Powered by Outside

S3 vs S4 Stumpjumper EVO

PB Forum :: Specialized
S3 vs S4 Stumpjumper EVO

 Post Message | Latest Comment
Author Message
flag dickdillander
O+
Posted: Feb 18, 2022 at 10:38 Quote
Can anyone speak to sizing between these two? I’m 5’10” and bought an S3. I’m still building it up and our trails are still covered in snow and ice but I can’t help but think I should have gone with an S4. Can anyone with experience with both convince me that I bought the right size?
flag skunkybiker
O+
Posted: Feb 22, 2022 at 4:34 Quote
I'm 5'10.5" and bought an S4. I never even tried the S3 so I can't help there. I generally ride size large (Yeti SB100 and Banshee Paradox v3 were my last two MTB purchases) and the S4 just felt right, and comparable to the size large trail bikes I test rode, like the Kona Process 134 and Hightower.

But I'm not all about throwing the bike in the air. Many our size have bought the S3, which certainly will be more maneuverable in tight stuff. I bought the bike for riding rough stuff in the Gifford Pinchot (SW Washington) and Santiam Cascades in Oregon, so more stable and long made sense for me.
flag Barks82
O+ FL
Posted: Feb 22, 2022 at 10:58 Quote
Really depends on your preference and style of riding. My son is 5'6" and is on the S3. But, he doesn't care much for jumping and likes his bike to feel long and stable . I'm 6'1" and have an S4 thats similar in reach and wheelbase #s to my SC Hightower. However, I definitely prefer a but smaller of a bike.

At 5'10, you're pretty much in the middle of s3 and s4. So, I guess it really depends on what you want.





dickdillander wrote:
Can anyone speak to sizing between these two? I’m 5’10” and bought an S3. I’m still building it up and our trails are still covered in snow and ice but I can’t help but think I should have gone with an S4. Can anyone with experience with both convince me that I bought the right size?
flag dundundata
Posted: Feb 22, 2022 at 11:35 Quote
If you are used to mediums the S3 should feel normal.
flag dickdillander
O+
Posted: Feb 22, 2022 at 14:02 Quote
I’ve spent my entire adult life stuck between medium and large frame sizes. I’m thinking I’ll feel good on the S3 but am left wondering what I’m missing out on being on an S4
flag rob929
O+
Posted: Jun 11, 2022 at 23:46 Quote
I’m 5’10” and rented both sizes to answer this question for myself. Had each for 2 days and rode on Mt. Seymour and Mt. Fromme in North Vancouver BC.

Had both bikes at mid headtube with high bb and 29er rear (aka not mullet)

I rented the S3 first. It felt perfect. I loved it. It was such an easy going bike. climbed super easy, easy to maneuver, the size made climbing less of an effort. It was in the tech moments that i’d expect some trouble that there just wasn’t any. so i’d glide through. I’m chalking that up to smaller bike being more maneuverable. smaller wheelbase, shorter reach…maybe a hair of weight? The effect that had was like the bike was calling to me from the garage, hey, i’m easy, let’s ride. so fun. It was also capable and equally nimble on the descent. I did feel a bit undergunned on one run, Dales Trail. It’s a pretty janky old trail though. I also had some pedal strikes. But, I loved this bike.

Then the S4. Whoa. Faster and noticeably steamrolled stuff i’d considered chunky before. My bike is 2018 Norco Range 29 large, similar in size to the S3 and the descent with the S3 was comparable. The S4, man, faster and just rolled stuff. The size was more to handle, but what a rush. They say stable vs maneuverable and i guess that’s true but stable seems like a boring word for it. it just makes nothing of some stuff. i don’t wanna say it plows because that usually means a huge bike and this isn’t that. it climbed well but i had to move it more. it jumped well. not overly big. I didn’t get to Dales Trail on it but I’m betting it’d handle the rough better. tight corners would be the trade off though. This bike would call from the garage with temptation. exciting me to a thrill of speed. it was a rush.

