2023 Specialized Rockhopper Comparison!! What’s the Difference Between All 5 Bikes?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 พ.ค. 2024
- 2021 Rockhopper Video: • 2021 Specialized Rockh...
Welcome to my updated version of the Specialized Rockhopper lineup comparison! In this video I compare and contrast the entire 2023 Specialized Rockhopper lineup, going over everything that makes the Rockhopper, Rockhopper Sport, Rockhopper Comp, Rockhopper elite, and Rockhopper expert differ from one another. I discuss details about the prices, colors, and all components such as the suspension forks, drivetrains, brakes, and more. I hope this helps you decide which bike is the best for your riding style!
Follow my Instagram for in-person bike content! @talalipop_mtb
0:00 Intro
1:26 Background
3:20 Similarities / Geo
4:06 Comparison
13:49 End Tables / Thoughts - บันเทิง
This video is awesome. You did an incredible job explaining the differences between each bike. I don’t know much of anything about mountain biking but have been looking into buying a Scott Aspect or Specialized Rockhopper recently and this video was so informative. Amazing.
Thank you for watching! Glad it helped you out :D
Planning to buy the specialized rockhopper elite 29 in May. 😎🇺🇸
I just bought mine! Will have it in a week or so!
Great video man! Keep up the good work!
Thanks!!
thanks for the video, have watched this so many times and is very usefull in all aspects
You’re welcome! Glad it helped :D
This is a fantastic comparison I hope you make a couple more
Thanks for clearing that up! Well done, and informational.
Of course!
Awesome video - thorough and concise, much appreciated!!
Thank you, glad you liked it!
Thank you soooooooo much!!! It really helps!!!
Yeah of course!
Thanks for putting this together. Very handy.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks so much for such a detail comparation. Just the video I was looking for
You’re welcome!
Love this video that helps me a lot as a beginner.
Glad it helped!
Thanks for the video, it helps a lot
You’re welcome!
Perfect video, exactly what I was looking for!
Glad it helped!
Excellent, detailed, and helpful review!
Thanks!!
thanks for this technical review, very interesting. I own the Rockhopper Elite and I am very satisfied with this quality bike. I use it in moutain trails and it does the job
You’re welcome! The elite is definitely a great bike!
Very exelent compararison ! I love you man !
Thank you!! Appreciate you watching :)
Thanks for the video. Your thorough comparison reviews are very helpful and greatly appreciated.
I've been keeping my eye out for an MTB but the reviews usually, only focus on the top tier option out of the respective lineups.
You’re welcome!! Glad they help out :)
This made my life much easier. Thanks for all the research and work u put in
You’re welcome! Glad it helped :)
So helpful thank you! 👍🏻
You’re welcome!!
Great video. Very helpful!
Thank you!
Very helpful video. i am now enlightened more than I had expected. thank you.
Thank you! I’m happy it helped :D
I went into my local shop looking for a hybrid. (Mostly road). Ended up ordering the Rockhopper Sport. They’re putting hybrid tires on for me. Really excited about it after seeing the reviews and doing the research. Admittedly should’ve done this before ordering but it looks like I didn’t make a mistake.
Very informative. Thanks
Welcome!
Great Video Thank You 🙏🏼
No problem!
Thanks for details review 👍
No problem!
Thank you, exactly what I needed.
You're welcome!
You should do a comparison between the different tiers of the Kona Dew line. Great vid 🤙🏽
Informative and well produced.
Thank you!
thanks a lot for the video, very helpfull
You’re welcome!
Love your videos. They are nice bikes. Back in 2020 I had to settled for a Rockhopper (Base) mainly because of the pandemic which made it impossible to shop around. Not a a bad model, but I quickly upgraded the fork to a Judy which made a huge difference. With their price increases I was hoping they'd give better components from the get go.
Thank you! And yeah, the Rockhoppers are cool but dang they are expensive now. But then again, all bikes increased in price so relatively it makes more sense. Still hard to see that happen though
Great information!
Thanks!
Super helpful! thank you
Welcome!
Man I wished I saw this before I bought mine! I bought the entry-level Rockhopper, but now I am leaning towards selling mine and buying the Elite 💚💚
Thanks for helping a noob getting into cycling learn a lot about bikes!
