Thanks for the review! Even if i dont understand why everybody keep testing the expansive versions, i would honestly appreciate more a review for a normal budget like Comp versions
Our pleasure mate, glad you enjoyed the review! These two Stumpjumpers were sent to us directly by Specialized to test before the official launch to public, so it was a case of what was available at the time. Demand for bikes is outstripping supply by quite some margin at the moment, so we can't always get our hands on the bike we'd like to test. Hopefully our readers and viewers found the review useful even if they're looking at a different model. Generally speaking, we tend to focus more on a bike's handling, suspension performance and geometry than on specific components. So for those who are looking at a cheaper or more expensive model, they'll still get a good understanding of how the bike will perform. If you've been on our website, you'll see that we review quite a wide range of bikes across a broad spectrum of price points. We don't always have the time to do video reviews on every bike we test, so you'll find a load more stories and reviews over on the website: flowmountainbike.com/ Hope that helps explain mate! [Wil]
I so agree with this ! Every single "pro" MTB review out there are always about the most expensive models in their respective lineups, the ones the average Joe will NEVER get because they cost a fortune, some of them are even as expensive as my car ffs. It is almost like cheating, since these are the lightest models too, of course a 12kg bike will have a more exciting ride than a 16 kg one. The only Stumpy alloy review out there are the ones by amateurs who have just bought it, most often than not haven’t seriously ridden it yet, and are just too excited about their purchase to say anything relevant about it other than reading the specs sheet. Not fair.
I think a lot of us would like to know how the entry level Stumpjumper alloy goes, not all of us can afford $12000 bike,too many companies give away to test out the top end models.
This is currently the best review of the new Stumpjumper on the web. There have been conflicting opinions on the bike’s climbing ability, but this review offers the most detail and explanation. Really nice job! Curious if it climbs better than a big bike like the Switchblade which pedals better than the EVO.
Thank you VERY MUCH. I learn more USEFUL and ESSENTIAL info as needed for a serious potential customer for one of these bikes from this presenter than I do from nearly all others combined. He has a teacher's instinct for not assuming prior knowledge from viewers, while integrating clear instruction along the way! Plenty of visual demonstration of the product's features with explanation of significance. This is vastly more useful and relevant for a potential buyer than merely watching GoPro video of people who ride fast downhill while attempting to fly. I want to know how a bike is on the trail's long UPHILL, not just downhill, and how the bike is while riding distances from one's home to an actual trailhead. The non-EVO Stumpjumper, that's the one that makes more sense. Now I know that, and can even explain why. Thanks very much Aussie reviewer. Sincerely. - Even though the 2023 model is a bit more evolved, I believe that the info presented here about the 2021 bikes is still generally applicable to 2023 models.
I’m so glad I watched this. I was going to buy an Evo. Now I realize what I want is the regular Stumpjumper. Now all I have to do is decide between the Expert, Comp and Comp Alloy.
@@PeteR-fk8gf thanks. A local shop has the Comp carbon in my size. But I kind of like the Expert better. It would be a mountain bike quiver of one for me.
@@ayadal nice to hear that. I would be glad to get either comp or expert but with no luck in my country (or other European countries that would send it).
great insight, stump jumper looks like a possible quiver killer for oz. Good for long days in the saddle and decent enough for descents. Would be great if you said where you tested the bikes. Looks like harcourt.
Curious about this custom tuned Fox Float. If I were to purchase a lower model 21 Stumpy (like the carbon comp) would a normal Fox Float 190x45mm purchased aftermarket not work as well due to the custom tuning?
Thanks for the reviews! I actually want something else, a bike that your riding would be the most confident on to instead bunnyhop and clear at exactly 16:06 in this video.
Awesome review. How would you compare the Stumpjumper to the Epic Evo? For someone that’s not launching off things and looking for a great all-rounder that could do occasional races (multi day and XC)?
Thanks Josh, glad you enjoyed it! Great question on the Stumpy vs Epic EVO, I've been thinking exactly the same thing recently. Both are ripping bikes in my experience, and both offer a lot of capability on the trail given the amount of travel they have. I think if you're looking to throw some multi-day events and XC races into the mix, the Epic EVO would be a great option. It's quite a bit lighter, comes with faster-rolling tyres, and the pedalling performance is a lot better. The geometry is progressive, so it delivers great confidence on the descents and on rough trails. It's still an XC bike with only 110mm of rear travel though, so on really chunky terrain and sustained descents, you'll be working harder to keep it online. If you weren't worried about being so competitive, and you wanted a bike that could also handle bigger mountain trails, say if you were planning a few riding trips away in locations with more technical trails, then the Stumpjumper would be more versatile in that regard. The suspension is much more forgiving, and that's something you'll notice on rougher trails, particularly when you're doing longer descents. You could fit some faster-rolling tyres for those multi-day events and XC trails and it'd be a comfortable bike to ride, though it wouldn't have the same snappiness at the pedals, and it won't be as whippy through tight singletrack as the Epic EVO. Hope that helps mate! [Wil]
These do both look sick. My last trail bike was the 2017 SJ Comp, though I’m not disappointed that I chose the Sight over the Evo, even if the Evo hadn’t been released yet.
