With the new "Stumpjumper", Specialized has delivered a real hit, a bike for emotions. With its unusual shape and colour scheme, the bike deserves a design award right off the bat. It was all the more exciting to see how the completely new model compared to the competition. Thanks to the steeply sloping top tube, the frame concept offers plenty of standover height and a small saddle/handlebar height difference. For a sportier riding position, a cranked seat post is inserted into the frame. The steep seat angle ensures good uphill propulsion. The "Stumpjumper" is manoeuvrable and agile, while the central position on the bike allows you to maintain control at all times on the descents. The Specialized fork is also super light thanks to the tapered carbon steerer tube and also impresses in practice. With both the fork and the "Brain" shock, it takes a while to find the optimum setting from the various adjustment options through to the automatic lockout. In contrast to the "Epic" model, the rear end does not lock out completely and the fork works quickly even in locked-out mode. Incidentally, World Cup racer Chris toph Sauser came third in the "Roc d'Azur" marathon on a "Stumpjumper".
CONCLUSIONThe winning bike of this group, very good uphill, the fastest downhill. It would be perfect with tubeless tyres!
TUNING TIPThe bike would have deserved a more powerful brake.