Haha no worries!
Great Video!
Thanks!
I needed a commuter that could handle the unmaintained roads where i live. Thank you for making .e feel so much more confident about my purchase!
You’re welcome! Hope you enjoy it!!
Thannnk you your vidéo is amzing !!
You're welcome!!
What a great video, thank you sir.
Welcome! Thank you too for watching
Thanks for the review. I'm looking at the Elite and this was a great comparison for me. Sealed the deal. Appreciate it
I got the elite, even with the expert being on sale , makes you wonder why they have the expert on sale,.
Thanks for the video...nice review. A comparison on the weights of the bikes would have been appreciated though.
You’re welcome! And Specialized doesn’t disclose the weights of these bikes on their website otherwise I would’ve included that.
Realy good video!
Thank you!!
I think you are the perfect candidate to do a good video series on building a CYC 5,000 watt 72 volt 50 mph bike build. Little bits and pieces of info are out there and some ok video builds using cyc electric moto kits but I think you should think about doing a really good detailed info series on these kit builds. Strong hard tail frame and gearing with a great front fork.. Large open frame space with space to put a huge triangle battery .. Starting with a bike and why you chose that bike.. You would need to learn about the CYC system and what you have to install before taking on the job.. Would be fun to see someone with your knowledge build the ultimate 50 mph ebike 😁
I bought an elite last week, it will arrive next Thursday. I just watched your video and confirmed that my choice was the best. Congratulations on the review! thanks!
Awesome!! Thank you for watching :D
Great video and info 🙌. I bought a base model in lockdown/2020 as it was the only xxl I could find . You've convinced me the elite is for me but are they available in xxl as only base model here in UK seems available, thanks.
Thank you too!
Bought a Rockhopper Comp for $750 last September 2022. Rides great! Wished it came with RockShox instead of SunTour front suspension which is heavy.
Have the RH sport 19 now for a few years. Really like it but looking to upgrade to the RH elite. Your review sealed the deal for me. Thanks.
You mean change your bike or upgrade your own bike parts to reach Elite level ?
@@sACLeFR my days of being elite on any bike are most likely behind me now 👍.
@@bripw 🤣 I meant changing your bike to a new RH or upgrade the one you have ?
@@sACLeFR New bike. Went for the RH elite 29... so far I like. Was debating between a full suspension and hard tail.
Awesome video. Between the graphics, text, and narration, you really set the bar for this kind of thing.
I was paying attention to the gear ratio of the models with just one sprocket up front vs. the models with two front sprockets. Sounds like the 1Xs are 30-to-11 at their highest speed setting whereas the 2Xs are 36-to-11. On a long, straight-and-level road, would a rider feel like he was missing out on the opportunity to ride faster with these 1X set-ups? I really like the simplicity of 1 sprocket up front.
Definitely limits top achievable speed on flat road. You can upgrade though for a bigger chainring but that's going to have its costs. Frame has to be designed to accept a front deraileur.
Thank you for the breakdown. I really appreciate it. I have a Rockhopper 2019 Acid Green color and pretty much changed all the components on it from handlebars, stem, BB, rims, tubeless tires down to drivetrain 3x8s to a 1x12s Shimano SLX and dropper post I love the bike. I'll be purchasing the 2022 Rockhopper Sport for my wife.
Awesome!! Thank you for watching as well :)
Thank you gr8 video, will buy the Elite
Glad it helped!
Thanks for the great overview! I got the Elite last summer and agree that it's a better deal than the Expert. I was holding out for a Specialized Chisel because I thought I needed the thru axles and tapered head tube but it was just not worth the price increase. Also for the kind of moderate riding I do (mostly bike path with occasional dirt and gravel) I really didn't need those features. I did find that the 30 tooth front ring was too small and I would spin out while pedaling even slight downhills. It cost me about $150 to upgrade to a 34T front ring because I also had to upgrade the bottom bracket and cranks. I also spent another $35 to raise the front handle bars because I wanted a more upright ride. So I ended up paying about the same price as the Expert but got exactly the right bike for me. I think the increase from 40T to 51T in the rear may be overkill -- for me at least -- since I have never needed to use the largest 2 or 3 gears, but for serious cross country riders it may be worth it.
