The Match Up! Specialized Epic vs Stumpjumper

By Scotty Mac

 

 

Specialized Stumpjumper FSR or Specialized Epic for your next full suspension bike? Specialized Epic vs.Stumpjumper…

That is the question.

(Rest of that soliloquy from Hamlet…)

(Nearly there…)

And we’re back!  You might assume each bike has its own camp of followers to draw from.  And at face value, you’d be right.  The Epic inclines its head(tube) toward the cross-country racer-boys and –girls whereas the Stumpy is looking for a more laidback, trail riding sort.  The Epic’s steep geometry and preternatural handling means you better be alert.  It climbs like the proverbial mountain goat and its Brain-equipped rear suspension really is all that and a bag of organic potato chips (because, natch, you’re a racer so you won’t be eating Doritos anytime soon).  It’s a mechanism that allows the rear suspension to lock out when not needed and activate as soon as your back tire encounters a bump.  It’s the most efficient solution to reducing unwanted suspension motion on the market.  The Stumpy flaunts its stable handling and slacker angles on the downhills, plowing through chunder with nary a care in the world.  It climbs fairly well because it, too, has a well-sorted suspension design, the Brain also making an appearance on certain models.  So that’s that, then!  Job done, everyone head on over to Ascent Cycling to place your orders!

Well… hold on a sec.

I once tested a Stumpjumper FSR 26”-wheel and an Epic 29”-wheel back to back, and I had this to say: (2010 me) “It’s like Specialized asked a question, then came up with two perfectly valid, different answers to that question.”  I rode each bike on my local loop at a full, timed effort, and ended up lapping both bikes within seconds of each other.  For your average enthusiast, both styles of bikes perform at a similar level.  How they get there sets them apart.  Those considerations eventually drove me to a Stumpjumper 29, but they could have easily driven me to an Epic if my outlook was just a bit different.  Or a lot
different.  For instance…

Lane Sherman is a racer.  For him, riding “easy” is hard.  Each ride is geared for an upcoming event.  In a decision that should shock precisely no one who knows him, he chose an Epic.  “The Epic climbs way better than the Stumpy and I don’t think it descends any slower.  It’s a much faster cross-country machine for racing.  If I had to have one bike, it would be my Epic.  Short of a Stumpy S-Works, which has a weight similar to my Epic, I just couldn’t see making a different choice.”  Pretty definitive, no?  However, Lane hedges a bit here: “If I’m going on an adventure or on unknown trails, then I’d rather have the Stumpjumper.  Having more travel and a dropper seatpost is really nice.”

I’m no racer.  If I had to have one bike and one bike only, it’d be my Stumpy.  It helps me descend confidently- my most irksome weakness on two wheels- and for that alone I’d take it anywhere.  It will make good progress uphill, even given the fact mine doesn’t come with a Brain.  It’s stable but not sluggish.  It’s good at everything and sucks at nothing.  It’s a mountain bike, in the purest sense.

I think I would probably be fine on an Epic for most of the riding I do, especially with slightly fatter tires (2.2” instead of 2.0”) and a dropper post.  But if that’s what I need to do to the Epic, an unapologetic race bike first and foremost, to feel comfortable and confident, then why not get a Stumpy FSR that’s already carrying that type of spec?  The simple response is I wouldn’t, but some folks will and they won’t be wrong to do so.  The Epic is a phenomenal bike.  Lane rides his is in the manner it’s intended.  For me, the Stumpy makes more sense more of the time as it’s intended for all sorts of manners.

One question, two answers.  Which answer will you choose?

Mac out.