Interesting. I had a Stumpjumper ST that was an enigma. Looking at in on paper, the reach was way too short. I wouldn't even consider a bike with that reach today. But everytime I got on it, it felt great. I also had extremely lower level suspension on it, but it ate up everything. It was to the point I asked the shop where I bought it if they did some special tune on the fork. They thought I was crazy.
Also whenever I went up hill I could feel a lot of bobbing. I always thought it was eating up all my speed. But then I would check Strava and despite the feel, I was really moving up the hill. I never understood how that bike should have sucked, but felt so great. I loved it. And I dont like Specialized really. Ive demoed super expensive bikes, and I liked the cheap Stumpy ST as much as all of them.
That EVO clone is kind of interesting.
