TPC Museum Series #10: Ned Overend's 1992 Specialized M2 | The Pro's Closet

The Pro's Closet traveled to Durango, CO for the 25 Anniversary of the 1990 Mountain Bike World Championships and caught up with MTB legend, Ned Overend. In this video, Ned talks about the early days of professional mountain bike racing, dueling with John Tomac, and the tension disc!
Credits: Thanks to Ned Overend, Rich Fletcher and the Town of Durango, ESPN, Specialized, Jon Bailey, and the internet. Music: Caravan by The Ventures’

[@09philipr]

Mr Shred! Always the great athlete & true gentleman.

[@DIY-DaddyO]

Met Ned at a UK 🇬🇧 event once. Really nice guy and one hell of a rider.

[@theproscloset]

So cool!

[@bruin4937]

Ned remains an American mountain biking hero. His name IS synonymous with "Stumpjumper" and "Stumpjumper" in mountain biking was synonymous with "Specialized," which is why I thought it was insane for Specialized to drop the Stumpjumper hardtail line and rename it "Epic" - WTF? I've owned as many as 7 Stumpjumper hardtails over the years and still own a '95 FS chromoly, '97 Comp M2, and '98 S-Works M2. Long live Stumpjumpers and the Stumpumper God himself, Ned Overend!

[@Yowzoe]

Bruin Just bought a fairly-pristine 96 Stumpjumper FS for 240 bucks, mostly original vintage parts, to replace the black (86?) stolen from my garage. It had been sitting in there for 15 years after I cracked a stay in Moab - always put off getting it welded. I know it’s heretical (esp. to Ned, apparently), but I’ve never felt more comfortable with a bike’s geometry then a 26 inch Stumpy, so I’ve just been waiting for one to come along in a craigslist alert.

[@B.E.C.K.]

I'm trying to find a Specialized frame to build out but not sure if a better option is a 1997 Specialized S-Works M2 or a 1997 Specialized Stumpjumper M2 FS. Any thoughts? Also, I found a 1995-98ish Specialized Stumpjumper M2 frame on ebay that the seller claims to be an S-works although it has zero "S-works" decals, only the stock Stumpjumper decals. Do you know if they made S-works Stumpjumpers back then? I appreciate it!

[@icantgivecredit871]

@@Yowzoe I read about Ned when looking into MTB history; I wondered to myself whether he would be a proponent of now-vintage bikes, or someone naturally accustomed to adapting to the latest MTB tech and therefore unwilling to dwell on old hardware. I guess I've received my answer, from Ned himself.

[@icantgivecredit871]

@@B.E.C.K. You may have found your answer by now -- but, just in case, I'll mention that the S-works models did in fact exist back then (1997/1998). They are almost mistakable for a regular Stumpjumper, but for a clear indicator: a "Specialized" decal in place of the "Stumpjumper" decal (thus, "Specialized" on both the top tube and the down tube). I don't know anything about S-works models' components, though. As far as the Stumpjumper goes, the Stumpy came in the following three variants: Stumpjumper, Stumpjumper Comp, and Stumpjumper Pro. These are undoubtedly great bikes and would make for a fun build. If possible, try not to pay too much for one: you may find a whole bike, locally, for the same or less than the cost of a frame by itself. As for years... I personally like late-1990s bikes better than early-mid 1990s bikes, because many late-1990s bikes came with useful revisions (V-brakes, modern threadless stems, etc.). Of course, if all you want is the frame itself, you'd need not look beyond your [presumed] basic requirement of a headtube large enough to fit a threadless 1 1/8" steer tube -- which determinately would allow you to reach back further and use an aluminum Stumpjumper frame from as early as 1995.

[@overendphotography]

We should all help my dad find his long lost 1990s world championship race bike. It's got to be out there somewhere...

[@CrazyCyclingVlogger]

I was smiling the whole time...those guys were and are my cycling heros...

[@michaelmax5161]

Just the words I'd like to say! 👍🏻

[@irvsstella]

5yrs later, I feel the same.

[@mattcardarelli]

Watch some vintage mtb videos on KZbin. There’s a ton of British guys talking about their lust for specialized bikes and they immediately bring up Ned Overend. Absolute legend, probably sold more specialized mtbs than that company will ever realize.

[@nigelsmith7366]

Ned is such a legend

[@reapanomin899]

An interview with the legend of the MTB world. That only means one thing:Great.

