2017 Specialized Stumpjumper Fsr Expert Carbon 6fattie Review

At A Glance

Specialized's Stumpjumper has been effectually longer than most of u.s.a. take been in long trousers, commencement hit the marketplace in 1981 in steel hardtail guise and since then it has gone on to become the become-to, exercise-everything, jack-of-all-trades trail bicycle of the Specialized range, reinventing itself yr on year to stay with - and often just ahead of - the pack.

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For 2017 the numbers look very good for you with a 67.5 degree caput angle, 150mm forks, short concatenation stays (for a 29er) and a depression bottom bracket - even if it is of the press fit persuasion. The daze is a RockShox Monarch RT providing 135mm of travel allied to the now legendary FSR linkage, utilising Specialized's very own Horst Link-driven contained rear suspension platform. Gone is the front mech mount (possibly in line with SRAM'due south declaration of the demise of such things), and in comes an ISCG 05 mount, though information technology isn't put to any use as stock.

" You might say that this bike is idiot-proof, such is the speed you tin can conduct into turns and notwithstanding come out riding."

Looks wise I've never been a fan of the Stumpy, it'due south e'er looked a lilliputian tall, gangly and ungainly, peradventure ill-suited to the rugged and steep terrain of my local trails. However, it has beefed up a scrap over time and alongside the same numbers, the bike now looks an entirely capable animal, ready for accepting of some more rugged terrain. Although not designed to compare straight to its stablemate, the Enduro, the 2017 Stumpjumper appears fix for pretty much anything y'all can throw at it.

Cable routing is tidy with all merely the rear brake hose being housed internally on the new model. Despite sitting on the outside of the downtube the hose is deeply fastened and against the black of the frame blends pretty well. Mayhap it volition move indoors side by side year. In that location are some lovely item touches where cables encounter frame, such equally the proprietary, bolt-on chainstay protector and various invisi-kit manner coverings to keep that tidy-looking frame, well, tidy-looking. The finish on this bike is excellent and the Stumpy oozes class and refinement at every weld.

As the MTB world moves towards an ever increasing number of bicycle sizes the Stumpjumper has for 2017 become a Swiss Army Knife of a bike, offering both 29 and 27.5+ wheels to be fitted to the aforementioned frame; the inclusion of boost hubs and acres of tyre clearance hinting at the myriad possibilities for wheel size and tyre dimensions. So, in theory, this should exist one playful picayune soul of a cycle.

Taking care of 'go' duties on the Comp model is SRAM'south GX 1x11 with a Race Face Aeffect 28 tooth chainring for getting them big wheels 'a turnin', while stopping ability is provided past SRAM's go-to trail restriction, the Guide R, featuring a 200mm front rotor and 180mm disc out the back. The finishing kit and contact points are a blend of Specialized's own, with a reassuringly short (60mm) stem, wide (750mm) bars, lock on grips and Body Geometry saddle.

Specialized have added their in-business firm tubeless prepare Roval rims and own brand Boost hubs with sealed cartridge bearings to the party. Cynically you might say they're saving coin here, merely the weight and spec proves otherwise and at this price point the sturdy, 29mm wide rims and DT Swiss spoked wheels should not exist smirked at. Add in a 12x148mm thru-beam at the rear and a 15x110mm front hub and you're looking at a stiff wheelset - usually the soft underbelly of the 29" wheel.

On The Trail

Existence a long-limbed fellow, bike frame sizing has always proven a conundrum as what makes for a skilful 'pedalling bike' doesn't ever make for a skilful gravity one. And and then it was that the query raised its head over again when because the size L frame on the test bike. At a little over 6'two" (188cm) on paper the large sounded too pocket-sized, however, in one case on the bike all became apparent equally the front centre length (738mm) sat me in a nicely balanced position 'in' the bike. Good, hopefully no forepart wheel washouts or falling off the front so! The low BB did lead to a number of pedal strikes in rougher terrain, but the 'planted' feeling this offered far outweighed the negatives.

The showtime ride out showed the Stumpy to exist a happy mile-munching machine as the big wheels and taut frame put every ounce of power into moving forwards at pace, with the silky smooth FSR linkage and Monarch shock combining to requite a truly stunning ride. Yet this isn't by any means its political party piece and at the start corner the bicycle came alive and started to show its truthful grapheme; grip. So much grip! Allied to the larger footprint of the 29" wheels - and even in spite of their seemingly cumbersome size - the Stumpjumper only loves corners, and every bit a result I constitute myself continually in the hunt for more.

