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Submitted by
Walt
a Weekend Warrior
from Kent, WA King
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Interurban | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Rescued from the dumpster | | Strengths: | Let's talk about the frame. It's a 1998 as near as I can tell. | | Weaknesses: | The head tube had a crack at the top front about an inch and a quarter long. It was at about eleven o'clock as you sit on the bike. My quess is that the frame was hardened too much and that there was too much interferance fit between the tube and the headset. It was NOT due to impact damage. (I work for that big airplane outfit in Seattle). I found two more hairline cracks in the BB tube on the chain side, bottom, that ran from the outside into the weld. The head tube got welded up and clearanced for a light press fit to the head set. The bottom bracket got Kevlar thread and epoxy wound around it several times. The Kevlar can be found in fiber optic cable if you have access to it. The bike is no longer used for hard MTB service. | | Bottom Line: | If I was buying a new one, I would think strongly about another brand. I have read about others with similar problems, although they said the warrantee service was good.
The drop-down insert is attached by two VERY small screws. I think the newer ones are more robust. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a
from Draper, UT
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Canyon bikes | | Strengths: | Pretty decent bike. The fram hasnt snapped yet. Its good for getting from a to b. | | Weaknesses: | The crankset blows. i have had to replace it twice already so i think i will upgrade. | | Similar Products Used: | trek 1300, specialized hardrock | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | pretty good all around bike. wouldnt recomend for downhill and dirt jumping though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave dixon
a Cross Country Rider
from killington
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | 28 at killington | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$675.00 | | Purchased At: | northern ski works | | Strengths: | solid under you, no waver. steel is wonderful. as a '96 she is older and tired, but as a gracious older lady we have grown together and she has tought me to take things a little easier. she is about to retire and i look forward to some pleasant afternoons along a boardwalk with her walking and remembering the muddy days of our youth. at the same time, today she took me out for 90 minutes of white knuckle fun. love the rockhoper. | | Weaknesses: | climbing, after 30,000 vertical feet you know when something is not helping you, a little stiff. crankset from day one. | | Similar Products Used: | there is nothing similar to my girl | | Bike Setup: | hardtail, vermont is uphill and wind in your face both ways, 21 original, 24 after 4 years, shimano all the way around, suspension seat post for a while that was a wash, stubborn about grip shifts and have finally seen the light. 20.5 inches of pleasure. lots and lots of love. | | Bottom Line: | I should have upgraded long ago. But this wonderful bike kept me going for a long time on a lot of hairball trails that others couldn't cope with on their tricked out tanks, that I couldn't imagine getting to this love of the sport without her. I will ride this bike forever. At least thats what the steel warranty says. She never made the trails easy, she made them fair. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cliff
a Cross Country Rider
from Las Vegas
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorado Springs | | Strengths: | Durable, great geometry for all around use, FS, A1 Aluminum (probably 6061), Comp, Direct Drive. | | Weaknesses: | Original components were low end, brakes (STX) never worked well/noisy, never did shift right with STX - 7 speed OEM. Frame is a little heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Generic knocking around stuff, then this hardtail, now several full suspensions (excessivebikecompulsive) | | Bike Setup: | Only things left from original bike I bought new in about 1994 are the stem, saddle, and front derailleur. Rest has been all upgraded - TWICE. First time was XTR level components which I then put on a Dakar. Now it has a "mix", a lot of new old stock/non-Shimano for a change and to save a few $. SRAM plasma RD, SRAM Half Pipe shftrs, SRAM 9 Br levers, XT cass, Bontr. cranks, RS susp post, Man SX-R fork, Bontr. Racelite front wh, XTR/517 Ceramic rear, XTR brakes, 2.4 Mutanoraptor K rear, 2.1 Dart Classic K front | | Bottom Line: | This old frame, a 19", has taken years of XC and still is a fine ride. Oversize downtube, large seat tube and heavy welds (with a little reinforcing at the headtube/downtube joint). If you can find one of these frames in good shape, I'd highly recommend it for an XC/all mountain buildup project.
