Specialized STUMPJUMPER COMP 29 (2013)

Pros

- It's a Stumpjumper!
- Reba Fork
- Race ready

Cons

- Perhaps not the value you could get elsewhere

Review

The Specialized Stumpjumper was one of the pioneer bikes of modern mountain biking and the saga continues in a 29" wheel version. 29ers are no new story, but this is a pretty special bike! The Stumpy is setup as a hardtail XC race bike. For a more trail orientated machine you probably want to check out the Carve.

The Rock Shox fork is a beautiful unit but still it is only a 90mm unit, which really outlines this bikes intended usage. From Specialized: "Pro level performance at a privateer price", which sums it up perfectly.

Gearing and drivetrain are good quality (although using X7 on a $2000+ bike is probably not the best value). Fortunately it is an X9 rear derailleur which will perform well even when riding and racing hard. The choice of a 2x10 gearing with an 11-36t cassette makes the Stumpy a bike to be ridden anywhere, without being hampered by big ratios. Solid wheels and a 12mm thru axle sort out any flex that may be found in the large wheel size.

When ridden, the Stumpjumper devours singletrack, climbs, dirt roads...whatever you set your wheels to really, and the well sorted geometry allows comfortable descending as well. This really is a great XC bike.

An affordable choice for the XC racers out there and just a great overall bike. The legend lives on.