Doing a lot of research for the my first trail bike, on my budget, considering Vitus Mythique VRX and this one Stumpjumper alloy frame.. any advice would be much appreciated.. new subciber here😁
I have the 2020 mythique vrs and I think it is a great bike. My only complaint is the weight. It is a super heavy bike. I’m planning on upgrading it to the Evo expert to get a little more travel and a lighter bike. The mythique was a great first full suspension bike and you can bomb some downhills on it! I don’t think you can make a wrong choice. I’d also consider a polygon Siskiu t7 or t8
I like the Stumpy due to geometry. Al or Carbon is same. SJs are very balanced bikes. Support from Specialized has been very good in my experience over the past 25 yrs working with them.
I own a 2014 Specialized Epic Expert Carbon 29er (medium) and in excellent condition. At 5'6", the frame is tad big though ridedable for sure. I may look to sell or trade for a small frame in the same bike. Is it worth swapping this out for something different or better? Not sure if the bike is "outdated" being an "old guy".
Hey Levi, thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed the video! Those trails are at La Larr Ba Gauwa (Harcourt MTB Park) in Central Victoria, about a 90-minute drive north of Melbourne. Trails are running well after some rain, but they'll get pretty sketchy and sandy over summer! [Wil]
I’m building a carbon frame with all AXS Xo1 fox factory suspension DT hubs race face next cranks whisky bars AXS dropper seat post Garmin duel sided power pedals. 10-52 cassette race face oval chain ring
Glad you enjoyed it Jimmy! That's an excellent question about the Switchblade vs the Stumpjumper EVO. I tested the Switchblade earlier this year, and it was one of the best trail bikes I've ridden, beautifully constructed and a really nice ride on the trail. Compared to the Stumpjumper EVO, the Switchblade is for sure the better pedalling bike, the dw-link suspension controls bob better, and it means you can leave the shock wide open more of the time. On rolling terrain, that makes it faster and more energetic - closer to the regular Stumpjumper I'd say. The geometry is a touch less radical on the Switchblade, but I didn't find it to be an issue - the rear suspension is so effective, that it gives that bike a huge amount of stability, without having to rely on an uber-slack head angle. Chassis rigidity is also excellent on that bike, and it just has a super high quality feel front to back. In comparison, the Stumpjumper EVO doesn't pedal as well - it is much soggier on the climbs and you need the climb switch on the shock for extended sections of uphill. The flip-side is that the suspension is ridiculously plush and active on the descents, with a real disconnect between your feet and what's going on underneath the tyres. It seriously feels like a mini-Enduro. The Stumpjumper EVO also has a lot more adjustability thanks to the upper headset cup. You can make it nearly as steep as the Switchblade (65.5 vs 66 degree head angle), but you can also slacken it out to a bikepark-ready 63-degrees. You can also flip the geo chip into the Low position, and that makes it super-low. All that adjustability gives the Stumpjumper EVO a huge amount of versatility for setting it up for really aggressive riding. And of course you do get the SWAT system with that secondary bladder and tool roll, which I really dig. If you're choosing between the two, I think it'll come down to how whether you value pedalling efficiency and all-round versatility (the Switchblade) or mega-plush suspension and the option to go super slack (Stumpjumper EVO). Hope that helps mate! [Wil]
After watching this I'm wondering if Guy Kes messed something up when setting up his suspension. Because so far I've seen varied opinions on the new flex stays and shock tune.
