Specialized Rockhopper Disc Review

The first time I ever went up a proper mountain on a bike was on a Specialized Rockhopper (hired from the lovely people at Absolute Bikes in Flagstaff), so you’ll excuse me if I get a little dewy eyed when I’m talking about it. It took me, a singletrack novice through some expert rated trails in Arizona and I came back alive.

If that isn’t worth getting dewy eyed about I don’t know what is.

Asides from just getting out alive (and getting lost on the way home and ending up on the hard shoulder of Route-66), I had a hell of a lot of fun, which I suppose is the whole point to the Rockhopper. Perfect for the beginner rider, it’ll take you from the fire road to the trail for the first time and it’s superb frame (really, no hyperbole, it’s superb), and quality components will ensure you have a blast.

It was with this memory of the Specialized Rockhopper still alive in my mind that I recently took the Rockhopper Disc 2008 out for a quick spin. Not Arizona this time, South Wales, just as spectacular but with fewer pant wetting sized spiders.

To be honest I wasn’t expecting much. Since I’ve worked at Tredz I’ve ridden £2000 full suss bikes on a regular basis, I’m spoiled rotten when it comes to mountain bikes now. What’s an entry-level hardtail going to have to offer me?

Well, it’s still got that cracking frame, the M4 alloy is not very far off being race quality. It’s that light and stiff. It makes the Rockhopper a very fast bike, whether your’re shooting up the hill or going down. It’s almost a little too fast downhill, making me realise that my (in)ability to pick lines needs some serious improvement, due no doubt to that full suspension spoiling I’ve received from Tredz.

Once I’d slowed down a little I began to love this ride, my concentration levels went through the roof and thanks to the very firm Avid Juicy 3’s I always felt comfortable. That is as long as I didn’t forget my self and start charging down drop offs (only happened once and the tap my nether regions received ensured it didn’t happen again).

I fell right back into love with this bike. The entire package out of the box is good enough the vast majority of riders, but for pedants/racers that frame provides the perfect base for upgrading. I remember reading somewhere that the tyres aren’t great. Well if you feel that way that’s an easy upgrade but for me, personally, on a dry day in Wales the Fast Trak Sports felt fine.

For a hardtail MTB that’ll teach you how to ride trails, a bike that’ll take you as far as your skill allows, the Specialized Rockhopper Disc is hard to beat.