Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Stamford, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2004
Strengths: This is an ok bike overall. It has a strong frame that doesnt get bent easily or damaged easily. Rear shock is pretty nice.
Weaknesses: Front Judy shocks. Bottom out easily if you take a big drop or jump. If you ride hard the bike bounces up and down a lot. Needs better shocks, and pedals.
Bottom Line:
This is an ok bike for the money but I wish that it had better shocks. If your looking for a reliable bike that you would like to add on to, this is the right one. This isn't a pro bike so don't expect to do crazy stunts with it. If your just looking to ride around cross country on a full suspension bike, this is a good one.
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Central, NJ
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2002
Strengths: Strong frame, OK components for the price range (see exceptions below), FSR is a pretty proven design at this point.
Weaknesses: Kinda heavy. Seat, pedals, tires (so I hear), maybe cranks (don't know if I have enough experience to judge, but I think it can do better).
Bottom Line:
This bike is everything I needed to start doing some serious XC stuff. Strong enough to tackle rough stuff, suspension is relatively bob-free (also helps when you get your pedaling cadence down), suspension soaks up all kinds of situations that would have sent me flying before. Other reviewers noted the tires are weak; I bought the bike used and they were swapped out so I'll buy that argument. Seat killed my a@@ so I swapped in a bobo Trek CRX+ that leaves me painless but is a little too wide. Pedals don't do well when they get a little dirty and I've ended up lying on my side a few times, even with the adjustment backed out, a little grease helped, but upgrading soon to 959s. Front fork is nice and plush, laterally rigid enough for me at this point, might want to go lighter in the future. Specialized Forearm cranks are OK for a start, but I don't notice much of a difference from other less expensive bikes I've ridden. Going to upgrade to Truvativ cranks soon and they better make a difference or I'll feel like a dope. Note, I don't do any crazy downhill or freeride stuff so I'm probably easier on the equipment than the extreme crowd. Overall a good buy if you can find one remaindered or lightly used and if your not expecting a $3K bike for $1K.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale, It doesn't compare at all.
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Submitted by
CW
a Weekend Warrior
from Gillette, Wy. USA
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2002
Strengths: Great bike no complaints.Great climber
Weaknesses: Factory tires whimpy. Seat.
Bottom Line:
Great bike dealer threw in a second bike for the wife for free couldn't pass. Been wanting this bike for two years. Good climber lots of room for upgrade components though. Specialized could of put some deccent rubber on the rims. BG saddle not to my liking. Kinda wirery at speed but heck I have'nt been able to get it past 32 MPH yet! But still, I LIKE IT!! Great bike for a week end rider. Perfect for a budding XC racer on a budget.
Bike Setup: Stock other than tires,IRC Mythos 2.1, Saddle, Derri-Air.
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Submitted by
Guilherme
a Weekend Warrior
from Davis
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2001
Strengths: One of the best FS designs in the market, fully active, minimal bobing. Reasonably light, good reinforcements on the head tube Pretty nimble at twisty singletracks. Good climber
Weaknesses: not very stable at high speed descends on loose stuff due to the somewhat short top tube. Judy C stock fork is too heavy Stock tires are somewhat narrow and skinny for trail riding (but may be good for racing)
Bottom Line:
The rockhopper 01' got the 00 stumpy frame. This frame is light and can take some good beating. Check the gussets on the head tube to see what I'm talking about. The judy C fork is too heavy and not a good performr considering it's weight. The BG saddle did not work for me. The handling is great, quite nimble and a gret climber also. The compromise is some stability at high speed on loose gravel, I replaced the stock tires (1.95) with V-raptors 2.1 and run the front one at 30 psi (I'm 175), this helped a lot. The rear end is quite stiff and the suspension is very active, even under hard braking. The botton line is, if you like a more active FS, get a hockhopper FSR, it is a darn good deal for a proven FS design with some quality componentry. If you like a ride more like a HT, look at the GF sugar
Similar Products Used: Sugar, other fisher Hartails
Bike Setup: stock, except for Mars Elite fork, Easton EA70 2" riser, Selle italia Trans AM saddle, V-raptor tires
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Submitted by
Aaron
a Cross Country Rider
from Kings Canyon
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2001
Strengths: Proven suspension design, spec'd fairly well for the price (except tires and BB), works well on tight singletrack, minimum bob on the climbs.
