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Specialized
Rockhopper FSR Comp
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Submitted by
tnhness
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio, TX
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Tapatio | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | from a friend | | Strengths: | proven fsr suspension, fairly nimble, climbs well, predictable downs, fast through technical sections, still looks good, tough build, decent stock rear shock | | Weaknesses: | not the lightest place to start, fsr sus. requires some upkeep to keep it quiet, notorious crank/bottom bracket creaking | | Similar Products Used: | GT I-Drive 4.0 (the old bad-ass i-drive), Specialized FSR-XC | | Bike Setup: | Fox Float R 130 fork, Float R shock, MAXM bars/stem, XT shifters, LX front, XT rear, Juicy 3's, Mavic X717 disc wheelset, XT rear/Stout front hubs, stock roll-x tires, 30 lbs even | | Bottom Line: | I'm about 200 lbs, so my bikes have it harder than many, and i don't hesitate much on our texas trails. I'll puss out, but the bike has yet to.
I can't speak to how this bike rides in stock config, as i bought it from a friend who upgraded almost everthing.
But with the current setup, it climbs and handles almost as well as my last FSR-XC, which was 2-3 lbs lighter and had a lower CG (that thing ate single track), and has the indestructive/monster truck feel that my old GT I-drive had.
It's a good comprimise between agility and toughness.
It's seen around 5' of air, hasen't broke yet.
The 130mm fork is a little overkill on this bike, it makes steep climbs hard because FSR design puts power down very well, and the taller front wants to pop up alot.
Any FSR bike, old or new, is a good place to start. All the frames are worth upgrading. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Stikkelman
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Molesworth Station | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Trade-Me (online like e-bay) | | Strengths: | Great feeling bike: balanced nicely and quite nimble for the size (mines an xl size). For a soft-tail, it's lighter in the rear than my other bikes. Comfortable for long rides - Molesworth is 80km. Brakes work really well on this bike- it's a good combination. Appearance is great - a bit of a head-turner. It's the first bike I've had that doesn't bat an eyelid at a head-wind. Fantastic hubs. Runs sweet on Specialized tires on the trail-they're very light. | | Weaknesses: | Yes, that good old squishy Axel fork, but if I crank up the pre-load and increase the damping like I need to on the Float-R on the rear, it comes up real nice for a cross country bike. Spokes on rear not strong enough for me. No worries. BG seat uncomfortable-easy to remedy. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Ground Control 1995 with Quadra 21r on the front, Specialized shock on the rear (spring-looked like a Vanilla) and a 2002 Jamis Dakar (a heavy beast-entry level shocks). | | Bike Setup: | Deore hydraulic 6"discs, deore changers and levers, Deore front and XT rear deraillers. Specialised cranks and stem. Changed the risers (not a fan of these) for a carbon Amoeba Scud handlebar (only 115g-eat your heart out)! Original seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | A joy to ride. I try to find an excuse to get out especially if the missus goes out. A great bike to buy at an entry level price with a mid range-plus performance and high end comfort level. P.S. My baby is from Orlando, Florida-Orange Cycles. An American couple heading home sold it to me! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T J
a Weekend Warrior
from LA,
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Cheap. Specialized Frame. Some decent components on bike. | | Weaknesses: | Front fork. F&R Derailleurs. | | Bottom Line: | Can't get a better FS for the money. Stock components work ok frame is worthy of buying goodies for it. Stock front fork is garbage, biggest weakness on bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Brookings, SD, USA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$960.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Masters | | Strengths: | everything not listed in "weaknesses" | | Weaknesses: | stock chainrings, mediocre fork, shock mount bolts | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500, Fisher Marlin, Giant Warp | | Bike Setup: | Michelin XCR AT Tires, Slime tire sealant, Salsa middle chainring, Trek alloy platform pedals, Lizard Skins chainstay guard, Bontrager brake & derailleur cables | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike. I've been riding it for 5 years and I love it. It holds up fine for trail riding, dorking around in the driveway, 18-inch drops, etc. I do all my own maintenance, and have stripped it down to the frame, shock, and fork many times - so maintenance is a big part of why it's holding up so well I suppose. Others complain about the fork, personally I find that it works well for a 150-pound trail rider, but it's not spectacular. The handling is a little sketchy on downhills, but you'll probably find that with any XC bike. Overall this bike is a fantastic ride and mine will continue to be used for years to come. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jacob