I think the S3 is the wiser choice, it’s so easy going and fun and would keep me more reality checked. That said, I’m planning to get an S4 for the thrills knowing I’ll need to grow into its speed and ability. My friend rides an S4 enduro. That for me is too fast a bike. think wheelbase is the key factor for the speed differences, longer equaling faster. An S4 enduro is bigger/longer than an S4 Stumpy Evo. The Stumpy evo S4 is an exciting spot. I just hope i’m not lining myself up to learn something the hard way. If bikes weren’t so expensive i might get both sizes.
flag dickdillander
O+
Posted: Jun 12, 2022 at 13:44 Quote
Thank you for your thorough response. What you write about the S3 is definitely how I feel on the bike. I’ve got a few rides on it now and I’m definitely comfortable. This bike is a stellar climber (with very little shifting around on the saddle) and great in tight twisty single track. I’ve only ridden it in the medium setting too. Before my next ride I’m going switch to the slack mode. I can’t imagine lowering the bb at all. I’ve had more pedal strikes on this bike than all my other bikes combined. The S3 is calling me from the garage and saying “I need 165mm cranks”.


rob929 wrote:
I’m 5’10” and rented both sizes to answer this question for myself. Had each for 2 days and rode on Mt. Seymour and Mt. Fromme in North Vancouver BC.

Had both bikes at mid headtube with high bb and 29er rear (aka not mullet)

I rented the S3 first. It felt perfect. I loved it. It was such an easy going bike. climbed super easy, easy to maneuver, the size made climbing less of an effort. It was in the tech moments that i’d expect some trouble that there just wasn’t any. so i’d glide through. I’m chalking that up to smaller bike being more maneuverable. smaller wheelbase, shorter reach…maybe a hair of weight? The effect that had was like the bike was calling to me from the garage, hey, i’m easy, let’s ride. so fun. It was also capable and equally nimble on the descent. I did feel a bit undergunned on one run, Dales Trail. It’s a pretty janky old trail though. I also had some pedal strikes. But, I loved this bike.

Then the S4. Whoa. Faster and noticeably steamrolled stuff i’d considered chunky before. My bike is 2018 Norco Range 29, similar in size to the S3 and the descent with the S3 was comparable. The S4, man, faster and just rolled stuff. The size was more to handle, but what a rush. They say stable vs maneuverable and i guess that’s true but stable seems like a boring word for it. it just makes nothing of some stuff. i don’t wanna say it plows because that usually means a huge bike and this isn’t that. it climbed well but i had to move it more. it jumped well. not overly big. I didn’t get to Dales Trail on it but I’m betting it’d handle the rough better. tight corners would be the trade off though. This bike would call from the garage with temptation. exciting me to a thrill of speed. it was a rush.

I think the S3 is the wiser choice, it’s so easy going and fun and would keep me more reality checked. That said, I’m planning to get an S4 for the thrills knowing I’ll need to grow into its speed and ability. My friend rides an S4 enduro. That for me is too fast a bike. think wheelbase is the key factor for the speed differences, longer equaling faster. An S4 enduro is bigger/longer than an S4 Stumpy Evo. The Stumpy evo S4 is an exciting spot. I just hope i’m not lining myself up to learn something the hard way. If bikes weren’t so expensive i might get both sizes.
flag J3cc
O+
Posted: Jun 13, 2022 at 8:03 Quote
Barks82 wrote:
Really depends on your preference and style of riding. My son is 5'6" and is on the S3. But, he doesn't care much for jumping and likes his bike to feel long and stable . I'm 6'1" and have an S4 thats similar in reach and wheelbase #s to my SC Hightower. However, I definitely prefer a but smaller of a bike.

At 5'10, you're pretty much in the middle of s3 and s4. So, I guess it really depends on what you want.





dickdillander wrote:
Can anyone speak to sizing between these two? I’m 5’10” and bought an S3. I’m still building it up and our trails are still covered in snow and ice but I can’t help but think I should have gone with an S4. Can anyone with experience with both convince me that I bought the right size?

This is all down to personal preference then, i'm taller than your son and riding an S2 because I don't want it feeling like a tank.
flag rob929
O+
Posted: Jun 14, 2022 at 23:13 Quote
“The S3 is calling me from the garage and saying “I need 165mm cranks”. “ lol
  • Previous Page
  • Next Page

 


Copyright © 2000 - 2026. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.008747
Mobile Version of Website