You’re welcome! Sounds like you got a good setup going there so I’m happy to hear it worked out for you. And yeah the big cassette isn’t for anyone but it’s nice to have as an option and I’ve personally benefitted from it a lot
In the same situation as yourself. Love the Chisel but hard to justify the extra $$ over the Elite. After looking at this comparison, I'm not sold on the Sram drivetrain and derailier compared to Deore. In Australia Specialized have the Elite for $1,300 compared to $2,300 for the Chisel. A big difference in price for the moderate levels of riding I do.
Thank You!
np!
Nothing like finding the best comparison video out there AFTER ordering one haha. Thankfully for me, I ordered the Elite for my wife so I think I did good! Especially since the Elite is currently on sale from Specialized (and apparently retailers too) for USD$950!
Question for you: You mentioned the rear derailleur that gets dented up too easily (I think it was the 12 speed one)...the other ones are more resistant to damage? And what do people who have that 12 speed one? Replace it every year? Or are there other ones they can upgrade to? And must they also upgrade the shifter too? Thanks!
Hahaha thank you! The elite is definitely a great bike. Yeah that SX Eagle derailleur is just made from lower quality parts like mainly plastic components that tend to bend more easily. The other ones are more resistant in my experience, but the much lower end ones on the rockhopper and comp won’t be too great either but you get what you pay for in those cases and they work fine enough. For the 12 speed derailleur I’d recommend just riding it out until it breaks or bends beyond repair and then replace it with a NX Eagle derailleur or GX eagle which is more expensive but would last a lot longer
Great video
Thanks!
Thank you for making such informative videos, I am learning a lot as I know very little about the components and their differences. I have also watched your marlin comparison video and wondered if you had an opinion on the best HT that is around $1,200 or less (models that are a few years old are fine too if you think going for a used 2021 or something would be better.) Or if any cheaper FS would be a better value in that price range.
Thank you too for watching! And if you’re starting out, bikes like the new gen 3 trek marlins are all really good. I love the trek roscoe which is a higher end trek hardtail and amazing for trail riding, they retail a bit higher but can probably get them used for around that price. The roscoe 6 should be around that price point. They recently got updated though so I’m talking about the 2023 or newer frame versions with 29” wheels, not the older frames that use 27.5” wheels with plus size tires.
Great video. I bought a 2022 Expert for $1,500 retail. The SRAM SX derailleur is junk. It broke on me within 2 months.
I ended up getting a SRAM GX derailleur and GX shifter. I also got a PNW dropper post added. The bike is great now.
If I could do it all over, I would have a trusted bike shop fit me for a frame and build me a bike. Maybe next time. This was my first mtb purchase.
Thanks! And those upgrades are awesome!! Definitely makes that a much better bike for sure.
Thanks, useful
You’re welcome!
FYI, the Rockhopper Comp comes with a Rockshox Judy fork (NOT the Suntour XCM) according to Specialized website specs.
Thank you 🙏
You helped me to choose the bike I need. I bought the Elite and I am very satisfied with. The only problem I have with the Elite is the front hidraulic brake it makes a huge noise when I brake, hopefully after changing the pads will be less noisy. But it's really a great bike I love it. Thanks 👍
You’re welcome! And noisy brakes can be a result of dust or debris getting into the pads and rotor. Cleaning the brake rotor itself with alcohol usually helps, as well as sanding down the pads a bit if you have the tools to do so
did you get the elite even by knowing that the expert was on sale. ?
Yes, for some reason I had the feeling to buy the Elite. Then I saw this video and then decided to buy the Elite. So far I am really happy with it. I use the bike in the forest road, nothing extreme, only fitness and cruising.
Same got the elite and I’m just happy lol very happy with my choice.
Enjoy your ride 😁
Thank you so much for your explanation. Exactly what I was looking for. Straight to the point, clear, with a personal opinion, and without a lot of "it depends what you want". Regarding your choice for Elite, nowadays they are on sale in all other models (maybe because of your video they didn't include Elite on sale). So, in this scenario that Expert is 999 rather than Elite that still 1,150 you would say that Expert would be your choice, right? Or is there anything you didn't like on Expert model? Thank you again.
