Get out of my face already!

One can only ignore something screaming this loud in your face for so long! It is like my dog Jerry when he wants to play; he just annoys the shit out of you until you have to take action! So here it is I am going to take a good, long, hard look at this so called “ultimate trail weapon”- as it is called by Curtis Keene and he should know right? Well he rides for Specialized so he is paid to say that, so we will take that at face value and delve deeper.

First off let’s be clear, I am going to try and check my bias at the door, I have never been a big fan of Specialized bikes, not because their bikes are shit because they are not. They make a solid product but I feel they are overpriced and I hate that they try to integrate their proprietary parts into the bike. I see no need for this when the majority of companies have been striving for some sort of standard so that bikes are more compatible from manufacture to manufacture, hopefully bringing down the price a bit, and I appreciate this because then you can just buy a new frame and slap your kit on it and only have to upgrade a piece here or there as it wears out. And I’m not talking about using a handle bar, stem or seat post with their name on it but stuff that you have to go to a Specialized dealer to get worked on or at least get the parts for from them.  Specialized is notorious for trying to put their proprietary suspension on bikes that have odd sized O rings and even worse a 25mm thru axle?  So when you want a better fork, because their forks were junk, you had to buy a new wheel or at least a new hub? Come on! Not to throw just Specialized under the bus here. There are other companies like Cannondale with their stupid lefty fork and weird head tube.

That said let’s look at this bike as objectively as possible. First off every major bike magazine has been raving about this bike since it came out in 2011 and little on the bike has changed going into 2012. They do now offer a carbon version and that is all the new rage. Personally I’m not sold on carbon for mountain bikes; I’ll lose a couple lbs off my ass and do a couple more pushups to make up the couple lbs saving you get for the $2000 added price tag.

 That said, it was the overall bike choice by all but one of the bike reviewers in this year’s BIKE Bible of Bikes issue, it won the VitalMTB Shreddy for Best Mountain Bike of the Year. It has all the accolades going for it, all the pros and bike magazines are raving about it but is it really the cat’s meow? Should we all sell our bikes and go buy this bike? Is it really the quiver killer that they claim? Well it could be…..

I have reviewed the numbers, read the reviews, looked at all the pictures and videos and even stopped in at Erik’s and looked at it and at first glance it’s nice. The Comp version could use a better color scheme but the frame kit and the carbon model are sexy. I didn’t get much of a test ride. It was a different customer’s bike that had just came in so I couldn’t ride it outside the shop but I fooled around on it in the shop. Honestly, I couldn’t tell much difference between that bike and the normal stumpy.

The numbers (I’ve highlighted the important numbers here):

Stumpjumper Comp FSR Medium ($2750):

Size		M
Seat Tube Length, Center to Top					430mm
Top Tube Length, Horizontal					587mm
Top Tube Length, Actual					588mm
Bottom Bracket Drop					1mm
Bottom Bracket Height					338mm
Chainstay Length					420mm
Seat Tube Angle Actual (Carbon)					69.6°
Seat Tube Angle Actual (Alloy)					70°
Seat Tube Angle Effective					74.5°
Head Tube Angle					68°
Wheel Base					1123mm
Standover Height					744mm
Head Tube Length					130mm
Stack					587mm
Reach					424mm
Handlebar Width					720mm
Stem Length					75mm
Crank Length					175mm
Seatpost Length					425mm

Stumpjumper Comp EVO Medium ($3300):

Size		M
Seat Tube Length, Center to Top		430mm
Top Tube Length, Horizontal		587mm
Top Tube Length, Actual		588mm
Bottom Bracket Drop		4mm
Bottom Bracket Height		335mm
Chainstay Length		420mm
Seat Tube Angle Actual (Carbon)		68.6°
Seat Tube Angle Actual (Alloy)		69°
Seat Tube Angle Effective		73.5°
Head Tube Angle		67°
Wheel Base		1129mm
Standover Height		744mm
Head Tube Length		130mm
Stack		592mm
Reach		414mm
Handlebar Width		720mm
Stem Length		75mm
Crank Length		175mm
Seatpost Length		425mm

If you look at the numbers, it is very easy to see why they feel extremely close to one another. Really in all essence of the game they are the same bike with a bigger fork and a different rear link to allow a longer shock stroke. This different link actually is what makes all the changes. It lowers the BB but only by 3mm, that is nothing to write home about, it slackens the HA by a degree, ok that’s more like it, and adds 6mm to the overall wheelbase, probably not going to notices that much at all.

