Stumpjumper Flip Chip: How does it affect the ride?

Like many modern bikes today, the newer Specialized Stumpjumpers have adjustable geometry. In this video I compare the ride quality of the bike in the low position and the high position of the flip chip on my 2022 Stumpjumper Expert.

[@GregBalzer]

Thanks for the chip flip videos. Flipped the chip on my SJ Expert and the difference is noticeable. Coming from a road bike - the Stumpjumper in the low position feels like it’s 20 feet long. Super stable but lethargic. In the high position it’s a bit less stable but more lively - steering feels much quicker. Like you - I’m keeping it in High for local XC trails and will switch to low when traveling to steeper trails in the mountains nearby.

[@kentao4]

I have the evo. Im thinking about doing what you said about lighter wheels for more cross country. I’ve been through a few bikes these past few years including the same stumpy you had before and also a epic Evo. I came back to the stumpy and went with the Evo to try to cover all bases. I just want one bike to do it all; park and all day rides. Btw I love that your videos pop up when I’m bored at 6 am!

[@shadyss96]

I found flipping the chip in the high position to be best all around. I kept running into issues where the front wheel would wheelie when trying to keep the rear wheel planted down for traction on steep climbs. I find I actually prefer it in the high position for reasons you pointed out as well. The front being more "glued" down and more lightweight feeling. It helps alot when you're in the rear technical stuff and need to change direction fast.

[@williambreeze2659]

I've had my stumpjumper for about two weeks now and it's a blast. Just noticed that my bikes been in the high position this whole time. It came stock like that and shreds 👍

[@mattdennison5377]

Thanks for posting this, I think I will try flipping the chip on my epic evo just to see how different it feels.

[@audiophizile13]

Thanks for this! I'm in wnc and am building one up. Plan to keep mine in high because I'm coming from a 120mm fork hardtail with a 67* hta and I really hate pedal strikes. Got 170 cranks. S5 frame normally comes with a 50mm stem but got a 45 with 30mm rise pnw bars. Pretty excited.

[@spenserrr]

Experimenting with this on my '23 SJ comp alloy. Coming from XC geo, I figured high would be the ticket, but on this particular bike, it feels more natural in low to me. Both good, but high definitely had a more perched up feeling, while I have that nice sensation of being "in" the bike in low. I do graze pedals a little more often, but no big deal & I'd rather opt for preferred overall feel. Ultimately preference, even if the result isn't what you thought you'd like better. So easy to flip, could do it on the trail for direct comparison. With the chips on the chainstay for alloy frames, I simply flip them... don't have to touch anything else. I measured angle on the fork in both positions, and both were dead on at 65 & 65.5 according to my digital level. I think I'll leave it in low, and then try a shorter stem, which it feels like it wants in this position, for me. In high, I don't get the same sensation & stock 50mm seems fitting.

[@ridingdeep8530]

We live and ride in the super rocky mountains of southern Utah so I am going to be putting a longer travel fork on my Levo SL, then flipping the chip to the high position to gain back that half degree of head angle, this was a great video - I was wondering what the process was to flip it.

[@JogBird]

would be interesting if you could somehow do a blind, back to back test.. e.g. get someone else to do it, mask over the chip, etc

[@daderalph2585]

Thanks for the informative video which explains the way the chip-flip changes the way the bike feels and handles. Was looking for the reason to flip the chip on my Evo expert, but all I ever got was "it changes the feel" from all and sundry. No details, just "its changes".. This video makes sense and hopefully flipping the chip will make a good bike feel more "lekka ("nice / awesome" in South African Afrikaans) Coming from an Epic which I rode for 10 odd years, the new Evo feels a little lethargic and "a little weird". Changing rear tire from a Control to a Fast Track did help a little. Will try the chip in high and see if I feel more "at home"... Thanks once again👌

[@ChopperChad]

Have this same bike and replaced the Butcher/Fastrack with a DHF/Dissector and the lower rolling resistance was really noticeable. That Butcher is a drag.

[@tinshield]

I run mine in high. Pedal through chunk without pedal strikes, faster steering and better climbing position. Only time I would put in low is if I were going to the bike park with it.

[@yossishushan]

Thanks for posting this!

[@AOL0321]

Thanks again for a great video Clint. I have a new 2023 Epic EVO Pro and I was actually surprised that it did not handle as intuitively as I expected, coming off of my 2020 Tallboy 4, which has a slack 65.5 degree HT angle. In the low flip chip setting, the new Epic EVO has a 66.5 degree HT angle so I will try flipping it to see if it understeers less. It's funny because my friend and I swapped bikes and I rode his 2018 regular Epic with the Brain shock/fork and that bike handled so sharp in comparison. I believe his head tube angle was about 69.5 degrees and I'm guessing that a headtube angle of at least 68-69 degrees will get you that really sharp and responsive intuitive XC-like handling. I guess the EVO is just more slacked out up front and 67 degrees for the HT angle in the high position is all I can get. Kind of disappointed as I was hoping for the same feel as an XC bike with just a little more travel. Just wondering if those Ground Control tires are the issue as well. Not a fan of that tread pattern. Perhaps I'll try the Fastraks and or other brand to see how they work after these GC T5's wear out. Anyway, always love your videos!

[@ryansmall5419]

Info for everyone. My actual bb height measurements. Stock link high 334mm. Mullet link high 330mm. Mullet link low 323mm. Mullet link low with 29 inch tire installed 338mm. The mullet link offers great versatility. I run it in high with a 27.5 rear and low with a 29 rear.

[@fkn16v]

High chip for flatter terrain, low chip for d/hill bumpy stuff, its never let me down although at my age and ability i just leave it in high and dial the dampers a little for bumpy stuff.

