I should be picking my up my new '05 Rockhopper Comp (not Hardrock!) next week.

Is there anything I am going to be disappointed with right out of the box? Anything that should be on the "what the hell were you thinking, change this component right away" list?

I ride mostly intermediate trails with very little air time - and no drops. Occasional light hucks, and no extreme flat-out DH's or jumps.

Thanks in advance for your time and advice.

Specs:

FRAME A1 Premium Aluminum, double-butted front triangle with ORE DT, frame geometry designed for 100mm front travel, reinforced disc mount, externally machined HT, forged alloy drop outs with eyelets and replaceable derailleur hanger

FORK Manitou Splice Comp, 100mm travel, mag lowers, damped, 30mm black nitride coated stanchions, coil spring, disc only, Cr-Mo steerer

HEADSET 1 1/8” threadless, black steel cups, loose ball bearings with seals

STEM Alloy 10 degree rise, forged and TIG welded

HANDLEBARS Alloy, 38mm rise, 9 degree sweep

TAPE / GRIPS Specialized 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, 68x118mm, square taper, sealed cartridge bearing with double crank stops

PEDALS Alloy body, alloy cage, toe clips and straps

RIMS SUN Mach 4, CNC’d side wall with eyelets, 32h

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 with alloy QR

SPOKES 1.8mm (15g) black stainless, brass nipples, L260/R263mm front, L261/R260mm rear

FRONT TIRE Specialized Adrenaline 26 x 2.1”, wire bead

REAR TIRE Specialized Adrenaline 26 x 2.1”, 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

It seems like a pretty solid bike to me, I doubt there will be anything that you won't like straight out of the box.

i'm riding an '04 rockhopper comp and after a year, i can't complain and i ride basically the same stuff.
the '05 has slightly better components in some spots - like the fork.

based on how you described what you'll be riding, you'll probably have a good time on it.

got pics?

^^^
The frame is a lot different too.

I got one a few weeks ago - felt really 'peppy' in the first few weeks that I rode it. In fact I liked it so much I was riding it to work, back home, and hitting the trails till it got dark.

But then I dislocated my arm riding the trails last weekend and now its sitting at home

Should be a nice ride straight up for what you're doing.

The only things I can see that you might change are saddle (always a personal preference thing, but maybe the stock one will be comfy for you) and tires (once you get used to the bike, you'll start to get a feel for whether or not the stock tires are a good choice for your riding conditions).

Fork, Pedals and Seatpost are the weak spots for me. Drive train is pointless, good bad or ugly, any of them work well enough to ride. The fork is getting a bad rep and is breaking (seals blowing), the pedals...well...they are toe strap pedals, need I say more and the seatpost I would bend looking at it. I only buy thomson.

Saddle might be a weak spot if you don't like it.

I agree with pedals, to be replaced.

I have a set of These, and I'm still a big fan of them after several months of use so far. I'm thinking about buying a second pair for my BMX bike, as the stock wellgo pedals on that are almost as bad as the stock specialized pedals on my hardrock were.

The seatpost, I'm assuming it's the same as on the hardrock, and mine is still fine after almost 8 months of riding. Then again, I weigh sub-140 lb, and that almost certainly makes a difference.

i suppose i should add that i replaced the pedals on my '04 a week after i got it with time atac aliums.

Thanks guys. I already had the pedals and potentially the seat post slated for replacement anyway.

The jury is still out on the fork - think I'll bounce it around a bit before I replace it.

Pics when I get 'er.

Contact points: Pedals, Grips and Saddle. When you're happy with them, then start looking at larger upgrades (e.g. fork, wheels)

Yup. Potentially cheap and have a good deal of impact on rider comfort.

Hey how much did the 05 rockhopper comp cost you (in loonies)?

$850.00.