The major differences to me are not going to be found in the numbers I guess. Let’s look at what else they have changed or added to make this the ultimate trail weapon they claim.

Spec lists (highlighted in yellow important stuff, green differences):

Stumpjumper Comp FSR Medium ($2750):

FRAME	M5 hydroformed tubing, tapered HT, PF30 BB, ISCG ’05, Command Post routing, 142mm dropouts, sealed cartridge bearing pivots, replaceable derailleur hanger, 140mm travel
REAR SHOCK	Custom Fox Triad II with AUTOSAG, custom on-the-fly 3-position compression switch 1) Lock out 2) Open 3) ProPedal, rebound adj., 197x51mm
FORK	Fox Evolution F140 RL, air spring, tapered steerer, LO and reb adj., standard drop-outs, 140mm
HEADSET	1-1/8 and 1-1/2" Threadless, Campy style upper with 1-1/2" lower, cartridge bearings
STEM	Specialized XC, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt, 31.8mm clamp, adjustable rise, S: 60mm, M: 75, L:90, XL:105mm
HANDLEBARS	Specialized All-Mountain low-rise, 6061 butted alloy, 720mm wide, 8º backsweep, 6º upsweep, 31.8mm
GRIPS	Specialized lock-on, S/M: Grappler, Others: Grappler XL
FRONT BRAKE	Custom Avid Elixir 7 SL, hydraulic disc, alloy backed semi-metallic pad, HS-1 rotor S/M:180mm, Others: 200mm
REAR BRAKE	Custom Avid Elixir 7 SL, hydraulic disc, alloy backed semi-metallic pad, HS-1 rotor S/M:160mm, Others: 180mm
BRAKE LEVERS	Custom Avid Elixir 7 SL hydraulic, tool-less reach adj.
FRONT DERAILLEUR	SRAM X7, 10-speed, S3 direct mount for DMD, bottom-pull
REAR DERAILLEUR	SRAM X9, 10-speed, mid cage
SHIFT LEVERS	SRAM X7, 10-speed, aluminum trigger
CASSETTE	SRAM PG-1030, 10-speed, 11-36t
CHAIN	KMC X-10, 10-speed, w/ reusable Missing Link, nickel plates
CRANKSET	Custom SRAM S-1250, 7050 alloy arms, 10-speed XC Trail double, PF30 spindle, S: 170mm, Others: 175mm
CHAINRINGS	38/24, w/ alloy guard
BOTTOM BRACKET	SRAM PF30, OS press-in bearing, sealed cartridge
PEDALS	Resin Test Ride Pedals with toe clips, CEN std.
RIMS	Roval 26, alloy disc, 26mm wide, 32h
FRONT HUB	Specialized Hi Lo disc, laser-etched logo, OS 24 end caps, sealed cartridge bearing, RWS, 32h
REAR HUB	Specialized Hi Lo 142+ disc, laser-etched logo, double-sealed cartridge bearing, 12mm thru-axle, 32h
SPOKES	DT Swiss Industry stainless 2.0 (14g)
FRONT TIRE	Specialized Purgatory Control, 120 TPI, 2Bliss ready, aramid bead, dual-compound, 26x2.2"
REAR TIRE	Specialized Ground Control, 60 TPI, 2Bliss ready aramid bead, 26x2.1"
INNER TUBES	Ultralight presta valve
SADDLE	Body Geometry Henge Comp, hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm width
SEATPOST	2014 butted alloy, single bolt setback, 30.9mm, S/M: 350mm, Others: 400mm
SEAT BINDER	34.9mm clamp ID, 7050 hard anodized alloy collar w/ QR, black
NOTES	Protective clear coat, Specialized Dangler chain management radness, derailleur hanger, reflectors, owners manual