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | North Park Golf Course | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Gatto Bike Shop | | Strengths: | I got the bike for basicaly half of of the original price. Its got a great spec for a rider still in his first year. They didnt skam on shock and fork. It comes disc break compatible which will make transitioning a lot easier. | | Weaknesses: | Component spec will need to be upgraded to xt for most serious or semi serious riders to be happy (me included). Uses rim brakes, but once again comes disc ready. grips arent very comfortable but thats a personal thing. You better find your desired seat height then cut the post or else you will bang into the shock. needs some lighter components to be light enough to take to even a small weekend race but is perfect for any other short travel trail riding. You will ride more upright and may have to replace the riserbar with a flat bar and the stem with a flat stem | | Similar Products Used: | specialized hard rock 24 | | Bike Setup: | Currently stock but with upgraded welgo m3 ti pedals and a bontranger select stem | | Bottom Line: | If you dont have much cash to spend and your looking for a quality fullsuspension bike for all around xc riding this is the bike its ballanced and a great bang for the buck. Just be warned that if you intend to race with it (such as I) you will need to either get a bit stronger or lighten up some components. But i say go buy it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from Niagara Falls
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Letchworth State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Great upgrade platform ! Little details like super-durable suspension bearings- bike is 2 years old and still tight !
Good cable routing. | | Weaknesses: | Axel fork too soft for 200 lb. riders | | Similar Products Used: | Giant VT2, Giant Rincon hardtail/entry level mtb( hey ya gotta start somewhere ! | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Marathon S w/lockout, Mavic 223's w/XT hubs, Hayes HFX-9's hyd.discs, XT rear derail, LX front, Trico gel comfy seat, IRC Trailbear 2.25 tires, Nightrider Classic 2-beam light, Time ATAC alium pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Great intro to FS bikes. Worthy of upgrades & for learning the value of same as you improve as a rider. The Marzocchi Marathon S is excellent for 200 lb. riders. Mavic 117's that came with bike got the spokes bent pretty easily when hitting 14" fallen trees- the 223's don't even blink. Since there's a lot of creeks & water crossing around here I upgraded to Hayes hydraulic brakes. Wow ! never going back to V's ! No bizarre noises either. Great climber, rear shock w/adjustable rebound is super-durable and feels as new. Spend time trying different tire pressures, fork preloads and shock preloads and see what a huge difference a few psi can make ! too many reviews here show that people slag all kinds of otherwise great components without even learning how to tune what they have ! This isn't the lightest FSR you can buy but I figured out that to get a new bike with the level of parts I have now, I'd have been out another grand+ esy and wouldn't have learned as much as I did doing it this way. If I buy a new bike in the future I will make a far more informed purchase after this experience. Remember, the magazines are for selling new bikes/parts and seem to infer that if it's old it's horribly out of date like computers. It's not so ! Now I wouldn't buy a 5-year old bike, but the best values are 1-2 years old. These FSR's have very durable basic bits including bottom bracket, good cranks though heavy. Even with the big Trailbears the bike sits at 29 lbs. Hey- mountainbiking IS a workout isn't it ? Happy Trails !
4 chili's for value, Axel was out of place on otherwise great bike. 5 chili's for being worthy of upgrading ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Corona, CA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$975.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Tough design, excellent all-around performance, | | Weaknesses: | Bottom bracket is creaking, bearings may be failing. | | Bike Setup: | Hayes hydraulic disc brakes, Manitou Black Elite 120mm forks, WTB Laser saddle | | Bottom Line: | This bike takes abuse and smiles. I've given this bike many a beating which I'm sure it wasn't designed for, and it's come out fairly well.
