I’ve been day dreaming about moving to my next bike, but with the used market bouncing off the bottom, I refuse to sell my beloved bike for a fraction of what it should (maybe never again) be worth.
SO, my next idea – to keep things exciting, I want to start adjusting my geo! Head set cups, flip chips, maybe invest in a mullet linkage, maybe fit a 170mm fork… etc, etc.
I know I just have to ride each to see what i like, and I’m excited to do so! But I figured this would be a good time for us to share a story where you were super happy about – or did not like adjusting your bikes geo!
by ghetto_headache
14 Comments
I love my cascade link.
Photos from Colorado?
Doesn’t the EVO already come with all the gadgets you need to adjust the geo? Go crazy.
BTW most bikes are “geo-adjustable” to some degree, as long as you know what you’re after and how to do it.
Run it low and slack, see if you smash pedals before going to a mullet. The bike is already really playful.
I put a 170 spring and a runt in my fork, i like it, but it’s my one bike and it gets proper DH use like 1/3 the time in riding. When i’m not pushing the bike out of its niche (not that it doesn’t do well with that) it did affect the bike negatively, it’s reaaaallllly slack in slack/ low settings. Making it slacker did make it climb less good and made it less playful.
I’ve been on a stumpy EVO for almost 4 years. I have tried just about every geo configuration there is for it. In my opinion, the ultimate set up is full 29er with the Cascade link and a Vivid ultimate rear shock. I also put a fox 38 on as the 36 had too much flex in chunky rough stuff. Have tried the fork at 170 and 160 and find it the best overall at 160. Have tried mullet with and without the cascade link and find it super fun at bike parks but kind of a drag when it comes to pedaling the local trails. Carbon rims have been a nice upgrade as well. I have a lot of opinions about the stumpy EVO as it is what I ride and I build/maintain a lot of them at the bike shop I work at. If you have any specific questions, I’m happy to share my expertise.
It looks like you’ve got some upgrades into this bike. In the secondary market, you’ll never really get your money back on those. Something to keep in mind. When I sell heavily upgraded bikes, I usually dumb them back down before listing. It makes selling them less of a gut punch when you are getting 3k for a bike you’ve got 6k into.
Regarding the market, I think you are simply overvaluing your bike. When you say ‘bouncing off the bottom’, what exactly do you mean? What I’m seeing, is that the market is returning to pre-covid price levels. Which, would put this at a list price of about $3000, or $4000 if you’ve got carbon wheels. What do you think it is worth? Yeah… I’m not seeing a crash, I’m seeing a correction.
Regarding geometry changes, point blank, I’ve never really noticed huge changes to the ride. My bike has a flip chip, and I cannot tell the difference between the high and low setting. Same this with the headtube angle adjustments, I can’t feel the differences.
I’ve never messed with a new rear shock linkage, but I know a guy who swears by them. So, maybe worth a shot? Problem is those things are expensive.
If I were you, I’d invest in some boujee wheels. Get yourself some XC930 rims from Light Bicycle and some Berd spokes, and build yourself a sub 1000g wheelset. The Berd spokes, and the lighter weight, will have a profound effect on your ride. And, you’ll get to take that wheelset to your next bike. So, you can think of it as an actual investment.
The ride feel of Berd spokes is amazing, I highly recommend it. Your bike will be more comfortable, as the spokes will eat up trail chatter and smooth things out, and they’ll also track better, and give you a more confidence inspiring ride through added traction. Using an XC rim is kind of sketchy here, but you can bank on the added strength a wheel constructed of Berd spokes will provide.
That is what I would do if I was you, Berd spoked wheelset.
Also, a little insider information for you, the current Stumpjumper is about to go on sale. In the coming months, they’ll be blowing them out to employees, which means they’ll hit your market soon. S-Works Stumpjumper 15 was just offered to employees for $5000, and that is expected to come down. So, keep your eyes peeled, they’ll be on sale soon.
Side note, you could argue that it’ll only continue to lose value as more brands bring out their updated offerings…not to be a downer, it just feels like an important consideration
Literally never touched my flip chips, always left it as a long low slack sled. Maybe I should, my pedals love finding shit to catch. I have considered grabbing a 160 29er fork to mullet, identical axle to crown as my 180 fork, because it is the OG mullet Enduro, before it was cool, but man I just love 27.5 so much.
’19 Devinci Spartan LTD, the last best 27.5
The Used market has corrected and Used bikes are priced accordingly now, hate to be the bearer of the bad news.
Keep it. Slack it out. Send it.
I’ve ridden so so so many bikes. Always ridden them before purchasing etc etc.
I bought a stumpjumper evo frame set last year and boy has that bike been insane. A lot of people hate specialized, and I never imagined I’d be on one other than a demo at the local downhill park. I have taken this thing to the downhill park, on every flat trail around here, and everywhere in between and this bike is just the gift that keeps on giving. It can be playful and poppy. It can be long and slack and eat up the DH park. Whatever they did with this bike, they did it right. I have never thrown a leg over a bike I didn’t ride and it felt immediately at home. Don’t get rid of that bike. It can be your go to one bike quiver killer when you need it.
RM altitude – love it for the adjustability. Still need to try all of the ride 9. Converted to mullet half way through first season… 2 seasons later and have only gone full 29” a couple times. Rode my buddy’s stump jumper evo, super even takeoffs from jumps. Awesome bike. In contrast my RM is slack, small rear, feels plush, and less playful in some scenarios. Trying coil now ($200 fb marketplace) but I’ll probably go back to air. It’s worth modifying it so you can understand what you like.
If you want more of a bruiser, put a cascade link and check that out, if not enough slap a 170mm fork on it. Try a coil out too. The stumpy isn’t an “old” bike it’s still top notch
Okay but what about that seat/grip combo?! God damn that’s nice.
yup. ever since I got my capra for the gnarly stuff i really appreciate my evo in high+steep.