2021 Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Review | Hardcore Trail Bike Comes Of Age

The 2021 Specialized Stumpjumper EVO is the rowdier, bigger travel cousin to the regular stumpjumper, which is widely regarded as one of the best loved trail bikes the world over.

Touted as the “ultimate trail bike”, Specialized says it's designed the Stumpy Evo to address the needs of the discerning modern trail rider head on. Its big-hitting trail bikes hope to do this in a few ways, one of which is the frame and its design elements.

The frame’s FACT 11M carbon construction is claimed to hit a Goldilocks sweet-spot between too stiff and too flexy, achieved by the asymmetrical sidearm strut. Specialized says the Sidearm reduces twist and has been tuned to give the Stumpy Evo its feel, which it claims “unifies the frame from front to rear”.

The new model is only offered in 29in wheels, unlike the outgoing Evo that could be bought with 27.5in or 29in hoops. However, there is a factory mullet option with a 29in front wheel and 27.5in rear, dubbed the LTD Carbon, which is fitted with a coil-sprung RockShox rear
shock and ZEB fork.

BikeRadar’s Technical Editor, Alex Evans rode the bike on his local trails in Peebles where he got to put the new bike through its paces on some pretty wild tracks.

What do you think about the new 2021 Stumpjumper Evo? Could this be Specialized’s best trail bike yet? Or perhaps you think the EVO is just too similar to the enduro? As always, let us know in the comments!

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Presenter: Alex Evans
Camera: Alex Evans
Editor: Max Wilman
Producer: Felix Smith

#bikeradarreview #specializedstumpjumperevo #2021mtbtech

[bikeradar]

What do you think about the new 2021 Stumpjumper Evo? Could this be Specialized’s best trail bike yet? Or perhaps you think the EVO is just too similar to the enduro? As always, let us know in the comments!

[johnnybravo]

Grew up on specialized. Went away for a bit and have made my way back. New rigs are fire 🔥 🔥

[Will.Tilcke]

Come on Specialized, please make an alloy version for the “down to earth” guys with a limited budget.

[JaggedTusk]

On paper, Specialized really did an outstanding job addressing my issues with the last Evo. This bike sounds dialed. I will definitely be considering it when I replace my old Evo. The additional storage and water bladder would allow do almost every ride without a pack. I love riding without a pack and this is a big selling point.

[oreoswithasideofmilk]

I am so excited for the regular stumpy to release, this just seems like a lot of bike for trail riding

[TheDirthound]

I just ordered a 2022 frame and will swap all my carbon components from my old bike to it plus I ordered a Push rear shock and am rolling a fox 36 factory converted to a coil via Push. I'm so stoked! I've been riding YT Capra's for the last 4 yrs and have never owned a specialized before and can't wait to get after it. I've eyeballed these bikes for some time and feel the EVO at 150mm coiled suspension will be a solid all around trail ripper. I'm thinking long travel one trick pony bikes are a thing of the past. Specialized is definitely doing their homework on what works and what doesn't and putting out solid products. The EVO is a culmination of decades of R&D and I can't wait until mine is built!

[REGNARTS]

The problem with 29er for short people isn’t the top tube, it’s the big wheel rubbing against the ass during jumps and descents.

[Stevo_YouTube]

I love the free demo days that Specialized run in the UK. I've ridden lots of their bikes and it's definitely made me want one.

[robvange]

Excellent detailed review, and no rushing to explain everything.... and there is a lot to explain. I have an S-Works Stumpy amazing bike..it should be... TODAY, I am picking up a 2021 EVO ALMOST an S-WORKS for considerably less...$7, 300.00 USD. I will write again once I put some time on the bike. I do wish however that Specialized would offer XTR and XT, SHIMANO personally prefer Shimano. The S-Works should be offered without the ridiculously expensive wireless shifting and seatpost.... ( something I personally do not want.... I don't want a BATTERY anywhere on or IN my BIKE!!! )....That would make it much more attractive to lots of
Anyway..I look forward to YOUR detailed review....once again, excellent job!

[adanielweaver]

I had one in high school. I may now need another...

[anaortiz]

As a 50kg rider, took ages to get the suspension set up properly. But once it got set up is a great bike. Fox factory setting for fork and shock was incredibly hard to begin. Only downside specialized changed 2021 to 2022 models with $1k price increase and was take it or leave it.

[justanotherbikevlog]

Can’t wait to try it out! Awesome review 👍🏻

[TrollHunterxXx]

I wanted a Specialized stumpy but for my first FS they were in another price category. I can’t justify 5k+ on one ... maybe one day. I settled for my Norco Optic FS3 for 2k brand new

[troyphillips]

Checks all the boxes for me . And yes an aluminum model should be available in at least two specs

[The_Ricardo_Sa]

I have the last Stumpy Evo and the bike is a bomb! Alloy Alloy I wish they released an allow frame only. I cold swap the parts (new forks) and done!

[Bushwackerinpa]

One up and PNW Rainer are basically the only 2 dropper post that matter.

[SourPatchPuss]

I’m strongly considering buying the 2021 S-Works Stumpjumper frame and just building the bike over time. Its apparently a lot less expensive than buying a fully speced bike from Specialized.

[datdudeinred]

I would rather buy 3k frameset & build much better spec than sworks for much cheaper.
Win win.. 😂

[hunterwright]

yes, an alloy 27.5 for the real shredders

[belindatom]

Amazing, hope l will also have one to ride