What is that pump track bike?

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Lee:

Have enjoyed several of your articles and we’re planning to build a pump track this year.

Was really intrigued by your bike featured in the MBAction article about the school pump track. Didn’t see it listed on your list of bikes on your site. MBA said it was a modified P bike, I assumed they meant Specialized P bike, but it doesn’t look like anything on their site.

How about a run down of what it is …

Best regards,
Brent Mullen

Hey Brent,

Thanks for writing. You are referring to Captain America, my experimental Stumpjumper HT EVO-R. The Captain is my attempt to go back to an all-around hardtail that rips on trail, jumps and pump track (and pulling a double baby trailer).



Captain America fights for truth, justice and pump tracks.

When it comes to dedicated pump track riding, a dedicated pump track bike like a Specialized P.3 feels better. Big surprise: The slacker head angle, lower position and shorter rear end makes the bike feel more stable AND more flickable. But the Captain works just fine, and he’s a lot more versatile.

Pump track setup update: For dedicated pump track action at Sea Otter, I rocked a 50 mm Answer DH stem and Specialized Rhythm Lite tires. Braaap!



Captain America

Build
Frame: Specialized Stumpjumper M5 HT

Fork: Fox 831

Wheels: Sun Charger Pro

Brakes: Hayes Stroker

Bars: Answer ProTAPER 780 DH

Stem: Answer ROVE AM 70 mm

Pedals: Answer ROVE FR

Chain guide: Gamut P20 with 33t Race Ring

Seat post: X-Fusion Hilo 100

Drivetrain: A mix of Shimano and SRAM (purchased the old fashioned way)

Total weight: 24 pounds with a normal seatpost, which didn’t allow enough seat adjustment. Just under 25 pounds with the Hilo. Now I can get the seat from full spin to full braaap.

Background: Experiment: Stumpjumper HT EVO-R

Know more. Have more fun!

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7 replies
  1. Kuba says:

    Isn’t the seat too high for pumptracks? (even with a lowered seatpost it seems like it would be disturbing all the time)

  2. leelikesbikes says:

    Great question!

    With the Hilo post, yes, the seat gets in the way. I’ve learned to move around it, but it is a factor.

    For dedicated PT riding, I’ve been using a standard (non-telescopic) post. This lets me get the seat about an inch lower than with the Hilo, and I don’t notice the seat at all.

    Thinking: Drill out the seat-tube water bottle mounts and run a standard post. This will give me full adjustment — and a super-low position.

  4. eric says:

    How does that bike setup differ from the P all mountain frames that they made for the last couple of years (I think they stopped making this year tho)? Also, do you think that the frame being aluminum can beat you up a little bit compared to a cro-mo dj frame??

  6. Jeff says:

    I ride a bike smiliar in idea to captam. I prefer a standard seatpost on it. Getting the seat low is mandatory since the frame is taller than a dedicated jump style bike.

  7. leelikesbikes says:

    Yes!

    Yesterday I taught a middle-school clinic on the Captain with the Hilo, which worked great. When I went to do 100 laps at the Superior Bike Park pump track, I slapped in a cut-own standard post.

    Next step: Have the seat-tube water bottle mounts removed. Not sure how to go about that without hurting the frame. Scary.

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