I got the bike used with the upgraded forks and brakes, so I can't really comment on the stock parts in those areas, however, with the upgrades the bike is an absolute pleasure to ride.
The bike climbs beautifully and downhills quite comfortably. A great all-around bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat
a Racer
from Richmond,VT
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | skirack | | Strengths: | I got a really good deal on this bike it rides great. it comes with disc hubs so you can put discs on it when u have the money. | | Weaknesses: | the front fork is horrible it feels to squishy. i like air shocks more. | | Similar Products Used: | big sur, some other fs bikes | | Bike Setup: | stock with new mx comp with the travel adjuster and xtr rear derailer | | Bottom Line: | great bike once you fix the fork. i would recomend getting discs. but the bike is awsome. im not giving it a 5 because of the cheap axel fork | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Labadie
a Cross Country Rider
from Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Smith's Cycle and More | | Strengths: | The bike has nice plush ride that does not give up anything due to the suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Manitou Axel Super Fork
This complaint keeps coming up on this bike so I won't pound on it any more
Tires - They fill up with mud too fast...
Again a re-occuring theam | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Bone Stock - Upgrades are in the works... | | Bottom Line: | This bike seems to have a supurb value. You get a great frame with a decent set of components on it that works very well as an "off the rack" sort of set up.
I bought this bike to replace my old Giant ATX-890 hard tail and get back into biking after a long time off a bike. The RH FSR XC fit the bill perfictly.
The bike has a plush ride with a set of components that work well together. It has been a great bike on the road and on the trail for me.
The cost and construction of this bike make it a great canidate for upgrading. There is enough performance there that it makes upgrades worth while. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Emil
a Weekend Warrior
from Bacolod City, Philippines
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere but jail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Dans Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Changed the parts. Just got the frame. Great frame for the money. Great climber, wicked on fire roads and downhills. | | Weaknesses: | Frame is great. Speaking for the frame, none whatsoever. | | Similar Products Used: | GT hardtail, Schwinn hardtail. My biking buddies ride on Santa Cruz Superlight, Blur, Specialized Epic, Enduro. So I get to ride on them as well | | Bike Setup: | Just got the frame. Sold parts and changed to Fox Vanilla front shocks, mavic 517's on Lx hubs, Lx cranks, XTR shifter and levers, koobi saddle and time pedals. Planning to upgrade to mech. disks brakes, Avid probably. | | Bottom Line: | great bike. On my setup, perfect all around bike for the buck | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Lawrence, KS
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$740.00 | | Purchased At: | Sunflower Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Fox Float R, very light weight, bombproof LX components. Price is incredible. | | Weaknesses: | Stock fork, wheels, brakes (good for v-brakes, but with disc hubs who can resist the upgrade?) | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth Joker, Trek VRX | | Bike Setup: | Stock plus new saddle, Psylo Race fork, Avid CPS disc brakes, Rhyno Lite rims | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike for the money. Very, very good for most types of riding. Flies on the downhills and pedals uphill like a champ. Absolutely no noticeable bob, especially on the 90 mm rear travel setting. With the right part upgrades this bike is as good as any other, more expensive, FSR bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Del Cerro | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Circle Cycle (before it turned into Performance) | | Strengths: | Frame
Versatility
Value 100% | | Weaknesses: | Rims, which bent pretty early on but I was too cheap to replace them so i just got em trued & the fork is kinda crappy, especially if you're relatively heavy (I'm 180 and it gives me trouble) | | Bottom Line: | This is my first legitimate mountain bike, not counting my piece of crap commuter bike. It rides really well and can handle light to moderate downhilling. Now that I know more about biking, I'll probably switch to a freeride bike, but for x-country or just as a cheap alternative to a real freerider this thing is awesome. With the exception of the rims and fork as mentioned above, it can take a beating, and it can even take on drop offs and jumps. Basically, this is a lot of bike for the amount of money you're going to spend on it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Raiyn
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Pete FL
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I just finished | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Great frame - no issues as currently assembled | | Weaknesses: | Manitou Axel fork, original wheels, Neither of which left the shop with me | | Bike Setup: | RS Duke XC, Sun Rhyno Lites laced to XT disc, Avid Mechanical Discs w/ Hope Gothic rotors, Chris King headset, MAXM MX-5 handlebars, ODI "Rogue" Lock-on grips, Driveline is XT 750 except for the Truvativ Hussefelt triple crank set and Gigapipe DH bottom bracket, Odyssey South Gate pedals, Vittoria Blue Ridge tires (N.O.S from LBS), Gore Ride-On brake cables, XTR shifter cables, and everything else is stock | | Bottom Line: | This is an update from my earlier post. I've upgraded the snot out of this bike and with each upgrade a strong performing bike got better and better. The stock driveline components went to upgrade my commuter bike so there was no loss or waste in that department. In short the bike's great upgrading it allowed me to better two bikes at the same time.
