Trail Testing: Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Carbon Evo R 29

The 2013 Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Carbon Evo R 29 is a purpose-built cross-country race bike. As if the Stumpjumper Expert Carbon hardtail wasn’t efficient enough, the Evo R takes it one step further with a rigid carbon fork and a 1×10 drivetrain. While it’s certainly not the one bike for every riding situation, there will be riders and racers who will appreciate it’s low weight (a hair over 20 lbs) and the efficiency a rigid bike will offer on smoother trails and certain race situations (e.g. the ultimate short-track bike?)

When the Evo first showed up around the office, it immediately caught the eye of one of our test riders who was in the middle of his cross-country race season. It only seemed fitting that this Stumpy’s first time hitting the dirt would be in a race en route to a podium finish in the Expert class. 

Geometry 

The Stumpjumper Evo R uses Specialized’s Chisel fork which aesthetically blends beautifully with the rest of the bike. 

There isn’t much going on in the cockpit and that’s fine with us. In the days of remote actuated components all over the bike, the Stumpy’s simple front end is a breath of fresh air.

Along with a rigid fork, the Evo R forgoes one of the chainrings and the derailleur up front for a 1×10 drivetrain setup with an e.thirteen XCX guide and SRAM Type 2 derailleur to ensure the chain stays in place. 

The Stumpjumper Evo R uses Magura’s MT6 brakes front and rear. These lightweight brakes help keep the complete bike maintain it’s svelte stature and the modulation of the brakes has kept the braking on this rigid bike surprisingly controlled.

The wrecking crew strives to put as many miles on each test bike before we write a full review. Watch for the full write-up on this bike in the coming pages of Mountain Bike Action. To check out other bike tests, click here.