This Should be Your First Mountain Bike | Specialized Rockhopper Elite 27.5"

[@Kristian_Saile]

Got one of these for my wife in the 29’er. She is actually a pretty advanced rider and she loves it for its simplicity and cheap speed for XC. We did a dropper, some better grips and some nice flats and just been riding it. I think the biggest thing that holds it back is the non tapered head tube for upgrading the fork down the road. But the Judy does surprisingly well. Hard tails rule. In an age of really, really expensive and complicated bikes, simplicity is a breath of fresh air.

[@splooshmtb]

Couldn't agree more with everything you said, that's awesome she's putting in work in that bike, love to hear it!

[@greengelacid2061]

I’ve had my elite for 30 days and I can’t imagine life without it…I’ve had several Walmart bikes but this is different…this is a bike!…so comfortable, so capable…its great right out of the box…sure it could use a few upgrades but its damn near perfect as is…I’ve never had a bike that is so at home at climbing hills…its truly amazing

[@splooshmtb]

It sounds like you've got the MTB itch! It only gets better from here, stoked to hear it!

[@TrailSage]

The Rockhopper is a classic for sure! Great review Zane and excellent choice for Selina's first MTB. She''ll be kicking your butt in no time.

[@splooshmtb]

Haha thanks Sage, she's kind of a natural so I believe it!

[@alexthemoonsloth]

Another banger from the SplooshMeister! Keep up the good work!

[@splooshmtb]

Ayy thanks Alex 🤝🏽

[@ArenaFactoryDEV]

This bike is immortal,trust me

[@splooshmtb]

Arena Factory DEV HATH SPOKEN! And yeah, it's hard to beat an alloy hardtail from a reputable manufacturer.

[@seanstephens8282]

Great review! love the color way of the bike too.

[@splooshmtb]

Good cause it'll be your bike when you visit 😎

[@johngreason9964]

Right. Rockhoppers, marlin, and lesser know cannondale trail hard tails. Sure, they're a bargain new, but also consider green, consider used if available. As mentioned, these models are THE beginner bikes, and unfortunately, MTB has a very big turnaround rate. Likewise, for those that stay, sell these off for upgrading to something else. Helpful? Hint. I noticed the frame is small + womens. Consider the crank arm length for your girlfriend. My daughter ( riding a XS trail 5) recently entered the sport, and I changed her cranks to 150 mm. Helped out stack height, leg strength, and lower back pain ALOT.

[@splooshmtb]

Fully support buying used!

[@laxmannate07]

Just got the comp 29’er. Love it

[@splooshmtb]

That's definitely a good move!

[@jdogvv]

How does this compare to a giant fathom 2? I’m considering both right now

[@splooshmtb]

I just did a quick search to familiarize myself- looks like the fathom 2 comes with a dropper seat post, other than that everything else is on par. That would be worth the extra $100 or so that it costs!

[@jdogvv]

@@splooshmtb Awesome, thank you for looking it up. I can’t wait to get it and ride!

[@splooshmtb]

@@jdogvv happy trails bud, best time of year for it🤙🏽

[@TheRideAbides]

Excellent choice for someone just getting into mtbing. Amazingly affordable too!

[@splooshmtb]

Couldn't agree more Dan!

[@ihd4l344]

nothing wrong with adding a dap of review here and there. i really enjoyed this and i'm sold 😂

[@splooshmtb]

Now wait till you see Selina rip this thing😂

[@ihd4l344]

that's exactly why i'm sold. if she can do it, i'm buying that bike

[@TeknoSaricicek]

Can I go fast on flat roads with this bike? And could the gear be low?

[@splooshmtb]

Yes and yes, your speed will be determined by how hard you pedal on a flat road haha but yeah it can go fast. Yes the 11- speed casette makes for very low gear possibility

[@jasonyashar7888]

what’s the benefit of tubeless tires and have you heard of the trek marlin, if so why did you pick the rockhopper over that

[@splooshmtb]

Great question, Jason. Tubeless, in my opinion, is one of the top 3 upgrades you can do to a mountain bike. You will get infinitely less flat tires because there's no more inner tube to be pinched. If you do get a small hole, sealant inside your tire will seal it up quick! With tubeless you can also run slightly lower tire pressures to have higher amounts of traction. The Trek marlin is comparable to this bike, but bang for your buck, this Rockhopper would be a better choice currently.

[@kersh4w]

I actually think it's better, if one can swing it, to start with a full suspension. Since they're more capable, a new rider will enjoy MTB more and they will want to go back out more. A hard tail takes so much more skill to stay on the pedals that a new rider will struggle a lot more. They may end up getting frustrated and then quit. Then the entire $900 is wasted vs $1300 for an entry level full sus like the Polygon Siskui T6.

[@splooshmtb]

I don't disagree with you BUT my take is, starting on full sus, you'll never develop proper techniques and it kinda forms bad habits. If you can swing it and just want to ride comfortably, absolutely go for it! But full sus doesn't just equal cost, also maintenance.

[@manolos8230]

I was looking at this brand giant , trek I sold my trek recently but not sure what to decide on I’ll be using it for more for riding

[@splooshmtb]

Giant makes great bikes. If it has all these features at a lower cost I'd say go for it!

[@manolos8230]

@@splooshmtb for a giant over specialized?

[@manolos8230]

@@splooshmtb I gotta compare

[@splooshmtb]

@manolos8230 yeah both companies make great bikes, visit a local bike shop and try one if you can!

[@ridgelineenjoyer1517]

Mine was the Fuse, is it still a good bike?

[@splooshmtb]

Fuse I'd say it's a step up from the rockhopper. It has a bit more of everything, bit burlier, more suspension, and better geometry overall, definitely meant to be a slightly more serious hardtail!

[@Yapdarra]

Btw, were you at Schaefer? farm on Sunday, I think I saw you?

[@splooshmtb]

Not me this time 😂but I do need to get out there now that they're back open!

[@Embrace-Minimalism]

Would this be good for my 13 -14 year old son?

[@splooshmtb]

@Embrace-Minimalism this would be a GREAT bike for a young teenager. The air fork will make it so as he grows he'll be able to add more pressure to support his weight as well.

[@Embrace-Minimalism]

@@splooshmtb he is 5 foot 1, just to clarify but thanks so much

[@splooshmtb]

@Embrace-Minimalism since he's a growing kid I'd definitely stop into a shop and have him size fit a little, and may even want to upsize.

[@Embrace-Minimalism]

@@splooshmtb thanks

[@Embrace-Minimalism]

@@splooshmtb would you recommend for my son 27.5 or 29?

[@VernonJr19]

This is good riding on the street as well? Cause I’m planning to buy this bike?

[@splooshmtb]

Yessir! Full lockout on the front suspension means it can be used full on for street riding. That and the tires are not very knobby MTB tires so they roll fast

[@joetreleaven5462]

It's expensive for a first bike.. I would never Buy it for the kid's. I always recommend the supercycle sc1800.. you can't go wrong.. it's just a little to much for entry level 1000$ you could get 4 supercycle Sc1800s only available in Canada.. that's a problem if you live in the US.. another reason Canada is still a great country

[@splooshmtb]

@joetreleaven5462 it is pricey for a first bike but it's a proper investment into MTB. Any bike at this price range means you won't have up upgrade components as you grow in the sport. I wouldn't buy this unless you're ready to invest into the sport.

[@joetreleaven5462]

@@splooshmtb and then there's the halfway department store bike's in the US that start At 500$