https://photos.nsmb.com/browseimages....mageuser=27281

Some pics for your enjoyment. The bikes are looking very slick this year.

There lookin a lot better than last years (paint wise) thats for sure. I wonder if there gonna change the Bighit a little...I really can't stand the 2007 frame.

I like that look d"_"b
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I wonder if the new singlecrown fork is going to sink or swim. So far the rear shock on the enduro SLs have been a dud for more aggresive riding. My ride buddy has blown his twice and asked spez to give him a fox dhx air instead. They keep sending him the oem one though. More of a xc shock for sure.

specialized is kind of cheaping out on components especially on the rockhoppers and hardrocks.

they aren't exactly high end bikes.

Yeah but hey used to have decent components.
And they sell well, so it would make sense from a buyers perspective to put higher components on them.

Theyre going to lose a lot of sales if they dont up the nate on that price range.

you are right, the components on Rockhopper has been down graded almost every year. the change is significant if you look at the spec sheet in 2002-2004 and now....

but, I think its a common trend amongst the major bike makers....they are down grading their entry level bikes componentry....Kona is another example....is it just to make the bike a bit cheaper (not the case for Specialized but its true for Kona)...or is it that the lower grade components of today performs as good as the heigher grade components of early 2000s.......

Kona has always had crap components except on the high end. At least since 2002. I remember the kona roast (the one I own) had garbage components and it was the second highest end in the fr ht category. The chute had everything you could want. Same with the stinky. Absolute garbage components, stinky supreme had xt for example.

With the cost of aluminum jumping (at least I assume it is still elevated) this is the only chance the industry gets to keep prices reasonable. I would much rather they cheap out on components than on the frame.

Yeah, very good point. Over time, I've upgraded the components on my Rockhopper from Alivio/Deore to LX/XT. I did the Shifters, F&R Drs and the V brakes for under $100 used and I installed myself. If I wanted to change the frame, well, I might as well sell the bike and start over. But I like my 05 (gettin a little old now) frame.
Now all I need is a Fox fork. There goes the budget!

When a newbi asks the "what bike should I get" the answer %90 of the time is Rockhopper or Hardrock. Maybe specialized has reconized this and is puting cheaper parts on them. Cheaper parts break more but are cheaper to replace. Newbie's dont know a lot in the begining and can realy mess up there first bike(saying this from experience and is that not what your first bike is? To learn from?). If the first bike a person got, who didnt know anything, had LX on there they would probly trash it just by not knowing how to take care of it properly. I dont know, I think some of the down grades are good. It is a mixed thing.

Let's not forget Specialized is in the business of making money. Cheaper components and high volume make for good profits.

you took the words right out of my mouth.
and i never recommend a new hardrock or rockhopper to anyone. always a trek 4300 or 4500 or fisher wahoo or marlin.

You recommend the Treks and Fisher's cause their not out to make money?

no.

those were supposed to be separate subjects.

I agree that special ed is a huge company that is known for great bikes. When I was smaller and didnt know much, I wanted a one. Only because the big time riders rode them. But I do think that their cheaper bikes are better then some other companys more expensive bikes.