Specialized Stumpjumper 15 Pro Tech Check - Brilliant evolution or fundamentally flawed?

Specialized claim their 15th Stumpjumper is 'One bike to rule all trails'. I'll talk you through how they've tried to achieve this, whether it's hype or reality and also reveal the controversial frame feature that's got a lot of people raging.
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[@milktop1]

I never wanted to like specialized but I’ve owned a 2020 endure and now a 2022 evo. I’m a lifer! The evo is the best bike I’ve ever ridden by far

[@thegriff9425]

I have the 2022 EVO as does one of my mates who I ride with. Neither of us was ever happy with the rear end on our bike until we installed both the cascade link and a fox X2 shock. It transformed the bike into how we both thought it should feel. The standard set up on the EVO blew through its travel under the lightest of impacts and installation of volume reducers made it harsh. We could never figure out how so many people were happy with the rear end. Now with 158mm out back and the 160 fork tuned properly the bike feels great and properly balanced.

[@YanDoroshenko]

Funny. I have a 2022 Evo as well and I'm ecstatic about how the rear suspension feels. I've got the largest token installed with relatively low pressure and it gives me splendid traction while also only bottoming out when I do something stupid or botch the landing. The bike I had before was YT Capra with 160mm rear travel, lots of progression and a Fox X2. I never liked how it felt.

[@The.JZA.]

I just picked up mine a couple of hours ago on my lunch break (S5 Expert model). The first time I tried that GX AXS T-type shifter I was blown away. It's so quiet and precise! It's crazy! The suspension feels so plush as well but still easy to bunny hop. The Mavens are quite grabby so that will take some getting used to. I've been riding Magura MT7's for the last 4-5 years. Overall stocked with the bike so far. Can't wait for 5pm so I can take it for a shred!

[@MBRmagazine]

Really comprehensive edit Guy. Nice work. Fast turnaround too!😂 Watching your video I realised I never mentioned the wireless transmission only frame design of the new Stumpy 15 in my first ride. But I still remember drilling holes in a carbon Stumpjumper frame for internal dropper post routing before it became standard. Could probably do the same here too, if you wanted to fit a Shimano Deore derailleur to a 7.5k bike! 😂

[@poppawolf26]

I have an old Yellow Stump jumper from the late 90's I think...no rear shock, no disc brakes.....she still is going strong....she has front Manitou magnum shocks on the front that still work....I love the mango yellow color...nice review

[@kevinsmidt]

You can see an aluminum version with a mechanical drivetrain in the promo videos from specialized. Until that comes out, I’ll be riding my 22 Evo Alloy happily.

[@adamgroves2811]

Looks sweet, hopefully the Alloy version has cable routing for the rear mech.

[@GuyKesTV]

@@adamgroves2811 it does: Apparently 😜

[@FOTB407]

there were issues with the asymmetrical side arm, the yoke, and coil shocks. i assume now there won’t be any since one of the specs comes with ohlins voil

[@GuyKesTV]

@@FOTB407 hopefully

[@TheMirrorVision]

Larger riders like me wish more bike frames in this travel range and up came stock with 200mm post-mount brackets. The fewer adapters we need to use the better!

[@TheMirrorVision]

The problem may also be that the Mavens with 200mm rotors and the stock quieter/less powerful pads are too much rear brake for smaller/lighter riders.

[@andremtb480]

Why do all the reviews rattle off the geo? I can find the geo online. Tell me how the bike feels!!!

[@YanDoroshenko]

I liked the old SWAT door better. Seems way less flimsy to me and I've never had an issue with it leaking or something after pressure washing the bike.

[@fudganuld]

You know the saying..''if it ain't broke...''...Ha ! I like the Comp version with the new s1000 groupset..!

[@marksandoval5361]

Because the new Stumpy doesn't come stock with a 160mm fork or mechanical drivetrains, I give it a big thumbs down. The new shock looks interesting however. The old Stumpy Evo is probably a better bike and right now the old Stumpy Evo's are selling for ~35% off. An amazing bargain!

[@GuyKesTV]

@@marksandoval5361 yep, be quick though as sizes are limited

[@derSebov]

Exactly the same thoughts. Had a custom Stumpy Evo with Cascade and EXT Storia V3 before. Shock: oh no proprietary nonsense, but after some review and thoughts I am really interested! But I like mechanical shifting ( grab the bike, maybe check tire pressure, forget the rest of the „peeping“ world) and a 160 fork. For this reason the reach should be slightly longer as well, was already a bit short for me

[@StevenEliuk]

Stumpy EVO is nervous when pushed and overly stiff on repeated hits. I do think it is a great single bike but many items have been fixed with the new model.

[@Dav1dChui]

Depends on where you ride. I'd stay this SJ is better suited for climbing, but I'd definitely prefer my SJevo when descending gnarlier stuff.

[@stephenlord599]

Quirky as spez are want to be and who is it for ? I can imagine the parking scene with my mates … ooh has anyone got a spare charged axs battery? Oh we need phone signal my gears need tweaking and the app refuses to work until I upgrade it .. oh and I’ll have to upgrade my phone OS to do that .. and can we stop at the top so I can remove a volume spacer ? Oh can I take your shock pump?? Lucky they have swat to hold a shock pump , volume spacers and spare batteries I guess .. maybe spez could include a global star link receiver to update the bike firmware mid ride ?

[@Barryens]

Surely this frame being wireless only means we can expect a Shimano wireless groupset immently ?!

[@brianburdett3463]

Dream on, lol. Shimano fell asleep at the wheel 4 years ago.

[@crt269]

I don't know why, but dark green bikes look awesome...............

