MTB Reviews > Mountain bikes > Hardtail > Specialized Rockhopper

Specialized Rockhopper Reviews

Description: (from specialized.com)
# A1 Premium Aluminum frame, double butted TT, ORE DT, externally relieved head tube, reinforced disc mount, forged dropouts
# RockShox Dart 3 SL fork, 100mm, Mag Lower, 28.6mm Cro-Mo stanchions, coil spring, alloy steer, rebound adjust w/ lockout and preload adjust
# Specialized 3D forged alloy stem, two bolt, 25.4mm, 10 degree rise
# Specialized Enduro, dual density Kraton

Add a review (form opens in right column) reviewed by guest on March 17, 2010   Pros Comfortable Cons Rear disc had to be replaced after only a few weeks. A lot of spokes have broken, again in the rear wheel.The hub in the rear wheel has just been replaced and the pedals are naff - one has almost fallen apart. Verdict Would recommend staying away from this model (09)Pro SL reviewed by guest on July 14, 2009   Pros Nice riding position, comfortable Cons Weak wheels - spokes break too easily Verdict Has something happened to Specialized's wheel makers? I used to have a 2000 Hardrock and used it for commuting around London for 7 years. The wheels just kept on turning - till the rims wore out simply from braking. That was OK - I'd got more than 10,000 miles out of them. My son also has an older Hardrock and hammers it round a mountain bike course every weekend, again without any problems. Recently I got a new Hardrock - the 09 pro disk model with Alex Rims. Within four months the rear wheel has collapsed with three broken spokes. I have only used it for commuting in London. Looking at the spokes I can see why - they are much thinner and flimsier than the old ones. What's more, this is the second Specialized bike I've had to have suffered a rear wheel collapse. The last one was a Rockhopper comp. I keep it for mountain biking but it too was less than a year old and had hardly been used. And I'd kept checking spoke tension. I think Specialized have either skimped on the wheels or chosen a bad supplier. Either way it could be that you'd be risking a lot of hassle and cash if you go for the current Hardrock and Rockhopper models. Jonathan, London reviewed by Queener19   on March 31, 2009   Pros Great frame. Very light and easy to control. This bike come with decent components and rides well. Does great on dirt jumps and trails. Cons The wheels were either not assembled correctly at the shop or are just weak. These wheels will not stand up to hard shocks like stair flights. I know stairs are the roughest thing for a wheel but i figured they would withstand it better than they did. Verdict Overall great bike for the money. I plan on upgrading components in a year or two when these wear out. Very pleased with my purchase. reviewed by mhow1973   on February 22, 2009   Pros I ride allot of steep uphill and trailless cross country and have found this frame to be very light and able to withstand some punishment and extreamly technical downhill rides with a rider weighing 250 Cons I wore out every component on it in about six months and just replaced them all this year with all XT gear(Wich I love). The only thing I have not had to replace is the bb5 disc brakes. Verdict Overall I love my bike even though I just had to replace all the coponents. Now I'll get a few more years out of it. reviewed by Abrookshire03   on November 14, 2008   Pros I am riding the 08 Pro Disc. Good bike for the money, nice componenets, I feel that you get a lot of bang for your buck. It's a Specialized how can you go wrong. Cons Tires are bad for where I ride (East Coast) I had to change them after about fifteen miles. I have to agree with the guy who had the rear brake issue, I must have tweaked my rear disc too and now I cant get the lever pull right and it squeaks a lot, I am not a huge fan of the hyro brakes I think I would prefer mechanical over the juicy three for more aggressive riding. One last thing about the brakes is that I experience a lot of fade when riding a lot of fast or technical sections, the brakes are getting too hot and you can pretty mch pull the levers into your grip, and yes I have tried to adjust all of this. I have put over 200 hundred pretty aggressive miles on the bike and it has held up very well overall. Verdict I would say go get this bike, for the money I feel like I got a great piece of equipment. With the exception of the brakes everything else has been a dream. It could just be the way