The XCM Suntour fork isn't considered offroad by Suntour. More of a bike path and smoother trail fork because of the plastic bushings inside instead of the usual metal. Also very limited rebound damping. You can upgrade to an air fork later for about $200. The fork is the most important component for trail riding.

 

Had my RH Sport 29 for about 3 months now, already had to upgrade the fork, blew up the stock spring fork riding moderate trails, totally different bike now. I think you will be pleased as long as you don't try to ride really hard trails.

 

Thanks. Yeah, that's the idea.

 

Thanks for the info. What did you upgrade to?

 

The Raidon on the suntour upgrade program

 

I bought the same bike last month when I traded in a bike I didn't ride anymore. I liked it and it rekindled my love of mountain biking. So much so that I used the LBS's 30 day return policy to upgrade to the Pro model. Like others mentioned, the fork is its weak point. For the same $$ to upgrade the fork you can get the Comp model.

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I thought about the comp, but is the fork that much better. What I would do is get the sport and later upgrade to a better fork than what the comp has.

 

Yes, it is that much better. One of the best selling bikes in the shop I work at this past year. If you can find one in your size, it is a great buy IMHO. A similar 2016 model would have been around $1,100. It's also a 2x9 drivetrain. For 2018, the similar model will be called the Expert, and they are already arriving in shops.

 

Is it air? Is that what's on the comp?

 

The Comp has:

SR Suntour XCR-Air, rebound adjustment w/remote lockout, 80/100mm of travel (size specific)

I'm no expert on forks, other than it is an air fork. The Comp also has a Deore rear derailleur, 36/22T front chain rings and a better frame. So you get more than just a better fork. Decisions, decisions. I just went thru this myself. [emoji1]

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It depends on what you can swing $$ wise at the moment. Or in my case, what I can sneak past the wife. We've been married a long time so I'm an expert at it.

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It depends on what you can swing $$ wise at the moment. Or in my case, what I can sneak past the wife. We've been married a long time so I'm an expert at it.

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This is my best mountain biking skill.

 

Get the comp I bought a base model rockhopper a month ago, the fork is total garbage, as expected. the brakes are actually OK even though they are mechanical.

I have over 150 miles on it now and the fork is probably about to break, feels like it's getting worse every ride. I bought the bike to last one season but I don't think it will.

 

I see a ton of entry level bikes on the craigslist. Trek,Spesh,Giant. I think most for sale are the result of folks not getting into riding after the purchase.

 

My first real bike was a 2012 Rockhopper in 2014. I rode many miles on it, all singletrack. It did not explode. The fork did not burst into flames. Get on your bike and ride. Have fun, that's what this is about.

 

+1. Still have my RH 26 from 2000. Apart from it needing a DR overahaul and RockShox service, it's still a solid bike and I had a lot of fun on it. Main reason I bought new was b/c we bought my daughter a bike and I was jealous of the 27.5.

 

Rockhopper is bare minimum. Less expensive bikes, trek has a few that are down right dangerous with brakes that don't stop and shifters that don't work.

A better rig offers more confidence and better geometry can really enhance safety and control. Really ideal is the new Chisel from Specialized

 

My LBS said they are about to roll the 2018s out and the price will actually drop about $25. Not sure what that means.

Means your shop is taking the piss is what it means. I'd be looking for more than that off a brand new current bike. last year's model, a lot more.

The Rockhopper name used to stand for something, it meant you were getting a high-quality bike, but these days they are clearly just trading on the name. You see Hoppers with components that are distinctly not high-end. Or middle for that matter. What I'm saying is that there is no reason to buy a Rockhopper over a bike by another decent brand.

Look around. As the season rolls on more and more bikes will go on clearance. Proper clearance, not $25 off. Also look at used bikes. LOts of people buy bikes then never ride them so you can find 'used once' bikes for a fraction of their new price. Sad to say it, but your local bike shop is probably the most expensive place you could buy a bike :0(

 

I think he meant $25 less than 2017's comparable model? I see that my LBS and others have the 2017 RH Pro marked down more than $200 now.