Weaknesses: Short top tube, wheelbase, and steeper geometry made this bike very skittish at speed! Some of the parts were spec'd low such as wire beaded tires on a $1300 bike? Or how about a cheap bottom bracket? For $1300, Specialized could have put kevlar beaded tires and at least a Shimano UN-52 bottom bracket! Short top tube required putting on a longer stem. The size large needed a 135mm stem.
Bottom Line:
Specialized would have a killer bike here if they fixed a few problems. The top tubes on all their FSR bikes need to be longer. This would stabilize the bike at speed and give the rider more room to move on the bike. Also, for $1300 retail, this bike should at least come with Kevlar beaded tires, never mind hiding a LP-27 cheap, heavy bottom bracket on this bike. The rest of the spec is pretty good but until the handling and spec is updated, this bike will be one step behind the competition.
Purchased At: Directly from Specialized at Dealer Price
Similar Products Used: Klein Mantra, Schwinn Rocket 88 Disc
Bike Setup: Stock except longer 135mm stem, upgrade to a Stumpjumper/Mavic 225 wheelset, Kevlar Beaded tires, and a Ritchey seat.
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Submitted by
King Kikapu
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2001
Strengths: 2001 Rockhopper FSR XC PRO (not comp) + FSR 4-bar linkage + Adjustable Fork Dampning, compression, rebound (63 - 100mm all travel system) + Respectable shimano goodies. XT rear, LX front. Deore shift/brake combo. + Mavic wheelset 139XC ( Its MAVIC!!) + Tough ForeArm II crankset. = Fox Float R fully adjustable. (not lock out but what ever)
Weaknesses: - Cheapie v-brakes (promax) - non disk compatible hubs - creaky seat post - 29.5 lbs ~ could be a tad bit lighter - Mavic Wheelset 139 XC ( Its WEAK!!) - one pair of plastic bushings, while all the other pivots have bearings..sneaky - One heck of a LOOONG handle bar.
Bottom Line:
This is a must have Cross Country/trail bike. The adjustable Fox Float R shock is great, and the Judy XC's are just smooth. Xt shifts are sweet, and LX front doesn't suffer. Aluminum Tubing and alloy parts make it lighter as possible right now at 28.7 lbs. Shaving a pound off a bike is harder that it sounds. Kevlar tires help. Throw on a riser bar, 10 - 15 degree rise and your set. i got mine for $1899 canadian, and since its near fall, the sales are comming. If you ride hard, Up the rims to something stronger. Like Sun Rhino Lite. $40 canadian. $139 for a deore disk hub and rhino lite. Keep the Judy XC's at 4 inches of big hit travel. Its great.
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher Sugar 4, Oryx Gemsbok 250, Kona Manomano, Giant xtc 3
Bike Setup: RS Judy XC set at 100mm travel, XT rear, LX front, Fox Float R, Sun Rhino Light w/disk hubs, WTB grips
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Submitted by
Jamez
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2001
Strengths: Light bike with explosive power behind it. Good value bike and takes rough trails like they were smooth. Great bike for beginners!
Weaknesses: The shifting does seem a little off but that could be solved by some minor upgrades when purchasing. The water bottle plaecment in the frame is a little wierd.
i ride very hard and like to jump and since i started riding this bike i have only had 2 problems a bent sprocket and a bent rim so far this bike has not disapointed me i would recomend this bike to beginners and pros
Submitted by
Ken
a Weekend Warrior
from Dennison,OH USA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2001
Strengths: Sails over Rough terrain compared to my hard tail,climbs great.
Weaknesses: shifts a little rough, but nothing major. shock seems a little soft, and puts the bike at a strange attitude when braking down hills.
Bottom Line:
First full suspension after years of riding hardtails, and is definately a swweet ride. Cant wait to hit some rough West Virginia mountain trails with her!!
