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2021 Rockhopper Expert

4.7

10 Reviews

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

Product Details

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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

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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

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SMLXLXXL
Crank Length170mm170mm175mm175mm175mm
Handlebar Width720mm740mm740mm740mm740mm
Stem Length45mm60mm60mm70mm70mm
Saddle Width155mm143mm143mm143mm143mm
Seatpost Length350mm400mm400mm400mm400mm
Stack607mm616mm626mm640mm654mm
Reach405mm425mm445mm465mm485mm
Head-Tube Length95mm95mm105mm120mm135mm
Head-Tube Angle68.5°68.5°68.5°68.5°68.5°
B-B Height310mm310mm310mm310mm310mm
B-B Drop62mm62mm62mm62mm62mm
Trail97mm97mm97mm97mm97mm
Fork Length (full)505mm515mm515mm515mm515mm
Fork Rake/Offset46mm46mm46mm46mm46mm
Front-Center672mm696mm719mm745mm770mm
Chain-Stay Length440mm440mm440mm440mm440mm
Wheelbase1105mm1128mm1152mm1178mm1203mm
Top-Tube Length (horizontal)586mm608mm630mm654mm679mm
Bike Stand-Over Height732mm754mm781mm820mm853mm
Seat-Tube Length360mm400mm450mm500mm560mm
Seat-Tube Angle73.5°73.5°73.5°73.5°73.5°
Geometry

Rider Reviews

4.7

10 Reviews

 

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?

It could be better with a deore drivetrain

Pro Greate geometry Light weight Negative Very cheap drivetrain

Would Recommend?
Yes!

Name:
Bud A.

Helpful?

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?

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

Helpful?

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?

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.

Helpful?

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?

Greatest first bike

Great bike for entry levels.


Name:
Rd

Helpful?

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

Helpful?

Awesome bike

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


Name:
Mjm0103

Helpful?

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