Stumpjumper Comp EVO Medium ($3300):

FRAME	M5 hydroformed tubing, EVO geometry, tapered HT, PF30 BB, ISCG ’05, Command Post routing, 142mm dropouts, sealed cartridge bearing pivots, replaceable derailleur hanger, 150mm travel
REAR SHOCK	Custom Fox RP2 with AUTOSAG, ProPedal and rebound adj., SJ FSR eyelet extension, 197x51mm
FORK	RockShox Revelation RL, Motion Control damper, alloy steerer, comp and LO and reb adj., standard dropouts, 150mm
HEADSET	1-1/8 and 1-1/2" Threadless, Campy style upper with 1-1/2" lower, cartridge bearings
STEM	Specialized XC, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt, 31.8mm clamp, adjustable rise, S/M: 60mm, L:75, XL:90mm
HANDLEBARS	Specialized All-Mountain low-rise, 6061 butted alloy, 720mm wide, 8º backsweep, 6º upsweep, 31.8mm
GRIPS	Specialized lock-on, S/M: Grappler, Others: Grappler XL
FRONT BRAKE	Custom Avid Elixir 7 SL, hydraulic disc, alloy backed semi-metallic pad, HS-1 rotor S/M:180mm, Others: 200mm
REAR BRAKE	Custom Avid Elixir 7 SL, hydraulic disc, alloy backed semi-metallic pad, HS-1 rotor S/M:160mm, Others: 180mm
BRAKE LEVERS	Custom Avid Elixir 7 SL hydraulic, tool-less reach adj.
FRONT DERAILLEUR	SRAM X7, 10-speed, S3 direct mount for DMD, bottom-pull
REAR DERAILLEUR	SRAM X9, 10-speed, mid cage
SHIFT LEVERS	SRAM X7, 10-speed, aluminum trigger
CASSETTE	SRAM PG-1030, 10-speed, 11-36t
CHAIN	KMC X-10, 10-speed, w/ reusable Missing Link, nickel plates
CRANKSET	Custom SRAM S-1250, 7050 alloy arms, 10-speed AM double, PF30 spindle, S: 170mm, Others: 175mm
CHAINRINGS	36/24, w/ Specialized bash guard, chain guide
BOTTOM BRACKET	SRAM PF30, OS press-in bearing, sealed cartridge
PEDALS	Resin Test Ride Pedals with toe clips, CEN std.
RIMS	Roval 26, alloy disc, 28mm wide, 32h
FRONT HUB	Specialized Hi Lo disc, laser-etched logo, sealed cartridge bearing, 20mm thru-axle, 32h
REAR HUB	Specialized Hi Lo 142+ disc, laser-etched logo, double-sealed cartridge bearing, 12mm thru-axle, 32h
FRONT TIRE	Specialized Butcher Control, 60 TPI, 2Bliss ready, aramid bead, dual-compound, 26x2.3"
REAR TIRE	Specialized Purgatory Control, 60 TPI, 2Bliss ready, aramid bead, dual-compound, 26x2.2"
SADDLE	Body Geometry Henge Comp, hollow Cr-Mo rails, 143mm width
SEATPOST	Specialized Command Post BlackLite, 3 position, adjustable height w/air spring, remote operated, single bolt head 30.9mm, S:100mm travel, Others: 125mm
SEAT BINDER	34.9mm clamp ID, 7050 hard anodized alloy collar, single bolt
NOTES	Protective clear coat, derailleur hanger, owners manual

As you can see there isn’t a whole lot of green here, and I only touched on the important things, and that means my original thoughts of not really being able to tell the two apart isn’t that far off. I know it’s just numbers and crap on paper. Agreed, I haven’t been able to put the two through their paces, yet, to really get a feel for the difference. I plan on going to the first specialized demo that will happen in May sometime, date not set.

Ok we have scratched the surface and shown there aren’t a lot of changes but are those changes significant?

