Specialized Stumpjumper S-Works on test: Even the 15th generation is an all-rounder par excellence

When Specialized ventures into one of its most prestigious models, you can expect great things. With the Stumpjumper, the Californians are heralding the 15th expansion stage and, true to the motto "Innovate or die", are adding one or two technical delicacies to the bike. For 13,000 euros, Specialized sends its flagship bike, the S-Works, into this individual test. The frame kit alone, with its unique, sublime speckled paintwork, costs 4,500 euros. But it can also be cheaper. The entry-level Comp model is listed at 6500 euros and shifts with the new Sram AXS Transmission S1000. As with the S-Works, the Sram Maven brake anchor provides brute deceleration.

As the new Specialized Stumpjumper 15 is a symbiosis of the previous Stumpi and the longer travel Stumpjumper Evo, the factory specification is 150/145 millimetres. In the lab, we were also able to measure 150 millimetres at the rear. Coil spring fans will still get their money's worth with the Pro model. Here Specialized relies on Öhlins suspension with coil shock instead of the Fox air suspension, which brings us to one of the highlights of the new SJ 15.

In order to combine the advantages of long and short travel, the Specialized engineers have developed a special air shock in collaboration with Fox. The new Genie shock has a very large air volume, which should ensure a flat spring curve and high comfort and absorption capacity. From 70 per cent of the spring travel, only a smaller volume of air is available, thus increasing progression against bottoming out.

The Specialized Stumpjumper in a practical test

To explore the full potential of the new all-rounder, we took advantage of the variety of trails in the Geißkopf bike park and on the local trails. With a reach of 469 millimetres and the short 35 mm stub stem as well as the high front end, the 1.79 metre rider sits very upright. On steep ramps, we would have liked a longer stem for more pressure on the front wheel. Nevertheless, the Specialized Stumpjumper, which weighs just 13 kilos, masters fast acceleration and long climbs effortlessly, even if the rear suspension pumps a little more than its extremely composed predecessor when pedalling in open mode. As soon as the trail starts to descend, the Stumpi shows its fun side and puts a big grin on the rider's face.

Despite the slack steering angle, the bike is by no means sluggish or bulky, but still conveys a high degree of safety. Thanks to the wide range of adjustment options (eccentric bearing shells, flip chip in the Horstlink, mullet rocker), no rider's wishes remain unfulfilled. We liked the long chainstay adjustment in combination with the long front centre more. On rough terrain, the rear suspension with the new Genie shock offers plenty of travel and excellent absorption capacity. However, due to the flatter characteristic curve compared to the fork, the rear end compresses more in the mid-travel range, which leads to a slight imbalance. You can counteract this with more compression, but you lose sensitivity.

Equipment

• Fork: Fox 36 Factory, 150 mm
• Shock: Fox Genie Factory, 150 mm
• Gear system: Sram XX Transmission
• Gear ratio / belt width: 32, 10-52 / 520 %
• Brakes: Sram Maven Ultimate 200/200 mm
• dropper post/stroke: RockShox Reverb AXS / 170 mm
• Wheels: Roval Traverse SLII
• Tyres: Specialized Butcher/Eliminator T9/T7 29 x 2.3

Measured values

• Total weight: 13.04 kg (without pedals)
• Weight frame / wheels: 2284 g / 4707 g
• Acceleration of running wheels: 3908 kg x cm²

Conclusion Peter Nilges, BIKE Test Manager

Even in its 15th configuration, the Specialized Stumpjumper leaves nothing to be desired and raises the bar for all-rounders, even if the new Genie shock doesn't have any game-changing potential.