Matt Hunter has crafted a career living the mountain bike dream. While he’s a household name in some mountain biking circles, his style of riding often gets overlooked in South Africa, so here’s a brief introduction for those who need it (and an excuse to link you to some rad riding videos).
Matt made name for himself pushing the limits of freeride mountain biking in the early days, featuring in many memorable video parts. He also enjoys a good bike adventure
and travelling the world to experience new trails in his
series (most recently in South Africa). And then there’s that
that was featured in every mountain bike media outlet back in 2014 (and still today). He also produces delicious looking honey back at home in Kamloops, British Columbia.
Anyway, enough about Matt, let’s check out his muddy Stumpjumper ????
Matt was in South Africa a couple weeks back to take part in the York Timbers Enduro in Sabie, bringing along his Specialized Stumpjumper for the riding. The Storm Grey with Rocket Red details colourway is also found on the current Stumpjumper Expert model but that’s where the similarities end.
Matt Hunter carving turns at the York Enduro in Sabie.
Matt rides Factory specification Fox suspension with a 36 fork and a Float DPX2 shock tasked with the job of absorbing the bumpy stuff.
The Stumpjumper features a Shimano 11-speed drivetrain with a mixture of XTR and XT components. Matt employes the services of a small top side chain guide to keep the chain in check. He powers the cranks using Specialized’s Boomslang flat platform pedals.
Matt’s steering is handled by RaceFace who provide the stem and handlebars. The saddle is a Specialized Henge Expert which Matt explains as “comfy for long days, but doesn’t look like a sofa”. Braking is performed by a Shimano’s big stopping Saint downhill spec brakeset.
The Stumpjumper rolls on a Roval wheelset with carbon Traverse rims and DT Swiss hubs. It’s Specialized rubber for Matt with a Butcher on the front and Purgatory on the rear, both using the tough GRID tyre casing.
The tree on the top tube is a reference to The Collective videos. It was the first project Matt worked on with Specialized in the mid-2000s. The black Soil Searching sticker on Matt’s downtube is an initiative seeking to recognize, celebrate, and support the unsung heroes of mountain biking, the trail builders.
Teach a man to fish, and he’ll store the rod and reel in his SWAT Door? Matt says that he tends to take his fishing rod and reel on most trips where he reckons that he might encounter a stream or river. Back home, he usually carries a slightly bigger rod although with the reel safety stowed in a backpack instead.
Warming up after a wet day’s riding.
