Submitted by
James Northwood
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2001
Strengths: Excellent package for cost. Very durable and fast. A great everywhere anything bike! I ride absolutely everything - trails - hills - road - race - down/up hill.
Weaknesses: Fork flex when braking excessively(often avoiding cars) Front derailer sucks chain up from third to second shifts. Serious racers should look for a more serious bike right from the start but anyone wanting a race capable bike they can ride whereever whenever THIS IS IT !
Bottom Line:
This is the best bike you can get in this price range. It is VERY durable and has never left me stranded on a trail or road EVER! It has lasted many km of hard aggressive riding which it probably wasn't intended for. It has great shifting, braking, and handling along with last for ever solidness. It has survived too many crashes avoiding dam card and has convinced me that specialized makes amazing bikes. I've had no problems what so ever. A great bike! GREAT BUY
Similar Products Used: Norco Rampage was another consideration but had less for more money...
Bike Setup: Front-STX-RC Rear-LX stock with new front pads and rear tire after over 1000km !!! last summer. It takes a mojor beating. I had riser bars from new but otherwise stock.
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Submitted by
Adam
a Weekend Warrior
from Easton, CT
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2001
Strengths: Great Frame, best part about the bike rapid fire shifting durable
Weaknesses: Brakes, dia compe something, had to upgrade to 2001 deore lx v-brakes and they are real nice Fork, too bouncy Tires, slip in trails
Bottom Line:
Overall a good bike. With a few upgrades this bike could be a great hardtail. Rides nicely. Fork and brakes aren't good. If I had to give it a grade it would be a B.
Bike Setup: the bike came with a z5 and half desent parts like stx-rc the rear weel would be great for cross countrying but not for freeriding the bash gaurd rocks and the breaks are desent but could be upgraded.
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Submitted by
Ian Brekke
a Weekend Warrior
from Mound, MN, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2001
Strengths: -Very Durable -Great bang for the buck -Well built frame -Good setup for all types of riding -Nice crank. Like the originality
Weaknesses: -No name brakes take away some bragging rights -Good hubs, but could do better on the rims -bad pedals, seat as hard as a rock (ha ha, get it?) -Have had problems with the STX-RC front derailler. Can't downshift too fast while pedaling or chain will go. I suggest to upgrade if you get the chance. -crappy fork
Bottom Line:
A nice bike for anyone, really. I'm 15 years old, about 5' 3" and I ride a 13". Works nice if you put a few upgrades on. Beautiful on the road, and can take off road but if you want true performance I suggest a better shock. That is the real short-coming of this bike. But Overall, this bike has a sweet feel and is totally worth the money.
Good basic MTB frame, angles are not too extreme for beginners. Driveline is hard to keep aligned for optimum shifting especially the front shifter. Bargain basement front shock is limited in adjustment. No braze-ons for disc brake conversions without major rework. Soaks up the rouch stuff and keeps on trucking. Climbing ability - average, the relaxed head angle makes tight switchbacks a bit of work. Overall a good starter bike, can be made into a pretty decent bike with better components. On the Flamin' Chili scale - mild salsa, hold the jalapenos.
Bike Setup: Specialized frame, Rock Shox Jett fork, Velociraptor tires (addon), Nashbar clipless pedals (addon), suspension seatpost (addon)
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Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from Dundas, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2001
Strengths: takes a beating fairly well, great components for the money shelled out
Weaknesses: Front rim (pulses when braking), can't get front der. to shift that smoothly, seat feels like wood. pedal cages
Bottom Line:
A great bike for the money you pay. While it's not the lightest bike, it's great for someone who rides recreationally. The seat has to be replaced, as the stock one hurts on even short rides, and the front der. should be upgraded (even my bike shop can't adjust it properly). The front rim issue is pretty minor. I've ridden the bike pretty hard, and haven't managed to wreck it. A good entry level bike for someone interested in trying offroad but not sure if they want to put down a lot of money on a bike.
Bike Setup: body geometry seat, shimano clipless pedals were added
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Submitted by
mark
a Weekend Warrior
from saratoga, N.Y.
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2000
Strengths: the general feel of the bike. it feels and rides great! i do 50/50 bike trail and offroad.
Weaknesses: had a problem with the front wheel. the rim developed a bulge in it around the seem. the dealer sanded this area down but the brakes still pulsate. a new rim is on order.