On the trail the Rockhopper is a blast, climbs like there's no tomorrow, plush as anything, more efficient than the majority of the dual sussers I see on the trial, and tough as nails to boot. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russ Anderson
a Cross Country Rider
from Calimesa,CA,USA
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Lock Leven | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Yucaipa Bike Center | | Strengths: | Every thing but the fork and bottom bracket | | Weaknesses: | Fork and bottom bracket | | Similar Products Used: | GT Idrive,Cannondale Jekel,KHS304 | | Bike Setup: | Psylo fork,longer Fox shock,UN72bottom bracket tires | | Bottom Line: | Thiis is my second review of this bike,literally I like this bike more everytime I ride it!Once I changed the Axle fork to a Psylo fork (great fork)the ride and stability improved.After more than 6 mounths and 600 miles this bike has more than proven it self. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tomer
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, TX
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Plano Cycling | | Strengths: | Frame design – fully active suspension
Fox float Rear Shock
Value – up until 2002, Specialized used similar frame design on their $3,500 S-works FSRxc.
| | Weaknesses: | Axel Fork – heavy and too soft.
Pedaling bob when hammering out of the saddle. – stay seated and you’ll be fine.
Original tiers.
| | Similar Products Used: | Blur, Scalpel, Epic - I recently demoed these bikes as I think I’m ready for the next level… | | Bike Setup: | Fox Float 100 RLC, Time ATAC, Hutchinson Python UST, Mavic Crossland, Thompson seatpost. Answer Carbon handlebar. | | Bottom Line: | Outstanding bike for your money, I've been riding this bike for over 8 months and could not vote for a better entry-level full suspension xc bike. My hardtail buddies are jealous!
This is my first bike so when I got it, I had no clue as for what I was getting but as time went by, I learned to appreciate this bike more and more. I now ride about 6 times a week and I love this bike.
I gave 4 chilies because of the fork. If you are a hardcore rider, you will have to replace it and that can be expensive.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Kayl
a Weekend Warrior
from Eugene Oregon USA
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Ridgeline | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Hutchs Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Fox Float Shock LX rear and deore front derailer.
MAvic XC 139 Wheels | | Weaknesses: | Axel Super Fork | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 250 PSI in reaer shock full peload in Axel fork need to get stiffer spring because I am 200 Lbs. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome the only thing I don't like on it is the Axel Fork its not as smooth and doesn't soak up bumps as well as other forks I've ridden. The fox Float rear shock is as smooth as I could Imagine and the FSR system produces less bob than I expected on an Full suspension bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron Puckett
a Weekend Warrior
from Wallingford
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Tylers Mill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | 950.00 | | Strengths: | Fox Float Shock set up at 20%
A-1 Aluminum frame
| | Weaknesses: | Front Axel Shock (Too Soft,)Dosen't rebound fast
| | Similar Products Used: | Trek Alpha 3400 | | Bike Setup: | Stock -- I changed out the front spring with a firm one | | Bottom Line: | Exellent 2nd bike
I switched out the pedals for platforms, just because i never ridden clipped, I did keep the 505s for next year!!
the price made it possable for me to go full suspension and i would not go back. when i bought my hardtail 4 months ago everyone told me just to buy the fsr, but I always have to learn the hard way. it turns out i sold my hardtail to my friend that just got into riding so i have someone else to ride with.....
