2022 Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Review


Hi everyone!  My first blog will be about my current 2022 Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Expert.  I bought this bike in November of 2022 from Oro Valley Bikes in Tucson!

The 2022 Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Expert, photo credit to Specialized bikes


Spec's and Value

When it comes to value, Specialized is hard to beat.  Specialized spec'd out the Stumpjumper Evo with a mechanical Sram XO1 drivetrain, Fox Factory suspension (no Kashima), Code RS brakes with 8 inch rotors, One Up 180mm dropper post, Roval Traverse alloy wheels, and Specialized components filling out the rest.  That's a lot of performance bike for the price.  This bike is so much more appealing considering Specialized has marked it down to $5000 at the time of this blog, or the price of a Yeti SB160 frame only.  

Adding further value is Specilized's Stumpjumper Evo Geometry Finder, where a user can input their weight and terrain.  Out pops Specialized's recommendations for suspension setup, flip-chip and chainstay settings, and even tire pressures!  I found these recommendations to be really close to my personal preferences (i.e. within a click or two on suspension).  

I chose Size 4 (S4) as the cockpit felt like the right size.  I've been reluctant to ride the longest bike I can fit on as I like tight, twisty, and very technical trails where a shorter wheelbase is an advantage.  With that being said the Stumpy is still 2" longer than my last bike (2019 Ellsworth Rogue 60) in wheelbase, while the cockpit feels about 1" shorter, and weighed 5 lbs. more with my configuration (~36lbs).  I slid the seat back and this felt right in terms of stack and reach.  The full geometry specifications can be found on Specialized's geometry finder.

Climbing & Pedaling

Specialized's patented FSR four-bar linkage has been around for a long time and receives lots of development and it shows.  The suspension is quite efficient on the climbs when unlocked.  If you're like me and want zero suspension movement while climbing the pavement, you can throw the Fox Float X lever into climbing mode which significantly firms up the rear suspension.  (The Float X's climbing mode is much firmer than that of the Fox DPX2).  

I often use the climb switch on the trail as well, not because I'm losing power to pedal bob, because the bottom bracket is so low to the ground I'm often pedal striking.  That's with shorter 170mm crank arms!  Throwing the switch keeps the bottom bracket higher while climbing.  Unfortunately the Roval wheels have a low engagement rear hub, its around 20 degrees and that feels like an eternity while attempting technical climbs!  I strongly recommend upgrading the rachet mechanism for quicker engagement, or swapping it out.  Aside from the rear hub engagement, everything else on the Stumpjumper Evo makes it a great climber such as the efficient FSR suspension, grippy 2.3" Eliminator tire, climb switch, and 10-52 rear cassette.

Descending

The Specialized Stumpjumper Evo is like a fortified Stumpjumper with more travel and heavier duty brakes.  It only makes sense that the Evo would be great on the downhills, and this bike does not disappoint!  The long wheelbase, slack headtube angle, Fox suspension, and 4 piston Code RS brakes on 8" rotors inspire confidence.  Unfortunately the Code RS brakes didn't live up to expectation, 2/3 of the lever stroke is wasted on moving the pads to the rotors, When the brakes finally bite, it is weak and takes a strong lever pull to generate appreciable braking.  I've also found this initial bite point to wander

The Stumpjumper's long wheelbase makes for a stable ride without feeling like a canoe in the twisty turns.  The long wheelbase does require more effort to get airborne than my previous bike, at least I'll never feel like I'm going to loop out though!  The low bottom bracket brings a lower center of gravity which some will find more stable, so long as you aren't pedaling in the chunky sections.  Also, this is by far the quietest bike I've ever ridden down hill!  A testament to Specialized's attention to detail and build quality.  

The parts spec on this bike is more durable than I expected.  The first few rides on this bike were on the very gnarly Mt Lemmon in Tucson AZ with the Trail casing tires, original alloy wheels, and without inserts.  The tires never flatted despite running lower tire pressures than normal (26 and 29) and the rims are still perfectly true.  That's probably why the Specialized Enduro comes with the same wheel setup!  

I found that the neutral headset position (64.5º) and "high" chainstays felt best for me.  I have steepened the head tube angle for riding in the hills to make the bike shorter and snappier (65.5º).  Then slackened the bike all the way out (63.5º!).  Changing geometry is a five minute task which I have performed on the trail with the integrated SWAT tool in the water bottle cage.  Its a very cool feature for those who like to optimize their bikes for the trail.  It makes a difference!

Specialized's adjustable headset cups (top), photo credit to Specialized bikes

I haven't tried adjusting the chainstays as I'm concerned about hitting the pedals/cranks/chainring even more than I do now, but Jeff Kendall-Weed did and has a whole video about it, watch it here.  


Specialized's adjustable chainstays, photo credit to Specialized bikes

Drawbacks
The drawbacks to the Stumpjumper Evo to date have the low bottom bracket and the Code RS brakes. I've had to change my riding style to accommodate the low bottom bracket height.  The low center of gravity has it's perks but taller Enduro bikes can out run it without giving up stability. 

The Code RS brakes have lots of modulation which is nice but they take large amounts of finger strength to match Shimano's braking force.  This contributes to arm pump and fatigue. 

Conclusion

The Specialized Stumpjumper Evo is the epitome of the modern trail bike.  Capable of riding up and down the entire mountain without missing a beat.  It gets even more compelling when considering the bang-for-buck on this bike, its truly impressive.  I'm definitely a fan of this bike, which is why I bought one, and recommend you take one for a spin.  

There are 2 key upgrades I recommend for this bike,
  1. Upgrade the rear hub for quicker engagement
  2. Swap out the Code RS brakes for better stopping power

My personal Stumpjumper Evo

To make my Stumpjumper stand apart I swapped in some We Are One Strife carbon rims laced to I9 Torch hubs (red), an Absolute Black oval chainring in red, applied Fox red/white/blue decals, and added red accents here and there.  I also added Cush Core front and rear so I could ride even harder on the decents.  This made for a heavy but durable setup.  Next I'll swap out the brakes.  

Sources

1. https://www.specialized.com/us/en/stumpjumper-evo-expert/p/199751?color=320281-199751

2. https://www.specialized.com/us/en/stumpjumper-evo-geometry/app?&ht=0&hp=1&ws=1&sz=3

3. https://support.specialized.com/turbolevo/en/features-benefits-range/frame-fork

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13VR-onx53g

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