Strengths: Great starter bike (mine's a 2001 I believe), decent platform to build something more sustainable. This frame has put up with 8 yrs of abuse and is still surviving. Pretty good component group for the money compared to what you could buy today.
Weaknesses: The tires are !@#$. After 20 seconds, I immediately understood what 'rolling resistance' was. You could feel yourself clicking from knob to knob when on pavement.
Bottom Line:
Im 5'11 weigh 140-170 depending on which year we are talking about, but wasn't insanely hard on the frame. I do 4-5 footers now and again, and have put ~4000 miles on it...however I haven't been riding very much lately. Great bike that let me learn to love riding.
The frame is around 4 lbs and nuke proof. Some stubby barends put a gouge on the top tube (I learned about handlebar clearance that day) atleast half way through the frame. That was 4 or 5 years ago and not a problem. I have crashed this bike into trees, rocks, steps, curbs, riverbeds, all the stuff that makes riding fun, and ne'er a problem. It's been very good to me. This frame will have a place above my mantle one day.
Bike Setup: I've replaced almost everything atleast once over the years, but it currently stands with a Sid Air, XT Der's/Shifter, Avid SD7's, Mavic CrossRide 2x on the rear and a radial Crossroc on the front, Easton 70 cockpit, Sram PG980 Casette, Original Cranks, rings, & BB! Michelin Front S and a semi slick Continental on the rear. Time ATACs and all the other random goodies.
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Submitted by
Jeremy Morse
a
from Brighton, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2003
Strengths: Surprisingly strong & stiff frame with quite nice geometry. I've hopped up, down and all around all typed of terrain with no problems except my chain poppin off (fixed buy getting a chain reactor). Very stable in the air. Smooth shifts everytime. Sometimes i don't feel the shift at all. No need for xtr stuff. Nice front tire. The price even though i got a crazy deal, the list price was great. I actually like the weight, it feels balanced. The wheels took some serious beatings, as long as i trued em once in a while. Then I cased really hard on a wall gap (spokes everywhere with an unrepairable flat spot.
Weaknesses: The pedals are horrific, bent em the first day i had em. The cranks could be a little better for what i do, but i still haven't broken em. Bent the bars within a week, but the stem lasted 2 months then it broke. The rear tire wasn't the best but it wasn't that bad. Also blew out a seal on the fork (not a problem with a heavier spring)
Bottom Line:
When I saw this bike for such a low price, i figured why not buy it, i could use it for transportation back and forth to work and things like that. Then i couldn't help trying a few tricks and hard trails on it. The frame really surprised me. I've had not one problem with 4-5 foot drops to flat cement and definately no problems with bigger drops in the trails. Even when i cased a wall gap and wrecked my rear wheel the frame laughed. I really like this bike. I couldn't ask for more for the price. It's very versatile. I use it for almost all my rides now. I'll take it jumpin, street ridin, and XC. Who'da though $75 at a used furniture store would be so worth it.
Purchased At: Some used furniture store? (figure that out)
Similar Products Used: First hardtail mtb in a while. Got a Gary Fisher and an S&M bmx/street bike.
Bike Setup: All stock except for bars (some no-name 2" rise cro-mos), Stem (sette stumpy 60mm), wheels (same rims w/cheapo depot hubs), seat (bontrager FS2000), tires (Kenda K-Rads), Changed to a heavier spring in the fork. Then the extras like a Salsa Bash Guard, and a Kore chain reactor.
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Submitted by
john kelly
a Cross Country Rider
from parsippany,nj
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2003
Strengths: great start up bike for beginners! i am 225 lbs. and wanted a bike that i could grow with and beat on...awesome frame and great warranty...i cracked my 2001 rockhopper frame and got a brand new 04 frame free! in a week...love specialized!
Weaknesses: cheap components and bad tires on the stock frame..but plenty of room for improvements,and lots of room to upgrade.
Bottom Line:
I have been riding the rockhopper for almost 4 years,through some of the hardest trails in jersey,won 2 24 endurance races with her and had too much fun! overall great starter mountain bike with alot of room to upgrade! cant beat the bike for the price either!
Similar Products Used: rockhopper comp,trek fuel,cannondale and santa cruz.
Bike Setup: I now am riding the 2004 rockhopper pro,with a 2.8lb sid air fork,s-works rims with monkey lite bars,ritchey grips and full xt components,carbon seat post,witha bontrager stem.I put about 1000.00 into the bike for the upgrades,but well worth it..also the shimano 969 clipless with platforms and specialized pro tires..2.2.shaved the bike down to 26lbs.I beat on this thing and she never fails me.
