Mountain Biking - Opinions wanted...Specialized Rockhopper Comp vs Raleigh Ram 2.0

Looking for recomendations between these two bikes. Local LBS has both bikes for the same price...which would you choose?

The Rockhopper is lighter and has an LX rear derailleur but it's a hard tail and has no disk brakes. The Ram has only Deore components and the rear shock looks cheap but it has disks and is a full suspension.

I've been riding for many years and do mainly XC riding. I don't have much $ to spend and it needs to last a long time. These are my only two options since I've already paid for the bike but have the option to change to either one.

Raleigh Ram 2.0
http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=2&itemid=150&va=0

Sizes 16", 18", 20"
Colors Dk Silver/Black
Frame 6061 Atomic 13 Aluminum RAM w/ Coil Rear Shock
Fork RockShox Judy TT, 100mm Travel
Headset WTB Zero Stack
Crankset Shimano M440 22/32/44t
Bottom Bracket Sealed Cartridge
F. Derailleur Shimano Deore
R. Derailleur Shimano Deore
Shift Lever Shimano Deore
Cog Set Shimano Cassette 11/32t 9spd
Chain SRAM PC-49
Hubset Alloy Disc
Spokes 14g Stainless Steel
Rims Alex DM-18 Double Wall 32h
Tires WTB Motoraptor 2.4
Brakes Tektro IO Mech Disc
Brake Levers Tektro Alloy Adjustable
Pedals ATB Mtn Platform
Handlebar Alloy 30mm Rise
Grips WTB Grip
Stem Alloy OS Threadless 15° 4-Bolt
Seatpost Alloy Micro Adjust 27.2 x 350mm
Saddle WTB Speed V
Extras Water Bottle Mounts, CatEye Reflector Set, Clear Coat, Owner’s Manual
Weight 34.5 lbs.


Specialized Rockhopper Comp
http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=6012&JServSessionIdroot=opd3k95wmp.j27007

FRAME A1 Premium Aluminum, double butted front triangle with 3D box gusset, reinforced disc mount, externally machined HT, forged alloy drop outs with eyelets and replaceable derailleur hanger
FORK Manitou Axel Elite, 13" & 15" frame - 80mm travel, 17-23" frames - 100mm travel, mag lowers, coil/MCU spring, adjustable rebound damping and preload, disc only, Cr-Mo steerer
HEADSET 1 1/8" threadless, black steel cups, loose ball bearings with seals
STEM Alloy 10 degree rise, TIG welded, black
HANDLEBARS Alloy, 38mm rise, 9 degree sweep
TAPE / GRIPS Specialized Durango double density Kraton
FRONT BRAKE Shimano M-420 linear pull
REAR BRAKE Shimano M-420 linear pull
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano M-420 linear pull
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano M-510 Deore, 34.9mm clamp, bottom pull
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano M-570 LX
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano M-510 Deore
CASSETTE Shimano HG-50, 9-speed, 11x34t
CHAIN Shimano HG-53
CRANKSET Truvativ 5-D, forged alloy, capless bolts
CHAINRINGS 44t AL-7075 x 32t heat-treated Cr-Mo x 22t heat-treated Cr-Mo, replaceable
BOTTOM BRACKET Truvativ, 68x113mm, square taper, sealed cartridge bearing w/ double crank stops
PEDALS Alloy body, alloy cage, toe clips and straps
RIMS Mavic XM-117 disc, 26", black
FRONT HUB Joy-Tech, 32 hole, ground race double sealed loose ball with alloy QR
REAR HUB Joy-Tech, freehub, 32 hole, ground race double sealed loose ball w/ alloy QR
SPOKES 1.8mm (15g) black stainless, brass nipples, L264/R264mm front, L263/R262mm rear
FRONT TIRE Specialized Roll X 26 x 2.0", wire bead
REAR TIRE Specialized Roll X 26 x 2.0", wire bead
TUBES Specialized, schraeder valve
SADDLE Specialized Body Geometry Sport MTB
SEAT POST Alloy 30.9mmx350/400mm, micro adjust
SEAT BINDER Alloy QR, 36mm I.D.
NOTES Chain stay protector, reflectors, clear coat, owners manual

I don't like either chinese bike.
But if you want an opnion buy the Spec.

Specialized all the way

I concur, get the Specialized. Unless you are going to spend over $1,000 I would NOT recommend full suspension!

L8R

I concur, get the Specialized. Unless you are going to spend over $1,000 I would NOT recommend full suspension!

L8R
Agreed. At this $700 pricepoint, you're far better off with the Rockhopper.

Rockhopper.

definately the rockhopper, if you want disc you can latter unpgrade cause dualies at that price aren't great. i also think rockhopper will last longer than the raleigh better frame, etc

I concur, get the Specialized. Unless you are going to spend over $1,000 I would NOT recommend full suspension!

L8RIf he drops another $180 over his $700 He could get the full susser Specialized FSR XC with the same equipment as the 'hopper he's looking at.
This is the ONLY full suspension bike under a G that I'll even look at due to it's proven design.

The Ram adds discs at the expense of almost every other component especially the rear shock. To give perspective; if he wanted to later he could add a set of Avid Mechanical discs to that FSR XC for under $200 (pricepoint.com w s&h) considering the bike comes with a disc wheelset to begin with with. But if he's going to stick to the $700 pricepoint the 'hopper is an excellent choice

Do not go with Raleigh I'v snappen the drive side chain stay on the ran 2.0 2004 model then for the warenty they sent me a ram 3.0 2004 at my expense of $400 and the rocker arm on the non-drove side is not machined corectly. It maybe the lbs but the quality is crap.

Six months later.....

I don't like either chinese bike.
But if you want an opnion buy the Spec.

What exactly does this mean?

some people dont like that frames are built overseas...mainly in china...

I think specialized are built in Taiwan, actually. I'm quite certain mine has a "handmade in taiwan" sticker on it.

Apparently being subtle doesn't work. This thread died six months ago. The original poster hasn't been back since he started this thread in MAY. I don't think he gives a flying ********************* anymore.

forget that and buy a carerra fury - it really does p&^$ all over them both

Yeah, I'll take an angry Porsche over a 700$ bicycle any day.



Sorry, newbie humour.

I wonder how dude managed to miss the fact that it's 6 months old.. lol... I only replied because of the Specialized comment :p