Issue #032, Review - June 5, 2020

More grip for more fun – Specialized Stumpjumper Pemberton LTD Edition review

The Specialized Stumpjumper is an evergreen among trail bikes and has always known how to impress with its intuitive handling and outstanding all-round characteristics. For the Pemberton LTD Edition, Specialized have gifted their timeless classic with a potent downhill spec and have even thrown in a coil shock for good measure. But can that turn the Stumpy into a thoroughbred downhill machine?

**Specialized** Stumpjumper Pemberton LTD Edition
150/140 mm (f/r) | 14 kg | € 7,999 | manfacturer’s website

According to Specialized, the Stumpjumper Pemberton LTD Edition is a love letter to Pemberton, BC, “One of the best mountain bike spots in the world.” Here, most of the trails are steep, rocky and incredibly demanding, both for the rider and equipment. Rugged terrain requires outstanding traction and control and the robust spec of the Stumpjumper Pemberton LTD bursts with robust components: powerful brakes, a solid fork, long-travel dropper, a reinforced, BLCK DMND casing rear tire and even a coil shock, usually available only on the Stumpy EVO model. All of this combined is meant to make the Stumpy more aggressive and capable of dealing with the rough terrain of the area. But can the spec enliven the otherwise tame character of the Stumpjumper?

The 800 mm Specialized Trail FACT carbon handlebars have a rise of almost 30 mm

The Specialized Pemberton LTD Edition is available in only one finish: Satin Stone with blue and turquoise accents.

It’s not just a Stumpy with a fancy badge – the Pemberton LTD Edition features a very special spec.

The spec of the Stumpjumper Pemberton LTD Edition

The Pemberton LTD Edition shares the same frame and features as ‘regular’ Stumpjumper models (except for the ST and EVO versions). While the geometry and suspension travel remain the same, the unique spec is clearly oriented towards more aggressive downhill riding, including a FOX Performance Elite 36 GRIP2 fork and DHX2 coil shock. While we would have loved to have the high-speed compression/rebound adjustments available on the fork, on the rear shock too, only FOX’s high end Factory models offer this option. But more on that later. A set of MAGURA MT7 brakes take care of the braking and the Specialized Eliminator tire on the rear wheel comes with a reinforced BLCK DMND carcass. The drivetrain is a mix of SRAM’s X01 and GX Eagle combined with a 170 mm TRUVATIV DESCENDANT carbon crankset – a very functional setup but perhaps a little stingy considering the eye watering price of the bike. The 780 mm, 27 mm rise are also carbon, as are the Roval traverse rims which are laced onto a pair of solid DT Swiss 350 hubs. In size L, the Pemberton LTD Edition comes with a 175 mm RockShox Reverb dropper.

The Pemberton LTD Edition is the Stumpjumper with the most sensible spec thus far.

**Performance over aesthetics**
A FOX 36 FLOAT Performance Elite GRIP2 fork takes care of the front end. That’s a superb choice because apart from the missing Kashima coating, it’s identical to the Factory model with the same high/low speed damping adjustments.

**Good choice**
The MAGURA MT7 brakes harmonise with the rest of the spec, offering powerful performance and good modulation.

**Pocket dimension**
The SWAT box is something we cannot talk about often enough – it just makes so much sense! However, on the Specialized Stumpjumper Pemberton LTD, the mini tool is attached to the bottle cage and not hidden in the fork’s steerer as with the S-Work model.

**Sufficient**
The drivetrain is made up of a SRAM X01 Eagle rear derailleur and shifter combined with a SRAM GX Eagle cassette and chain and TRUVATIV DESCENDANT carbon crankset. While the setup is solid and totally flawless, at this price we’d expect a full X01 Eagle groupset.

**Traction top, progression flop**
The FOX FLOAT DHX2 Performance Elite Coil shock is super sensitive and generates tons of traction on the rear wheel. However, the limited progression combined with the linear shock can cause the Stumpjumper to bottom out on big hits and hard landings. Unfortunately, the Performance Elite shock doesn’t have a high-speed compression adjustment.

**Reinforced**
For maximum puncture resistance, the Specialized Eliminator tire of the rear wheel features a Specialized’s robust BLCK DMND compound.

Specialized Stumpjumper Pemberton LTD Edition 29

€ 7,999

Specifications

Fork FOX FLOAT 36 GRIP2 Performance Elite 150 mm
Rear Shock FOX DHX2 Performance Elite 140 mm
Seatpost RockShox Reverb Stealth 175 mm
Brakes MAGURA MT7 200/180 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X01/GX Eagle 30/10-50
Stem Deity Copperhead 50 mm
Handlebar Specialized Trail FACT Carbon 800 mm
Wheelset Roval Traverse Carbon, DT Swiss 350 29"

Technical Data

Size S, M, L, XL
Weight 14,0 kg

With a price of € 7,999 and a weight of 14 kg, the Pemberton LTD Edition positions itself right between the Expert Carbon (€ 5,899) and S-Works Stumpjumper (€ 9,499), filling the gap that has existed in the Stumpjumper lineup so far. While in typical Specialized style, the price is high, it’s also the case that the Stumpjumper Pemberton Edition gets you a well thought-out, solid and uncompromising spec and also allows you to support a good cause: part of the profits from the Pemberton LTD Edition go to the Pemberton Valley Trails Association, which builds and maintains the trail network of this region.

