2021 Specialized Rockhopper Elite 29 |Test Ride & Review | Serious about getting into MTB start here 

This guy rode this bike much harder than I ever will I think, so if it works for him it will 100% work for me! Just got mine today! Thanks for the review

I got the same bike, and I freakin love it! my first MTB and I am hooked into this sport! I think I went on my local trails every day now, that's insane for me to have so much fun in a sport! thanks for your video man, really can feel the passion and the excitement!

Great review. It has definitely sold me and I will be buying one next week. Good to actually see someone riding one, not just the usual walk around…

I’ve just ordered one of these, it’s nice to here positive things. I haven’t been on a bike for ten years my last bike was a BMX back in high school. I can’t wait to get it now thank you for the video.

I was very lucky enough to find a large in Mountain Green. The difference is that mine is a rockhopper expert that has SRAM components on it versus Shimano. It is an excellent bike excellent hardtail and so far I love it. It handles extremely well and the quality of the bike is second to none! Solid just like specialized bikes always are. Awesome review by the way thank you!!

Impressive riding, sir! Thanks for the great explanation.

Awesome review! Great to see you out there on a hardtail! The sand reminds me of some of my trails on Cape where I still ride my 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp A1 daily although there are very few original parts. Specialized made some really fun hardtails back in the day, glad they have continued! The Rockhopper Elite is on my short list!

Wonderful review. I purchased a 2022 Elite today. The bike is ready to rip! Only needs a damn dropper! Love the vid.

This is correct you don’t need a super fancy bike to have fun! I got a pitch that’s upgraded to be just like a rockhopper expert and it sends everywhere! Things fast too

Awesome video and bike. I just purchased one today. Have to go pick it up. Can't wait to ride it.

Just bought the elite for my son. Hope he has as much fun. Same colorway too

Just got one and boy oh boy is it fun, you ride it really well !!!

I hate to be that one guy but, the Rockhopper comp does have a 1x drivetrain. One of the differences between the elite and comp is that the elite has a air fork not a coil fork. I have the 2021 Specialized Rockhopper Elite 29er and its an amazing bike. But great video!

I've been saving up for almost 2 years to buy a new bike (I'm 14, so don't work), and I'm pretty sure this is the one I want, seems like a massive improvement to my $300 carrera that can hardly handle simple trails

Just purchased a 2022 extra with tubeless. This is premium for an aluminum tail. Works for trails and commuting

I am a subscriber watching in Korea. I am currently riding the 2021 Rock Hopper Expert model. I heard that the frames of the Rock Hopper lineup are all the same. However, because I was quite scared, I was worried that my precious bicycle would be damaged in the mountains, but after watching this video, I realized that it was a big mistake.

I’ve got the comp version and I debating on a dropper but I’ll for sure wait for you to see how it goes.👍

OMG those trees are getting mighty close to you. Nice Riding

thaks for your video it really helped me on my decision on my first Mountain bike

Yeah, they fit me with a large & I'm only 5'9 180lbs. I had to cut the seat post so I could get it to a comfortable position. My 1st mountain bike, so I don't have anything to compare it to besides the other ones I test drove, which were all Specialized too. Rockhopper Sport just felt the best.. I don't ride nearly as fast as you.. 52 years old & haven't been on a bicycle since I was about 13.

Before you had mentioned the shock I was thinking that it looked smooth. I love hard tails.

Great entry mountain bike, I got back into riding on a Trek Marlin 7 similar spec and worked my way up to a Giant Trance. Nice to see some entry level reviews...thanks!

I like everything about those, but I do wish it had a tapered head tube. I have the previous generation Rockhopper and I’ve got it setup with a dropper, Shimano XT drivetrain, and Novatec/Stans Flow wheels, but limited on fork options. It’s great with a Suntour Epixon 120mm fork, but an adapter headset cup to install a tapered fork has 12mm stack and it’s change the seat tube angle another .5 degrees. So from 73.9 to 72.4.

This is a great video. Thanks for sharing. I'm looking for a bike at the moment so it's really nice to see how well bikes like this ride and also seeing how much genuine fun you are having on it. This is definitely the kind of riding I want to be doing, as well as everyday riding about the city/commute and maybe someday some bike-packing adventures. Seems really versatile. Unfortunately, there are no rockhoppers available here (Mexico), but Giant Talons will be arriving soon, so I'm looking at Talon 0. I am presuming it would have a similar feel to this (based on spec and geometry). Is that a fair presumption to make? Thanks!!!