[@The-Jokes-on-You]

I remember being at Mammoth either 94 or 95 & they did a bungee rope start, releasing it. The chord got stuck in Neds front wheel & he spent several seconds maybe close to a minute untangling it. He was in the front row to start and dead last to leave the line after getting untangled. He went on to real the majority of the pack back in finishing in the top 10 by the end of the race. It was such an impressive performance, I'll never forget it!

[@dryter]

The Merckx of mountain biking. Ned, John, Tinker et al. put MTB on the map. He was god when I was growing up near Durango and at the Fort in the 80s. They said he was 37 with the body of a 27, well he's now a 57+ with the body of a 27. Still winning. What a blast from the past.

[@willclarke4631]

Still love my S-Works M2. It's just a frame hanging over my workbench, but the rides I did on that thing were some of the best I have ever done.

[@B.E.C.K.]

Want to sell it?

[@AydinProductionsLtd]

Legend and a really nice guy too. Him and Tomac were true gentleman when I met them in the late 80's. Amazing times

[@johnnykR9]

Both guys were great representatives for pro mountain biking . Much respect!

[@johnnykR9]

Ned in his prime was a beast. I remember the 90’s!

[@PatrickRich]

I've got that M2 S-works. The only thing left on that bike is the frame. Good race bike growing up. Fun bike. I think I still have most of those parts too. The futura shock was really really well made, but 50mm of travel made it a no go after a while. Tubeless and 80 mm travel turned it into a much more usable bike.

[@chikai]

these guys (ned, tomac, tinker, etc) are the reason I'm still so passionate about riding. Picking up a hard tail just to remember what it was like!

[@windmillcancersurvivor2568]

The shop manager said it would be the last bike you'll ever need. A beautiful light purple, XT metal matrix M2 for $1200. Snapped the made in Italy handlebar in two landing a jump in my second race resulting in a good summersault. Bottom bracket cones failed and broke two frames at the chain stay in 6 months. Still riding lots just not Specialized. Ned and Frischknecht on team Ritchey were the stuff of legends back in the day.

[@gameplayvideosofpspgames4712]

That guy is who you look up to every time you jump on your bike absolutely a legend Ned overland

[@mediumrick7667]

Ned is a class act. I remember watching Ned and Tomac slug it out in Mammoth back in the late 80's. A great show! I also remember Rishi Grewal yelling at fans that were cheering for him - apparently he didn't like that?? LOL! Of course we just cheered louder on the next lap.

[@santiyuls]

toda mi etapa de corredor la hice con esta legendaria marca, mis mejores resultados. ned idolo ¡¡ por siempre. saludos¡¡

[@carravagio16]

probably the greatest video uploaded to youtube to date....thanks TPC the 16year old in me is grinning from ear to ear

[@PeterLopezRealtor_that_sells]

Maestro! I started this passionate relationship with cycling in 1985. I remember clearly your duels with John Tomac and Tinker Juarez. My first competition bike was a Rockhopper with XT/LX gruppo. You are one of my cycling heroes and inspiration! El primer Campeón Mundial de ruta de Montaña de la UCI! Casi na!

[@varietyyachtsvessels6769]

Deadly Nedly I think Is What They Called Him. Just Awesome.

[@Nojikuzus]

Honored to call him a Durango 'Neighbor'!

[@rickvoss709]

Ned is a complete legend great video that

[@howesfull8]

Great interview. Thanks.

[@theproscloset]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@iyfphoto]

OMG...NED the man!

[@GiotheGhreat]

Ned Overend a TRUE Legend

[@McClimber234]

Awesome video. So much history and tech evolution.

[@andrews9577]

Ned is awesome. Still crushing very young souls! Thanks for the video.

[@gregwerner7933]

One thing he didn’t get quite right. If you look closely You still see a 26” Specialized M2 frame on the trails. I’m still on mine.

[@dlarocque121]

cool video, my first "real" MTB was a 1993 M2 Stumpjumper

[@m.koaguirre6609]

A real mountain bike heroe

[@theproscloset]

💯💯💯

[@Paarrad]

Ned is Legend for ever! 3:08 ... Thats a Chopper ;)

[@thinkpadBentnoseTheBlind]

i'm a MTB'er from the 90's and was a mech at a shop . I have had many full suspension rides and hated al most all of them. i'm back to hard tails and half with no front shock either. so very few FS designs met my standards and desires. the rocky mountain element was the best cross country fs bike i ever rode. I still have a fresh fox vanilla r coilover for my next RM element find. Yeti always seem to go back to hard tails.

