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Test Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Carbon 29 ″


The Stumpjumper's asymmetrical construction, in FACT 11m carbon fiber, is truly solid and substantial. The Stumpjumper project tries to combine the Trail and the All-mountain with a single bike, given the assemblies in 27,5 "and 29" with various changes also in terms of geometry. In our opinion, given the geometries and the intended use, the 29 ”models are the ones that enhance the Stumpjumper the most in terms of driving sensations and performance.

FEATURES

There are no more proprietary standards on the new Stumpjumper and this is a good thing given the world that revolves around, for example, shock absorbers. Specialized now uses the class On the suspensions, however, there has been a development with a specific tune called "Rx Trail Tune": it is not just an abbreviation but it is the feature that is most felt in this new Stumpjumper, now much more sustained. and more usable in extreme situations. The Rockshox suspensions are equipped with the three classic compression settings Open, Trail and Firm. The SWAT is always present and now has a slightly larger space than in the past, so we really don't need a backpack anymore in the case of a classic outing of a few hours. The dropper seatpost is always from Specialized with 160mm of travel and an impressive solidity given the 34.9mm diameter. The tires are 2.6 "to 29".

specialized stump jumper
Specialized Stumpjumper: 150mm front and 140mm rear in 29 ″

VERSIONS AND COMPONENTS

The Stumpjumper is available in 3 models: EVO (with a gravity vocation), “standard” and ST (short Travel), which in turn are divided into 29 and 27,5 ”. In the test model (standard with 150 / 140mm travel in 29 ”) we find 6 assemblies: the top of the range, S-Works, is offered at € 8.990 in the price list with Fox Factory suspensions and XX1 gearbox. The fairly similar model with Ohlins suspension is found at € 8.690. Just below “our” Expert at € 5.490 (complete assembly on the last page of the test). Entry basis for having the Stumpjumper with carbon frame are € 4.190. In the catalog there is also the aluminum Stumpjumper (Comp M5) at 2,990 € with SRAM GX 11v and Rockshox Reba fork.

GEOMETRY

The geometries are pure All Mountain: aggressive but not at the levels of a competitive enduro (in that case we find the EVO model that can be used without problems even in enduro competitions). Geometric values ​​in general go towards the theory: "long, low and open", perhaps proposed primarily (at least on a large scale) by Mondraker and Transition Bikes. Steering angle of 66.5 ", however aggressive given the 29" format with a suitable fork offset (51mm). Quite compact rear triangle of 437mm and a very low wheelbase of 1169mm: this value, combined with a reach of 425mm, reveals how the Specialized size M is very compact and comparable to an S size of other brands, it being understood that it is elongated compared to last year's M. This means that it drives very well but it is better to pay attention to the choice of size so as not to find yourself with a bike that is too short and difficult to ride on long excursions. The rear excursion is 140mm (compared to 135mm last year), the height of the bottom bracket is adjustable via flip chip (6 mm): essentially it consists of 2 eccentric plates that rest on the base of the shock absorber . It only takes two 5mm Allen keys and a few minutes to change position and make it a little higher in movement and slightly more closed as a steering angle.

Sizes S, M (test), L, XL
Steering angle Inline
Vertical tube 410 mm
Head tube 95 mm
Rear wagon 437 mm
Wheelbase 1169 mm
Bottom bracket height 342 mm
Reach 425 mm
Stack 614 mm