They could definitely affect the ride feel and quality. They say a good rider can tell the difference in a HA as little as .25 degree. I will say this, I couldn’t tell much of a difference in this just sitting on them and tooling around the store and honestly it didn’t feel as slack as my Giant Reign but is on paper .5 degree slacker. So I’m not sure about that. It might have something to do that the bike might have not been set up for me, proper sag and all, also there may be some other geometry factors that give it that feel, I’m not 100% on this and that might change when I get a chance to get crazy with it.  The other changes are pretty minimal in the geometry and I doubt they will changed the ride feel much besides the seat tube angle that degree might change the feel for seated pedaling and climbing a bit but probably negligible.

I think the big changes are really in the equipment. You get 10mm more travel front and rear. You get a chain guide, dropper post, better rear shock, shorter stem, dropper seat post and most of all a 20mm thru axle up front opposed to the 15mm thru axle on the regular Stumpjumper. That will definitely help with the stiffening of the front end but I still think they fell short.

If I was to build this and label it as a All Mountain bike as many magazines have, I know Specialized is calling it a Trail bike but there isn’t much difference here, it should have a 36mm fork up front to really give it that confidence inspiring feel. Curtis Keene talks about this in his interview that I link earlier in the write up. Stiffer and burlier for those massive descents this bike is supposed to be able to take that the other Stumpy can’t.

The other upgraded hardware is going to be nice for sure. Quite the chain with that guide, get the seat out of the way with the dropper and better handling with that shorter stem.  It does have a nice shock that is standard but if you look close you will see one of those proprietary things that bug me. Do you see it? Look close at the shock… Yep, it’s that stupid proprietary integrated wish bone suspension link! That means, as far as I know as well as the bike shop, you are stuck with that shock. The bike shop said there might be an adaptor you can get but it will be a hassle. That might be nit picking here but really a piggy back shock on a bike like this might be nice. It will give you a lot more tunablility that you won’t get out of a RP23. Over all the bike looks cool and is spec’d pretty nicely all around.

Is it worth the extra money over the standard Stumpjumper? Yeah I would say so. You wouldn’t be able to add all those upgrades yourself for that money. Is it cooler than the standard Stumpy? Well I think so because it’s more my style but that is debatable. There aren’t major changes and some people probably don’t need that added travel, dropper post and chain guide so I’ll leave that up to you.

Now how does it stack up?

First my current ride, 2011 Giant Reign 2

Well we won’t look at the spec’s because I can tell you right now it is spec’d better then my bike and that right there would be an improvement but I could do those upgrades. So what I’ll be looking at and be worried about is how they pair up for geometry as that you can’t change too much.

2011 Giant Reign 2 Medium ($2300):

Size	Head Angle	Seat Angle	Top Tube	Head Tube	Chain Stay	Wheel Base	Standover Height
Inches	Degrees	Degrees	Inches	Inches	Inches	Inches	Inches
M	67.50	73.50	23.20	5.00	17.20	44.50	31.90

Well Giant is a heck of a lot more right to the point now aren’t they, haha.

Ok HA on the Stumpy Evo is a half degree slacker as mentioned before. The seat tube angle is exactly the same, the top tube is the same as 588mm = 23.149inch, head tube length is the same 130mm = 5.12inch, the Evo has a shorter chain stay by almost an inch, 420mm=16.5inch, that is nice, the wheel base however is the same which will equal the same stability 1129mm = 44.49 but the shorter chain stay should give the Evo a slightly more responsive feel to the rear end, feeling more flickable and a bit easier to manual, hmmm? They also both have 150mm of travel or about 6 inches front and rear.

These bikes stack up awfully close to each other. Which should really be a surprise as the Reign is basically the Evo of the Giant line up, they have the Trance X that pairs well with the Stumpy and the Reign X that pairs well with the Enduro and until now the Reign was kind of the odd child out. I guess Giant was just a bit a head of the game.
There are a few other nice features that the Evo has over my bike. Namely the 142x12 rear axle as this will add nice rear end stiffness and the ISCG 05 tabs are a nice option to have. My bike is extremely noisy on rough descents and a chain guide would be a nice addition however with the press fit BB that isn’t an option, bummer I know!