You're welcome! The Elite and Expert are pretty much the same bike besides the brakes and drivetrain. I'm fine with either pf the brakes, but I personally prefer the shimano drivetrain on the elite over the sram drivetrain on the expert. Although the expert has a wider gear range and the drivetrain itself is technically more expensive, I don't like the quality of it as much. It's a tough decision, but get the elite if you value a higher quality drivetrain that will be more reliable, or get the expert if you value a wider range of gearing options, and are fine with potentially upgrading the rear derailleur.
@Talalipop MTB total newbie here, I am about to buy the expert as my 1st real bike and was concerned on the derailer on the expert. So I can just upgrade the derailer with the Shimano later and how much would those be? I really like the expert blue color. But I'm willing to get the elite so I don't have to switch later. This will be mostly hauling my kids around paved roads with occasional dirt trails that are not too intense. Thank you.
@@TalalipopMTB Thank you for answer me back. I ended up purchasing the Expert due to the sale price of 999. If SRAM drivetrain break, I hope doesn't cost more than 150 that was the difference between both models. 🚲
I bought a rockhopper elite 29. Hope i like it!
Hey man was looking to get my first mountain bike. Do you recommend trek marlin 5 or the Rockhopper Sport/ normal rockhopper?
I originally was going to go for a Base, I thought there wasn't much of a difference between models, but now your video has helped me lean more towards buying a Sport. I'd say the extra 100 is worth it!
Glad it helped! I agree that the extra $100 is worth it for that model
Rn it’s reduced by 200€, at least in Germany.. maybe in ur place too
@@philippbuuutz9554 The 27.5" model is on sale for me, the others are still normal price I believe
Thx !!!
You're welcome!
Thank you for this breakdown, it was very helpful. I have a Rockhopper Comp 29. I love it but am looking to upgrade. Do you think the Roscoe 7 would be a good upgrade from the Rockhopper Comp 29? Or would I be better off with a Fuse Comp 29?
No problem! Glad it helped. And the fuse and the roscoe are both great upgrades from the rockhopper and you’ll notice a difference for sure. I haven’t looked at the fuse too much for this year but taking a quick look at the specs, it seems very similar to the roscoe 7. I like the shimano deore drivetrain on the roscoe more than the sram NX drivetrain on the fuse since I think the deore is more reliable and durable, but neither is a bad option
I'm very happy with the stock Comp. For slick conditions I will upgrade the peddals. Eventually I will upgrade to airshocks.
Hope you do a talon 2023 line up comparison
I’ll look into that!
Great video. Ive just watched the first few minutes, and Ill save this video to watch it afterwork. I have a rockhopper 2016 I want a New one. This is great, dont know if I chamge to another rockhopper or a Trek Marlyn. 🤔🤔🤔
Thanks! Glad it’s helping :)
@@TalalipopMTB yes bro thank you very much. Its helping.
8:18 We just purchased in the US a 2022 rockhopper sport 29 small and ours came with 28 spoke rims with presta valves. Not sure if they changed out the 29s for this upgraded wheel as you mentioned it should have the 32 spoke with a Schrader valve. Great video of the comparison. Also do you know if all the cranks use the same square taper?
Yes they use the same cheap square taper crankset on every bike model in the rockhopper lineup. Kind of ridiculous considering how much the top-of-the-line model costs.
These bikes really are overpriced for what they are
My wife is an advanced rider and she was looking for a cheap gravel bike and something that could act as a fast XC bike. We got her a 22 Elite and she was a little skeptical but ended up really liking it. Cheaper than a set of wheels we were looking at for her other bike and she ended up riding all the time and enjoying what us really pretty cheap speed and simplicity. Takes you back to a simpler time in riding and honestly, she was shredding pretty hard on it. I agree the Elite is a better choice than the expert, the Deore drivetrain actually performs really well. The blue actually is a really good looking color too…
Nice!! Glad to hear that worked out for her :)
Great vid and thanks for the in depth review. My question for you - you mention that all rockhoppers with the same wheel size use the exact same frame, how is that possible when the dimensions are all different? I ordered an XL 29er and the top tube is too high so I am returning it for a large frame with a lower top tube. Doesn't that mean the frames are different?
Thanks!