I watched Guy's review last night, and it does seem like we had different experiences with the Stumpjumper. Guy knows his stuff and has an enormous amount of experience, so I'd never question his opinion. I can only speak for my own experience, and I will say that I spent quite a bit of time talking with the main chap at Specialized HQ who heads up their Ride Dynamics team, Chance Ferro. His job is to come up with all the custom tunes for the suspension on the whole mountain bike range, and along with Steve Saletnik, they developed the custom digressive/progressive tune for the Float DPS shock on the Stumpjumper. I was able to get some pretty detailed suspension setup information from Chance when we first received the test bike a couple of weeks ago, which for me made a big difference to the shock performance and the balance of the whole bike. The key aspect with this shock is that you want to make sure you hit 30% sag on the shock. Because of the flex stay design and the way the stays 'relax' at sag and build pressure beyond it, if you setup the shock either side of that, you'll be fighting the flex to a certain extent. Unfortunately there's no sag guide for the shock, so I carried a little ruler with me on every ride to make sure I was definitely hitting that 13.5mm sag figure at the O-ring. It's worth checking this over the first few rides as the shock seals bed in, so you might need to tweak pressures from when you set it up the first time. You don't want to run the rebound too fast (I had it set 1 click faster than halfway, so 8/14 clicks), and you also don't want to be afraid of utilising the low-speed compression damping. Set wide-open, it is too active for my liking, and it does sink into the travel on the climbs, slackening out the seat tube angle and making it feel sluggish as a result. Up until this point, my experience was very similar to Guy's and I wasn't overly impressed. It wasn't until I increased the LSC and tweaked the fork setup (lower pressure, lighter damping) before the Stumpjumper's climbing performance got to where I wanted it. With that setup, the suspension is significantly more stable on the climbs and the climbing position also improves. It's still active, and there is very little tugging at the pedals on rough technical climbs, but it was much more settled that way. The LSC adjuster makes a considerable difference - more than I expected and have experienced on other Float DPS shocks, which comes down to that custom tune. As mentioned in the video introduction, the video is more of a broader overview of the two bikes - it sounds like you'll appreciate the extra detail that's in the full written review. If you get the chance, you can check it out here: flowmountainbike.com/tests/2021-specialized-stumpjumper-pro-review/ Hope that helps mate, and thanks for watching and taking the time to leave us a comment! [Wil]
@@FlowMountainBikeRU-vid Thanks for the reply, I was mainly curious because I'm looking at quite a few bikes for my next one. I'll make sure to read the written reviews when the time comes closer for buying.
@@FlowMountainBikeRU-vid Thanks for the info! I thought the same as @hahafunnylaugh - I’ve seen several reviews with negative experiences with the rear shock. Only VitalMTB, EnduroMTB and you guys are positive about it. Very interesting stuff.
@@FlowMountainBikeRU-vid GK's review was of the Expert model of the SJ. That model use the performance rather than factory version of the Fox DPS which does not have the compression adjustment dial for the open setting. Will, for those of us who might be contemplated a lower level model like the Expert or Comp (without the open position adjustment dial) how did you find ride with the lever in the medium compression setting?
The difference in USD vs AUD pricing on the Evo is disgusting even accounting for tax. Specialized continues to not be competitive anywhere but the US market.
All the high end bikes aren’t worth it in aus but the lower end bikes are priced decently for a bike shop brand especially with specialized’s free shipping, talking mostly about the rockhopper, fuse and stumpjumper alloy.
I just bought the 2021 stunt jumper evo and I think the bike is underrated for being an good all around trail bike unless your doing xc racing get this bike
I'm currently on a trek remedy and if specialized made a long travel 27.5 wheeled bike would that be my next bike. but since the stumpy is a 29 only will i stay on my current bike cuase a 29er is a no go for me
Great review, thank you! How is the new Stumpjumper compared to the Stumpjumper ST? I know you have ridden both, and I am wondering, if the new Stumpjumper is more like a mini Enduro?
Hey Christine! Thanks for watching the video and taking the time to leave a question. I have ridden the Stumpjumper ST, and I really liked that bike - it was totally underrated in my opinion. There are a number of key changes between the new Stumpjumper and the Stumpjumper ST. For a start, it is lighter. It also has more travel (140/130mm vs 130/120mm) and the suspension rate is significantly more progressive. The geometry has also changed, with the new Stumpy getting slacker (65 vs 67.5-degrees) and also longer (450 vs 435mm Reach on the medium/S3), and the chainstays are a bit shorter too (432 vs 437mm). The result of all that is that the new Stumpjumper feels similarly whippy and agile as the Stumpjumper ST, and it's got that low-to-the-ground speed and stability, but it's simply more capable and confidence-inspiring on rougher trails. Pedalling performance is a little better, but it's mainly the more progressive suspension rate that I noticed on the trail, which gives the new bike more pop and enthusiasm, along with better support at high-speed. You can certainly ride it faster with more confidence, and the suspension doesn't run out of puff as quickly. Hope that helps Christine! [Wil]
Would the 2020\1 PIVOT SWITCHBLADE beat these bikes in every aspect? Climbing, sprinting, descending, tight turns, NOT destroyer of pedals and cranks, flat surfaces, roots, rocks, etc. overall quality, quality control...
Yep, those trails were at La Larr Ba Gauwa (Harcourt MTB Park) in Central Victoria. Lots more photos here: flowmountainbike.com/tests/2021-specialized-stumpjumper-pro-review/ [Wil]
Just interested to hear your Opinion Flow MTB, do you think DW Link / Maestro is the best rear suspension design? It seems to me that over the years Specialized has put a lot of propaganda into the Horst Link, but if its so good why do they have to use fancy brain shocks to control the bob?
