Going to co-sign from the 6’2” crew. S5 is what you need. Knees were all in the handlebars in the S4. Coming from a 2019 stumpy the Evo climbs better than it should. For that reason I picked it over the regular stumpy since I can have only one bike for everything mountain. I also bought lighter carbon wheels and faster tires for the mellow trails. It’s amazing
Super dope video! It's hard to beat our Santa Cruz Hightowers. I feel the same way, Specialized bikes are just as common as Trek bikes, they are all over the place and everyone has them.
For the Maryland terrain, you should try the Stumpy with the flex stays, unless you are hitting bike parks and mountains. Nice job comparing the bikes... they are true quiver killers.
@@splooshmtb I'll check it out. Yeah, not the bike for parks. Merry Christmas. Going sneak a quick ride in on some local trails on the fat bike now. Peace.
Love my Hightower too i have a trek 27.5 plus and my HT does better all but treks feel better for jump maybe because is small . Looks like you still have a lot fun at there
I love silent bikes and silent hubs. Loud hubs can be so obnoxious especially when you are in a peaceful forest and the only thing you can hear is the wind, the birds and some chads 90db hub. Also my GF has some Bontrager carbon wheels and her hub is so annoyingly loud. Riding behind or beside her when she is coasting is unpleasant to say the least.
@@splooshmtb Agreed, to each their own but the problem is that when someone else has a loud hub, THEY might love it but they are bothering a lot of other people in the process who are also using the trails.
Nice video Bro!! I can hear it in your voice, you are a closet StumpyEvo man...lol Drop that Santa Baby and come on over to the StumpyEvo Family!! You definitely need an S5, that what I ride. You are right about on thing, it's not the best climber.
@Cortezuma I just did the same but I traded a 22 Hightower for a 23 s works stumpy Evo, I have no regrets because I wanted a bigger bike park bike that I could pedal but I really miss my Hightower while navigating slow technical stuff. The Stumpy Evo just eats up going fast but is long and hard to control going slow.
@@splooshmtb Yeah I’ll probably just keep the Hightower hahaha. It’s such a perfect balance between slow/tech/climbing abilities along with still eating the downhill stuff really well. Plus you could still up the fork if you want. But the deals they’re running on the Stumpjumper now that the new one is out are really incredible. Pretty much you can get a Stumpy (Evo or regular) for the same price as a Hightower S. That’s X01 mech compared to GX for example. Still, the Hightower is probably more balanced if your normal trail rides include slow speeds, climbing, tech, which mine (and most people’s) do!
@@splooshmtb Also that being said I am thinking of trying to take my Hightower to the bike park as well. Obviously not quite as much travel but I think it could hang on a lot of trails.
Yes, I do, but not the brand new generation. In my opinion, the new gen fuel has stepped up a lot and even won trail bike of the year last year. If there's a chance you can demo one I'd really recommend that!
@@splooshmtb I won now gen5 it's very cool bike but looking for more fun cycle. I did test demo Gen 6, but only the ex8 which is quite heavy.So if I would buy Trek, only the carbon version. That's why now considering Hightower vs C or Fuel ex 9.8 - both in let's say in same pricing (huge discounts)
@msobas depends on your riding Hightower is also about 10mm more travel front and rear shock than the fuel so it would be a more capable bike downhill as well. Check out other videos on the channel, I hit massive jumps and drops on it, makes a great park bike too!
@@splooshmtb both are 150mm front, HT is 145 rear,Trek 140 - so almost same bikes ;) I do not very high jumping, prefer flow trails and long trips.I have tested Megatower as well, but it's to hard for me. Wondering if tehre is a big difference between HT and MT in climbing and descents.
@@msobas yeah I've tried a mega-its a big, long bike. Too long for me since I trail ride a lot also. It would be the definition of "too much bike" for my area of riding.
Thank you my man! This was a lot of different trails but it was through patapsco valley state park! As far as demos go, just go follow all your local bike shops on social media where they give updates and start talking to them about group rides and demos!
@@splooshmtb ah if it's the 370 then they use the pawl system and they are a lot more quiet. The grease helps for a little while but just for a few rides. The ratchet system is very loud no matter the grease after 2-3 rides.
