I've been biking 15 years and have owned a lot of bikes over the years. Yourself and Paul Aston and Dale Stone are the only reviewers I take seriously and can trust for an unbiased honest review. Keep it up 👍🏻
Great video! Been eyeing the Stumpy 15 and came across this video and was immediately like "Ohhhh that's H&F!" Such a great trail to dial in and test a bike to see how it rides. Really awesome breakdown of how it feels, rides, opinions, and helpful it's on a local trail.
Good vid. Feel like the S4 should have 440+CS. Short is fun to slash around but doesn't give that solid front end feeling. It's got decent stack , could probably drop the stem a bit to help? (bars already don't look to have much rise?)
Lower bars or harder rear suspension can take away quite some of the front end vagueness that can come with short cs. I have an old 5010 (426 cs, 450 reach) that absolutely rips corners after I’ve dialled in the cockpit and suspension setup.
Full 29? Fun video, handling sounds pretty much like what you'd expect. The old Evo is also super fun as long as you are riding over the front properly. If you get tired or lazy watch out for front understeer..
Thanks for your insight on the tires Brian. I actually just switched to this combo as a non-stock setup due to wanting to save some money on the tires. Felt the same way about both. I really like the Eliminator but don't know about the Butcher. I came from an Assigai so different characteristics somwhat. Definitely want to try a Cannibal soon up front to hopefully keep tire costs down. Can't beat the price if you can get a similar level of confidence from the S tires. I'm running gravity casing on both
I really like how he breaks down how bikes corner wish he talked more about taking large hits and pumping rollers and tech and how it death grips and brakes
. I wish those specialized grid trail casings were stronger. I really like the eliminator but don’t want to pedal around the gravity casing on my 130mm bike and the grid trail just flats so easy, it’s like exo-.
Shit sad to hear. I have a butcher/eliminator combo at home that I want to try. Right now on the kenda hellkat and I really like it besides I want bigger sideknobs. I saw that they are coming out with a new tyre this fall the "double black" that has proper sideknobs. Kendas atc (advanced trail casing) is really puncture resistant and has really good ride feel. They just need to nail the trail patterns and rubber and they will be playing with the big boys.
I've been rocking the Butcher front/Eliminator rear on my Altitude for three years now. Used to ride it in the Gravity casing, but eventually swapped over to the Trail casing. It's been bomber, both for regular trail riding and hard bike park use. Riding in Norway I rarely encounter the dry conditions Brian has in this video though. Edit to add: got inserts
Beautiful bike. I ummed and aaahed if I should get the green or the gunmetal grey. Ultimately because the gunmetal was available in my size and the green wasn't, I went for the gunmetal. Havent seen it in person yet, will hopefully be next week or the week after. The green does look bloody good though. Can't wait to ride it.
I’ve tried the old butcher and had more sudden washouts in two rides than in ten years of riding the dhf. Friend’s just got a tacky chan which feels like an updated version of the dhf, same feel, just considerably grippier.
Interesting first impressions, but no major surprises here. Looking forward to the long-term review. Side note: Specialized should come up with an intermediate tire casing. They seem to have the tread pattern and rubber compound all figured out. But their Trail casing really doesn't have enough sidewall support for heavy or aggressive riders and while their DH casing has tons of support, it's also very heavy and somewhat overdamped.
It's a top review! I'm interested to see your thoughts on Charles Murray's back-to-back setup for racing. Also will you race this for enduro or the druid?
Between 2021 yeti sb 150, deviate highlander 140, transition sentinal , which one would you choose fir an older rider that like all different types of terrain. Medium jumping, tech , rolling galbraith style
I have been on Stumpjumpers and Enduros for 20+ years. I bought a 2023 Rocky Mountain Instinct C30 for just over 3K on overstock clearance, and it is a better bike. This looks like a scaled back EVO with an expensive proprietary shock. I have been burned a few time w Spesh over the years on the proprietary stuff. No more. Also, those bolts on the rear end have always come loose on almost every Stumpy and Enduro generation. It is a constant check, even with Loctite. Ride the 2024 Instinct for a comparison. Mine corners way better than my Stumpy. The price on this bike is way too high. What is entry price? $6500 for the comp? Why not release the alloy now?
Much better buy than a Canyon Spectral that comes with proprietary parts that Canyon doesn't keep spares of, leaving their customers without bikes indefinitely if something breaks
How’s the sizing for you? I’m 6’2” but s5 is such a big bike. I have the Evo right now and thinking about s4. Do the handlebars hit your knees on switchbacks?
