Traction takes priority over an extra-firm, super efficient feeling ride, which helps keep that rear wheel from spinning out on those slippery, tricky root-filled climbs. That relatively light weight helps, and while the Horst Link suspension layout may not be quite as snappy as some of the dual-link designs out there, the latest version has a good amount of support for those out of the saddle sprints.

Now, 64-degrees isn't that far off from what you'll find on a DH bike, but thankfully the Stumpy EVO climbs much, much better than a downhill sled. Those numbers would have been radical just a few years ago, but we're seeing more and more bikes in this travel bracket released with similar head angles - the Transition Sentinel and Norco Sight are two examples that come to mind. That gave the bike a 64-degree head angle, 42mm of bottom bracket drop, and 443mm chainstays. After some experimentation, my preferred all-round setting ended up being neutral / low. The Stumpjumper EVO's geometry adjustments allow for a high level of customization. The largest two sizes, S5 and S6, get longer chainstays to help accommodate the taller riders that will be riding them. Overall, the reach numbers are modern without going too crazy, but riders looking for something even longer could easily size up without running into fit-related issues. That gives the size S4 a 475mm reach, 64.5-degree head angle, 438mm chainstays, and 76.9-degree seat tube angle. Going over all six possible configurations would put even the most number-obsessed rider to sleep, so let's start by focusing on how the bike arrives, in the middle / high position. That means it's possible to set the bike up with an extra-slack 63-degree head angle, or to steepen the head angle to a more conservative 65.5-degrees, all in a matter of minutes.

5-degree of head angle change that's accompanied by a 7mm bottom bracket adjustment. There's also a chip on the chainstays that allows for another. The new version is incredibly adjustable, thanks to an included headset insert that allows for 1-degree of head angle adjustment in either direction. That gives a reach range of 408 to 528mm in the stock setting. That's no longer the case – Specialized has gone all in with the newest version, offering a total of six sizes, from S1 – S6. It first debuted as an aluminum frame in 2018, and even when the carbon frame was eventually released there were only two sizes available. It felt like Specialized was testing the waters for the last couple years with the previous generation of the Stumpjumper EVO.

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