2021 Specialized Rockhopper reshapes affordable XC hardtail mountain bikes, from just $500

Specialized calls this the best Rockhopper they’ve ever made, bringing singletrack-ready performance to the masses at affordable pricing and in wider-than-ever sizing for any rider looking to step up their mountain bike game

Sharing the same lightweight, butted aluminum hardtail frame setup across the range, complete bikes start as low as $500. With wheel sizes from 26″ to 29er, and size-specific fork travel, once the full 2021 Rockhopper range rolls out over the summer, this is the kind of bike that will develop the next generation of mountain bikers…

The affordable new Specialized Rockhopper

For 30 years, the alloy Specialized Rockhopper has always been the right blend of high value and high performance hardtail that gets new cyclists hooked on mountain biking. But now, with a complete frame overhaul, broader sizing & fits, and a revamped component spec, the Rockhopper is more accessible to even more riders.

Size-specific wheelsize & XC trail geometry

A first for mountain bike hardtails at this level, the Rockhopper introduces size-specific wheel sizes and fork travel, so all sizes of rider can get handling & performance properly scaled to them.

Now available in nine sizes (XXS to XXL), the smallest XXS is 26″ only, XS/S/M come with 27.5″ wheels, and the 29er gets a wide S-XXL range. (This effectively merges the previous Pitch & Rockhopper into a single platform.)

New Rockhopper tech details

The new disc brake frame is built from an all-new A1 Premium aluminum alloy with butted tubes & forged dropouts to cut weight and offer a more comfortable ride.

The new Rockhopper sticks with Quick Release axles (as opposed to thru axles) to keep build specs affordable, but it does add full internal cable routing with stealth dropper seatpost compatibility.

It also gets a threaded bottom bracket, straight 1 1/8″ headtube with internal Zero Stack headset, chainstay post mount rear brake, replaceable derailleur hanger, and QR clamp for the 30.9mm seatpost. It even includes hidden rear rack & kickstand mounts for everyday commuter versatility.

2021 Specialized Rockhopper pricing & availability

For now though, we know that the Rockhopper will come in five spec levels:

• $1125 / 1200€ Expert
• $950 / 1000€ Elite
• $750 / 700€ Comp
• $600 / 600€ Sport
• $500 / 500€ Base

Of those Expert & Elite will offer wide 1x drivetrains in 9, 10, or 12-speed variants. While the less expensive models will get 2×8 or 2×9 drivetrains. Importantly, as wheelsizes are based on rider size… 26″, 27.5″ & 29″ bikes of the same spec-level get the same retail price.

Those entry-level $500€ Rockhoppers get size-specific SR Suntour XCE coil forks with 80, 90, or 100mm of custom Rx tuned travel and a 2×8-speed drivetrain mixing Shimano Tourney & Altus derailleurs to microShift shifter & a SunRace cassette.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the top $1125 / 1200€ Rockhopper Experts move up to RockShox Judy air forks with the same size-specific 80-100mm travel (still QR axle, though), SRAM SX Eagle 1×12, and tubeless-ready rims & Ground Control tires. (Tubeless-ready tire+wheels for Elite, wheels-only for Comp, too.)

So far, Specialized has given the new bike a soft rollout first across Europe, but some North American information is up on the website. Technically it’s a model year 2021 mountain bike (which would typically debut early this summer), and thanks to the logistical impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic, global delivery has been impacted. Many of the new bikes are now available in Europe, but full inventory is expected in US bike shops a bit later, around mid summer through September 2020 depending on the model.

Specialized.com