My New Specialized Rockhopper Comp MTB - Eagle Bike Park Idaho - $1k Hardtail Review

[@gradplanner]

Dude!!! I just got mine last month. I purchased the powder coated silver Expert version. Love the Rockhopper. I took it on my first technical trail today. It can really take a beating. Oh, I'm also new to mountain biking and I'm 51 years old. Just keep riding. You'll get it.

[@UsernameNic_]

Its such a good bike! Glad youre liking it so far 👍🏻i havent been able to ride lately due to a surgery but as soon as im healed im gonna spend a lot more time riding 👌🏻 cheers!

[@gradplanner]

@@UsernameNic_ Get well soon.

[@TheG5Man]

I am buying the exact bike tonight! 48 FWIW

[@Hiddenvalleyranch57]

@@TheG5Man how is it? Did you like it

[@PolNqn]

I'm getting back to MTB after XX years (too many to disclose). Also rode BMX in my teens. Just bought a Comp. Loved your honest video, I surely relate!

[@UsernameNic_]

Thanks for watching man im glad you liked it! The comp is a super fun bike, its held up really well so far 🤘🏻 have fun out there riding! Congrats on the new bike as well!

[@PCAudits]

Love your honesty 😂 first bike channel. I have subbed to ,I feel you, bro. I am just learning too😊

[@luvtobemum]

I'm extremely impressed, great job for your first time... 👏 be safe. 😊 love your videos.

[@ThatSubaruDude]

Nice video, I have a large frame rockhopper with a dropper seat post and upgraded fork it’s my favorite bike I’ve had!!

[@UsernameNic_]

Thanks man! Just as a stock bike mine is holding up really well, i can imagine the upgrades you did probably made the bike just perfect 🤘🏻

[@miguelkieling532]

Great comment. I have a Rockhopper Comp 2021, with MicroShift 1x9. It serves me well on urban use + mid level trail riding. The problem is the suspension. It’s coil and heavy. I’m wondering if I should simply upgrade the fork to something like a RockShox Recon or if it would make more sense to sell the bike and buy another, like a Chisel or Trek X Caliber 9. What would you do?

[@Tony-1971]

Specialized just need to put a tapered head tube on their Rockhopper. Make it easier to upgrade the fork.

[@romanbrandiao1750]

just subbed. I would love to see more vids of you biking! just grabbed the same bike a week ago.

[@UsernameNic_]

Awesome! Im absolutely gonna make more MTB vids soon, and thanks! Enjoy your new bike! 🍻

[@FlowFinderUSA]

The trail is "Stormin Mormon". Everyone starts somewhere. Just keep riding! 🤙

[@UsernameNic_]

Gotcha, much appreciated thanks for the info! 🤘🏻

[@danshilling4240]

I have this bike in expert form, paid slightly under retail of $1400. There are a few things that I wish I had known before I bought it. It has 9 mm quick release hubs which I found out at this price range it should have through axles. I also do not like the front Judy air fork it's absolutely horrible for anything more demanding than XC riding. The drivetrain is constantly needing adjusting it's very finicky. I have other bikes that have SRAM products and they don't have the same problem. It's a good bike for XC riding and gravel riding single track and light trail riding but start to push it and you're going to get hurt, the bike doesn't like to be pushed hard. The SRAM level brakes are good the tires grip well and I like the Stout rims but the bearings are not sealed and neither is the head which I thought they would be at this price range. Overall I like the bike..however I'm just disappointed that for the same amount of money I could have got more bike if I went with a different brand like Scott or Kona or Giant. I will be putting a better fork on it for sure though but enjoy yourself it is a very good bike and you can't go wrong with specialized.

