Specialized Rockhopper Comp advice.

ben@31

Hi,

Does anyone have an opinion of the Spesh Rochopper Comp? Anyone own one and recommend it?

I'm a road cyclist who's thinking of getting another bike for forrest trails / gravel tracks. I'll be cycling for fitness and a change of scenery so I don't need an extreme downhill bike, yet!
Bikes needed = n + 1

Im not familiar with Sram MTB groupsets, My knowledge is only Shimano road groupsets. What do you think of the components fitted on the Rockhopper comp? http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec052283

Are they any similar priced / spec alternatives worth considering.

Thanks.

rockmonkeysc

The fork is less rigid than a wet noodle and the brakes are a bit rubbish.
SRAM X5 groupset is very basic and not as good as the Shimano equivalent (Deore).
This Boardman is better for the same money
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... -650b-2014
The air fork will be a big improvement over the Rockhoppers bottom of the range coil fork.
This Voodoo is also better and cheaper
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/m ... in-bike-20

kajjal

Unless you need a very large frame size the Voodoo Bizango is much better value for money. It's not the Rockhopper is a bad bike just others offer better spec and value for money.

If you are confident you can get good value from second hand bikes as many see very little use but are available a year or so old for half their retail price. Once example is a 2013 Specialized Carve (now called Crave) which has a much better frame, fork and overall spec. Second hand 2013 Carves are £500-£600 if you take your time. There are many other bikes which second hand offer very good value if you are confident and do a bit of research.

The Rookie

Until you get further up the price range, the big brand names are generally not as good value for money as the brand with bigger volumes, Carrera, Boardman and Voodoo from Halfords (and their new 13 brand), Rockriders at Decathlon and the Calibres at Go Outdoors.

dynebaruk

A mate has just bought the Cube Attention SL 29er for £700 and I think the spec is great for the money. One of his other options was the Rockhopper Comp but it was way off the Cube.

paul.skibum

Frame is probably sound but geometry is a bit off trend and all the components are lower than the best rivals. Dont do it for your first buy unless you want to put yourself off mountain biking to stay on the road bike more.