2021 Specialized

Rockhopper Sport 26

A 26″ aluminum frame hardtail crosscountry bike with modest components.

MSRP$800
FrameAluminum
SuspensionHardtail, 80mm
ForkSuntour XCM
Wheels26″ Aluminum
Drivetrain2 × 9
GroupsetAltus
BrakesHydraulic Disc
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Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Rockhopper Sport 26
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Spec Level

Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.

Reviews
Bike Perfect
Specialized Rockhopper Elite 29 review – a smooth and stable ride

Oct 2022 · Jim Bland

Specialized’s Rockhopper Elite 29 brings a remarkably smooth ride, but certain specification choices limit its full potential

Highs
  • Low weight

  • Urgent and fast feel

  • Fantastic brakes

  • Air sprung fork

  • Huge gear range

Lows
  • Straight head tube limits upgrade potential

  • QR front and rear

  • Strange spec differences between sizes

  • Small volume tires

  • No dropper

Read Review

MBR
Specialized Rockhopper Elite 29 review - MBR

Aug 2022 · Alan Muldoon

The Specialized Rockhopper is a stalwart of the hardtail world, and the 29in version is well designed with an impressive spec list that almost places it amongst the best hardtail mountain bikes but for a few elements that take the edge off its otherwise great performance. Specialized Rockhopper Elite 29 need to know: Shimano Deore clutch derailleur and full length rubber chainstay protector minimise chain slap Don’t like sage green? Specialized offers the Rockhopper in three colourways Shimano hydraulic brakes offer a one-finger lever action With a massive 11-51t cassette, the Rockhopper is perfectly geared for climbing Frame At 13.2kg, the 2022 Specialized Rockhopper Elite 29 isn’t just the lightest bike in the shop bought category of our Hardtail of the Year test; it’s also the lightest bike in the overall test. The sleek A1 Premium aluminium frame definitely helps shift the scale in the right direction, but the lightweight wheels, specifically the rear, are what really gives the Rockhopper an advantage when it comes to climbing or accelerating out of corners. With a relatively short front end and longer chainstays, the riding position on the Rockhopper Elite 29 is the most XC focused bike in the test, and again this bolsters climbing efficiency. You could hang this bike up in the shed for six months and the brakes will still work like new next time you ride it. That’s not to say it’s dated though, far from it. With a sloping top tube and a relatively compact 450mm seat tube, the Rockhopper has a modern silhouette with stacks of standover clearance. Specialized has also gone to great lengths to conceal the rack mounts inside the stays so as not to ruin the overall look.  A slender chainstay bridge doubles a kickstand mount too. Cable routing on the front triangle is all neatly hidden inside the downtube. There’s zero cable noise but flip the bike over and the open ended downtube where the cables exit is going to act like a mud magnet. Also, the seat tube on our test bike had not been reamed properly so the alloy post got scratched up really badly after just a couple of rides. So a dropper post would be the first upgrade we’d make, and the frame has routing for it. Suspension Longer travel suspension forks need beefy upper tubes to retain stiffness and steering precision, so it’s fitting that the Rockhopper only comes with a 100mm travel RockShox Judy to maximise both. In fact, Specialized takes customisation to the next level on the Rockhopper platform by fitting 80, 90 or 100mm travel forks depending on the frame size, of which there are five. The 100mm travel RockShox Judy on the size L gives a smooth, composed ride. It’s air sprung so you can accurately match the spring rate and associated sag to your rider weight, while the TK lockout will come in handy if you want to make use of the rack mounts to transform the Rockhopper Elite into a hardcore …Continue reading »

Highs
  • Light and fast. Superb brakes

Lows
  • Skinny tyres

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BikeRadar
Specialized Rockhopper Comp 29 2x review

May 2021 · Alex Evans

Perfectly adequate for blue-graded trails, but its geometry limits its potential to help you progress

Highs
  • Fast-rolling tyres with plenty of grip for trail centres

  • Solid performance for beginner riders

Lows
  • Fork let down by sticky action

  • Geometry limits bike’s upgrade potential

  • 2x drivetrain is dated compared to the competition

Read Review

off.road.cc
2021 Specialized Rockhopper Expert 29 review

Dec 2020

The Rockhopper Expert sits atop Specialized's entry-level cross country range. It’s light and the frame is pretty well-shaped, but the spec leaves a lot to be desired and the price sits at a confused spot in Spesh’s line up. Canyon Grand Canyon AL SL 7.0 review Specialized Epic Expert Carbon Evo 2020 review The best mountain bikes you can buy for under £1,500 - full sus and hardtails The Specialized Rockhopper Expert is built around a reasonably light alloy frame, runs a 120mm fork, and rolls on 29” wheels.

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Bikerumor
2021 Specialized Rockhopper reshapes affordable XC hardtail mountain bikes, from just $500

May 2020

Specialized's new Rockhopper is the best they've ever made - affordable singletrack MTB performance for everyone, in 9 size range across all wheel sizes!

Read Review

Bicycling
The Specialized Rockhopper Expert Takes the Title of Best Cheap Mountain Bike

May 2020

Updated geometry, an air spring fork, and a 1 x 12-speed drivetrain are the highlights of this budget-friendly hardtail.

Highs
  • Incredible value for this level of capability

Lows
  • SRAM SX Eagle doesn’t shift as crisply as higher-priced drivetrains

Read Review

Geometry
99 Spokes on YouTube99 Spokes on YouTube
Specs
Build
Frame

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

ColorsGloss Blaze / Ice Papaya; Satin Forest Green / Oasis

Fork

SR Suntour XCM 26, 30mm stanchions, Rx Tune, coil spring, QR, 80mm travel (size-specific), 40mm offset

Travel80mm

Spring TypeCoil

Bottom Bracket

Square-tapered, 73mm, internal bearings, 122.5mm spindle

Stem

Bridge Sport, steel rails

Handlebar

Stout Mini Rise, alloy, 9-degree backsweep, 15mm rise, 31.8mm

Saddle

Bridge Sport, steel rails

Seatpost

Alloy, 12mm offset, 2-bolt clamp, 30.9mm

TypeRigid

Grips

Specialized Trail Grips, lock-on

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

Shimano Altus, RD-M2000, 9-speed

Front Derailleur

Shimano Altus FD-M2020 2-speed

Crank

Stout 2x, forged alloy

Shifters

Shimano Altus, RapidFire Plus, 9-speed

Cassette

SunRace, 9-Speed, 11-36t

Chain

KMC X9EPT, 9-speed, anti-corrosion coating w/ reusable Missing Link™

Brakes

Front: Tektro HD-M276, short-reach lever, hydraulic disc, 160mm, Rear: Tektro HD-M276, short-reach lever, hydraulic disc, 160mm

TypeHydraulic Disc

Wheels
Rims

Specialized alloy, disc only, double-wall, 25mm inner width, 32h

Spokes

Stainless, 14g

Front Hub

Formula 6-Bolt, disc, 100x9mm spacing, quick-release, 32H

Rear Hub

Formula 6-Bolt freehub, disc, 135x9mm spacing, quick-release, 32H

Tires

Front: Ground Control Sport, 26x2.3", Rear: Ground Control Sport, 26x2.3"

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Last updated August 6
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