[@UsernameNic_]

I dont have as much experience riding MTB so i didnt think about a lot of that stuff, i appreciate all the info! Its definitely held up well for me so far, i havent had any major issues. I expect to buy a full sus bike in the future when i can afford it, but i definitely feel like this rockhopper is a pretty decent choice for most beginners 👍🏻

[@danshilling4240]

It is a very good bike for intermediate or beginners. I would recommend that if you want a full suspension some day go test drive a specialized stumpjumper. They start at around $2500-2600 when you're ready to go to a full suspension. Enjoy your new bike though it will last you a while for transitioning from beginner to advanced beginner / competent/ intermediate.

[@JerseyStyle7]

I just ordered the expert in Oak Green👍🏽

[@OwlzHead]

Really enjoyed watching your video. I rode a Specialized MTB years ago (with 26" wheels). Curious as to what size frame you chose to go with your 5'10" height. I am an older guy at 5'3-4" under140 lbs. I bought a Specialized Sport 29 in Sept. with Med. frame after trying out around town. After riding on 'hilly' rough rocky gravel roads I found it challenging and not as enjoyable as riding it around town. I returned the bike and I'm waiting for a Comp 27.5 with Small frame. I know the 29 is faster but not as 'nimble as a 27.5. I hope I chose right on the frame size. So after seeing you riding the 27.5 with your BMX experience I wondered what frame size you chose to go with the 27.5 wheels? I also decided to go with the Comp 29 for the 1x9 drivetrain vs the Sport 2x9 since I live on hilly terrain. Can't wait to be riding again!

[@UsernameNic_]

Thanks so much im glad you enjoyed the video! I have the Medium Frame size and it's very comfortable for me at 5'10 135lbs. I chose the Medium size because it was the largest frame size that still had the 27.5 wheels instead of 29s. You said your height is around 5'4, based on my experience a small size frame seems like itll be perfect for you, and the rockhopper is a super fun bike either way 🤘🏻 and good choice on the 1x9 drive train!

[@OwlzHead]

@@UsernameNic_ Thank you for the reply! The Comp 27.5 'S' arrived earlier than expected and the local shop assembled it for me right away. I took it for a ride to see any difference in frame size and I can say I actually prefer the Med. Had to extend the seat post up 2 inches to compensate for the different (smaller) size and at that point realized I would like the Med better. Do like the 1x9 especially for the rough riding and up hills but for streets and more level terrain prefer the extra gears after more practice and the 29 in wheels. So the shop sold the returned Sport 29 2x9 back to me at an even better price and I ended up taking both home for ... $1400! Basically the price of one of the bikes. Now I can choose according to where I'll be riding. As a further note I stopped in at a TREK bike shop while my car was being worked on and tried out 2 of their bikes. One was a 'road' bike. no suspension features, Med 27.5 and the other a 'Dual Sport' or what I called a cross over with a short travel fork. Same Med and 27.5 wheels but different tires. Both were 2x11. Really liked the Dual Sport Model but I'm over budget already and the Sport 29 2x9 Specialized will have to do for now! I was offered a nice discount on the no suspension model but wasn't interested in it after riding the dual sport which was full price. Sure was a lot of fun trying them out and gaining ever more experience. I say learn from experience and try before you buy. I mean different sizes, makes, models, etc at different shops and it doesn't hurt to try and negotiate! The TREK 'Roscoe 7's' looked impressive but cost was scary and I was afraid I'd have to have one if I rode one! Good sharing with you and your viewers and will be looking for more videos from you.

[@UsernameNic_]

@@OwlzHead Awesome man! Im glad youre finding bikes you enjoy and got a great price! I haven't tested many bikes but next time i buy one itll likely be a full suspension so ill definitely have to go around to a few shops and test some things out. So far ive just done some simple downhill stuff, nothing too crazy, but my rockhopper is holding up pretty well. I also have my bmx bike which admittedly feels more comfortable to me than my MTB, probably because it was what i got used to riding while growing up. I plan to make a video sometime soon comparing my MTB and BMX bikes on the same trails/jump lines. Thanks again for watching my vids man! And thanks for sharing your stories and views! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@beefcakees]

Yea a SM frame is probably what you would need, also 29" rims would be great for an older rider, they absorb impact and roll over things real easy. gl

[@eriksopracasa3449]

Which bike would you recommend for a beginner: Rockhopper Sport 29, Rockhopper Comp 29 or a Trek Marlin 5. Is a 1x necessary? Thank you!

