Specialized Rockhopper (2020) - A beginner's impression
Discussing the good and bad of this entry level bike
Like hundreds of millions of people, I decided that buying a mountain bike was a good way to get outdoors and unplug from the pandemic madness. Being a very new rider, all I essentially wanted was an entry level hardtail with disc brakes and internal cable routing, since cables would get in the way of the velcro straps on my shitty bike rack. After spending a year+ riding local trails, I have a better idea of what I like or dislike about the bike, so let's discuss.
Specs
You can find the specs for my bike (Rockhopper 27.5) here:
Overall feel
I'm 5'9", the bike size is medium. With the saddle at the proper height I find that my body position is quite hunched forward. After a year, I'm getting tired of the discomfort and will be investing on an extender or riser handlebar soon. Of course, this is less of an issue on downhills since the seat will usually be lowered.
The stock saddle is fine with me since most of my rides range between 1-2 hours tops, so I have not experienced pain or major discomfort. Just make sure you optimize the forward/backward position + angle .. apparently your crotch should not lose feeling after a grueling uphill session. Angle changes of a few degrees make a huge difference.
Pedals are what they are, plasticky and slippery under duress. The only reason I haven't changed them is .. I don't have a good reason.
Brakes - Radius CX7, mechanical disc, 160mm
They're dog shite. Granted, they were poorly assembled out of the bike shop, but even after adjustment, I find the stopping power lackluster, and it often feels like I need to death grip the levers to get the bike to cooperate. Whether the issue stems from the fact that brakes are mechanical or perhaps from the brake pad material itself, this is one place I can confidently say the bike falls short. I already bought a set of hydros, just waiting for the right state of mind to tackle the internal routing + bleeding + cursing.
Derailleur (rear) - Shimano Tourney RD-TX800, 8-speed
No major complaints, but noticed that after a year of use I can't seem to adjust them properly anymore; some of the gears don't shift when I want them to, or they shift unexpectedly, causing my legs to flail around the crank like a marionette's. Admittedly, this could be due to user error. Incidentally, on reviews this bike is purported to have an issue with the chain coming loose, I have not experienced this problem.
Tires - Ground Control Sport, 27.5x2.3"
They are great, they're thick and grippy. People have commented on how thick they are.
Fork - SR Suntour XCE 27.5
I had my hardtail for a few months and thought nothing of full suspension bikes since I was blissfully unaware of what I was missing. That is, until I tried my friend's bike - it was like riding on a soft, fluffy cloud. Anyway, the point is that these are entry level forks, but at my skill level I haven't noticed any issues. They do feel heavy, and shock absorption seems nonexistent in very rough downhill sections.
Conclusion
I think beginner riders on a budget face an all too common conundrum - our skill level doesn't warrant a full featured $4000 bike, but a more inexpensive entry level bike has crap components that one might not realize are crap until they gain more experience and skills. Ultimately, it comes down to budget and priorities. In hindsight, if I were to stick to Specialized I would have bought the upgraded models of the Rockhopper (e.g. Comp or Elite), or a used full suspension, though the latter was difficult to do during the pandemic with people posting their bikes at prices higher than MSRP. With a few additional hundred dollars, I could've gotten some nice luxuries - a 1x10 groupset, higher quality derailleur, and most importantly, better brakes. However, the base level Specialized Rockhopper is more than adequate for beginners getting their feet wet. It handled every trail I took it to and I've had some great experiences with it, and with some low hanging fruit upgrades it'll continue to serve me if/when I outgrow it in skill level.
