Specialized launches latest edition of Stumpjumper trail bike

50-year-old brand debuts 15th-iteration of Stumpjumper full-suspension bike

Specialized Bicycles has revamped its iconic Stumpjumper trail bike with a new air spring technology touting increased bump and traction performance. The Stumpjumper was first introduced by the California brand as a rigid hardtail 43 years ago, and the new version is the 15th full-suspension iteration of the Stumpjumper. 

Specialized has gotten spiritual with a new air spring technology it has dubbed ‘GENIE’. The brand claims that GENIE gives the rider the feel of a coil spring and better bottom-out prevention than an air spring. This, combined with other factors such as geometry, lead to the new Stumpjumper to have 16.3% better bump force management than the previous-gen Stumpjumper EVO. 

Without getting too in the weeds, Specialized is claiming that the new Stumpjumper offers the best of both worlds between coil shocks and air shocks. 

Specialized says it engineered the FACT 11M carbon and M5 Alloy frame as one unit to achieve the stiffness it wanted for ideal trail riding. The frame also includes the latest version of Specialized’s SWAT frame storage system. 

Adjustable geometry allows riders to customize the handling characteristics of their bike, with three headtube settings (Steep, Middle, and Slack) and a Low or High bottom bracket height setting. 

My Take 

The Stumpjumper 15 is the latest attempt to find the perfect middle ground that trail riders seek. The trail category is a constant battle between pedaling performance and downhill prowess. Over simplified, If a rider wants one of those extremes, they could choose to ride either a cross country bike or an enduro bike. The trail bike has always sat in the middle of that. 

It’s always a tradeoff though. A strong pedaling platform will never have the best downhill performance, and vice versa. Most trail bike designers and riders want a balance between the two. Specialized’s new GENIE platform (and its marketing language) appear to be a next step in finding this magic middle zone. 

Of course, we’ll never know what the reality is until we throw a leg over the bike.

What else to Know 

All except for one of the Stumpjumper 15 models feature GENIE-equipped fox suspension. The Öhlins Coil version of the bike comes, clearly, with coil suspension from Öhlins, which does not have the spirit-like tech, and will set you back $8,500. 

All of the models come with SRAM drivetrain components with a universal derailleur hanger and SRAM transmission and roll on Roval wheels with Specialized’s own tires. The range starts at $5,500 for the Stumpjumper 15 Comp model and tops out with the S-Works version for $12,000. 

Sample Geometry Numbers 

Based on size S3 in the middle headtube setting and high BB setting. 

• Head Tube Angle: 64.5-degrees

• Reach: 450mm

• Bottom Bracket Height: 337mm 

• Seat Tube Angle: 77-degrees 

• Chain Stay Length: 435mm 

The bike is available as a 29er or as a mullet (29-front and 27.5-rear) setup. 

What do you think about the new Stumpjumper? Does it look like something you’d like to ride?

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