Rockhopper Disc 08 vs 09 ??

nickbennett
nickbennett Posts: 40
edited October 2008 in MTB buying advice
Hi everyone!!

looking to get a new bike finally,

I have been down to my local place and tried the Rockhopper disc 08 model out and loved it, just wondering is it worth getting the 09 model spec wise :?:

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?arc=2008&spid=34005

or

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=40638&eid=107

Im new to this so not sure which would be better spec bike for the money ( I can get either one for the same price)

all opinions welcome...

Nick.

Comments

  • would go for the 08 model personally, you should be able to pick one up with a few quid off it too, which is a good thing to concider.

    Also Merida do a good range of bikes with similar specs to the rockhopper but usually slightly cheaper, basically merida make the frames for specialized so your getting the same quality.

    check out both specialized and merida specs and look out for reviews on the their bikes, you can then go and try them out at your local bike shop and see which one you prefer.
    2007 SPECIALIZED FSR XC COMP - sold
    2008 CANNONDALE F6 - CUSTOM BUILD - sold
    2008 TREK EX 9.5 - sold
    2010 SPECIALIZED ALLEZ ELITE
    2011 On One 456
    more coming soon!
  • Thanks

    I have definetly decided on specialized rockhopper, been looking at bikes for 2 months now, just not sure about which has better fork and breaks? any ideas :?:
  • looking at the two forks and brakes, the 08 is better.

    i don`t rate the tektro hydraulic brakes and i have dart 2 forks on my cannondale and really dislike them although the dart 3 may be different but don`t feel very good quality.

    go with the 08 model with the avid juicy 3's and the toras.
    2007 SPECIALIZED FSR XC COMP - sold
    2008 CANNONDALE F6 - CUSTOM BUILD - sold
    2008 TREK EX 9.5 - sold
    2010 SPECIALIZED ALLEZ ELITE
    2011 On One 456
    more coming soon!
  • HansRoaming
    HansRoaming Posts: 41
    edited September 2008
    Looking at the specs, but admitting to not being a guru it seems that the 2009 is slightly downspec'd. The 2008 has an LX rear mech but the 2009 has a normal Deore. Not sure about the 2009 Dart forks vs the 2008 Tora forks. Also from what I read the brakes ont he 2008 are better.

    The price seems to be about the same as last year and manufacturing costs have gone up so either people are upping the prices or dropping the spec for 2009 it seems.
    2008 Rockhopper Disc (Silver)
    2009 RockShox SID Race forks.
    XT Drivetrain
    Continental Speed Kings (PR) Traction
    Garmin 705 Navigation
    Fat bloke on a bike engine
  • joejoe
    joejoe Posts: 130
    Hi there, after looking at the specs, definately go for the 08. as mentioned above, you should be able to find one discounted and the fork and brakes are much better. looks like the 09 is definately lower overall spec.

    I've had a rockhopper for 3 years and have loved every minute of it, you're going to love it!
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    as has been said above for 2009 if the bike is the same price as 2008 then the spec is lower.

    Oh and good luck finding a discounted '08
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • not alot between the two. 08 is probably the better bet just because you can save a bit of money. i would just search for some reviews on forks and brakes. ive got an 08 and it does everything it is suppose to ie go, turn and stop and does it well. when your going for it, the rockhopper loves it. which ever one you get, great buy. best frame about for the money. i personally probably couldn't tell the difference between the forks. i did have to fiddle about with brakes a bit to get them stopping better, bigger rotor on the front and different pads, but just me being hard on them really. good luck, nightmare isnt it.
    "My life is like a porno-movie, without the sex".
  • bay86
    bay86 Posts: 17
    After a lot of reading around I recently ordered a Rockhopper through my "Cycle to work scheme" I ordered the 08 bike but recieved the 09 bike to my suprise. After consulting friends in the know and eventually the bike shop staff, they all agreed the 08 was a lot better componentry wise. The staff from the specialized concept store explained that due to increases in production costs that 09 bikes had been downspeced compared ot the 08's at the same price point.

