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2021 Rockhopper Expert

$1,400

4.7

10 Reviews

Excuse the brag, but we’ve really outdone ourselves here. Proving that true trail-taming…

Color:

GLOSS SKY BLUE / SATIN BLACK

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Product Details

Excuse the brag, but we’ve really outdone ourselves here. Proving that true trail-taming capability doesn’t have to come at an intimidating price, the Rockhopper Expert is the culmination of 30 years of redefining the relationship between value and performance.

Start with a painstakingly engineered Premium A1 Aluminum frame, add in modern geometry that keeps one eye on efficiency and the other on confident capability and you have the rock-solid foundation of our best Rockhopper yet.

Pair that with a parts list that just doesn’t quit (...can we get a shoutout for RockShox’s Judy SoloAir fork and Shimano’s always-in-charge MT200 hydraulic disc brakes?) and you have a tubeless-ready, SRAM Eagle 1x12-equipped Rockhopper that’s absolutely prepared to fly.

A heart of gold, presented in our lightweight yet durable Premium A1 Aluminum, the Rockhopper features butted aluminum tubes in order to keep weight low and strength high, all while providing increased standover clearance, slick internal cable routing and dropper-post compatibility. With the goal of making sure that the Rockhopper offers both the best fit and best performance for every person, no matter their measure, we’ve paired each Rockhopper frame size with the optimal wheel size. The result is a Rockhopper to fit every rider and the assurance that every Rockhopper is rolling on the best-handling wheel for its frame size.
A breath of fresh air at this price point—and plenty north of it, RockShox’s Judy SoloAir brings air-sprung sensitivity and performance to the masses with a killer value proposition: more bang, less buck. The TurnKey damper deftly dishes out travel letting you focus on what’s ahead.
Soar up climbs and dive down descents with SRAM's ultra-wide-range SX Eagle 1x12 drivetrain.
Tubeless-ready rims and tires keep your options open and traction on-call.

Technical Specifications

COCKPIT

Saddle

Bridge Sport, steel rails

SeatPost

Alloy, 2-bolt clamp, 30.9mm

Stem

Stout 3D-forged alloy, 31.8mm, 6-degree rise

Handlebars

Specialized, alloy, 9-degree backsweep, 15mm rise, 31.8mm

Grips

Specialized Trail Grips, lock-on

BRAKES

Front Brake

Shimano BR-MT200, hydraulic disc, 160mm

Rear Brake

Shimano BR-MT200, hydraulic disc, 180mm

WHEELS

Rims

Specialized Alloy, hookless, Tubeless ready, 25mm inner width

Front Hub

Shimano HB-RM35, Center Lock™ disc, 9x100mm spacing, quick-release, 28h

Rear Hub

Shimano FH-RM35, Center Lock™ disc, 9x135mm spacing, quick-release, 32h

Front Tire

Ground Control, Control casing, GRIPTON® compound, 60 TPI, 2Bliss Ready, 29x2.3"

Rear Tire

Ground Control, Control casing, GRIPTON® compound, 60 TPI, 2Bliss Ready, 29x2.3"

Inner Tubes

Presta, 40mm valve

DRIVETRAIN

Rear Derailleur

SRAM SX Eagle, 12-speed

Shift Levers

SRAM SX Eagle, trigger, 12-speed

Cassette

SRAM PG-1210 Eagle, 11-50t

Chain

SRAM SX Eagle, 12-speed

Crankset

SRAM SX Eagle, Powerspline

Bottom Bracket

SRAM Powerspline

FRAMESET

Frame

Specialized A1 premium butted alloy, zero-stack head tube, internal cable routing, 135x9mm forged dropouts, chainstay-mounted disc brake, replaceable alloy derailleur hanger, stealth rack mounts, dropper post compatible

Seat Binder

Alloy, quick release, 34.9

Suspension

Fork

RockShox Judy, Solo Air, Turnkey damper, 46mm offset, QR, 80/90/100mm travel (size-specific), alloy steerer

WHEELS & TIRES

Spokes

Stainless, 14g

* Weights based on production painted frames as pictured. Actual weights will vary based on colorway, frame size, and component variation. Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Geometry

