Bike Check- Specialized Stumpjumper Expert 29

Words by Katie

My bike’s frame is a Specialized Stumpy Expert 29, made of carbon and is a size small, which is perfect for me since I’m 5 ft 3 and a half. The color is Gloss Storm Grey with Rocket Red accents. I didn’t pick this bike for its interesting color scheme or dashing good looks. I picked this particular bike for its components. And let me tell you, the quality-to-price ratio on this baby is off the charts.

Plus, it has a SWAT box to store tools, snacks, and a spare tube, and it even comes with a water bottle holder and a multitool. So, I don’t have to wear a backpack on every ride, which is great because then I won’t end up looking like a pack mule.
Next up, let’s talk suspension. In the rear, I’m running the stock Rockshox Deluxe RT3 with 140 mm of travel. I run my rebound…well, let’s just say I run it the way I like it. And my fork is a Rockshox Pike RC with 150 mm of travel, and the rebound is set up the same way. 

For the cockpit setup, I have the stock Specialized Trail stem. For the bars, I’m running the stock Specialized Trail Bars. I recently cut them down to 760 mm and threw on some glittery black DMR Death Grips, which I absolutely love. The saddle is stock.
The dropper post has 130mm of travel and you guessed it, is stock. It’s been super reliable, but I have to be careful because it shoots up like a loose cannon!

The bike came with Sram Guide brakes, but I crashed at Allegrippis and destroyed the one brake lever, so I upgraded them to Shimano SLX 2-piston brakes with a 200 mm rotor in the front and 180mm rotor in the rear. They stop on a dime!
For my drivetrain, the bike came with a 12-speed Sram GX groupset. Running 170 mm Truvativ Descendants for the cranks, and since we’re down here, I might as well mention my blue aluminum OneUp flat pedals. They have a nice big flat platform, so my feet stay glued to the pedals. The pins are long so they grip twice as well on my shoes but hurt twice as bad on my shins.

All my drivetrain components came stock on this bike, but I did have to replace the GX derailleur with another GX derailleur sometime in the last year because it started shifting gears like a teenager with a stick shift: poorly and with a lot of complaints.
And finally, let’s talk about my wheelset. This bike did come with 30 mm 29-inch Roval carbon rims, which is outstanding, but the Specialized hub it came laced to is not the best. It would be great to have a bit higher engagement in the hub, but at least it works.

 I replaced the Specialized tires it came with, which were a 29×2.6 Butcher in the front and a 29×2.6 Purgatory in back. I didn’t like how my stock tires felt while riding. So that is why I switched to the 29×2.5 Maxxis Minion DHF in the front and a 29×2.4 Maxxis Rekon in the back. They feel faster rolling and can handle the trails I ride. Tire pressure depends on what terrain I am riding that day but for a typical Pennsylvania trail ride I usually run about 24 PSI in the front and back.

Why I chose this bike & where I ride: I chose this bike because it’s good for where we ride on the east coast. We have a lot of rocks, climbing and wet conditions. It feels like it absorbs the impacts of rocks. She shines on flowy trails. It’s good with jumping over downed trees, and does pretty decently downhill riding through woods. It can handle rough conditions. When I take this bike to the bike park, it’s a little terrifying. It’s basically the minimum you would want for bike park riding. But it’s really great for regular trail riding, which is what we really do. If you enjoy trail and XC riding, you’ll love this bike.

All in all my 2018 Specialized Stumpjumper Expert 29er has been a reliable and trusty steed on our off-road explorations. With its carbon frame, quality components, and convenient storage options, it’s made to last. The suspension and cockpit setup are top-notch, and the drivetrain and wheelset have held up well, even with experiencing a minor issue or two. Overall, I highly recommend this bike to any rider looking for a sturdy and reliable ride. 

-Katie

Katie did a great Bike Check Vid, that you can check out below, or on her YouTube page! 

If anyone has questions for Katie about the bike, or would like to reach out to her directly, check her out on instagram: 
 @Katiemtb