The same run over a flowing section of local singletrack yielded faster and faster results as the bike refused to slide out or jackknife, the combination of the chunky Butcher front tyre, stiff frame and balanced suspension combining to inspire so much confidence that it became impossible non to charge faster and faster into berms. You might say that this wheel is idiot-proof, such is the speed you tin can acquit into turns and nonetheless come out riding. Time and time again I railed out of a berm wondering why I was notwithstanding on the bike and at what point it was going to spit me off. Flat corners were treated with like disdain as the back cycle followed like an eager, loyal spaniel and on the occasions it did give out the front wheel remained firmly planted. It'due south perchance unfair to other exam bikes that the Stumpy never saw a wet surface in the time information technology was on test, but that bated it was bloody great fun.

Given that many comparable 29er trail bikes offering a chunkier fork I was surprised to notice that the Stumpy 29er comes stocked with a 32mm RockShox Revelation, which on paper gave me concerns about the forks ability to remain 'on target' through rough sections and appeared to be a miss-lucifer considering the otherwise semi-burly nature of the bike's angles and dimensions. In an attempt to exam this theory the bike was pointed toward equally many loose, rocky descents every bit I could feasibly find and each fourth dimension information technology passed the test admirably with only a slight flex apparent when pushing through rock gardens. Quite how it would take to sustained rocky Alpine style descents, however, I'd similar to find out!

Being new to Specialized's very ain take on the dropper postal service - the mechanically driven Command Mail IRcc - information technology took some fourth dimension to become used to the incremental height concept, whereby a series of 'stops' on a ratchet provide pre-adamant options for distance. It's still not something I'm totally convinced past and information technology doesn't feel quite as intuitive as its hydraulically operated counterparts, but the terminate result is more than than sufficient. Throw in the potential reliability of a spring and ratchet organization over a hydraulic i in grimy, wet conditions and you lot can come across where they're going with it. Information technology must be said, however, that the spring is vicious and farthermost care should be taken to 'guide' the saddle upward with 1's bottom, or get well articulate, otherwise a pregnant smack in the gentlemen'south (or ladies') area will occur, as I can attest to!

It's off-white to say that y'all tin can tell this is a time-honoured pause platform. The FSR linkage provides conviction and feedback in spades and helps to power those large wagon wheels upwards and over obstacles you'd have previously thought impassible, while pedalling over rough ground feels buttery polish and compliant - the rear wheel remaining under control at all times thanks to the Horst Link (until fairly recently a patented design of Specialized'south).

For dry out atmospheric condition the tyre choice is more than adequate, with both front end and rear offering plenty of significant side lugs for some aggressive cornering. Come moisture season, yet, information technology might be wise to look for some rear safe with a chunkier eye line to aid with traction.

Overall

In a world of multiple bargainous mail gild bicycle options the Stumpjumper FSR Comp 29 is exceedingly good value for coin. Simply information technology's not merely the monetary value that shouts volumes about this bike; it's the ride cistron, the huge smiling it kept putting on my face and its power to elicit a serial of small yelps of excitement each time I pinned information technology through a succession of tight berms or boosted it off a drop. Incredible straight line speed and an ability to concur its line over moderately rough ground is just 1 more feather in its cap.

If any lasting reservations about 29ers remained prior to sampling the Stumpy and then they are long gone now. Yes, it might not be quite as 'chuckable' as a 27.5" bike (or dare we say a 26"), simply the climb rate and straight line pick upward is incredible, and the reassurance the cycle offers even in the sharpest of switchbacks is nada short of listen-blowing.

As a trail wheel, and let'south non forget that's what it is, it excels on technical climbs too every bit twisting and flowing singletrack trails where its balance and poise belies the height of those large wheels.

If in that location is to be a chink in the armour of the Stumpjumper it may lie in those 32mm stanchions of the Revelation forks, which while perfect for trail riding would probable detect their limits pushed in the high mountains. Understandably the Specialized Enduro plugs this gap, but the Stumpy feels ever so capable and information technology would be bully to try it out with a stiffer fork.

If you're spoilt for selection in the world of bike sizes (let's confront it, most of united states are) then the fact that the boost frame tin exist switched out to fit 27.v+" wheels (or 6Fattie as Specialized have dubbed them) then this bike offers one hell of a package for those looking for a plush, exercise-it-all rig.

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Source: https://www.imbikemag.com/reviews/bikes/trail-bikes/specialized-bicycles-stumpjumper-fsr-comp-29-2017/

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