08 rockhopper FD fitment
 

Will an 08 Rockhopper work with a Top pull, high clamp FD? I have an extra Sram X9..sorry couldnt find info on it. Thanks.

What did the bike come with? I've not had good luck fitting front derailleurs different than what the frame was designed for. I always run into cable routing problems, interference with water bottle screws, or oddly shaped seat tubes. Then again, you may be luckier than I am.

From Specialized's website, the standard Rockhopper came with a Shimano Altus FD-M310-6, top swing, 34.9mm clamp. Find something that matches and it will work.\

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...008&spid=32234

The pull direction (top-pull vs bottom-pull) is more important than the clamp position (top-swing vs bottom-swing). Judging by the picture in the link above, it appears the '08 Rockhopper requires a bottom-pull FD. It's your call, but I wouldn't find it worth the trouble trying to re-route the cabling for the SRAM FD.

Not necessarily. Top-swing (ie. compact) fd's give more clearance, a bottom-swing will often clamp in a place where there is a bottle cage, pivot or oddly shaped seat tube on bikes designed for the former.