Specialised Rockhopper - any good?

[singh911]

Blessing in disguise in that my old bike's just been nicked - so i can treat myself to a new one.

Need it for daily riding (do most local runs on bike up to 3ish miles). Also gentle trails, canal side etc. USually take it to the French alps for our summer hols.

Want to spend around £600, thinking seriously about the Spesh Rockhopper (07 bike) and wondered if anyone had any thoughts on it.

Rode it, felt great compared to my old bike (carrera subway 8 with the hub gear thing). M4 frame, rock shox tora front sus, hardtail.

Cheers

Ajit.

[MTY4000]

I have her sister bike, the stumpjumper (hard tail) - MY06. My previous bike was a cannondale hardtail. So I can comment on Specialised as a manufacturer, but not specifically the Rockhoper:

I have been very impressed with the bike, good spec and rides wonderfully. Only gripe is that quality of the paint is not as good as Cannondale - I expect the Rockhopper has a similar painting process. Mine scratches easily, compared to the cannondale which appears to have a exceptionally ristant finish. 8 months of riding, including a fair few minor tumbles and she is showing the scars. But otherwise I am a totally happy owner.

So, its not the same bike as the Rockhopper - but as I would cerainly buy a Specialised again if that is any comfort(in fact I plan to buy one of their full suspension bikes in spring! - Epic).

I expect you could probably find a '06 Stumpjupmer at a discounted price (shops clearing last seasons stock) not too far from £600.

[3rtt]

Try looking here:

www.scottusa.com/product.php?UID=9695

Reflex 20 RRP £579 or Reflex 10 RRP £699

Both SCOTT models have a lighter frame than Specialized model, and complete bike around 1lb / 1.5 lb lighter overall and 100mm travel fork. SCOTT bikes are the lightest in their class and very well specc'd.

Cheers,
Ian

[JPJ]

Have a look at www.merlincycles.co.uk as a specialist bike builder oop north. Take a look at their Malt range - probably Malt 2 for that money. You get a lot of bike for the money with them, and can spec the frame with whatever components you like, and will be lighter than an equivalent Specialized.

[Parrot of Doom]

I've had one for 5 years, and its been bloody excellent. There are some cheap bits on it, the forks aren't much, but thats to be expected really.

I've got no plans to do anything with it other than ride it to death. Its a great bike.

[beyond rational]

You've got a good budget there, plenty to choose, I'd say it'll come down to preference as there is no stand out best bike - sounds like you've been and tried a bike and liked it, try a few more out, make sure they are suitable for your weight (whatever that is). Is the insurance paying out for it? if they are vouchers you may be somewhat limited to where you can buy and therefore which brands.

[singh911]

No insurance payout i'm afraid.

I tried a GT bike too (not sure what model but was just over £600).

The Specialised felt better for me.

I'm stuck on the disc brakes vs V brakes. I'm not an extreme rider so wonder if the V brakes are enough for me.

Can I add discs later or is that prohibitive.

Cheers

[beyond rational]

V brakes are more than enough for most people and better than cheap disc brakes. If you plan to add discs, make sure the hubs are disc compatible; (they should be) then at least you will not have to buy new wheels to add discs at a later date. For a good hydraulic set of discs you are looking at between £80-120 pound each wheel depending on what you go for.

[3rtt]

singh911 said:

No insurance payout i'm afraid.

I tried a GT bike too (not sure what model but was just over £600).

The Specialised felt better for me.

I'm stuck on the disc brakes vs V brakes. I'm not an extreme rider so wonder if the V brakes are enough for me.

Can I add discs later or is that prohibitive.

Cheers

Disc brakes are more efficient than V brakes, more so in wet conditions. Also, go get a better feel (Smoother) through the brake lever with disc brakes.

To add disc brakes later, can be an expensive up grade. You will need different hubs front and rear, (disc hubs to mount the rotor), the frame would require disc brake mounts front and rear. (Most premium brands have these as standard on the rear of the frame, and on the suspension fork). And you would need levers, calipers and brake lines.