Yo! I ride an S4Evo Expert. Mostly stock except AB oval ring, carbon wheels and carbon bars. How tall are you? I’m 6’2” and like the bike a little smaller. Let’s collaborate up at the shed soon and you can ride mine up there. The evo really shines in Frederick. I rarely ride it in ptap.
@@splooshmtb sweet. I came from a 2020 Stumpjumper Downieville edition and it’s night and day. The Downieville was a better all around Bike, but in the rough stuff the Evo is preposterous. Sundays are good for me up there. I’ll reach out next time I go.
😂 things said while riding don't translate as well to make sense but basically I've ridden and grown with this bike to make it an extension of my riding, by owning it. Where as the stumpy, on first impression didn't feel like a "my bike" feel.
@@splooshmtb I just find it funny because I own a Stumpi Evo and was expecting a more "concrete" comparison - not least because of the title 😁 Keep it up, buddy! BTW: good riding 🙌
@aaronhernandez1982 haha I totally get it, the main thing I noticed is the stumpy felt way more planted to the ground, than my Hightower that just makes you want to pop everything. Everything else just rode like another good mountain bike. Thanks dude🤙🏽
You're 6'2" plus some change, and you're on a size LARGE Hightower? You're downsizing beyond the overlapping zone. You're in the middle of the size XL Hightower.
I'm a total Mt. Bike Virgin. I just bought the 2023 Stumpy EVO Expert in the black color. I hope i don't kill myself on it out here in Utah.
You'll grow with the bike, congrats and welcome to the best sport out there dude!
@@splooshmtb Thanks... i'll give it my best.
As a botanist, I can confirm that the bike felt planted
Thank you melon planter, for confirming.
Going to co-sign from the 6’2” crew. S5 is what you need. Knees were all in the handlebars in the S4. Coming from a 2019 stumpy the Evo climbs better than it should. For that reason I picked it over the regular stumpy since I can have only one bike for everything mountain. I also bought lighter carbon wheels and faster tires for the mellow trails. It’s amazing
Totally agree on sizing. Those upgrades sound mint!
6'"2 here, S4 for the win.
Had a blast ripping around Rocky Ridge with you and your crew this weekend! Cheers!
Ayy Austin! Was fun to hit some rocks with you, my guy! Thanks for checking out the channel!
@@splooshmtb Will you be publishing any footage from Rocky Ridge?
@@acs632 absolutely. That video will probably be about 3 weeks out!
All the guys at Dirt Rooster are good people
Couldn't agree more man, great shop!
Super dope video! It's hard to beat our Santa Cruz Hightowers. I feel the same way, Specialized bikes are just as common as Trek bikes, they are all over the place and everyone has them.
I agree they're everywhere but sometimes it's just cause they're that good! I can see why people go for them for sure haha.
@@splooshmtb They make good bikes from what I hear. I need to demo some different bikes so I can see for myself.
@@ridingwithreggie definitely! Next up I need to see if I can get my hands on a transition!
@@splooshmtb one of the guys in my crew has one and he can really ride! I get left in the dust trying to keep up!
I see Santa Cruz bikes just as common as specialized here in Colorado. I guess it’s the good economy here
For the Maryland terrain, you should try the Stumpy with the flex stays, unless you are hitting bike parks and mountains. Nice job comparing the bikes... they are true quiver killers.
They absolutely are both great all- mountain bikes. But yeah if you check out the channel, we get into A LOT of bike park riding in the summer!
@@splooshmtb I'll check it out. Yeah, not the bike for parks. Merry Christmas. Going sneak a quick ride in on some local trails on the fat bike now. Peace.
@@petedog9581 Merry Christmas my man, enjoy the trails!
Hat was a fun ride on a beautiful fall day.
Absolutely was, Jim, thanks for watching!
All those creek crossings....they are demos now....maybe pick one up for 1/2 price! 😁
Creeks and tons of rocks, they really trusted us with those demos😂
liked because of the 360noscope reference
These cats don't know about the cod4/mw2 Xbox lobbies😂😂
Gotta love Patapsco
Nice assessment!