I'm picking up a new green 2022 Rockhopper Elite 29 today or tomorrow. It'll pair well with my Turbo Levo ebike. Definitely gotta put a dropper on it ASAP.

Hey man, I was just wondering whether you could answer a couple of questions regarding this bike. First of all I would like to know how it feels going uphill, is the smallest gear enough to get past 10% uphill tracks? Second question would be how does it feel when goin on flat roads, can you get some speed using the last gear? Thanks in advance, great review!

those trails are insane! nice review

Your video convinced me to buy this bike,thank you !!!! Lol. Good seller point.

Glad to see another lower priced bike. Good vid!

I am 6'3" and I wish I also went a size down on the frame. I had to change the stem to make the bike fit me better. Great vid!

I have the Rockhopper comp. It’s a 1x with hydraulic brakes, as well.

This is my bike had it for about 4 months loving it plan to upgrade the fork and a few more parts. I was think it was a trail bike didn't know much at the time later I found out its a cross country bike.

Comp with the advent gearing is also good.

You went beast mode bro great ride 💪

Awesome review, thanks 🙏

Got mine in red white gloss, XL frame can't go wrong 👍

Fuse 27.5+ for $1400 is what I would suggest for the newer riders. It can fit both 29x2.3 and of course the stock setup at 27.5x2.8. It comes with boost spacing, dropper post and confident inspiring HA at 66° for the newer riders.

I got the Comp 2× 29er version and I think I could upgrade my bike to the same level as this one. Good bike tbh

The comp comes with a 1x and hydro brakes.

I have the rockhopper expert and I love it.

My beginner hardtail was a specialized Hardrock 29er sport disc in 2013

hi you probably won’t see this but is the rockhopper elite 27.5 okay for jumps aswell as trails ? love this video btw

great review! thanks!

Bro… this video blew my mind. Why havent I seen more trail videos with this POV. I have an entry level 2018 Pitch Comp and I want to upgrade to one of these and thats how I found your video. How can I find a trail like this?

Nice review! Which would you choose over this, or the Trek X-Caliber 7? In the UK, the Rockhopper Elite is £850 and the Trek £900. Cheers

I have this bike in medium, awesome bike very versatile and great to manuver, mine is a 1x12 sram nx , I have done trail riding , XC and Epic Riding, I participated in a Epic ride competition where I did over 50km. Really good and comfortable and FUN!!!

I've just bought the specialised rock hopper and it's black

I called my LBS and asked if they had any Rockhopper Elite's in stock. He said they have one. Crossing my fingers I asked what size. He said large. I said DON'T SELL IT I'll be there in 15 minutes. So I just got home with my new mountain bike! Can't believe they had one in stock.

I have this bike and it's insane for the money!!!

How is the gear range? curious as I'm looking at this bike going for a 2x drivetrain but still would like to try some steep climbs.

Is this a good bike for just doing wheelies? I'm worried about the seat height adjustment? Does it not go low?

Should you choose Specialized Rockhopper Elite 29 (2021) or trek x caliber 8 (2021) ?

I am not really a beginner mountain biker, I been biking for a year on a GT aggressor pro, so I'm kind of over hardtails. I was wondering if there was a full suspension version of the Specialized elite, because I love the build of the bike, just not the hardtail. Any suggestions?

Hi awesome video, I'm 179cm 5"10.5. So you think go with the medium or large? Been to two shops that sell this bike one said different to the other. I'm still undecided and worried about the step over being to high especially if you have to plant your feet quickly. Be great for your help Cheers

Im 6' even but came across a mint 2021 RockHopper Elite medium frame 29er for 600 and couldnt pass it up. Even though i should probably be on a large. They have gone up to $1150 now for a new one so it was a nice deal. I think the elite is the best value in the rockhopper lineup. RS air fork, deore drivetrail, shimano brakes etc.. The expert is too much at 1400. For that much, you might as well go up a model to the fuse which starts at 1500.

Did you end up installing a dropper post? If so, which did you go with? I got the same bike with large frame, I'm also 5'10", and almost returned the bike because I thought it was too large because the seat was so high. When I put in an old seat, where the post is a smaller diameter that allows it to fully drop, the bike feels good.

