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Stumpjumper 15 vs Evo

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Stumpjumper 15 vs Evo

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flag kage17
Posted: Sep 18, 2024 at 10:16 Quote
As both bikes are quite similar I wonder where the differences are.
Had a short test ride on the Stumpy 15 Expert and really liked its ability to eat bumps. I'm just not sure if this is a result of the Genie shock, the "new" suspension layout or a combination of both.
The big downside for me was the slack seat tube angle. I really think the Evo is a better climber.
Anyone else got their hands on the new Stumpjumper and is keen to share their thoughts?
flag Andrewhingston
Posted: Sep 26, 2024 at 21:51 Quote
There's only .2 degrees difference between the SJ Evo and the SJ15 on the same size frame (S3).
flag Cpembo6
Posted: Sep 26, 2024 at 22:21 Quote
I dont believe the suspension layout is 'new'. Interestingly, the StEVO with the stock specialized mullet link, has an almost identical leverage curve to the Stumpy 15. Very linear. So not much has changed there (yes, it will be different for the full 29er, but my point is that the kinematic already exists for the StEVO mullet so it is not new).

Yet everyone (most of the forum comments) have always said that the stock StEVO mullet was way too linear and needed the Cascade Components link + WRP yoke to increase the progression. To avoid constant bottom out.

I've not yet seen any comments about the 15 being too linear, so I expect the new Genie shock takes care of this with its positive air chamber magic. Thats why it has the ability to 'eats bumps', becuase it is very linear and the Genie shock is also very linear until the last 30%(?) of stroke.

Also, from what I've seen, the mullet conversion for the 15 is a longer yoke, instead of a different link (like the StEVO uses). This will function the same way as the WRP yoke which effectively just increases the shock eye-to-eye, to keep the kinematic almost the same (unlike the StEVO mullet link which drastically reduces progression due to a whole different link).

Currently I'm really enjoying my very linear StEVO mullet with coil shock (basically same leverage curve as the 15). Using HBO to avoid bottoming out.

If I was go go back to full 29er, I would still use the mullet link so I keep the very linear leverage curve, and run the headset in the slackest position. With a 29" rear wheel this ends up at around a 64.5 degree HA and very steep SA, and still reasonable BB height.
flag sayrius
Posted: Oct 1, 2024 at 4:51 Quote
Cpembo6 wrote:
I dont believe the suspension layout is 'new'. Interestingly, the StEVO with the stock specialized mullet link, has an almost identical leverage curve to the Stumpy 15. Very linear. So not much has changed there (yes, it will be different for the full 29er, but my point is that the kinematic already exists for the StEVO mullet so it is not new).

Yet everyone (most of the forum comments) have always said that the stock StEVO mullet was way too linear and needed the Cascade Components link + WRP yoke to increase the progression. To avoid constant bottom out.

I've not yet seen any comments about the 15 being too linear, so I expect the new Genie shock takes care of this with its positive air chamber magic. Thats why it has the ability to 'eats bumps', becuase it is very linear and the Genie shock is also very linear until the last 30%(?) of stroke.

Also, from what I've seen, the mullet conversion for the 15 is a longer yoke, instead of a different link (like the StEVO uses). This will function the same way as the WRP yoke which effectively just increases the shock eye-to-eye, to keep the kinematic almost the same (unlike the StEVO mullet link which drastically reduces progression due to a whole different link).

Currently I'm really enjoying my very linear StEVO mullet with coil shock (basically same leverage curve as the 15). Using HBO to avoid bottoming out.

If I was go go back to full 29er, I would still use the mullet link so I keep the very linear leverage curve, and run the headset in the slackest position. With a 29" rear wheel this ends up at around a 64.5 degree HA and very steep SA, and still reasonable BB height.

The link is different for sure.
Mullet:
https://assets.specialized.com/i/specialized/93325-75_SJ-15-OHLINS-COILCOP-SILDST_D6-LINK?$scom-pdp-product-image-xl$&fmt=auto
29er:
https://assets.specialized.com/i/specialized/93325-02_SJ-15-SW-LTD-FJDMET-DLMMET_D6-LINK?$scom-pdp-product-image-xl$&fmt=auto
flag Cpembo6
Posted: Oct 1, 2024 at 20:50 Quote
sayrius wrote:
The link is different for sure.
Mullet:
https://assets.specialized.com/i/specialized/93325-75_SJ-15-OHLINS-COILCOP-SILDST_D6-LINK?$scom-pdp-product-image-xl$&fmt=auto
29er:
https://assets.specialized.com/i/specialized/93325-02_SJ-15-SW-LTD-FJDMET-DLMMET_D6-LINK?$scom-pdp-product-image-xl$&fmt=auto

