Giant XTC 3 vs Rockhopper Comp

Jumping Bean

Hi,

Was just about to pull the trigger on the 2009 Rockhopper Comp for £615 but then noticed that a couple of places are doing the 2009 XTC 3 for £550 down from £750. Forgetting test rides for a second, which of the above would you go for based on spec, frame, weight, reputation etc?

The main spec differences I can see are:

Giant brakes = Giant Root
Hopper brakes = Juicy 3's
Giant forks = Tora Air
Hopper forks = Tora Coil
Giant rear mech = XT
Hopper rear mech = SLX

Any idea which would be the lightest?

http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBC ... 37&eid=107

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/bik ... 442/32686/

Thanks

The Spiderman

I`d guess the Giant might be a gnat`s whisker lighter due to the air fork,but little in it I doubt and probably both 28lbs or thereabouts.

Air fork on the Giant is better,but Giant`s own brakes aren`t that great.Both have nice frames.Little in it.I`d decide based on which is the best deal or which colour you prefer.

I

Jumping Bean

Thanks for the input Spiderman. Giant list the XTC 3 as weighing 29.06 lbs for a medium without pedals. Anyone know what the Hopper weighs?

The Spiderman

Jumping Bean wrote:

Thanks for the input Spiderman. Giant list the XTC 3 as weighing 29.06 lbs for a medium without pedals. Anyone know what the Hopper weighs?

28lbs according to this,which is good.

I`m surprised that the Giant is heavier given the spec,is so similar and bare frame weights are similar.My XTC was less than 29lbs before I upgraded it and it had some heavy parts on it,like a Manitou Splice fork and a Truvativ steel ringed chainset!

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/rockhopper-disc-9006

The Specialized bars,stem,and post are probably lighter,and the Giant has proper tyres compared to the summer tyres of the Hopper,which might make the difference.

I`ve had both,bikes and they are both good.
There`s only one way to decide and thats to test them!

Jumping Bean

So it's a landslide victory for the Giant! (3-1) I'm quite surprised about that, I thought most people would vote for the Hopper.

The people who voted Giant, why did you vote that way?

The Spiderman wrote:

The Specialized bars,stem,and post are probably lighter,and the Giant has proper tyres compared to the summer tyres of the Hopper,which might make the difference.

Bar the tyres, which do think is the more suitable trail bike? I know both are quite cross country but which is the most (or least) racey?

Cheers

The Spiderman

Jumping Bean wrote:

So it's a landslide victory for the Giant! (3-1) I'm quite surprised about that, I thought most people would vote for the Hopper.

The people who voted Giant, why did you vote that way?

The Spiderman wrote:

The Specialized bars,stem,and post are probably lighter,and the Giant has proper tyres compared to the summer tyres of the Hopper,which might make the difference.

Bar the tyres, which do think is the more suitable trail bike? I know both are quite cross country but which is the most (or least) racey?

Cheers

Very similar,on the 2 I had,though mine were both older models.

The tyres on the Giant will make it better for trail work out of the box,but of course you could swap the ones on the Rockhopper for £60.That does make the price difference even more,Iin favour of the Giant though.

I prefer the air fork because it allows you to fine tune according to rider weght too.

A lot will come down to sizing,you may find one or other will fit slightly better.