Ok even if I brought my bike up to the same spec level I think that the Evo would win out minus one factor that really bugs me. I don’t like the proprietary shock and I don’t like the cable routing on the bottom of the down tube. To me that just screams F’d up cables and that could get expensive. I know you could reroute them yourself, that is an option and I don’t know if they sell some sort of protection piece that can be added because that would solve the damage problem but it wouldn’t solve the issue with cleaning it. Think about it what is the dirtiest spot on your bike after you are done riding? The down tube!

Ok now my current dream bike, the Rocky Mountain Slayer!

2012 Rocky Mountain Slayer 70 ($4890)

I have both the 18 and 19 as I’m not sure which size I would be but the main stuff shouldn’t change too much.

Geometry

Size			18"	19"
Head Angle			66.5°	66.5°
Seat Angle			75°	75°
Seat Tube length			457	482
Horiz. Toptube Length			575	595
Headtube Length			125	145
Chainstay Length			428	428
BB Drop			-16	-16
Wheelbase			1147	1169
Standover Height			761	777

Well as you can see the Slayer looks a lot more like my Reign then it does the Evo but let’s see how the numbers play out. First off the HA is a half degree slacker on the Slayer and it has a 5mm shorter head tube so that will probably result in a slightly slacker head tube angle. Actually when I sat on the slayer it did feel slacker then my Reign but when pedaling it around it didn’t feel that different but again I haven’t rode it on the trail, yet! The next big thing that stands out to me is the seat tube angle, I know that Rocky is really selling this and I can’t comment too much on it. It feels a bit different sitting on it. You feel very upright, like a nun’s posture, but not sure if that is good or bad yet. The Evo falls right in the middle of the two Rocky sizes when it comes to top tube length and Rocky is using a 55mm stem opposed to the 60mm on the Evo so that might mean I would need the 19inch and I’ve read that the straight up seat post does add a bit of a cramped feeling while riding. So the wheel base on both the 18” and 19” on the Rocky are longer so might be a bit more stable. 18” = 20mm longer and 40mm longer on the 19” that is about an inch per size which would go right along with the longer top tube for each. Finally the chain stay is very close 8mm longer on the Slayer, that won’t really be noticed when riding, I don’t think.

Rocky is rocking just as good if not better components throughout the build, the price tag is a bit steeper and the Slayer 50 is equipped pretty similar to the EVO comp and is much more in line with the price as well.  They have similar suspension set ups with the Evo having the horst link 4 bar and the Slayer having the smooth link 4 bar set up, I’m sure similar feel. I would really need to ride this to make a solid decision though. The Rocky is boasting the 36mm fork with the 20mm through axle that I was asking for and it as well has the 142x12 rear axle. They both have the awful under the down tube cable routing, I have no fricken clue what the designers were thinking when routing the cables this way but it seems to be fairly common place.  The Slayer also has a robust 165mm rear travel and 160 front travel, I’m not sure this much travel is really necessary for MN, that said this bike was built for the shore and has a more DH/free ride upbringing then the XC background that the EVO brings to the table. That said which bike is better? Hmmm, that is a very good quest. I am still very partial to the Slayer, sick name I know the bike company builds bomber bikes however it might not be the right bike for this area. It probably pairs better with Specialized’s Enduro and Giant’s Reign X. It is a bit more gravity oriented but would still get the job done for sure.

If you are looking for one good all around bike that can climb well and still get the job done on the descents I think the Evo is probably a better bike and a better bike for MN and the mid west gravity junkies that have to work to get to the top. That said if you already have a bike you can do the XC gig with and want a bike that pedals well and straight kills it on the descents I would lean towards the Slayer. It just has the edge on that with the geometry and the travel it brings to the table!

All in all these are all great bikes. I love the Reign and it will get the job done for now. The other two bikes are both bomber, they addressed the issues I’m looking at the 142x12 rear axle and the ISCG tabs. I would have to change the fork on the EVO to truly be happy with it but that can be done.

I don’t know I’ll leave it up to you to make up your own mind on the Evo! Hope this helped shed some light!

Keep it real!

PS: Here is a write up from PinkBike and another one from VitalMTB as well as one from BikeRadar