Just In: Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp EVO 17

Ladies and gentlemen, I am pumped and I think you can see why. I just received a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp EVO to test. Before opening the box to even see the bike, I was excited about this ride because it's NOT the super-baller Expert Carbon version. Even though the Expert Carbon won the Vital MTB Shreddy for Bike of the Year, it has a sticker price of $5800. If I wasn't a mountain bike media nerd, I probably wouldn't consider a bike with that price tag. I would, however, consider the Comp EVO, which is just a shade more than half the price of its attractive older sister, coming in at a respectable $3300.

I'm frothing to test a bike that most serious MTBers would consider a realistic purchase and upon opening the box, I had the following first impressions:

• The bike wasn't heavy. Having ridden the Carbon Expert, I know the Comp EVO is heavier, but it's no pig.
• She comes stock with a 2.3-inch wide Butcher front tire...YES! I don't care if it's not the fastest-rolling up the mountain, it's going to be fun as shit going down the mountain.
• The bash ring kinda made the whole crank region look cheap. The system is durable and appropriate for the bike, it just has that "rookie ring" look about it. No biggie, though, it's personal preference on cosmetics and it's cheap to change out.
• I'm really liking the understated graphics and colors for a couple reasons. I'm not a very flashy guy. My car is grey, my favorite jeans are grey, my favorite surfboard is grey, so the Comp suits my style. The little red anodized pieces give a nice, little bit of pop, too. Additionally, I feel better about riding this bike around my neighborhood because most passers-by in my neck of the woods (hobos, crack-fiends and shady folk) wouldn't look twice at this bike, follow me home and steal it later so they could sell it for $200 to a pawn shop. It's good to not be noticed sometimes.
• Instant points for radness: Dropper seatpost (Specialized Command Post Blacklite), chainguide and ISCG tabs.
• I've been riding medium-sized frames forever, but recently made the switch to large size frames and am enjoying the difference. I have a strange body, so bike sizing was always in the air for me. My torso is longer than Kyle Ebbett's but my legs are shorter than Damian Breach's, so it was always a question of feel. I swapped the stock 75mm stem for a 50mm stem and this large feels just right.  

I can't wait to shred this weekend. Stay tuned for a complete test and review and enjoy some photos with bike specs below.

Specialized Stumpjumper FSR  Comp EVO - long name, rad bike.

Non-drive side. 150mm rear travel with EVO link and a slacker, lower geometry than the standard Stumpy FSR bikes. 67-degree head angle and 335mm BB height.

Custom Fox RP2 with AutoSag, ProPedal and rebound adjustment. The shock specific to the bike, something not everyone may be stoked on, but I don't really see this being an issue. I wouldn't ever consider changing this to a coil and there are enough adjustments to keep a rider like me perfectly happy. Note the dropper post cable routing, too. It sneaks in the frame above he shock and comes out near the head tube...CLEAN!

Custom SRAM S-1250 cranks with 175mm 7050 alloy arms and PF30 spindle, 24/36t rings. This is one of the places you quickly notice the spec difference between the Carbon Expert, but every part on the Comp shown here is more than capable.

Sturdy SRAM X9 rear derailleur and 10-speed shifting. 11-36 SRAM cassette. KMC X-10 chain with reusable Missing Link, nickel plates.

Custom Avid Elixir 7 SL brakes with 180mm rotors front and rear on the Large and XL sizes.

Press fit BB30 bottom bracket.

12x142 rear axle with a DT Swiss quick release system. Clean and hassle-free.

Specialized Command Post BlackLite lever mounted to the lock-ring of the Specialized grips. The cockpit uses Specialized bars (720mm) and a Specialized Stem (75mm on the Large). I swapped to a 50mm stem and the bars feel good. The grips are a bit chubby for my tastes, but I'll give 'em a go.

The Specialized grips, bar and stem help keep the price down on Comp EVO. 6061 butted bars at 720mm length...pretty standard issue, no complaints there.

Tapered head tube. As with most modern trail bikes that feature a dual front ring setup and adjustable seat post, it looks like the Olive Garden up front. Spaghetti everywhere.

Forget the free breadsticks though, Specialized has clean cable routing in place that doesn't require zip ties everywhere. I'm a fan of the red ano accents!

YES PLEASE! 2Bliss ready Specialized Butcher 2.3-inch, dual compound tire up front. Look out Sam Hill!

RockShox Revelation RL with Motion Control damper. It has compression, lockout and rebound adjustment with 150mm travel.
 

Specialized keeps the price of the bike down in the wheel department. Solid hubs and rims with a traditional lacing structure and 32 spokes front and rear. Holler at the 20mm front hub and mAxle. You never know, you may need to throw your DH bike's wheel on for a ride or two.

28mm width Roval Traverse rims, front and rear. Nothing crazy here. They'll get the job done and can be worked on by any bike shop on the planet.

Ready for shredding. Keep your eyes peeled for a full test review in a few weeks. STOKAGE!