[@fpeter01]

The question, why don't you buy an old stumpy, if this is bike basically 80% identical with the old brother.

[@Whyusadd]

We’ll see how Charlie Murray does on this… interesting how he has ditched the enduro?

[@joe-dm6vj]

there is no doubt that its a great bike and probably better and more versatile than the old one but 6,500eur for the cheapest one is ridiculous the old alloy ones were some of the best budget bikes

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

I think it looks a bit generic. That's probably the main gripe since the outgoing one was "spechial" ... For me it's just too expensive and I would wait to see if that shock holds up.

[@GuyKesTV]

@@LaurentiusTriarius wise move

[@mkrj2576]

Stumpy use to be a trail bike. Now it looks like an enduro bike. If I want to winch and bomb I’ll stick to my real dh rig. Trial riding where climbing tech can be fun is not what this bike is for. It’s made to go down. But I suppose might work for you if you got the right trails for it. Good review also.

[@The.JZA.]

The good thing about this bike is that it can be customised to the riders preference. If you want a more efficient, steeper bike you can do that. Put the headset into the +1 position for a 65.5 degree head angle, put the BB adjust in the high position and fill the Genie shock with volume spacers and you will have a bike that feels nimble and spritely and then if you want to make it more downhill focused, do the opposite. You can also put it somewhere in between. That is the beautify of this bike and it's why they call it "One bike to rule all trails". But if you really don't want a capable downhill bike and specifically want a light and efficient trail bike then look at the new Epic 8 Evo. That is basically a replacement for the old short travel Stumpy.

[@troymortimer3487]

Every review is talking about the genie and how good it is. Given there is a Olin’s coil option I wonder if the genie really is as good as marketing says. Charles Murray obviously sponsored by rockshox was happy with the super deluxe not even the vivid, which is more linear and apparently closer to what the genie is meant to do. If you watch his video he does testing and doesn’t need to modify shock at all. So I’m calling bullshit on this genie.

[@jankaskyevitchjellbet7293]

No doubt 15 is a great bike, so does at least dozen bikes on the market. Wireless Shimano incoming!

[@frotto]

first? haha... I really was hoping to get the new stumpy... but I wanted the 150-160 suspension travel the EVO had... I also don't want batteries on my bike... and I don't want I proprietary shock. Now I'm looking at a YT Jeffsy or maybe wait for the new generation of the Devinci Troy... or maybe a Trance X?

[@patrickkatzmair]

Hightower?

[@marksandoval5361]

Right now the old Stumpy Evo's are on sell for ~35% off. My local shop has $6300 Expert's on sale for $4000.

[@OldSaul]

Bronson is a blast.

[@roddas26]

It's not a proprietary shock.

[@user-xvikol-635]

Sick looking bike. Specialized knows.

[@andrefrederico162]

Electronic only frame is the only meh I can point at the new Stumpjumper. And although the electronic groupsets seem to be the norm, specially with the new trickled down AXS mech, you should still be able to set up this beast with mechanical groupset. If the Genie shock holds up and is free of problems, this bike is just right for everyone… with a large wallet.

[@GTS5691]

What was the rationale behind the decision not to make provision for mechanical drivetrains? Given the marginal, additional cost, why would you not cover all your bases? Is this arrogance or stupidity on behalf of Specialized? For me this is a deal breaker. "I won't be investing".

[@GuyKesTV]

@@GTS5691 I guess they wanted cleaner looks. It does save some hassle with bonding an extra routing pipe through the frame, but as you say it’s got to be minimal.

[@bookingstation]

Does look like the big S have gone for a frame that is cheap to produce.

[@kinch04]

cant help but thinking my stump evo is a better bike if i put this new fancy shock on it....

[@GuyKesTV]

@@kinch04 unfortunately the new shock is too fat for the sidearm frame. But if you’re happy with how your Evo rides anyway there’s no need to upgrade

[@kinch04]

@@GuyKesTV that's good info thanks!

[@thegriff9425]

@@GuyKesTVis it bigger than a Fox X2?

[@rmhfpv9225]

This new design screams post covid money saving production. It’s backwards, reduces their inventory, manufacturing costs and gives them something new to market.

[@GuyKesTV]

@@rmhfpv9225 totally, the biggest problem brands have is too many different models. Specialized have gone from four different moulds from XC to Trail/Enduro to two. That’s just very smart thinking.

[@deanwaring6100]

Wireless only shifting 🤮

[@Tequila628]

And people wonder why I call them applelized and hate them so much. Great review though! Genie is ugly, but works amazing I take it.

[@allenserfass5312]

Stumpy EVO with a different shock. Not evolutionary..

[@juanhidalgo7043]

The problem is no mechanical option and this bike compare to the EVO is weak. Specialized has gone to a cheaper way of producing bikes to cut costs due to COVID 19 and the struggles they are having. For me, the stumpjumper 15 is still the regular stumpjumper. If you want the evo version you need to go to the specialized enduro. Like me, I am happy with my yeti sb140 and my yeti sb160. I cannot go back to any other bike. They are better bikes out there for less money.

[@YanDoroshenko]

Why would anyone make a trail bike that can only be run as a single speed?

[@IIISentorIII]

???

[@YanDoroshenko]

@@IIISentorIII There's no routing for a derailleur cable. No derailleur - single speed.

[@joe-dm6vj]

@@YanDoroshenko sram axs wireless shifting only

[@jamessher6956]

Hardtails rule, 👎👎 to this crap.

[@Andy-co6pn]

So many air shock developments have claimed "Coil like" feel I've become numb to it now 😕

[@GuyKesTV]

@@Andy-co6pn fair enough, this is definitely the closest though