Specialized Rockhopper 29er is a time-tested XC hardtail built for cruising fire roads and slicing through singletrack. Equipped with Avid Elixir 1 hydraulic disc brakes and a Custom-tuned SR Suntour suspension fork with lockout, the Rockhopper Comp combines performance with value in a package every rider will appreciate.
Ride and Handling Rockhopper Specialized :
The Specialized Rockhopper 29er incorporates a long, low ride posture that provides a relaxed, swish and improbably assured ride on almost the roughest tract. this is often wherever the boundaries of the thin three-legged fork begin to become apparent: the seals bind slightly because the legs flex, particularly once you’re braking on descents… 
Ironically, though, it seems to be a blessing in disguise, because the bottom bracket is pretty low to start out with. we have a tendency to skilled quite an few pedal slams on rocks occasionally once the fork created it more into its travel.
The long high tube reach (24.5in on the 19in bike) makes for terribly economical climb, part creating up for the thirteen.8kg (30.5lb) heft, and therefore the short stem combines with a 71-degree head angle to make spirited steering that relative beginners would possibly notice upsetting compared to the a lot of relaxed feel of another hardcore hardtails. older riders likable the animated handling.
Frame and Equipment Rockhopper Specialized :
There’s very little area for argument over the highlight of the specialised – it’s the frame. The light, manipulated tubeset is deserve a far a lot of expensive bike, and bears a tapered head tube able to take a one one/8in to 1 1/2in steerer fork upgrade – one the frame richly deserves.
This XC28 with a reducer cup at the steerer base will the duty and keeps your bully off the bottom with a opposition dial that stiffens instead of locks the spring, sensible rebound damping and a preload knob. However, the thin legs flutter and twist beneath serious braking and on jolting descents, and it’s enough to compromise the compression action of the fork yet.
The biggest visual pointer to the downscale drivetrain is that the plastic garment guard on the Suntour crankset. The gears shift well and therefore the ratios square measure wide enough to induce you up and over any tract, however the total setup would be a lot of reception on a less expensive, entry level bike. unsatisfactory.
We have no complaints regarding the wheels. They’re well designed and shod with a combine of Specialized’s own wonderful all arounder tyres, and whereas they’re not as quick rolling as some they are doing grip beautifully across loamy or muddy ground.
The Tektro brakes square measure tight, fairly well modulated stoppers and therefore the remainder of the finishing kit is well chosen. we have a tendency to significantly just like the Body pure mathematics grips and therefore the slimline however amazingly cozy saddle.
If the Rockhopper Comp value £100 less it would have attained itself a degree a lot of. however because it stands it’s a rather expensive basis for a much better bike. The frame, the wheels and therefore the minor finishing kit outshine each the fork and therefore the drivetrain.
Image Credit © Specialized
