Not only is the Stumpy Evo Comp drop-dead gorgeous, it’s megaadjustable and adaptable

So that’s a wrap on our 2022 Trail Bike of the Year test. And what a way to close out the season. Eight cutting-edge trail bikes ragged and rated with a clear pecking order and an outright winner in each category. So whether you are browsing online or squeezing brake levers in your local bike stop in the search of your next trail bike, this test should help point you in the right direction.

One thing that really stood out this year was that the overall standard of the bikes was exceptionally high. And while we’re convinced that all of the brands have upped their game, having what was almost a two-year break from our last Trail Bike of the Year test really helped compound the advances in what can sometimes feel like a glacial pace of progress.

As such, all of the bikes have modern sizing, and even though the YT Jeffsy Core 2 was the shortest bike in test, that really just comes down to the relative sizing scale. If YT was to simply rebrand the XL as an L and bump all five frame sizes down the scale it would instantly go from having the shortest bike in test to the longest, just by changing a decal on the frame. But until YT does that, you may need to upsize on the Jeffsy. Now contrast that with Privateer. It only offers the 29er version of the 141 in three sizes, but with a 487mm reach on the S3, it’s the biggest bike in test and that’s across both categories.

All of the bikes bar the Privateer have adjustable geometry, with Specialized taking it to the nth degree. Literally. With an independently adjustable head angle and combined BB height and chainstay length adjustment, you can tweak the numbers on the Stumpy Evo Comp to your heart’s content. And it can all be done with nothing more than the SWAT tool provided with the bike. We ran all of the bikes in this test in the low geometry settings, but if you’re riding flatter trails or just want additional pedal clearance for steep, rocky climbs, rotating the flip-chips is all it takes.

It wasn’t that long ago that every bike test involved fitting a shorter stem. Not any more. In fact we’d be tempted to fit a slightly longer

CONCLUSION

stem to the Whyte T-160 RS to better load the front tyre and make the steering feel less direct. Thankfully we didn’t need to change the stem on the Focus Jam 6.9, because the integrated cable routing makes it a job for an experienced mechanic.

THE WINNERS

In terms of weight, the full carbon Canyon Spectral 7 was the lightest bike here at an impressive 14.14kg (31.17lb), and that’s with a Maxxis EXO/EXO+ tyre combo. At the other end of the scale, and with the same tyre casings, is the Focus Jam at 16.4kg (36.15lb). And while that’s not an apples to apples comparison, as Focus doesn’t benefit from the cost savings inherent in a direct-to-consumer approach, it gives you a good idea of the range of weights, as the Whyte T-160 isn’t much lighter than the Focus.