Maybe a tad on the small side but I think it fits pretty well. Not sure if I’d want to go to an s5. My buddy has one though that I might get a chance to ride.
@@rocky6162 The Xynotal has a closer tread pastern. Overall the Contis seem a really stiff thick tyre, Their soft compounds are a lot harder than say a Shwalbe addix soft.
@@briancahal nice.. bike looks sweet i want one! possibly future test out a rs sd linear tune air shock. he even shares setting for a certain venue.. charles murry running on his race bike.. id be curious to see your ride and opinion.
I've been biking 15 years and have owned a lot of bikes over the years. Yourself and Paul Aston and Dale Stone are the only reviewers I take seriously and can trust for an unbiased honest review. Keep it up 👍🏻
The paint on that bike looks so good in person.
Each their own. I demoed the Expert build in this green and did not like the color at all 😏
Dude you're spoiling us with these uploads, loving the videos!
Best review on UA-cam so far. Can’t wait to see more on this bike.
This reminded me of the last time i rode with specialized tyres- they were terrifying!
Is that good or bad? Not my native tongue
Bring back the mullet! Not a 27.5 rear wheel but your haircut! It’s iconic!
Best review of the SJ15 yet!
Good review! Excited for more on this bike.
Very nice work on this. Love your riding and straight forward commentary.
Great video! Been eyeing the Stumpy 15 and came across this video and was immediately like "Ohhhh that's H&F!" Such a great trail to dial in and test a bike to see how it rides. Really awesome breakdown of how it feels, rides, opinions, and helpful it's on a local trail.
Awesome review man.
Can't wait for you to get rhis thing dailed.
🤙
Good vid. Feel like the S4 should have 440+CS. Short is fun to slash around but doesn't give that solid front end feeling. It's got decent stack , could probably drop the stem a bit to help? (bars already don't look to have much rise?)
Lower bars or harder rear suspension can take away quite some of the front end vagueness that can come with short cs. I have an old 5010 (426 cs, 450 reach) that absolutely rips corners after I’ve dialled in the cockpit and suspension setup.
Full 29?
Fun video, handling sounds pretty much like what you'd expect. The old Evo is also super fun as long as you are riding over the front properly. If you get tired or lazy watch out for front understeer..
Yeah full 29
Hit that Lewis Buchanan suspension test 😆
Thanks for your insight on the tires Brian. I actually just switched to this combo as a non-stock setup due to wanting to save some money on the tires. Felt the same way about both. I really like the Eliminator but don't know about the Butcher. I came from an Assigai so different characteristics somwhat. Definitely want to try a Cannibal soon up front to hopefully keep tire costs down. Can't beat the price if you can get a similar level of confidence from the S tires. I'm running gravity casing on both
Yeah I want to try the gravity casing. Butcher is definitely a lot different then the assegai, cannibal looks good tho
I really like how he breaks down how bikes corner wish he talked more about taking large hits and pumping rollers and tech and how it death grips and brakes
. I wish those specialized grid trail casings were stronger. I really like the eliminator but don’t want to pedal around the gravity casing on my 130mm bike and the grid trail just flats so easy, it’s like exo-.
Shit sad to hear. I have a butcher/eliminator combo at home that I want to try.
Right now on the kenda hellkat and I really like it besides I want bigger sideknobs. I saw that they are coming out with a new tyre this fall the "double black" that has proper sideknobs.
Kendas atc (advanced trail casing) is really puncture resistant and has really good ride feel. They just need to nail the trail patterns and rubber and they will be playing with the big boys.
I took my heavy canibals off and went back to butcher grid trail. Grid trails are ok, just keep the pressures over 25.
I've been rocking the Butcher front/Eliminator rear on my Altitude for three years now. Used to ride it in the Gravity casing, but eventually swapped over to the Trail casing. It's been bomber, both for regular trail riding and hard bike park use. Riding in Norway I rarely encounter the dry conditions Brian has in this video though.
Edit to add: got inserts
Beautiful bike. I ummed and aaahed if I should get the green or the gunmetal grey. Ultimately because the gunmetal was available in my size and the green wasn't, I went for the gunmetal. Havent seen it in person yet, will hopefully be next week or the week after. The green does look bloody good though. Can't wait to ride it.
the stock trail casing tires that come on this bike are flimsy not surprised the front nearly came off on you lol
I’ve tried the old butcher and had more sudden washouts in two rides than in ten years of riding the dhf. Friend’s just got a tacky chan which feels like an updated version of the dhf, same feel, just considerably grippier.
DHF / DHR. You can't go wrong with that combo.
