Stumpjumper Expert Carbon EVO R 29: Out Of The Box- by Guitar Ted
Recently I introduced the Stumpjumper Expert Carbon EVO R 29 to you, (here), and suggested that we shorten the name a bit to “Stumpjumper Evo”. I will be continuing to refer to the bike in that manner, but keep in mind that it does have a longer, proper name. 
With that said,let’s jump into the details behind this leaner, meaner version of Specialized’s venerable Stumpjumper.
2013 Stumpjumper Expert Carbon Evo
Design Intentions: Specialized has a wide range in the Stumpjumper model line for 2013 featuring everything from trail use to all out racing and even offers a single speed frame set, (which Grannygear is testing here). All told, there are eight models of completes with an additional two frame set choices. The EVO R falls into the racing category, and as you can see, it might be considered an extremist’s version of a racing hard tail 29″er. To be sure, there is little extra consideration to rider comfort with the focus being on light weight and high performance, primarily. That isn’t to say that the Stumpjumper EVO is an uncomfortable beast, by any means, but obviously, with no suspension fork, you are conceding some comfort and control for the ultimate in light weight and precision. It isn’t going to be a bike for everyone, but then again, that is why Specialized offers so many choices, no? 
Forward curved seat tube makes for shorter stays.
Geometry: The Specialized Stumpy EVO geometry features a shorter chain stay length which is achieved by using a slightly forward bend in the seat tube. The measurement is listed at 435mm. This is preferred by many who like a faster handling bike, and it also allows for a bit more maneuverability by allowing a rider to unweight the front end more easily. The other important factor here is the use of the all new, tapered carbon steer tubed Chisel fork. The fork is suspension corrected for a 100mm travel fork. Axle to crown is listed at 480mm and the fork offset is listed as 47mm. By using the Chisel fork, Specialized not only drops weight over that of a suspended model, but they achieve a constant head angle of 71.5°. In conjunction with the 47mm offset of the Chisel fork, the combination should lend a quick, light feel to the steering. We will see how this plays out in testing.
The Stumpjumper EVO is available in four sizes- 15.5″, 17.5″, 19″ and 21″- We are testing the 19″ model. The top tube length is listed at 590mm for this size with the aforementioned 71.5° head tube angle mated to a seat tube angle of 73.5°. The short-ish, 435mm chain stays, as mentioned, work with the Chisel fork’s 47mm offset to yield a 1106mm wheel base for our test sample. The bottom bracket height lists out at 303mm.
Frame Tech: The Stumpjumper EVO uses Specialized’s FACT 8M carbon with a 12K finish. The frame has the, by now, fairly standard tapered steer tube compatible head tube, and a carbon PF-30 bottom bracket. Specialized finishes off the carbon tour de force with hollow carbon drop outs. Of course, a replaceable derailleur hangar is here as well. Although the EVO designation means there is no front derailleur present, there are provisions for the cable underneath the top tube and a stop is located on the seat tube for the installation of a front derailleur, should one desire to add that component. Both the Chisel fork and the frame have post mount style caliper mounts and are set up with 160mm rotors.
The massive top tube, down tube, and bottom bracket area are in stark contrast to the thin seat stays and modest sized, (compared to many carbon hard tails and road bikes), chain stays. The drive side chain stay has Specialized’s nice chain stay protector, which seems a bit unnecessary with the Type 2 rear derailleur. There is also a nice protective layer added to the bottom side of the down tube to help protect that area from rock strikes. Specialized gets good marks for utilizing carbon fiber’s attributes to draw out some nice, attractive lines for the eyes to land on as well.
Component Spec: Once again, since this is an EVO model, the spec reflects a very spartan, racer specific set up. The handle bar view is almost reminiscent of some of my single speeds. Here we see only the X-9 level ten speed rear shifter and the Magura MT6 levers with carbon fiber master cylinders and alloy blades. These also feature a reach adjust. The handle bars themselves are from the S-Works components and are carbon fiber with a 680mm width and 8° sweep. 31.8mm clamp diameter, naturally. The stem is a Specialized XC, 3D forged aluminum model with 6° rise and is a 100mm length on the size Large tester here.