Thank you too! And my bad, I meant that all the 29 inch wheel rockhoppers in a certain frame size will have the same frame, while the 27.5 rockhoppers have a different one. So a medium 29” rockhopper comp or elite or expert will have the same frame, while a medium 27.5” rockhopper comp or elite or expert will have the same frame.
Thank you
Welcome!
Charl south Africa Thank You really apriciate video
You're welcome!
My Hart is in 2 places between Specialized Rockhoper and Trek Marlin 5
Great review NOW can you do 2024???
I appreciate the video so much! I’m actually about to make a purchase for my first MTB and it was going to be the sport. The only thing after listening to your entire video is the rim size! I hate that they don’t have the thick rim on the sport. I wonder if that can be upgraded later and if you can tell a big difference in looks and anything else. Also, stuck on what size to get, medium or large. 5’11-6ft 175lbs.
Please, may i ask - since i've got the Expert for mostly city riding. What upgrade is well worth it in this case? 20-30% is easy mounting biking.
Specialized has had 2 months in a row sale. The base is 488 and the Rockshox Judy can be found at 174, which the main upgrade to do.
RockShox Judy is a horrible fork don't buy it
Thanks
Welcome!
What are your thoughts between the Specialized Rockhopper lineup and the GT avalanche lineup. Which would you choose? Thanks
Should do the same style video for the stump jumper
This line looks/sounds very similar, spec/price wise, to the Marlin 4-8 lineup. Thanks for all the info!
If you’re commuting. Is it worth upgrading to a Rockhopper sport from the entry point one?
Just bought a Comp yesterday rides great I’m new to riding so let’s see how she holds up
Awesome!
I bought a comp around the same time as you. Holding up good so far. Taken off some 2 foot drops and lots of uphill. Im out of shape but it seems easy to go up hill
Can you please do a video on the specialized status 140 & 160
Not the least bit sorry I went with Trek especially after this comparison. Keep up these comparisions.
Thank you!
Just ordered an Expert for £674, there are deals out there on the 2023 range right now. It replaces a 10yr old Rockhopper Comp which I've really enjoyed over the years.
Where from?
@@balancejedi162 It was from Tredz, only one colour was at that price & they've sold out now.
@@paulstevenson3877 Ahhh ok thanks anyway
Can you completely internally route a dropper post in this?! Please answer jesus i cant find the answer
Ive added a air shock and suspension seatpost to my 29". Its the cheaper version but im not one of those people that need to spend thousands on bikes as i get enjoyment riding. And ive converted mine to mid drive 750w bafang electric and add a taller handlebar stem as i hate leaning forward as it hurts my neck and shoulders. The brakes are great but mineral oil ones would be better. Since convertibg it ive added over a thousand kilometers in a few months but im doing more now the weather has improved. I have a giant and marin 29 ebikes ive made and i love all 3. And i never had to spend $11k+ here in australia as thats what a specialized emtb costs
Hey can you help me choose one for the new models (2024) i want to buy one and i need advice, if you could help me pls do.
is quick release quick teft too?
Is the rockhopper elite worth it at $1049? That why my local shop is selling it for
I bought a 2023 Rockhopper from the original owner who used it 4 months, he upgraded the fork and pedals. I went over to try it out, the front large sprocket was bent, so from the $500 asking went to an offer of $350, which was accepted. The week before I checked out new ones and wasn’t impressed with the prices. Facebook marketplace is a great source for used bikes, if you’re patient and not lured by a scammer. I look closely at the pictures, for the neighborhood, garage and other clues to verify it’s legit or not. Also talking to the owner, and asking plenty of questions will filter out fakes too. A side note, pictures of the bike I bought were posted later by a fake poster, which was reported. Thieves never sleep 😡
The expert was on sale for 1000 US dollars and I still chose the elite for 1,150$. All I know is that the elite rides like nothing I’ve ever had before. Did blues and yellows toady it’s just works that’s all I can say wondering what that sram is all about and how it feels. Chimano is pretty darn good
Really, they're both great bikes, if you had bought the expert it would've been a good idea to buy a GX derailleur and shifter, and chain upgrade. Once that's done the expert becomes an incredible bike without that crap SX derailleur. So another 250, at least. I would suggest a dropper post, one up is good with 150 mm travel for a large or XL. The dropper post is an incredible upgrade.
