So I’m currently looking at the Vitus Escarpe CRX (£3,679.99 [https://vitusbikes.com/collections/escarpe/products/vitus-escarpe-290-crx-mountain-bike-07e7](https://vitusbikes.com/collections/escarpe/products/vitus-escarpe-290-crx-mountain-bike-07e7)) vs the Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp (£3949.00 – [https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/product/38779/2022-stumpjumper-evo-comp/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwuZGnBhD1ARIsACxbAVjc\_zXYB\_RzqDto7\_y4DFMoL3WqZ1CsrsFRXiu\_oQNymJEAK2Q9O6MaAq6DEALw\_wcB](https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/product/38779/2022-stumpjumper-evo-comp/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwuZGnBhD1ARIsACxbAVjc_zXYB_RzqDto7_y4DFMoL3WqZ1CsrsFRXiu_oQNymJEAK2Q9O6MaAq6DEALw_wcB))
The Escarpe gets a good write up, and is better specced than the Stumpjumper Evo. Is the Stumpjumper Evo frame ‘better’, in the sense it’s from Specialized. As far as I can tell the geometry is fairly similar, though the Stumpjumper Evo is slightly more adjustable.
Is the Stumpjumper EVO Comp spec more comparable to the Vitus Escarpe CRS which is £2599 [https://vitusbikes.com/collections/escarpe/products/vitus-escarpe-290-crs-mountain-bike-07e7](https://vitusbikes.com/collections/escarpe/products/vitus-escarpe-290-crs-mountain-bike-07e7)?
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by Internal-Space
4 Comments
Back when YT industries was a lot more affordable than today (even though they are still priced well) I went that route and got a much better specced bike than I would have had I gone Trek, Santa Cruz, Specialized. Shredded the hell out of it and was still faster than many of the people riding fancy, well established bike brands with better components and I was having just as much fun. At the end of the day in todays world of bikes it’s the rider and not the bike frame that matters, really. I don’t care for the code RS brakes and I’ve never ridden the new Hayes brakes but my experience with the code rs brakes it wouldn’t surprise me if the Hayes where better. I would also prefer the wireless drivetrain of the Vitus. The shock on the Specialized is the better beefier shock.
That being said I would prefer to ride a fox 36 factory over a fox 36 rhythm and I would argue a greater benefit of the upgraded fork than the frame which may or may not actually ride better. If you are happy with the geo of the Vitus and believe in their customer service I would go with that. However I can’t comment on either brands customer service.
The evo spec is a lot better than the other Vitus spec you listed.
Can’t comment on the stumpy, but that Escarpe ride’s lovely. It’s a real fun bike and once you get the fox 36 set up right is really capable too.
You buy a good frame and plan on upgrading the components.
you upgrade the handlebars.
You never get around to upgrading anything else.
Or, thats how I do it.
A bike is the sum of its parts. Take a brand like Commencal that ONLY makes aluminum frames on purpose: the high end bike is nice wheels, the best suspension and wireless shifting and dropper post.
The low end bike is the same frame, but cheaper wheels, suspension and shifting.
I buy the mid tier level and upgrade as needed.
The frame isn’t part of my consideration