Hi, thanks for this review. Are you suggesting to get the smaller size if I’m in between the suggested sizes?

i was just looking at this bike cuz i want it looks really nice

Have u tried the Chisel? Wonder how it compares? Seems to be the an XC race ready low-ish priced bike

Picking up same bike tomorrow should I be worried about the QR?

how about the Rockhopper 29 comp 2x are they good to start with? thanks

Man, I have been looking at Fuses and Timber Jacks, stuff in that category but being a dad with three kids who ride, I see the Rockhopper Expert and think that could work and save some $. QR isn’t that big of a deal for me but add a dropper post would be key. Think a 29x2.6 would fit? Looks plenty fun, definitely tempting.

Hello Just a heads up...The Rockhopper comp has a 1 X drivetrain as well and is the level below this one in the Rockhopper line. That also is a good all around entry level bike. I had one and gave it to my wife while I ride the Fuse.

Looking at the expert model but they only have XL and I’m 6ft and fairly heavy at 275lb so I thought a bit bigger would be fine does weight mean anything when picking a size?

Warm greeting from Indonesia🇮🇩, bro. Keep cycling! Success!

can u make more vids on this bike nice vid by the way

This bike is the trek I want mix with the rei coop 1.2. ❤️🔥

Is the fuse comp better buy than this ? Is fuse worth extra cash ?

Will it be okay to upgrade this bike to a 120mm fork? Would it have benefits?

Dropper..dropper..drop,drop,drop 👍

Yeah I'm definitely getting this bike entry-level you're kicking ass in those trails lol

Got the base 29er and can’t wait to throw $1,200 on it

So how would a different post go lower if there is something stopping the post going lower in the frame tube?

4:21 I have the same issue on my Rockhopper Comp too, same brakes. Might be a problem with the rotor or disc?

"No Way!" ... not "Send it!" ??? Did we show your age? (and wisdom). That did take some balls to ride it on those jump trails. So much fun to get on a "back to basics" bike.

What to choose from Specialized rockhopper elite 2021 and Gt avalanche elite 2021? Please reply with some good answers. Thanks in advance.

Where is that downhill trail? I live in Worcester and would love to ride there. Cheers.

Looking to buy this when they come back in stock

68,5 head tube angle in this bike, is this a real hardtail? Mmm

Well the price must of went way up, the Specialized website price for a 2021 Rockhopper elite 29 is listed at $1,059..

First timer here on buying a mtb can someone recomend what bike should i get rockhopper sports or rockhopper comp im 5’2 female & ill be riding about 4x during day off.

Cool bike and just picked one up. 28 lbs is pretty light for alloy! Did you weigh it tubeless?

500$. Where you at. The elite go for 1100 here in cali

Nice to see a review of entry level hardtails. Were those the stock tires? Fast trak, or whatever they are called? Tire upgrades are always a good start. Bro, that "Boomerang" reference had me dying! RIP John Witherspoon.

What trail is this ?

Is that the “serious side” at Plymouth?

Quick recovery or no operation yet?

What made you decide on the Elite Version?

how is it going uphills with the 1X10?

So does the seat/post not go all the way down?

Do you spin out when going downhill?

It’s actually $1050.

And they are currently out of stock...

Damn ur fast

Doesn't have thru axle at rear.

What gloves are you using here???

Does this have thru axle

Everything functions properly ru-vid.comUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Nothing was damaged in the box aside from a decal on the fork. The decal was missing a piece of a corner but I ended up peeling them off anyways. Assembly is easy BUT make sure you tune up the derailleurs. Both the front and rear need adjusting. I'd advise going to a bike shop but I opted out and put in 10+ hours with the help of RU-vid. Ended up fraying a shifter cable but all in all I learned from the experience. The Brakes work well but the front caliper needs adjusting or at least mine did because the rotor was rubbing against the pads. Make sure you swap out the seat, grips, and pedals. For the short run you'll be fine though. I've read that this bike isn't built yet for hard trails but I just need it for the city. PA has some of the worst roads and being in a mountain this was a great choice. Worth the investment!

I dont like the term beginner bike. Iv been riding mountain for years and just bought one. I prefer the term currensy impaired bike 😎

is this a hard tail