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2021 Rockhopper

4

14 Reviews

Better performance. Better value. Better Rockhopper. By tapping the fit and handling…

Product Details

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Better performance. Better value. Better Rockhopper. By tapping the fit and handling advantages of pairing each rider with their ideal wheel size and suspension that works its hardest for everyone thanks to our size-specific Rx Tune, we’ve baked in added performance to the all-new Rockhopper without dialing up the price.

Shimano and MicroSHIFT team up for drivetrain duties with a robust 2x8 drivetrain that can handle everything you’re throw down while confident braking from Radius CX7 mechanical disc brakes seals the deal of the century.

  • A heart of gold, presented in our lightweight yet durable Premium A1 Aluminum, the Rockhopper features butted aluminum tubes in order to keep weight low and strength high, all while providing increased standover clearance, slick internal cable routing and dropper-post compatibility. With the goal of making sure that the Rockhopper offers both the best fit and best performance for every person, no matter their measure, we’ve paired each Rockhopper frame size with the optimal wheel size. The result is a Rockhopper to fit every rider and the assurance that every Rockhopper is rolling on the best-handling wheel for its frame size.

  • With Rx Tune on Rockhopper, the SR Suntour XCE brings size-specific travel and spring rates to the show in a performance that’s sure to impress while also ensuring consistent geometry, handling and suspension performance, regardless of frame size.

  • Radius CX-7 disc brakes offer confident, consistent braking in any trail condition.

  • A durable Formula freehub and SunRace 8-speed cassette keep you rolling smoothly without putting up a fuss.

Technical Specifications

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WHEELS

Rims

Specialized alloy, disc only, double-wall, 25mm inner width, 32h

Front Hub

Formula 6-Bolt, disc, 100x9mm spacing, quick-release, 32H

Spokes

Stainless, 14g

Rear Hub

Formula SP-2125, 6-Bolt freehub, disc, 135x9mm spacing, quick-release

Inner Tubes

Schrader, 40mm valve

COCKPIT

SeatPost

Alloy, 2-bolt clamp, 30.9mm

Stem

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

Handlebars

Specialized, alloy, 9-degree backsweep, 15mm rise, 31.8mm

Saddle

Bridge Sport, Steel rails, 155/143mm

Grips

Specialized Trail Grips, lock-on

DRIVETRAIN

Front Derailleur

Shimano Altus FD-M315

Shift Levers

microSHIFT, TS39-8R, 2x8-speed

Rear Derailleur

Shimano Tourney RD-TX800, 8-speed

Chain

KMC X8 EPT, anti-rust coating, 8-speed w/ reusable Missing Link™

Cassette

SunRace, 8-speed, 11-34t

Crankset

Stout 2x, forged alloy

Bottom Bracket

Square-tapered, 73mm, internal bearings, 122.5mm spindle

Suspension

Fork

SR Suntour XCE 27.5, 28mm stanchions, Rx Tune, coil spring, QR, 80/90/100mm travel (size-specific), 42mm offset

FRAMESET

Frame

Specialized A1 premium butted alloy, zero-stack head tube, internal cable routing, 135x9mm forged dropouts, chainstay-mounted disc brake, replaceable alloy derailleur hanger, stealth rack mounts, dropper post compatible

Seat Binder

Alloy, quick release, 34.9

BRAKES

Front Brake

Radius CX7, mechanical disc, 160mm

Rear Brake

Radius CX7, mechanical disc, 160mm

ACCESSORIES

Pedals

Specialized Body Geometry Fitness, platform, plastic

WHEELS & TIRES

Front Tire

Ground Control Sport, 27.5x2.3"

Rear Tire

Ground Control Sport, 27.5x2.3"

* Weights based on production painted frames as pictured. Actual weights will vary based on colorway, frame size, and component variation. Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Geometry

