Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper EVO in review - What counts as enduro?

In our big enduro bike group test, the Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper EVO asserted itself as a great all-rounder and proved to be almost the perfect do-it-all bike. That was reason enough for us to pit it against a much tamer test field in the search for the best mountain bike of 2021. But does it stand a chance on the climbs and is it significantly faster than the competition downhill?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best mountainbike of 2021 – 22 models in review

**Specialized** S-Works Stumpjumper EVO | 160/150 mm (f/r)
14.16 kg (size S4) | € 10,499 | Manufacturer-website

At Specialized, the EVO suffix is given to special models with extra travel and more reserves. That remains the case with the S-Works Stumpjumper EVO, which, on paper at least, is more capable downhill than its counterpart without the EVO designation. The rowdiest offspring of the Stumpy family combines a 150 mm FSR rear end with 160 mm travel at the front. However, the youngest descendant of the EVO dynasty isn’t just a pimped-out Stumpy with more travel but is given its very own frame that has lots in common with the conventional Stumpjumper. Amongst the most striking features are the characteristic side arm on the carbon frame and numerous frame details typical of the Californian brand, such as the ribbed chainstay protector. Thanks to the spacious SWAT box in the down tube and the SWAT multi-tool in the steerer tube, you can embark on long rides without having to carry a backpack.

The outstanding build quality and numerous frame details of the elegant S-Works Stumpjumper EVO make it truly unique.

Posh, posher, S-Works – The spec of the Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper EVO

As befits a bike with an S-Works decal on the down tube, the componentry of the € 10,499 Stumpjumper EVO is top-notch. In combination with the wireless SRAM AXS components, the cockpit with a Deity stem and Specialized’s in-house 800 mm handlebars looks clean and tidy. A 12-speed SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS drivetrain shifts gears on a big 10–52 t cassette and a RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post provides 170 mm travel. The FOX Factory suspension consists of a 36 fork with a GRIP2 damper and DPX2 shock, controlling 160/150 mm travel at the front and rear respectively. SRAM CODE RSC brakes with 200 mm rotors front and rear pack a punch and deliver reliable deceleration. Awesome! As usual, the S-Works Stumpjumper EVO rolls on a 29″ Roval Traverse SL carbon wheelset with Specialized’s own-brand tires, with a 2.6″ Butcher at the front and a shallow-treaded 2.3″ Eliminator at the rear. Unlike the normal Stumpjumper and the Levo SL, the Stumpy EVO comes equipped with Specialized’s latest generation tires in the GRIDTrail casing with a soft T9 compound at the front and harder T7 rubber at the rear. Given the speeds the Stumpjumper EVO can reach, the rear tire is too weak, requiring high air pressures to prevent pinch flats and avoid rim damage.

**Super clean**
SRAM’s AXS components ensure a super tidy cockpit. Downhill, the 30 mm rise bar conveys huge amounts of confidence.

**Only the best is good enough**
The FOX 36 Factory fork comes with the superior GRIP2 damper and offers a whopping 160 mm travel.

**What’s behind door number three?**
There’s enough room for all your trail essentials in the SWAT storage compartment, whether you want to carry a spare tube, a pump or a big bag of gummy bears! For long, hot mid-summer rides, you can use the compartment to store Specialized’s special hydration bladder.

Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper EVO

€ 10,499

Specifications

Fork FOX 36 Factory 160 mm
Rear Shock FOX DPX2 Factory 150 mm
Seatpost RockShox Reverb AXS 170 mm
Brakes SRAM CODE RSC 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 1x12
Stem Deity Copperhead 35 mm
Handlebar Roval Traverse SL C 800 mm
Wheelset Roval Traverse SL 29"
Tires Specialized Butcher GRID Trail T7/Eliminator GRID Trail T9 2.6"/2.3"

Technical Data

Size S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6
Weight 14.16 kg

Specific Features

SWAT-box
SWAT-multitool

**Fat rubber**
The revised version of Specialized’s own-brand Butcher tire at the front comes with a softer rubber compound and more robust casing. However, the wide 2.6” version feels spongy on the trail, especially on hard-packed ground and in big compressions.

**Exemplary**
SRAM CODE RSC brakes with big 200 mm rotors front and rear provide powerful and reliable deceleration. Excellent!

