My Staff Bike Check – Neil’s Custom Stumpy 15

 

Here’s a closer look at my Specialized Stumpjumper 15—my daily trail bike and the most dialled-in Stumpy I’ve built yet.

Frame, Sizing & Geometry

I’m 6'2", so I’m on an S5 frame. I run the steeper head-tube setting because it keeps the bike playful and snappy on the tighter trails I ride most. The adjustable head tube is one of my favourite features of the Stumpy 15—being able to tune the handling makes it feel like two bikes in one.

Cockpit Setup

I keep the cockpit simple and comfortable:

• Burgtec Ratboy grips for feel and control

• OneUp carbon bar, trimmed to 770mm so the bike stays lively on the trail

• Burgtec Enduro stem, giving me a touch more reach and a more balanced position

Small changes, but they make the bike feel exactly how I want it.

Suspension

Up front I’m running a Fox 36 Rhythm at 95 PSI with three volume tokens. It’s been on multiple builds now because it just works—plush off the top, supportive when things get rowdy.

The star of the show is the Genie rear shock. I run:

• Max token in the inner chamber

• Two tokens in the outer chamber

That gives me loads of support in the final 30% of travel without losing that buttery initial stroke.

To compensate for the mullet setup, I added a Cascade Components link. It bumps the bike’s progression from 11% to 26%, which gives a much more predictable and stable feel.

Wheels & Tyres

I’m running a mullet setup—29" up front, 27.5" out back. Perfect mix of rollover and playfulness.

Tyres:

• Schwalbe Magic Mary (radial) up front

• Schwalbe Big Betty / Albert (radial) out back

The wheels are a mix of parts-bin specials—Roval hub, mystery rim—but they’ve been bombproof.

Drivetrain & Brakes

I’ve gone back to Shimano SLX, and honestly, I’d forgotten how flawless it is. Crisp, quiet, and reliable.

For pedals, it had to be the Burgtec B-Rage—nothing grips better.

I’m running TRP Evo Trail brakes, which really surprised me. Even at about 100kg, they’ve handled everything without fading.

Personal Touches

You’ll spot a few decals and tributes to Stevie Smith scattered around the frame. He was my hero growing up, and adding those little touches feels like carrying a bit of that inspiration every time I ride.

On-Trail Feel

Whether I’m lapping my flat local trails or heading into Wales, the Stumpy 15 adapts perfectly.
Steeper setting for playfulness at home, slacker for the big stuff. Simple.

This bike genuinely lets me ride how I want—fast, fun, and aggressive—without ever feeling out of its depth.

Wrap-Up

This Stumpjumper 15 build is exactly how I like my trail bikes: personalised, dependable, and built to shred anything I point it at.

If you want to check out the Stumpy 15 range, hit us up and if you want your suspension dialled like mine, book in with Plush Suspension!

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Key Build Highlights

• S5 frame (I’m 6'2")

• Adjustable head tube – I run the steeper setting

• Burgtec Ratboy grips

• OneUp carbon bar cut to 770mm

• Burgtec Enduro stem

• Fox 36 Rhythm – 150mm, 95 PSI, 3 tokens

• Genie shock with custom dual-chamber setup

• Cascade Components link

• Mullet wheels – 29"/27.5"

• Magic Mary front / Albert rear

• Shimano SLX drivetrain

• Burgtec B-Rage pedals

• TRP Evo Trail brakes

• Stevie Smith tribute decals