Chainstay clearance on the rear is a little narrow. I went with the 14/15 db stainless spoke, 3x rear lacing to hold down on flex and get away with running the 2.4 (55/55) Kev Mutanoraptor. I weigh about 175lbs and the Mavic 517 32 hole doesn't seem to have a lot of flex causing tire rub on the stays. Not much chainstay clearance but so far OK. However, mud in the Mohave isn't a concern.
As you'd expect, it's a good climber, fast and stable on the flats and light downhill stuff. The RS post saves the tail bones but remember to unweight over swoops to avoid launching off the bike. I also recommend a setup with the bars at seat level or a little higner.
The SX-R works well on this frame but had to grind a little of the excess frame welding bead off the underside of the downtube to try to gain clearance for the fork preload adjusting knob. Seems like when I crash, the fork likes to do a 180 degree spin. In which case, the Manitou knobs hit the downtube. The grinding by itself didn't give enough clearance; sooo... off to all the hardware stores in search of a steel washer to put under the headset race for just a little more space. Naturally nothing would fit rght. Turns out that a fender washer was thin enough and had the right outside overall diameter but way to small a hole. After a lot of drilling small holes and then using some grinding stones, it's a good fit and gives just enough clearance.
If and when I get energetic enough, I'm going to pull the bottom bracket and try a 118mm instead of the 113. It looks like the chainline runs true on #6 cog rather than #5. But shifting seems OK so don't know. Also, I cut the Attack Half Pipes down from their original 100mm total length to 70mm (about the same as a Rocket Shorty). This stopped some inadvertment shifting in the rough/climbing trail sections and still gives a full two digits on the twistshift (which seems to take a litle more force to turn than the Rocket Shorty-a good thing). If you're going to trim the Half Pipes, be gentle and be sure to first slide out the plastic end bushing.
Bottom Line is the bike with the original OEM components was probably only 2 torches on both Value and Overall ratings. But this review is for the frame with the better components. The frame has stood the test of time, over a decade, and it's share of mt bike crashes and bashes very well. Still a great ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Reifle
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Dagmar? | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | From Friend | | Strengths: | Extremely comfortable. The shocks are really smooth. I like the Fox Float on the back. Seat is really comfortable. Overall a really durable bike . It can handle a lot. | | Weaknesses: | Could have a longer suspension in the front. The pedals seem too low to the ground. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz super 8, Trek 4900 | | Bike Setup: | Michelin Hot S tires, Axiom seatpost, DH pedals | | Bottom Line: | Really nice bike. Takes jumps like butter. Really smooth and comfortable to ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Swarig
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$657.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclepath | | Strengths: | -strong frame
-nice geometry (fits me well)
-solid components for the most part (mine is heavily upgraded, however) | | Weaknesses: | -weak derailleur hanger | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Rockhopper frame, XTR rear derailleur, Thomson seatpost, Ritchey WCS stem, Avid SD Ti V-brakes, Velomax Rogue wheelset, Continental Twister Pro tires, Hutchinson tubes, Titec HellBent handlebar, Cateye Astrale computer, TIME A.T.A.C. pedals, Titec Micros bar ends, SRAM PC-59 chain | | Bottom Line: | My bike feels awesome. I can't ride any other bike now. The cockpit is custom made for me. This bike is a good deal, and it's a solid ride. The derailleur hanger is a bit weak (mine's been bent twice and replaced twice). Otherwise, stock components were a bit heavy for me, but otherwise they're good quality and are serving my brother well on his upgraded Raleigh Outland.
I better start having better luck riding with this thing though. The stock chain broke while shifting and ruined one ride. The SRAM chain broke while shifting on another ride, but I was able to replace the damaged link. I'm on my 3rd derailleur hanger now, the last one having been bent courtesy of a twig getting stuck in the rear derailleur (thankfully my XTR seems to be fine). My luck I guess.
