No other bike model has characterised the sport as much as the Specialised Stumpjumper. Mike Sinyard, founder of Specialized, sold the first production mountain bike under this name in 1981. After 37 years, the Americans are now presenting the latest "Stumpi": The frame has been completely redeveloped for 2018 and offers between 120 and 150 millimetres of suspension travel, depending on the version.
The asymmetrical main frame catches the eye at first glance: Similar to the Demo downhill bike, the shock is located below the top tube. The asymmetrical arm is intended to ensure that the Stumpjumper rear triangle is more rigidly connected to the main frame. Depending on the model, the FSR rear triangle squeezes between 120 and 150 millimetres of travel out of the shock. In contrast to the current series, the shocks are no longer equipped with an Autosag valve and the front derailleur has been banished for good.
When Specialized launched the current Stumpjumper the bike manufacturer surprised fans with a boot in the frame: The SWAT box (Storage, Water, Air, Tools) provides space for all important equipment. This boot can also be found in the new carbon frame, although its volume has increased by 20 per cent. The multitool disappears into the steering tube, as does the chain riveter.
The Specialized engineers have also worked on the details: The cables should now be easier to route thanks to new internal guides, and the bottom bracket is bolted back into the frame. The bottom bracket can be raised by six millimetres using a flip chip and the steering angle can be steepened by half a degree. An innovative rubber chainstay protector is designed to put a definitive stop to chain slap. Specialized is also presenting a new dropper seatpost: The Command Post comes in a 34.9-millimetre diameter, offers 160 millimetres of adjustment range (only 130 in frame size S) and has no offset. The dropper post can be lowered in 16 stages. The new chain guide is designed to keep the chain in place.
Specialized Stumpjumper 2018: Shorttravel & Evo
The "normal" Stumpjumper comes with a 150 mm suspension fork and 140 mm rear suspension. All models are fitted with 2.6-inch wide 29-inch tyres. Only the Comp with aluminium frame will be available with 27.5 x 2.6 inch wide tyres, offering 150 millimetres of rear travel. In general, however, all main frames are approved for both 27.5+ and 29-inch tyres. The geometry of the 29er models is modern, even if the reach shrinks on paper: although the reach in L is "only" 445 millimetres, the front centre (horizontal distance between bottom bracket and front wheel axle) still increases. The slack 66.5 mm head angle promises a smooth ride, while the 437 mm chainstays should maintain agility.
Until now, the Camber trail bike used the same main frame as the Stumpjumper, but rode more like the Epic race bike. In future, the new Camber will be called the Stumpjumper ST ("Shorttravel") and should ride more like the All-Mountain. If you want to switch from the "normal" Stumpjumper to the ST version, all you have to do is swap the fork for a 130 mm version and change the shock and linkage. The rear triangle then offers 120 millimetres. The Stumpjumper ST will only be available as a 29er with 2.3 inch wide tyres. The steering angle is one degree steeper, the reach one centimetre longer.
The Americans are also once again offering a more downhill-orientated Stumpjumper Evo. For the time being, the bike is only available with an aluminium frame. The geometry is significantly more radical: The 63.5-degree steering angle is extremely slack for a 29er and promises a smooth ride. There will only be two sizes (S2, S3), which you can choose depending on your riding style. The larger Evo has a racy 480 mm reach. The developers have also deliberately kept the head tube short so that smaller riders can also cope with the larger bike. The suspension offers 150 millimetres of travel at the front and 140 mm at the rear.
For comparison: The 29er Enduro has a 66 or 65.5 steering angle, depending on the setting. In frame size L, the reach is 462 millimetres. The suspension offers 160 millimetres of travel with the 29er wheels. The Enduro with its slightly more moderate geometry and extra suspension travel is likely to have a wider range of use.
Specialised Stumpjumper 2018: the models
The nomenclature of the individual models has not changed: The top model S-Works, which costs 8999 euros, has high-quality Fox Factory suspension, the Sram Eagle 12-speed drivetrain and carbon wheels. Also available separately: the S-Works frame. For 5499 euros, you can get the Expert with high-quality Rock Shox suspension, GX Eagle gears and carbon wheels. The Comp Carbon costs "only" 3999 euros, but is available from dealers with simpler Fox Rhythm suspension, Shimano XT/SLX mix and lowerable seatpost from X-Fusion. If you buy the Comp with an aluminium frame for 2999 euros, you can choose between 27.5 and 29 inches. The aluminium Comp also has Fox Rhythm suspension, a Shimano XT/SLX mix and an X-Fusion seatpost.
The three Shorttravel models S-Works, Expert and Comp Carbon are also available with comparable equipment to the "normal" Stumpjumper. There is also an entry-level model for 1999 euros: The Alloy (as the name suggests) is available from dealers with an aluminium frame and simpler equipment. A Rock Shox Recon fork is fitted at the front and an X-Fusion shock at the rear. The gears are a Shimano-Sram-Sunrace mix, and an adjustable seat post can be retrofitted if required.
Of course, Specialized has not forgotten the ladies: For them, the ST Comp Carbon, the ST Comp and the ST Alloy are available from dealers. The latter is available with both 27.5 and 29-inch tyres, the other models only with 29-inch tyres. All women's bikes have a customised cockpit and a specially tuned shock.
All Stumpjumper models are available now, only Evo customers will have to wait a little longer. For the time being, the Evo downhill version with Fox Rhythm suspension, Sram GX-Eagle and powerful Code brakes will not be available in Germany.
Specialised Stumpjumper: First ride impression
The Stumpjumper S-Works climbs well off-road. This is due to both the wide tyres and the FSR rear triangle, which absorbs steps and bumps even under heavy chain tension thanks to the low drivetrain influence. On the road, the rear suspension bobs slightly when seated and pumps a little when standing. If necessary, the shock platform can help here. The riding position is pleasantly comfortable. Downhill, the high-quality Fox Factory suspension does a very good job: the suspension works very sensitively and absorbs even hard impacts with ease. The Specialized tyres provide a lot of comfort and safety on loose surfaces, but are overtaxed in extremely muddy conditions. The weight of 12.9 kilos (size L, without pedals, with bottle cage, MarshGuard, multi-tool in the head tube) is okay considering the downhill performance, but not the best value in this price range.
In a direct comparison, the ST Expert is much more agile off-road. The narrower tyres create a more direct ride feel and provide more feedback from the ground. The RockShox suspension is significantly firmer and ensures more lively handling. In the muddy test conditions, the narrow tyres convinced us more than their wide counterparts. The ST Expert weighs 13.1 kilos in size M (without pedals, with bottle cage, MarshGuard, multi-tool in the head tube).
Unfortunately, we could only ride the Evo with 27.5 x 2.6 inch tyres, not with the large 29 x 2.6 inch tyres. Downhill, the extremely slack geometry (63.5 degree head angle) creates a very smooth ride and the long reach is pleasing. The high weight (15.1 kilos without pedals, with bottle cage, tool, marshguard) and the downhill-heavy geometry limit the uphill performance. The new chainstay protector seems to work: All test bikes were extremely quiet, nothing rattles.
