}}
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biplane forks, 1982 -> 1984
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[[https://mbaction.com/soc18-1981-stumpjumper-vs-2018-stumperjumper/|mbaction]]
</div>


<div column 25%>
{{singlebosses.jpg?300|single bosses and lugs}}
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single bosses and lugs, June -> Nov. 1982
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[[http://mombatbicycles.com/MOMBAT/Bikes/1982_Stumpjumper_1055.html|mombat]]
</div>


<div column 25%>
{{unicrown.jpg?300|double bosses and unicrown fork}}
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double bosses and unicrown fork, 1985
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[[http://mombatbicycles.com/MOMBAT/Bikes/1985_Stumpjumper.html|mombat]]
</div>

==== Production Notes ====
<WRAP #prod1 />
[1]. [[https://www.amazon.com/Birth-Dirt-Origins-Mountain-Biking/dp/1892495619|The Birth of Dirt by Frank J. Berto]], pages 74 & 89 for 1981 -> 1983.  Serial numbers suggest 200 sold instead of 100 in 1981.  1984 and 1985 numbers projected from Specialized $18M revenue by at least 1985. See: [[https://www.inc.com/magazine/201904/christine-lagorio-chafkin/specialized-bicycle-cycling-private-titans.html|inc.com]].  It states $18M by 4th year?  Not possible, as 1976 revenue totalled $200k, see: [[https://www.vehiclesf.com/projects/specialized-stumpjumper-25-book|vehiclesf]], Stumpjumper Book, page 17.