Specialized M2 Virgin

[the great roberto]

Just purchased an 18" 1999 M2 stumpy frame from wadsy, but realised I don't know much about M2 history.

Are there any links that will help me ? For instance the welding on the headtube looks different between certain years on M2's.

What is the (external and internal ) seat-tube dia, or does that vary as well with year.

Any info would be appreciated.

 

[Jamiedyer]

Changes

Most changes came in 1996 when it went from M2 X to M2 XX tubing, mainly it was bracing and extra gusseting. Depends also on whether it was S Works or Stumpjumper. S Works changed to M4 in 1999 whereas Stumpies went till 2003.
Specs depends on model.

Jamie

 

[sastusbulbas]

Usually 30.9 seat post on M2 and after stumpys, the one you bought is 30.9, M2 was the better material, I believe it was more exensive to manufacture and stronger than M4, which if I remember correct was not so much an upgrade material as a less costly "new" material with market spin added. None of the 17" M4's I weighed were any lighter than my M2, I didn't find any of them better or faster and ertainly not stronger.

I personally regard the Stumpy M2 and GT Zaskar as two of the best hardcore retro hardtails, it was those that put riser bars and long travel forks on the map, which probably led to where many HT's are today. Ahead of their time maybe?

My own M2 ended up my main all rounder with 100mm Judy's and Risers back in the old days....................................

 

[Ian916]

frame was branded with Duralcan if I remember right, - M2 was a metal matrix composite, - a mix of aluminum and ceramic(?). The early ones nearly all needed re-spraying and Specialized UK got a lot of these done at Roberts in Croydon. - For some reason it was really difficult to get paint to stick to this material. Originally came with steel forks only option.

 

[Reluctant]

It's true the paint on early M2s was shite. It fell off my '92 in big chunks. I was offered a respray, but chose to strip and polish instead, it looked pretty cool with some fresh graphite grey decals on. It eventually cracked where the seatstay joins the seat tube. It's the only frame I've ever broken in my life and I was led to believe quite a few broke on the welds. something to do with the difficulty of welding an aluminium/aluminium oxide composite.
Ride quality was superb though. I remember test riding steel Stumpies, IFTs, Orange P7s among others, and the M2 felt like a rocketship in comparison. Ace bike. I went on to own another two, '95 and a '98 and had no problems with either.
Pic of my 92 M2 taken in 95/6 - excuse the "me" in the picture .

 

[Harryburgundy]

You are in good company with a late 90's M2....simply superb frames that defy the old adage that alloy frames are hard and unresponsive.
Enjoy