Interbike Review: Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert Evo Carbon 29er

If there’s one model name that’s synonymous mountain biking, it’s the moniker “Stumpjumper.” The Stumpjumper has been around basically as long as mountain bikes have existed, but it has continued to morph and evolve over the years with the changing of mountain bike technology. The new Stumpjumper FSR Expert Evo Carbon 29er embodies some of …

By Greg Heil
September 9, 2014 Last Updated: August 8, 2024

10 comments

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The Stumpjumper Evo boasts 135mm of plush rear wheel travel thanks to a Fox CTD shock (with autosag), and 140mm of front wheel travel thanks to the award-winning Rock Shox Pike. A SRAM X01/X1 combination 1×11 drivetrain propels the bike, with Shimano XT brakes providing the key stopping power.

I instantly felt at home when I got this rig out on the trail! Fast and nimble on the climbs, the big wheels and the 140ish travel soaked up all kinds of obstacles and gnar. I pinned this bike off of ledges and through chundery rock gardens without a care in the world, and it soaked up everything!

While I wouldn’t personally race this bike in any sort of cross country race, or on the other end of the spectrum in a legit enduro race, the FSR Evo is exactly the kind of bike that I would ride on a day in, day out basis. With great climbing capability and full-throttle, aggressive descending, I could see myself completely at home on this bike on almost every sort of recreational terrain.

Specialized Command Dropper Post

This was my first time riding a Specialized Command dropper post, and at first I couldn’t find the lever for it… until I realized that it was perfectly shaped like a thumb shifter lever and in the exact same position! Not only does this make for a clean-looking setup, but it makes the control of the dropper post even more intuitive than ever before.

Additional bonus: the up/down action on the Command is much faster than a Rock Shox Reverb, which is great when you want your saddle back up quickly.

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10 Comments

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jkldouglas 2011
Sep 10, 2014

Greg, I am curious as to what it is about the bike that would prevent you from using it at an Enduro event?

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AUTHOR

Greg Heil Colorado // 2008
Sep 11, 2014

I guess ultimately it's up to the difficulty of the course and the rider's personal preference. TBH, I would have loved to race this bike at the Crested Butte Ultra Enduro, although the Cannondale Trigger did pretty stellar. However, for most other enduro races that I've done, I'd personally like a 150 or 160mm travel bike... if not more. 135-140ish just doesn't seem like or enough--or rather maybe it is enough for some people, but not for me :)

Especially with Enduro races like Keystone where you're essentially racing downhill tracks with some pedally sections, the more suspension, the merrier!

Jared13 California // 2011
Sep 11, 2014

I hate reviews like this!
It makes me second guess my choice in upcoming bike: the Camber EVO. :lol:

Personnel dilemma aside: Great review, keep em coming!

jkldouglas 2011
Sep 11, 2014

What makes you interested in the Camber EVO over the Stumpjumper?

I agree, Greg. The Camber is better going up while the SJ is better going down. I can use more help going uphill than I need going downhill though :lol:

Component wise, the Camber EVO Expert and the SJ EVO Expert are pretty much the exact same bike, the SJ just has more suspension. The Camber EVO's geo is closer to my current ride (SJ Comp) while the SJ EVO is a degree slacker in the HTA. The SJ EVO is also $600 more...

Why does looking for a new bike have to be so fun AND difficult at the same time!

The Camber is definitely more pedally than the Stumpjumper, but the Stumpjumper will definitely descend better than the Camber. For my riding style, I could definitely see myself spending way more time on the Stumpjumper.

I currently have a Stumpjumper (Comp version, non-EVO) and I'd like something that has about the same downhill ability but climbs better.

The Camber EVO just seems like a very playful bike while the Stumpjumper seems more "recliner-y".

That said, I think I would be more than happy with either one, but I wouldn't hate the climbs as much on the Camber EVO.

Matt Phipps 2014
Sep 11, 2014

I own this bike and it was a hard decision. I wanted an Enduro or something Burley but something that I could pedal for days and be comfortable on for long rides. What I found after much reading forums and such, is that this bike in the Evo model is more or less an Enduro race bike. Same head tube angle, slightly less travel. However, I've seen many say that it's great for fixed under 185 lbs. Over that and the Enduro is the better choice for Enduro racing. Why? More travel likely isn't necessary for lighter riders and the slight less weight helps to make the bike pedal able and flickable.

Honestly I don't think how much travel a rider needs has anything whatsoever to do with weight. The air pressure that you run in your suspension adjusts for rider weight. Consequently, I think the deciding factor for amount of suspension travel should be the types of trails the rider is riding, and how he's riding them.

Michael Paul 2010
Sep 10, 2014

It used to be that the Camber was the awkward looking stepchild and the Enduro was menacing big brother of the line-up. The new Stumpy looks like the offspring between these too. Still, sweet looking bike, and I bet it's a ripper.

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