Anyway, the bike is solid. Go buy one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Weekend Warrior
from Dalls, TX
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Arbor Hills backtrails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Richardson Bike Mart | | Strengths: | Front fork, frame, riser bar, crank, derailleur, brakes | | Weaknesses: | Seat, tires. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Wilderness seat & Serfas Gator tires. | | Bottom Line: | Overall a great bike for the buck. The stock seat is extremely uncomfortable, so that was the first thing I changed out. Also, the tires have horrible grip and allow flats way too easily.. so I swapped those out for some Serfas. Other than that, it really is a great little hardtail. Good brakes & components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Cleveland,Ohio
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | eddy's bike shop 2001 | | Strengths: | A nice AL frame that won't let you down. Sweet threadless fork setup and decent front suspension. | | Weaknesses: | The place it is made.
You are best off routing the REAR BRAKE CABLE with zip ties to the frame. The crappy offset makes the stock brake about HALF as strong as it could be. | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose. Specialized. Schwinn ? | | Bottom Line: | A bike that costs this much should last 5 years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aric B
a
from Camarillo, CA
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Pt. Mugu State Park - Coyote Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS (frame set only) | | Strengths: | Strong frame, perfect geometry, | | Weaknesses: | Bit of flex on fast downhill turns | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose Rockadile AL, GT Outlook | | Bike Setup: | Topo 6061 straight bar, Shorty CNC stem 40 deg, LX shifters/brake levers, Knucklebone grips, Weyless bar ends, Chris King head set, Rolf Satellite wheels, Panaracer XC Pro 2.1(127 tpi/anti snake bite)fr/rr tires, Specialized MTB lite tubes, XTR FD, XT RD, Performance Ergo Seat, Kalloy lite seatpost, Shimano SPD515, XT BB, Strongarm II cranks 175, SID SL uturn, CatEye wireless trip comp, FireBalls lighting system and Schwinn Missile pump. Weight (with above): 30.5 lbs Color: Red/Burnished/Black Trim: Size: 17" | | Bottom Line: | The frame set is a great start. All the upgraded components turned this bike to an outstanding piece of art. Outperforms any of my friends bike in climbing, excellent in the downhill, awesome in switchbacks, it's weight is negligent when forced to HIKE-A-BIKE. It's a point and shoot vehicle! The Rockadile had a lot of flex, the GT Outlook was stiff and reliable; ergo, the price was the added weight. Among my 3 (hardtail) bikes, this one I prefer to ride for climbs! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Jansma
a Cross Country Rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Pottenstein | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Graf Sports Store | | Strengths: | Strength, Durability | | Weaknesses: | If I had to name one, weight. However, Strength and Durability have a penalty. | | Similar Products Used: | As a bike mechanic, I have tried many different makes and models. None have been as trustworthy as my Rockhopper. frame. | | Bike Setup: | Mavic 517 F & R, Kore stem, Easton Monkey riser, Avid Arch rival V brakes, XT front De, XTR rear De, XT levers, Judy XC fork, Shimano SPD pedals (I forgot what model)Grip Shift (original cheapos still shifting great). | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike 6 years ago. It came with a cheap, mixed gruppo. I have since upgraded everything except the Grip shifters, and have dropped a lot of weight. Even though I weigh in at 240 (winter) and 220 (summer) (love that German beer) I have never had one problem with the frame. The geometry suits me fine, and I never worry about the frame failing. When I do retire it, I will probably display it over the fireplace. As a guide for Mountain bike rides in Germany (Outdoor Recreation worker) I often laugh when a new rider comes with a very expensive bike and I have to wait for them at the top of a hill climb, or the bottom of a tough downhill section. Specialized rules with this frame!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ross Williams
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs, Colorado