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Submitted by
Celeste
a Weekend Warrior
from Arvada, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2003
Strengths: Held up very well to beginner abuse..including, but not limited to, being thrown down the mtn side in frustration, my attempts at "fixing" various things, and being ridden (or abruptly not ridden) over some stuff it probably shouldn't have been over. Durable, reasonable weight, excellent deal for the price!
Weaknesses: Cheap components = frustrating adjustments. Manitou Magnum fork, which I learned had too heavy a spring for my weight, was obsolete as soon as I got it home (and therefore, I couldn't find an appropriate spring). I think the components are pretty cheap, but there's always the option to upgrade.
Bottom Line:
Excellent beginner bike, especially if you're not sure that you're quite up to the "whole mountain biking thing," and don't want to invest a lot of money. Definately room for upgrades.
Similar Products Used: This was my first non-wal-mart bike. I'm currently shopping for an upgrade and realizing how nice mtn bikes CAN be.
Bike Setup: Stock, except tires. Original tires SUCKED. Learned after a while that those were partly to blame for many a spill on turns. (yes, my technique sucked too, but the tires DID NOT help.)
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Submitted by
Ross Lafontaine
a Cross Country Rider
from Bridgeport, WV
Weaknesses: rims bend very easily, they are the Weinnman ZAC19 (Keep in mind i am around 200 lbs and don't land easy) I ruined the rear deralieur abouit 3 months after i bought it, its not very strong, the pedals are horrible
Bottom Line:
This bike is awesome with a few upgrades, i ended up putting about $1000 into it by the time it was in perfect shape. Get new rims and switch the fork if you have the money. this bike has lasted through some tough times, so i LOVE IT
Bike Setup: 2000 Specialized Rockhopper, Sun Rhyno rims, with Deore LX Hubs, silnet clutch system,XT rear der., Manitou Magnum, Welgo WPD-800 clipless pedals, Answer Protaper bar
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Submitted by
Max Mor
a Weekend Warrior
from seekonk, MA, USA (rox)
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2001
Strengths: great frame. good rear der.fine wheels. good hubs. low end but durable fork.
Weaknesses: front der. bad seat. brax
Bottom Line:
great bike. i have had this bike for a year and has only givin me one problem, the font der. the fork could use some more travelbut over all has held up through everything i have hit it with. for $550 this bike is the best value ever! i have flown off 9 foot jumps on this bike, ran over 2foot logs, riden pro dh circuts on it and it has still held up!the brakes could be better so i'm upgradin to avid arch rivals but still i haven't put over $100 into it and it will last me for another year! any light young rider who knows that they will buy another bike in the future should get this bike! it will last 2 full seasons of hardcore trail riden, but if this is your bike 4 life definately spend some more $. bottom line it ROX like the USA!!!!!
It's better than anything else I've owned, It gets me where i nedd to be, And It can really take alot of abuse. Value is 4 cilis for me, But thats cuz I got a deal, Had I payed any higher , It would drop.
Submitted by
Sean Carlson
a Cross Country Rider
from San Dimas
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2001
Strengths: good componentry for the price, decent color, fun to ride
Weaknesses: seat, no quick release on the seat.
Bottom Line:
Well, I've had the bike nine months now, and I take back what I said in my original review. the stock seat sucks. It looks cool, but after riding awhile my butt hurt and my legs were going numb (pinched nerve??). so I got a new gel racing seat. Also, I fell on a steep singletrack downhill and figured if my seatpost had a quickrelease I would be able to adjust the seat and be safer on the downhill. Now that I have it, I conquered that trail and it's fun. Havent' had chain suck, haven't had broken derailures, or any other problems that other folks have had. Love riding it.
Bike Setup: all stock except for 2 inch risers new Quick release skewers hopefully new pedals and shock
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Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Lima, NY
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2001
Strengths: Chain-Suck (Reminds me that it's STILL a bicycle no matter how much you spend), it's orange (keeps me from getting shot), It's strong enough for a 6'3", 220 lb. fatty like me (only a 17" frame too... he he).
Weaknesses: It gets dirty and needs cleaning way too often. Also, I keep having to take the front wheel off to put it on my rack. This really sucks. Don't buy it.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is this: You all take this stupid "sport" entirely too seriously. Just get out there and ride. I've been beating the living crap out of this bike for a couple weeks. It's fine and it's too small. It's got Tektro breaks: They're not cool as XTR, but ya know what? They stop my bike. Your seat sucks? Buy a new one! You have chain suck? Clean your chain! Your grips fall off! Ride with no grips! Remember guys, it's about the ride, the deer, the trees, the chipmunks, the hunters, the mud, and the sweat, not about the sucky orange and silver paint. By the way [mountian bikers] learn how to fix your own bikes so you don't wear the bikeshop kid out from chasing you through the woods. Can you imagine that. Sounds like pro golf. Go buy it and ride it until it breaks then go buy another one. You probably spend more than $500 on Taco Bell in a year.