    The Avid Juicy 3's seem to be the benchmark at around this price, Tora's better than the Dart 3 by a margin, and a better rear mech on the 08 bike too. I was glad I decided to return the bike originally deleivered (the 09), frame by all accounts is excellent platform for upgrading.
  • in light of the rock hoppers down grade how does it stack up compared to the trek 6000, cube acid and carrera fury? i guess you could tack on the gt avalanche. i,m tearing my hair out trying to decide on which bike. i have sat on a few and to me they all feel pretty much the same.
    Giant XTC3.5 Maxis tyres, Shimano deore cranks, superstar bits and bobs
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Going on spec, the Fury and 08 Hopper are ahead. The Tora is a much better fork than the dart.
  • Thanks. With the 10% off for ordering on line it makes the carrera a bargain yes at 495.
    Giant XTC3.5 Maxis tyres, Shimano deore cranks, superstar bits and bobs
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    I'd wait a week ot two if you can. Halfords raise their prices before a sale - expect the Fury to drop to 430 or so soon. It has been 500 for ages

    I don't like what they do, it is dirty tactics, but it is legal. There should be change in the law I think: the item must have been on sale for 6 months at a certain price, not just 4 weeks before you can say that is the 'original' price.
  • ok ill give it acouple o weeks and make do with the cheapo ive got. :)
    Giant XTC3.5 Maxis tyres, Shimano deore cranks, superstar bits and bobs
  • nicklouse wrote:

    Oh and good luck finding a discounted '08


    http://www.dalescycles.com/category_s/79.htm
  • Thanks, so looks like its the 2008 model for me, also just looked at the Rockhopper comp 09 model for £699, think this is worth stretching the extra £100 for :?:

    http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=40637&eid=107
  • bay86
    bay86 Posts: 17
    BoardinBob wrote:

    Nick, If you look at the specs on the above link the 09 Comp Disc is basically the 08 disc bike repackaged. Get the 08 Disc at £499 and you'll be getting a very good bike at a very decent price, there's no way the 09 Comp disc at £699 is even remotely good value considering the above.
  • Thanks will def be getting Rockhopper 08 model now my mind is made up .... I think :roll:
  • Hargroves cycles are doing the 08 rockhopper comp for 599. Just a thought.
    Giant XTC3.5 Maxis tyres, Shimano deore cranks, superstar bits and bobs
  • This has really got my wallet twitching.

    I hadn't intended to change my bike until next year at the earliest. But now it seems I'd be getting more for my money by buying the reduced 08 'hopper now, rather than the 09 version towards the end of next year.
    Less internal organs, same supertwisted great taste.
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    A lot of specs have been downgraded for 2009.

    We have a 2008 Rockhopper Disk and even at full retail, it's a lot of bike for the money. Avid Juicy 3s are particularly good for the money, the frame is excellent and most of the bits are pretty good.

    Made my £1200 Stumpy look overpriced at first but if you ride both a lot, you notice the difference.
  • Surf-Matt wrote:
    A lot of specs have been downgraded for 2009.

    We have a 2008 Rockhopper Disk and even at full retail, it's a lot of bike for the money. Avid Juicy 3s are particularly good for the money, the frame is excellent and most of the bits are pretty good.

    Made my £1200 Stumpy look overpriced at first but if you ride both a lot, you notice the difference.

    Damned economic crisis.

    The consumerism fed monster in my wallet wants to go out and spend and justify itself by getting a better deal on an 08 bike than it will get on a lower spec 09 bike next year. Plus it's my 30th soon, so why not treat myself?

    But common sense tells me I've got a perfectly good (if old and slightly too big for me) bike already, and seeing as I'm still a bit of a newb (to proper riding at least) it's too early for me to really know what I want.
    I could buy a £500 XC bike now, and by next year decide I want a jump bike or some multi-jointed £1000 monstrosity of a downhill bike.

    I must be strong and resist I think.
    Less internal organs, same supertwisted great taste.
  • Surf-Matt
    Surf-Matt Posts: 5,952
    Super - the RH can actually take a lot of abuse and the geometry is pretty "relaxed" with a short stem and riser bars - it's better for DHing than my Stumpy by a fair margin.

    It's still more on an XC bike but compared to my super twitchy Stumpy, it feels more like a hardcore downhiller!

    You'd be surprised how bikes have come on since 2001 - much better brakes, forks and generally lighter. I wouldn't hang on for too long - bikes will only get pricier and you might miss out...! And no, I do not work fo a bike shop!
  • 'tis a lot of money though. (For me at least).

    So you'd say the 'Hopper is a good all-rounder, regardless of which area of general MTB'ing I like best?

    I'm not going to think about it too much as I've not even ridden one yet. I may hate it as soon as I get on the thing. Or, more concerningly, I may love the damn thing and have to buy it there and then! :lol:
    Less internal organs, same supertwisted great taste.