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$285.00 | | Strengths: | Very Strong tubeset; nice paint; versatile | | Weaknesses: | No disc brake mounts; small tire clearance in rear | | Similar Products Used: | Diamondback Ascent (1988); GT Rebound (1995); Specialized Rockhopper A1 Comp FS (1998) | | Bike Setup: | Mavic D521 / Shimano XT Disc wheelset; Panaracer FireXC Pro 2.1s; RockShox Psylo SL (2002); TruVatic Hussefelt DH Rockguard cranks w/ ISIS Bottom bracket; XT shifters/levers, front derailleur, rear derailleur; Avid Single Digit Mag brakes; Easton Scandium riserbar; Kore Elite stem; Syncros seatpost; Men's RaceDay saddle; Salsa parts all over; Cane Creek S-5 headset. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great frame! After my first Rockhopper split at the headtube, I got this baby-blue frame and have been riding the crap out of it for about 3 years now. It has almost always been set up as a sort of freeride hardtail, but I prefer to call it a "Colorado Bike" with the climbing ability of a hardtail combined with a big-hit fork and riser bars. I would love to have more rear tire clearance, as a Tioga Factory DH 2.1 is as big as one should get without sawing through the chainstays. I would also like to have disc brake mounts, although I like the lightweight of the Avid v-brakes and realize that the newer Rockhoppers have this feature. This bike has been on some of the toughest trails, taken big drops, been all over Moab numerous times, and is still in excellent shape! Awesome little frame - great price!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jake
a
from uk
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | i got it 4 free | | Strengths: | all of it but i am making it better u should see wot i have doen to it it is beef as a beef log | | Weaknesses: | 1 the sound it makes | | Similar Products Used: | ds1 | | Bike Setup: | just 4 fun | | Bottom Line: | it is well kool 4 £o and when i have bin playing with it
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
craig
a Weekend Warrior
from mass
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | vietnam | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | landrys | | Strengths: | strong, i have been freeriding on this frame for a year and its never failed. I can drop 4-5 drops and land fine. Im amazed how strong it is.Its also light and looks cool in black and yellow. | | Weaknesses: | messy welding but who cares | | Similar Products Used: | muddy fox adventurer-www.muddyfox.com | | Bike Setup: | mavic D521, Manitou X vert,titec hell bent riser bar, xt drivetrain and brakes. | | Bottom Line: | This is an great frame. Has held up to everything and looks cool. A great buy! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ed welty
a Cross Country Rider
from davenport, ia/ chicago, il
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | george wythe, waterloo, ia | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Scheels in Cedar Falls | | Strengths: | STRONG, baby! Feels lighter than it looks. | | Weaknesses: | slight color fade, but that was due to bike set up. the rear brake cable housing rubbed on the top tube. | | Similar Products Used: | crappy walmart bike, GT, alu bike | | Bike Setup: | Purchased this guy stock. it had avilio parts, diacomp cant brakes, and grip shifts. avilio hubs and mavic wheels. was one of specialized's first front suspension bikes with a HEAVY duotrack THREADED fork. | | Bottom Line: | I am truly in love with this frame. I bought it in 1995 after saving and skimping through most of my college life to get a good bike. i broke up with a girlfriend and went out to buy this bike to make me feel better.
the frame is super tough, but that might be because it was made in 1995, before the HUGE boom of mountain bikes. sadly, one night while in class some punks vandalized my baby. propped her up and basked in the rear wheel till it was more a burrito than a taco. i nearly cried, but the frame was fine. a slight dent, but nothing too bad. i was a bit frightened the frame might fail, but so far so good, and that was 5 years ago.
i have since purchased an aluminum bike that took the place of my steel red rider for a short while. i have gotten into single speed riding and converted my old red into a new machine. she was a joy to work on, and even more fun to ride. the bike feels very light, especially for steel. it is like discovering an old friend. the geometry of the thing fits like a glove. it is like riding in the bike, not on it...especially on tight single track.
to this day when anyone asks what type of bike to get, i tell them try specialized first, then look into trek, fisher, and klien. then go back to specialized. too bad they don't seem to make rockhopper steel anymore, just al.
http://www.anglefire.com/ia/weltymorrell/Bike.htm | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adam young
a Downhiller
from diamond creek/ Australia
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | ? | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | feels light(4.8 pounds with headset cups),headtube gussets,nice decals,strong,not flexy,not bad paint quality. | | Weaknesses: | not enough clearance for 2.3's,deraileur hanger bolts need to be kept an eye on plus the bolts for it are way too small(easy to strip) | | Similar Products Used: | giant atx 860's | | Bike Setup: | spesh hardtail,521's,DHO's,azonic,shimano. | | Bottom Line: | This frame has held up to 3 years of abuse without bending or cracking for a while the down tube was creaking but it went away after a while,the headtube handles triple clamps(due to top anf bottom headtube gussets)I did manage to loose a hanger bolt because there sooo small.
