Specialized Rockhopper: suspension setup & specs
The Specialized Rockhopper is a cross-country hardtail with 100 mm of fork travel. Below you will find all 4 current builds with fork, plus SAG values in millimetres and a tyre pressure table.
Calculate the setup for your Specialized Rockhopper →
All builds
Fork, weight and price according to the manufacturer. Wheel size: 26 / 27.5 / 29 by size / 27.5 / 29 by size.
| Build | Fork | Weight | RRP | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockhopper | SR Suntour XCE (100 mm) | – | – | Setup → |
| Comp | RockShox Judy (100 mm) | – | – | Setup → |
| Sport | SR Suntour XCM (100 mm) | – | – | Setup → |
| Expert | RockShox Judy (100 mm) | – | €1,299 | Setup → |
How it compares
On travel, the Specialized Rockhopper is right where the “cross-country hardtail” category usually is: 100 mm up front against a median of 100 mm from 46 bikes. Of Specialized’s mountain bikes, the Specialized Rockhopper offers the least travel up front. The frame is made of aluminium.
The starting price of €1,299 (Expert) is roughly in line with the category median (€1,450). The fork line-up ranges from the SR Suntour XCE to the SR Suntour XCM.
Setup notes for this spec
- Air fork (RockShox Judy): the air valve is on top of the left leg under a cap. Change pressure in small steps (about 5 psi (0.34 bar)) and cycle the fork a few times afterwards so the air chambers can equalise.
- Rebound: turn the red RockShox adjuster fully closed first and count clicks from there – that way you can note settings and restore them later.
- Hardtail: only the fork needs setting up. With no rear suspension, rear tyre pressure is the key adjustment for comfort and grip.
Target SAG for the Specialized Rockhopper
SAG is the share of travel your weight already uses in the riding position. The table gives it straight in millimetres – read the O-ring on the stanchion and adjust the air pressure until it matches. Any figures from Specialized take priority.
100 mm fork (all builds)
| Riding style | Fork SAG |
|---|---|
| XC / touring | 17 % = 17 mm |
| Trail | 20 % = 20 mm |
| Enduro / rough | 22 % = 22 mm |
| Bike park | 20 % = 20 mm |
How to measure SAG is explained in our guide SAG setup.
Tyre pressure starting values
For 2.35″ wide tyres, tubeless with a trail casing. With an inner tube about 0.2 bar (2.9 psi) more, with an insert about 0.1 bar (1.5 psi) less. Stock tyres: Ground Control 2.35.
| Ready-to-ride weight | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 1.43 bar (21 psi) | 1.63 bar (24 psi) |
| 70 kg | 1.55 bar (22 psi) | 1.75 bar (25 psi) |
| 80 kg | 1.67 bar (24 psi) | 1.87 bar (27 psi) |
| 90 kg | 1.79 bar (26 psi) | 1.99 bar (29 psi) |
| 100 kg | 1.91 bar (28 psi) | 2.11 bar (31 psi) |
| 110 kg | 2.03 bar (29 psi) | 2.23 bar (32 psi) |
| 120 kg | 2.15 bar (31 psi) | 2.35 bar (34 psi) |
Air pressure in the fork
You will find a guide value for air pressure on the fork sticker or in the suspension makers’ charts. Our calculator also takes riding style and rebound into account. In the end, measured SAG is what counts.