**Helmet** Fox Dropframe | **Jersey** Fox | **Shorts** Fox Defend Pro Water Shorts | **Gloves** ION Scrub Amp | **Knee pads** Fox Launch Pro | **Shoes** O’Neal FLOW SPD

The Stumpjumper PE on the Trail

As with all other Stumpjumper models, the riding position of the Stumpjumper PE is upright and comfortable, with the rider perfectly integrated between the wheels. If you push the saddle forward to compensate for the slack seat angle, you can pedal comfortably for hours. With the coil shock, the rear end tracks even more sensitively than with an air shock and sucks up bumps like a sofa on wheels. Unfortunately, it also means the bike tends to bob a little more, which is why you’ll find yourself using the lockout switch quite often when you’re climbing.

On the uphills, the rear end has a tendency to bob when the shock is open – we recommend locking out the shock, at least when you’re climbing on fire roads.

Downhill the coil shock of the Specialized Pemberton LTD Edition generates tons of traction.

With a pleasantly high front end, the FOX 36 Performance Elite fork which never dives…

…and the powerful MAGURA MT7 brakes, the Stumpy PE inspires tons of confidence, especially on steep and technical terrain.

The Stumpjumper PE feels at home on steep technical terrain, though not quite so much at high speeds.

Even on the downhills, the Pemberton LTD Edition maintains the essential character of the Stumpjumper. It’s easy to ride, extremely comfortable and strikes as an excellent all-rounder. However, while the coil shock definitely improves the downhill performance of the Stumpy, that effect is limited and definitely doesn’t turn the bike into a rowdy downhill rig. Instead, it provides noticeably more sensitivity, grip and support in the mid stroke. The Stumpjumper feels more planted at moderate speeds and still offers good pop, meaning that more relaxed riders who spend most of the time on flowy trails will benefit enormously. However, with the coil setup, the Stumpy can also shine on steep technical trails, because it’s here that you really notice the outstanding performance and grip of the super sensitive rear-end. The FOX 36 GRIP2 fork always stays high in its travel without ever diving. Together with the high front-end of the Stumpjumper, combined with the 30 mm rise handlebars and the powerful, well-modulated MAGURA MT7 brakes, the precise and agile handling of the bike inspires tons of confidence and leaves you feeling secure on steep terrain.

The Pemberton LTD Edition shares the same handling characteristics with all other Stumpjumper models – it’s easy, precise and fun at moderate speeds.

On flowy trails, the coil shock works sensitively and provides good support.

If you blast down a rough trail at full pelt, the handling of the Stumpy gets a little nervous. The limited progression of the coil shock and linear rear-end can cause the Stumpjumper to bottom out on big hits and hard landings.

If you take your fingers off the brakes and let the Stumpjumper run wild, it will soon reach its limits. Due to its compact geometry, the Stumpy lacks stability and starts feeling twitchy with increasing speed, requiring a firm hand and good riding skills on fast, technical trail sections. On top of that, the rear end of the Stumpjumper isn’t very progressive as it is, and the linear travel curve of the coil shock amplifies the lack of progression even more. Despite offering good support and pop in the mid stroke, it tends to blow through its travel on big hits and hard landings. Unfortunately, the Pemberton LTD Edition Stumpy uses the more basic DHX2 Performance Elite shock without high-speed compression adjustment, which could otherwise limit the rear end from bottoming out too easily. However, if you stick to the Stumpjumper’s speed limit, Specialized’s beefed up trail classic is lots of fun without requiring too much physical effort.

Unfortunately, the Performance Elite version of the FOX FLOAT DHX2 coil shock doesn’t offer high-speed compression and rebound adjustment.

Conclusions

With a coil setup and powerful brakes, the Specialized Stumpjumper Pemberton LTD generates lots of traction and inspires tons of confidence on steep and technical terrain, without compromising its distinctive pop on flowy trails. However, at high speeds the Stumpy reaches its limits relatively quickly due to the lack of progression at the end of the suspension stroke and its increasingly nervous handling. Moreover, locking out the shock on uphills is pretty much mandatory. Overall, the Stumpjumper Pemberton LTD Edition is a superb bike with an almost perfect spec that provides outstanding comfort and the Stumpy’s distinctly intuitive handling – only with more traction and improved safety. Despite the beefed-up spec, the Stumpjumper Pemberton LTD remains a very good all-rounder for moderate trail riding, unable to make the leap to becoming a mean, rowdy downhill machine.