Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper EVO

The new Evo’s an all-carbon 29er with enduro attitude aplenty and aggressive geometry

- Danny Milner

NEED TO KNOW

• Aggressive version of Specialized’s classic trail bike

• Now only available with 29in wheels and a carbon frame (although there is a mullet version)

• Highly adjustable chassis gives you three head angle options and two BB heights

• Massive range of six frame sizes using the ‘S’ scale (S1-S6)

• Travel gets a boost with a 160mm fork paired to a 150mm travel rear end

• Shorter seat tubes for better standover, longer dropper posts and more sizing overlap

• 2021 Stumpjumper Evo range starts at £3,906

Specialized reintroduced the Evo in 2018 and it was an instant hit with journos, bike shop staff and anyone who wanted a no-frills trail bike with the geometry and attitude of an enduro bike. In fact, at the time of launch, it put Specialized’s actual enduro offering to shame, with better sizing and more radical geometry, and it took the Enduro a year to catch up.

Well, now there’s a new model unleashed onto showroom floors, and while it’s not as groundbreaking as its predecessor, the updates go beyond skin deep.

The big news is that Specialized has ditched 27.5in wheels – up front, at least – but introduced a mulletequipped model called the LTD. And, for now at least, there are no alloy frames either. Never say never though, even if Specialized tells us that there are no immediate plans for one.