I've had the hopper for 2 months now. It's great for grocery shopping and screwing around town. I do ride on some simple singal track every other weekend but mostly gravel roads. I have 250 miles on the bike and the only con I have is the rear wheel spokes have come lose 3 times. I took it into the dealer the last time and they where great help. I should've done that the first time. Love the bike way better the my 13 year old full suspension mongoose xr250. Of course if it wasn't I wouldn't be to pleased.

I've been an avid rider for 40 years. Been through the BMX years, spent a season of my life living for single track, and used to look for speed, speed, and then air. Even though I've jumped up to $2500 to $3000 bikes a couple of times I'm usually fine with the $500-$1200 version. My rule of thumb is that my bike must be disposable. The Floot Loops that say that you can't bike pack on a Rockhopper, or trail ride on a Rockhopper, or put 10,000 miles on a Rockhopper are the same uppities that say I can't drive a $500 Nissan truck across the U.S. I don't use my Rockhopper for hard core riding but I do have to replace my tires periodically due to the miles travelled. If you keep the Rockhopper in good repair, tighten it up once a year, lube what needs lubed, it'll last forever. Guess what.....you don't have to finance it on a credit card either. I give my bike 4 stars. I can't offer 5 stars because the Hopper should have a higher grade wheel in my opinion, considering the cost. I have learned that most of the people that discredit the Hopper are the dealers that are selling them. All they're trying to do is get another $1000 out of your wallet. The Rockhopper will do.

The First thing I noticed when I got the bike was it's frame, It's symmetrical design it's Satin Black, with white lettering, that spells SPECIALIZED in bold lettering, the crank set , the chain, the suspension, the fork everything caught my eye. The dealer even told me to get the Giant because it was basically the same bike, and that I was just buying the name brand if I got the Rock hopper, I didn't give an Uncle Sam, I bought the Rock hopper for my first mountain bike, now I'm riding down trails of Santa Teresa hills.

I like everything about this bike but I am having troubles keeping the rear rim nice and true, that's just because I ride it a little harder than I think it was designed to be.