Rockhopper Expert 29
- 4 Reviews
Was: £1099.00
Now: £999.00
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.
- Tubeless-ready rims and tires keep your options open and traction on-call.
- Soar up climbs and dive down descents with SRAM's ultra-wide-range SX Eagle 1x12 drivetrain.
Please note that this bike does not come with pedals.
Size | Colour | Part Number | Availability |
---|---|---|---|
XXL | SATIN SILVER DUST / BLACK HOLOGRAPHIC | 91520-3506 | Out of Stock |
XL | SATIN SILVER DUST / BLACK HOLOGRAPHIC | 91520-3505 | In Stock |
L | SATIN SILVER DUST / BLACK HOLOGRAPHIC | 91520-3504 | In Stock |
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 |
Fork | RockShox Judy, Solo Air, Turnkey damper, 46mm offset, QR, 80/90/100mm travel (size-specific), alloy steerer |
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 |
Front Brake | Shimano BR-MT200, hydraulic disc, 160mm |
Rear Brake | Shimano BR-MT200, hydraulic disc, 180mm |
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 |
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" |
Spokes | Stainless, 14g |
Rear Tire | Ground Control, Control casing, GRIPTON® compound, 60 TPI, 2Bliss Ready, 29x2.3" |
Inner Tubes | Presta, 40mm valve |
Saddle | Bridge Sport, steel rails |
SeatPost | Alloy, 2-bolt clamp, 30.9mm |
Seat Binder | Alloy, quick release, 34.9 |
As with any product, specification is subject to change without prior notification. You are advised to confirm current specification before buying.
Please note that this bike does not come with pedals.
Size | SM | MED | LRG | XL | XXL |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
B-B Drop | 62mm | 62mm | 62mm | 62mm | 62mm |
B-B Height | 310mm | 310mm | 310mm | 310mm | 310mm |
Bike Stand-Over Height | 732mm | 754mm | 781mm | 820mm | 853mm |
Chain-Stay Length | 440mm | 440mm | 440mm | 440mm | 440mm |
Fork Length (full) | 505mm | 515mm | 515mm | 515mm | 515mm |
Fork Rake/Offset | 46mm | 46mm | 46mm | 46mm | 46mm |
Front-Center | 672mm | 696mm | 719mm | 745mm | 770mm |
Head-Tube Angle | 68.5° | 68.5° | 68.5° | 68.5° | 68.5° |
Head-Tube Length | 95mm | 95mm | 105mm | 120mm | 135mm |
Reach | 405mm | 425mm | 445mm | 465mm | 485mm |
Seat-Tube Angle | 73.5° | 73.5° | 73.5° | 73.5° | 73.5° |
Seat-Tube Length | 360mm | 400mm | 450mm | 500mm | 560mm |
Stack | 607mm | 616mm | 626mm | 640mm | 654mm |
Top-Tube Length (horizontal) | 586mm | 608mm | 630mm | 654mm | 679mm |
Trail | 97mm | 97mm | 97mm | 97mm | 97mm |
Wheelbase | 1105mm | 1128mm | 1152mm | 1178mm | 1203mm |
This is my third Rockhopper since the early nineties... the original is still in good working order (in fact it may be stronger, but heavier). Says a lot. It's a solid bike. You can certainly spend a LOT more, and will mostly only save on weight when you do.
Here are the issues that you should know:
1. The geometry of the bike is fundamentally based on an older standard. This most affect the width of the frame for the wheels. Many top-range bikes allow wider wheel hubs, which adds stability (called Boost). A consequence is that you have to consider NON-BOOST Wheels/ hubs.
2. The Expert Rockhopper, while top of the range, is fitted with SRAM SX -it's essentially the bottom of the line for the 1x12 drivetrain group-set components (crank/ derailleur/cassette/controls). Because of this choice, it is not a direct swap out to upgrade to the much more robust and beloved SRAM GX cassette (the gears on the back wheel). You can If you plan on putting a lot of hard miles on, you'll run into this. The other components can be swapped out and are compatible.
3. If you are planning on doing any substantial off-road trail or mountain biking, get yourself a spare Derailleur hanger - they are designed to fail, and can leave you stranded in the woods, carrying your bike all the way back to civilisation. You risk being the meat in a bear/racoon sandwich. Ask for a hanger when you buy the bike, they might include it for no cost. Mine cracked off in a week. I think the Specialized hanger is particularly frail.
It's a great bike. I only wish the Expert version had SRAM GX group-set and accommodated the boost hubs - but then it might cannibalise sales of the EPIC range (more like treble the price). But you have to ask, WHY not offer the better bike? Call it "the Actual Expert Rockhopper"
Oh and replace the plastic pedals they come with... that one thing dramatically enhanced the quality and feel of the ride.
Straight-up advice, hope it's helpful. Now get out there and have some fun instead of reading about it.
Love the bike, great upgrade from my Bergamont Revox3.
One issue is that the powerspline bottom bracket has had to be replaced after 460miles/6months. Rather than a straight replacement I upgraded to a better BB and crankset at nearly 20% of the original cost. Hence the 4* rather than 5*
Received this from Plymouth concept store on 7/1/21. The bike had been expertly prepped and just needed minor assembly. Went for a 20 mile ride, very comfortable and everything works as it should - smooth and efficient. If buying as a winter fitness bike as I have (mixture of road, riverside path and trail) then you might want a larger chainring (34 or 40) or you could run out of gears on downhill road sections. The off road sections were a breeze.
Will definitely recommend to friends and family
Had it 3 weeks now and i love it, im a fat 44 year old trying to keep up with my kids but on this bike its the kids trying to keep up with me. Looks good,rides great.