Great bike but not a PRO level as equipped. Here are the drawbacks: Heavy outdated dropper post, no self service. Heavy wheel and tire combination with budget hubs replacing the DT Swiss 350's from earlier models. 32t front chain ring = gearing way too low. A new chain ($100) is required if a larger chain ring is installed. 50mm stem length is too short for optimal rider position. Other than that, the Frame (forward geometry, two water bottles and down tube storage), Suspension (infinitely adjustable and plush Fox Factory 130mm) Brakes (Sram code RSC's are powerful with adjustable contact points) and SRAM's T-Type Electronic transmission are definitely worth the price of admission.

bike was creaking after only 2 months of riding.. no one could find thr creak

Bought it for cross country in Utah as well as trails in WA. It's light and responsive. And having ridden a friend's Stumpjumper, I'd say it does well on the bumps as well.

Was looking at the S-Works and just couldn’t convince myself that it was the right bike for the rocky stuff we call trails around here. Then I saw this and it looked much more the part, so I bit the bullet. Well, after the first ride with 2200’ of steep dry loose climbing, followed by a much tougher than expected rocky technical descent, I can tell you that it is indeed tough, nimble, and damp enough to handle just about everything. This bike feels just about as confident in the steep downhill technical as my Enduro, albeit with a lot less travel. The brakes? Superb! The suspension? Dialed! The cockpit? Roomy! And the weight is just wonderful, so flickable, huckable, and won’t tire you out. If I had to nit-pick, when slow traversing through the rocks, it can tend to bounce a little or just stop, likely due to the lower travel and weight. Also, the tires are obviously not as grippy as my usual go-to’s, like the Minions or the Magic Mary’s but hey, it’s a cross-country bike… right???

Got this EE8 at Spokeman in Santa Cruz, CA, my 2nd Specialized bike from them. Awesome shop / crew for all your Specialized needs. The bike was built stock except replaced the fork to an orange Fox Factory GripX fork, looks awesome with frame, gives the bike a pop in color! Had a 2022 Epic Evo (basically a Pro build) great bike and fast but wanted something more plush and capable on harsher trails but still can climb like a champ. Took the EE8 Pro bike to Santa Teresa trails and if anyone knows that trail system; Rocky ridge and Stile is rock garden mecca with tech switch backs climbs and descends. This bike handled it no problem! It is nimble to maneuver and fast up and down. For many years looking for the one bike that can do it all and I believe this is it due to the bike geometry, 130/120 Fox suspension and components. Santa Teresa is a proving ground on bikes capabilities and the EE8 Pro checked all the boxes. I believe this is the best 130/120 bike on the market!

It performs like a lighter regular Stumpjumper. Transmission drivetrain is fine, not that big of a deal. The stumpy EVO is still more fun but if you want to go up quicker and have a more playful bike on more flats and blue trails this is nice bike, or if you want to put in a lot of miles. 2 water cages and weight is the most positive for me when comparing. If you want black trails stay on the Stumpy EVO. I will probably put a power meter crank on this so I can track my performance and watts/etc.