I ride so please do not hesitate picking up one of these at your local dealer. reviewed by ChiliPepper   on September 15, 2008   Pros These ar really great MTB's, and Specialized has a exceptional service Verdict Anyone that loves MTB'ing reviewed by tarvisg   on August 5, 2008   Pros I got this with the Comp disc brakes and TORA front shock. The bike is great for XC and has survived some intense and technical downhill. Cons Front rim gave out on the downhill and sent me for a nice flight. I do have a issue with the brakes. I slightly bent the back rotor and ever since I can't get the right setting for the brakes. Either is squeeks or is too loose. I don't believe this is a bike fault, just my own. Verdict I am glad I chose this bike for my intro to mountain biking. I was told a hardtail would make me a better rider. We'll see when I upgrade to a full suspension. reviewed by AK_Dan   on August 3, 2008   Pros Relatively light but very sturdy for being an aluminum frame bike. The price was better than ‘right’. Cons Came with a very soft Manitou fork. Don’t like the routing of the derailer cables. Wish it had disc breaks- but now I'm being picky. Verdict I picked up one of these used last year without knowing anything about the model. The lady selling it said the bike had been in storage for a year, it had 32 miles on the Cat Eye odometer and not a scratch on it. One short ride up & down the alley and I was sold- $300. I wasn’t sure if I would like the hardtail but it seems to be more than adequate for the riding I do here in Alaska. The geometry of the bike itself seems to fit my riding style very well. I upgraded the fork to a fully adjustable 100 mm Marzocchi MX Pro (paid more for the fork than the bike- D’oh!), installed Shimano PD-M424 pedals and switched to a tougher seat post, all this coming together as one bike I am very happy to ride. reviewed by Boots!   on June 10, 2008   Pros This was my first "good" bike, and I loved it. Very light and easy to ride. This bike got me into riding. I have since upgraded to a Stumpjumper, but this was a fantastic introductory bike. reviewed by CalebWI   on May 23, 2008   Pros I picked up an '05 Rockhopper Comp as an intro to mountianbiking and it has served me well through much abuse. The frame is lightweight and responsive. A solid XC design. Over time I have had to replace several components - some to more match my riding preference and others as replacements for worn parts. Cons It was a fine deal considering the price, however as with any setup when you get to know your abilities and the components well you begin to see where you saved money. Didnt like: Fork -> replaced with REBA Race Crank -> replaced with Race Face Evo XC BB -> Race Face Deus X-type Cassette -> Sram PG 980 Saddle -> went thinner stem -> went lighter, OS headset: nothing special rims: kept breaking spokes Levers: Avid Speed Dial 7 Verdict Get it if you are considering the sport b/c it wont hold you back and will last for years. If you already know you will be riding hard and often - save up a bit more. reviewed by BiffKugs3   on May 20, 2008   Pros Strong frame, great components, shifts fast and smooth, good price. Cons none yet Verdict I'm a first time buyer of a serious mtb, and couldn't imagine a better ride. After just one week and a few trail rides, I'm already thinking of trading up to the Rockhopper disc. Consider it if you'll be in mud and rain (that's any bike, not just the Rockhopper though) reviewed by megafuntime   on May 11, 2007   Pros Great price for a first time buy. Light and durable frame great for picking up the sport. Cons Breaking in the fork can take a while. Verdict This bike is great for picking up the sport, and can definitely take everything that you'll be able to throw at it. Probably not for the more experienced rider. reviewed by wileskws   on April 12, 2007   Pros I really enjoy the feel of this bike, the ride is amazing and has allowed me to really appreciate getting into this awesome sport and hey, it is pretty darn cheap too! Cons The fork takes a little while to break in and the derailleur hanger is very easily bent, other than that I just loive this bike. Verdict If you are just getting into mountain biking and would like something a little better than the Hardrock, this bike is perfect for you. If you are a well versed rider then I would say this is definately not the bike for you.

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