**Super adjustable geometry concept**
With the Stumpjumper EVO, you’ll have to choose between two (or three) suitable frame sizes and decide on one of the many geometry settings, which can be changed using different headset cups and a flip-chip in the chainstays. While this system might seem extremely complex, it allows for many options.

The geometry concept of the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO – Super variable

As far as geometry goes, the options are so extensive they make your head spin. The S-Works Stumpjumper EVO is available in 5 sizes, S1 to S6. The super-short seat tube (425 mm in S4) allows you to choose between at least two frame sizes and pick your bike based on what suits your riding style and not your inseam. Cool! But that’s not all. Once you’ve decided on a size, you can adjust the geometry of Stumpy to suit your riding style and terrain: the flip-chip in the chainstays lets you change the bottom bracket height and chainstay length while different headset cups let you slacken or steepen the head angle.

Size	S1	S2	S3	S4	S5	S6
Seat tube	385 mm	385 mm	405 mm	425 mm	445 mm	465 mm
Top tube	538 mm	564 mm	590 mm	623 mm	647 mm	679 mm
Head tube	95 mm	95 mm	105 mm	115 mm	125 mm	135 mm
Head angle	64.5°	64.5°	64.5°	64.5°	64.5°	64.5°
Seat angle	78.0°	77.6°	77.2°	76.9°	77.0°	77.0°
Chainstays	438 mm	438 mm	438 mm	438 mm	448 mm	448 mm
BB Drop	40 mm	35 mm	35 mm	35 mm	35 mm	35 mm
Wheelbase	1,167 mm	1,191 mm	1,216 mm	1,247 mm	1,285 mm	1,319 mm
Reach	408 mm	428 mm	448 mm	475 mm	498 mm	528 mm
Stack	613 mm	617 mm	626 mm	635 mm	644 mm	654 mm

**Helmet** POC Tectal | **Glasses** 100% Speedcraft | **Shorts** ION Scrub Shorts | **Kneepdas** Chromag Rift
**Shoes** Giro Chamber II | **Socks** Banana Industries | **Watch** Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL

The S-Works Stumpjumper Evo on the trail

Like the Nukeproof Reactor, the riding position of the Stumpjumper EVO is sufficiently comfortable for long rides on flat trails and yet central enough to climb steeper ramps. Due to the pronounced kink in the seat tube, the steep 77° seat angle effectively becomes slacker as you extend the dropper post. If you have long legs or if you spend most of your time climbing steep trails, you should push the saddle all the way forward. If you do so, the suspension of the Stumpy EVO offers sufficient comfort, even on long rides. Despite the relatively low 14.16 kg weight, the Stumpjumper EVO isn’t the fastest climber in this test. Like the Reactor, it likes to get to the trailhead in a relaxed fashion, preferably on fire roads and with the climb switch engaged. On technical climbs, you’ll have to actively shift your weight forward to keep the front wheel tracking, especially when negotiating super steep sections and ledges. At the same time, you’ll have to time your pedal strokes carefully to avoid clipping the pedals on obstacles due to the super low bottom bracket. Here, climbing specialists like the Ibis Ripmo V2 and Propain Hugene have a clear advantage.

Do it all? In our “best enduro bike of 2021 group test, the Stumpy EVO proved to be a great all-rounder. However, in this test field, it’s clearly one of the downhill specialists.

Tuning-tip: narrower tire at the front and more robust casing on the rear wheel

Downhill, the S-Works Stumpjumper EVO conveys huge amounts of confidence. While the low bottom bracket integrates you deep into the bike, the high front and the powerful brakes give you an extra boost of confidence. Compared to the Ripmo V2 or Canyon Spectral, the suspension of the Stumpy EVO is plusher and tuned for maximum traction rather than support. In true enduro fashion, the Stumpy EVO offers tons of grip and allows you to pick the wildest lines. Simultaneously, it requires more physical effort for spontaneous direction changes and jumps. On rough trails, where bikes like the Propain Hugene start to feel twitchy, the Specialized remains composed and lets you focus on holding your line, even on technical and steep trail sections. However, flatter trails expose the dark side of its geometry, especially in open corners, where you have to actively weight the front wheel to keep it tracking – here the super balanced Nukeproof Reactor is much easier to ride. Like the SCOTT Ransom, on smooth hard-packed flow trails and through heavy compression, the Stumpjumper EVO feels undefined and spongy, not least because of its 2.6” wide front tire.

