Issue #046, Review - January 22, 2021

2021 Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper EVO review – A perfect do-it-all bike!

The Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper EVO is a perfect do-it-all bike. It blurs the line between trail and enduro and offers a lot of clever features. But can it keep up with the most capable bikes in this enduro bike group test?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike 2021 – 13 models in review

**Specialized** S-Works Stumpjumper EVO | 160/150 mm (f/r) | 13.78 kg in size S4 | € 10,499
Manufacturer’s website

This year, Specialized invested a lot of effort refining their Stumpjumper line-up. The classic Stumpjumper has become lighter and more efficient, the Stumpjumper EVO even more capable. It offers 150 mm travel at the rear, 160 mm up front and rolls on 29″ wheels. If you want, you can adjust the geometry of the bike using different headset cups and a flip chip in the chainstays. The bike can also be ridden as a mullet bike by swapping out the rocker arm. However, we stuck with the regular setup for our test. As one of Specialized’s signature features, the Stumpjumper EVO also has the ingenious SWAT box in the down tube. To make it even more useful, Specialized have developed additional accessories that fit perfectly into the opening, like an extra-large bag and a special hydration bladder.

The components of the S-Works Stumpjumper EVO – Incredibly expensive, incredibly awesome

If you’re putting down € 10,499, then only the best is good enough. It’s no wonder that the S-Works Stumpjumper EVO only has the finest, top-end components. It features FOX Factory suspension with a 36 GRIP2 fork and DPX2 shock. Shifting is taken care of with SRAM’s wireless X01 AXS drivetrain and the Reverb AXS dropper post doesn’t require cables either. The Specialized Traverse SL wheels together with the carbon handlebars reduce the total weight to 13.78 kg, making it the lightest bike in the test. But you don’t have to fork out that much money to get a perfectly equipped Stumpjumper EVO. The € 5,699 Expert model has no weaknesses in its spec either and would be our first choice.

The side arm is designed to ensure optimal stiffness between the shock and the rocker link. It’s hard to verify Specialized’s claims, but one thing’s for sure: the bike looks damn good!

Specialized have revised their tire range. The new Butcher and Eliminator combination offers a lot of grip and low rolling resistance. The GRID Trail casing is great for longer rides, but if you want to let it rip, you’ll want to mount more robust models.

We have a clear favourite geometry setup in the team for the Stumpjumper EVO: the neutral position of the headset cups up front and the low setting at the rear.

Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper EVO

€ 10,499

Specifications

Fork FOX 36 Factory GRIP2 160 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT DPX2 Factory 150 mm
Seatpost RockShox Reverb AXS 170 mm
Brakes SRAM Code RSC 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS 30/10-52
Stem Deity Copperhead 50 mm
Handlebar Roval Traverse SL Carbon 800 mm
Wheelset Roval Traverse SL
Tires Specialized Butcher GRID TRAIL T9/Specialized Eliminator GRID TRAIL T9 2.3"/2.3"

Technical Data

Size S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6
Weight 13.78 kg
Wheelsize 29"

During the test, we installed a larger volume spacer. With it, the rear suspension offers a little more reserves for really hard hits.

The convenient SWAT box is the ultimate selling point for the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO. If you don’t feel like carrying a backpack, you will love this compartment.

Until now, rocks would often get stuck between the main frame and the rear triangle and cause unsightly damage. Specialized have remedied this with an additional frame protector.

The geometry of the 2021 Stumpjumper EVO – Super variable

The options are so extensive that we actually need several different geometry tables to show them all. That’s because of the extensive adjustment options that the Stumpy EVO offers. The bike is available in a total of 6 sizes from S1 to S6 and, thanks to the short seat tubes, allows many riders to choose their size based on the desired reach. Since our testers are 180 cm tall on average, we opted for the S4 bike with 475 mm reach, which turned out to be a perfect fit. The head angle is slack at around 64.5°, though not excessively so while the 76.9° seat tube angle is also modern without going to the extreme. What does stand out is the 35 mm bottom bracket drop. At 438 mm, the chainstays are nicely balanced in relation to the moderately long reach.

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** 100% Altec | **Glasses** UVEX Sportstyle 228 | **Jersey** Troy Lee Ruckus
**Shorts** Troy Lee Solid | **Knee pads** Troy Lee Raid | **Shoes** Specialized 2FO Roost

The Stumpjumper EVO climbs as efficiently as a trail bike.

Do you enjoy long rides? Do you enjoy spending a little more time in the saddle, winching your way up the climbs, to really earn the descent? Then the Stumpjumper EVO is exactly what you need! The riding position is super comfortable, though if you pedal up a lot of steep inclines, you should slide the saddle forward. Pedalling is efficient thanks to the support of the suspension and the rear end doesn’t bob when pedalling while still generating enough traction. The bike is easy to control on technical climbs and it accelerates willingly thanks to its low overall weight and light wheels. That said, the low bottom bracket requires you to be careful as the pedals tend to get hung up on roots.

The greatest strength of the Stumpjumper EVO is its versatility. As you get on the pedals, it quickly gets up to speed and the handling is balanced and agile from the get-go. It always invites you to play with the terrain and the handling is direct and precise in its response to steering input.

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee – The Stumpjumper EVO has it all downhill!

Your position on the bike is central, making you feel integrated with the bike and always in control of the situation. The low-slung top tube gives you plenty of room to move around on the bike. Its rear suspension is sensitive and provides good traction overall. The progression is good and the bike absorbs big hits with ease. Only very fast, hard hits can unsettle the rear. In response, we installed a larger volume spacer to give the bike a little more reserves. However, the Stumpjumper isn’t as composed as the best bikes in the test. In combination with the balanced geometry, the Stumpjumper still offers an excellent combination of agility, light-footedness and stability. It is playful and fun to ride, yet stable and easy to control at all times. The bike will keep you feeling confident on steep terrain, but when things get rough, it lacks that last bit of composure to keep up with the best bikes in the test. We also have to mention the thin-walled GRID Trail tires – if you’re going to ride hard, you’ll want to upgrade to something with a thicker casing.

How does the Stumpjumper EVO compare to the competition?

The Transition Sentinel and the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO are two very similar bikes, and that’s not just on paper. The Transition excels on steep climbs, offering a more balanced riding position, despite the seat tube angles being identical. However, it falls behind on the descents due to its firmer suspension tune, which provides less grip and control. It does a good job of absorbing single, big hits, but it doesn’t manage to track the terrain as well as the Specialized. You feel more integrated with the bike aboard the Stumpjumper and thanks to the super convenient SWAT box, you always have all trail essentials at hand.

Tuning tips: buy the Stumpjumper EVO Expert | if necessary, install a bigger volume spacer | replace the tires with more robust models if required

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 Stumpjumper EVO is the perfect interpretation of the do-it-all bike. It combines the lightness and efficiency of a trail bike with the downhill capabilities of an enduro bike. With this bike in your garage, you’ll be equipped to take on everything that the trails of this world have to offer. However, it lacks that last bit of composure to keep up with the best bikes in this test on the descents. The price of the S-Works model is hefty, which is why we recommend the Stumpjumper EVO Expert.

Tops

light-footed and efficient climber
extremely versatile
variable geometry
convenient frame features

Flops

the S-Works model is expensive
jack of all trades, master of none

You can find out more about at specialized.com

The test field