Specialized rockhopper comp 2011 problems

Asar01

Before I ask my question(s) I would like to know if My £900 investment into a specialized rockhopper comp 2011 was worth it as I'm a complete newb


The bike was bought around 4 days ago and the chain has snapped already but I'm going to take it to back to evans for them to take a look At why it was snapped and maybe get a free replacement

Now to my first question, the front avid juicy 3 brake keeps jolting slightly when I attempt to brake, and the back brake keeps making a weird squeaking noise when braking, I was told I had to wear it in but the first 2 days I had it there wasn't a problem or noise at all.

Question 2. Sometimes my gears keep skipping when I'm putting allot of force into it, are bikes ment to do this?

The only size rockhopper they had was a 19inch and it was the one on shelf (where others take for a test ride) should I have waited 2 days for fresh bike? And is a 19" frame ok for a guy at 6"1 18 stone a good choice?

Thanks a bunch

Asar01

Last question guys

If I was to get a refund and add 200 more to 1100 would I beable to build a much betted bike?

cooldad

No
No, and they do make noises sometimes.
Impossible to tell, but you should get a discount on a demo model.
Maybe.

benpinnick

Your chain broke, thats unfortunate but completely understandable.... Sometimes they just do, I would not read anything into it. The size sounds fine, and if its only a car park tester I wouldn't worry too much about that.

The Avid however can be tempermental. I would suggest ride them for a couple more rides and post back as to how you get on.

Rigga

I have the same bike and my brakes didnt squeak, also no problems with the gears. If you got it from Evans you get a free 'bedding in' service after 6-8 weeks where they check the brakes, suspension and re- index the gears so they will sort it for you then anyway.
I would have got them to order you a new one from the warehouse personally rather than take the demo or at least a bit of a discount for the demo bike but whats done is done.

njee20

The gears skipping and the chain breaking are almost certainly related. Before the chain breaks it probably had a bulged sideplate, which will catch the cassette. Most likely dodgy from the factory. Whilst chains can, and do, just break, they certainly shouldnt on a 4 day old bike, it's not quite as common as Ben perhaps implies.

The size sounds right, but impossible to say without seeing you.

Brakes may well just be bedding in, they should offer a service after 6-8 weeks use, if things aren't sorted by then I'd take it up with them again.

Asar01

Thanks for the advice guys, another problem I've been having is whenever I brake the front tyre pulls to the left and I get that uncomfortable noise from the brakes, I've taken it to evans and they said it was a bit loose but I know for a fact it wasn't as I had tightened it to the max, I'm thinking of taking the bike back and getting another bike but what would you guys advice I say to the people at evans

And the big question, what bike would u advise for 900-1000 ( that's if they take the bike back)

cooldad

Tell them what's wrong and to sort it out.
But not sure what you mean, the tyre pulls to the left? Could be a loose hub, simple fix.
Ask one of the guys in the shop to take it for a ride.

Asar01

Let me explain, when I brake the front tyre touches the suspension or when I'm really putting force into pedaling again it touches the suspension

nickel

Sorry if this sounds massively patronising but have you made sure the quick release is fully tightened?

Asar01

Ye I did but I've taken the bike back and got 900 quid worth of vouchers . Now what bike would you guys advice with a budget of 1100??? Thanks

thel33ter

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kon ... e-ec021799

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gen ... e-ec024742

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gen ... e-ec024757

The Kona is the best deal.

Asar01

Thanks mate, I've heard good things about borderman pro which is 900 quid and comes with good specs but are the frames reliable? http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtbht/ht_Pro.html

geoff93

In terms of value for money, boardmans cannot really be beaten. Quality frames and some super value kit on them for the money, will be much nicer to ride than even a fully working Speshhh for that money. As I've said on other posts we get people bringing them to the shop a lot for services so they are popular bikes.

Can't be bought at evans though.

thel33ter

As above Boardmans are great. If you can spend the cash anywhere, get one, but you said you had vouchers, so I would assume you have to buy from Evans.

Unless you sell the vouchers, make a loss, and get a Boardman anyway.

Asar01

Don't worry I can get my cash back I picked vouchers just so I could get home and ask you guys, to get it into my paranoid brain I just want to confirm a boardman is better than a specialized yes?

Thanks allot aswell guys

thel33ter

Asar01 wrote:

Don't worry I can get my cash back I picked vouchers just so I could get home and ask you guys, to get it into my paranoid brain I just want to confirm a boardman is better than a specialized yes?

Thanks allot aswell guys

Better is subjective.

Fantastic spec for the money - Yes
Better frame and fit for you - Maybe

Asar01

Ok well tomoz I'm going to go to Halfords and see if the feel is the feel I'm looking for and if it is I'm going to get my cash back and buy a boardman

Thanks for the advise mate

Icky

Hi, don't know where you are based. But I have just ordered a 2011 Specialized rockhopper comp from Buy a bike in Chorley (Near Preston LANCS) RRP £900 in the sale 20% off = £720.00. Noticed they had a pro in also, sure is was up for originally £1200.00 now £ 960.00.

Give them a ring as they are not showing these prices online !!!

Icky

diy

There didn't sound like much wrong with your spesh. The QR thing is a bit of a nack to start with. You have to make sure the wheel is properly pushed in to the drop outs when you tighten it. Otherwise it can feel tight, but still pull. The problem you describe seems almost definitely due to loose QR. The brakes do need to be adjusted after bedding in, you do that by slackenning the tri-align bolts so that the caliper is loose on the mount apply the brakes and holding the brake on while you carefully tighten the bolts. This aligns the discs with the pads nicely..

Chain and indexing problems are related again probably due to not indexing them or it could have been due to trying to change gear under load. You always need to change down before you start the climb (for example).

Personally I'd go back and buy another 'hopper since you didn't actually get a new bike to start, but paid new bike prices.

I note they have some FSR 2010 models for similar money.

Also if you think evans are bad for bike building wait until you've tried your boardman at halfords.

ljs1977

I was in the same position, I have a Rockhopper comp and its mint!