[@Marchand848]

Wow! Dude was my hero

[@matthewbrian316]

Man this bike is starting to appreciate in price maybe because of the bikepackers using it on the trails.

[@user-vz9ft9wm8s]

i just found one of these. Neighbor was cleaning out his side yard and there it was next to bunch of junk with a free sign on it.

[@alexdavis2198]

It would be fun to see tomac and tinker try to keep up with The Lung nowadays

[@AntonioOrru21]

Legend

[@goexplore318]

Cool stuff

[@jameslapointe3044]

I rode with a local group in San Jose - who all rode Specialized and I had a KHS - which got stolen and I went with flow and got an M2 myself and it was better for local trails - slightly longer wheelbase and lower bottom bracket - which seemed to make all the difference. I didn't miss my KHS at all.

[@theproscloset]

🙌🙌🙌

[@chevystuffs5971]

I had the last version of the steel stumpjumper. I was 16 when I bought it and about a year later the aluminum version came out. Wish I still had it.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Legend!

[@retrobikechannel2599]

What a bike

[@curtisamos1615]

I'm a cannondale guy..best hillclimber I've ridden

[@stevethomas7463]

Rock Shox!

[@jacksondaniels8169]

I had the silver with purple sticker 92 M2. Loved it. Stolen on base in Pearl Harbor.

[@tubesockets120v]

What's the significance of the Dirt Rag mag cover displayed on the wall?

[@HydrOB1]

The 1992 M2 Stumpjumper is the bike that is more smooth than the Pepsi Plant.

[@teammoont]

33,000 views, 81 likes? That doesn't seem right.

[@classiccarssp]

No pain No gain....

[@Sills71]

I would like to see Ned race Andy Hampsten...

[@Papieck37]

"Primitive" ?....The most fun I had recently was riding my 1991 Specialized Rockhopper 26" wheels...……..yes, there are far better bikes than a 91 Specialized, but MTB is all about having fun and fun can be had with 20, 24,26,27.5 and 29" wheels and with single, dual or triple chainrings.....

[@kimrice394]

Is the chain the wrong speed for the front ring or stretched? On his old red race bike?

[@B.E.C.K.]

I’m searching for a 17”-20”, 1997-2001 Stumpjumper M2 or an S-works frame if anyone has one or a lead on one please let me know. Even if you’re reading this in a few years from now, I’ll always be interested. Just drop a reply comment and I’ll see it in my notifications and get back to you. Thanks! Love the Stumpy community- you all are great!

[@ralphc1405]

Hey what about the Zaskar community??? Picked an Al. Zaskar over a Stumpy back in 1998...came with that totally redesigned XTR...

[@ishta]

I still used my M2 everyday.

[@rulerofbeanvillage1716]

It would be awesome on gravel roads though.

[@donnovicki9771]

Need, Tomes, or Julie would smoke any of today's riders. These guys new how to climb.

[@CreamyBone]

The lung

[@joshua.snyder]

Benedict Cumberbatch should play Ned in a bio film.

[@luckyc970]

where's the stache

[@rogerstone9173]

He's the reason I bought a Rockhopper

[@Cmc7799]

How do you forget tinker

[@jempanuncialman9361]

What if specialized build again a 1992 Mountainbike on this modern era..

[@GT-cx8vd]

Like comparing 70s porn from San francisco with today's technical porn of Los Angeles. No relation whatsoever. These guys meant fun and did it cause they loved it.

[@boots8683]

Woke generation be like - why is he not using dropper seatpost, those handlebars to narrow, no disc brakes ?!?! 3inch suspension ? ? ?

[@stiritup4663]

Stud

[@thenormalberries6767]

Sad to hear him talk down about old tech in order to shill for Specialized.

[@Nebdog111]

One of my childhood heroes! Y’all remember this Juicy Fruit MTB commercial? kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXnYinyQlr18f5Y

[@paulwall5706]

👍🚵👍

[@Yoda-em5mt]

Cool clip but am i the only one to notice that the setup of the front deraileur and rear on that bike is ffkn terrible the front deraileur was and in my opinion still great but it takes time to set up perfectly not like this and it also takes finess from the rider to not snap the chain esspessially when racing.

[@carstenschroder7054]

100% Pro: mentioned all his sponsors, and highlited the current equipment. Travel back in Time an ask him about full suspension and dropper posts.😏 Nice to see the old bike, but the rider is a snake.