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel Anderson
a Weekend Warrior
from Killeen TX. USA
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | B.L.O.R.A. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$999.00 | | Purchased At: | Sun Coast Bikes | | Strengths: | The frame is strong and light weight. You just can't beat it fot the money... | | Weaknesses: | The front fork/shock is just plane sorry. Maybe would be ok if you weighed less then i do ( 210 lb's ) But always bottomed out on me when i made the littleist jump's.. | | Bike Setup: | Upgraged front shockst to Rond Quake.. which are much better and only $ 250.00 I also put on the Avid disc brakes. Everything else is stock.. | | Bottom Line: | this is my frist bike in 20 years so i'm not to sure if i'm quilified to say to much about it..i haven't rode any other bike except a wal-mart special. But i think this bike is great for the money.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd Oldham
a Cross Country Rider
from Kapaa, HI USA
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Kauai Cycle | | Strengths: | Awesome bike for the money, great frame and rear shock (Fox Float) | | Weaknesses: | Front fork | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Eggbeaters | | Bottom Line: | Love the bike and love Kauai Cycle. Best service in the central Pacific! The fork is a bit crappy, but what do you want for a grand? Rust is a problem out here, and the fork is already pitting - a problem immediately attended to by Kauai Cycle. Thanks for the Lizard Skins Jason! The stock V-brakes are not shabby, but with the disc-ready hubs who can resist an upgrade? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Abram Heller
a Weekend Warrior
from Worland, WY
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | any trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1090.00 | | Purchased At: | Larsen's Bicycles | | Strengths: | almost everything. it is incredibly light and strong. i recently fell of a 12 ft drop on it, and i think it landed on top of me, but it didn't get a scratch. handles smooth and predictably, and is very responsive in braking, stearing and accelerating. | | Weaknesses: | i've had some problems with the rear derailer being jumpy, so it could use some tune-ups. needs a new crankset and maybe a bottom bracket for sure-- my left crank just fell off one day. some say the forks aren't so good, but so far i've had no problems with them.
| | Similar Products Used: | specialized hardrock (hardtail) & various other hardtails, but this is my first full squish bike | | Bike Setup: | stock, except for thorn proof tubes with slime.
i plan on getting a new crank and bottom bracket, and eventually disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | excellent bike for you're money. works well in any given situation. i love the way it handles and the overall feel of it, you have a lot of control. it is perfect for the mid- level rider, and can be upgraded far past that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russ Anderson
a Weekend Warrior
from Calimesa,CA,USA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Lock Leven | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Yucaipa Bike Center | | Strengths: | Climbs like a mule,rear suspension,good components | | Weaknesses: | Fork too soft even with firm ride spring,seat is a brick | | Similar Products Used: | Trek4900,GT I drive2.0,Cannondale Jeckel | | Bike Setup: | Stock exept for longer rear shock | | Bottom Line: | I like to climb,this bike does it like a hardtail.Great on single track.OK to jump but needs better fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Val Atkinson
a Weekend Warrior
from Roseburg, Oregon
