2022 Specialized Stumpy EVO: The-Works - TLDR 11

TLDR:
This is a living document and everything you need to know about my adventures, parts tried and parts I still use, set-ups and geo for my Stumpy EVO build. If you want to know more, feel free to read, comment or reach out on the socials in the linktree below. You can also find most of the parts for my bike build here along with alternatives to the ones used: https://linktr.ee/mountainbikemitch.
 

Scroll to the bottom for the most recent updates. 
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BUILD:
2022 Stumpjumper EVO S-Works S4. Bought a new never ridden warranty replacement built S5 from FB Marketplace. Sold the S5 frame after installing a RideWrap and deciding the reach was a bit too long. Ordered an S4 and got lucky with a sale and built up the frame in July '22 with the remaining parts from the S5 build along with some new ones. Original had 170mm e-wings which I replaced with 5DEV 165mm.

REAR SHOCK:
The bike has a Cascade Link increasing travel to 158mm and progression from 19% to 26%. This also increases the initial leverage rate to 3.425, which causes issues with the Push ElevenSix.

2/09/23: Push is releasing options this spring for higher spring rates. Also, with the Push, both the reservoirs and the lock out switch protrude from the left side under the top tube. So, when peddling there is potential to hit the inside of your left leg/knee or even cut your leg (which I've done) with how machined/sharp the lockout switch is. Returned the Push due to incompatibility with the Cascade Link.

After convos with multiple shock suppliers, EXT and Avalanche were my choices and both have incredible options. I ultimately landed at the EXT e-Storia instead of the Storia LOK V3 after already buying the Push ElevenSix. I decided over the Marzocchi Bomber CR from Avalanche due to wait time/availability. The Bomber CR is much less expensive option and talking with Avalanche, they have custom tunes, a chromoly shaft option and higher spring rates that can accommodate riders in the 200+lb range. This is the only other shock company that I found that could compete on the same level as EXT and offered an equivalent product to the e-Storia. I would love to try the Bomber tuned by Avalanche someday! (Fast Suspension was not available).

All are phenomenal options and all are incredibly knowledgeable. But, being a heavier rider (210lbs full kit), the Push didn't offer the spring rates I needed.

You can find the EXT Shock and Cascade Link combination here: https://cascadecomponents.bike/collections/rear-shocks They offer a 15% discount when purchased together.

GEO:
I started messing around with the geo and was reading John Staples EXT equipped Stumpy EVO article (https://nsmb.com/articles/jon-staples-ext-equipped-specialized-stumpy-e…). The article talked about riding in the slack and high position. Tried that out and felt over the bars. I dropped the back to low and the bike lit up. Felt great, stable and I could dig the rear tire into any berm. With the longer front shock I might bring the front back to the Neutral position as the steering doesn't trail well and falls to one side or the other in the slack position while riding.

GEO CALCULATOR: https://www.bike-stats.de/en/geometrie_rechner

FRONT SUS:
Upgraded 11/5/23 to a 2023 Rockshox Zeb Ultimate. 

Original fork was a Fox 38 which had both the 160mm and 170mm air shafts, some pictures with the 160mm, but has been built to 170mm. Think this helped out with the bike feeling over the bars. Gave it a bit more room to play both at the shock and at the BB. Played around with the tokens and 2 seems to be a good balance of progression with initial and mid-stroke plushness. Still bottom it out, and considering going more tokens and less air. Moved from 3 to 1 back to two tokens. 1 felt really good and moved between 2 and 1 tokens depending on the track and roughly 96psi-100psi. Can feel how tight the fork is with the amount of pressure. Found about 90psi with 2 tokens was a good balance. 

PROTECTION:
Spent a couple days installing the RideWrap when I got the frame in July. Added a RockGuardz carbon downtube protector after I put a boulder through the stock one and ripped the RideWrap underneath. Cracked a second stock one and then the RockGuardz arrived. That other stock protector eventually broke and a friend gave me theirs. And yes, I keep both the stock downtube protector and the RockGuardz. More due to my laziness of finding a replacement upper downtube bolt that has a shorter depth to accommodate the RockGuardz being much thinner. The stock one pictured (my 3rd stock one) has a crack in it.

The rear dust guard is made by a company called FoxFolk Dirtskirt (https://www.foxfolk.co/). This is a great upgrade specifically made for the Stumpys and Epics. Keeps rocks out of the link area!

There's a Cushcore Lite in the rear with the Cushcore Presta. In the front there's a Peaty Components Presta with no insert. Have an additional Cushcore Lite for the front but just don't feel the need for it.

TIRES:
3/5/23: Got my warranty back from Maxxis and got another wobble. No luck with these tires and switching back to the Specialized.

12/12/22: Have a Butcher Trail T9 up front and an Eliminator Grid T9 out back. I have an extra set of Specialized Grid DH T9 Butcher and T9/T7 Eliminator tires for the heavy stuff. Still waiting on one wobble warranty. The Specialized tires really are a game changer. Guess they know what they are doing! (They started as a tire manufacturer).

CHAINRING: 03/01/23
Have been using an Absolute Black 32T OVAL chainring for the past year or so and have snapped a couple chains and haven't really enjoyed it or found the benefit. Found an AB 32T ROUND on FB and put that on to see how riding that will affect my cadence or strain on the up-hills.