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The 2018 Expert will be ("is" since we already sold one Friday) the same price as the 2017 Comp.

 

From what I'm hearing from the guy I've been talking to at the LBS, it sounds like:

2017 base at 525 now 2018 sport at 550
2017 sport at 625 now 2018 comp at 650
2017 comp at 850 now 2018 expert at 830
etc.

The 2017 comp has an air fork, the 2018 comp doesn't.

Disclaimer: this is what I'm picking up, may or may not be accurate

 

I noticed that specialized has put a better derailleur on the 2017... We haven't had a problem with the comp forks in single track. But after a season need to change a hub. Still amazed that sub 1000 bike gives you only bare minimum.. Generally a bike path bike.

 

You have the specs for the 2018 comp (2017 sport level, now?) I was planning on getting a pair of the RH sports for my sons and now I think we're getting the comps.


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I can't edit the typo in that last post. Anyone else having problems?

 

2018 Rockhopper Comp:

Frame: A1 alloy, Sport XC 29 Geometry, zero-stack head tube, internal cable routing, 135x9mm forged dropouts, chainstay-mounted disc brake, replaceable alloy derailleur hanger

Fork: SR Suntour XCM w/ MCD 29, coil spring, custom Multi-Circuit damping, QR, 80/90/100mm travel (size-specific), 51mm offset

Shifters: Shimano Acera 3x9

Front Derailleur: Shimano Altus FD-M371, 34.9mm clamp, down-swing

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Acera, 9-speed

Brakes: Shimano BR-M315, hydraulic disc, resin pads, 180/160mm rotor

Cranks: Stout, forged alloy, 3x9 44/32/22T

Cassette: Sunrace, 9-speed, 11-34t

Bottom Bracket: Square taper, 73mm, internal bearings

Chain: KMC X9EPT, 9-speed, anti-corrosion coating w/ reusable Missing Link

Hubs: Shimano Center Lock, disc, 100x9mm QR, 32h / Shimano Center Lock, disc, 135x9mm QR, 32h

Spokes: Stainless, 14g

Rims: Stout XC 25 29, alloy, disc only, double-wall, 25mm internal width, 32h

Tires: Ground Control Sport, Flak Jacket flat protection, wire bead, 29x2.3 / 29 x 2.1 inch

Pedals: Specialized Dirt

Stem: Stout 3D-forged alloy, 31.8mm, 6-degree rise

Handlebars: Stout double-butted alloy, 10mm rise, 10-degree backsweep, 4-degree upsweep, 720mm width, 31.8mm

Grips: Specialized MTB Grip, lock-on

Saddle: Henge Sport, steel rails, 143mm

Seat Post: Alloy, 12mm offset, 2-bolt clamp, 30.9mm

Seat Binder: Alloy, QR clamp, 34.9mm

 

2018 Rockhopper Comp

Thanks!

Out of curiosity, what did they do at the cheapest level? For 2017 it was 525 but now I think the 2017 base model is the 2018 sport at 550ish? Does the 18 sport have mechanical brakes or hydraulic? Is there a cheaper level below sport for 2018?

 

Now the Scott Aspect 940, 930, Scale 9?0 are catching my eye (my closest LBS is a Scott dealer). Also, what about Motobecane Fantom by Bikes Direct?? I'm learning a bit more about components, and this thing seems unbelievable for the money!
Thoughts??

 

Which Fantom? They make several, and there is even a difference in the frame in at least one of them.

 

Scott makes decent bikes, I wouldn't mind sporting a Scott Scale. Much better geo than a Rockhopper....

 

I know people like to slag on a 71° HTA, but in my experience that isn't always a certain way to write off a bike. My personal two favorite 29er hardtails had HTA's at opposite ends of the spectrum.