Thanks homie!
Love my Hightower too i have a trek 27.5 plus and my HT does better all but treks feel better for jump maybe because is small . Looks like you still have a lot fun at there
Yeah the Hightower just feels like an amazing do it all bike but this Evo expert definitely competes with it!
@@splooshmtb i did same crazy lol i rode the trek today with my 29er the one on my HT and man that bike climbs very well
Did you just make a halo pun in the beginning 360 no scope!
Looool I'm glad someone caught that. Back in the mw2/halo3 days
@@splooshmtb most definitely I was a rank 50 and back then if you lost even if you had a positive KD your rank would go down
I love silent bikes and silent hubs. Loud hubs can be so obnoxious especially when you are in a peaceful forest and the only thing you can hear is the wind, the birds and some chads 90db hub. Also my GF has some Bontrager carbon wheels and her hub is so annoyingly loud. Riding behind or beside her when she is coasting is unpleasant to say the least.
@The.JZA. different strokes brother! I enjoy the silence of onyx as much as I love the bee hive of hydras but there's a time for both :)
@@splooshmtb Agreed, to each their own but the problem is that when someone else has a loud hub, THEY might love it but they are bothering a lot of other people in the process who are also using the trails.
Nice video Bro!! I can hear it in your voice, you are a closet StumpyEvo man...lol Drop that Santa Baby and come on over to the StumpyEvo Family!! You definitely need an S5, that what I ride. You are right about on thing, it's not the best climber.
Haha thanks Keenan, lmao closet stumpy evo man had me cracking up😂. It's a great bike, definitely one of the ones on my radar for the future!
Fellow brown MD mountain biker?! Subbed
@tzaidi2349 love to hear it dude! More brown people on bikes!!!
I've got a Stumpy Evo and my next bike (at some point in the distant future) will probably be a Hightower.
As someone that just went the opposite direction, I'll let you know how it goes, but you can't go wrong with a Hightower!
I’m fixing to trade my 2024 Hightower for a 22 Stumpy Evo….
@Cortezuma I just did the same but I traded a 22 Hightower for a 23 s works stumpy Evo, I have no regrets because I wanted a bigger bike park bike that I could pedal but I really miss my Hightower while navigating slow technical stuff. The Stumpy Evo just eats up going fast but is long and hard to control going slow.
@@splooshmtb Yeah I’ll probably just keep the Hightower hahaha. It’s such a perfect balance between slow/tech/climbing abilities along with still eating the downhill stuff really well. Plus you could still up the fork if you want. But the deals they’re running on the Stumpjumper now that the new one is out are really incredible. Pretty much you can get a Stumpy (Evo or regular) for the same price as a Hightower S. That’s X01 mech compared to GX for example. Still, the Hightower is probably more balanced if your normal trail rides include slow speeds, climbing, tech, which mine (and most people’s) do!
@@splooshmtb Also that being said I am thinking of trying to take my Hightower to the bike park as well. Obviously not quite as much travel but I think it could hang on a lot of trails.
any experience with riding on Trek Fuel ex ? Got huge dilemma between Hightower and Fuel
Yes, I do, but not the brand new generation. In my opinion, the new gen fuel has stepped up a lot and even won trail bike of the year last year. If there's a chance you can demo one I'd really recommend that!
@@splooshmtb I won now gen5 it's very cool bike but looking for more fun cycle. I did test demo Gen 6, but only the ex8 which is quite heavy.So if I would buy Trek, only the carbon version. That's why now considering Hightower vs C or Fuel ex 9.8 - both in let's say in same pricing (huge discounts)
@msobas depends on your riding Hightower is also about 10mm more travel front and rear shock than the fuel so it would be a more capable bike downhill as well. Check out other videos on the channel, I hit massive jumps and drops on it, makes a great park bike too!
@@splooshmtb both are 150mm front, HT is 145 rear,Trek 140 - so almost same bikes ;) I do not very high jumping, prefer flow trails and long trips.I have tested Megatower as well, but it's to hard for me. Wondering if tehre is a big difference between HT and MT in climbing and descents.
