

Get the Specialized lifetime warranty with BIKE24 Tubeless-ready rims and tyres offer traction on demand, while SRAM SX Eagle gears make every climb a breeze.

The TurnKey shock cleverly serves up needed travel so you can focus on what's in front of you. RockShox's Judy SoloAir offers air-sprung sensitivity and performance for everyone.

Increased crotch clearance, a well thought-out internal cable routing and the compatibility with a retractable seat post, round off the package. The material impresses with a low weight without losing stiffness. The Rockhopper presents itself in a lightweight yet durable Premium A1 aluminum. Start with a carefully engineered A1 premium aluminum frame, add modern geometry with one eye on efficiency and the other on performance.įeatures of the Specialized ROCKHOPPER EXPERTĭetails of the Specialized ROCKHOPPER EXPERT The Rockhopper Expert is an absoulte "must have" in terms of price and performance. The Rockhopper Expert proves that true trail riding ability doesn't have to come at an intimidating price. However, any alternative components used will be of a corresponding quality to that of the original components. The 100mm travel RockShox Judy on the size L gives a smooth, composed ride.Due to the tight supply situation for individual components, bikes may sometimes be delivered with deviating equipment. In fact, Specialized takes customisation to the next level on the Rockhopper platform by fitting 80, 90 or 100mm travel forks depending on the frame size, of which there are five. Suspension Longer travel suspension forks need beefy upper tubes to retain stiffness and steering precision, so it’s fitting that the Rockhopper only comes with a 100mm travel RockShox Judy to maximise both.
Specialized rock hopper upgrade#
So a dropper post would be the first upgrade we’d make, and the frame has routing for it. Also, the seat tube on our test bike had not been reamed properly so the alloy post got scratched up really badly after just a couple of rides. There’s zero cable noise but flip the bike over and the open ended downtube where the cables exit is going to act like a mud magnet.

Cable routing on the front triangle is all neatly hidden inside the downtube. A slender chainstay bridge doubles a kickstand mount too. Specialized has also gone to great lengths to conceal the rack mounts inside the stays so as not to ruin the overall look. With a sloping top tube and a relatively compact 450mm seat tube, the Rockhopper has a modern silhouette with stacks of standover clearance. That’s not to say it’s dated though, far from it. You could hang this bike up in the shed for six months and the brakes will still work like new next time you ride it. With a relatively short front end and longer chainstays, the riding position on the Rockhopper Elite 29 is the most XC focused bike in the test, and again this bolsters climbing efficiency. The sleek A1 Premium aluminium frame definitely helps shift the scale in the right direction, but the lightweight wheels, specifically the rear, are what really gives the Rockhopper an advantage when it comes to climbing or accelerating out of corners.
Specialized rock hopper full#
Specialized Rockhopper Elite 29 need to know: Shimano Deore clutch derailleur and full length rubber chainstay protector minimise chain slap Don’t like sage green? Specialized offers the Rockhopper in three colourways Shimano hydraulic brakes offer a one-finger lever action With a massive 11-51t cassette, the Rockhopper is perfectly geared for climbing Frame At 13.2kg, the 2022 Specialized Rockhopper Elite 29 isn’t just the lightest bike in the shop bought category of our Hardtail of the Year test it’s also the lightest bike in the overall test. The Specialized Rockhopper is a stalwart of the hardtail world, and the 29in version is well designed with an impressive spec list that almost places it amongst the best hardtail mountain bikes but for a few elements that take the edge off its otherwise great performance. Specialized Rockhopper Elite 29 review - MBR