You have plenty of choice of brands and models at this price, so it really is down to how the bike feels for you.

Cheers,
Ian.

[beyond rational]

3rtt said:

Also, go get a better feel (Smoother) through the brake lever with disc brakes.

Not mechanical discs though IMHO

[Roman]

As mentioned, plenty of choice at this price, personally I would look for something equipped with hydraulic discs & a good fork as standard (Marzucci MX Comp or Manitaou Axel Elite good) as brakes & forks are costly to upgrade.

Evans cycles stock most brands if you are in London

www.evanscycles.co.uk

Edit:

Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo (same frame as my £1,300 Trek 8000)

&

Marin Palisades Trail

both have excellent light frames, hyd discs, eqpt & forks for the price esp. '06 offers

www.froogle.co.uk

Edited by Roman on Thursday 23 November 11:02

[minnsy]

Rockhopper is not a bad bit of kit to start off with - the Disc Comp version has (as you can guess) disc brakes. Expect the forks to last 2 to 3 years - then replace with MX's or similar. I have replaced the LX gear with XT, again after about 3 years riding.

I would not get too hung up on the weight of the bike - a couple of lbs here or there really makes no difference...

Might be worth looking for an 06 model - a few quid cheaper...

Have fun!

[singh911]

Couldnt wait any longer, just picked up an '07 rockhopper in black from Action bikes in chiswick. They threw in mud guards and gave me a few quid off the mileometer and lock and lights.

I went for the V brakes in the end (i'm usually a sucker for over speccing for my needs).

Will try and ride it a fair bit before the 6 wk check over to bed it all down.

thanks for all the comments

Ajit.

[3rtt]

minnsy said:

Rockhopper is not a bad bit of kit to start off with - the Disc Comp version has (as you can guess) disc brakes. Expect the forks to last 2 to 3 years - then replace with MX's or similar. I have replaced the LX gear with XT, again after about 3 years riding.

I would not get too hung up on the weight of the bike - a couple of lbs here or there really makes no difference...

Might be worth looking for an 06 model - a few quid cheaper...

Have fun!

Beg to differ regarding bike weight.

Lighter bike (even 1 lb) = better handling, less effort required to pedal, better braking.

Cheers,
Ian.

[4WD]

Whether the budget is 400 or 4000 I always recommend getting last seasons bike to save a wedge. The latest graphics are not worth compromising the entire bikes engineering for.

[singh911]

I went in with that frame of mind 4wd. But the salesman (who was ok really) said the upgraded M4 frame, rock shox and shim. deore gears gave me a better package than a superior 06 model (of which they had a few).

I didn't/still don't know enough about bikes to know whether that was true or not but seemed plausible.

I'm probably not a hardcore enough cyclist to know any different...

cheers

Ajit.

[hugh_]

I bought a Trek 6700 a few months ago, its slightly more than you are spending so I wont elaborate on the bike, but its the the Rockshox Tora which I've been really impressed with, the motion control doesnt give you absolute lockout, but its near enough that the tiny remaining motion isnt noticeable when climbing.

[clinchy]

singh911 said:

No insurance payout i'm afraid.

I tried a GT bike too (not sure what model but was just over £600).

The Specialised felt better for me.

I'm stuck on the disc brakes vs V brakes. I'm not an extreme rider so wonder if the V brakes are enough for me.

Can I add discs later or is that prohibitive.

Cheers

[clinchy]

singh911 said:

No insurance payout i'm afraid.

I tried a GT bike too (not sure what model but was just over £600).

The Specialised felt better for me.

I'm stuck on the disc brakes vs V brakes. I'm not an extreme rider so wonder if the V brakes are enough for me.

Can I add discs later or is that prohibitive.

Cheers

Having owned a small bike shop for 4 years a littlw while ago
theirs not a lot in it between Specialized and Scott but Specialized wins good company good warranty great product