[@user-ij4ub5ft1y]

Hi Clint, great video. I just picked up my first SJ Comp. May I ask what % sag you're using on the front and rear? Ty

[@ederler1129]

Thanks for the video. Did you have any pedal strikes on that trail in either setting?

[@ClintGibbs]

Actually, not that many with the shorter crank arms. That’s the way to go on these modern trail bikes. The pedal strikes are definitely reduced in the high setting.

[@330_Crew]

Pretty crazy how a change measured in MM can make such a difference.

[@ClintGibbs]

Indeed.

[@timothyadams3431]

helpful thx. Thinking about getting one now that they are sale

[@pontoon_cat]

Same boat with you. I was almost a complete go for a Yeti SB140 C2, but availability is a challenge and the price. Then i look up my old friend Stumpy (I have a 2008 still) and would you look at that, the Pro spec is on sale for a STEAL that i really cannot pass up... a grand less than the SB140 C2, and every component is better.

[@GregBalzer]

@@pontoon_cat Got the Pro on sale - it’s 25% off the crazy Covid prices. Good deal on a well built bike.

[@miguelnavarro2571]

Clint, I've got the Kenevo SL and it also has an adjustable headset. What do you think a degree steeper headset would do for the steering? Keep up the great content. Cheers!

[@ClintGibbs]

1° steeper will make the bars turn easier which means you can get around tight to corners a bit quicker. It’s also going to be a bit less stable on fast descents. Steeper head angles also make the bike slightly more difficult to recover if the front end starts to wash out.

[@miguelnavarro2571]

Seeing my bike has both adjustments available, I'll most definitely be switching to the high position on the chain stay. If yours had the option, would you change the head angle? Make it steeper, neutral or slacker? Thoughts?

[@terrymtbnurse4760]

Hey Clint thanks for the video. Do I need a torque wrench to tighten the shock back up. I live in Mi and definitely want to try it in the high position.

[@ClintGibbs]

I always recommend a torque wrench unless you just been wrenching for a very long time and have a good feel the torque specs. A Park TW-5 is a great investment. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mn2yhoujepWcerM

[@masterssk8]

Do you have a favorite position you will now leave the chip in most of yhe time, or do you plan to keep flipping it frequently to match to trails you are riding that day?

[@ClintGibbs]

The plan is to leave it in the high position for stuff within Florida, and then put it in the low position when I go up to the mountains.

[@356reaper]

This is a good XC demo. What does hitting a two foot ramp or drop feel like in high? I'm guessing just go with low.

[@ClintGibbs]

It’ll be fine. It may just require slightly more control with slightly less margin for error in the high position.

[@nicolehill5348]

What’s the shortest stem size you would run? Have a s4 expert just a hair to big feeling and I run it in the high position which adds a xtra 5mm reach.

[@ClintGibbs]

I wouldn’t go shorter than 35 on the Stumpy

[@JoshTaylor]

For whatever it's worth, I installed a 32mm Raceface Turbine R stem, replacing the factory 40mm on another bike w similar HTA, and haven't noticed anything negative.

[@GregBalzer]

Stumpjumper Expert S2 here. Switching chip to high position helped in tight technical stuff. What helped even more was trimming down the bars from 780 to 745. I’ve got narrow shoulders. Shorter bar made handling much more lively - good for the tighter stuff I ride.

[@steviebrown3247]

What is your height and is the frame size s3? I'm 6'1 and I'm stuck on picking between a s4 and s5

[@IIISentorIII]

I'm 5.11 and the S4 fits perfectly (I have it since a year). My brother is 6'2 and would also go with the s4 over the s5 I think Clint is around 5'7 on a S3 Cheers from Switzerland

[@Jazz-uu3dk]

Is there a way to know in which position is the bike without undoing it and looking at the chips? My Evo doesnt have high and low lines that I have seen on some Speshys. The only thing so far that can tell me which postition it is is that in low the end of shock is almost touching the rocker and in the hight position the shock is 3-5mm further from the rocker?

[@ClintGibbs]

I don’t have this bike anymore and I honestly can’t remember.

[@Jazz-uu3dk]

@@ClintGibbs Thanks for a reply. I could not resist myself and went to take it apart...for anyone reading this...yes....in high position the chip positions the shock closer to the front of the bike so it has around 5mm gap between end of shock and the rocker...in low poistion the end of shock is almost touching the rocker.

[@skinny8019]

Put on roval control SLs. And leave it on high. Would be perfect!

[@5e3tweed]

Do you need to depressurize the shock before loosening to flip the chip?

[@ClintGibbs]

No

[@5e3tweed]

@@ClintGibbs Thanks Clint. I might give the high position a try. I've always ridden in low and been happy with it. Most of my local trails are flow so the high might be fine.

[@rioblast]

What is that rubber protect cover you got at the lower linkage near the back wheel?

[@rioblast]

Visible at 5:21.

[@ClintGibbs]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2bFnKaslK-Vrac

[@danquenell]

Specialized must have added something similar to the 2023 model, my 2023 Stumpjumper Evo has a little rubber protective cover on that linkage.

[@rioblast]

@@danquenell Interesting, do you have a picture?

[@ryanscrumley2709]

My question is are you any faster on the climbs in high versus low?

[@ClintGibbs]

Not sure if overall time would be faster unless you had to put your foot down. In the high position you’re going to be over the front end more and be more controlled on the climbs, which would mean, in theory, not needing to put your foot down as much.

[@andyjack37]

Changed mine to the high setting but not as comfortable. Did anybody lower saddle height or angle to compensate?

[@ClintGibbs]

For me, I never feel the need to change the saddle tilt or height when I change the bike geometry.

[@andyjack37]

@@ClintGibbs I'll give it a few rides, then see

[@jayswavely6371]

Squishy pedaler? I have a Revel Rascal and am thinking of an Evo.