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Gooseberry Mesa | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | work | | Strengths: | has no weaknesses, climbs well, descends well, enhances traction, predictable, disc ready. Upgrade worthy. | | Weaknesses: | None! | | Similar Products Used: | 96 Ground Control, 98 FSR Elite, 00 Jekyll, 01 Enduro Pro, 02 FSR disc, 02 Enduro, 02 NRS-2, 03 VT-2, KHS soft-tail. | | Bike Setup: | Bar-ends, Titec Berserker saddle, teflon shift and brake cables, Avid mechanical discs, Old school toe clips and straps. | | Bottom Line: | I needed money to buy a house, so sold a totally tricked out Enduro, but had to have at least a cheap bike to ride. This bike fits the bill perfectly!! Same frame as last years FSR Disc that I owned last year, so know how good it is. This is a great bike to start with. A beginner can get this and upgrade it to be killer, and a seasoned rider can ride this and not be held back by this bike at all. This bike climbs great, and gets great traction up gnarly rough trails. On the downhills it steers predictably, and does nothing to surprise you. Handles rough trails exceptionally well. You can start with this bike, and change to lighter parts a piece at a time while having a capable bike in the meantime. I just tried an S-Works Epic, and would rather ride this bike, it is that good of a frame. This bike is good enough for any trail rider regardless of skill, and kudos to Specialize for putting on disc hubs! Just slap on some Avid mechanicals and you are ready for the mud. Look how far we have come. I paid $1,500 for a Specialized Ground control in 96, and this bike blows it away in every category for way less money! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Dunn
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Katy | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles Plus | | Strengths: | Suspension, Brakes and overall feel of the bike. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Palisades | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for the Haro magnesium bmx pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike! I was a big time biker years ago and decided to get back into it. After lots of looking this is the bike I wanted. However, based on price and not knowing about the benefits of full suspension I went to buy a Specialized Hardrock. As it would turn out, none of their stores had a 19 inch frame. They brought down the FSR and made the sale.
I ride on the streets, paved trail and light to moderate off-road and this bike has not failed once to impress me. Whatever terrain is in front of me, this bike gives me the confidence to go right at it. It's like having a big 4X4 truck that can take you anywhere.
The only thing I wanted that this bike did not have was disc brakes (I guess because it is the newest and coolest thing to have). As it turns out, the stock V brakes are great and I will hold off on any brake up-grades.
I think this bike would make a novice biker really enjoy biking and stay with the sport and a seasoned rider would be hard-pressed to use all it's capabilities. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Weekend Warrior
from Frisco, TX
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1030.00 | | Purchased At: | Richardson Bike Mart | | Strengths: | Great component set for the price. You get the good stuff where you need it. Rapid fire shifters are awesome. Lightweight bike and basically the same frame as last year's stumpjumper - great stuff! It's a great platform for upgrading - the frame is top notch and is also ready for disc brakes if you want to add them. | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't necessarily have "race" gear, but then again, this bike isn't intended for racers. However, it will move with the best of them! | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hard Rock | | Bike Setup: | As spec'd. | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is this is a fantastic bike for the weekend warrior. It's a great value considering the features and components. I looked at and tested many full suspension bikes in this price range (Trek, Giant, etc.) and felt this gave me the most bang for my buck. Granted, it would've been nice to spend 2 grand and get a dream bike, but if I'm honest with myself, I am not skilled enough to notice the difference between them. This is a great bike to hone my skills with. Try it - you'll like it!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian Moore
a Cross Country Rider
from Greenville S.C.