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XSSM
Crank Length165mm170mm170mm
Handlebar Width700mm720mm740mm
Stem Length35mm45mm60mm
Saddle Width155mm155mm143mm
Seatpost Length300mm350mm400mm
Stack559mm573mm589mm
Reach375mm395mm415mm
Head-Tube Length95mm100mm105mm
Head-Tube Angle68°68°68°
B-B Height310mm310mm310mm
B-B Drop43mm43mm43mm
Trail97mm97mm97mm
Fork Length (full)475mm485mm495mm
Fork Rake/Offset42mm42mm42mm
Front-Center630mm656mm682mm
Chain-Stay Length440mm440mm440mm
Wheelbase1067mm1092mm1118mm
Top-Tube Length (horizontal)541mm565mm589mm
Bike Stand-Over Height658mm695mm735mm
Seat-Tube Length310mm350mm400mm
Seat-Tube Angle73.5°73.5°73.5°
Geometry

Rider Reviews

4

14 Reviews

 

Rockhopper

Got this bike in M size my first ever serious mtb and I love it I'm really happy i chose Specialized i don't really ride trails or anything serious besides use it for city and commute but the bike is superb and comfortable

Would Recommend?
Yes!

Name:
Martynas

Helpful?

Great Bike for this Price

This is my second bike and no, the chains don't fall off probably due to proper, adequate and necessary adjustments. Like everything else that moves and oftentimes quite rigorously over various kinds of terrain, it definitely requires some fine tuning to one's physical specifications if anyone is serious about mountain biking, even for lite mountain biking and/or road rides. For this price, it is value for money for both ride quality and comfort levels.

Would Recommend?
Yes!

Name:
Dan

Helpful?

Lok elsewhere

I only ride multi use flat dirt path and paved paths on weekends. I don't do jumps or anything crazy. After 6 months of learning about biking and bike tech in general, I must say that I truly regret this purchase. The parts o here are so low quality. The Radius mechanical disc brakes are so rough and weak. I tire my arms out from pulling on them. Tried to clean the pads, adjust the gap, cable tension, but still fail. The bottom bracket is not ratting and I fear the rear hub's about to give out soon too. As another reviewer has pointed out, the stack is s low and forces the rider to put so much weight forward. I experienced so much wrist and joint pains until I replaced the handlebar with a high rise one. I only realized all of these after my return window's closed. Like I said, I was a total beginner back then. On a lighter note, the Body Geometry saddle is way better than my friends' stock saddles on their bikes from other well-known brands.

Would Recommend?
Yes!

Name:
J

Helpful?

Très bon vélo mais.....

Le gros problème est que la gaine de frein remonte et à moins de rouler que lorsqu'il fait soleil, l'eau s'installe dans la gaine et grippe le câble. Résultat après 4 mois obligé de changer le câble et la gaine. Pour le prix c'est vraiment un point négatif.


Verified Buyer
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Name:
Pascal

Helpful?

Meh

I'm 5""7 was recommended medium - wrong recommendation, had to shorten the stem 2cm and raise bars 6cm to not get neck pain from being stenches out. Cheap parts - derailleur got pulled into the back wheel within my first 50miles, new derailleur needed axel bend and brakes rubbed impaired my back brake sensitivity. Was listed as XC / Trail bike - definitely just a XC bike your weight is too far forward to be considered a trail in my opinion. Bought a fuse 27.5 in S - a true trail bike at an appropriate size for me. Lessons learnt - don't fully trust sizing if you're in-between sizes , the parts on Thai bike are cheap, if you intend to do anything other than ""casual semi beginner"" riding on this spec up or you'll be replacing parts every other month. Love specialized - not crazy about this bike


Name:
Tristan

Helpful?

Brilliant bike

I brought this bike as recommended by my brother , it is superb . No the chain doesn't keep falling off , it's the best bike I've ever had. Ignore the bad reviews , I can truthfully say this bike is amazing , handles all terrains without lacking performance. I brought a small frame and is perfect for my height 5""3 1/2 As my brother said you're not giving to get a better bike for the price and he's right , it's amazing bike , highly recommend by me .


Name:
Carole F.

Helpful?