Good question Patrick! I personally don't think any specific suspension platform is the best - they all have different attributes and ride qualities, and they also present different structural/design differences. In terms of pedalling efficiency, the Horst-link has never been known for being the most pert design. That said, it really depends on pivot location, anti-squat and the leverage ratio - there can be a huge difference in performance between two bikes that both use a similar-looking layout. In regards to Specialized specifically, the suspension designs have always biased traction, suppleness and disconnection from pedalling and braking forces first and foremost over a design with firm pedalling manners. That means they tend to be very active designs, and typically without a lot of pedal kickback on rough trails. In my experience, I've found you do need to make use of the shock's compression damping for adding control and stability. If you take the time to tune the shock (it took me a good few rides with the DPX2 shock on the Stumpy EVO) it's possible to get the balance right and have a really well-rounded setup. As for the Brain, that concept is quite different - it's less about controlling general pedal-bob, and more about creating a very firm and automated platform for out-of-the-saddle sprinting. It does have its pluses and minuses though - have a suss of our review video on the latest Epic if you get the chance: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-efu9pNi9-pA.html Hope that helps mate! [Wil]
Jesus that 12k price tag doesnt seem very justified to me. I think Ill hold onto my 2020 Stumpy Alloy for another year or 2 before I think about getting something new.
Hello Lee! I do some riding at Harcourt, though mostly for filming purposes as it's a nice spot for video. We try to test bikes across a broad variety of trail types, though it really depends on the type of bike and what I need to get out of it to see what it's capable of. I do a lot of riding around Bendigo, Castlemaine, Woodend, Maldon, and often further afield - the High Country (Beechworth, Bright etc) as well as Buxton, Lake Mountain, Forrest etc. This year has been a bit trickier with travel restrictions, but I always take our test bikes to as many different environments as possible to see where they shine, and where they don't. [Wil]
Hello Ed! Good question - unfortunately I've not ridden a Reign 29er, so I wouldn't be able to provide you with an accurate comparison between the two. Sorry pal! [Wil]
They do it every year or 2, no reason or explanation, the components are the same variety from SRAM or Shimano every time for the respective models, bit of joke really, just have 3-4 models and be done with it, why 6-7? Variety isn't always good.
It doesn't unfortunately - I checked :-( It's mostly due to the curved shape of the bladder, and when full of water, it doesn't fit into the straighter downtube of the Stumpjumper, it's specifically designed for the curved profile of the EVO's downtube. It's such a good concept though, and if the bladder was more of a straight round tube, it could fit in there - perhaps Specialized will add one down the line? [Wil]
Hey there pal! We've not had the chance to ride the alloy Stumpjumper yet, but hopefully we'll get the chance to swing a leg over one soon to see how it compares! [Wil]
*Wanking emoji* Or we could just use XS-XXL sizing as the new branding adds nothing. But hey, all the easier to sue someone if they try similar sizing brand.
Hello pal! There's a lot more information about sizing and bike setup in the full review, which I reckon you'll find pretty useful: flowmountainbike.com/tests/2021-specialized-stumpjumper-pro-review/ [Wil]
@@likeris2 - Oh, the guy in the video is me, and I also wrote the review! I put the link to the review for you, as there's a more detailed discussion in there around frame sizing (S3) and rider height (175cm). Hopefully that helps! [Wil]
This is false he's makingit sound like he's comparing a stump jumper alloy to the EVO he says stump jumper PRO at about 10 min which is a 7k mountain bike.
How is specialised even in business still?? the top stumpjumper is $15,500 AUD, for nothing better than anyone else's versions. To big for their boots. Probably time they took a big hit in sales so they lose this chip on there shoulder.
Good spotting! I'm a British/Australian muggle - I lived in the UK for a few years, most recently while I was working for Singletrack. We moved back to Oz a couple of years ago and I've been with Flow MTB since. Much nicer trail conditions here 😂
Jesus! Another Specialized commercial that is +15 minutes long. and look ma! Specialized ditching the Horst-Leitner 4-bar design. As they should for a pedal bike, the Horst-Leitner 4-bar design have never been good pedal bikes.
@@ErichVonCartmann you call them commercials not reviews. You don’t call other bike reviews by this channel or Pinkbike commercials, just the specialized so I thought you must have a problem with them
@@mikeocksmall6513 , oh you mean these Specialized Commercials! I don't hate on them, I love them. What gave you the impression I hate these Specialized commercials? Please discuss...
The bike is solid and my Ebike conversion went great. ru-vid.comUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Very smooth ride at 30mph with no problems (135 miles ridden so far). The picture is a bit deceiving - there is WAY less space in the center of the frame than it shows. The suspension connection takes up the entire thing. So I needed to attach my battery on the bottom of the frame and my controller on the top. Instructions for assembly were lacking but honestly it wasn't too hard to figure out even though I have very little bike knowledge. Watched some youtube videos on adjusting the disk brakes but that was it. Still, I am loving it and very happy with the purchase.