Riding Characteristics

Uphill

sluggish
efficient

Agility

cumbersome
playful

Stability

nervous
confident

Handling

demanding
balanced

Suspension

harsh
plush

Fun Factor

planted
poppy

Value for money

terrible
very good

Intended Use

XC

Trail

Enduro

Downhill

Conclusion

The Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper EVO refuses to be put in a box. The rowdiest offspring of the Stumpy family is an excellent all-rounder with a penchant for rough enduro stages. While it’s far more confident than its livelier competitors on technical descents, it’s only average in terms of climbing performance and agility. If you’re looking for a prestigious, high-quality mountain bike that inspires tons of confidence and offers plenty of reserves, you might be looking in the right direction.

Tops

awesome integration thanks to the SWAT storage
super clean and tidy
smooth and confidence-inspiring downhill

Flops

climbing performance on trails
spongy tires make for vague handling

Find more information here: specialized.com

The testfield

Get an overview of the grouptest here: The best mountainbike of 2021 – 22 models in review

This scale indicates how efficiently the bike climbs. It refers to both simple and technical climbs. Along with the suspension, the riding position and the weight of the bike all play a crucial role.↩
How does the bike ride and descend? How spritely is the bike, how agile is it through corners, how much fun is it in tight sections and how quickly can it change direction?↩
Is the bike stable at high speeds? Is it easy to stay in control in demanding terrain? How composed is it on rough trails? Stability is a combination of balanced geometry, good suspension and the right spec.↩
This is all about how balanced the bike is and particularly about how well it corners. Balanced bikes require little physical effort from the rider and are very predictable. If a bike is unbalanced, the rider has to work hard to weight the front wheel to generate enough grip. However, experienced riders can have a lot of fun even with unbalanced bikes.↩
How sensitive is the suspension over small bumps? Can it absorb hard impacts and does it soak up repeated hits? Plush suspension not only provides comfort and makes a bike more capable, but it also generates traction. The rating includes the fork and the rear suspension.↩
This aspect mainly comes down to the suspension. How much pop does it have, does it suck up the rider’s input or is it supportive, and how agile and direct is the bike?↩
We don’t calculate value for money in an excel spreadsheet or based on how high-end a bike is specced. We are more concerned with how a bike performs on the trail and how the bike benefits the rider. What good are the best components if the bike doesn’t perform well on the trail? Expensive bikes with a lower-end spec can offer very good value for money – provided they excel where it matters. Just as supposedly cheap bikes with good components can get a bad rating if they don’t deliver on the trail.↩
No, it’s not about racing, it’s about efficiency. Fast, fleet-footed and efficient – those who want to speed along flowy singletrack and gravel roads need a defined and spritely bike that accelerates with ease and efficiency. Nevertheless, reliable components are important too. We interpret XC more like the Americans do: big back-country rides instead of a marathon or XC World Cup with the ultimate in lightweight construction! Uphill-downhill ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%!)↩
...also known as mountain biking. Classic singletrack with roots, rocks and ledges – sometimes flowy, sometimes rough. For this, you need a bike with good all-round qualities, whether climbing or descending. Uphill-downhill ratio: 50:50↩
Even more extreme and challenging compared to Trail riding, riddled with every kind of obstacle: jumps, gaps, nasty rock gardens, ruts and roots. For this, you need (race)proven equipment that forgives mistakes and wouldn’t look out of place on a stage of the Enduro World Series. Climbing is just a means to an end. Uphill-downhill ratio: 30:70↩
Strictly speaking, a 200 mm travel downhill bike is the best choice for merciless tracks with big jumps, drops and the roughest terrain. Those would be the black or double-black-diamond tracks in a bike park. But as some of the EWS pros (including Sam Hill) have proven, it’s the riding skills and not the bike that define what you can ride with it. Climbing? On foot or with a shuttle, please! Uphill-downhill ratio: 10:90↩
You can find more info about our rating system in this article: Click here! ↩

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Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper EVO in review – What counts as enduro?