Currently riding a 2015 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp EVO 650b, but I’m increasingly finding that I just want to do downhill type stuff like I used to on my old Demo 8, so I bought a set of 160mm Pikes to go on it.

Before I fit the Pikes though, am I just polishing a turd? Or should I be looking at something completely different with slacker frame geometry? (that was part of the reason for the fork upgrade)

I’m not trying to make out like I’m ‘too good’ for the bike, but I just don’t want to ruin it trying to ride the same sort of stuff I used to on my Demo.

For reference, I used to spend a lot of time at places like Aston Hill and Chicksands etc. And I’m planning on spending a lot of time at BPW this year.

I’m hoping you will all just tell me that the Stumpy is more than capable of everything except pro-line type stuff and that as long as I’m happy with it being a bit bumpier/twitchier than an Enduro bike like a YT Capra (which is the sort of thing I was considering upgrading to) it will do fine with everything BPW has to offer?

a stumpy is more than adequate for the places you describe IMO.

Ride very nicely with a 160 fork, can fit a offset bush to the front of the shock to slacken a bit.

Wouldnt really say a capra would be much of an upgrade just has more travel if your stumpy really, but an even shorter (stumpy isnt long) toptube

Put a 170mm fork on instead?

pike and a decent rear shock – wouldn’t bother with the capra

a stumpy is more than adequate for the places you describe IMO.

Ride very nicely with a 160 fork, can fit a offset bush to the front of the shock to slacken a bit.

Wouldnt really say a capra would be much of an upgrade just has more travel if your stumpy really, but an even shorter (stumpy isnt long) toptube

I’d heard about offset bushes on the shock, but doesn’t that lower the BB even more than it’s super low stock height!?

Put a 170mm fork on instead?

I think 170mm would be outside tolerance for what Specialized recommend you can upgrade to? I think they say 10%+/- so 170mm would be right above the upper limit?

putting a longer fork will make the bb higher, so ofset bush wouldn`t be too much of a problem.

I run my wicked with longer forks (meant for 160) with no issues… That as well as an offset bushing would nearly have it sitting as standard anyway.