THE RESPONSE OF THE TEST

The Stumpjumper is intuitive like all Specy products, even if the geometries have become more aggressive as in the case of the enduro. The riding position is quite compact so if you are undecided between 2 sizes better go for the larger one, unless you want to mount a longer stem. In any case, we recommend, given the geometries, to keep the standard 40mm attack. The suspension tuning is very slow in the second part of the race and this can also be felt in the pedaling phases where in the Trail position the behavior is excellent and makes it more pedalable than in the past even in the face of this “pissing off” of the geometries. In the steep sections the greater support makes it less dancer, firmer and therefore more substance in the pedaled sections. Even with abundant sag (30/35%) the bike is enjoyable. The tires are 2.6 "semi-plus, an abundant size but which are well suited to more technical situations, even if for a handyman use as the Stumpjumper is by nature, the 2.3 / 2.4" would make it even more multifaceted. The wagon has a lot of light, even with 2.6 "tires, so visually, with 2.3" tires, it looks almost underpowered and the bike calls for wide tires. The new SWAT ™ integrated into the down tube is excellent, slightly larger than in the past and now truly functional for inner tubes and so on: the backpack can be safely left at home in most outings, also considering the integration of the multitool under the bottle cage. Downhill it is very stable and precise, you can easily think of using it even for competitive use given its excellent nature when the road goes down. If you bought the Specialized Enduro 29 at the beginning (2013/2015), the driving sensations are similar: thanks to the progress of the components and, above all, of the suspensions, we now find ourselves with pedalable bikes that until recently were relegated to being enduro bikes (as geometric dimensions). The Stumpjumper is an easy model to take advantage of downhill that instills safety: the 29 "wheels help to pass obstacles and non-aggressive geometric dimensions as in other enduro models, make it fun downhill and not just prone to pulling straight lines from the beginning. Compared to the Enduro 29 "of a few years ago, given the comparison, here we can see improvements in the rigidity of the structure, truly at the highest levels, and in the tuning on the shock absorber, now more prone to bottoming out with a progressive curve and with a metric standard, which then lowers the travel lever (from 3,3 of the 2017 model to 2,8 of the 2018 model), stressing the shock absorber less and making it more sensitive to medium and low impacts. A notable improvement in driving sensations which, in the Stumpjumper EVO version, shows its full potential in my opinion. In fact, at times I had the sensation of having a bike with considerable downhill limits that could therefore dare even more in terms of geometry but in the end the gist of the matter is always the same: more aggressive geometries make the bike less pedalable, therefore a good choice, for other uses there is the enduro. Worth mentioning is the new version of the Specialized telescopic, mammoth (diameter 34.9mm) and precise.

Weight (without pedals) 13,4kg
Fork ROCKSHOX Pike RC DebonAir 150mm 51mm offset, 15x110mm Boost ™
Shock absorber ROCKSHOX Deluxe RT3, Rx Trail Tune, 210x50mm (metric)
wheels ROVAL Traverse SL 29, carbon rim with 30mm internal channel
Service SPECIALIZED Butcher 29 × 2,6 "(ant.) And SPECIALIZED Purgatory 29 × 2,6" (post.)
Rolling mill chocks SRAM DESCENDANT 170mm, 30t
Rear gearbox SRAM GX Eagle, 12v
commands SRAM GX Eagle, 12v
Brakes SRAM Guide R, 200mm (front) 180mm (rear)
Buy Boxes SRAM GX Eagle, 12s, 10-50t
OFFENSE SYNTACE F109, 6-degree rise, 31.8mm
dumbbell SPECIALIZED Trail, 7050 alloy, 8-degree backsweep, 6-degree upsweep, 27mm rise, 780mm, 31.8mm clamp
seatpost SPECIALIZED Command Post IRcc, 16-position micro-height adjustable, 34.9mm, S: 130mm, M / L / XL: 160mm
Sella SPECIALIZED Body Geometry Henge Expert, hollow Ti rails
Color Shiny Blue / Rocket Red


Verdict

STABLE AND PRECISE
The Stumpjumper becomes a little less "commercial" and more range for heavy use, thanks to a more sustained shock absorber and more prone to bottom out (ad hoc tune). This makes it less dancer and more performing both in the pedaled sections (using the Trail and Climb positions of the RockShox) and downhill, thanks to a rigid and precise structure. For those who are calm in driving and have always appreciated the Stumpjumper, perhaps the ST (short travel) model is the most suitable, since it has kept the docile nature of the Stumpjumper but with a more rigid and stable structure. A more than positive verdict given that the improvements of the Stumpjumper project are tangible.

+-
• Improved and solid seatpost with an impressive 160mm of travel
• Improved damping system (leverage ratio + ad hoc tuning)
• Above average weight


Written by

[email protected] I am passionate about everything that has 2 wheels: in my youth I practiced competitive cycling on the road and on the track with good results. At the age of 18 I moved to cross country competing at national/international level as U23. Once I passed Elite, I made the choice to take things easier from the training point of view, and that's how my love for gravity disciplines was born, training as an FCI MTB instructor and guide. Now I have made my passion my profession by managing 3 MTB centers on the island of Elba (Elba MTB), creating the FANTAmtb and telling in an ironic but professional way, everything that revolves around MTB thanks to 365mountainbike and 365TV (YouTube 'PULITI dentro BIKER fuori').

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