With that said, I have not actually been able to ride a Scott Scale, but on paper and from what I have heard and read, the Scott Scale is a nice riding bike. The 69.5° HTA, 438 mm chainstays, along with a 60 mm BB drop looks great on paper.

If we're trying to compare apples to apples here (bikes in the same price category), I am assuming we're talking about the Scale 970 from 2017? If so, I am not seeing a lot of info about where to find them in the USA, and how much the actual price is to get one here. I see Evans Cycles has them for 799 Euros, plus another $125 to ship it here. And, that bikes comes with a SR coil fork. If I was planning to replace the fork, it would be a bike to consider, but that and shipping pushes the cost of the bike up there to where it isn't comparing bikes in that same price range.

It does have a very good drivetrain with Shimano Deore 3x10. I have ran that drivetrain myself and liked it a lot, but it's too bad they didn't use the available 22-20-40 chainring that Shimano offers (which is killer on a 29er hardtail). It also has a BB-92 (press fit BB) which is OK, but I do prefer threaded BB's if given a choice (especially with external cup bearings).

If you can get a Scott Scale with an air spring fork, I think that would be on my short list. I would still recommend a test ride.

 

Subd

 

Just to chime in. I have a 2017 Rockhopper Comp, and one of the reasons I bought it is because it has a nicer frame than the lower level. Specialized ran two different frames in that version. They didn't advertise that they were different, but they were clearly, visually so...

I have no idea if they're doing that for 2018, but it may be worthwhile to pop down to the LBS and take a look. Given that the spec for the new Expert is basically the same as my Comp, if they're doing it, it will likely be that model that has the upper end frame.

I love mine, by the way, and everything works great. No problems with the XCR-Air whatsoever, or anything else for that matter. Great bike.

 

I'm all about supporting the local bike shop, but I'd order the BULLS Copperhead Supreme 29 and pay them to put it together and service it for you. I hate to say they can't compete with online retailers, but it's just true. Companies like Specialized and Trek don't offer as much bike for the money at the lower price ranges. Good info here: https://www.handsoncycling.com/blog-2/2017/8/25/best-2017-mountain-bike-deals

 

Yep, that bike will be a hoot to ride with chainstays that are a full inch longer (@ 460 mm for L and XL models) than those of the Rockhopper Expert (@ 435 mm). And, even Specialized has moved on from the 71.5° head tube angle with the Rockhopper and Chisel to 69.8°.

Many of the parts of the Bull compare favorably to the 2018 Rockhopper Expert, but not all. I'd take the Shimano brakes in a heartbeat, and if the frame is any indicator, I would not expect much from the 'STYX' OEM saddle, seatpost, stem and handlebar bits.

It's hard to expect the Epicon fork and a few select drivetrain bits to make up for a hardtail frame with 460 mm chainstays and even a 71° or 71.5° head tube angle isn't likely to make it corner well at speed. I'd probably lean toward the Bull if the CS's were 440 mm or very close to it, and the HTA was even 70° or even a hair steeper, it would make the Bull a truly compelling choice. But in the year 2017/18, a 460 mm CS length and 71° or 71.5° HTA is . . . . ponderous. For that reason, I'm not so certain I'd call this an easy decision to say the least. JMHO.

 

If you're not a wrench, it's a good idea to buy from the LBS. Mine is on the way to and from work on my commute and I stop in there any time I have any squeak, rattle, whatever, and they just happily put it up on the stand, fix it, and show me what it is that was making the noise, be it a seatpost creak or a warped rotor. You could write several books about what I don't know about bicycle maintenance. Having a lifetime of free adjustments and paying them for larger service items I have neither the tools nor the time to learn about makes buying one of their brands worth it...

It is why I chose my LBS and Specialized.

 

I have a sport as well and I love it. I've been considering upgrading the fork but have taken into consideration of trading in for a higher model. I'm wanting to stay under $1500 so ive been looking ast the 2018 RH pro out maybe going with a giant fathom 1. Any thoughts?