But the highlight of this frame is that it is strong enough to handle hitting a car head on at about 30-40kph(it wasn't my fault....stupid wankers don't cut there hedgesand so forth)but yes it is a good frame that will take abuse for a couple of years if you don't bail it hard all the time........ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SJ
a Weekend Warrior
from Upstate NY
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Steiners | | Strengths: | -Cheap
-TOUGH!!
-Stiff
-Can't fault the geometry
-Looks awesome!!
-Great paint job and very good welds
-Best value in a low-end aluminum hardtail frame | | Weaknesses: | -Comes only as a complete bike
-Some flex in the brake stays($15 buys you a good booster--use it)
-A little heavy--small price to pay for durability | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2000 Rockhopper A1 FS | | Bottom Line: | This is an awesome frame.True,it's not the fanciest or the lightest around,but it's tough(Read:BOMBPROOF),and the geometry is perfect for all-around riding.It goes where you point it,it feels good in sprints,and it's pretty relaxed on the downhills.It's a frame that inspires confidence and is worth upgrading once you wear out the not-too-respectable stock parts.One of its few real faults is a little flex in the brake stays.No worries,man--get yourself a good brake booster,and problem solved.
Bottom line:This frame kicks ass for the dollar!!Long live the Rockhopper!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ross
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim, Moab | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | From a friend | | Strengths: | very strong, good paint (baby blue), nice welds, replaceable derailler hanger | | Weaknesses: | a bit heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Diamondback Ascent chromoly (1988), GT Rebound chromoly (1995) | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Rockhopper A1 Comp FS frame, RockShox SID XL, XT drivetrain, Kore Elite stem, Cane Creek S5 headset, Easton Scandium DH bar, Syncros post, Men's Raceday saddle, Mavic X517/XT wheels, Tioga Factory DH 2.1s | | Bottom Line: | The first Rockhopper frame I bought cracked at the headtube, so we sent it back to Specialized and almost immediately got a new, baby blue frame. It has worked wonderfully over the past few years. I have set the bike up as what I call a "Colorado Bike" verses the Northshore set-up you always see. I have a dual crown fork mounted up as well as a lot of very strong components that will take the abuse I put them through. The hardtail helps on the climbs, and the long-travel smooths out the decents. For a cheap frame, this one has totally kicked butt.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Weekend Warrior
from avis PA US
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | mid state | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Strengths: | dependable never breaks and always ready to ride | | Weaknesses: | the stock suspension that year 1995 | | Similar Products Used: | trek fuji cannondale | | Bike Setup: | stock except added speed springs onza dave and dan tires and kool stop brake pads | | Bottom Line: | i've had the bike five years never broke it and beat the hell out of it. just order a new one yesterday. you can't buy a better bike for the price and depenablility. specialized is one of the original mountain bikes and it shows | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JMAN
a Cross Country Rider
from boxford mass
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$480.00 | | Strengths: | price, geometry, durability | | Weaknesses: | components, weight | | Similar Products Used: | giant iguana, trek aluminum, stumpjumper, konas | | Bike Setup: | after several small adjustments to factory components: syncros hardcore handlebar, deore xt rear derailure, deore xt v brakes and levers, odessy saddle, wtb raptor tires and im ashamed to mention the rest... | | Bottom Line: | a great value for somebody just getting accustomed to gnarly trails and highspeed crashes in forests. this bike has been with me since my first bunny hop and my first collision with a boulder. ive beaten and will continue to beat individuals who pose themselves upon bikes costing three times as much and weighing several pounds less. if you take just a fraction of the time you spend learning how to enjoy serious xc on keeping up with this bike's maintenance it will not fail you. right now im saving up for a lighter stiffer ride. .. 6 years on this beast of burden has acclimated my body to a tremendous amount of excess weight and below decent component performance. if i can pass you now just imagine what might happen when i graduate to a real bike. this is an excellent choice for beginners. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alfonso
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, CA USA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Unbeatable value, indestructable frame, rigid and balanced, truly off-road capable, broad size range for all sorts of riders, attracts the opposite sex | | Weaknesses: | noticable flex in the seat stay, especially when rear brakes are applied hard, welds leave a bit to be desired, a tad heavy for an aluminum frame | | Similar Products Used: | shopped Santa Cruz, Kona, GT, Giant hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Bontrager race wheels, XT/XTR, SRAM brakes, bla bla bla | | Bottom Line: | This is undoubtedly the ideal foundation for a custom bike built up by an improving novice rider. Original components bundled with Rockhopper A1 FS are perfect for someone just starting out in the off-road discipline. Race components on this bike would be money well spent as the frame WILL continue to perform under the pressures of advanced, demanding riders.