Yeh. they do look different, but thats not what I have read elsewhere. Although the difference in those photos could be the difference between the S-Works carbon link (with protective stickers) vs the alloy standard link?? Hard to tell. But the rear 2 pivot points on the mullet do look closer, which woudl raise the rear axle (required to mullet). Perhaps its a different link AND a different yoke, unlike the StEVO.
flag sayrius
Posted: Oct 2, 2024 at 6:18 Quote
Cpembo6 wrote:
sayrius wrote:
The link is different for sure.
Mullet:
https://assets.specialized.com/i/specialized/93325-75_SJ-15-OHLINS-COILCOP-SILDST_D6-LINK?$scom-pdp-product-image-xl$&fmt=auto
29er:
https://assets.specialized.com/i/specialized/93325-02_SJ-15-SW-LTD-FJDMET-DLMMET_D6-LINK?$scom-pdp-product-image-xl$&fmt=auto

Yeh. they do look different, but thats not what I have read elsewhere. Although the difference in those photos could be the difference between the S-Works carbon link (with protective stickers) vs the alloy standard link?? Hard to tell. But the rear 2 pivot points on the mullet do look closer, which woudl raise the rear axle (required to mullet). Perhaps its a different link AND a different yoke, unlike the StEVO.

Given official manual there are 4 parts for link (alloy/carbon, 29/mullet) and a single one for shock extension piece.
flag chunwangchi
O+
Posted: Nov 10, 2024 at 12:18 Quote
Has anyone ridden both yet to give a good comparison?
flag sjv13
Posted: Nov 10, 2024 at 14:38 Quote
chunwangchi wrote:
Has anyone ridden both yet to give a good comparison?
I own a 2023 S5 StEvo Expert and have ridden it on everything from XC trails to bike park laps for two seasons. I just got back from demoing an S5 SJ15 Pro. Only got to ride it for a few miles, but it was on my local trail that I am extremely familiar with, which is kind of an XC blue techy flow trail (if that makes any sense at all lol).

Most obvious difference between the two is the rear suspension feel. The SJ15 is plusher and more controlled - it feels really good and I can tell it would eat gnar better than the StEvo, which tends to get overwhelmed easier on excess chunk. I rode the SJ15 with the Genie shock in the full open compression position, and I assume stock volume spacers. In this configuration I think the StEVO might actually be a bit more efficient uphill, but I bet you could tune the Genie shock on the SJ15 to be just as efficient (if not more) than the StEVO. The uphill abilities of both are really quite similar, but the downhill composure of the SJ15’s rear end is an obvious upgrade over the StEVO.

Geometry feel wise, it feels like the SJ15 rides (sags) deeper into its travel. Also the StEvo feels like it takes a bit more rider input to make it do what you want, and the SJ15 feels snappier. This kinda makes the SJ15 feel a bit more squirrelly, but I’m sure that has a lot to do with how comfortable I am on my own bike and I’d soon get used to (and most likely appreciate) the snappiness of the SJ15. This may also be due in part to the SJ15 Pro I rode having the Roval Carbon Traverse SLII wheels (28h), whereas my StEvo Expert still has a stock Roval Traverse aluminum front wheel (28h) and a Roval Carbon HD rear wheel (32h).

Hopefully my ramblings help you out a bit!
flag greennorth
Posted: Apr 11, 2025 at 23:52 Quote
I test rode a Stumpjumper evo and Stumpjumper 15 back to back on a techy blue trail in interior BC. Both were carbon comp spec (the SJ evo is my current bike) in S3.

I found the SJ 15 climbed a little bit better on tighter corners and was more nimble. The SJ evo descended a bit better. No huge differences though on either. Downhill difference was probably kore noticeable.

On the downhill, the SJ 15 somehow felt shorter (despite the numbers not suggesting much difference). In fact, although I feel comfortable on my SJ evo S3, if I were buying a SJ 15 I would definitely get it in a S4 (I am 5’10” with a longer torso, could theoretically have either size).

I didn’t notice the genie shock being very different, but to be fair, I don’t think I had the suspension settings 100% dialed compared to my bike, so this may have affected some comparison.
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