Great in depth review nice colour was gona buy a 2022 stumpjumper pro in the sale but now I've seen this I'm not sure 🤔 how do they compare?
Nice. This is the build kit I’d go for , and in the green too. Trying to decide between this and the Epic Evo at the moment.
Would you say the S works one is worth it? More fun ride? Great review!
The only dude I trust.
Hopefully the alloy version will give people longer chainstay options.
Interesting first impressions, but no major surprises here. Looking forward to the long-term review.
Side note: Specialized should come up with an intermediate tire casing. They seem to have the tread pattern and rubber compound all figured out. But their Trail casing really doesn't have enough sidewall support for heavy or aggressive riders and while their DH casing has tons of support, it's also very heavy and somewhat overdamped.
This trail looks fun, where is it?
Quality work
sick color!
It's a top review! I'm interested to see your thoughts on Charles Murray's back-to-back setup for racing. Also will you race this for enduro or the druid?
Tbh the old design in way better
Torque the bolts correctly after adding new loctite 242 or 243 and you should be cherry!
Does this purchase have anything to do with you ripping that last gen Stumpy at Sea Otter? hahaha
Thanks for doing what you do ❤
Between 2021 yeti sb 150, deviate highlander 140, transition sentinal , which one would you choose fir an older rider that like all different types of terrain. Medium jumping, tech , rolling galbraith style
Hey what would you recommend for a 5’11 /180cm dude looking for a nimble/blanced rig?
Were you able to get the rear brake lever to feel good? I am interested in the bronze level maven
Haven’t put a bleed on it yet. It’s working well enough to not be a huge issue.
I have been on Stumpjumpers and Enduros for 20+ years. I bought a 2023 Rocky Mountain Instinct C30 for just over 3K on overstock clearance, and it is a better bike.
This looks like a scaled back EVO with an expensive proprietary shock. I have been burned a few time w Spesh over the years on the proprietary stuff. No more. Also, those bolts on the rear end have always come loose on almost every Stumpy and Enduro generation. It is a constant check, even with Loctite.
Ride the 2024 Instinct for a comparison. Mine corners way better than my Stumpy. The price on this bike is way too high. What is entry price? $6500 for the comp? Why not release the alloy now?
Much better buy than a Canyon Spectral that comes with proprietary parts that Canyon doesn't keep spares of, leaving their customers without bikes indefinitely if something breaks
Spesh is the all=time king of proprietary parts and components. What do you think this Genie is?
perhaps some of the front end concerns may be a result of tyre traction?
high quality review. make these longer!!
makes me feel like a grandma the way I ride my SJ Evo compared to you
How does this compare against the enduro?
Not as enduro
How’s the sizing for you? I’m 6’2” but s5 is such a big bike. I have the Evo right now and thinking about s4. Do the handlebars hit your knees on switchbacks?
Maybe a tad on the small side but I think it fits pretty well. Not sure if I’d want to go to an s5. My buddy has one though that I might get a chance to ride.
@@briancahal sweet. Can you circle back if you ride it? Our height according to spec we can go either way.
@@kentao4 will do. After a bit more time on the s4 it’s starting to feel a bit small.
Yo yo which Oakley glasses are those?
They are tifosis
@@briancahal sick thank you
looks just like a YT haha
The lack of shifting cable ports killed this bike for me. Just not interested in moving to wireless. Will keep my current Stumpjumpers.
What front tire do you recommend for these type of trail conditions?
The assegai is hard to beat for anything dry
kryptotal hasn't let me down, lasts hella long too
@@rocky6162 The Xynotal has a closer tread pastern.
Overall the Contis seem a really stiff thick tyre, Their soft compounds are a lot harder than say a Shwalbe addix soft.
@@cunning-stunt I 100% agree, with contis the supersoft is the hardest you want to go on the front imo
@@honzakrcil7454 I've gone back to a Magic Mary soft and the amount of grip over the conti is amazing.
what headset setting were yiu in on the ride.
Stock which I think is just the neutral setting
@@briancahal nice.. bike looks sweet i want one! possibly future test out a rs sd linear tune air shock. he even shares setting for a certain venue.. charles murry running on his race bike.. id be curious to see your ride and opinion.
Got mine on July 5th and it’s awesome. Wasn’t a fan of the mint color
It reminds me of a Canyon Neuron which I don't like.
The twist in your helmet strap is bugging me.
220 pounds - it will last about 2 sec
What you mean
omg can you redo this ride with no talking. I wanna hear these ride sounds for 8hrs while i sleep vs white noise.
Looks boring
Btw Climb “well” not “good”