Unparalleled value, slightly less than perfect quality. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Meyson Goh
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Specialized in any area you think it is capable of. | | Weaknesses: | Frame comes with a slide dent to accommodate the front derailleur, need precise adjustments, looks weird. | | Bike Setup: | With a good rider. | | Bottom Line: | This bike has been sent for several testing and its still in one piece accept the front derailleur.Strong as bull, fuming in frame colour. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Racer
from Leesburg, Virginia, USA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Snowshoe(Hell) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Its pretty tight. Some flex but $15 and you got yourself a brake boaster. Pretty strong. LIGHTTTTT!!! | | Weaknesses: | I bent in a tiny bit and my wheel hits it. It also is an inch too big but thats my fault. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Excaliber, Trek 7000 | | Bike Setup: | Magura hydraulic brakes, 517 w/ Chris King hubs, SID Race fork, bontragar clipless, Race Face turbine crank, XTR shifters, deraillers, thompson seat post, race face bottom bracket, chris king headset | | Bottom Line: | Its a good frame for the money and theres definetly nothing better for a crosscountry/race rider for the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
luis zulueta
a Weekend Warrior
from san leandro, ca.u.s.a.
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | jouquin miller park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | still in one piece on wet and wild, high and dry condition. | | Weaknesses: | little flex on sudden turn on downhill. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | super stock except 517 spd pedal, and panaracer xc fire knobby tires. | | Bottom Line: | still rockhopping after all this mellinium. No fancy stuff just straight forward trail bike that will bring you home everytime your rockhopping the wild,wild wilderness trail... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Kuijpers
a Cross Country Rider
from Uden, Netherlands
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Is holding up very well, Stiff for its size (23"!)Doesn't give up under a big "load" 280lbs!!! (and that counts) | | Weaknesses: | Non so far | | Similar Products Used: | Local build steal | | Bike Setup: | 2000 rockhopper pro. XT disc hubs,XT disc brakes, Mavic X619 rims with Hoshi DB spokes | | Bottom Line: | Killed the rims, killed the chain but thats normal under my load.
The frame is still allright! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmond , Okla
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | 12 miles of hell , Lawton , Okla. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Very solid frame. Lots of abuse, and it keeps going | | Weaknesses: | a little bit heavy | | Similar Products Used: | schwinn moab , voodoo bantau | | Bike Setup: | manitou sx , rock shox seat post , xt ,xt ,truvativ crank | | Bottom Line: | Frame is great . I will buy another one when one wears out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy
a Weekend Warrior
from Oak Park
Date Reviewed: December 27, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
The frame is exceedingly durable! | | Weaknesses: |
The stock wheels and brakes (from the 96 edition) are not. | | Similar Products Used: |
93-94 children's Rockhopper-24 inch wheels, 18 inch frame | | Bike Setup: |
Now I use Mavic 517 rims w/XT hubs, Arch-rival 40 brakes, everything else standard issue | | Bottom Line: | This bike is incredibly durable. Iwish I had an odometer to see how far I've ridden in the past three years. It does well with barely any maintenence if you ride street, but I would suggest replacing the stock wheels and brakes ASAP. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Palmer
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: October 24, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Everything...... | | Weaknesses:< |
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