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Isaqueena Clemson | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1120.00 | | Purchased At: | sunshine cycles | | Strengths: | Great suspension linkage, front fork, drivetrain, and weight. Tires have more than enough bite around tricky sections. | | Weaknesses: | Breaks start feeling a bit mushy but it happens after time. Oh yeah and OMG, the seat feels like thorns!!! | | Similar Products Used: | specialized stumpjumper,and hardrock, Haro X1, Mercedes-Benz C240 | | Bike Setup: | W/O reflectors, bike computer. I'm going to get a new seatpost (Thomson) and seat. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for a great price. Great 2nd or 1st bike. It is almost impossible to detect the difference between the stupjumper and this bike for a starter. The weight difference is all in the mind. I luv it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david bell
a
from Israel
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | wehigt | | Bottom Line: | the best xc you can get at this price | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
EricJ
a Cross Country Rider
from North Augusta, South Carolina
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Center in Columbia | | Strengths: | Excellent frame, Bike seems to be very solid and responsive. Handles very predictably. | | Weaknesses: | None that come to mind. | | Similar Products Used: | Have owned several other FS cross country rigs; Jamis Dakar, Giant NRS. | | Bike Setup: | Black fork, F219 rims with XT disc hubs, Deore Disc brakes, Kinetics tires, Speed V saddle, wider bars, Ritchey 400mm seat post. | | Bottom Line: | For my intended use, the bike is a great deal. I thoroughly believe I got my money's worth and then some. I have always liked Specialized products and the 2003 RH Comp has not disappointed! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Raiyn
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa, FL
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Last year's Stumpy frame with Specialized's excellent FSR suspension design makes the Rockhopper a great choice for XC riding. Comes ready to accept disc brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Stock wheelset, Crappy Axel Fork (should read Flexel) only comes in white. I had both removed and used as credit towards a RS Duke and installation of parts I had purchased online. Fox Float shock leaked from day one (problem solved by LBS) | | Bike Setup: | Rhynolytes laced to XT disc hubs, RS Duke XC, Avid Mechanical Discs | | Bottom Line: | *First the price listed includes the purchase of the new wheelset & brakes. Actual price paid for the bike and
and installation of the outside sourced parts was $940.
Specialized solved my major concern about moving to full suspension with their new (retroactive to the beginning) lifetime warranty. Granted it's not for doing stupid stuff but I'm not a small guy (definate Clydesdale class) and I'm not exactly gentle on my equipment. I've ridden the bike out on some traila that would have given me a real workout on my hardtail and found that I was able to fly through them much faster than before. Climbing (which I thought would be a downside to FS) was actually a non issue in fact it actually seemed easier. Bottom line; a great bike if you swap out the parts listed in the "weakness" section an ok one if you don't. Avid mechanicals add so much to the performance of this bike as to be an automatic upgrade. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Huey
a Weekend Warrior
from West Covina, Ca
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Frame is stiff, precise and light. The components that come witht the bike are decent. | | Weaknesses: | upgrade to a better fork; new tires(panaracer xc)instead of the roll x's. Change to wheels for better ones. | | Bike Setup: | Tires:(panaracer xc), better mavic wheels, and avid mech. disks. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is worth every penny you spend, because for just a 1k you get a really awesome frame. The bike climbs up mountains like mere speed bumps, and the rear suspension is supple during bumpy rides and stiff as a hardtail on smooth terrain.
The only problem i find with this bike involves the wheels, because i had recently went downhill on a trail and got caught in a small rill while trying to turn at a fast speed. Just when i was about to get out of the rill, my rear wheel hit a huge rock in the damn ditch. As a result i was force to bail the bike and had safely rolled away without a scratch. Unfortunately, the bike's rear wheel ended up bent when in fact the bike didn't even hit the rock very hard. This stupid little incident set me a back a bit, since i was going to upgrade to discs that same week.
Despite my incident with the wheels the bike is great. I don't regret getting the bike at all. It gets me to and back from school, work, and especially play. Any xc rider would like this bike if they don't want to dabble with more $$$$. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Ventura, CA
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Serando Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Open Air | | Strengths: | How well it climbs. | | Weaknesses: | seat post, seat, pedals, front shock, tires. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Y-22, GT I-drive. | | Bike Setup: | Fox Forx, XTR- rear derailer, Avid Discs, XT front derailer and shifter. | | Bottom Line: | Specialized replaced my 2000 stumpjumper with a 2003 rockhopper comp after the bootom bracket came loose and stripped out the frame. because of the swap I was able to install disc brakes on the bike, also the rear suspension is better than the stumpjumper. The bike handles like a dream, It also climbs like a mother. I am 6'3 215 it takes all my abuse. I have no gripes at all about this bike it handles everthing I throw at it and and still brings me home. The bike is set up the same as a stumpjumper minus the name. This bike is a awesome cross country bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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