"Wallfahrt" is the name of the fun enduro race at Lake Tegernsee, where I put the Stumpjumper top model through its paces. The key data: Around 1000 metres of climbing and descending, divided into special stages with a final skills course. Many necks are craned on the way to the start - a little awe is justified. 7499 euros, the 10.9 kilos are sensational for a 140-millimetre all-mountain bike. My fitness is the only limiting factor in the first uphill evaluation. The bike almost outpaces me. Beforehand, I had meticulously set up the Brain shock and fork, and so the suspension remains firm on the gravel track and rushes me uphill without bobbing. The frame weighs 2521 grams with the shock and is sufficiently stiff (57 Nm/°). No competitor manages this combination of travel and weight. Specialized also achieves this on the top model thanks to the system integration of crank and fork.
The following descent is challenging. I set the fork back to full suspension travel. Stones and damp roots demand full concentration and I do my best. The Future Shock fork and shock do a good job. However, the activated Brain platform works a little to the detriment of the response behaviour. Before the next uphill ramp, I switch off the Brain system on the fork and shock. Now it becomes clear how drive-neutral and effective the four-bar rear suspension is. Even when pedalling out of the saddle, the bike doesn't bob. In addition, the rear suspension reacts even more sensitively to every root. Specialized is the only manufacturer to date to combine the SRAM XX drivetrain with a triple crankset and Shimano XTR derailleur. The S-Works is therefore the first bike to offer 30 gears. Do you need that? At least you can stay on the middle gear for longer and still have reserves for extremely steep ramps. The last downhill section on the Jochberg is definitely enduro territory, I struggle with the 140 millimetres of travel, but I've made up twice the time lost on the climbs.
Conclusion: expensive but good as hell. The S-Works is a high-performance machine for marathons and all-mountain terrain.
Web: www.specialized.com
Photo: Wolfgang Watzke