Similar Products Used: GT, GT, and and old Royce Union. Boy do I have stories about the Royce. There was this time...
Bike Setup: Only with a kickstand does it setup really... Oh, parts you mean. Stock except tires, XT levers, and some expensive black 2" risers (Don't make me go downstairs to get the name, they work), and a cool stem that's black.
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Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Kailua, Hawaii
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2001
Strengths: Solid component package
Weaknesses: Chain suck, stock pedals, grip slip
Bottom Line:
Would recommend for any average weight weekend warrior. Definately not for anyone who likes to ride HARD. Solid ride, climbs nicely and handles small drops and some technical very well. Anything bigger than that will result in... (see below) Should upgrade to stiffer spring in the shock for anything else. I am going to have to replace my frame due to some tweakage in the rear of the frame (probably due to riding hard at 250lbs.). Will probably have to spend more $$$ due to bike shop classifying my frame "tweak" as result of crash abuse.
Strengths: Decent frame, handles well, good beginner fork
Weaknesses: Little on the heavy side,and with the exception of the Shimano drivetrain, the rest is all Specialized in house parts or other cheap parts made in Taiwan.
Bottom Line:
Nice bike if you can get it at a highly discounted price ($400 - 450). More suited for beginner to intermediate riders and those who like to do some light off roading. Excellent fitness bike if you put some slicks on.
Bike Setup: Avid SD-3 brakeset, strongarm II crankset (previous off of Stumpjumper), XT rear der., flat bar, bg sport saddle, all else is stock
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Submitted by
Howard
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2001
Strengths: Lightweight frame, stunning black and blue color, good brakes, Deore derailleurs, fork
Weaknesses: hard saddle, had to get adjuster knob fixed, stock springs in fork were to hard
Bottom Line:
This bike rides like magic. The stock springs were way to stiff. i went to my bike shop and had them put in softer springs. THe preload knob was also difficult to adjust and i also had that fixed. I had to tinker with the derailleurs on the first few rides to get it right. The black and blue colors are great. The fork soaks up small to medium bumps quite well and is a great fork once broken into. The saddle is rock hard but you'll get used to it. All in all, this is a great entry level bike for occasional off-roading and regular riding.
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2001
Strengths: It's a well balanced package. It feels light and strong, is well finshed and I get the feeling it will be durable.
Weaknesses: Saddle, fork
Bottom Line:
Well i can only say I'm happy with my purchase. I have had some months to evaluate the bike now and have ridden on a variety of surfaces but mostly on the bush tracks near my home. I almost bought a Giant ATX870, which was more expensive, had discs etc but when i got on the Rockhopper it just felt 'right', on top of that i got a good deal as it was the outgoing 2000 model. The fork is a little soft for me so I'll have to make some mods there, the seat is not great but I am perservering with it for now. Apart from that though, the thing feels really strong and i love punishing it on some of the fast, rough tracks around here: the brakes are good, the Deore LX components and stock chainrings are strong and slick. What else? I love the blue/black colour scheme too! If you are into your riding in a reasonably serious way, appreciate value over brand names and frills, and you want something honest, strong and a little different (in Brisbane, Queensland anyway!) the Rockhopper should serve you well.
Similar Products Used: El cheapo mtb previously, but tested competing Avanti and Giant models before i purchased.
Bike Setup: Almost stock
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Submitted by
frank
a Weekend Warrior
from New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001
Strengths: Every part that comes on the bike out of the box, compatability for upgrades, agressive frame design, fast and strong frame
Weaknesses: I have had this bike for one year and have had no complaints other than that i have a small sqeek somewhere and still cant shake it.
Bottom Line:
I have had this bike for one year and have loved every second of it. I rode the bike completely stock for last summer and had no problems or failures, other than the expected break in adjustments that some feel the need to complain about. The Manitou fork works well for me and im not a light rider. I did upgrade from the stock yellow spring and elastomer to the firm red spring and elastomer, for 25$ it is well worth it for a heavier rider. It makes a big difference in stiffening the ride of the fork. I did snag a good deal on some wheelsmith wheels from supergo, Mavic 517 rims with xtr hubs. They not only look good, but make this already quick bike even quicker, lighter, and more solid than the stock wheels. Other than some other small upgrades this bike is rock solid and can handle any type of riding that you can put it through, and the frame is very worthy of some serious upgrades. Save your money buy the A1 FS and do your own upgrades. One other reviewer said it well, choose your own upgrades, dont let the company choose them for you. This is a great bike, give it some time and review it once you know it. Five all around.
