Mountain Biking - opinions on specialized.

hi guys

i am interested into some bikes and i have just seen a very nice specialized... the list is as follows

Specialized rockhopper comp disc
Rocky mountain elevation
scott elite racing

I am interested into a bike built to last-frame so i am wondering what to choose. i just loved the specialized i just saw. I am a heavy and tall rider 200lbs/6,3" and i like hard xc. I was racing 10years ago back in Greece and now i live in Cardiff UK. Any fellow riders from the area plz contact me and also give me your advice on choosing.
Yannis
math2014@hotmail.com

I don't know about the Scott (do they sell those in the U.S. anymore?), but you get great tubes and a nice front shock with the Rocky Mountain - in addition to an excellent reputation for quality. The Rockhopper seems a little out of place in this group.

what makes you say that? i mean they both cost the same price ...and the rockymountain is lower on specs in comparison with the rockhopper.... both have fully butted alloy frames ...but the rockhopper has also magurajulies on...

Well, the RM has Easton tubes and a Marzocchi fork. I've had problems with Manitou forks and their service is poor (assuming this is the bike you are talking about, http://www.leisurewheels.co.uk/bikes/specialized-bikes-2002/rh-comp-fs-disc.htm) and the hydraulic brakes - if you really need them they are great. If you don't, go with v's. Here is a thread about disk brakes - http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14197&highlight=brakes And, for comparison, the link to the RM Elevation - http://www.bikes.com/bikes/bikes.asp?bike=elevation

If they are the same price, I'd say the RM is a nicer bike. Just my opinion of course. ;)

I don't know about the Scott (do they sell those in the U.S. anymore?),

No. They are still sold in Europe and are good bikes.
I have found that Specialized is love/hate thing. The riders I know that own one love their bike. The others can not stand them. I don't care for them my self but I will say I have never seen one fail. They do last.
Slainte:beer:

hey friend

what specialized model do you have? is the rockhopper comp a good frame to upgrade and to keep it for a lifetime? As for easton....i dont know about the tubes...but i have heard that the seatposts/handlebars suck bigtime....unreliable...

I have seen the link on an FSR XC fail. I've heard that this has since been toughened up a bit. I've also seen a Big Hit crack twice. Granted, the guy with the Big Hit problems was a Washington State University lineman. Neither really has any bearing on this decision.

i have heard that the seatposts/handlebars suck bigtime....unreliable...
I've never heard this. However, this could come from their carbon products. Carbon seatposts and bars have a short lifespan (two years max, i think, with no scratches or nicks) but people tend to ignore this because they are expensive.

How hard do you ride? Those are pure xc bikes maybe you should look into a freeride hardtail geometry.

rm flow
Kona Stuff / Roast
Norco 4hun

I can't find a specialized I like. I also don't have any real experience with them so I can't recommend one. Those bikes ARE bombproof and will take anything you through at them. In the end the other bikes you mentioned are xc bikes. They aren't build for anything too hard and are far from bombproof. :)

BTW this is the third post by you about these bikes. Read all of the info in all of them and you should find your answer. Also ride a few. Figure out which you like and decide what kind of riding you want to do.

Whoa, man. I own a Specialized Stumpjumper M4 and I love my bike.

The Rockhopper Comp is a good buy, but I would rather have a Marzocchi fork over a Manitou fork any day. I'm not a big fan of disc brakes because they are added weight and I don't race.

So I would go with the Rocky Mountain. This is my opinion.

BTW, there is a Marzocchi Marathon on my bike.:D

What size do you need? KleinMp99 has a very nice Stumpjumper for sale -
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13976

By the way, I agree with Maelstrom - we've all tried to help you and you keep starting new threads asking the same question. Don't be offended, just a bit of etiquette you should be aware of.

Can't say anything about the Rocky Mountain, but I'm riding a new Rockhopper Comp (not the disc model though) so I'll give you my impressions:

Seems like a good frame. This bike is MUCH lighter than my '95 rockhopper comp. However, I cracked the head tube on my '95 rockhopper, so be aware of that and the fact that Specialized no longer warrantees Al frames for life. On the plus side, I didn't have a reciept for the cracked frame and they were willing to make a deal both sides could live with.

Fork sucks.

I weigh a good bit (215 pounds) and haven't had any trouble yet (since March). I have different rims than the disc model (X139). Don't know it these are supposed to be good rims, but I'm impressed that I have yet to feel the need to get out the spoke wrench, riding trails 2-3 times a week.

I'm not a big fan of the deore components and will upgrade as I break them.

The seat post sucks, won't keep the seat at the proper attitude. Had to replace mine but it wasn't a big expenditure.

All in all, I'm happy, but didn't have much of a (any) choice due to my warranty issue. I've always felt that all manufacturers price bikes pretty competitively, i.e. you get what you pay for. The difference usually is how much you can work on a dealer, get the best bike you can for the money and don't worry about the name on the frame.

I got a StumpJumper Comp (fsr), and my overall impression is its a great bike. The only thing that I really did hate about the bike was the tires, but that was an easy remedy.

Anyway I think specialzed makes great stuff.

Dude,

Honestly...get the Rockhopper Comp! That bike is race ready and rock solid! A perfect platform to build off of because it is a great frame! Specialized kicks ass! They have always kicked ass! They will continue to kick ass! You can't get a better bike for the money at that price point!

Hands Down!

Seems like a good frame. This bike is MUCH lighter than my '95 rockhopper comp. However, I cracked the head tube on my '95 rockhopper, so be aware of that and the fact that Specialized no longer warrantees Al frames for life. On the plus side, I didn't have a reciept for the cracked frame and they were willing to make a deal both sides could live with.


I had the EXACT same experiance... cracked the headtube on my 95, had it replaced 7 years later, no questions asked. I did just the frame though and added a Marizocci MXC, so I cant say about the complete bike.

I can say this, though, the frames great and the service/support is rock solid

I purchased a 2002 rockhopper comp (v-brakes) and I love the bike. Only occasionally do I see fs bikes on the trail and feel like I should have saved more and gotten one. I paid 650 back in may, so with 03 bikes starting to come out that price is sure to have dropped some. You getting a lot of bike for your money here. LX rear and deor front. The Manitou fork is very plush which compliments technical terrain but hurts you a little in the racing category.

The only thing I could say that was mediocre with this bike (for its price range) is the stem and seatpost. I fixed this by switching them for a thompson post and stem.

Bottom line im loving my bike, and dont plan on upgrading to a FS till the frame breaks.