The drive train is 1 X 10 here and features a custom SRAM S-2200 crank set with 175mm long arms. They also have a PF-30 spindle and a removable spider mounted with a 34T ring. To aid in chain retention, there is a e.thirteen chain guide hovering just over that front ring. The KMC 10 speed chain turns a SRAM PG-1050 cassette with an 11-36T spread.
The rear derailleur is a mid-cage SRAM X-0 Type 2 model. All that drives through a Roval Control wheel with a DT Swiss cassette body affixed to a hub with 32 DT Swiss Super Comp spokes. The wheel attaches via the standard 9mm quick release.
The front wheel is a Roval Control with a Roval Control hub, also drilled for the same 32 spokes that the rear wheel has, and which also attaches via the standard 9mm quick release. Specialized’s OS28 oversize end caps and matching inner interface on the Chisel fork are said to yield stiffness numbers that are comparable or better than a standard 15mm through axle set up.
Both wheels feature 2Bliss capable Specialized Renegade 2.3″ wide tires. The front is an S-Works edition which has 120TPI casing. The rear is a Control model with a 60TPI casing. Both tires come out of the box set up with Specialized light weight inner tubes.
The Evo model features a 400mm long, 27.2mm seat post in the Large and XL sizes, 350mm in the Small and Medium sizes. The contact points are Specialized’s own Body Geometry Phenom Comp and lock on Sip-Grips on the bars.
The Stumpjumper Expert Carbon EVO 29 has a MSRP of $4050.00 and on our scales weighed in at 19.68lbs before pedals were installed. We’ll be hitting the trails with this rig before we come back with a First Impressions, but that may be a bit, since we are in the midst of Winter, and trails are closed as of this writing.
Note: Specialized sent over the Stumpjumper Expert Carbon EVO 29 for test and review at no charge to Twenty Nine Inches. We are not being charge nor bribed for this review. We will strive to give our honest thoughts and opinions throughout.
Why different rubber compounds and TPI casings for front and rear tires. Please don’t say to save $20 on a four thousand dollar bike…
Yogi, the rear’s are the ones that take the abuse. An S-Works tire on the rear is pretty much a race-day-only proposition.
@Yogi: I will concur with Samuel on this. In my experience, the S-Works tires are finicky and fragile, so with the rear tire being most at risk, I think putting a Control cased tire there makes sense, and pushing the limit with the lighter tire up front is more acceptable.
Keeping in mind that this bike is all about pushing limits with regard to weight, I think that makes sense, although with a rigid fork, one might argue against this logic.
So with a type 2 rear derailleur you really think it’s unnecessary to have a chainstay protector on a carbon stay? What about on a full-suspension bike, same thing?
@Andrew: That would depend upon the design, (chain stays can be in wildly different places on FS rigs), but my Type 2/Shadow Plus experiences both on hard tails and FS tells me that chain stay protectors are not all that necessary. I rode a Fuji carbon hard tail on test here last summer, as an example, and I never heard the chain hit the stay. My titanium Mukluk, the same thing. It was ridden all season last year as well.
The clutch type derailleurs are a game changer.
Thanks for the feedback. Haven’t gotten to ride one yet, but will soon and just wondered if I needed to wrap the stay.
The 19″ has an effective top tube of 615mm. That might be confusing to people that you listed 590mm in the article (which I believe is the actual TT length, although I don’t have the geometry tables in front of me at the moment.)
@Kyle: Yes, you are correct, that is “actual” top tube length. Specialized’s site confirms the effective TT length @ 615mm for the 19″er.
Glad to see this review underway. A couple of months back, I picked up a 2010 Stumpjumper Carbon Expert 29 and set about turning it into my own “EVO” model. Ditched all the 2010 running gear for a SAM X9 mid-cage Type 2 rear mech (awesomely quiet like you mention), added the e.thirteen guide and used the Stylo 1:1 with a 33T from my old singlespeed. Combined with the 11-36 out back, Ritchey WCS components and Formula brakes, it has been a fantastic setup. The only thing I would like to add, for the days I miss my rigid SS, is the new Chisel fork.
Will be watching this review closely!