@@alidabirnia2882 valid point. Just didn’t want to start upgrading so quick to make it better. I will get a dropper post for sure , I did change the pedals already enjoying it very much. I don’t have any buyers remorse that’s for sure.
@@xk964264 I wouldn't either, that's a sick bike, I'd be happy with either one and I've only heard good things about the the shimano groupset and disc brakes that come with the elite.
Here we are in 2024 and several of the Rockhopper models are not available. My girlfriends RH Comp 29 was lost in a house fire. Tried to replace it with the same and it is not available in medium. Not in the local shop, the Specialized website or the consumer website.
I'm 5'11 what size frame do people recommend?
Thanks for great overview. I could see specialized has reduced prices and now comp costs $713, expert $1049 and elite $1150. which one do you suggest after the price change. This would really help me.
I would personally buy the comp to get a good bike and save money. If a better bike matters more to you or if you do want to keep the bike and ride for a long time, the expert is awesome and would give you a pretty good deal since it’s even less than the elite for a better bike.
@@TalalipopMTB What makes the expert better? From watching your video I thought the Elite seemed to be the better bike, with the shimano drivetrain.
Yeah the elite is definitely better if you consider the retail prices in my opinion. But if you get the expert for $100 less than the elite, the decision becomes tougher. You’re right that I prefer the elite and I guess “better bike” wasn’t the best terminology. The expert is more expensive and I don’t believe this sale will last forever, as I’ve seen the rockhopper bikes go on sale in the past and then jump back up to retail. So if I were to buy between the elite and expert right now, I’d probably get the expert and when prices jump up again I could more easily sell the expert or trade it in for a higher profit since it’s a more expensive bike according to specialized.
Overall, I’d get the expert over the elite in this case since you save $100 and still get a really good bike. The SX drivetrain is mainly hindered by the derailleur, which can be upgraded to an NX Eagle derailleur in the future. But the expert does give you a 12 speed, and since specialized considers the expert to be a higher end bike than the elite, it has a higher value.
@@TalalipopMTB Okay, thanks heaps Sir. Here in Aus, the expert is still $300 more than the Elite. I'm about to pull the trigger on the Elite, based on your video, but became unsure from the above comment. I'll stick to the Elite I think, as I'm not sure if I'll need the 12th gear.
@@TalalipopMTB great vid, really helped me decide. given the new prices, are there other brands with comparable specs to the comp or elite you can recommend?
Hey. Does Rockhopper Elite supposed to have 180mm rear brake disc rotors? I got mine yesterday and it came with 180 front and 160 rear. It is 2022 29" XL model. In specification it says it should be 180mm front and rear.
For the 2022/2023 model it should, but the 2021/2022 model had 160 in the rear
@@TalalipopMTB So I guess frame is the same, did they added brake mount adapter for 180 rotors?
Yeah you would need an adaptor
Yesterday I called a Specialized store and they told me that there is no longer the Rockhopper Elite 2023 model at the factory or in Specialized stores and that they do not know if more will come!!. Does anyone know or has more information on this problem?
Regards
Interesting, might be a shortage on that model and it’s out of stock at the moment.
I wonder what's the difference in top speed on the road is between the sport (double crank in front with 36 highest) and the comp (30 highest) in the highest gear, anybody knows for example how much rpm you have to do with the comp to go for example 19 miles/hour = 30 km/u with the comp
A 29 tire covers a little more than 7 feet per revolution. The Sport has a top gear of 36/11 or 3.27 turns of the wheel for 1 turn of the pedals, roughly 23 feet. 23 x 60 rpm x 60 minutes per hour ÷ 5280 feet per mile is 15.68 mph. The Comp has a top speed of 30/11 or 2.72 roughly 19 feet. It's speed would be 12.95 mph at 60 rpm.
Can you review also the chisel?
I have the expert, can i replace the derailer using the exact part of shimano from the elite?
Unfortunately not since SRAM and Shimano parts don’t always work the best together. I’d recommend replacing the derailleur with the SRAM NX Eagle or GX Eagle if you want something really nice
@@TalalipopMTB thanks for the response ill def do that! Have a great day!
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching :)