2021 Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Short Term Review

This is my short term review of the 2021 Specialized Stumpjumper Evo, in the Expert build. I spent a solid month riding the bike late Fall before winter settled in amongst the mountains. I was planning to do this review in the Spring, but decided to brave the cold and make it now. Obviously I had very limited trail to work with for filming and took measures to prevent damage to the trail used. Long term review will come late Spring or early Summer. Leave any questions in the comments and I will do my best to answer them. Cheers!

Bike: Specialized Stumpjumper Evo
Model: Expert
Size: S3
Filmed/Edited: T. Jones
Rider: T. Jones

[babylungsmcgee]

Love the technical depth, exactly what I was looking for! This and your EVO vs Stumpy reviews are super helpful.

[Gdownification]

Nice review! Biggest issue now is availability; I’ve heard it’s sold out until 2022. I put one on order fairly early on, and I’m still waiting. It hopefully should be here in March-July. I’m glad to hear it performs well, I guess it’s good I didn’t switch my order lol

[TheJofrica]

Nice! You explain things very well! Such as, "not going to hit a point where the parts are too nice to justify the chassis". Gave you a sub, happy riding to you!

[troutntrails]

Now, knowing your XC background and you’re saying this thing climbs great, it must! I’m coming off a specialized chisel and I love the way it climbs so hopefully this bike doesn’t feel an insane amount different. I will also be hitting the bike park a lot so this bike probably makes sense for that!

[jquack]

Crazy! I went with the S3 as well and im 5'6. Very playful

[terryg]

Not overly technical review. Really good in my opinion. Thank you!

[brucehumphries]

Great review, also great to see someone not jumping into the longer is better geo ideas.

[justsayin]

Fast forward to March of 2023, my SJ Evo Pro is being built at the shop.
I love black, but all they have is White and Sand. I chose White.

[LachupacabraRO]

I am 6'1" and i will pick up a new EVO alloy S4 this week, no S5 availble but i think that S4 will do the job. I am suprised to see a 6'-er on S3.

[gen-X-trader]

So I'm curious, after all this time are you still happy with the S3 at your height. Im 510 and on an s3 in this bike. I like it but I also would not want to be any taller. 50mm stem 760 bar.

[clarkgregoryr]

Wow! Great review! Very impressed! Honest review and not trying to sell the top bike!

I’m a new rider, love single track and want to eventually be more confident with trail futures abs getting a little air.. would you recommend the stumpjumper evo or stumpjumper? I was going to buy a carbon base model.

[Mansun]

Hello! I am so glad I found this great video. It’s so helpful. You are 6 foot and ride S3. Normally, S4 is right for you, but you feel great with S3. I’m 5’6” (168cm), thinking between S2 or S3. I ride very similar terrain as you. Should I also choose small size S2? I am not sure if S2 is too SMALL. Could you please give me some suggestion? Thank you in advance.

[ykinmortal]

Quick question regarding the rear hub sound, just purchased one Evo expert, the hub is really quiet
That’s the only upgrade I want to make on the bike so it can have the ratchet sound
Or is their a way to make current hub have that ratchet sound ?

[lackingpoint]

Nice review. I get what you're saying about the sizing. At 6'3", I was coming of an XL 2014 Camber, to a S4 SJ evo. I was surprised to see it and then find out it was an S4 size because it looked big. Technically I probably should be on the S5, but I slid the seat all the way back on the rails and moved all but one of the spacers under the stem and it feels good, and the smaller size is surprisingly nimble feeling. The shortage of availability made me go ahead and try the S4 size and I'm glad I did.

I thought the bike would be a mediocre climber at best, but once I was able to get the shock aired up to carry my 240lbs it felt good. What little climbing ability I lost coming from the Camber more than made up for it in the downhill. The bike is just stable and confidence inspiring.

I did find a Black Friday end of the year deal on some carbon rims with I9 hubs and a carbon bar and it made a great bike into a super great bike.

[davidmacdonald]

Picking up a 2022 Alloy Evo S3 next week, ...

[williamsweet]

I have the 2022 same bike, and there is one thing on the bike that holds me back, ME!!! lol

[calebsiegler]

$4900???? It’s $6300 now if I’m not mistaken. Solid review thanks.

[MonsterChuck]

can't find this bike suffering from FOMO!

[kingrat]

A young Jack Nicholson likes to shred!?

[DM-hwcr]

Looking at the seatpost height that frame is too small for you. You are 6ft riding a medium.