	S	M	L	XL	XXL
Crank Length	170mm	170mm	175mm	175mm	175mm
Handlebar Width	720mm	740mm	740mm	740mm	740mm
Stem Length	45mm	60mm	60mm	70mm	70mm
Saddle Width	155mm	143mm	143mm	143mm	143mm
Seatpost Length	350mm	400mm	400mm	400mm	400mm
Stack	607mm	616mm	626mm	640mm	654mm
Reach	405mm	425mm	445mm	465mm	485mm
Head-Tube Length	95mm	95mm	105mm	120mm	135mm
Head-Tube Angle	68.5°	68.5°	68.5°	68.5°	68.5°
B-B Height	310mm	310mm	310mm	310mm	310mm
B-B Drop	62mm	62mm	62mm	62mm	62mm
Trail	97mm	97mm	97mm	97mm	97mm
Fork Length (full)	505mm	515mm	515mm	515mm	515mm
Fork Rake/Offset	46mm	46mm	46mm	46mm	46mm
Front-Center	672mm	696mm	719mm	745mm	770mm
Chain-Stay Length	440mm	440mm	440mm	440mm	440mm
Wheelbase	1105mm	1128mm	1152mm	1178mm	1203mm
Top-Tube Length (horizontal)	586mm	608mm	630mm	654mm	679mm
Bike Stand-Over Height	732mm	754mm	781mm	820mm	853mm
Seat-Tube Length	360mm	400mm	450mm	500mm	560mm
Seat-Tube Angle	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°	73.5°

Manual Downloads

Specialized Bicycle Owner's Manual Addendum: Riding With Kids

Tire Pressure and Handlebar Grips Addendum

Trainer Usage Addendum to the Bicycle Owner's Manual

Dodatek - POUŽITÍ TRENAŽÉRU

Specialized Bicycle Owner's Manual (All Languages)

For safety warning please refer to the documentation in the Manual Downloads section of this page.

Rider Reviews

4.7

10 Reviews

08/02/2022

Excellent value hardtail trail bike

We own 2 of these bikes and find them to be excellent. Shram shifter is crisp and concise. Brakes are smooth and sure. From shock is far better than any other in this price range. Response to negative reviews: frame breaker is just plain abusive. Probably not a legit owner. Deore might be better but you won’t find deore in anything close to this price range. These are excellent trail bikes. Not downhillers.

Would Recommend?: Yes!

Name:: Dmenace

Helpful?

12/06/2021

It could be better with a deore drivetrain

Pro Greate geometry Light weight Negative Very cheap drivetrain

Would Recommend?: No

Name:: Bud A.

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11/29/2021

Excellent performer in XC or DH or Trail.

I was lucky enough to find a large 2021rockhopper expert in dark green for $1250.00 before the price increased to $1400.00! The bike preforms excellent with a capable rider but would also make a great intermediate HT. SRAM Components are excellent and the SRAM brakes are perfect. The Judy gold fork is a great fork once set up properly for your weight and trail conditions. I have upgraded to a dropper post replaced the pedals with a flat face Race Face petals and replaced the handlebars with a slight rise and the stem that brings the cockpit closer to me. Highly recommend if you can find and buy one!!

Would Recommend?: Yes!

Name:: Daniel S.

Helpful?

01/08/2021

Another awesome Rockhopper!!

Decided to give my son my 2015 Rockhopper and upgrade my ride... Bought a 2020 in the satin silver and it's an awesome bike!... I really like the 12 speed, as it is so smooth... Now to find a new bike for my daughter, and yes it will be a Specialized!!

Name:: Brett

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12/25/2020

Fantastic for the price

I just received one of these and I still don't know how but am very glad that I did. Everything runs super smooth and the green paint I chose looks great in the sun. Great second hardtail as well!

Name:: Robert

Helpful?

09/15/2020

Hard to get

I drove 3 hours to get an Expert XXL. I wanted a Comp but it sold 15 min before I arrived. I was told it would be too big in that I am ""only"" in the 6-1 to 6-2 height range. It is not as I easily straddle the bar & have the seat well up on the post. I rode it on tough trails right away & it was great fun. Gears 1-3 may need a little break-in adjusting as they skip & grind slightly going up tough switchback terrain. Great bike for sure!

Name:: Over B.

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09/11/2020

Almost perfect entry level MTB

Good fit on the L frame size and very light weight. It rides very nice with the 29x2.3 wheels. SX eagle drivetrain responds good, BUT rear derailleur is not the best, nor very precise and need more tension on the chain. This bike deserves a NX or GX rear derailleur instead. If you don't need the wide range cassette, go for the Elite version 1x10 speed. I thing Shimano Deore rear derailleur with clutch performs better.

Name:: Charlie

Helpful?

08/19/2020

Greatest first bike

Great bike for entry levels.

Name:: Rd

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08/08/2020

Great real world bike

Love the XXL frame size and big 29"" wheels - tough and comfortable bike for rugged commuting, bike camping or heart pounding rides at Annadel

Name:: Zach

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05/16/2020

Awesome bike

Best bike I've ever owned. Easy ride, great feedback and very comfortable.

Name:: Mjm0103

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