Bottom Line:
the bike rides and feels great. however, i'm not happy with the braking system or the rims.
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Macon,GA
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2000
Strengths: frame,wheels,and the fork is awesome for the money.
Weaknesses: Seat felt like sitting on the top tube afer an hour,brakes, and crankset,bent the middle chain ring after 3 rides.
Bottom Line:
Really sweet bike and worth alot more then what you pay.After a few upgrades you've got a awesome bike.Anybody looking for a real dirtworthy bike and a medium budget get the Rockhopper FS,you'll never regret it.
Bike Setup: Mars 1 fork,kore clipless,Body Geometry Seat,bontrager stem and titec bar, and plan to upgrade crank and brakes
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Submitted by
Rob Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2000
Strengths: Excellent Frame
Weaknesses: Poor Seat
Bottom Line:
At the time I bought it, it was the best I could afford, yet I've enjoyed the frame so much, that rather than purchase a new bike, I performed the upgrades shown above. This bike has done it all, from Singletrack to Centurys, and it just keeps coming back for more. The frame combines strength, comfort, and value. For the price, the original component mix was a good deal. I would not hesitate a moment in recommending a Specialized Product. What else can I say?
Bike Setup: '97 Rigid Frame w/Stock Crank and Seat Post, Rock Shox Judy XC Fork, XT Derailluers front and rear, XT Rapidfires, LX Brake Calipers and Levers, XT Cassette, Sun CR18 Rims w/STX-RC Hubs, Michelin Wildgripper Tires, Terry Liberator Saddle, Salsa Moto Ace Stem, Easton CT2 Carbon Fiber Bar, Cycle Pro Pillow Grips.
Strengths: Bang for the buck. $600 gets you a decent bike.
Weaknesses: Caged pedals. Right hand rear brake cable comes out when you turn the handle bars hard right. This sucks because if your not watching and it pops out, you're out of rear brakes! Also, Specialized seems to think a lot of their stock front sprockets, but I agree with everyone else...THEY SUCK! Bent the middle ring after 2 rides.
Bottom Line:
The bike is excellent if you swap out the pedals and crakset.
Bike Setup: Stock except for Specialized comp clipless pedals.
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Submitted by
Ryan Spicer
a Cross Country Rider
from Easton, CT, US
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2000
Strengths: Drivetrain, frame, color, grips, nice metal pedals, light wheels
Weaknesses: brakes, fork (jett t2), stock tires aren't very good on rocks (isn't it supposed to be a ROCKhopper?)
Bottom Line:
good overall, great if you get new brakes, tires, and fork. the jett t2 is a very bad fork overall, not much travel, and too stiff. the bike frame is very soft, it is a high quality frame for the price. this bike climbs really well, and is pretty forgiving for a hardtail. just buy a new fork and it would be worth a lot more
Submitted by
Adam Maas
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2000
Strengths: Frame, Wheelset, Value, Tires great in the dirt, Cranks are Stiff and Strong
Weaknesses: Brakes+Levers, Gripshift Shifters, handlebars, Saddle, Tires useless on the road
Bottom Line:
Bought 97 rigid, Great Frame, crappy brakes and saddle, gripshifters don't last, what kind of idiot specs a 22" handlebar on a 20.5" bike???. Put a RST281 fork on it, stiffer than the indy or jett, but heavier and useless except for the big bumps. I've replaced just about everything on this bike, but the frame is still going. 20,000KM later( I used to commute on it)Buy the rigid and put a real fork on it, at least a Judy T2. Great Bike for a Big guy (I'm 6'3", 230lbs), especially one who does a lot of road riding on it. Takes a beating without problems
Submitted by
Frank DuCett
a Weekend Warrior
from Arlington
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2000
Strengths: None
Weaknesses: Poor Quality Control, Warped Frames.
Bottom Line:
Warped badly in rear triangle, dealer in Arlington would not cover under warranty. Dealer said frame was in spec, but couldn't adjust rear brakes due to frame being warped.
Submitted by
Michael gibson
a Weekend Warrior
from England (as in UK)
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2000
Strengths: Frame
Weaknesses: bars,pedals,seat,stem,BRAKES
Bottom Line:
Amazing. I love it(I haven't snapped it yet either) Mint for trials Very responsive, and the steel frame is, well unbelievable I've prabably voided the warranty by fitting flat pedals & riser bars though