[@UsernameNic_]

Theyre all good based on what ive seen of them, but i definitely prefer the rockhopper over the marlin personally. And the comp is just the better version of the sport so if you can afford the upgrade i definitely feel its worth the money. So far im loving my rockhopper comp and i highly recommend it 👍🏻 and i dont feel a 1x is a necessity but its definitely much easier to work on and operate

[@eriksopracasa3449]

@@UsernameNic_ Thanks a lot for the advice! Difficult choice here as I like both brands haha. Do think Microshift is as good as Shimano?

[@UsernameNic_]

@@eriksopracasa3449Anytime man! ill be honest im pretty new and i dont know much about either of them lol i used some shimano parts back when i was young but it felt super janky at the time. Im sure theyre 10x better now though

[@laxmannate07]

Just got mine 😃

[@rlmast]

That helmet will weight you down too and drain some energy. I would get you something light weight that breaths. if you haven't already by now! good vid

[@UsernameNic_]

Noted! Thanks! Im definitely gonna look around for lighter one soon, youre right about the weight wasting energy and getting tiring lol Cheers! 🤘🏻

[@jonathanthornton3894]

What fork does this have and how did it hold up so far?

[@UsernameNic_]

@jonathanthornton3894 i don't remember exactly what theyre called off the top of my head, but my most recent video on my channel is my 2 year review of the bike if youre interested in more info 👍🏻 the forks are holding up really well so far, ill probably upgrade in the future, but only real issues ive had with the bike so far have been slight gearing/shifting problems

[@E.D.C_aesthetic]

What color is that bike, its dope.

[@UsernameNic_]

Its such a cool color! I consider it a Seafoam green, but the official colorway name from specialized is "Gloss ca white sage/satin forest green"

[@Jorge_moya]

What's this color called?

[@UsernameNic_]

On their website, they call the color "white sage and satin forest"

[@Amcacs5654]

Just picked up this bike on sale for $760

[@245-TRIOXIN]

Would this bike in medium size fit me? Im between 5.7 - 5.8ft.

[@UsernameNic_]

It definitely should. Im 5'10 and its a very comfortable size for me. (Technically a little small for my height, but easier to maneuver.) The medium size should be perfect for your height 👍🏻

[@245-TRIOXIN]

@@UsernameNic_ Thank-you very much for the help, Nic, I really appreciate it. I'm going to buy one now. I was thinking either the same model you have, or the Rockhopper Expert. I like the colour of your bike, and i like the silver colour of the Expert. The Rockhopper Fuse would be nice because it has the tapered head tube, but i hate the colours they have for it, plus its like double the price.

[@SPEEDYBEANIE22]

I got a medium comp 29er size medium NAVY BLUE it fits me a little small but I’ll upgrade to a large soon or I’ll buy the sport fuse 27.5 plus I like cross country but eventually I want to bomb trails and do jumps

[@UsernameNic_]

Nice! In my experience its been a pretty good bike so far for trails and flowy jumps, but i havent pushed it super hard yet. Hopefully the large frame works better for you than the medium! 🍻

[@shreddub]

Going to get a rock hopper this week just debating bewtween 29 or 27.5 comp

[@Atoolittt]

Does it have gear shift

[@UsernameNic_]

Yes it does, i believe its a 1x7

[@Atoolittt]

Thx

[@clanyoung14]

29 tires or 27.5?

[@UsernameNic_]

This one is a 27.5" Medium

[@WAM_Art.and.Cycling]

Shimano or Sram?

[@UsernameNic_]

This bike has Sram 👍🏻

[@Dontslaythybroski]

Dont be so hard on yourself bro

[@saltywet]

Awesome, just subbed because I ride a Rockhopper too!