Specialised Stumpjumper Evo Vs Trek Gas EX take a look at – which is the most effective path bike with adjustable geometry?

We put two of probably the most adjustable path bikes from the most important names within the enterprise face to face, to see which one is probably the most adaptable and succesful.

All of us like freedom of selection, proper? Whether or not it’s the little issues in life, like a latte as a substitute of cappuccino, or the massive issues like who will get to run the nation. And that extends to bike geometry too. Positive there are bikes with zero adjustment which might be nice. However why not construct in the identical diploma of adjustability that the majority manufacturers use when creating a motorbike into the ultimate product? Properly, that’s precisely what the Specialised Stumpjumper Evo Elite Alloy and Trek Gas EX 9.7 XT Gen 6 each provide.

Specialised Stumpy Evo Vs Trek Gas EX

And it’s not simply the diploma of adjustability that makes this such a very good face to face take a look at. Each bikes are 29ers which might be designed for aggressive path using, each are from the most important manufacturers within the bike enterprise and each are discounted proper now, which makes them actually good worth when you’re seeking to purchase one of many greatest mountain bikes. The Trek Gas EX 9.7 XT Gen 6 is £4,175 and the Specialised Stumpjumper Evo Elite Alloy is £4,399.

Geometry changes

The Specialised Stumpjumper Evo Elite Alloy has six totally different baseline geometric mixtures. There’s the adjustable head angle with three settings, that makes use of a second offset prime bearing race that merely drops into the pinnacle tube. One course for +1.25º, flip it spherical for -1.25º. The body additionally has flip-chips within the chainstay pivots that concurrently modify the chainstay size and BB peak, so you possibly can change the load distribution of the bike too.  You have got lengthy and low, or brief and excessive, the place the chainstay size adjustments by 5mm.

A second higher headset insert with the Stumpy Evo for adjusting the pinnacle angle by +/- 1.25º

To not be out carried out, the brand new Trek Gas EX 9.7 XT Gen 6 additionally has adjustable headset cups. However it requires slightly extra work than the Specialised as it’s a must to knock the usual cups out and press within the +/-1º offset cups, that are offered individually. So probably not a path aspect adjustment then. However that’s not the one strategy to positive tune the pinnacle angle and experience high quality of the Gas EX. Mino hyperlink flip chips within the rocker hyperlink additionally modify the pinnacle angle by 0.5º and alter  the BB peak by 8mm. So once more, you could have six distinctive geometry configurations. On paper it’s a draw, however issue within the Specialised’s extra user-friendly head angle adjustment, and the flexibility to play with weight distribution, and it’s spherical one to the Stumpy Evo. 

Mino Hyperlinks on the seatstay/rocker hyperlink junction of the Gas EX provide trailside geometry adjustment

Geometry side-by-side

To carry you the probably the most correct geometry, we measured the bikes in our workshop, moderately than merely itemizing the producers’ claimed geometry. Each bikes are within the inventory settings so the Trek has the Mino Hyperlink within the low place with the usual headset cups. The Specialised additionally has the zero offset headset insert fitted, with the flip chips within the chainstays in brief/excessive place. Each bikes had been measured with our Maxxis management tyres fitted, which retains the underside bracket peak comparable.

Make	Specialised	Trek
Measurement examined	S4	L
Head Angle	64.1º	64.4°
Seat Angle	69.1º	70.7°
Eff SA(740mm)	76.3º	77.8°
BB peak	339mm	338mm
Chainstay	437mm	440mm
Entrance centre	810mm	812mm
Wheelbase	1,247mm	1,252mm
Down tube	750mm	747mm
Seat tube	430mm	440mm
Prime Tube	615mm	605mm
Attain	468mm	481mm

Body development and weight

Whereas each bikes have related levels of adjustment, they use totally different body supplies. The Trek Gas EX at our chosen worth level is a full carbon body development, together with the rocker hyperlink, and the whole bike weighs 15.52kg (34.22lb). At this stage the Specialised body is a full aluminium development, and the load of the bike creeps as much as 15.99kg (35.25lb).

Sharp strains of the complete carbon body make the Trek Gas EX 9.7 Gen 6 eye catching

Suspension design and journey

The Stumpy Evo makes use of Specialised’s signature four-bar design and a Fox Float X Manufacturing facility shock to ship 150mm rear journey. Paired to the body is a four-way adjustable 160mm Fox 36 Manufacturing facility fork. That’s 10mm extra journey entrance and rear than the Trek Gas EX. The Gas EX additionally makes use of Fox suspension parts, however you get a much less subtle 36 Rhythm fork and Efficiency stage Float X shock. That’s the value you play for having a lighter carbon body, proper?