ADDITIONAL:
Running the Garmin 830 with the Garmin Edge Mountain Bike Bar Mount. Have the HR monitor, Speed Sensor and Cadence monitor from my 130 Plus that was stolen and found the 830 on FB marketplace for a good price.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Ultimately, I wanted something that was Enduro ready but could transition quick to a tight track, lighter trail bike with the change of tires, inserts, link, geo settings and air shock.

PARTS AND REPAIRS BY DATE:
New bits 12/20/22:
1. Better Bolts black Deity Copperhead bolt kit
2. Kobalt Fox 38 2021+ 46g black Front Axle
3. Push ElevenSix 600lb Spring - Rowdy on silver, Lock on black (returned) took 6 weeks to arrive
4. TRP Matchmaker modified to fit with the AXS dropper lever, left side only. I like the shifter to be independent from the brake lever.
5. Swat box . . . Hi-Chews!

New bits 01/21/23:
1. Better Bolts titanium rotor bolt kit
2. Carbon Fiber steerer tube spacer kit
3. High temp black ceramic coating on rotors
4. Rebuilt the bike, all the way down to repacking all the bearings and changing out the worn ones in the Cascade Link.

UPDATE 1/25/23:
Push ElevenSix didn’t work out… Push doesn’t recommend or work with a Cascade Link. Push states it will void the warranty and initial leverage rate with the Cascade Link is too high for the Push…

Parts and repairs 2/4/23:
1. Tenet Omen Pedal Refresh Full Rebuild
2. PDX G11 Pedals - Bought as a temporary replacement while I wait for the Tenets to come back from their rebuild. Also think these are a pretty good pedal that can compete with TMacs, DMR, Nukeproof and Tenets. Just have a smaller pin diameter than most, but the pins are all removable from the underside.

More new sterrrfff 02/09/23:
1. Better Bolts tapered titanium Specialized Seat Post bolt
2. Better Bolts Fox Fender bolt kit
3. Better Bolts Fox Cable bolt
4. Better Bolts Sram Mount Plug screw x 2
5. Better Bolts High Limit bolt
6. Better Bolts B-Bolt
7. Better Bolts Low Limit
8. Better Bolts ISCG Flush Mount bolt x 3
9. EXT e-Storia 650lb - Arrived in 5 days

UPDATE 2/28/23 - 1 token and 98psi to 5 tokens and 86psi:
1. Tested out 5 yellow tokens on the Fox 38 and pressure dropped to 86psi from 98psi with 1 token. Felt great and tested with a ShockWiz and settings were pretty spot on. Moved around the LSC and Rebound and adjusted the pressure by 2 psi from 88psi. Felt great on the small bump and mid-stroke. Ramped up fast and had better results with bottom out. Also sat higher in its stroke after a deep compression.

NEW STUFF 03/01/23:
1. Better Bolts Fox Fork Top Cap
2. Better Bolts Ti Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Kit 
3. Better Bolts Titanium AXS Dropper Post Seat Clamp
4. Better Bolts Fox Axle Titanium Pinch Bolt and Square Nut
5. Better Bolts Titanium Brak Caliper 1 x M6x35mm & 3 xM6x40mm
6. Better Bolts Derailleur Pully Wheel Bolt Kit
7. Better Bolts SRAM Matchmaker Ti Bolt Set x 2 (4 total bolts)
8. Better Bolts TRP Brake Pad Retaining Axle Bolt
9. Better Bolts SRAM AXS and Dropper Paddle Pin Ti Bolts
10. Better Bolts Titanium Countersunk Top Cap Mountain Bike Bolt M6x30mm
11. Absolute Black N/W Round 32T - Bought Used

3/5/23:
Maxxis Assegai Double Down 3C MaxxGrip (warranty replacement) and has a wobble…

UPDATE: Ordered 4/5/23, Installed 4/18/23:                                                                                            1. MTX Gold pads front and rear                                                                                                              2. Galfer Shark Front Rotor 223mm                                                                                                          3. Galfer Shark Rear Rotor 203mm                                                                                                            Had an extra Formula 20mm post mount sitting around. The Galfer SB003 post mount I ordered was to large. Also, the Better Bolts M6x35mm tapered bolts were too long so I will have to order some M6x20mm to 25mm tapered bolts. Still need to bed-in the brakes, but they already seem to have an immediate bite to them. 

5/9/23: New Grips                                                                                                                                        1. ODI Longneck Soft & Tacky 

5/31/23: Levers and final Ti bolts                                                                                                                1. Freedom Coast TRP Lever Kit - Limited Black Metallic Rainbow Flake                                                2. Better Bolts M6x18mm x 2 Tapered Head Rotor Bolts                                                                          3. Better Bolts M6x20mm x2 Narrow Capped Head Rotor Bolts                                                                4. Better Bolts Titanium Specialized Stumpy EVO Carbon Linkage Kit - Black                                          Received 6/1 and going to install this weekend. 

6/5/23: Install of levers and Better Bolts kit. Also broke a spoke on the rear wheel, so sending the ENVE in for a rebuild. 

7/27/23: Finally sending the M6 wheels to get warrantied after picking up a set of Stan’s No Tubes ZTR Flow S1 32 spoke wheels for $200. Installed the rear today and cleaned up the cassette and ready to blow it up. Also snapped a pedal off and sending them back to Tenet for a replacement. 
 

Update 11/5/23:

2023 Zeb Ultimate 170mm

Rider spec: 6’1+ish” 210lb full kit
APE Index: 1.0548 ratio / Index Number: 4
Strava: mountainbikemitch
Pinkbike: leftovermitch
Insta: @mitch.angus @mountainbikemitch

Hope to see you on the trails!