Great for patient beginners

This bike has been great for a beginner, but as noted in my headline, it is necessary to be patient. This is NOT going to be a grab and go bike because there are going to be things that need adjusted before almost every ride. My girlfriend rides the 27.5"" and I ride the 29"" and both have comparable issues. While I understand new bikes need that initial tune-up after about the first month due to cables breaking in and stretching, but we have become professionals at servicing these brakes ourselves. We are the average weekend warriors that do scenic cross country and mild-tech trail riding and both of these disciplines will warrant a brake caliper realignment before the next ride EVERY SINGLE TIME. Brakes aside, everything else works consistently, but parts are still lower end quality that you'll want to start upgrading immediately. Points of contact (pedals, grips, and saddle) work well for hour-long rides, but anything over an hour was painful until we upgraded our contact points. While this does not really involve the bike, I must brag about the tires that come stock on this bike. In dry conditions in Appalachia, these tires have all the traction a beginner would need. Even when testing the waters and trying to get these tires to wash out or lose traction, they grip insanely well unless conditions are wet. Overall, I would strongly recommend this bike for someone who is patient and willing to put in the hours to learn how to make minor adjustments regularly. If you don't have the patience to do it yourself, you're going to have this thing at your local shop weekly. We have had our Rockhoppers for about 4 months and have adjusted brakes every 1-2 weeks for the past 3 months.


Name:
Chris

Helpful?

Best for the start

I take this bike out 5 times a week and do about 25miles a week on it. I have had this bike for 7 months and this bike has done great. The chain has never fallen off for me. I take high climbs, lots of downhill and single track. This bike has taken a couple of crashes and is still like I got it yesterday. This bike is perfect for beginners who are looking to get a taste of what its like to mountain bike.


Name:
Marina

Helpful?

I would ride it as a beginner bike but not much else

As another reviewer had said, this bike has issues with the chain falling off. But otherwise, it is a great bike for riding and mountain biking.


Name:
Gameredic B.

Helpful?

Awesome Bike

I use this bike (XS frame) for trail riding and on the street with my friends. It works great on both. It handles great on the trails. The larger tires make handling roots and rocks much easier. It's an all around great bike.


Name:
Trailrider347

Helpful?

The best budget hardtail for a beginner mountain biker

Overall, the Specialized Rockhopper 27.5 (or any in the rockhopper lineup for that matter) is the perfect beginner mountain bike for any aspiring or beginner rider. It's threadless stem, mechanical disc brakes, derailleur hangar, quick release wheels, 2.3 inch wide tires, and various available sizes make it a good entry-level bike. However, I would have liked if the 2x drivetrain was swapped for a 1x to reduce chain slap and noise, rotational mass, and the need for a front derailleur. Also, I would have appreciated if the rockhopper used a slightly better fork since the current coil-sprung Suntour XCE fork is quite heavy and acts more like a pogo stick than a proper air-sprung fork in the hands of the rider. Overall, however, the Rockhopper 27.5 is an excellent, and inexpensive entry-level mountain bike that I would recommend to any aspiring rider.


Name:
Jordan L.

Helpful?

Stay Away

I recently purchased this bike for my son's birthday with the intention of doing some lite trail riding. This will not be possible since his chain keeps falling off. Took it back to the shop where it was purchase and they did make some adjustments to both the front and rear derailleurs to no avail. Reached out to Specialized rider care department for support/help and still have not heard back from them. With these issues I could not recommend this bike or company to anyone in the market for a bike.


Name:
Philip

Helpful?

Best Starter Bike Out!

Absolutely love this bike!! Hit the rails, cruise the neighborhood and look good while doing it. Highly recommend this for any entry level riders... if you can find one!


Name:
Cole N.

Helpful?

First rockhopper

Just started riding mountain bikes. Still on the street for now but the bike is super smooth all the way around. tyhe only thing I would change is the front fork. Would like to see how smooth air fork would be. It would be awesome if specialized had a bolt in option for it.


Name:
Bobby

Helpful?

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