Specialised takes a singular strategy by up-speccing the alloy Stumpy Evo body with Fox Manufacturing facility suspension

Built-in down tube storage

If you wish to experience and not using a pack, however don’t wish to threat getting stranded at the back of past with none instruments or meals, you then’ll be happy to know that each bikes get built-in down tube storage. Specialised’s SWAT door is considerably greater than Trek’s BITS inner storage although, which makes it that a lot simpler to fish a snack, or software, out of the body.

The unique and nonetheless the most effective: Specialised’s SWAT door within the down tube helps you to carry necessities within the bike, moderately than in your again

Drivetrain: SRAM Vs Shimano

There are variations within the drivetrains too. Specialised is firmly within the SRAM camp with a 12-speed GX Eagle transmission. The place the shifter pod and OneUp dropper distant combine completely with the Matchmaker camps on the SRAM Code RS brakes. 

SRAM’s GX mechanical drivetrain continues to be the benchmark for shifting efficiency

Trek has gone with a Shimano drivetrain. On this occasion a headline grabbing XT derailleur and 12-speed SLX shifter and 10-51t cassette. Each drivetrains are mechanical, which helps cease the value of the bikes getting out of hand. And whereas we couldn’t get the Shimano shifter to marry completely with the SRAM DB8 brake lever clamp, the brakes on the Gas EX are literally first fee. 

We’ve been tremendous impressed by the sunshine lever motion and ample stopping energy of the SRAM DB8 4-piston brakes

Efficiency

When it comes to the suspension response, the Trek felt balanced entrance and rear, as each felt open and free. However that meant fast adjustments within the pitch of the terrain or sudden course adjustments brought on the bike to seesaw slightly an excessive amount of. Which is why we ended up working the fork and shock tougher than excellent. With extra adjustable dampers, say Fox Efficiency Elite, we might have wound on low-speed compression damping and restored stability that manner.  The one manner you going to get that on the Gas EX although, is by spending more cash.  Which is why we’d prefer to see Trek provide a better specced alloy bike on the similar worth, even when it meant that may be slightly heavier.

The Trek Gas Ex 9.7 Gen 6 takes flight. However we’d prefer to see a greater fork, or one with extra damping adjustment, to actually take it to the following stage

For optimum efficiency and tunability then, you want adjustable geometry and adjustable damping. And the Specialised Stumpy Evo Elite Alloy has each in spades. And even when you’re not into tweaking settings, geometry and weight distribution, the baseline settings on the Stumpy Evo will get you 90% of the best way there. For riders in search of that last 10% although, the Stumpy Evo Alloy received’t disappoint. Stretch it out for max velocity and composure, or tighten up the angles and proportions to make it extra playful and nimble, the selection is yours. Consider all of the adjustability of the Fox Manufacturing facility suspension and it’s a tweaker’s paradise. By no means earlier than has this stage of efficiency and adjustability been accessible at such a aggressive worth. Which makes the Specialised Stumpy Evo Elite Alloy the bike of selection for the discerning path rider that wishes most efficiency. 

The Specialised Stumpy Evo Alloy Elite is the last word all-rounder. There’s nothing this bike can’t do properly

Conclusion

Having adjustable geometry on a path bike is absolutely helpful. Actually, we’d argue that it’s of most use on a path bike, just because path using means various things to totally different individuals. Love techy, rocky climbs and wish numerous pedal clearance? Stick the BB peak adjustment within the excessive place and hold these cranks spinning. Stay for the descents and undergo hearth highway climbs simply to get to the enjoyable stuff? You’ll in all probability need the slackest head tube insert to stretch out the entrance centre and slacken the pinnacle angle for max stability at velocity. 

With adjustable geometry and adjustable suspension parts, the Specialised Stumpy Evo Alloy Elite is the Swiss Military knife of path bikes

The pricing and supposed use are each of those bikes are actually shut, however there are distinct variations in strategy. Trek has splashed out on a lighter full carbon body, and has needed to match Fox Efficiency stage suspension to carry the Gas EX in on funds. Specialised has carried out the other. Opting as a substitute for an alloy body after which ploughing the related value financial savings straight again into Fox Manufacturing facility stage suspension parts, which on this occasion, has clearly paid off.

The post Specialised Stumpjumper Evo Vs Trek Gas EX take a look at – which is the most effective path bike with adjustable geometry? appeared first on lickscycles.com.

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