Staff Rides- Ste's Stumpy 15

In our latest video, Ste takes us on a deep dive into transforming his Stumpjumper 15 from a stock Expert model into a one-of-a-kind, custom-build.

With almost none of the original components left this is in one sense, a classic Ste build but in another sense very much not a classic Ste build in that its one that Mat actually likes for once!

"Orange and green should always be seen! (On the podium)"

Ste's Stumpjumper 15 started off as an Expert model, but as he mentioned, "like most of my bikes, they tend to get carried away pretty quickly." 

And after scouting the shop for "bits lying around" this is what he came up with and its a beauty! 

The orange Fox fork and spring matched with the bright green frame are a brave choice but fortune favours the brave and Ste is already hitting up the podiums on this beast! 

Component Breakdown: 

Let's explore the carefully selected components that make this bike so special:

• Drivetrain: Ste has opted for a SRAM XX1 crankset but with added power meter! Which means he can bore everyone he knows with power data and even include monthly updates in our Brink team meetings based around his new peak power numbers for the quarter. Thanks for the update Ste! 
• Brakes: Ste has tried various brake options in the past, including Hayes Dominions, Sram Codes, and Hope, and he's found that the Maven Ultimates provide a solid, consistent feel with plenty of power.
• Wheels: The bike is rolling on Santa Cruz Reserve SL wheels, which Ste had previously used on his old bike. He opted for a setup with an SL front rim and an HD rear rim, as he felt the Stumpjumper would be better suited to a slightly more aggressive wheel setup.
• Tires: Ste has chosen to run some Schwalbe radial tires after riding them in our Vala test video and loving the feel of them. He's currently running 25 PSI in the front and 29 PSI in the rear, and he's been surprised with the performance and grip they've provided at higher pressures. An ideal race tyre! 
• Suspension: The Stumpjumper's suspension is based around the new propriatroy Genie shock but Ste has opted for a coil shock (with matching orange spring of course) which he says looks and works great, but he's also eager to try out the bike's stock Genie shock to see how it performs.
• Cockpit: Ste has equipped the bike with high-rise bars again after testing bars in our recent bar height video. However, after some trail testing, he's found that lowering the bars by 10mm has provided a better feel and handling characteristics that he's more comfortable with. He's also using his trusty Mirror saddle, which he's transferred from bike to bike.

My bike, My way! 

Building a bike from scratch means you get to spec the things you want to ride and sometimes that means running Santa Cruz grips on a Specialized and for most that would be an unthinkable concept but when we are looking for the best performance possible, the brand just isn't that important. That said when ever you do this Fairy's die so on your conscious be it! 

The Reserve wheels have come a long way from being a Santa Cruz product and do very much stand alone as some of the best wheels on the market. Especially when you consider you can rub a stiffer wheels out back and a flexy wheel out front for even more optimised performance!

Winner, winner, Chicken dinner!

The bikes debut event was at the Pedal Hounds enduro and after months of convincing Mat to race it, Ste had to race alone after Mat chickened out (Mat edit: by not attending Mat has graciously gifted Ste this prestigious win - you're welcome Ste) but not all was lost as Micky from our Newmarket store and Mr Jono Jones filled in for Mat and did a crackin job of locking down the podiums with a solid Elite win from Jono with Micky in 2nd and Ste topping off the old boys class! 

Whether you're looking to transform a stock bike or start from scratch with a custom build, the team at Brink and the experts at Plush Suspension are here to support you every step of the way. Visit the Brink website to explore their wide selection of high-quality mountain bike components and accessories, and be sure to book your suspension service at Plush to keep your bike running at its best.

Follow Brink on Instagram and TikTok to stay up-to-date with the latest news, product releases, and inspiring custom bike builds like Ste's Stumpjumper 15.