Compare-O First Look: Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper FSR EVO 29
This article is part of the Mtbr’s Enduro Compare-O. See all the stories in this special section here–https://reviews.mtbr.com/category/enduro-compare-o-2014
World’s oldest mass-produced mountain bike? The Specialized Stumpjumper, 33 years young and still going strong. Sure the 2014 models share little more than a name with their fully rigid predecessors from the early 1980s. But the basic DNA remains the same. This is Specialized’s do-it-all trail taming machine.
All told there are 11 different 2014 Stumpjumper bikes—eight 29er, three 26er, zero 27.5. Prices range from $2,900 to $9,500. Our S-Works Stumpjumper FSR EVO 29 test rig has a $9000 price tag and boatload of alluring features and top-shelf parts spec thanks to the EVO designation, which essentially means it’s a tricked out version of the normal model, outfitted the way Specialized’s employees would want.
In this case that means a 135mm FOX Float CTD factory shock with AUTOSAG and Kashima coating, a 140mm RockShox Pike RCT3 fork, Avid X0 Trail World Cup hydraulic disc brakes with four-piston calipers, and carbon Roval Traverse SL 29 142+ wheels wrapped in tubeless-ready Specialized Butcher and Purgatory Control 29 2.3-inch tires. Can’t argue with any of that, or the bike’s weight, which is a spry 26.16 pounds sans pedals. No doubt this silver-painted rig will shine going up or down, but just how brightly when compared to the competition is the real question.
Spec Highlights
The S-Works Stumpjumper FSR EVO 29er is built with an alloy rear triangle mated to a FACT 9m carbon front triangle. Geometry is slacker than the non-EVO version, with 135mm of rear travel provided by a FOX Float CTD factory shock with AUTOSAG and Kashima coating. Other frame highlights include full-cartridge bearing pivots, a PressFit 30 bottom bracket, and 142mm dropouts.
No argument with drivetrain choice. Our tester is spec’d with SRAM’s brilliant XX1, which means plenty of gears and little fear of dropped chains. Our only niggle is the 32t front chainring choice. We’re not really worried about getting spun out in this bike, so why not spec a 30t or even a 28t, which are far more uphill grinding friendly. The 175mm S-Works OS carbon crank is a beauty and custom designed to interface with the XX1 chainrings.
More top-of-the-mountain spec: RockShox’s 140mm Pike RCT3 29, arguably the most highly regarded trail fork on the market today. In past test sessions on other bikes, we’ve loved the Pike’s plush, bottomless feel, and it’s greater degree of adjustability. Instead of just three setting, you can tweak compression, lockout, rebound and threshold. The 15mm thru-axle should mean greater stiffness and steering precision.
Specialized’s Body Geometry Henge Expert saddle is mounted to a 3-position Specialized Command Post IR with internal cable routing and 125mm of travel. Earlier versions of the Command Post were maintenance headaches, and we’d prefer to see infinite adjustment. But full judgment remains withheld for now.
The S-Works Stumpjumper FSR EVO 29er frame includes room for one bottle cage and an attachment point for Specialized’s SWAT technology EMT tool. There also a chain tool hidden inside the top cap. Let’s hope we don’t have to spend a lot of time using those, but it’s certainly good to know they’re there.
The cockpit is a menagerie of house brand parts, including 750mm wide bars with 10mm of rise, and Specialized’s lightweight, lock-on Sip Grips.
2014 Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper FSR EVO 29 Key Specs
- Weight: 26.16 (size large)
- Wheel size: 29 inches
- Frame Material: Carbon front triangle, alloy rear triangle
- Travel/Suspension: 140mm Fox Float CTD shock; 140mm RockShox Pike fork
- Drivetrain: SRAM XX1 1×11; 32t chainring, 10-42 cassette
- Brakes: Avid XO Trail, 200mm front, 200mm rear
- Seatpost: Specialized Command Post IR, 3-position with 125mm of travel
- Wheelset/Tires: Roval Traverse SL 29 carbon/ 2.3” Specialized Butcher Control (front), 2.3” Specialized Purgatory Control (rear)
- Bars/Stem: Specialized XC mini-riser, alloy, 750mm wide, 10mm rise; Syntace F109, 6-degree rise, 31.8mm clamp
- Bottom bracket type: Press Fit 30
- Head tube angle: 68 degrees
- Seat tube angle: 68.8 actual, 73.5 effective
- Chainstay length: 17.9 inches
- Bottom bracket height: 13.2 inches
- Bike MRSP: $9000
- Frame MSRP: $4500 (Stumpjumper FSR 29)
For more information visit www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/stumpjumper-fsr/sworks-stumpjumper-fsr-evo-29.
Read our Bottom Line Evaluation of the Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper FSR EVO 29 here.
This story is part of Mtbr’s 2014 Enduro Compare-O. Check out our intro story here for all the ground rules and goings ons.
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