@@msobas yeah I've tried a mega-its a big, long bike. Too long for me since I trail ride a lot also. It would be the definition of "too much bike" for my area of riding.
oh yeah because SL CC XX or SL S and MX R is waaayyyy less complicated 😆
😂😂😭 I can't get on board with these names💀
What size Hightower do you ride?
@SNS1212 this was my previous bike, it was a large but it definitely should have been an XL. For reference, now I ride a XXL stumpy Evo (S6).
Great vid...what trail was this?...and where do get updates on when/where demos are being held?
Thank you my man! This was a lot of different trails but it was through patapsco valley state park!
As far as demos go, just go follow all your local bike shops on social media where they give updates and start talking to them about group rides and demos!
@@splooshmtb sweeeeeeeeet thanks homie 👏🏽👏🏽🙋🏾♂️..
@@mark1john of course my man 🤝🏽
what dt swiss hubs are they? I have some 180 exp 54t and they are crazy loud and wish they were more silent.
To my understanding they are Roval DT Swiss 370 hubs but have been packed down with DT Swiss's specialty grease that quiets them down a ton!
@@splooshmtb ah if it's the 370 then they use the pawl system and they are a lot more quiet. The grease helps for a little while but just for a few rides. The ratchet system is very loud no matter the grease after 2-3 rides.
@@TeamCykelhold oof that's great to know! I'm looking into slightly quieter hubs for my Hightower so it's not too much buzzing on my videos😂
@@splooshmtb Yeah same, I wasn't super happy about the loudness of the ratchet.
@@TeamCykelhold hah don't get me wrong I love the loud hubs, fits my taste 😂 but yeah for TH-cam content it is a little obnoxious.
I ride an XL Hightower and when I ride a Stumpy I ride an S4. Did you find similar?
I'm 6'2 and some change and I felt the s4 was really small I think an s5 would have been the move tbh
Trail dog MVP!
Truuu
Yo! I ride an S4Evo Expert. Mostly stock except AB oval ring, carbon wheels and carbon bars. How tall are you? I’m 6’2” and like the bike a little smaller. Let’s collaborate up at the shed soon and you can ride mine up there. The evo really shines in Frederick. I rarely ride it in ptap.
Ayy 6'2" boys! Haha same here. Yeah I'm totally down to try it on some proper jank man! How do you like that oval?
@@splooshmtb oh, I really like it. Feels very natural once you acclimate.
@@happytrailsmtb8011 I'm extremely comfortable doing really sketchy stuff on my Hightower so we'll see how it feels haha😂
@@splooshmtb sweet. I came from a 2020 Stumpjumper Downieville edition and it’s night and day. The Downieville was a better all around Bike, but in the rough stuff the Evo is preposterous. Sundays are good for me up there. I’ll reach out next time I go.
@@happytrailsmtb8011 sounds good man! I'm pretty sold on my next bike being a mullet SC Bronson, just fits the way I ride😂 but always open to options
I love down hill mtb
WTH kind of reasoning is that?? "The Hightower, because I own it..." 😆
😂 things said while riding don't translate as well to make sense but basically I've ridden and grown with this bike to make it an extension of my riding, by owning it. Where as the stumpy, on first impression didn't feel like a "my bike" feel.
@@splooshmtb I just find it funny because I own a Stumpi Evo and was expecting a more "concrete" comparison - not least because of the title 😁
Keep it up, buddy! BTW: good riding 🙌
@aaronhernandez1982 haha I totally get it, the main thing I noticed is the stumpy felt way more planted to the ground, than my Hightower that just makes you want to pop everything. Everything else just rode like another good mountain bike. Thanks dude🤙🏽
You're 6'2" plus some change, and you're on a size LARGE Hightower? You're downsizing beyond the overlapping zone. You're in the middle of the size XL Hightower.
@MarioV73 hah you ain't wrong dude😂 check out the more recent vids, I'm on a XXL now🤘🏽
@@splooshmtb from L to XXL, i dont want to know what kind of girls u date😂
@@009etna LOOL