The Stumpjumper is considered the soul of Specialized. It was the first bike that company founder Mike Sinyard was able to mass produce from 1981. The first series MTB ever. Since then, the Stumpy has been a race bike, touring hardtail, touring bike, trail bike. It was steel, aluminium, carbon. In 2018, it came onto the market for the first time with an asymmetrical frame. Now the new Stumpjumper is in the starting blocks for 2021.
Stumpjumper 2021: new frame, less suspension travel
29 inches, still asymmetrical frame, 140/130 millimetres of travel - these are the most important key data. This puts the Stumpjumper right in the middle between the new Stumpjumper Evo and the powerful Epic Evo and is again somewhat sportier than the previous version with 150/140 millimetres of suspension travel. The even shorter-stroke Stumpjumper ST will no longer be available.
But it is no longer needed. Because the new Stumpjumper should climb better than ever before. Narrower tyres (2.3 inches) and other components save weight compared to the Predecessor The kinematics and geometry should also favour propulsion. The new Stumpjumper should bob significantly less when pedalling, while the steeper seat angle and lower stack also favour climbing behaviour.
Geometry, frame, kinematics
What is new, despite the continued asymmetrical design, is the frame. This is because Specialized has also made a lot of adjustments away from the steeper seat angle. The head angle is slacker, the reach is significantly longer and the bottom bracket has been moved even lower.
The new Stumpjumper should be able to stand up to the old one downhill despite the shorter travel. The revised kinematics also benefit the downhill performance - it is now more progressive and should be less sensitive to bottoming out. So that you can keep a good grip despite the short suspension travel.
For the first time, the rear triangle of the Stumpjumper does not need a Horst link, the flexing seat stays take over this task. Compared to the Predecessor This saves around 100 grams of weight (frame weight 2420 grams with shock, thru-axle, chainstay protector etc.) and, in the best case, favours reliability - one less joint that can wear out in case of doubt. The steering angle and bottom bracket can still be raised via the flip chip in the shock linkage. An even more complex geometry adjustment as on the Stumpjumper Evo is no longer necessary with the joint.
Size, equipment, price - the Stumpjumper is getting cheaper
The size chart is also new. As with the Enduro and the Stumpjumper Evo, the 2021 Stumpjumper is no longer labelled in sizes S to XXL, but in the so-called S sizes from S1 to S6. This is intended to encourage customers to choose their bike not only according to their own body size, but also according to their personal preference - whether they prefer a playful or smooth ride.
Just this much in advance: In practice, we were actually able to choose between three frame sizes (S3, S4, S5) for a 1.80 metre tall rider without having to exhaust the insertion depth or the extension of the seat post. For the first time, the chainstays now also grow with the frame sizes: Up to S4, the rear triangle measures 432 millimetres, from S5 442 millimetres. This is intended to achieve more balanced handling.
Good news for the spec: contrary to the current trend, the Stumpjumper will be slightly cheaper for 2021. Starting with two aluminium models for € 2199 and € 2999, the first carbon model with a complete Shimano SLX groupset and Fox Performance suspension costs € 3999 - € 300 less than before.
The Expert model now costs 5299 euros instead of the previous 5799 euros. A small downer: Unfortunately, the carbon wheels from Roval are no longer available. Instead, the better brakes (Sram G2 RSC), the better gearing (X01 trigger and rear derailleur) and, above all, the better suspension (Fox 34 Performance Elite Grip 2/DPS Performance Elite) make up for this with practical added value. The Stumpjumper doesn't come with a Pro model like the Evo, the jump is straight to the S-Works model, which costs 9999 euros with its premium parts.
We were able to get a first impression of the new Stumpjumper at the press launch. You can read about how it rides and how much it weighs in BIKE 12/2020 - from 1 November in magazine shops and as a digital edition in the BIKE app for iOS or Android.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
